Comments on: Diminishing Returns in Productivity

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:43:57 +0000

Some time I realised that technology is almost useless at addressing complexity. It’s good at storing, searching, distributing, and following fairly simple business rules.

In other words, it makes a good address book, calendar, and electronic filing system.

For actually conquering complexity, brainstorming, taking notes, and so on, I’ve given up on technology. I use paper. I carry it around with me. It doesn’t need to be synchronized with anything. It doesn’t restrict. It gives time away from the computer. My paper workflow is fluid; it changes over time.

This approach has the added advantage that it doesn’t require me to keep up to date with any software, or to keep my eye open for new software that might do the job better, or for bits of software that will synch gizmo A with gadget B.

So for me, the computer simply provides email (with an empty inbox, of course), address book storage and phone synch, password management, document storage, and web access.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:34:21 +0000

@Mike – Some excellent points, thanks.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:29:14 +0000

I’d agree with everyone who says that you might not be as productive as you should be when you’re constantly looking for other ways to improve your productivity.

BUT with productivity it’s like with all the other things we want to achieve. It’s not the end which is the most important part it’s the journey to it.

If you enjoy the journey, if you like reading about productivity and if you have fun testing all this productivity ideas, than it’s worth doing it.

Mike

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:26:03 +0000

@Naomi – I totally agree with your excellent comment and this is something I have only recently started practising myself.

@FrugalNYC – I would love to live in the mountains for a bit…maybe something like that coming up!

@Jay – Sounds like you have everything under control (probably how you manage to crank out lots of good blog posts).

@Mark – I’ve never thought of it in that way before, what an interesting idea, I think I’ll give it a try. For the moment, a massive cut back is making a huge difference.

@Lisa – Glad today isn’t one of those days ;)

Thanks for you time and tips guys, I’m learning a lot!

By: LisaNewton

LisaNewton — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:33:43 +0000

I have similar issues with my RSS feed. I try to keep up, and love everyone’s blog I have there, but on some days, it gets in the way of other work I need to do.

Fortunately, today isn’t one of those days……………….:)

LisaNewton’s last blog post..Californian’s Want Wetlands

By: Mark Keating

Mark Keating — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:31:12 +0000

Absolutely agree with Frugal: All things in moderation :-)

Why not try setting a schedule for your interests? Monday could be “Technology Blog Day” while Tuesday might be “Productivity Blog Day” for instance. And don’t make it the first thing you do each morning. Cycling through your list of blogs once a week gives you the opportunity to keep current on your interests without spending an unreasonable amount of time each day on any one of them.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:57:38 +0000

I agree with Naomi. You just have to list your whole life on a piece of paper (or two) and set limits for everything you do. I will only read 5 articles today, watch 1 hour of TV, respond to 5 emails twice a day, etc. I wish you all the best Chris. I like Frugal's suggestion- get into those woods "Walden Pond" style. :-) Jay’s last blog post..The Power of Silence- Part 2

By: FrugalNYC

FrugalNYC — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:10:17 +0000

Hey Chris, I'm also in the same boat as you and struggling with the same issues you mentioned. I think the only way out is to really reduce the intake, and possibly live in the mountains ;) FrugalNYC’s last blog post..Save Time - Alternate Side Parking 2009

By: Naomi

Naomi — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:40:22 +0000

As an organizer, I often help people handle the flow of information, both digital and on paper, that constantly streams into their lives. I struggle with "digital clutter" myself. What I tell my clients (and myself) is to evaluate whether the things they're holding onto - magazines to read later, thousands of bookmarked sites, etc. - are really bring joy and satisfaction, or are they just causing guilt and stress. There's no way any of us could possibly keep up with ALL the interesting things that cross our paths, and yet we still try, and feel guilty for not being able to do it! The only way I've found to achieve balance is to set up sensible limits and boundaries, and then respect those limits. "Releasing" is also a useful mindset. I release the information I can't consume and the things I can't do or keep track of, knowing that if I need that information again, I'll be able to find it. The "low information diet" is a great idea too! Thanks for this great post. Naomi’s last blog post..My best organizing tip for 2009