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For over twenty years I’ve used technology, documentation, and planning to help solve business needs. I want to share this knowledge with you. In this newsletter edition, you will find one quick tip, I’ll explore an an interesting article, link to websites that caught my eye, and share recent blog posts in case you missed seeing them.
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Mid-February is a challenging time for me. It's cold, either raining or trying to snow, and the sky is often a monotone grey. I can never decide if I want to crawl back under the covers or sit at my desk and pound out my frustrations by crossing everything off my task list. It is the time of year when my systems often fail because I'm exhausted and often bored so I neglect my systems and routines.
That's what's happened to this edition of the newsletter. Last Friday as I edited the blog post and published it, I had an idea on how to tie it in here. However, I didn't follow my own plans. I never wrote it down; I was trying to finish a bunch of other work at the same time.
That idea is now lost to time. I don't want to have that happen again.
Here are two steps I'll take:
First, I'll reduce the friction around how I create and store notes. That means choosing what tools I'll use beyond my trusted notebook and pen. I often review different software and apps so I can be aware of what's out there and help clients choose. I've been using a multiple apps lately and the fragmentation has taken a toll on my writing organization.
Second, I'll revise my time blocks. Multitasking is rarely a good idea^. While I do most of my time blocking with a planning grid, I keep this simplified post-it version in my planner.
^ listening to an audiobook when performing a mundane task such as cleaning the bathroom is a useful application of multitasking.
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Curious to learn more about time blocking? Yes, I've written about it over the years. Today I want to direct you to a comprehensive guide to Time Blocking by Todoist.
This guide explains what time blocking is, explores variations such as theming, and how to implement it with their app (which I use).
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Taking breaks allows your brain to rest and avoid mental fatigue! Here are some links to provide a short rest.
- Yes, February second was last week; Austin Kleon wrote the truth about how now every day really is like Groundhog Day. (blog post - austinkleon.com)
- In an effort to listen to something different, I've been streaming more WQXR (New York's Classical Radio Station that I've listen to since high school) and playing less from my own classical media library. (website - wqxr.org)
- If you're looking for a new book, here's a list of thoughtful ways to support Black-owned bookstores throughout the year. (article - apartmenttherapy.com)
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From the Notebook Archive
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I publish a new blog post every other Friday (with this newsletter the following Tuesday). Here are the four most recent posts:
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Thank you for reading. I hope you found this newsletter useful. If you think someone else would find it helpful, please consider forwarding it. If this is your first time reading the newsletter, welcome. You can read previous issues and subscribe here.
Finally, if you need to venture outside, please do so safely. Wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands.
/penny |
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