Stop Preparing and Start Doing: Breaking Free from the Trap of Over-Preparation

Reading Time: 3 minutesDon’t Get Stuck in Over-Preparation, and Never Taking Action For creatives, there’s always the danger of getting stuck in over-preparation and never taking action. In a recent newsletter article titled “Beyond Over-Preparation: How to Start Before You Feel Ready,” Anne-Laure Le Cuff writes about researching rare Asian teas to prepare for launching a new business. …

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Switching from 1Password to Apple Passwords and Access: A Seamless and Affordable Alternative

Reading Time: 4 minutesSwitching from 1Password: What Made Me Take the Leap The Apple ecosystem is becoming a surprisingly strong contender in a world full of password manager options. This summer, after Apple released a stand-alone application for Apple Passwords. I experimented with switching from using 1Password (which I’d subscribed to for several years) to using Apple Passwords …

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Discovering Your Unique Ability: A Guide to Finding and Defining Your Best Self

Reading Time: 2 minutesI’m constantly searching for insightful reading material that offers practical wisdom for personal growth, exposes me to new concepts, or gives me new skills. Recently, I stumbled upon Unique Ability 2.0: Discovery, Define Your Best Self by Catherine Nomura, Julia Walle, and Shannon Waller. This book is designed to take you through a process to …

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Mastering Self-Kindness: A New Perspective on Treating Yourself Better

Reading Time: 2 minutesRethinking Kindness: Actions vs. Thoughts We often emphasize kindness in our interactions with others, but how often do we extend that same grace to ourselves? The truth is, many of us are far kinder to others than we are to ourselves. Several days ago, I read a quote by well-known author James Clear, which caught …

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Create the Day You Want: The Power of a Proactive Morning Routine

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhy Proactivity Matters: Shaping Your Day Instead of Reacting to It I’ve had a morning routine for several years. I read from several sources, think about what I’ve read, and journal. A recent quote completely reframed how I think about my morning routine. Tsh Oxenreider, in her book One Bite at a Time, wrote: “Instead …

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The Hybrid Productivity Workflow: Combining Time Blocking and the Anchor Technique for Maximum Flexibility

Reading Time: 5 minutesIntroduction: Exploring Two Proven Planning Techniques Have you ever felt your rigid planning system traps you, but total flexibility leaves you unfocused? I’ve been there too. After much experimentation, I’ve found a way to get the best of both worlds. On some days, rigid time blocking my day worked, while on others, the flexibility of …

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Finding Our “Life Calling”

Reading Time: 3 minutesSelf-aware people think a lot about discovering their calling in life. Today’s quote highlights the challenges of finding one’s calling: “It is not easy to find one’s calling in life. Although some know what they want to do from an early age, for most, it takes many years to find their path.” The Things You …

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Why I’m Making the Switch: A Two-Week Journey with NotePlan

Reading Time: 6 minutesAfter years of managing my daily tasks, notes, and time blocking across multiple apps, I tested NotePlan, a tool that promised to be an all-in-one solution. Over the last two weeks, I’ve immersed myself in its features, testing them in my daily routines. My journey with NotePlan began unexpectedly while listening to episode 756 of …

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From Planning to Doing: A Step-By-Step Guide to Implementing Quarterly Action Items

Reading Time: 5 minutesI do a quarterly review and planning session each quarter. I thoroughly review the prior quarter and plan for the next near the beginning of every quarter. I follow the system described by David Sparks in his Productivity Field Guide. I use a template (provided by David Sparks in the Productivity Field Guide) with questions …

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