I love point 1. No one talks about it. But the reality is most of us are unproductive because we are too invested in judging others lives. Stems from insecurity I guess.
Mar 27, 2023·edited Mar 27, 2023Liked by Alex Mathers
Thanks Alex. Awesome list of productivity truths! One of them jumps out at me. "No clever productivity system or hack comes close to simply doing one thing at a time with your full attention." I've seen this advice over and over as well as the research about how bad multi-tasking is for productivity and focus, but I keep having the experience that moving between task domains often has a kind of cross-pollination effect that can be very creative and positive. There's this idea of staying focused and sticking with something even if you don't feel like it, vs the advice to walk away if things aren't flowing and come back. I'll often allow myself the latitude to NOT keep my full attention on one thing, especially when I'm not getting traction with it, and float to other forms of engagement that allow me to get momentum, and then go back to what I was working on. This comment is an exact example of that, and having successfully left this comment, I have momentum to tackle the thing I was working on, but felt a bit stalled with. Do you experience anything similar to this?
Thanks for the comment Rick! Yes, there's a lot of truth to this. I often jump between several things and it can be helpful. It depends on the kind of task you're working on. The advice is helpful for me because often the main challenge is overthinking and being in sevearl places at once in our heads. When we realise all we need to do is one thing at a time, it helps us become more present, which leads often to higher performance and focus. Ultimately we need to do what works for us. If something helps, keep doing it. But if someone comes to me and is confused or stuck, one thing at a time is often the solution.
my answer would be to act. You can't fix the mind at the level of mind - that's how overthinking is heightened. The solution is movement, walking doing, I find.
Hey Chris. Not sure if you meant to leave this question for me as it's a reply to my comment. Alex probably has a great answer for you. If you're asking me, I'd ask first if your mind is saying anything useful before trying to make it more quiet.
Please what do you do when you don't feel anything? It been 2 days and I can't feel myself the way I used to. It hurts me so much, nothing makes me happy than knowing I am being productive.
This has happened to me often, I'll share what and how I felt inspired again. It is the absence of something that helps you feel reconnected with yourself.
The feeling of losing something helps in bringing back the energy to get that again.
I love point 1. No one talks about it. But the reality is most of us are unproductive because we are too invested in judging others lives. Stems from insecurity I guess.
this is true Zarine!
Thanks Alex. Awesome list of productivity truths! One of them jumps out at me. "No clever productivity system or hack comes close to simply doing one thing at a time with your full attention." I've seen this advice over and over as well as the research about how bad multi-tasking is for productivity and focus, but I keep having the experience that moving between task domains often has a kind of cross-pollination effect that can be very creative and positive. There's this idea of staying focused and sticking with something even if you don't feel like it, vs the advice to walk away if things aren't flowing and come back. I'll often allow myself the latitude to NOT keep my full attention on one thing, especially when I'm not getting traction with it, and float to other forms of engagement that allow me to get momentum, and then go back to what I was working on. This comment is an exact example of that, and having successfully left this comment, I have momentum to tackle the thing I was working on, but felt a bit stalled with. Do you experience anything similar to this?
Thanks for the comment Rick! Yes, there's a lot of truth to this. I often jump between several things and it can be helpful. It depends on the kind of task you're working on. The advice is helpful for me because often the main challenge is overthinking and being in sevearl places at once in our heads. When we realise all we need to do is one thing at a time, it helps us become more present, which leads often to higher performance and focus. Ultimately we need to do what works for us. If something helps, keep doing it. But if someone comes to me and is confused or stuck, one thing at a time is often the solution.
Quieting my mind is challenge. How can I do that better?
my answer would be to act. You can't fix the mind at the level of mind - that's how overthinking is heightened. The solution is movement, walking doing, I find.
Thanks Alex. Really appreciate all of your content. Having a huge impact on my growth.
great to hear that Chris!
Hey Chris. Not sure if you meant to leave this question for me as it's a reply to my comment. Alex probably has a great answer for you. If you're asking me, I'd ask first if your mind is saying anything useful before trying to make it more quiet.
Please what do you do when you don't feel anything? It been 2 days and I can't feel myself the way I used to. It hurts me so much, nothing makes me happy than knowing I am being productive.
This has happened to me often, I'll share what and how I felt inspired again. It is the absence of something that helps you feel reconnected with yourself.
The feeling of losing something helps in bringing back the energy to get that again.
I hope this helps.
It sounds more health-related than purpose-based to me. Are you addressing fundamentals of sleep, sunlight, nutrition and exercise?
Agree with so many of these. I wish someone had handed me this list 20 years ago! I've had to figure out most of them on my own.