Issue #23

(enable images to see ^ this gif!)

Happy Saturday! This week's issue is a bit late—but hey, we all made it to the weekend!

I spent most of this summer reorganizing my personal to do systems (so exciting, I know!) and figuring out how to track all of the work I need to do without (1) being totally overwhelmed by a complex system, and (2) losing track of my to dos across multiple platforms. This week, I was reading an article from The Reluctant Project Manager that spoke to my thoughts and experiences during my reorganization process.

We manage so much work on projects that it can be difficult to find time to make systems that work for ourselves. And even more often, we might find ourselves at the mercy of a system or process we created that just isn't working for us anymore. This week we're focusing on how to make sure our systems work for us—instead working to fit our systems.

Tracking To Dos Efficiently
If you're anything like me, you have piles of notepads, notebooks, countless apps you've tried (and some you love!), and more to track your to dos. This summer, I finally sat down and took stock of everything I used—and whether it was working for me. I was surprised to realize that app-based to do lists really don't save me time when I'm tracking personal work to dos. The time I spent typing, categorizing, scheduling, and organizing tasks was far greater than just jotting something in a dedicated notebook. So I updated my system to keep my calendar items and recurring, automated tasks in one place on my laptop—and then I condensed all of my to dos into one streamlined notebook.

• This article is a great primer on the goals and updates you should focus on when reworking your to do lists
• Do a process audit and look at process versus productivity to also start to tell you where you're getting caught up in working to fit your system.
• A look at whether you *really* need to adhere to a single productivity method, and what you can learn from them if you do.

Make Your Workspace Work For You
It has taken me years to come to terms with the fact that I work best in a dead-silent environment. I've tried listening to instrumental music, podcasts, working from co-working spaces, work from an office, working at home, and working from coffee shops. The best and most focused work I do is at my desk (with both of my monitors, room for my water pitchers, and notebooks) in total silence. As unglamorous as that is, it's what works for me. While I work from home—which means less constraints—there are still ways you can make your workspace work for you:

• Try cleaning up your desk to promote mental focus. This same article also suggests picking an auditory "productivity cue" to get your mind in the right place when starting work.
• Are you in need of silence to work, too? Here's how to find that in a busy office, if you don't have the option of working from home.
• This quick guide to an ergonomic desk setup can help you offload the physical toll of working long hours.

• What to Expect from PMs by Julie Zhuo (thanks to Shahina for the link!)
• Navigating the bumpy road from engineer to engineering manager by Jean Hsu 
• How Do Managers Get Stuck? by Camille Fournier

• Read about JOMO and rejoice over your nights in this weekend.
• Deliver Conference (based in the UK) is open for speaker submissions right now!
• There is a lot going on right now in the US—if you're so inclined, read more about supporting Hurricane Harvey rebuild efforts, check out this thread to support hurricane relief with tech skills, or consider reading more about DACA & providing support to organizations that help DACA recipients.
• Need something to warm your heart today? This video of a corgi trying to share its toy with its own reflection will do just that.