Latest Post

A Powerful Fantasy – [A Weekly Wind Down Newsletter]

A Powerful Fantasy – [A Weekly Wind Down Newsletter]

by | Dec 6, 2024 | , ,

I once heard that buying a book was a purchase of two things:

  1. The book itself
  2. The fantasy of having time to read it

Knowing this should be enough to alter behavior, right?

Nope. My library grows.

The world of productivity can be a delusional one. We hold on to the hope that we can do everything while ignoring the clear indications that we cannot.

Adding things to inboxes, creating absurdly long lists, storing notes in infinite digital storage, and more all ignore time and working memory.

Time is not only limited by our mortality, but by the fact that we can only act sequentially. Meanwhile, the mind as powerful and ridiculous as it is, seems to continue its wanderings into impossible horizons.

Maybe I can tell myself I’m building a library. There’s nothing wrong with that. I like having a library.

But I also know that when I circle an option on my anchor pad (PDF), clearly deciding “this is where I want my mind to be”, I am also clearly deciding against the rest of the Universe, at least for this moment.

It’s in that last phrase, “at least for this moment”, that I can pretend that I can do everything “later”, that I’ll live forever, or whatever fantasy eases the moment, ignoring how Future Me might be burdened by the world’s weight of decisions once again.

Yes, I can hyperschedule. Yes, I can plot out the next 5, 10, or 20 years. Each of these are their own versions of delusional thinking when I believe they could actually reflect a reality to be.

While every moment opens a single door as infinite others swing shut, I remind myself that when I pause to mourn the fantasy, this moment becomes stronger.

I don’t think there’s an app for that.

– Kourosh

PS. Completely unrelated, this song is awesome.

What is Productivity?

Productivity is many things. For some, it is about doing a lot in a little time.
But, truly, productivity is so much more. It is about:

  • Setting yourself up for success.
  • Being focused where you want to be.
  • Doing things that you find meaningful.
  • Being creative, sometimes even in harsh environments.
  • Forging your own paths.
  • Finding your voice and delivering it well.
  • Knowing and actively deciding on your obligations.
  • Knowing where and how to say “no”.
  • Avoiding procrastination.

Too often, many of us fall into just going along with and fighting whatever the world throws at us. “Go with the flow!”, we say. Meanwhile, we might think, “I’d like to do that one thing. Maybe one day I will.” The days go by. The goal never arrives, and then we wonder why or blame circumstance.

But when we learn to take charge of our lives and the world
around us, we start living life with intention.

“I should do that,” becomes “This is how I start”. Deliberately forging a path to our goals and dreams, we figure out what we want in life and then start taking steps there.

Of course, striking out may seem scary. It takes courage to live life with purpose and on purpose. Roadblocks and worries, fears and concerns show up everywhere.

This is my passion. I want to help you to find that sense of your own unique play to meet the world so that you can:

  • Create a life that is yours.
  • Find and follow an inner guide in a way that works for you and those you care for.
  • Decide on your obligations and meet them while building the world you want.

Productivity Journal

A Powerful Fantasy – [A Weekly Wind Down Newsletter]

A Powerful Fantasy – [A Weekly Wind Down Newsletter]

by | Dec 6, 2024

I once heard that buying a book was a purchase of two things: The book itself The fantasy of having time to read it Knowing this should be enough to alter behavior, right? Nope. My library grows. The world of productivity can be a delusional one. We hold on to the...

read more

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

These products use or are based on Getting Things Done® or GTD® Principles. They are not affiliated with, approved or endorsed by David Allen or the David Allen Company, which is the creator of the Getting Things Done® system for personal productivity. GTD® and Getting Things Done® are registered trademarks of the David Allen Company For more information on the David Allen Company’s products the user may visit their website at www.davidco.com.