What’s an under-appreciated productivity tool? Non-AI answers only.
37 comments
-
Zork and the social impact of design choices
A bad game from 1993 taught me that humanity isn’t necessarily doomed.
Peace and quiet
It’s so, so important—and rare.
To be able to concentrate without interruption… sometimes only feasible after midnight
I’m so useless after midnight, though…
@JustinPot paper notebook
I need to get back into using my paper notebook! My best brainstorming happens there but I constantly fall out of the habit.
Rest
brew install rest
it’s not working
it’s actually `install brew –into-me > rest`
To more seriously answer your question, the more I do stuff, the less important I think the tools are. Having a clear idea of what you want/need/intend to do then having the ability to focus on solving the problem is way more important.
Except for Microsoft Teams. It’s the worst.
@JustinPot org-mode
I occasionally try to get into this one but always end up feeling overwhelmed! What do you like about it?
notepad
A paper one? Or notepad.exe?
food, water, and adequate sleep
So may of the replies are in this vein! Really making me think.
@JustinPot taking a break. this isn't a joke, taking a break and coming back to a task or problem can help me bust through it
It’s a very good piece of advice, one that is way too easy to forget.
@JustinPot excalidraw plugin for obsidian
you just opened up a huge rabbithole for me
@JustinPot @jhpot a clipboard manager, I can't live without one.
Which ones do you like?
@JustinPot @jhpot I just use the one in Launchbar currently. I forgot what I used in Windows before 2009.
@JustinPot
software: appblock and cold turkey
– Logging updates on your work (any interval that works for you)
– Breaking down tasks to the smallest
– Using diagrams (flowcharts, gant charts, mind maps, calendar grid, pyramid, etc)
I love a good distraction blocking app. I personally use a macOS one called Focus 2.
I should do more diagrams. Any tools you recommend for it?
@JustinPot
After using these blockers I feel like you'll never be able to work properly without one. Specially if you do it alone or working on a project.
What i did is, i kept examples of the ones i like on a notepad, the same you can use for drawing them.
There’s a certain liberation in not being able to open distractions. I feel like this could be an entire field of research.
@JustinPot
We truly pay all these big corps with our time. Maybe it's because I grew up with youtube and stuff (I'm 21). But finally a few years ago I could see how algorithmic feeds and recommendations are basically the same as gambling, and once you notice it you see it everywhere. You know luke smith and techlead? Those guys talk about that stuff.
By the way this is my first time talking in mastodon. Fun!
Welcome to the Fediverse! Seems like you’ll fit right in.
@JustinPot a note taking app, I use Joplin and it changed how I take notes and organize my thoughts.
Great choice! Any reason it stands out compared to other note taking apps?
@JustinPot I like that I can move folders and notes and nest them at least 3 folders deep. I can use emoji as part of the folder label. It will hold images and PDFs and documents. It's pretty intuitive. It syncs between devices – work computer, home computer, phone. It's easy to make lists in.
@JustinPot distance running. I sort out problems and priorities while spaced out running. Thinking about right here, right now, step step step, and my problems shake themselves into order
I’m so glad that works for you! When I’m running all I ever think about is how great it will be when I’m not running…
@JustinPot well that’s certainly the case now that it’s hot summer and so humid! But in cooler times it’s nice. I used to “multi task” by listening to podcasts but 1) I’m not wasting time by running, it’s its own thing and I can just do that, and 2) safer to be able to hear the environment and 3) it’s meditative as noted above
Yeah I can’t listen to podcasts while running. Music, on the other hand, is extremely helpful to me.