Too Busy for Deep Work? – Your Shot of Fearless Culture #381
Where change agents find their weekly dose of culture insights and exercises, one topic at a time.
Everyone loves the idea of deep work, but thinks it’s a luxury they can't afford right now.
The biggest excuse? “I don't have time.”
Here's the irony: When everybody is busy doing and no one is thinking, the quality of our work suffers.
Deep work isn't about finding extra time – it’s about spending your time wisely.
Since we all have just 24 hours a day, we must make space for what matters most.
I just spent 10 days on a writing retreat – not because I'm privileged, but because I refuse to let urgency kill my important work.
Want to know what I learned? Check my latest article. Sometimes the best lesson is getting back to basics.
Explore this week’s newsletter:
My latest article → Deep Work Is a Discipline – Not a Luxury
A team exercise to reclaim focus time
Resources to protect what matters most
Stay fearless, my friend.
Gustavo
PS: Help with my book – answer this one-question poll
In Case You Missed It
→ How to Make Better Decisions Async (And Avoid Another Meeting)
Ask Your Team This
What’s one important project we’re neglecting because we “don’t have time” to focus?
⚠️ Try This
Defend your deep work boundaries
Protecting deep work requires clear team norms and agreements, not just individual willpower. Here's how to get started.
Set clear signals:
Change your Slack/Teams status to "Deep Work" or "Focus Mode"
Block your calendar with specific labels: "Writing proposal," not just "Busy" (makes it less tempting to steal)
Put your phone on "Do not disturb"
If you're in an open office, use visible cues like headphones or sit in a designated quiet area
Codify your team approach:
What qualifies as "urgent enough" to interrupt deep work?
How will you signal when you're in focus mode?
How does deep work time affect our normal response expectations?
How will we address conflict when someone doesn’t respect boundaries?
🍦 Feed Your Curiosity
The complete guide to deep work
The flow state: where creative work thrives
The impact of interruptions at work
How to stop people-pleasing and set boundaries at work
🔎 Do You Really Know the Culture You Have?
Your team says they value collaboration, but people still work in silos. You believe asking for help shows strength, but everyone suffers in silence.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: Most leaders are managing a culture that exists only in their heads.
The Culture Design Masterclass helps you see what's really happening:
Uncover your actual culture (beyond the values on your wall)
Identify the hidden gaps blocking change
Design a culture that drives the behaviors you actually need
Join the Culture Design Masterclass.
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– Michelle
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Gustavo Razzetti
CEO, Fearless Culture