work
I finished the book Deep Work last month while, appropriately, working long hours from an extension ladder on my house.
This article sums up the 4 major rules of entering into deep (focused) work. Should take you less than 10 minutes to read, and if the topic is interesting to you, check the book out also. This theme of our diminishing attention is growing as our world grows more noisy and distracted by the day.
Get at me anytime on this topic, it's something I read and work on daily.
A blog I love allowed me the opportunity to share about what I do, and how I leverage tech and software to fulfill my responsibilities (and passions).
Some of you saw when I posted it originally, and I continue to get questions and asked for advise on the software and best apps for a variety of uses.
h/t to The Sweet Setup for a great idea and helpful blog, and here again is my post which powers what I do at Dynamit for my project management responsibilities, as well as apps I use when away from the office.
Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Work Week, and prolific business starter and supporter, shared a transparent and humble message about his own limitations, and how we incorrectly perceive the "superhero-ness" of successful people.
His honest message discusses some ways he has learned to address and work around his own limitations. If you feel the pressure to be a high-performer, you may find some helpful aids, and possible corrections to your thinking.
PS. If you would benefit from the audio version of his article (~15mins) click here
We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. cs lewis [1]
Progress means getting closer to the object we desire. Sometimes that means change, possibly even a complete alteration to our thinking or direction. Progress therefore invokes violence; violence of honesty, violence of action, and violence of consequence. Progress is not easy.
[1]: Christianity Today has a longer discussion of Lewis' use of progress and other "slippery" words we use poorly.
Tomasz Tunguz shares a few observations about the way Elon Musk thinks, after seeing him speak at All Things D last year.
Perhaps Musk's genius comes largly from observation. Several moments of clarity I've experienced (while not on the level of shooting people across the country in tubes or creating a competitor to Visa) have been in times of stillness and reflection rather than times of busyness. I am challenged that while there are many things to do, many things which I enjoy and am interested in, it is the discipline of pulling back that I should employ for greater advancement. I've witnessed this principal in the past, and am challenged to once again think, as much or more than I act.
"We are dogs thrashing in the collars of our own obligations."
I forget how I came across The Minimalists website, but this article is striking not necessarily in its uniqueness of message, but in its caution as we pursue our dreams and froth at opportunities to work longer and harder.
What does a success look like which doesn't cost us ourselves? How do we aim high and also maintain healthy boundaries for our families and other interests? Is it important to temper our passions?
I have another article to share soon discussing this recurring conversation of work-life balance.