Loved it! Nat, I've been a reader ever since I found you on Medium and later found your website. Your writing got me interested in everything from marketing, SEO to non-fiction books and Roam Research. Big thanks for shaping my life so much. :))
I read a bunch of your old productivity posts and really enjoyed them. If you aren't familiar with Oliver Burkeman and his book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mere Mortals you should check it out. I think the messages would really resonate for you. He's also got a couple of great podcasts with Sam Harris.
Hi Nate. I've been following you for about a year now, and have enjoyed watching your "transformation" into an author. This is by far my favorite piece since you've been on substack, and it's such a relief to hear you say this. Looking forward to more like it ;)
Excellent, Nat. You mean to tell me you got rid of that typewriter that made you money before there was the internet and tiny, silent keyboards? And no whiteout?
Not gonna lie I kinda want a typewriter for no other reason than not having a backspace. I feel like that would force me to power through first drafts instead of editing as I go... but I suspect it would end up having a negligible impact
Get one, Nat. As much as I love the sound and feel of schnapp, schnapp, schnapp when the key hits the paper on your Olympia, there's a reason IBM invented the Selectric, which was to not cramp up the muscles in your hands. It's a good habit to type without corrections. You go fast and your mind stays up with your hands. Errors and all. That's the way we learned because the editors, with their red pencils did the clean up and the boys in the back set it all in motion with hot lead, paper and presses. I encourage you to power through many drafts with joy of knowing there will be a delivery, on time, because of your team or system. Getting your story out there is all that matters.
Solid facts. I've been coming to a similar & deepening realisation of this myself lately. Productivity obsession often reflects the delta between aspiration/compulsions and who you actually are. The least productive person I've ever read about, funnily enough, was Leonardo Da Vinci - who abandoned paid jobs and contracts to pursue whatever curiosity commanded his attention that day.
A friend on a similar journey is developing an aversion to task management software, and I find myself cutting unnecessary projects out of my life I thought I were essential, which then makes the day easier to just ensue. So far, feels way healthier and happier.
Thanks for articulating this more clearly than I could so I can share with others 😂 and also helps coming from a more credible source.
As a note, I think 'Breaking Up with Productivity Advice' is the major headline here.
Definitely feel this way now. A few months ago I stumbled upon the PKM/note-taking corner of YouTube, when Obsidian, Roam, and How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens were gaining popularity. It was interesting but I eventually just kept switching from one app to another. I realize now that my problem was that I had found a solution for a problem I didn't even have; I put the tool before the craft.
Loved it! Nat, I've been a reader ever since I found you on Medium and later found your website. Your writing got me interested in everything from marketing, SEO to non-fiction books and Roam Research. Big thanks for shaping my life so much. :))
Appreciate you being along for my manic ADHD-riddled journey of interests!
Terrible workmen often blame their tools...
Superb!
Great article, Nat! It's been interesting to see your thought progression from your Roam Research course to now.
Footnote Gold: "Jack should end up obsessed with finding magic seeds and die falling off a beanstalk or something." 🤣
Hah! It killed me to cut that from the main body of the post.
Great post.
I read a bunch of your old productivity posts and really enjoyed them. If you aren't familiar with Oliver Burkeman and his book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mere Mortals you should check it out. I think the messages would really resonate for you. He's also got a couple of great podcasts with Sam Harris.
Fantastic book, I need to upload my notes on it
Hi Nate. I've been following you for about a year now, and have enjoyed watching your "transformation" into an author. This is by far my favorite piece since you've been on substack, and it's such a relief to hear you say this. Looking forward to more like it ;)
Thank you Carina! That's such a nice compliment :)
Honestly, reading your weekly email letter updates is like a ritual now. Good stuff! Don't stop :)
Thank you Maria!
Thanks brother, I needed that
Excellent, Nat. You mean to tell me you got rid of that typewriter that made you money before there was the internet and tiny, silent keyboards? And no whiteout?
Not gonna lie I kinda want a typewriter for no other reason than not having a backspace. I feel like that would force me to power through first drafts instead of editing as I go... but I suspect it would end up having a negligible impact
Get one, Nat. As much as I love the sound and feel of schnapp, schnapp, schnapp when the key hits the paper on your Olympia, there's a reason IBM invented the Selectric, which was to not cramp up the muscles in your hands. It's a good habit to type without corrections. You go fast and your mind stays up with your hands. Errors and all. That's the way we learned because the editors, with their red pencils did the clean up and the boys in the back set it all in motion with hot lead, paper and presses. I encourage you to power through many drafts with joy of knowing there will be a delivery, on time, because of your team or system. Getting your story out there is all that matters.
I'll give it a whirl!
Solid facts. I've been coming to a similar & deepening realisation of this myself lately. Productivity obsession often reflects the delta between aspiration/compulsions and who you actually are. The least productive person I've ever read about, funnily enough, was Leonardo Da Vinci - who abandoned paid jobs and contracts to pursue whatever curiosity commanded his attention that day.
A friend on a similar journey is developing an aversion to task management software, and I find myself cutting unnecessary projects out of my life I thought I were essential, which then makes the day easier to just ensue. So far, feels way healthier and happier.
Thanks for articulating this more clearly than I could so I can share with others 😂 and also helps coming from a more credible source.
As a note, I think 'Breaking Up with Productivity Advice' is the major headline here.
Definitely feel this way now. A few months ago I stumbled upon the PKM/note-taking corner of YouTube, when Obsidian, Roam, and How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens were gaining popularity. It was interesting but I eventually just kept switching from one app to another. I realize now that my problem was that I had found a solution for a problem I didn't even have; I put the tool before the craft.
Fun read, Nat!
Great read. The best nugget was hiding in note 6!