The hottest Productivity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

✅ There’s an AI for that

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI tools are becoming more common in everyday work software, which can help improve productivity.
  2. There are many low-cost AI tools available, like Beautiful for presentations and ChatGPT for brainstorming ideas.
  3. Using AI can help streamline tasks, such as generating meeting summaries and transcribing audio into text.

Hidden Productivity

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 39 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Technology advancements from over a decade ago are still driving significant productivity gains today
  2. Automation in healthcare has revolutionized access to medical care, making it more convenient and affordable
  3. Data-driven automation in healthcare has empowered non-doctor medical professionals to diagnose and treat patients efficiently

Yes, little AI agent, you can use my computer

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI is getting better at helping us work by using computers like we do. This means we can give it commands while we work, making tasks easier and faster.
  2. There is a gap between what big tech companies say about AI and what their users experience. Many companies want AI tools, but users often find them disappointing.
  3. SaaS companies are seeing their value go up again, which is a positive sign for the tech market.
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Productivity Gains from Generative AI

Grist Potentia • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI is being discussed a lot right now, with faster analysis of its economic impact compared to past tech changes.
  2. Generative AI is linked to increased productivity, though mostly based on anecdotes and personal experiences.
  3. Research by Economics Ph.D. candidates at MIT may provide more insights into the productivity gains from generative AI.

Courage Compresses Time

Rick Manelius's Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Courage compresses time by helping you make decisions and take action quicker.
  2. Fear and resistance can lead to procrastination and time wasted on unimportant tasks.
  3. Courage is important when time and energy are limited, helping you focus on what truly matters.

Meeting Yana Frank

Elad's Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Productivity
  1. Yana Frank has insightful productivity strategies, such as tracking time spent on tasks and leaving room for spontaneity in her schedule.
  2. Algorithmic feeds can significantly impact the audience and content of creators, as seen in Yana's experience on LiveJournal.
  3. Yana's approach to writing teaches the importance of sharing content that resonates personally, rather than waiting for perfection.

Drowning below the LLM

State Transition • 39 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI advancements are happening rapidly across various platforms.
  2. Being an early adopter of AI technology can bring opportunities but also risks.
  3. To navigate the fast pace of AI changes, follow high-signal individuals and start building something.

Growth in Reverse by Chenell Basilio

Newsletter Circle • 39 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Chenell Basilio's newsletter, Growth in Reverse, analyzes top creators' journeys to over 50k subscribers, providing actionable insights.
  2. Chenell started with Twitter for initial subscribers and leveraged Upscribe and Twitter/LinkedIn for continued growth.
  3. Monetization sources include sponsorships, consulting, Upscribe, and affiliates, with plans for a course in the future.

Release Cadence is a Stronger Predictor than Estimates

🔮 Crafting Tech Teams • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Release cadence is a stronger predictor than estimates when it comes to team performance.
  2. Engineers estimate their 'buying power' of time, leading to overconfidence rather than accurate forecasts.
  3. It's important to prioritize release cadence over estimates to ensure realistic planning and avoid the angst of constantly re-planning when estimates don't align with reality.

Blockage

Joshua's Notes • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Dealing with blockage in projects: consider brute force or stepping away.
  2. Brute force and sheer will can be effective in solving certain problems.
  3. Sometimes, stepping away to clear your mind can help you see the problem in a different light.

These AI Tools will 10x Your Productivity!

What's AI Newsletter by Louis-François Bouchard • 39 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI-powered tools can significantly boost productivity by automating tasks and improving efficiency.
  2. Using AI tools raises ethical considerations regarding privacy, bias, misuse, and accountability that need to be addressed.
  3. AI-powered tools offer opportunities for inclusivity and innovation while requiring responsible development practices to mitigate risks.

People use the tools they know

The Daily Developer • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. When faced with a challenge, people generally resort to using the tools they are familiar with.
  2. Sometimes, trying different tools or approaches, like hiring someone else, can be more efficient and cost-effective.
  3. Being aware of the tools you know and how they impact your work is important for productivity and success.

How you can quickly retrieve solution so you can improve productivity

Weekend Developer • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. The PARA framework can help organize digital information into Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives to improve productivity.
  2. With the PARA framework, information is stored based on when you plan to act on it, making it easier to access and utilize.
  3. Tools like Evernote, Notion, and Roam Research can be used to implement the dynamic PARA system and have information accessible across devices.

Poke the box

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Don't hesitate. Just start working on your ideas without waiting for permission or the perfect plan. The best way to learn is through action.
  2. Failure is not the end; it's just feedback. Each attempt teaches you something valuable, so embrace it and keep trying.
  3. Being an initiator is important. Those who take action and start projects create energy and momentum that benefit everyone.

DORA: AI boosting productivity, hindering delivery

Bit Byte Bit • 65 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI is making developers more productive, but it's also slowing down software delivery. This means while developers can code faster, it doesn't always translate to quicker releases.
  2. Larger changes in software deployment can be riskier and slower. It's often better to make smaller changes that are easier to manage.
  3. The speed of AI adoption might be leading to short-term delivery issues, but organizations might eventually find better ways to balance productivity and delivery as they adapt.

Kuration #298 Snapchat’s parent lays off 10%, AI tool identifies and blocks scam accounts, Ex-Blue Origin leaders want to mine the moon, Elden Ring mobile game reportedly under development.

KURATION • 19 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Snapchat's parent company is reducing its workforce by 10% to 'reduce hierarchy.'
  2. An AI tool by Bumble can identify and block scam accounts and fake profiles.
  3. Former leaders from Blue Origin are looking to mine resources on the moon.

Episode 33: Better Built By Burkhard

burkhardstubert • 99 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Test-Driven Development (TDD) helps developers get quick feedback while coding, improving overall project quality. This means fewer mistakes and less time spent fixing problems later.
  2. Using TDD can reduce the complexity of code by breaking down problems into smaller parts, making it easier to manage and understand.
  3. TDD encourages a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork, allowing all developers to take responsibility for the code they write. This leads to better collaboration and a more successful project.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #123

Creative Destruction • 20 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. Capitalism has borrowed too much from the future, making sustainable and ethical products expensive. It shows that we need bigger societal changes, like basic income or new ways to share resources.
  2. Many people feel depersonalized and unseen in today’s tech-driven world. This lack of personal connection creates a crisis where people feel invisible, highlighting the importance of being recognized and valued.
  3. AI technology is often used to hide and minimize human labor, making it seem less visible. Instead of fostering creativity, AI shifts work to less visible places and can even weave itself into monopolistic systems that repeat old patterns.

What I wish somebody told me during my first year as a manager

Leading Developers • 59 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Don’t try to control everything in your team. It’s important to let your team members take on responsibilities and grow.
  2. Stop complaining about others without taking action. It’s more effective to give direct feedback to those who need it instead of gossiping.
  3. Remember to take a step back and appreciate the progress you and your team are making. Self-reflection can help you see how far you've come.

How Often Should You Visit Your Remote Team?

Kartick’s Blog • 17 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💼 Business Productivity
  1. It's best to visit your remote team for a week every quarter. This helps maintain good relationships and teamwork.
  2. If you're traveling across many time zones, consider staying longer, like 2-3 weeks, to adjust to the time difference.
  3. Regular in-person meetings strengthen connections and improve productivity, so make it a priority to meet face-to-face when possible.

The Roaring Twenties 2.0

Diane Francis • 279 implied HN points • 28 Jun 21
💼 Business Productivity
  1. The economy could be on the rise again after the pandemic, similar to the Roaring Twenties after the Spanish flu. There are signs of growth and optimism like low interest rates and high productivity.
  2. Technology is advancing rapidly, especially in areas like AI and healthcare. These advancements can lead to a healthier, more productive workforce over time.
  3. While things look good now, there might be challenges ahead, like political issues or international conflicts. It's important to enjoy the current momentum while it lasts.

Big firms have different incentives

New Things Under the Sun • 192 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Large firms conduct R&D at the same rate as small firms, but they may focus more on process innovations rather than product innovations.
  2. The cost spreading advantage incentivizes larger firms to focus on process innovation, spreading costs over multiple products.
  3. Larger firms may be less inclined to engage in product innovation due to the replacement effect, potentially competing against their own existing products.

GPTs won't make you rich

Artificial Ignorance • 142 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. GPTs are valuable for improving productivity with advanced prompts, document uploads, and external APIs.
  2. Building a business solely around GPTs is challenging due to factors like limited IP protection, competition, and uncertain revenue sharing.
  3. The true potential of GPTs lies in internal company use cases, where they can enhance efficiency and workflow automation.

Rethinking Meetings.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 46 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Productivity
  1. Meetings should focus on giving rather than just taking. When we approach meetings with a giving mindset, everyone benefits more.
  2. Generosity, empathy, and energy are key to better meetings. By being generous with our knowledge and understanding others' perspectives, we create a positive atmosphere.
  3. End meetings with clarity and a plan. It's important that everyone knows the next steps and feels motivated to take them.

Context-Management Playbook for Leading AI Assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity)

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 16 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI assistants can use long-term memory to remember things for future conversations. This makes them more helpful over time.
  2. You can personalize your AI by creating custom instructions and setting specific goals. This allows the AI to better suit your individual needs.
  3. Different AI tools have unique features, like starting project workspaces or organizing threads. Exploring these features can improve your experience with them.

Mother Was Right All Along. It Is the Damn Phone!

Psych • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Using a phone as a break during tough mental tasks doesn't help the brain recharge well and might make performance worse.
  2. Taking phone breaks during tasks can lead to feeling mentally drained and performing less effectively than taking breaks using paper or computer.
  3. Phones might distract more than other devices, making it harder to focus on work and can lead to decreased performance.

2025 - Year in Review

trydeepwork • 2 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. The tool is widely used — about 29,420 hours logged (~14 full-time years) — and user habits shifted, with peak focus moving from 2 pm to 10 am and many sessions happening late at night.
  2. Auto-abandoning tasks proved hugely valuable. About 23% of tasks are abandoned and 98% of those are automatic, which cuts clutter and decision fatigue.
  3. Small UX and workflow tweaks changed behavior: Time Dots, step breakdowns, microWork sessions, and improved scheduling made progress more visible and lowered friction to start work.

The Case for an Anti-productive AI

escape the algorithm • 39 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🕹 Technology Productivity
  1. AI tools can be utilized for anti-productive purposes like fostering connection and reflection, not just productivity.
  2. As AI technology advances, we may gain unprecedented control over tools but risk losing control of our time and responsibilities.
  3. There is potential to reclaim AI to slow down, pay attention, and deepen connections rather than solely focusing on productivity and output.