Jeroen Sangers

As a productivity expert, I’m always on the lookout for tools that can adapt to my ever-evolving workflow. This week, I decided to experiment with Tana, a system that has become my go-to for task and project management. What I love about Tana is its flexibility—it can be molded to fit any workflow, making it an indispensable tool in my productivity arsenal.

Until recently, I organized my tasks using a Kanban system within Tana, categorizing them into three horizons: today’s tasks, this week’s tasks, and future tasks. This method worked well, but as someone who constantly seeks improvement, I wanted to try something new. Enter time-blocking—a technique I had previously used with another tool, SkedPal. Now, with Tana’s comprehensive capabilities, I no longer need multiple tools. Everything I need is right here.

The transition to time-blocking was surprisingly simple. I added a due date field to my task super tag and included a calendar in the sidebar of my daily notes page. This let me drag tasks directly into the calendar, effectively time-blocking them. I also made a few tweaks, like adding the meeting tag to the calendar to see my appointments alongside tasks. For convenience, I created command buttons to quickly schedule tasks for the day. These enhancements, while minor, showcase Tana’s adaptability.

My primary goal with this experiment is to become more realistic about my commitments. I have a tendency to overcommit, and by blocking tasks on my calendar, I can better understand how long tasks take and how limited my time truly is. This awareness is crucial for prioritizing effectively and ensuring that I focus on what truly matters.

This week-long experiment is a testament to Tana’s flexibility. Whether it’s task management, knowledge management, or contact management as a CRM, Tana adapts seamlessly to any workflow. While I’m not sure if time-blocking will become a permanent part of my routine, this trial has already highlighted the system’s potential to enhance productivity.

In the past, work was often simple and predictable. There were fixed processes and predictable outcomes, as Armand Hatchuel describes. This made it easy to measure and manage performance. If there were problems, such as a broken machine or a sick employee, managers could quickly intervene to achieve the same results.

Today, work is different. Hatchuel calls this “unconfined” work. It involves jobs like knowledge work, care work, and creative work, where you don’t know in advance what the outcome will be. Innovation and surprising outcomes are often the goal. This means you only know what the result is once it’s finished. There is a lot of uncertainty about how much effort it takes to achieve these unpredictable results. For example, a home care worker doesn’t know what they will encounter with a client, a designer doesn’t know how a client will react to an idea, and a software developer can’t always predict what problems will arise with the code.

Modern work is thus unconfined because it is not tied to fixed rules or predictable results. It requires a lot of flexibility and adaptability from workers, whether the work is physical or mental. The real challenge is dealing with the absence of boundaries and navigating the uncertainties and complexities that come with this type of work.

Related

• Professionals spend about 60% of their time on work about work
• Spend a little attention on planning and organizing your tasks, but not more than necessary; then, get to work
• Hard work
• Monthly map

For years, I’ve been a loyal user of the Reeder app to keep up with my favorite feeds. The classic version, as it’s now called, has been my go-to tool for organizing and reading articles. I meticulously sorted everything into folders and made it a daily ritual to check for new content, whether in the morning or sometimes even in the afternoon. It was my way of staying updated on the topics that interest me.

A new paradigm in reeder

Recently, I installed the new version of Reeder, and it introduced a completely different paradigm. Instead of the traditional folder system with unread counts, the new Reeder presents a more fluid experience. It’s like a river of information flowing by, where articles and updates come and go. This new approach also allows for the integration of social media feeds, particularly from platforms like Mastodon and Micro.blog, all in one seamless stream.

A continuous reading experience

One of the features I appreciate the most is that the app remembers where I left off. When I open Reeder, it picks up right where I was, allowing me to continue reading without missing a beat. I can easily scroll through the feed, quickly skimming through articles, and only diving deeper into the ones that catch my interest. This is a significant shift from my old habit of treating my reading list like an inbox that needed to be emptied.

Embracing the river of information

This new method of handling information feels more natural to me. Instead of feeling the pressure to read every single article, I can now dip in and out of the stream of content. It doesn’t matter if I miss a post here or there. The new Reeder aligns better with how I should be consuming information—more like a river that I occasionally wade into rather than a bucket that needs to be emptied.

A satisfying investment

After just half an hour of using the new Reeder, I was convinced. I decided to commit and paid for a year’s subscription, which was only 10 euros. This small investment seems like it will significantly improve my reading habits. Now, I can quickly scan through my feed, opening only the articles that truly interest me, rather than feeling obligated to read everything.

Looking Forward to New Habits

I’m excited to see how this new approach to handling information will evolve over time. The new Reeder has already made a positive impression on me, and I believe it will be a lasting change in how I consume content. If you’re looking for a more relaxed and efficient way to stay updated, I highly recommend giving the new Reeder a try. It might just transform your reading habits as it has mine.

Research shows that people often underestimate how much they enjoy just sitting and thinking. In a series of experiments with students, participants thought they would be bored if they had to wait in a quiet room. But in reality, they found it much more enjoyable than they expected. This shows that we often do not appreciate how important it is to take a moment to pause and reflect.

The idea of “niksen,” a Dutch word that means consciously doing nothing, fits well with these findings. Doing nothing can be seen as a way to give our minds a break, so we can relax and let our thoughts wander without distractions from the outside world. This is different from the modern habit of always being busy and seeking distractions, such as constantly checking internet news. By doing nothing, we can improve our mental health, as it gives us the opportunity to organize our thoughts and become more creative.

We often underestimate how valuable doing nothing can be, because we do not realize how interesting and enjoyable our own thoughts can be. People usually choose activities to keep busy, often because they are afraid of getting bored. But doing nothing can be surprisingly enriching, as shown by the positive responses of people in studies. If we learn to appreciate moments of rest more, we can learn to enjoy simply thinking and reflecting. This can ultimately contribute to a more balanced and satisfying life.

Related:

• Scatterfocus