Here’s a brand-new, gorgeous and innovative desk organization system from my friend Jeff Sheldon.
focus
Nuit by Tony Anderson →
This instrumental album has become my new, go-to for focused work background music.
Things vs OmniFocus vs Todoist →
Personally, I’m still firmly in camp Things. (But I do still peek over the fence at Todoist from time to time … shared tasks would be nice. But I use Notion for that with my team.)
How to Build Your Idea Muscle
If you spent 5 minutes every day doing pushups, would your arms get stronger?
What if you did that every day for a year? You would become a pushup machine! You’d be totally unintimidated to do pushups anytime, anywhere.
On the bus and your friend dares you to do a pushup — you’ve got this. At the office and you lose a bet to a co-worker — show them who’s boss and bust out your pushups.
Let’s suppose that in your life, there was a situation every day where you’d need to do some pushups. Wouldn’t it make your life so much easier if you were regularly practicing pushups so that when the time came, you’d be able to crush those pushups and show everyone your awesomeness?
Well, the same goes for ideas.
The benefits of having a functional idea muscle means you can be an idea machine.
Do you run a business? Are you a mom or a dad? Do you write? Do you design things? Do you make stuff? Do you have a challenge or a problem in your life that you’re trying to fix?
Each of your roles in life can benefit from your ability to come up with ideas. And, when you get good at coming up with ideas, it builds confidence and makes problems far less intimidating.
One simple way to build your idea muscle is to spend 5-10 minutes writing down ideas. Just writing and getting things out of your head. You don’t even have to DO anything with those ideas. The act of writing them is enough to un-clutter your mind *and* build your idea muscle at the same time.
Meaningful Productivity is a Byproduct of Clarity
You can’t spend your time doing work that matters if you don’t know what matters in the first place. Or, in the words of Peter Drucker: *”There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”*
Minimums and Maximums
I think it was Greg McKeown who I first heard suggest the following:
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Have a minimum amount of time set aside for the good, the deep, and the essential things.
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Have a maximum amount of time set aside for those things which are shallow and not essential.
Plan vs Strategy (and why a plan is not a strategy) →
So, the YouTube algorithm popped up this HBR video up for me a few days ago during my rowing workout (TMI?). Anyway, I loved the differentiation here between a plan and a strategy. By separating them out, it forces you to reach a deeper clarity about what winning looks like and how you intend to win.
10 Tips to Help You Stop Procrastinating →
Here are 10 tips to help you stop procrastinating that thing
- Set a short timer
- Ask someone to help you
- Get a focus buddy for accountability
- Only do one thing at a time
- Time block your tasks
- Go on a short walk and think about what you’ll do when you get back
- Ask someone else to do it (delegate)
- Answer “why” 3 times
- Don’t be perfect; focus on good enough
- Leave your phone in a different room
Which number is most helpful for you?
For me, I lean on 2, 5, and 9 the most: I work more efficiently when I am collaborating with someone else; time blocking my day helps me stay on track; and I’m a chronic over-thinker who has to be reminded to stop overthinking things.
How goal setting and time management fit together
To accomplish your goals and live a focused life, you need three skills:
- Clarity: What to do.
- Time Management: When to do it.
- Integrity: Doing that which you’ve said you’ll do.
Time Management Myth: “If I manage my time, I won’t get to do fun stuff.”
Fact: By managing your time you can protect the fun stuff and ensure the other ares of your life don’t encroach on it. Take control of your time and do MORE fun stuff.
You do this by (a) scheduling it so you have a better chance at getting to that activity; and (b) keeping the less-fun-stuff contained. A healthy schedule includes margin and breathing room, as well as time for you to relax, goof off, have fun, and go on adventures!
Not all habits are created equal
Some habits will have a disproportionately positive (or negative) impact than others.
If you do a high-impact habit consistently for years then it will bring about a massive change in your life.
Here are 4 high-impact routines that have created a disproportionately positive impact on my life over the years:
- I have automated my savings, giving, and investing so that I never have to think about when or how much I should be putting into those accounts. It happens on autopilot and I reap the benefits.
- My wife and I have a date night every week (even if it is merely at home on the back porch).
- I set aside at least one hour every work day for undistracted time to do focused, deep work.
- Every day I do at least a 15-minute workout.
Put another way, the whole ****point in having a routine is to make your life better. And, if you’re going to have a routine, you might as well have one that is high-impact.
Building a Second Brain →
This is Tiago Forte’s brand-new book all about idea management. For creators and knowledge workers, your ability to manage your ideas is perhaps one of the most valuable career skills there is. My copy of BASB arrived a few days ago and I am eager to dive in to it.
Words you can say to help you focus
No. Nope. No thanks. Not at this time. Nuh-uh. Nah. Sorry, but no.
Focus like a Boss →
If you’re a business owner … I am working on something new that is specifically for you. It’s still very early stages, so I’m asking for your input to help make sure things are on the right track…
If that’s you, would you mind filling out this survey for business owners and CEOs?
Thank you!