Reading Time: 5 minutesThe Myth of the Universal Productivity App It’s not unusual for us productivity nerds to hear about a highly rated or recommended productivity app or system and assume it will work great for us. We think that because it worked well for the designer or the person recommending it, it will produce the same results …
Reading Time: 4 minutes“Where do you see yourself in five years?” It’s the wrong question. It’s a favorite in interviews, and people worry about how to ‘correctly’ answer it. Some productivity systems strongly suggest that you ask this question regularly and always have a five-year and a 10-year plan on file. Instead of long-term guessing, embrace curiosity and …
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Appeal of Productivity Systems—and Their Trap Many productivity enthusiasts start with good intentions—trying to get more done—but end up obsessing over the perfect system instead of actually doing the work. It’s easy to become enamored with apps and systems. It appeals to our nerdy, organizational side as introverts. Productivity nerds start seeing the goal …
Reading Time: 3 minutesMy Gut Reaction to the ‘Flywheel’ Buzzword I’ve noticed that every time I run across the term ‘flywheel’ in productivity or creativity circles, I have an immediate negative gut reaction. When I hear this term, I can’t help but picture a housefly sitting on a mechanical wheel in a machine. I keep encountering terms like …
Reading Time: 5 minutesDoes Your Productivity System Control You? Productivity systems can help us be more organized and complete the work we need to do. However, for many people, a too-rigid productivity system can lead to a sense of productivity enslavement. Instead of directing your own work, you feel like a slave working for a demanding master. Using …
Reading Time: 3 minutesOpting Out of the Growth Trap—Letting go of ‘more’ to make room for what matters. We live in a world that worships ‘more.’ More money, more growth, more success. But what if there’s a better way? It’s easy to get caught up in society’s definition of success, but sometimes the best move is choosing less—less …
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn a recent blog post, To Finish or Not to Finish,writing coach Ann Janzer describes the reality of a writer: “False starts, half-written pieces, and scattered notebooks are the messy and necessary detritus of a creative life.” She goes on to point out that “Wisdom lies in knowing which of those projects to carry through …
Reading Time: 6 minutesAs indicated in the title, this is Part 2 of a two-part series. If you haven’t already read Part 1, I encourage you to take a few minutes and do so now. Part 2 won’t be as meaningful if you haven’t read Part 1. The Freedom of Imperfection When you realize there is no perfect …
Reading Time: 3 minutesThis two-part series was originally intended to be one blog post, but as I continued to thank about it and add to it I realized it would be too large as one post. Part 2 should be published Thursday, so look for it! Introduction: Enslaved to Productivity Have you ever felt like your productivity system …
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe Overload Syndrome: Drowning in Saved Information It’s a mistake almost everyone makes when they get their first linking notes app, such as Obsidian, Craft, or NotePlan. When people are first exposed to PKM, or personal knowledge management, they tend to go overboard. They save almost everything they encounter, thinking it might be useful sometime …