A Bit Gamey

A Bit Gamey is a blog by Phil Martin, documenting his journey in developing mobile apps. It covers creativity, productivity, personal development, and entrepreneurship. The posts offer practical advice on idea generation, writing, deep work, communication, and startup strategies alongside insights into blockchain technology and designing a Minimum Viable Product.

Creativity and Idea Generation Productivity and Personal Development Entrepreneurship and Startup Strategies Writing and Communication Product Design and Development Blockchain and Technology Trends

The hottest Substack posts of A Bit Gamey

And their main takeaways

Success without comparison or expectations

6 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Self-Improvement Emotional Health
  1. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own unique value, and feeling inferior or superior only harms your well-being.
  2. Focus on what you can control and contribute without needing validation from others. Your worth is not tied to how others react to you.
  3. Freedom comes from understanding that societal expectations are just illusions. Embrace who you are and live your life, unbothered by others' judgments.

Four ways to prioritise tasks and optimise productivity

6 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🚌 Education Productivity Task management Time management Efficiency Strategy
  1. Use a triage system to prioritize tasks based on urgency and severity, similar to how medical teams manage injuries. It helps ensure that the most important tasks are handled first.
  2. Choose your productivity metric wisely. Whether it's deadlines, workload, completion speed, or task importance, the right focus can help you work smarter.
  3. Different strategies like prioritizing by deadlines or importance can help you manage tasks better. Each approach has its benefits, so pick the one that aligns with your goals.

Debugging productivity

6 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💼 Business Productivity Management Efficiency Time management Software
  1. Like a computer, people can get overwhelmed with too many low-priority tasks. This can lead to being busy but not accomplishing important work.
  2. It's often better to group similar tasks together instead of trying to complete everything perfectly. This can help you get more done overall.
  3. Sometimes taking a break or pausing can be more effective than rushing into action. A thoughtful approach can lead to clearer decisions and better results.

Three self editing tips

6 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
📚 Literature Writing Editing Books Authors Creativity
  1. Give your writing some time before editing. Letting it sit for a day helps you see it with fresh eyes and improve it better.
  2. Try printing your draft to edit it on paper. This makes the work feel new and helps you spot mistakes more easily.
  3. Reading your writing out loud can help you catch errors and awkward phrases. It’s a great way to make sure your writing flows well.

How to design effective AI Agents

6 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Tools Development Software Automation
  1. AI apps can be categorized into two main types: workflows and agents. Workflows follow strict rules, while agents make their own decisions in changing environments.
  2. Simplicity is key when designing AI agents. It's better to start with simple solutions and add complexity only when necessary.
  3. There are established design patterns and tools to create effective AI agents. Using the right patterns can help make agents more reliable and easier to maintain.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Eight steps to a better financial future

6 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investing Savings Wealth Management Financial planning Risk management
  1. Cutting back on spending can help you save money without sacrificing enjoyment. Making small, easy cuts can really add up.
  2. It's important to have an emergency fund for unexpected situations. Protecting yourself financially can give you peace of mind.
  3. Invest in your future by researching and learning about different investment options. The more you know, the better decisions you can make.

Thriving with AI: 15 Kevin Kelly tips

6 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Creativity Digital Tools Future Trends
  1. AI is a tool to help us do our jobs better, not to take them away. It can handle tasks we can't even think of yet, allowing us to focus on what really matters.
  2. Technology amplifies our human abilities and creativity. It’s constantly evolving, and we should embrace that change instead of fearing it.
  3. Success takes time and often comes from combining old ideas in new ways. Don't be afraid to start small and learn as you go.

Three life hacks: Read, Play and Explain.

20 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🚌 Education Reading Learning Creativity
  1. Reading books can change how you think and help you grow. They take you into different worlds, making learning fun.
  2. Doing what you love can feel like play, even if it looks like work to others. Finding joy in your tasks can lead to success.
  3. Explaining things simply shows that you truly understand them well. It helps you communicate better and learn more effectively.

Five ways to play the status game

6 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Social Dynamics Identity Psychology Human behavior Interpersonal Relationships
  1. Understanding status games is important because they affect our behavior and relationships. We compete for recognition, which can be linked to our basic survival needs.
  2. There are different types of status games we play, like dominance, virtue, and success games. Each type influences how we interact with others and see ourselves.
  3. To navigate status games better, we should be self-aware, diversify our sources of fulfillment, practice empathy, seek intrinsic value, and question cultural norms. This can lead to a more satisfying life.

Seven ways to spend our 4000 weeks well

20 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Time management Personal Growth Mindfulness Fulfillment Creativity
  1. Embrace limits to spark creativity. When you can't do everything, you find new ways to make an impact.
  2. Focus on a few important tasks that really matter. This helps avoid distractions and leads to greater recognition.
  3. Accept imperfection and the natural pace of life. It's okay if things aren't perfect; it leaves space for what truly matters.

How relative pricing shapes customer choices

6 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Economics Consumer behavior Pricing Strategy Finance
  1. The value of a product often relies on how it's compared to other options. If you see a bad choice, it can make the others look better.
  2. Using a three-tier pricing model can influence customer decisions. Setting prices close together can nudge people towards the more expensive option.
  3. It's smart to always have a higher-priced option available. Even if it doesn't sell much, it can make lower-priced options appear more attractive.

Business strategy is a game

13 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
💼 Business Strategy Management Economics Marketing Innovation
  1. Business strategy can be viewed as a game, with players, rules, and outcomes. Understanding this can help you make better decisions.
  2. In life, we are often in serious games where our actions affect outcomes. Recognizing that can help you navigate challenges more effectively.
  3. Winning in business isn't just about competing; sometimes it's about helping others succeed and choosing the right game to play.

Nine rules for effective meetings

6 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💼 Business Management Leadership Productivity Meetings Teamwork
  1. Every meeting should have a clear leader and a specific purpose. This helps everyone know what to focus on and what to achieve.
  2. It's important to keep everyone involved in the discussion, but also to stay on topic. This means selecting participants carefully and using tools to stay organized.
  3. Conclude meetings with clear actions and responsibilities. This ensures that everyone knows what they need to do next and helps keep things moving forward.

Five tips to turn startup toys into essential tools

6 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
💼 Business Startups Innovation Technology Entrepreneurship Product Development
  1. Disruptive technologies often start off looking weak or like toys, but they can evolve into essential tools. It’s important to recognize their potential early on.
  2. Startups should design products with long-term improvements in mind and focus on how they will get better as they are used. This approach can help them meet user needs more effectively.
  3. Ignoring criticism from established companies might mean a startup is onto something important. Founders should understand the difference between sustaining and disruptive technologies to guide their strategies.

What John Cleese taught me about creativity

6 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Humor Art Writing Performance
  1. Creativity is a skill that anyone can learn. It's not just for naturally creative people; with practice and the right mindset, anyone can become creative.
  2. Being in an open and playful mindset helps with creativity. Taking breaks and allowing your mind to relax can lead to better ideas and problem-solving.
  3. Embracing uncertainty and not fearing mistakes is important for creativity. Taking risks can lead to original ideas and solutions.

Three data visualisation tips

27 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🪑 Design Data Visualization Graphic design
  1. Maximize the data-ink ratio by minimizing non-informative ink like excessive grid lines and decorations, to enhance clarity and comprehension.
  2. Align graphic components to create stronger organization and cohesion in design, ensuring nothing is placed arbitrarily.
  3. Utilize small multiples technique to present series of similar graphics or charts in a grid format, enabling easy comparison and revealing patterns within the dataset.

Gis a job

27 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Networking Personal Branding Career development Job search
  1. Building connections through uncommon commonalities can create strong bonds that stand out and make one fit in.
  2. Demonstrating value to employers by focusing on what you can offer them rather than what they can do for you can lead to opportunities.
  3. Developing a personal brand through online presence, like optimizing LinkedIn profiles and creating personal websites, can enhance job prospects and credibility.

Three step fear facing framework

20 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Improvement
  1. The fear-facing framework involves defining worst-case scenarios, preventing them, and preparing to repair the damage if they occur. It's about facing fears with a structured approach.
  2. The framework is rooted in Stoic philosophy, emphasizing the importance of contemplating potential negative outcomes to better handle future challenges. It's about preparing for the worst.
  3. Utilizing the fear-facing framework can lead to positive outcomes, as demonstrated by the author's experience with resolving a situation through structured fear management. Taking action on fears can be empowering.

Five lateral thinking techniques

27 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving Creativity
  1. Lateral thinking techniques involve challenging assumptions and embracing creativity.
  2. Perceptual change can open up new possibilities by reframing problems.
  3. Random input and provocation are tools that can stimulate creativity and generate new ideas.

Five product design concepts

20 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🪑 Design Product Simplicity Thinking
  1. Simple design is often harder than complex design but worth it in the end. It's about stripping away unnecessary elements and focusing on core functionality.
  2. First principles thinking, 80/20 rule, MVP, and understanding user journey are important product design concepts. They help in focusing on what truly matters to users and building valuable digital products.
  3. When designing digital products, prioritize simplicity, test underlying assumptions, focus on high-value features, build MVPs for initial user feedback, and ensure a smooth user journey.

Seven principles of logo design

20 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🪑 Design Principles Practice Resources
  1. Great logo design is simple and relevant to the business it represents.
  2. A successful logo should be distinctive, memorable, and scalable.
  3. Design principles like simplicity, relevance, and durability can be seen in the iconic Nike swoosh logo.

Blockchain: Fad or future?

27 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Blockchain Cryptocurrencies Applications Security Future
  1. Blockchain is a secure and tamper-proof way of storing information through a distributed database.
  2. Blockchain has diverse uses beyond cryptocurrencies, including financial transactions, supply chain management, healthcare, voting, and intellectual property.
  3. The future of blockchain involves potential applications like smart contracts, decentralized applications, IoT security, and government transparency, indicating it's more than just a passing trend.

Six thinking hats

13 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving Decision-making Creativity Critical Thinking Personal Development
  1. The Six Thinking Hats method by Edward de Bono helps in problem solving by considering different perspectives.
  2. Each hat represents a specific viewpoint like emotions, caution, facts, optimism, creativity, and control.
  3. Using the Six Thinking Hats approach can lead to clearer thinking, innovative ideas, effective communication, and better decision-making.

My 5 step idea generating process

33 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
  1. Connecting different skills can lead to valuable ideas
  2. Spotting relationships between facts is crucial for idea generation
  3. Having a structured idea generating process can yield successful results