I have always struggled to write consistently. I feel like I have run out of ideas after a few posts and end up quitting.
I came across an Interesting article from the author Matt Dicks on how never to run out of ideas.
His advice is to start collecting ideas.
It’s simple yet effective. I have the intention now to collect ideas in my Standard Notes app. This centralised collection bucket will allow me to slowly percolate rough drafts into a publishable blog post. Hopefully, as Matt Dicks promises I may never run out of ideas.
I love reading self-help books. Some are really good and classics. But, most of them are derived from better-known books. At one point, I felt like I’m just reading about the same principles over and over.
Nowadays, after reading Derek Sivers’s post on his book notes, I have started to look for key ideas and take actionable notes. This is way simpler than summarising each paragraph or chapter.
I recently watched Cal Newport's video on Daily Metrics Tracking for productivity.
If you are someone like me who is good at planning but struggle a bit in execution, then metrics tracking is an awesome tool to skyrocket your productivity.
I came to know about this notorious disinformation-spreading far-right group after the Captiol Hill attack on January 6, 2021. Conspirators and Far-Right Extremists like these are allowed to operate freely in the name of free speech. These groups cause mayhem and chaos in our communities. Yet, they will be allowed to operate by the government because they are useful to the politicians for their political gains.
I listened to Finding Q on Audible over the past few days. It’s a riveting investigative journey by journalist Nicky Woolf in his quest to find who is Q? I think Nicky has kind of identified who Q is but what is the use? Even if all this information is shared with the authorities, are they going to take action? I don’t think so!
Finding Q is an excellent production and deserves our attention and praise.
I highly recommend it and encourage you to give it a go.
As an avid GTD practitioner, I was searching for an excellent capture tool. Back in the day, David Allen did have an official Notetaker Wallet. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued for many years.
Even before I was introduced to GTD, I used to carry scraps of paper in my wallet and a pen in my pocket to capture my ideas and thoughts. Now, I wanted a better capture tool that can fit in my back pocket and is not cumbersome & ugly.
I stumbled on Capture Wallet a few months back. It is designed by GTD Master Trainer for Nordic Region, Morten Røvik. I was debating whether to go for it or not. Finally, I purchased it on 2nd February 2022 and got it delivered on 15th February 2022. I'm really impressed with the quality of the product. The wallet is handmade with genuine leather. It feels good to hold one in my hand and makes me want to use it often. I'm really excited to use this capture tool because nothing beats pen & paper.
I have written about Meditation a few days back. I was pondering the effects of Mindfulness Meditation on me and how it helped me cope with stress and sleep better.
Lately, I'm overwhelmed with emotions and struggle to cope with them. Whenever I feel I'm off balance, I always go back to what I know will work for me. They are Prayer & Meditation. So, I have re-subscribed to Calm app and will be restarting my meditation practice.
I have not set any goals for the practice. If I had to, then it is to meditate 10 minutes for the next 7 days.
A few weeks back, I subscribed to GTD Connect after a discount offer from the GTD Connect Team. I have been practising GTD on and off since 2015. As a tinkerer of productivity systems and an avid consumer of productivity content, I have tried out various methodologies to get a slight edge in my productivity. I always struggle with the new system and end up coming back to the GTD methodology. I feel like I'm wired for David Allen's GTD practice.
In one of the GTD Connect podcast episodes, David talks about finishing your thinking when stuff first shows up in your inboxes. It's called Clarifying. That's my kryptonite. I always find it difficult to define the expected outcome and the next physical action to move that thing forward. But, rather than asking that important question: “what is it?”; I start to go for what I need to do and start organising them into lists. This episode really made me realise that I'm doing something wrong!
Moving forward, when I pick a captured item, I shall ask the following questions:
What is it?
Is it action?
If yes, what is the expected outcome?
What is the next physical action to move closer to the defined outcome?
After answering the above questions, I can start organising the next actions in my fancy task management app.
Today has been a day of meetings and unexpected interruptions. However, I was able to quickly realign my schedule to handle these quite well.
As we enter into the last month of 2021 and the Omicron variant at our doorsteps, these are times for reflection and getting ourselves prepared for whatever the future holds.
One thing I want to start in December is to read 25 pages a day and at least finish one book. If I can complete this one goal for the month, I will be happy as Larry!