Mind the process, not the results
Focus on the process when intention setting—the actions you need to get what you want. For example, "finish TPS report" might turn into "write…
Articles.
Ideas on productivity, focus, and living with greater intention.
Read something random →Sometimes getting interrupted will make you more productive
Sometimes interruptions serve to make you (and your team) more productive—when the interruption relates to what you're currently working on, or when it helps…
The best (& most boring) $150 you can spend on your office
You should pony up for an ergonomic assessment if you sit or stand for long stretches of time. Your appointment will likely teach you…
10 ways to sharpen an axe
For every minute we spend planning, we save several in execution—like sharpening an axe before chopping down a tree. Here are 10 of my…
How to measure your productivity
Productivity is all about accomplishing what we intend to—that’s why we should measure our productivity against our intentions. Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes, 18s.
Why is the office our least productive place?
When asked about their most productive work location, few will say "the office." Offices can be distracting environments—but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work…
My new Google Talk
You’re not as busy as you think
We tend to overestimate our busyness levels and the number of hours we work by incredible margins. Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes, 2s.
5 bits of advice I give, that I find hard to follow
5 pieces of advice that I give, but find hard to follow: shutting off distractions; eating well for productivity; checking email only once a…
5 ways to read more books, and then read them more productively
5 ways to read more books, and then read them more productively: read with a pen in hand, so you can underline the most…
My New TED Talk: A More Human Approach to Productivity
A month or so back, I was invited to speak at TEDx Liverpool, and the talk was just posted online! I absolutely love how…
Sometimes crap work is fun work
Sometimes "crap work"—the low-return tasks that need to get done, like admin work—isn't worth eliminating or delegating. While crap work may be lower-return than…
It often doesn’t matter how productive you are
Cultivating your energy levels and focus can, ironically, make you feel less productive, and can even make others perceive you as less productive. These…
Waking up early doesn’t make you more productive. Here’s what does
Waking up early doesn't make you more productive—there's no difference in socioeconomic standing between early risers and night owls. What makes you more productive…
What’s the most consequential thing you could be working on right now?
For one day this week, set an hourly chime on your phone. When it goes off, ask yourself: what's the most consequential thing you could…
The 10 indispensable things I keep in my laptop bag at all times
4 minutes, 9s.
The Soylent 2.0 formula is actually pretty good
The Soylent 2.0 formula comes in premixed plastic bottles instead of as a powder, tastes much better than the old version, and is more…
Nothing will make you more productive than caring about your work
The more your work is connected to what you value, the more you'll be naturally motivated by it. If you feel the need to…
Want more self-control? Clean your office.
Tidying up your working and living environment has been shown to lead to more willpower and self-control. Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes, 0s.
100 things to be grateful for
Research shows that recalling what you're grateful for trains your brain over time to become happier—and that happier people are more productive. Here are 100 things to be…
How to Set Smarter, Faster, and Better Goals
Just last week, Charles Duhigg released a worthy followup to his first book, The Power of Habit. Titled Smarter Faster Better, it's a wildly entertaining read—I…
For a productivity boost, think back
For a productivity boost, think back to the last time you were exceedingly happy, engaged with your work, in a flow state, or crazy-productive.…
The cure for writer’s block (or any kind of block, really)
I experienced a big case of writer's block after I pushed myself too hard to write, didn't step back enough from what I was…
Reading about productivity is great, but you have to do the work
Productivity tactics only work when you also put in the work. Estimated Reading Time: 36s.