#6: Hard Work vs. Deep Work

In this solo episode, Steve Arendt addresses listener questions about the podcast's new tagline that distinguishes between "hard work" and "deep work." He provides a comprehensive framework for understanding these different types of work and their roles in building a sustainable business.

Hard Work: Making the Gears Turn

• The essential daily operations that keep business running
• Activities that must happen consistently: production, delivery, billing, accounts receivable/payable
• If any "cog" stops working, the business can halt immediately
• Leaders often spend all their time ensuring these operations function smoothly

Deep Work: Making the Gears Run More Efficiently

• Requires stepping back from daily operations to analyze the bigger picture
• Focus on identifying and improving inefficiencies
• Applying the 80/20 rule: finding the 20% of efforts that produce 80% of results

Four Key Areas for Deep Work Analysis:

1. Finances
2. Culture
3. Processes
4. Sales & Marketing Alignment

Deep Deep Work: The Soul Work of Leadership

• Personal introspection and self-analysis as a leader
• Understanding your "why" and purpose beyond just making money
• Becoming the type of leader people want to follow
• Daily vulnerable self-examination and seeking feedback from others
• Working with personal fears, anxieties, and recurring challenges