Reading Time: 6 minutesThe Problem with “Always Doing Your Best” Many productivity gurus insist we always do our best in all areas of life. But is that truly helpful—or even realistic? The mindset in the business world of “excellence in all we do” has been adopted by productivity and personal growth teachers who insist that we always do …
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: 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: 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 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 …
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 …
Reading Time: 7 minutesDuring the Past Three Years, I’ve Modified My System Recently, I went to a local motel and processed my quarterly review and planning session. For those of you who know David Sparks’ roles-based productivity system, as he discusses in the Productivity Field Guide, the quarterly review and planning session is a crucial part of his …
Reading Time: 5 minutesFor the past three years, I’ve been conducting quarterly review and planning sessions. These sessions are part of the roles-based intentional living system pioneered by David Sparks, as explained in his Productivity Field Guide. My last session was held the last week of March 2024. Over the years, I’ve made several modifications to my process. …
Reading Time: 6 minutesIn this final post in the “Working through the Productivity Field Guide” series, we will discuss the digital tools you might use to set up and maintain your roles-based productivity system. These tools can help you keep up with your roles and arete statements and streamline quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily review and planning sessions. …
Reading Time: 6 minutesDo you have a shutdown ritual when you stop work for the day and plan for the next day? In this post in the “Working through the Productivity Field Guide” series, we will discuss the benefits of a shutdown ritual and when and how to do it. The Benefits of a Shutdown Ritual There are …