Jeroen Sangers ◦ brain tags

When the latest version of Overcast came out, I decided to try to change my podcast listening workflow and use the built-in queue.

On the home screen, Overcast shows new episodes and I can long press them to add them to the queue.

Though it worked alright, it was more work than my previous workflow, so I switched back to to using my previous list.

I simply have an ‘All podcast’ playlist which collects all unplayed episodes. In this list, I have my own podcasts selected as priority podcasts, so they we’ll always be on top of the list.

Besides that' I always listen to the episodes in the list in strict chronological order.

My personal rule is that this list can contain a maximum of 5 episodes. If this threshold is passed, I will delete the least interesting episodes to get down to 5.

In the rare occasion my playlist is empty, I will browse through the list of podcasts which I have listened to in the past but to which I am not subscribed.

→ 7:20 PM, Apr 1

The days that I feel most tired usually end up being also the days in which I work more hours.

Somehow, feeling tired makes it more difficult to reach the point where I feel I have done ‘enough’.

Of course, this is exactly the opposite of what I should do.

→ 7:08 PM, Apr 1

Your own implementation is the correct way of doing GTD
David Allen, the creator of GTD, says there is no standard way to use his method. Although his books and workshops provide a lot of explanations, it is important for everyone to create their own system that suits their needs and preferences. The goal of GTD is to get tasks and responsibilities out of your head, so you have space for creative and productive thinking. This works best when the system you use fits you well and feels easy.

Adapting your GTD system means trying out what works for you. This may mean setting reminders for things that interest you or developing habits that help you feel better. The most important thing is that GTD is not about strictly following rules, but about creating a system that helps you clear your mind. Whether you use an app or a paper notebook, it’s about finding a way that helps you stay organized and focused.

Related:
→ 6:59 PM, Apr 1

Tiredness + an addictive game (such as MTGA) = destroyed productivity

→ 2:03 PM, Apr 1

People who do not experience stress often have a lower level of cognitive ability
It may sound surprising, but research shows that while people without stress are less likely to have chronic illnesses and often feel better, they also perform worse on tests that measure memory and cognitive flexibility. It seems that a little stress can help keep our brains sharp. Stress acts as a kind of training for the brain, allowing us to use our cognitive skills better and more efficiently.

This does not mean that we should always be stressed to think well. It’s about finding the right balance. A little stress can help us be more productive and think better, but too much stress can lead to negative feelings and be bad for our health. People with stress also give and receive emotional support more often, which can lead to a richer social life. Therefore, it is important to find a level of stress that keeps us alert without harming our health.

Related
- Decision fatigue only affects people who believe that willpower runs out quickly
- Cold showers temporarily reduce your cognitive performance
→ 7:14 PM, Mar 31

So this device measures breathing patterns and uses that to calculate focus levels.

The app contains 4 protocols to help reduce frustration, anxiety, burnout, procrastination and distraction.

I already have an Oura ring capable of measuring my breathing rate, so all I need is a software update to control focus modes.

→ 5:43 PM, Mar 28

Our (productivity) issues are not new. Read the great masters and find answers to current issues
Our productivity problems, such as information overload from emails and chat messages, may seem like a modern issue, but they are not new. As early as 1916, similar problems were discussed, showing that this has been an ongoing issue. Often, this is due to poor management of information and communication. Great thinkers have long ago devised solutions for these issues. By looking at their ideas, we can learn how to better handle our current problems.

Thinkers from the past, such as Aristotle and Seneca, and later figures like Peter Drucker, have written extensively about working efficiently, managing time well, and how we easily get distracted. They often emphasize the importance of focusing, setting priorities, and managing time effectively. These ideas are still useful and can help us better handle the constant stream of notifications and information. By following their advice, we can become more productive and find a better balance between work and leisure.

It is important to learn from the past and apply the wisdom of these thinkers to our modern work. This means not only studying their strategies but also adapting them to how we work today. By listening to these experts and learning from their insights, we can find ways to work more effectively and with greater satisfaction, despite the challenges of today’s technology.

Related:
- Do the right thing, in the right way, and at the right moment
- Your own implementation is the correct way of doing GTD
→ 1:15 PM, Mar 28

I still haven’t found the perfect work-from-home coffee break activity.

I’m looking for something which I can do while drinking my coffee, which will disconnect my mind from work and which can be completed in about 15–20 minutes.

I found that the activity should have a definite end point as I tried reading and gaming, which had the tendency to expend my break with at least an hour.

→ 12:45 PM, Mar 28

📈 Algo estamos haciendo bien en el podcast de @beKENSO:

¡Nº 35 en el top de España!

→ 6:14 PM, Mar 23

There are so many good ideas in this post, but this is my favourite:

34 Go for a walk without your phone.
The Saturday magazine https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/01/marginal-gains-100-ways-to-improve-your-life-without-really-trying

→ 9:18 PM, Mar 22

Currently reading: Sona la cançó by Lluís Gavaldà 📚

Si també estàs llegint aquest llibre fantàstic de @luisgavalda, he creat la llista de concions que acompanya el llibre a Apple Music: Sona la cançó.

→ 10:42 AM, Mar 21

My plan was to take a short break, cross the street to buy some pineapple in the vegetable store and then drink my coffee while continue to work, but when I came back decided to play ‘just one game of MTGA’…

I managed to limit myself to play just this one game (mainly because I won), but then looked up some information about the MTGA and updated my Now page.

And of course, I had to write this down on my daily page in my diary, and while I’m at it, why don’t I publish this note also on my blog?

Now, I should really stop procrastinating and get on with the work…

→ 1:03 PM, Mar 17

After 45 years, these tips are still valid:

→ 5:57 PM, Mar 10

Follow Seth’s advice and avoid dong things at the last moment whenever possible. You don’t want to have to deal with Murphy’s Law.

The last minute is an easy habit to fall into. Once you start focusing on crises, it makes it really difficult to find the focus and energy to begin planning ahead. But the last minute can be risky and expensive.
Seth Godin https://seths.blog/2022/03/calculating-the-last-minute/

→ 6:57 PM, Mar 9

I love how @patrickrhone explains a simple habit with a lot of depth behind it:

Basically, on the front of the card I write down the tasks I’d like to get done today (and really believe I can get done). On the back of the card, I capture any incoming tasks that pop up or things I need to write down — like a scratch pad (i.e, things that won’t get done today but I’d like to keep for some other time). As I get stuff done, I mark it done. Things that don’t get done either get moved to the next day’s list or deferred for later.
Patrick Rhone https://www.patrickrhone.net/my-life-in-3x5/

I love this idea of physically separating the tasks I’d like to get done today from any incoming tasks.

Also, kudos for using the actual × symbol in the title instead of the letter X. (Small details matter)

→ 6:47 PM, Mar 9

Mi granito de arena para reivindicar el #8M2022: kenso.es/episodio/…

→ 5:22 PM, Mar 8

Once again the UPS delivery person was somehow not able to deliver a package, even though I did leave home for a second. Now I have to pick it up myself at an access point 20 minutes away 😡

→ 3:56 PM, Mar 4

Currently reading: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman 📚

→ 5:13 PM, Feb 24

Finished reading: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely 📚

I liked this book, even though in the end I got a little bit tired of so many examples of irrational behavior. Also, in general I like more actionable books.

→ 5:13 PM, Feb 24

Try to get four hours of concentrated work into a workday, and never more than six
Our brain can only work well for a limited time. Research shows that people can usually only think well for a few hours a day. Most people cannot do difficult thinking work for more than 4 hours a day without making mistakes. By working shorter but more concentrated, we can get more done without becoming too tired.

We often think we need to work 8 hours a day. But this is not always feasible for work that requires a lot of thinking. While it is possible to work many hours on simple tasks, “real” work is mentally demanding. People sometimes feel guilty if they don’t work 8 hours. But this may not fit how our brain works. It’s better to look at what you accomplish rather than how many hours you work. By working well for 4 hours, and maybe 6 hours on good days, you can achieve a lot and stay healthy.

It helps to start working early and take smart breaks. Start the day off right and keep breaks short. Pay close attention to yourself: if you notice you’re working less effectively, it’s time for a break. By consciously choosing shorter working hours, you can get more done and feel better.

Related:
→ 8:07 PM, Feb 21

Busco por la canción Carnaval, carnaval de Georgie Dann en Music y la aplicación de música falla. ¿Será porque no le gusta el carnaval?

→ 5:56 PM, Feb 21

Who else has created a list to know which streaming service to use for each of the tv series you are watching?

→ 9:28 AM, Feb 21

Nothing to comment:

Perhaps like you, I naively started out thinking that Google Slides was just a poorly maintained product suffering from some questionable foundational decisions made ages ago that worshipped at the shrine of PowerPoint and which have never since been revisited, but now, after having had to use it so much in the past year, I believe that Google Slides is actually just trolling me.
Laura Javier https://medium.com/@laurajavier/google-slides-is-actually-hilarious-83c1ced857ee

→ 4:37 PM, Feb 19

This afternoon, for the first time this year, I left home without needing a coat. Too bad, however, that at night the temperatures drop until just above freezing.

→ 7:26 PM, Feb 18

This:

Seriously, I want to bookmark this, print it, share it far and wide, especially with people who are not on a twitter because, well, it’s an increasingly bad place for those who are mental illness survivors to be.
[@PatrickRhone](https://micro.blog/PatrickRhone) https://www.patrickrhone.net/4480-2/

→ 8:45 AM, Feb 17

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