> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 290 : I Don't Do Politics - URL: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/290-i-dont-do-politics/ - Published: 2026-05-11T05:00:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-11T05:00:11.000Z - Description: You do. You just don't know it yet. - Author: Matt - Tags: Newsletter It's one of the most common things people say at work. Usually with a slight head shake, as if distancing themselves from something grubby. It makes sense, when most people hear "office politics," they picture backstabbing and corridor whispers. I've noticed across nearly four decades of work: the people who say they don't do politics are almost **always** doing politics. They've just convinced themselves they aren't. Not doing politics doesn't mean you're above it. It means someone else is defining your narrative, allocating your opportunities, and interpreting your intentions without your input. That isn't staying neutral, it's delegation. The choice was never between doing politics and not doing politics. It's between doing them consciously or letting them happen to you. There's a version of this that doesn't require you to become someone you're not. *This week, I break down the three political positions everyone defaults to, whether they realise it or not, what each one costs you, and how to move between them with intention.* > [**Read: The Politics You're Already In**](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/the-politics-youre-already-in/) ### Stuff I'm Reading - [Working from Calm.](https://zenhabits.net/calm-work/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) - [Do your habits match your ambitions?](https://fs.blog/brain-food/may-10-2026/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) - [Achieving big goals, a Neuroscience backed strategy.](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/neuroscientist-how-writing-yourself-letters-can-help-you-achieve-goals.html?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) - [Creating Momentum when an Employee is Stuck.](https://larahogan.me/blog/creating-momentum-when-an-employee-is-stuck/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) - [Morning person or Night Owl? What science says is better.](https://www.popsci.com/health/is-morning-person-night-owl-better-science/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) - [Avoiding digital productivity traps.](https://calnewport.com/avoiding-digital-productivity-traps/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Finally**. [Takeaway](https://takeaway-eight.vercel.app/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). A toughie this week. Start with an eight letter word, take one away to make a new one. Repeat. --- ### Below the Fold 💡 [Updates from the last seven days](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/weeknote/) \+ [This Week I Learned](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/twil/) about neanderthal fat factories. ✍️ ****Journal Prompt:** Where are you waiting to be noticed instead of choosing to be visible? [Start Writing Now.](https://startwriting.now/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) 📍 ****Elsewhere:** More insights and updates on my [website](https://mattrutherford.co.uk/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), follow me on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/matt.rutherford/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@matt.rutherford?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) and [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/rutherfordmatt.bsky.social?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) for updates. 🔥 Were you forwarded this newsletter? [Get your own here.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/subscribe/)