Yesterday I finally did something I should done several years ago: spring cleaning my personal effectiveness blog El Canasto.

• I removed several ancient landing pages.
• I updated the privacy policy.
• I created a brand new About page.
• I set up a (still unpublished) page for an upcoming podcast.
• I added the obligatory GDPR disclaimer to several forms.
• I removed a dysfunctional piece of JavaScript from the header code.

Now, let’s get back to creating and publishing content.

The benefits of choosing a platform over disconnected devices

I love all these features and use them every day.

I just created an account at an online store and immediately received a confirmation email including my username and password in plain text!

Right away I lowered my expectations on privacy, support and quality.

Today I received my RØDE VXLR+, a small device to connect my lavelier mic to my audio interface. The VXLR+ converts the 48V phantom power provided by the audio interface into 3–5V needed by my lavelier mic.

Until now I always used my lavelier mic with my phone, but for a while I’ve wanted to connect it to my computer, so I have more freedom of movement when doing my online workshops.

However, my first attempt to use the VXLR+ was a failure since as soon as I connected it to the interface it generated a lot of noise.

Today I didn’t have a lot of time to investigate, but tomorrow I want to try out a few things before deciding whether to return it.

Trying to get my head around notetaking philosophies and Zettelkasten

Now

WWDC is getting closer. Since I’m not a developer, the only question interesting me right now is whether they will announce a new pro-level iMac.

I really need a replacement for my current machine (2013 iMac), since I run into too many issues processing the audio and video sources for my remote workshops. I would have bought the M1 iMac right away if WWDC wouldn’t be so close.

Anyway, I’ll wait until June 7 to make my purchase decision.

I really wish that Roam Research will one day support ‘regular’ markdown syntax. It is very hard to modify 17 years of muscle memory.

How is it possible that in the EU we still have to pay an extra for copyright compensation whenever we buy a storage medium, a mobile phone or a computer?

Haven’t the legislators noticed that the world has moved on from free downloads and now pays for streaming services like Netflix and Spotify?

This week I reviewed my new Audient iD14 audio interface and man, I surely do love this device. Such a clean sound, such power and so many possibilities …

¿Por qué los sindicalistas siempre gritan en sus discursos?

Honest feedback from a good friend might still hurts, but is more likely to result in an actual change.

I’m loving this quote:

Develop what’s inside first, because what’s inside is reflected outside.

📸 First lunch outside at the patio for this year

When I enrolled in @beauhaan’s Roam Book Club, I expected to learn about Roam Research while discussing the contents of the “How to take smart notes” book. Little did I know that is is actually a course on clearer thinking. 🤔

What we believe in.

Efficiency is getting stuff done.

Effectiveness is getting the right stuff done.

Technology aids us with the first.

Your brain still has to facilitate the second.

Currently reading: Work Simply: Embracing the Power of Your Personal Productivity Style by Carson Tate 📚

Note for remote workers: working from home is not the same as living at work. Fix your boundaries!

An interesting metric to evaluate email campaigns: Risk

We measure email risk, in its most basic iteration, by dividing the number of unsubscribes by the number of clicks for each individual email campaign.

Total Number of Opt-Outs / Unique Clicks = Risk

This is the most basic and broadly applicable version of this metric but, in a few moments, we’ll discuss ways you can tailor it to fit your specific program.

This week I’m ditching ActiveCampaign and moving my newsletter to Squarespace.

I want to simplify my setup, eliminate most of the marketing automations, use a design that resembles my website, pay a third of the price and put a bigger focus on my writing.

Finished reading: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown 📚

Some interesting insights into the consequences of the jump to “remote work” in many organizations:

With over 40 percent of the global workforce considering leaving their employer this year, a thoughtful approach to hybrid work will be critical for attracting and retaining diverse talent. To help organizations through the transition, the 2021 Work Trend Index outlines findings from a study of more than 30,000 people in 31 countries and an analysis of trillions of productivity and labor signals across Microsoft 365 and LinkedIn. It also includes perspectives from experts who have spent decades studying collaboration, social capital, and space design at work for decades.

This is how you buy things.

Did I comparison shop? Nope. Ask around? Nada.
There's no buyer's remorse when you just don't want to know.

I always find it extremely difficult to rate books, movies and tv series. First, whenever something is actually bad, I simply don’t finish it and also cannot be bothered to rate it. And when omething is good I have a hard time deciding wherer it was good or really good. It’s so subjective… Most works of art have some great parts and some good aspects. What exactly is the difference between ★★★ and ★★★★?