Nicholas Bate

The 7 Tools of Deep Productivity, 1=The Personal Compass

The back-story is here. Deep productivity requires direction and goals as encapsulated in your Personal Compass. This is yours, individual to you. It will change over time. It requires re-calibrating once a month. It is your guide and mentor.

Start here. 

The 7 Tools of Deep Productivity

The deepest productivity, that which doesn’t just get things done but gets the right things done, requires seven tools:

1. The Personal Compass
2. The Master List
3. The Timetable
4. The Wall planner
5. The Hourglass
6. The Nut-cracker
7. The Stop-and-Think.

TBC

If You Go Into The Office More

You might need a travel mug.

Michael Wade

Has a great little series running at the moment.

Covid Therapy

Hints, here.

Just One Thing, 78 of 101

The mistakes you make before you get really good at anything are infuriating. 

But they are essential basic training.

TBC

Strategies, tactics and ‘how to’ in Being the Best.

Let Go Of, 7

1. Dull: always orange rather than gray.
2. One way of doing it: there's always another way. And one of those ways will work.
3. Labels: the ones you attach to yourself which start I'm the sort of person who...
4. Procrastination: now.
5. Cola.
6. Perfect plans: start and the rest will follow.
7. Empty notebooks: fill them.

Covid Lock-down Must End Soon Big Clear-Up, 7

1. Black Bin Bags.
2. Attitude.
3. Loud Rolling Stones.
4. Shredder.
5. Charity Shop Boxes.
6. So that’s where it went?
7. Clarity. At Last.

Meet Molly: Masks, Malevolence and Magic.

The release of Meet Molly has generated many questions for which thank you. Here are the principal, in no particular order:

Does the town of Saint Kalla exist?

No, only in my imagination.

How long did it take to write?

The idea came in UK Lockdown 1. I wrote it in UK Lockdown 2. I proofed it in UK Lockdown 3.

Why not get a ‘real’ publisher? Why Kindle?

I’m not sure Kindle is any less a publisher...However having used several ‘real’ publishers for my business books they are always very, very slow to market. Painful is the word I would choose. Kindle is fast to market.

Why a love story?

As The Beatles said, ‘all you need is love’

Does it have a happy ending?

The happiest.

I’ve read it. I really enjoyed it. There could be a sequel. Will there be?

Eventually, but I’m concentrating on a different genre for book 2, so the sequel will have to wait a while.

What was the hardest aspect of the writing?

Proofing. With my business/personal development books most chapters are stand-alone. With Meet Molly, one change had ripples throughout the book. I’ll be much better at that process for book 2.

The Covid-19 Home Office 2021, 14

1. At first it seemed temporary and fun.
2. Now it’s clear it’s serious and long-term.
3. Check 1: writing surface and screen both at correct height.
4. Check 2: local, directional lighting (1) exists (2) is, er, brilliant.
5. Check 3: goals, timelines and reminders of work practices are clear and visible. Black-board paint is your friend.
6. Check 4: easily accessible: paper, pens, chargers, headset, water, egg-timer (see 8)
7. Check 5: distant: snacks, coffee and rest of house-hold.
8. Work: 45 minutes sprint with egg-timer (a real one is powerful). 5 minute stretch and water. Repeat. Then 15 minute walk outside. Cycle that routine through day plus 45 minute (in the garden or park if possible) lunch-break.
9. Use a polite no to avoid/reduce/separate Zoom calls. 
10. Timetable the week (yes, just like school) to ensure all subjects get covered. Subjects such as next quarter’s figures not just this month’s dire ones, how to think outside the cubicle and how to get fit when the gym is closed.
11. Just because you can work in your pajamas doesn’t mean it’s good for your soul, your productivity or your attitude.
12. Working from home needs a lot more self-discipline.
13. Self-disciple is helped by structure, environment and the company you keep.
14. Fix it.