Productivity
Focus, time, systems, planning, getting work done. 141 links, newest first. Page 1 of 3.
Links 1 to 50
Unlock Deep Work: Free Background Focus Music
Tool · unlockdeepwork.com · Issue #245
Unlock Deep Work offers free focus music designed to be unobtrusive, with no lyrics and nothing catchy.
Summary
Unlock Deep Work offers free focus music designed to be unobtrusive, with no lyrics and nothing catchy. The music is meant to fade into the background, so noticing it means it is too loud.
Four steps for better decisions
Short · tiktok.com · 1 min · Issue #242
Understand context by asking where the shared information is
Summary
The speaker says most people lack a decision framework; his four steps are context, isolate the issue, accept the risk, map next steps.
Sharran Srivatsaa describes a four-step decision framework he built after preparing a question for Richard Branson. The steps are to understand the context and what information is shared, isolate the issue by asking what is actually being solved, accept the risk by asking what breaks if you decide, and map the next step. He says most people lack a framework and so make poor decisions.
Key points- Understand context by asking where the shared information is
- Isolate the issue by asking what you are actually solving
- Accept the risk by asking what actually breaks if you make the decision
Deadlines and stakes bring out performance
Short · tiktok.com · 1 min · Issue #242
Racetrack: clear finish line, hard deadlines, competition and visible results
Summary
James Lim says people perform best on a racetrack with deadlines, stakes and visibility, and drift in an open field of options.
James CK Lim compares work environments to a racetrack, with pay, hard deadlines and a clear result, and an open field, with no direction or urgency. The racetrack brings out the performer, while the open field pulls people into planning mode. To recreate the track, he suggests one clear output, hard deadlines with external accountability, visible work and real stakes. Without those, people tend to move deadlines.
Key points- Racetrack: clear finish line, hard deadlines, competition and visible results
- Open field: no direction, no urgency and too many options
- Recreate the track with one visible output, hard deadlines and real stakes
Environment, not ability, drives performance
Short · tiktok.com · 1 min · Issue #242
Deadlines, pressure and people watching switch you into performer mode
Summary
James Lim argues people perform for others but stall on their own projects, because environment, not capability, decides which version shows up.
James CK Lim argues that people work hard for others' deadlines but stall on their own projects, and that the cause is environment rather than ability. Deadlines, pressure and being watched bring out the 'performer', who executes, while open-ended conditions bring out the 'strategist', who keeps planning and researching. He says self-imposed deadlines and habit trackers tend to fade.
Key points- Deadlines, pressure and people watching switch you into performer mode
- Alone, the strategist mode of planning and researching takes over
- Self-imposed deadlines, habit trackers and discipline tend to fade within weeks
Rick Rubin's reduction over production
Short · instagram.com · 1 min · Issue #238
Rubin wrote 'reduced by' instead of 'produced by' on his first album
Summary
The post says Rick Rubin's productivity approach is reduction: remove the noise that stands between you and the work.
Rick Rubin's first album credited him as 'reduced by' rather than 'produced by'. The speaker presents this as Rubin's view that the goal is reduction and stillness rather than building more. Rubin's point is that time spent does not determine quality, and that you must go through the whole process to find out. The takeaway is to remove the noise and obstacles in the way to reach your creative nature.
Key points- Rubin wrote 'reduced by' instead of 'produced by' on his first album
- Time spent does not equal quality, and you only learn by finishing
- Strip away daily, media and childhood noise to find creative stillness
Weighted decision matrices beat pros and cons
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #233
Pros and cons lists treat every factor as equally important
Summary
Emily argues a weighted decision matrix beats pros and cons lists for big choices, and AI can build one in a minute.
The speaker describes the weighted decision matrix, a framework that gives each factor in a decision its own weight instead of treating all pros and cons equally. He suggests asking Claude to build an interactive matrix for your decision, adjust the criteria and weights, and grade each option. Then ask it to argue against the winning option.
Key points- Pros and cons lists treat every factor as equally important
- Weight each criterion, grade each option, and adjust the matrix
- Ask the AI to argue against the winning option to expose blind spots
Reacting creates ripples that drain focus
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #231
Whatever you resist or cling to keeps moving and eventually comes toward you
Summary
The speaker says reacting to things, whether liking or disliking them, creates ripples that drain energy away from your goal.
Shaolin master Shi Heng Yi uses the image of ripples on water to describe focus. Things you grasp at slip away, and things you push away eventually come back. Each time you react by liking or disliking something along the way, you create ripples that pull energy away from your goal, so he advises not touching the water.
Key points- Whatever you resist or cling to keeps moving and eventually comes toward you
- Like touching water, each reaction sends a ripple through your surroundings
- Stay on the goal path, since extra likes and dislikes drain your energy
Four questions for feeling stuck
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #230
Ask what you are avoiding, and go right at it
Summary
Graham Weaver says feeling stuck usually comes from avoidance, an unclear start, no daily wins, or habits that interfere.
A Stanford professor shares four questions he gives students who feel stuck in a rut: What am I avoiding? Where do I start, reduced to something simple I can do today? How do I win today, by writing down three things to move forward on? Which habits are blocking where I want to go?
Key points- Ask what you are avoiding, and go right at it
- Shrink the goal to one simple thing you can do today
- Write three things you can move forward today, then repeat tomorrow
Scrolling fades when you have a project
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #229
Big dreams without a plan or constraints drain energy into distraction
Summary
The speaker argues scrolling comes from having no clear project, and a concrete project gives your energy somewhere to go.
The speaker says people are often more capable than they think, but drain their energy through distraction when they wake without a clear project. Having one project to aim energy at, worked on daily, would give people something to show for each day and make them less likely to scroll. The speaker frames clarity as the piece that makes the difference.
Key points- Big dreams without a plan or constraints drain energy into distraction
- Clarity on one project gives your energy a clear target
- With a clear project you go to bed knowing you moved the ball forward
Whimsical: Diagrams, Wireframes and Mind Maps
Tool · whimsical.com · Issue #229
Whimsical is a visual collaboration tool, described as the whiteboard for product builders, for diagrams, flowcharts, mind maps and wireframes on an infinite canvas.
Summary
Whimsical is a visual collaboration tool, described as the whiteboard for product builders, for diagrams, flowcharts, mind maps and wireframes on an infinite canvas. It offers AI flowcharts, mind maps and wireframes generated from a text prompt, real-time multiplayer editing, templates and integrations. It has a 'Get started free' sign-up, and says it is free for life for YouTube creators through its Creators program.
Last-minute work needs an external cue
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #228
He cites a study showing work gets done only right before deadlines
Summary
The speaker says last-minute work reflects a brain waiting for an external cue, not a discipline problem, and body doubling helps.
The speaker says that getting work done only just before a deadline is not a discipline problem. The brain waits for an external cue before switching into work mode, and procrastination is less about willpower than the speaker suggests. Body doubling and parallel play, working alongside another person, are presented as ways to create that cue.
Key points- He cites a study showing work gets done only right before deadlines
- Procrastination is not only willpower; many cues other than deadlines start work
- Body doubling and parallel play create an external cue that says get to work
Why Procrastination Isn't Laziness
Read · theconversation.com · 7 min · Issue #228
Treats procrastination as an emotion regulation problem rather than a willpower failure, and offers five techniques for cognitive flexibility.
Summary
Treats procrastination as an emotion regulation problem rather than a willpower failure, and offers five techniques for cognitive flexibility.
Pair hard tasks with rewards
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #226
When starting a video or run feels hard, he does it first, then plays Hogwarts Legacy
Summary
The speaker pairs hard tasks with a reward, like a game after a run, so his brain learns to enjoy difficult work.
The speaker describes using instant gratification to push through hard tasks. When struggling to start something like filming a video or going for a run, they do the task first and then reward themselves with easy pleasures, such as a video game. The speaker acknowledges research suggesting external rewards can crowd out intrinsic motivation but argues the pairing trains the brain to enjoy hard work.
Key points- When starting a video or run feels hard, he does it first, then plays Hogwarts Legacy
- He admits studies warn that extrinsic rewards can drown out intrinsic motivation
- Scrolling is low-effort dopamine, so rewarding hard work trains the brain to prefer it
A 90-day focus sprint builds momentum
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #226
Define one objective, set dated goals, then plan 12 weekly priorities, not daily tasks
Summary
The speaker says a 90-day focus sprint with a few dated goals and weekly priorities builds momentum, even when targets are missed.
The speaker describes a 90-day focus sprint with four steps: define one objective, set specific goals with dates, plan 12 weekly priorities, and execute. Weekly planning keeps the work flexible, the speaker says. In their first sprint they launched a product and built an email list, but fell short of their revenue and list targets, and say the habits they built still paid off later.
Key points- Define one objective, set dated goals, then plan 12 weekly priorities, not daily tasks
- Her first sprint hit $30,000, not $100,000, but launched a product that grew to six figures
- She says the sprint did not change her life, but taught habits that will
The Productivity System I Taught to 6,642 Googlers
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #223
Jeff Su's October 21, 2025 video presents CORE, a workflow for handling workplace information in four steps: capture everything immediately, organize with minimal friction, review in scheduled sessions, and engage by blocking time to execute.
Summary
Jeff Su's October 21, 2025 video presents CORE, a workflow for handling workplace information in four steps: capture everything immediately, organize with minimal friction, review in scheduled sessions, and engage by blocking time to execute. He says he taught the system to over 6,600 Google employees over nine years, and that it works with existing tools and becomes automatic within two weeks.
Deconstruct, select, sequence and raise stakes
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #222
Deconstruct a vague goal like learning Japanese into parts, perhaps with an expert on a call
Summary
The speaker says faster learning comes from four steps: deconstruct the goal, select the vital few, sequence them and add stakes.
The speaker lays out a four-step method for learning any skill, called DSSS: deconstruction, selection, sequencing, and stakes. Deconstruction breaks a vague goal into parts, ideally with an expert's help, and selection applies the 80/20 principle to pick the most useful part. Sequencing sets a logical order for practice, and stakes use incentives, such as a bet with a friend, to ensure follow-through.
Key points- Deconstruct a vague goal like learning Japanese into parts, perhaps with an expert on a call
- Select the high-impact items; the most frequent words can reach conversational fluency in 8 to 12 weeks
- Stakes: give a friend money that goes to a candidate you dislike if you quit
Build focus with timed interval blocks
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #218
Set a timer for 20 minutes of demanding work, such as studying or paying bills
Summary
Build focus with interval training, starting with 20 minutes of undistracted work and adding time gradually.
The speaker describes interval training for focus: pick a demanding task, set a timer for about 20 minutes, and restart the timer if you get distracted. Once that feels comfortable, which takes about two weeks, add 10 minutes, building toward 90-minute blocks as the goal. The speaker estimates a theoretical limit of about four hours of concentration a day, based on research on professional musicians.
Key points- Set a timer for 20 minutes of demanding work, such as studying or paying bills
- Restart the timer if you check your phone or switch tabs
- After about two weeks, add 10 minutes and keep building
To-do lists are often wish lists
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #217
Imagining a full to-do list can secretly add three days of work to one day
Summary
A to-do list often becomes a wish list that overloads the day, so a blocked day plan works better.
The speaker argues that to-do lists are really wish lists, because people underestimate how long tasks take and pile several days of work into one day. The fix is a blocked plan with real time slots. Deep work blocks should be labeled and kept free of distractions for their full length, while shallow tasks such as emails and errands can be batched together.
Key points- Imagining a full to-do list can secretly add three days of work to one day
- The speaker recommends making a blocked plan for the day instead
- She admits she loves to-do lists but accepts they can be wish lists
You're procrastinating 80% of your time (here's how I fixed it)
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #216
A behind-the-scenes Diary of a CEO video from August 3, 2025 introduces 'Signal vs Noise', a productivity mindset the speaker says he uses daily and credits to Steve Jobs and Kevin O'Leary.
Summary
A behind-the-scenes Diary of a CEO video from August 3, 2025 introduces 'Signal vs Noise', a productivity mindset the speaker says he uses daily and credits to Steve Jobs and Kevin O'Leary. It shows how the idea applies at his company, FlightStory. Other topics include reflections on loss, business lessons from Airbnb, Stripe and Amazon, and live career advice for creators and entrepreneurs.
Getting into a flow state
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #213
A short TikTok on how to get into a flow state.
Summary
A short TikTok on how to get into a flow state.
How to regain your focus
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #211
A short TikTok on how to regain your focus.
Summary
A short TikTok on how to regain your focus.
Act first, then aim and refine
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #211
Ready, fire, aim is the title of a Michael Masterson book, per the speaker
Summary
Stop over-analysing: do the minimum prep, act, then aim and refine once you have acted.
The speaker recommends the idea of ready, fire, aim from a book by serial entrepreneur Michael Masterson, which the speaker says applies to most of life. Many people over-analyze and never act. The approach is to do the minimum preparation needed, act, and then aim, adjust and refine based on what happens.
Key points- Ready, fire, aim is the title of a Michael Masterson book, per the speaker
- Many people keep aiming and never fire
- After acting, you can aim and iterate on your approach
Estimate new tasks, add 20%, block time
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #211
Estimate how long a new task takes, then add about 20% for overruns
Summary
Instead of a to-do list, estimate a new task's time, add 20%, and block it in your calendar with notes.
The speaker, who worked at Google, says complicated workload systems never stuck for them. When a new task arrived, they estimated the time, added 20 percent, and booked it as calendar blocks with notes in the first block. They also sent colleagues an early heads-up, which made people more willing to help.
Key points- Estimate how long a new task takes, then add about 20% for overruns
- Put the time blocks in the calendar, with instructions and links in the first block
- The speaker says this method changed how on top of her workload she felt
How to Absorb Everything You Read Like a Sponge
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #208
Dr.
Summary
Dr. Justin Sung's 17-minute video presents reading and learning techniques for absorbing textbooks and other material more effectively. Its sections cover the biological barrier, layman's language, layering, relevance framing, and real estate. Sung is a self-regulated learning expert and former medical doctor. He also offers a free learner type quiz, a learning system diagnostic, and a free summary of learning research.
Teams need four distinct kinds of meetings
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #207
A daily five-minute leadership check-in asks what everyone is doing today
Summary
Teams need four distinct kinds of meetings, because cramming them into one meeting makes bad meetings.
The speaker argues that bad meetings make bad companies and that teams need four kinds. Brief daily check-ins let leaders share what they are doing, while a weekly tactical meeting reviews priorities marked green, yellow or red, a method credited to Alan Mulally at Ford. Ad hoc strategic meetings tackle big problems at length, and quarterly offsites take teams away from the office for half a day to two days.
Key points- A daily five-minute leadership check-in asks what everyone is doing today
- A weekly tactical meeting reviews priorities marked green, yellow or red
- Ad hoc strategic problem-solving needs its own time, not slots in tactical meetings
Manus: When ChatGPT Grows a Spine (and a To-Do List)
Tool · manus.im · Issue #205
Manus is an AI product that aims to execute tasks and automate workflows rather than only answer questions.
Summary
Manus is an AI product that aims to execute tasks and automate workflows rather than only answer questions. Its homepage shows use cases such as creating slides, building websites, designing, and making video, along with a Slack integration, a team plan, single sign-on, and an API. Plans are listed on a separate pricing page. The company is Manus AI.
A rough tool beats months of preparation
Short · instagram.com · Issue #204
One man spends six months on gear and a coach before he ever fishes
Summary
Starting with a rough tool and iterating beats six months of preparation, the speaker argues with a fishing story.
The speaker tells a story about two men learning to fish. One spends six months preparing with a custom rod and coach, while the other grabs a stick, rope and a hot dog and fishes the next day. The second man adjusts his spot, bait and rod over three days and gets a bite. The speaker takes from this that starting with imperfect gear beats waiting to gather it all.
Key points- One man spends six months on gear and a coach before he ever fishes
- The other grabs a stick, rope and a hot dog, then adjusts bait and spot daily
- The one who started ends up with a fishing business and restaurants, in the story
Anne-Laure Le Cunff on the Mental Scripts Behind Our Choices
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #203
Neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff's 49-minute Big Think interview covers how mental habits shape productivity and wellbeing.
Summary
Neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff's 49-minute Big Think interview covers how mental habits shape productivity and wellbeing. She argues for treating life choices as small, testable experiments rather than seeking certainty, and links uncertainty and anxiety to the brain's evolved fear of the unknown. The talk names three cognitive scripts: the sequel, crowd pleaser, and epic scripts.
Emery: A Daily Planner That Doesn't Try Too Hard
Tool · emery.to · Issue #203
Emery is a daily planner app built around a clean slate each morning: you plan the day in about five minutes, and missed tasks do not pile up into a backlog.
Summary
Emery is a daily planner app built around a clean slate each morning: you plan the day in about five minutes, and missed tasks do not pile up into a backlog. Tasks are sorted into Fires, Growth, and Extras, and can be dragged onto the calendar as time blocks. It syncs two ways with Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud, and runs on web, iOS, and Android.
Hacker Laws: A Reference to Software Laws and Principles
Tool · hacker-laws.com · Issue #201
Hacker Laws is a free reference site describing about 50 laws and principles from software development, such as Conway's Law, Parkinson's Law, Brooks' Law, DRY, KISS, and SOLID.
Summary
Hacker Laws is a free reference site describing about 50 laws and principles from software development, such as Conway's Law, Parkinson's Law, Brooks' Law, DRY, KISS, and SOLID. Each entry includes a description, quotes, real-world examples, and related entries. The introduction says it does not advocate for any of them, leaving application to the reader. A free PDF and reading list are also linked.
The four disciplines of execution
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #200
A short TikTok on the four disciplines of execution.
Summary
A short TikTok on the four disciplines of execution.
Make it easier to get it right
Tool · checklist.gg · Issue #200
Checklist.gg is a web tool for building, assigning, and running checklists and SOPs, with AI generation from prompts, documents, or URLs.
Summary
Checklist.gg is a web tool for building, assigning, and running checklists and SOPs, with AI generation from prompts, documents, or URLs. Teams can schedule recurring checklists, track completion and time, and run checklists on websites through a Chrome extension. The site lists more than 900 templates. A free Starter plan covers a few checklists and members, and paid team plans start at $49 per month.
Most of life is a plateau
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #196
Dabblers stop when the honeymoon phase of something new ends
Summary
Most of life is spent on a plateau, and the master is the one who stays on the path through it.
The speaker describes four types of people who pursue new things. The dabbler moves on once the honeymoon phase ends. The obsessive burns out by pushing past the plateau that follows early progress. The hacker tries to skip stages and gets nowhere. The master accepts that most of life is spent on plateaus and stays on the path until the next breakthrough.
Key points- Dabblers stop when the honeymoon phase of something new ends
- Obsessives burn out by forcing progress past the first fast gains
- Hackers skip stages, get a quick result, then go nowhere
One Task: Mastering Focus
Tool · onetaskx.com · Issue #196
One Task is a minimalist to-do app built around doing one task at a time.
Summary
One Task is a minimalist to-do app built around doing one task at a time. Tasks are sorted into two lists, Today and Someday. Its tagline, “One task today > ten half-done,” sums up the idea of finishing one thing rather than starting many.
Fix your first broken window quickly
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #192
Researchers in New York saw one unfixed window lead to many broken ones
Summary
Small unfixed problems tend to spread, so fix your first broken window quickly.
The speaker explains the broken window theory, which he attributes to researchers in New York City. A building with one unrepaired window soon had all its windows broken, while a quick repair kept it in good condition. Applied to life, letting small problems slide, such as a messy desk, unanswered emails or skipped workouts, lets bigger ones follow. He says fixing small issues signals that your standards matter.
Key points- Researchers in New York saw one unfixed window lead to many broken ones
- Messy desks, unanswered emails and skipped workouts invite bigger problems
- Fixing small issues signals to your subconscious that your standards matter
How to Take Notes
Read · scotthyoung.com · 25 min · Issue #192
Scott H.
Summary
Scott H. Young argues that note-taking is mainly a way to direct attention and build memory, not a transcript of the material. He says the right method depends on the learning goal, with flashcards for simple recall, practice problems for complex subjects and teaching others for understanding. When material is confusing he suggests copying closely, and once it is clear he suggests spending time on examples and applications.
Time management is emotion regulation
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #188
The speaker says 90% of distraction comes from internal triggers
Summary
Most distraction comes from inside, so time management is really emotion regulation and pain management.
The speaker claims that about 90 percent of distraction comes from internal triggers, uncomfortable emotional states we try to escape, rather than from events outside us. He frames time management, money management and weight management as forms of emotion regulation, arguing that human behavior generally aims to escape discomfort. Mastering internal triggers is the first step.
Key points- The speaker says 90% of distraction comes from internal triggers
- Internal triggers are uncomfortable emotional states we try to escape
- He argues time, weight and money management are all pain management
Capacities: Note-Taking and Knowledge App
Tool · capacities.io · Issue #188
Capacities is a note-taking app that organizes notes as linked objects such as people, books, projects and ideas, rather than files and folders.
Summary
Capacities is a note-taking app that organizes notes as linked objects such as people, books, projects and ideas, rather than files and folders. Backlinks show every connection, and daily notes serve as an inbox for quick capture. It runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android and offers a free forever plan, with paid Pro and Believer tiers. Data is hosted in EU data centers.
EveryHour: Time Tracking App
Tool · everyhour.xyz · Issue #187
EveryHour is a time-tracking app where users drag and drop hours and get statistics on how they spend their time.
Summary
EveryHour is a time-tracking app where users drag and drop hours and get statistics on how they spend their time. The page presents it as a way to track what you actually do, avoid wasting time and find a better balance.
Delays happen when discomfort outweighs satisfaction
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #186
Your brain asks whether to do the task now and weighs pros and cons
Summary
You delay tasks when your mind weighs their discomfort above their satisfaction, and you can shift that bias.
The speaker describes new research on a "valence waiting bias", meaning how people weigh the negatives of a task, such as discomfort or boredom, against its positives, such as relief and satisfaction. If negatives weigh more, people put tasks off. He suggests pausing before you delay and listing more positive reasons to start, which can ease the initial friction.
Key points- Your brain asks whether to do the task now and weighs pros and cons
- A more negative valence bias makes putting things off easier
- Pause and list more positive reasons to start before deciding to delay
A 28-Hour Day Experiment
Read · sidhion.com · 16 min · Issue #186
A blog post describing a 28-hour day schedule with 18 hours awake and 10 hours asleep, chosen to match a natural rhythm and weekend schedules with friends and a partner.
Summary
A blog post describing a 28-hour day schedule with 18 hours awake and 10 hours asleep, chosen to match a natural rhythm and weekend schedules with friends and a partner. The author runs six 28-hour days per week, starting Monday at 04:00, and built a 28-hour clock with a desktop script. The post is an early-stage account, with a year-one follow-up linked.
LayerPx: Tree-Structured Planner
Tool · layer.cafe · Issue #185
LayerPx is a planner where each thought becomes a root that grows branches for tasks, notes or sub-plans.
Summary
LayerPx is a planner where each thought becomes a root that grows branches for tasks, notes or sub-plans. Users press Tab to add a child branch and Enter for a sibling, and can share live boards or fork public ones. Finishing branches earns XP, and a daily streak keeps users returning. The page describes the planner as free while it grows, with no credit card needed.
Your real goal is the feeling you want
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #183
Write your biggest goal, how you will feel achieving it, and a date
Summary
Your real goal is the feeling you want, and the timeline is how long you are willing to wait for it.
The speaker asks viewers to write down their biggest goal, how they will feel once they reach it, and the date by which they plan to get there. He argues that the feeling is the real goal, and the timeline is how long you are willing to wait for it. He says the framing is not his own invention but finds it useful for thinking about goals differently.
Key points- Write your biggest goal, how you will feel achieving it, and a date
- The feeling you wrote down is the actual goal
- The timeline is the amount of waiting you accept
The One-Page Calendar
Read · bigthink.com · 10 min · Issue #178
Astrophysicist Ethan Siegel explains a one-page calendar that shows a whole year at once, so any date can be matched to its weekday by tracing a month along the top and a date down the side.
Summary
Astrophysicist Ethan Siegel explains a one-page calendar that shows a whole year at once, so any date can be matched to its weekday by tracing a month along the top and a date down the side. The author says the layout reuses from year to year, and the month placement follows a predictable pattern with only 14 possible configurations.
Taski: Decision-Making and Planning Tool
Tool · usetaski.com · Issue #175
Taski is a planning tool that helps users prioritize tasks and make personal or business decisions with built-in frameworks.
Summary
Taski is a planning tool that helps users prioritize tasks and make personal or business decisions with built-in frameworks. Its to-do lists work as checklists, and progress can be exported as an image, Markdown or a document for sharing. More features are planned. It is free for a limited time, and support is requested through donation links.
Outlook search folders gather emails without moving them
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #174
A New Search Folder for emails with attachments keeps the messages in the inbox
Summary
Outlook search folders collect chosen emails in one place without moving them out of the inbox.
The speaker shows how to create Outlook search folders, which collect emails matching set criteria without moving them out of the inbox. Examples include all emails with attachments, and a custom search folder that gathers all emails from a specific sender. The custom option lets you choose which folders to search and set criteria such as text, subject, recipients, or dates.
Key points- A New Search Folder for emails with attachments keeps the messages in the inbox
- A custom search folder can collect every email from one chosen sender, such as a boss
- Choose which folders to search, then set criteria like text, subject, sender or dates
Goblin.tools: Small Helper Tools for Overwhelming Tasks
Tool · goblin.tools · Issue #174
Goblin.tools is a collection of small tools for tasks that feel too big or complicated.
Summary
Goblin.tools is a collection of small tools for tasks that feel too big or complicated. Magic ToDo breaks a task into subtasks, Formalizer changes the tone of text, Judge reads a text for emotion, Compiler turns a brain dump into actions, and Estimator guesses how long an activity takes. The site describes itself as kept free by sponsors, with optional donations, optional accounts and a mobile app priced at $2.99.
Journaling: Get Started the Easy Way
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #173
Carl Pullein presents journaling as a life-changing habit that can improve mental health and preserve a life story.
Summary
Carl Pullein presents journaling as a life-changing habit that can improve mental health and preserve a life story. The 12-minute video explains how to get started. Pullein, who makes productivity content, links to a free productivity course, a free Areas of Focus workbook and a weekly productivity email. He also recommends notebooks and fountain pens, and links a paid Time and Life Mastery course.
An eight-step routine for anxious tasks
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #173
Wake an hour before the screen, make tea, and list three to five anxious tasks
Summary
An eight-step routine picks one anxious task and blocks two to three hours of focus on it.
The speaker shares an eight-step process for doing the right thing. It starts by waking an hour before screen time, then writing three to five of your most anxious or uncomfortable items on paper. For each, ask whether finishing only that would make the day satisfying. Choose one of the yes items and block two to three hours for it, returning gently when distracted.
Key points- Wake an hour before the screen, make tea, and list three to five anxious tasks
- Keep only the tasks that would satisfy you if they were the day's only win
- If you get distracted, gently return to your one to-do, not spiral
Improving 1 percent a day compounds
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #173
A Stanford PhD friend told him 1% daily improvement compounds over 365 days
Summary
Improving 1% a day compounds to about 37 times better in a year, a calculation that got the speaker started.
The speaker recalls a Stanford PhD friend from the early days of Uber Eats who said improving by 1% a day makes you about 37 times better after a year. Checking the math, 1.01 to the power of 365 is about 37. The speaker says this gave them the push to take first steps on their current business, and encourages steady daily improvement toward daunting goals.
Key points- A Stanford PhD friend told him 1% daily improvement compounds over 365 days
- The speaker calculates 1.01 to the power of 365 as roughly 37
- The math gave him the courage to take the first steps on his current business
Related reading paths
- Focus and stop procrastinating10
- Plan your days10
- Set goals that stick10
- Lead and manage people10
- Sleep better9
- Free online courses9