What is Shallow Work?
Cal Newport defines shallow work as non-cognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks often performed while distracted. These efforts tend not to create new value and are easy to replicate.
Examples
- Email and messaging
- Scheduling meetings
- Filing and organizing
- Data entry
- Form filling
- Routine administrative tasks
- Status updates
- Some meetings
The Challenge
Shallow work is necessary but can consume entire days if not managed deliberately.
Strategies for Managing Shallow Work
1. Batch Shallow Tasks
Group similar shallow tasks together:
- Process all email at once
- Batch administrative work
- Handle all scheduling together
2. Time-Box Shallow Work
Limit total shallow work hours:
- Newport recommends 30-50% maximum
- Protect deep work time first
- Schedule shallow work in specific blocks
3. Become Hard to Reach
- Don't respond to all emails
- Set expectations about response time
- Use auto-responders
- Provide alternatives to email
4. Drain the Shallows
- Eliminate unnecessary shallow work
- Question each task's necessity
- Push back on low-value requests
- Say no more often
5. Delegate When Possible
- Identify tasks others can do
- Delegate or outsource
- Use virtual assistants
- Automate repetitive tasks
6. Set Boundaries
- Office hours for questions
- Specific email checking times
- Protected focus time
- Clear availability expectations
Best Times for Shallow Work
- End of day (after deep work)
- Low-energy periods (post-lunch dip)
- Between meetings
- When too tired for deep work
- While waiting or commuting
- Email templates and canned responses
- Automation tools (Zapier, IFTTT)
- Text expanders
- Calendar scheduling tools (Calendly)
- Task management systems
Measuring Shallow Work
Track:
- Hours spent on shallow work
- Percentage of total work time
- Types of shallow work
- Which can be eliminated/delegated
Goal:
Newport suggests keeping shallow work under 50% of time, ideally 30% or less.
Best Practices
- Schedule shallow work, don't let it intrude
- Batch similar tasks
- Set time limits
- Minimize where possible
- Delegate or automate
- Protect deep work time first
- Question necessity of each task
- Deep Work
- Time Blocking
- Task Batching
- Delegation
- Automation
