To-do lists are a common productivity tool. They help you stay focused and clarify what needs to be done. However, just as important as writing a list of things you need to do, you need to write a list of things to stop doing. Why Adding More Work Doesn’t Make You Productive If you’re really […]
Self-Awareness
I think the biggest key to productivity (and all self-improvement) is one that doesn’t get talked about: knowing what makes you tick. Being organized and having a great day planner is great, but it doesn’t get things done. Self-awareness allows you to work around your weaknesses. Self-awareness is a lofty word thrown around so often […]
How to Nap (Without Feeling Exhausted Afterwards)
Do you ever take a nap and wake up exhausted? I recently was given two unscientific, but still useful tips for avoiding post-nap exhaustion. Don’t nap for more than 20 minutes at a time. Nap with a spoon in your right hand. For the first tip, I’m sure to get a bunch of comments that […]
How to Know When to Take a Break
How do you know when to relax? There are two typical answers to this question, and I’m here to say that both are wrong. If you thought the question was silly and the answer was obvious, you probably picked one of the two. The two common answers are: When you’ve finished your work. When you’re […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.