Finding Stronger Roots
It can be so difficult to describe a thing we do, particularly if it’s what we live and breathe.
Recently, I put out a Rhythms of Focus episode in which I attempted to describe the nature of the Waves of Focus, what is quite likely my life’s work. Wouldn’t that be a nice thing to put out there?
I’ve got a mind that wanders. It appears, so do others.
You’d think it would be easy to say,
Nope.
I wrote and re-wrote. Edited and re-edited. I’m reminded of the quote:
Beyond writing for the podcast though, I found an interesting phenomenon develop. As I tried to summarize the course I could sense something like a tree better resting in its roots. A confidence perhaps? I’m not sure what word is, but it feels stronger.
Consider as a takeaway,
- Could you summarize what you do? What’s meaningful to you?
- What if you did that over the course of several days, editing and re-writing as you went?
PS Doors for the Waves of Focus are closing soon (November 2nd to be exact). If you’re at all interested in moving away from Force-based work to Trust-based work, this is the course. I don’t believe you’ll find anything like it. In fact, I dare you and email me if you do!
[1]: Does anyone know who actually said this? I found attributions to Blaise Pascal and Mark Twain, and likely there are others.
Join the Weekly Wind Down Newsletter
Get a weekly letter about getting to play and meaningful work. Start getting where you want to be with calm focus. You’ll receive free samples of:
- Creating Flow with OmniFocus
- Taking Smart Notes with DEVONthink
- Workflow Mastery
- PDF on beating deadlines with ease using the Touching the Keys Technique
Recent Posts
Do Deadlines Drive Your Productivity?
Do Deadlines Drive Your Productivity?
Don’t Write It Down?
Write it down. Get it out of your head. Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them. Productivity advice often centers around getting things out of your head. Notetaking advice is often similar: - Always write your thoughts down. - Writing is thinking. In many...
But ‘I Just Don’t Wanna’
Laundry? Taxes? Work report? "I don't wanna" feelings can run strong. They are often complex, irritating, and frustrating. Whether someone tells us to do something or even when we tell ourselves, it doesn't matter. That internal sense of agency can feel threatened,...
I’m Sorry. I Can’t Do the Laundry. I Just Don’t Have the Dopamine **aka the Scientific Metaphors of Play**
"I'm sorry. I can't do the laundry. I just don't have the dopamine." I'm paraphrasing the above from a social media post. It was humorous as these videos often are. But similar to what I'd described recently, the conversation usually stops here. We are left throwing...
New David Sparks Field Guide – for Obsidian
There are numerous methods for note-taking nowadays. Whether you use DEVONthink, Craft, Notion, Roam, Apple Notes, or Obsidian. Learning to use any one of these takes time. David has always been excellent about taking the user from basics through advanced usage in...
The Dreaded Project
Projects get stalled for any number of reasons.
The advice to “just start” is close, but not quite right.
What’s missing? Find out below…
The Irritating Internet and a Celebration of Incompetence
Feel good memes are sometimes useful.
But if we’re not careful, they can lead us to stagnation.
How do we tread a path forward without sinking?
Searching for the Optimal Work Break
Exhausting one’s self with work, looking for the optimal way to take a break, we can easily lead ourselves astray with breaks that run us off course, lasting forever.
What other option do we have?…
Step Right Up! – The App to Solve All Your Problems
Step right up! Step right up to see the latest and greatest note-taking, idea-making, world-shaking app to solve all your problems. You'll never have to think again! That's right. Think you've made an error somewhere? Poof! It's gone....







