Reading Time: 6 minutesThis is the first blog post in a series about my experiences working through the Productivity Field Guide by David Sparks, available in the Plus and the Standard editions. I intend to write 10-12 posts covering each of the major topics in the Field Guide. The Productivity Field Guide comprises a 100+ page PDF or …
Reading Time: 5 minutesLately, I’ve been hearing a mantra about the relative merits of using analog tools versus digital tools, “Use digital for efficiency; use analog for meaningfulness.” It is stated as though it’s an established truth. I’ve read it and heard it repeated on two popular podcasts. The source of this advice is Chris Bailey, writing In …
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen we work, we hope that our work will benefit others. But the reality is that not everyone responds to our work positively with thanks and praise. Instead, we encounter criticism and rejection. The old saying, “You can’t please everyone,” is true. We Can be Influenced By How People Respond to Our Work How people …
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen David Sparks (aka MacSparky) started writing about Apple tech, he was a full-time litigation lawyer. He did his “MacSparky” work of writing books, podcasting, and blogging in his spare time. As MacSparky grew, he left his law firm and started his own practice. He did so with the intention of spending about half his …
Reading Time: 4 minutesHave you ever noticed how your mental state affects your productivity? In this blog post, I will define the mental states affecting our productivity and explore how to schedule our work to take advantage of them. I’ll also discuss the need to change our daily schedule sometimes to accommodate mental states. We’re often unrealistic when …
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe best productivity tip I’ve learned in the past few years has been to start each day with a plan for what I intend to get done that day and when I intend to do it. Productivity gurus agree. As a MacSparky Labs member, I recently watched a preview video of MacSparky’s upcoming Productivity Field …
Reading Time: 5 minutesMy objective in writing this blog post is not just to share my creative process with you but also to prompt you to examine your creative process. I’m committed to publishing a new blog post every week. How do I make that happen? Some might imagine that ideas pop into my mind, and then when …
Reading Time: 5 minutesEvery New Year’s Day, millions make resolutions to change their behavior. Almost no one follows through. The Power of a New Year New Year’s Day holds an extraordinary power — it’s seen as a time to make a new beginning. “New Year’s Day has long held a special power over our behavior. We turn the …
Reading Time: 6 minutesFor some time now, I’ve felt a need to pay more attention to what I’m thinking about things. “Don’t spend much time thinking about what other people think. Think about what you think.” The Daily Stoic, by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman I tried doing meditation for 5 minutes every morning. I would focus on …
Reading Time: 3 minutesCreativity is a fascinating and unpredictable phenomenon. Some days, we find ourselves overflowing with ideas and energy; other days, our minds feel dull and uninspired. Perhaps some people can be creative day in and day out, but I’m not one of them. I experience some days when I’m very creative and productive and others when …