productivity
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How to close the gap between near and far
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1 min read
The basis for life is all interpretation, an internal chatter that either zaps positive momentum or dwells on negativity and drains the well. For starters, your attitude should weave together what optimizes you rather than what conflicts with the experience of inner freedom. For example, instead of looking at your day job as a means…
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Pursue the irrational mind to get what you want
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1 min read
You have to be a little irrational to get what you want. If you’re too practical, you may curb your chances from the start. The whole point is to at least give the moon at least a shot, not because you’ll achieve exactly to your wishes but because you’ll be motivated to keep pushing forward.…
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The design of the classroom from 1750 to today
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1 min read
The design of the classroom is a technology, and you can interpret that in a lot of different ways. Architects can make that look more, and less, typical. But the point is the instruction, the interaction in the classroom, not that it looks more like a circle or more like a square or whatever else.…
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Passion precedes more
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2 min read
The appetite for more wears us down. The introvert feels like they have to act more like an extrovert. Talk lots and we’ll appear knowledgeable and skillful, the theory goes. We put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to get better and to own more — the VP position unlocks the house, the head honcho finally gets…
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Everything starts on paper
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2 min read
Everything starts on paper. Whether you are using post-it notes or loose leaf, paper is ideal for getting down thoughts and mapping out ideas quickly. In fact, some Google employees prohibit phones and use paper exclusively to brainstorm. The magic of writing in analog is a controlled speed, flexibility, and focus. “Everyone can write words, draw…
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Progress is a mindset
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1 min read
The fear of messing up (FOMU) is precisely what holds people back from getting what they want. But if you treat mistakes like an experiment, they become lessons in disguise and teach you how to tweak your approach. To err is human, they say. Maybe they should instead say that to err is to learn.…
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Triggering and cementing habits
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2 min read
The weakness of will drives our worst habits. Remove the cookies, and we’re less likely to snack on them. Refuse the cafe down the street and drink the Starbucks office Keurig pods instead. That’s $3 saved! Surroundings dictate our behavior. They are unconscious triggers for experiences. So the reverse is also true. Pack your gym…
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The thrill of online publishing
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1 min read
There’s a little bit of a thrill in publishing online. Thinking and writing out loud makes you vulnerable to criticism. But if you ship something new every day, you’ll get better at connecting with people and clarifying your ideas. Sometimes it’s better to be done and then be perfect. So many people make excuses for…
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How to practice effectively
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1 min read
Everything is practice. Practice is everything. “Practice is the repetition of an action with the goal of improvement.” Biologically speaking, practice strengthens the neural tissue, specifically the fatty substance myelin which enhances the runway for brains to communicate effectively with the muscles. The 10,000-hour rule of deliberate practice doesn’t necessarily guarantee improvement. The training needs…
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Give yourself permission to build
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1 min read
Motivation ebbs and flows. It is fickle and short-lasting. So we can’t wait for the muse to compel us to work. As Chuck Close said, “inspiration is for amateurs.” However, what we can do is develop a passion for something and use it to solidify our grit. Having a little excitement helps us push through…
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A day of two halves
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1 min read
Umberto Eco was right when he said “We make lists because we don’t want to die.” We feel dead without a challenge. That’s why some of us split the day into two halves. Morning is the first half. We try to prioritize the hardest work between the hours of 9-12 before lunch so the rest…