The hottest Productivity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

The science of fun

10x your mind • 79 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Fun is not just about enjoyment; it can lead to better health, creativity, and productivity.
  2. Three essential elements of fun: playfulness, connection, and flow.
  3. Having fun is energizing and not draining; it brings vitality and helps us feel alive.

Switching to nvim as an early career developer in 2024

The Schematic • 19 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Switching to neovim offered a more close-to-the-computer experience for the developer and helped in understanding what's going on under-the-hood.
  2. Choosing a stable neovim package manager like LazyVim and customizing the setup helped in a smoother transition and better understanding of the tool.
  3. Using neovim increased efficiency in coding tasks like text editing, search and replace, and improved typing speed by focusing on keyboard-centric usage.

RDEL #28: What type of interruptions impact developer productivity most?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 39 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Self-interruptions (voluntary task-switching) are more disruptive for developers than external interruptions.
  2. Contextual factors like interruption type (self vs external) and time of day have a stronger impact on disruption than task-specific factors like priority.
  3. Developers are more vulnerable to task-switching and interruptions when switching between programming and testing tasks compared to other development tasks.

How I Built This In Public: Khe Hy

Build In Public Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Start building in public early in your startup journey to share your progress and attract a community.
  2. Building in public can lead to personal and professional benefits like creating a supportive community and demonstrating your work.
  3. Overcome hesitations about building in public by adding transparency and sharing both successes and challenges.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Creativity Is An Underrated Performance Booster

The Modern World Builder ✧Tips For Collective Lorecraft • 78 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Creativity leads to innovation, which creates value and helps you stand out in your field.
  2. In competitive environments like twitter or in entrepreneurship, trying to outdo others with productivity alone may not work. Being creative sets you apart.
  3. In industries like crypto and entrepreneurship, where problems are novel and solutions need imagination, developing creative skills is more valuable than just being productive.

Go Back To The Office

Points And Figures • 559 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Startups with offices grow revenue 3.5 times faster than those with remote teams.
  2. Employees working from home are less productive than those in the office.
  3. Face-to-face communication is crucial for mentorship and productivity.

SuperHuman: How To Manage Your Time, Attention and Energy Daily For Growth.

Day One • 738 implied HN points • 01 Sep 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Controlling your time is crucial for success. It's the one resource we have a lot of but can't make more of. Time management sets apart the top achievers from the rest.
  2. Identify what's draining your time. Social media is a major time thief. Focus on tasks that truly impact your life, and learn to make social media work for you, not against you.
  3. Use technology wisely. Apps can help with time management, but a solid strategy is essential for success. Choose apps that align with your goals and priorities.

The "Macros" for healthy engineering teams - part 3: Fats

The Healthy Engineering Leader • 19 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Strategic thinking is like 'good fat' for engineering teams, helping them store energy and prepare for future challenges. It keeps teams motivated and focused on long-term success.
  2. Technical debt is considered 'bad fat' that can lead to inefficiencies and low morale. Just like bad fats in the diet, if ignored, it can cause serious problems down the line.
  3. Engineering leaders should encourage their teams to develop strategies that address technical debt, ensuring ongoing productivity and health for the team and the software they produce.

Some Problems Go Away

The Elbow • 39 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Delaying action on some problems can be beneficial, as they may resolve themselves or become easier to solve later.
  2. Identify which problems can be self-resolving or more efficient with a delay to save time and effort.
  3. Use a 'parking lot' list to track tasks for future review, adding and removing items as needed.

The Case For An AI Productivity Suite

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 19 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. An AI productivity suite helps people and businesses work more efficiently by combining tools for tasks like data analysis and automation.
  2. It allows users to automate regular tasks, freeing them to focus on more important work, and offers easy customization through no-code options.
  3. These suites also promote teamwork by improving communication and sharing among team members, leading to better project outcomes.

Superhuman Powers for Superhero Developers

Ben’s Newsletter • 3 HN points • 06 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Developers face a lot of challenges with technical debt which slows down projects. It's important to address this debt by improving code and reducing dependencies.
  2. AI tools are really helping developers work faster and more efficiently. Many developers are now using AI to help write and debug their code.
  3. Reproducibility and effective tooling are key to a smooth software development process. Using the right tools can save time and make it easier for teams to work together.

Revenge of the SVP of Partnerships

Dev Interrupted • 32 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI is changing how we develop software and who gets to build it. More people in a company can now create software, not just engineers.
  2. Companies need to measure productivity by looking at how much value their products deliver, not just how quickly code is written. It's about what customers actually want and need.
  3. To make sure everyone can build safely, organizations should set clear rules and provide tools and training for all employees. This way, everyone can collaborate and innovate effectively.

You don't need more code. You need more business impact. | Thoughtworks' Chris Westerhold

Dev Interrupted • 32 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Focus on business impact instead of just adding more code. It's important to ensure that your efforts are aligned with real business goals.
  2. Most problems in engineering come from people and processes, not technology. A better approach is to use systems thinking to improve efficiency.
  3. Developers are now using AI tools to save time and enhance their work. This change is helping them focus more on quality and collaboration.

Using fake deadlines without driving your engineers crazy

Leading Developers • 98 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Setting deadlines helps teams focus and improve productivity. When there’s a finish line, people are more likely to get things done quickly.
  2. Involve your team in setting deadlines to avoid frustration. If they help decide what's realistic, they'll feel more committed to meeting the goal.
  3. It's okay to be flexible with deadlines. Sometimes things change, and what's important is clear communication with the team about any adjustments.

3-3-3 for a productive day

10x your mind • 59 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Start your workday by dedicating 3 hours to your most important task for peak productivity.
  2. Tackle 3 smaller tasks you've been avoiding to clear mental clutter and maintain productivity.
  3. Spend time on 3 maintenance activities to keep life organized, even if they seem less exciting but are crucial.

Projects

Obvious Bicycle • 275 HN points • 17 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Productivity
  1. There's always a better version of your project, but at some point you must release it.
  2. Deadlines are important for finishing projects, but letting them evolve can lead to better results.
  3. If you're working on something, it's for you, and writing helps clarify your thoughts.

America's Productivity Boom

Apricitas Economics • 105 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business Productivity
  1. America's productivity is growing really fast, much more than other countries. This means people are making more while working the same hours, which helps everyone earn better wages and live better lives.
  2. Most of this productivity growth is coming from the service sector, like tech and healthcare, rather than manufacturing. Many jobs have changed to become much more efficient, especially since the pandemic made businesses rethink how they work.
  3. However, this growth could slow down because of rising unemployment and less hiring. If businesses don't keep investing in better tools and technologies, the gains we've seen might start to vanish.

New Month, New Quarter

Day One • 778 implied HN points • 01 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Welcome to a new month and a new quarter, where there will be changes in the newsletter and a shift to a weekly schedule on Substack.
  2. Achieving success isn't just about putting in 10,000 hours but rather focusing on taking action and letting it consume you for mastery in a skill.
  3. Having a million ideas is great, but taking action is what truly matters in achieving your goals.

"I don't want to do our cheat way of getting 12 objectives by bundling everything under three things"

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 4 HN points • 23 Jul 24
💼 Business Productivity
  1. It's really hard to focus on just three priorities because teams often want to tackle too many things at once. Picking fewer goals helps you actually get more done.
  2. Organizations keep adding new projects and ideas without removing old ones, which creates overload. It's important to occasionally remove tasks or projects to avoid burnout.
  3. Having too many ideas can slow down progress, so it’s essential to have a way to filter them. Voting or aligning them with key priorities helps decide which ideas to pursue.

Every Tech Leader Needs a Coach in Their Pocket

The Hagakure • 30 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Tech leaders can benefit from having an AI-powered coach to help them stay focused and adaptable. This kind of coach can meet you where you are and guide you in reaching your goals.
  2. Mental and physical health play a big role in how effectively leaders can manage challenges. Being in shape can enhance focus and decision-making.
  3. SwitchUp is designed to help people clarify their goals and make progress without feeling overwhelmed. The aim is to support personal growth in a human-centered way.

Are hotdesks always hellish?

Make Work Better • 103 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Most companies use their office space less than three days a week and are planning to reduce their office size in the near future. This change is a response to new work habits formed during the pandemic.
  2. Employees can be happy with hotdesks, but it's crucial to have a variety of workspaces available. A diverse range of settings helps them feel productive and satisfied.
  3. Some workers struggle more than others in hotdesk environments, indicating that not everyone adapts the same way. Companies should consider individual needs, like having good booking systems for personal spaces.

The $148 Hack for a Pain-Free Back

Ladyparts • 299 implied HN points • 17 Jan 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Trying multiple expensive solutions for back pain may not always work as expected.
  2. Consider simpler, cost-effective options before investing in pricier ergonomic solutions.
  3. Sometimes the most effective hack for pain relief can be surprisingly simple and affordable.

Core 4 fails the vanity metric test

Dev Interrupted • 28 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Not all metrics are useful. Some, like the Developer Experience Index, are hard to understand and can't show real improvement, making them less valuable for teams.
  2. It's important to focus on clear, actionable metrics. Rather than following complex frameworks, using simple and proven methods can help teams improve effectively.
  3. Measuring too much can lead to inaction. Organizations should spend more time improving their processes and less time on endless metrics and reports.

Nine ways to overcome the fear of making something bad

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Productivity
  1. Beginnings are naturally clumsy, but showing up regularly leads to steady improvement.
  2. Lower the stakes by calling your work a sketch or experiment, make small fast iterations, and treat failures as data so fear doesn’t stop you.
  3. Surround yourself with curious peers and good teachers, track progress not perfection, and keep a bit of confident optimism to keep going.

Must Learn AI Security Compendium 5: The Rise of AI in the IT Sector

Rod’s Blog • 59 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the IT sector, with the rise of models like ChatGPT expanding its potential applications.
  2. AI enhances productivity by speeding up tasks that would otherwise take hours, like code generation using PowerShell scripting with generative AI.
  3. AI fosters creativity and innovation, such as in content creation and marketing, and requires ethical considerations for responsible development.

How to make your teams more independent[Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Leaders often find dealing with people the most challenging part of their work, including the urge to micromanage their employees.
  2. Creating autonomy in teams has multiple benefits: happier employees, more time for leaders to focus on important tasks, and opportunities for growth and skill development.
  3. Encouraging autonomy in employees can lead to increased satisfaction, fulfillment, and better performance at work.

Clear your mind the ‘write’ way

10x your mind • 59 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Utilize mind dumping to declutter your thoughts, reduce stress, and regain focus by letting all your thoughts out on paper or screen.
  2. Try free writing to tap into your creativity, explore your thoughts, and overcome writer's block by letting your ideas flow without judgment or editing.
  3. Engage in action-oriented writing to regain control, prioritize tasks, and make progress toward your goals by following a structured approach after a mind dump.

Boosting productivity with the FUI framework

10x your mind • 59 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Boost productivity with the FUI framework by creating a table with columns 'What', 'Why', 'F', 'U', and 'I' to prioritize tasks.
  2. Focus on tasks that are feasible, urgent, and important (FUI) to achieve maximum productivity.
  3. Take breaks, stay hydrated, and celebrate accomplishments to maintain motivation and productivity throughout the day.

How to improve developer productivity [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Learning from the mistakes and successes of others through stories can help in personal and professional development.
  2. Insight from top-tier developers at Google, like Chris Laffra, can provide valuable lessons on improving developer productivity.
  3. Subscribing to resources like Beyond Coding podcast can offer access to high-quality content for continuous learning and growth.

The Secret Behind Great Hybrid Cultures- Harvard Business Review[Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Remote work offers benefits like better employee satisfaction, flexibility, and cost savings.
  2. Hybrid work can be a good transition for organizations unsure about fully remote work, providing a balance between remote and in-person collaboration.
  3. Understanding and implementing great hybrid cultures can unlock productivity gains for teams and leaders.

Markdown imports and exports

Pine • 19 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Pine now allows you to import and export files in markdown format. This makes it easier to move your content in and out of the platform.
  2. When you use markdown, a horizontal line separates the card title from the body. If there's no line, the file name will be used as the title.
  3. The deck dropdown menu has quick access options for smoother navigation and usability. You can find what you need without searching too hard.

end laziness now!

practiceprocesscraft • 58 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Concepts like laziness can hinder creativity by giving a simplistic view of complex issues.
  2. Identify and deconstruct dominant concepts that block your creative process.
  3. By rewriting the story, you can recognize your real strengths and skills as a writer.

Quick Ask Zoe

Thoughts on a Typewriter • 58 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Productivity
  1. The author attributes their ability to write quickly to their fast typing speed of 60-70 words per minute.
  2. The author reflects on how learning to type in school significantly impacted their writing productivity and speed.
  3. The author recognizes the importance of slowing down in writing to enhance creativity, inspired by their English teacher's advice.