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This is such fluff, guys. These things have been vomited up by writers with nothing to say for forever. Basically, stop getting distracted. Multitasking is imp

This is such fluff, guys. These things have been vomited up by writers with nothing to say for forever. Basically, stop getting distracted. Multitasking is impossible. Okay, we get it. The real question should be "why is this same old, same old advice not working despite being common knowledge"? I know not to do this stuff. I try to follow the rules. I end up screwing up eventually. How come? Is there a way to cut that out? What we really need is an advice article about how to make sure we stick to the advice of other advice articles. I'm not trying to be sarcastic so please don't take it that way. I'm really just so frustrated with the same old advice that just doesn't add anything new or special. It's easy to tell me not to get distracted and offer up a few half-hearted ways to follow through but what about pointing us to the root of the problem. I think this generic advice is best left for the trash. What we really need is something each of us will have to work out on our own.

aaronf 15y ago
Being in the productivity space, I read many articles like this each day, and you're right - it's the same advice. With LazyMeter, we sought to build not just a new philosophy, but also a tool that helps you adopt it. Our goal is to motivate you by making your to-do list achievable and showing you how much you've done. We also show you how much you procrastinate - it's amazing how powerful a little awareness can be. Would love to hear what you think. http://www.LazyMeter.com http://www.LazyMeter.com
- billpatrianakos 15y ago
  Haha that shameless plug almost sounded natural. In all seriousness though, I get what you're saying and I actually have used LazyMeter! I think I even sent you guys an email on what I thought about it (I promise I didn't say anything mean). I stopped using it. It's a great idea but it only works if you work it. I haven't checked it out lately but back then the lack of a mobile app was a real barrier to usage. Without one you limit people to only checking up on themselves when they're at work or basically stationary. That's just not enough. But I hate to criticize so much without letting you know it's a cool app and I think it's really cool how you built it in AWS
  - aaronf 15y ago
    Sorry for the plug, I won't make that mistake again. I did think/hope it would be relevant to the writer. Thanks for trying LazyMeter and for the feedback; we have a lot more planned, including native apps.
    - bconway 15y ago
      I think the problem was not in what you said, but the way you said it. Rather than slipping in a plug at the end of your post, I've noticed that posts with the style of "I agree this is a problem, here's a company/project I've founded to do something about it" are generally well-received.
dasil003 15y ago
I think the closest you will get is Merlin Mann. Check out the early episodes of his Back To Work podcast on 5by5. A lot of the stuff he says is almost koan-like in the way he tries to get around the limitations and inevitable masturbation of talking or writing about "productivity". But like you say, you have to figure it out for yourself. I don't think it's incredibly difficult, but it does require deep and honest introspection. Once you have cleared yourself of any major mental blocks then you'll be ready for the tips n tricks.
joelly 15y ago
It's only fluff if you're already doing those things... It's not new, no, but it's still new to most people's practice, if not their understanding.
praptak 15y ago
I believe "The Now Habit" book by Neil Fiore covers the level above the good old "practical" advice and it does that pretty well. I mean the top down approach that starts from your psychology rather than buying a planner. The roots of motivation, the roots of procrastination, tricks for managing your mindset and so on. On the other hand I have read the book and I still procrastinate (although maybe a little less.) So maybe it really boils down to just getting your ass moving and plowing through. Hrm, speaking of which... it's back to work for me now.

aaronf 15y ago

Being in the productivity space, I read many articles like this each day, and you're right - it's the same advice. With LazyMeter, we sought to build not just a new philosophy, but also a tool that helps you adopt it. Our goal is to motivate you by making your to-do list achievable and showing you how much you've done. We also show you how much you procrastinate - it's amazing how powerful a little awareness can be. Would love to hear what you think. http://www.LazyMeter.com http://www.LazyMeter.com

billpatrianakos 15y ago
Haha that shameless plug almost sounded natural. In all seriousness though, I get what you're saying and I actually have used LazyMeter! I think I even sent you guys an email on what I thought about it (I promise I didn't say anything mean). I stopped using it. It's a great idea but it only works if you work it. I haven't checked it out lately but back then the lack of a mobile app was a real barrier to usage. Without one you limit people to only checking up on themselves when they're at work or basically stationary. That's just not enough. But I hate to criticize so much without letting you know it's a cool app and I think it's really cool how you built it in AWS
- aaronf 15y ago
  Sorry for the plug, I won't make that mistake again. I did think/hope it would be relevant to the writer. Thanks for trying LazyMeter and for the feedback; we have a lot more planned, including native apps.
  - bconway 15y ago
    I think the problem was not in what you said, but the way you said it. Rather than slipping in a plug at the end of your post, I've noticed that posts with the style of "I agree this is a problem, here's a company/project I've founded to do something about it" are generally well-received.

dasil003 15y ago

I think the closest you will get is Merlin Mann. Check out the early episodes of his Back To Work podcast on 5by5. A lot of the stuff he says is almost koan-like in the way he tries to get around the limitations and inevitable masturbation of talking or writing about "productivity". But like you say, you have to figure it out for yourself. I don't think it's incredibly difficult, but it does require deep and honest introspection. Once you have cleared yourself of any major mental blocks then you'll be ready for the tips n tricks.

joelly 15y ago

It's only fluff if you're already doing those things... It's not new, no, but it's still new to most people's practice, if not their understanding.

praptak 15y ago

I believe "The Now Habit" book by Neil Fiore covers the level above the good old "practical" advice and it does that pretty well. I mean the top down approach that starts from your psychology rather than buying a planner. The roots of motivation, the roots of procrastination, tricks for managing your mindset and so on. On the other hand I have read the book and I still procrastinate (although maybe a little less.) So maybe it really boils down to just getting your ass moving and plowing through. Hrm, speaking of which... it's back to work for me now.