#116 - Tools

The problem, reform, and closing thoughts

Something different today.

Hopefully more practical than the usual philosophising.

It’s a list of tricks and tools.

I finally reached the edge of my sanity with my various inboxes. Something had to give so at long last I’ve made some changes.

Hope it’s helpful!

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The Problem

I have a confession.. During the day I spend far too much time in my emails. Doing nothing of consequence. It’s a mental tick. The same for whatsapp and linkedin. Frequently switching between the three.

I subconsciously chalk it off as productive. Just because I’m moving things along. Batting around messages. But it’s not. It’s all a hopeless waste of time.

Nothing was changing. Week after week.

But this week I had enough. Surely I’m capable of solving this I thought. So here we are. V1 of the solution.

Reform

Calendly - finally got over myself and setup Calendly. I know I’m terribly late to the party. The issue was a stream of lower priority requests for a call. Potentially interesting but not essential. Having those sat in my inbox, undecided, weighed much on my mind. But there’s a simple solution. Which tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people use. Calendly. Now 2pm - 4:30pm Tuesdays to Thursday are designated call times. Easy.

So much room for activities!

Feed Blocker for Linkedin - I can feel me brain slowly eroding scrolling through Linkedin. Worst of all part of me feels it’s productive. “Building my network”. It’s a lie. Very little comes from scrolling the newsfeed. Yet I shudder to think how many hours have disappeared there. With this tool the newsfeed is gone. Poof. Just like that. I intend to use Linkedin newsfeed free from now on.

Skip the inbox - sure, some emails are important. But 95% aren’t. And every one of those you see, every subject, every sender, sucks some attention. The result is an overstimulated mess. Anything with an Unsubscribe button for example. Don’t need to see it through the day. Gmails filters handle that.

Closing Thoughts

Long way to go. I’m yet to reform my Whatsapp for one.

But this is progress at least.

Time of day is a big one for me too. I get far more of consequence done early in the day. The middle is a blur. Towards the end things pick up again.

And the less time at a laptop the better I feel. More one on one convos: Getting truly on the same page with someone. People constantly impressing me. Gosh, they are so much better than me at this…

And dare I say more time thinking, reading, or exercising… To turn up better for the shit that really matters.

You do need to work hard for startup success, of course. And you do need to be completely relentless. The only way is through. But that’s not measured by emails sent. Or hours of sleep skipped.

But by leaps forward. By the times you’ve really made it count.

Those just don’t come from the Linkedin newsfeed. Or your 73rd email newsletter of the day. They come from a clear and focused mind.

And that, more than anything else, is my goal here. Watch this space.

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My Week in Books📚

The Price of Peace by Zachary D. Carter

The life John Maynard Keynes. Super interesting character. This one is a lot of economics to wade through but enjoyable nonetheless.

Book recommendations welcome & encouraged. Just hit reply! 🙏

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Unplugged 🌳📵

• New pics for Otto

• Great UGC

• From the blog: How to set perfect OOO

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A Final Thought 💡

“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Such a good quote.

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