The hottest Productivity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Right in front of my face

My Home Office Hacks • 2 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Productivity Remote work Tools Innovation
  1. Using the Dictate function in Microsoft Word can save time when transcribing interviews or reading books. Just speak into the microphone to convert your speech into text quickly.
  2. Keeping your home office kitchen clean is important since there's no janitor to help. A fun hack is using a special cleaner to make the microwave spotless.
  3. Transcribing used to be a major hassle, but these new tools can really help make the process easier and less tedious. Everyone should give them a try!

They should have fired him

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 1 HN point • 21 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Career development Work Environment Management Productivity
  1. Transitioning to a traditional job from freelance work can be a significant change in routine and responsibilities.
  2. Challenges and growth opportunities can arise when tasked with larger, more ambiguous projects that test technical abilities.
  3. Recognizing toxic behavior in oneself or others, such as being uncooperative and rude, is essential in maintaining a positive work environment.

Scrum - use the good parts too!

Nikola’s Substack • 1 HN point • 20 Apr 24
💼 Business Management Productivity Teamwork Project management Leadership
  1. Consider streamlining meetings in Scrum - fewer, more effective meetings can be beneficial.
  2. Simplify story points and estimations in Scrum by setting straightforward guidelines to avoid confusion and enhance planning.
  3. Maintain the core strengths of Scrum like sprint structure and the Scrum Master role, while adapting them to best suit the team and project needs.
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How Plugin Creep is Killing Your Editor's Performance

Wetware Snippets • 5 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Productivity Tools Performance
  1. Plugin Creep happens when you add too many plugins to your editor, slowing it down and making it harder to use. It's important to keep your editor lean for a better experience.
  2. Every plugin takes up resources, and too many can lead to crashes and conflicts. Before adding new ones, ask yourself if you really need them.
  3. To avoid problems, try using built-in features of your editor instead of installing new plugins. If you find yourself getting frustrated, consider if your editor is the right fit for your workflow.

Why AI can't replace customer service 📞

Year 2049 • 8 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Customer Service Chatbots Productivity
  1. AI can't fully replace human customer service agents due to limitations and the importance of human connection.
  2. AI chatbots are improving but people still prefer interacting with human agents for emotional support and flexibility.
  3. The potential lies in having AI and human agents work together to enhance productivity and performance in customer service.

GRANTED: Overcoming languishing and finding flow

Granted • 19 implied HN points • 07 Sep 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity Mental health
  1. During the pandemic, many people are still struggling and feeling stagnant. The remedy doesn't always have to involve being productive; it can simply be doing something playful.
  2. Returning to activities that bring you joy, like giving a TED talk after a long break, can help you transition from a state of languishing to a state of flow.
  3. Engaging in activities that spark childlike excitement and creativity can be beneficial for overcoming feelings of stagnation and finding a sense of flow in your life.

#26 The Pomodoro technique

Atomic Learnings • 12 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity
  1. Using the Pomodoro technique means focusing on a single task for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break.
  2. This technique helps in accomplishing more in a short time by eliminating multitasking and setting time limits.
  3. Setting a timer for 25 minutes, choosing a task, and working solely on that task can lead to increased productivity and focus.

Arborist or proctologist?

My Home Office Hacks • 5 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Plants Productivity Wellness Home Office Survey
  1. Readers in the 18-30 age bracket are less likely to participate in surveys, showing the importance of understanding audience preferences.
  2. There was a diverse mix of respondents in terms of age and occupation, with a clear preference for more productivity articles and wellness content.
  3. Having plants like Golden Pothos, Jade plants, and Snake plants in the home office can boost productivity and happiness, as shown by research. These plants require minimal care.

Rate hikes and the damage to our national productivity

Klement on Investing • 6 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
💰 Finance Investing Monetary Policy Productivity Research & Development Stock Market
  1. Central banks have been implementing aggressive rate hikes to control inflation, leading to a reduction in investments in research and development (R&D).
  2. Rate hikes negatively impact corporate spending on R&D, resulting in a decline in innovation, lower productivity growth, and slower job creation.
  3. To counteract the adverse effects of rate hikes on R&D, fiscal policy measures supporting R&D efforts, like the Inflation Reduction Act, are crucial for boosting productivity and maintaining competitiveness.

Marshall's Second Law of Demand

Economic Forces • 5 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
💼 Business Economics Trade Competition Productivity
  1. Economists have many 'laws' but they aren't real laws, like Marshall's Second Law of Demand.
  2. Marshall's Second Law of Demand explains that demand elasticity changes with price and quantity consumed.
  3. Marshall's Second Law is relevant in trade theory, showing how higher productivity leads to higher markups and how competition reallocates production towards more efficient firms.

Shaping Obsidian's Tomorrow - How Obsidian Can Embrace AI and Stay True to Its Roots

Exploring Tools for Thought • 1 implied HN point • 23 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Tools Productivity Software Development Privacy Innovation
  1. Obsidian is known for its focus on privacy, making it a strong tool for personal knowledge management. This is an important feature for many users who want to keep their data secure.
  2. The rise of AI presents both opportunities and challenges for Obsidian. It raises questions about how to integrate AI capabilities without losing user control or compromising privacy.
  3. There are bold ideas out there for making AI work with Obsidian. Developers can bridge the gap between AI technology and the platform while maintaining its core values.

Warn: A little of your time to save others a lot.

DruGroup • 19 implied HN points • 31 Aug 21
💼 Business Leadership Management Ethics Productivity Teamwork
  1. Leaders should share warnings to help others avoid wasting their time on bad opportunities. It's important to give colleagues a heads-up when you spot something that isn't worth their effort.
  2. Warning others can help clarify priorities in an organization. By communicating what to avoid, it allows everyone to focus on the most important tasks together.
  3. Using warnings highlights the values and ethics of a workplace. It helps make it clear when something is unethical, which is good for team integrity.

Dodge: How to conserve your time through subtle evasion

DruGroup • 19 implied HN points • 10 Aug 21
💼 Business Leadership Productivity Management Work Life Time management
  1. Avoid taking on too much by limiting access to your time. Think about how available you are to others through email or social media.
  2. Take your time responding to requests. Delaying your answer lets you prioritize and decide what really matters.
  3. Use pause statements when someone pressures you for a quick answer. This can help manage their expectations and keep your focus on important tasks.

To-Do or Not to Do

The Next Chapter • 4 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Productivity Reflection Mental health Career transition
  1. Starting a sabbatical without structure can lead to a sense of freedom but may later cause stress and guilt.
  2. Balancing clear goals, rest, and long-term perspective can help create a structured yet flexible routine.
  3. Implementing rituals like holistic goal setting and embracing failure can lead to a more controlled and gratifying lifestyle.

Getting ChatGPT to write an article about my simple productivity framework

Chris’s Substack • 2 HN points • 06 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Productivity Creativity Generative AI Time management
  1. Generative AI technology is advancing creativity by lowering barriers and accelerating the creative process.
  2. Exploring the Explore or Execute productivity framework can help optimize time management by balancing thinking and task execution.
  3. Differentiating between Explore (brainstorming, ideation) and Execute (task completion) modes with practical strategies like setting goals and using timers can enhance productivity.

TBM 277: Bring Back Fun

The Beautiful Mess • 3 HN points • 12 Mar 24
💼 Business Work Culture Tech industry Company dynamics Productivity Teamwork
  1. Working with interesting people in a fun environment can make solving challenging problems exciting and rewarding.
  2. Many people in product making industries find joy in solving fun problems with diverse and engaging teams.
  3. The current tech landscape is becoming more serious and competitive, with a focus on efficiency, but there is a strong desire to bring back fun, creativity, and collaboration in workplaces.

Parkinson's Law: It's Real, So Use It

The Engineering Manager • 2 HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Management Productivity Leadership Organization Communication
  1. Setting challenging deadlines can lead to better results by manipulating scope, resources, and time.
  2. Deadlines are crucial for productivity and help create a sense of urgency that leads to tangible progress.
  3. Utilizing weekly reporting cadences and communicating clear deadlines can reshape how people approach their work and drive productivity.

The First Scrum...

Rethinking Software • 1 HN point • 30 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile Productivity Innovation
  1. Scrum is an approach used to make teamwork more effective. It helps teams focus on delivering results in small, manageable pieces.
  2. Good communication is essential in Scrum. Regular check-ins and updates keep everyone on the same page and help solve problems quickly.
  3. Scrum encourages continuous improvement. Teams should always look for ways to do better and learn from past experiences.