The hottest Productivity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Debugging productivity

A Bit Gamey • 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.

what do you need to lose, to win?

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 884 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Productivity Personal Development Wellness Tips
  1. Sometimes, you need to lose something to eventually win something better.
  2. Our brains tend to focus on loss instead of success, so it's important to consciously celebrate our wins.
  3. Reflecting on past accomplishments and comparing them to current achievements can help you appreciate your progress and feel content.

Gather, decide, execute

The Engineering Manager • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
💼 Business Management Leadership Productivity Communication Tech Tools
  1. Having a personal system to manage information is really important for effective management. It helps you stay organized and recall important details.
  2. The gather-decide-execute method allows you to process information efficiently. You gather insights, make decisions based on them, and then take action to implement those decisions.
  3. Keeping your system simple and adaptable is key. If it's too complicated or doesn't fit your changing needs, you're less likely to stick with it.
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Experiences Quitting Twitter

Something to Consider • 99 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Social media Mental health Productivity Personal Growth Lifestyle
  1. Quitting Twitter can be easier than you think. After a short period of craving, you might find more freedom and productivity.
  2. Removing social media entirely might be more effective than just cutting back. It's like going on a strict diet; all or nothing might work better for habits you want to change.
  3. After cutting out Twitter, you might feel an initial sense of anxiety but it can quickly turn into a sense of relief and focus, helping you pursue more meaningful activities.

Penny-Wise and Pound-Stupid

Rethinking Software • 549 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Outsourcing Productivity Tools Collaboration
  1. Outsourcing might seem like a money-saver, but it can make teamwork harder and slow down projects. It's important to consider all the hidden costs before deciding.
  2. Using low-quality tools can frustrate programmers and hurt their morale, which ultimately harms productivity. Giving developers good tools shows that you value their work.
  3. Keeping everyone busy all the time doesn't always mean being productive. It's better to let teams focus on clearing bottlenecks and maintaining a good workflow instead.

I wish I started doing this on day 0 of my career as an engineer

High Growth Engineer • 1574 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Productivity Career development Software Engineering Time management Planning
  1. Planning is crucial to avoid feeling unproductive and getting pulled in different directions throughout the day.
  2. By planning your day, you focus on what's important and maintain control over your daily tasks.
  3. Even a simple daily plan of one main goal can significantly improve your productivity and time management.

Nulla dies sine linea

Kenny’s Sub • 219 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
💼 Business Productivity Entrepreneurship Self-Improvement Career development Goal setting
  1. Setting smaller, more manageable tasks can help you feel more accomplished. It's better to focus on small wins than to aim for unrealistic goals.
  2. Feeling overwhelmed comes from thinking you need to achieve big things every day. Recognizing smaller steps can ease that pressure.
  3. Doing a little every day, even something small like updating a title, adds up over time and makes progress feel real. It's about consistency, not perfection.

ChatGPT or CheatGPT?

My Home Office Hacks • 5 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Tools Workplace Productivity Home Office Gadgets
  1. Using AI tools like ChatGPT for invoicing is useful and doesn't feel like cheating. It can save a lot of time and effort.
  2. You can create a personalized invoice template just by asking ChatGPT for specific details about your company and billing needs.
  3. If you have back pain, using adjustable workstations like Altwork can help you work comfortably, even while lying down.

in-office work > remote work

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 07 Sep 24
💼 Business Workplace culture Remote work Career development Team Collaboration Productivity
  1. In-person work helps teams connect better and communicate more effectively. Many important interactions happen non-verbally, which can be lost in remote settings.
  2. Working in an office allows for quick collaboration and faster problem solving. Teams can discuss ideas and make decisions on the spot, speeding up project timelines.
  3. Remote work may suit experienced professionals or those prioritizing personal life. However, junior developers may benefit more from in-office environments to grow their careers.

How Do TPMs Drive Accountability When AI Owns the Work?

Building Rome(s) • 7 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Automation Software Management Productivity
  1. As AI takes on more tasks, it's important to think about who is responsible for the outcomes. If something goes wrong, we need a clear person to turn to.
  2. The way we manage accountability will change as fewer people work on tasks and more AI agents do the work. It could become harder to track who is responsible when problems arise.
  3. There might be a need for new systems to keep track of AI decisions and their results. This way, we can still ensure accountability even when computers do much of the work.

How To Overcome Distractions And Boost Your Opportunities

Day One • 439 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
💼 Business Productivity Entrepreneurship Personal Branding Content creation Goal setting
  1. The mind gives up before the body, so don't let mental barriers dictate physical limits.
  2. Focus on a clear vision and roadmap to avoid distractions and make progress in your goals.
  3. Building a personal brand, monetizing it, and starting a company are three essential stages to follow in growing your opportunities.

5 Ways To Say No, Elegantly and Effectively

Push to Prod • 19 implied HN points • 04 Sep 24
💼 Business Work Culture Communication Productivity Leadership Career development
  1. It's important to set boundaries and learn to say no to extra work or distractions. This can help you stay focused on your own goals.
  2. Using clear and direct phrases when saying no can make it easier for others to understand your limits. This helps avoid long discussions about why you can't help.
  3. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad teammate. It's about prioritizing your tasks to be more effective and contributing to your own success.

7 proven mental models for engineering managers

Leading Developers • 218 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Management Leadership Decision-making Team Dynamics Productivity
  1. Use mental models to help make better decisions as a manager. They can guide you to avoid mistakes and think more clearly.
  2. Consider the opposite of what you want to achieve. This helps in identifying what to avoid and improves decision-making.
  3. Always think about the long-term effects of your choices. It's important to consider not just what happens now, but what could happen later.

America's Productivity Boom

Apricitas Economics • 105 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Productivity Employment Investments Labor Market
  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.

LLM Links, 1/17

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Productivity Automation Regulation
  1. Intelligence can help us break down regulatory barriers and improve cooperation. A higher baseline of intelligence might push us to recognize and fix our bad decisions more easily.
  2. The adoption of AI will be slow because organizations and systems take time to change. Even with advanced AI, many people might not notice its presence right away.
  3. Bill Gates believes AI will take over routine tasks, leaving creative work for humans. However, there’s a chance that AI could also become creative, challenging the idea that humans are solely responsible for creativity.

Make it simple

Venture Prose • 519 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
💼 Business Efficiency Productivity Simplicity Meetings
  1. Efficiency comes from making every minute more valuable, intentional, and concrete.
  2. Being intentional about how you spend time, both in quantity and quality, can make you more present and purposeful.
  3. Simplicity is key - from making a good first impression in 1 minute to keeping meetings concise and effective.

Strong Code Ownership

Rethinking Software • 299 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile methodologies Productivity Collaboration
  1. Strong code ownership means a specific developer is responsible for certain sections of code, which helps improve quality and pride in their work.
  2. Just like in the story from Xiaogang, allowing ownership in software can motivate developers and increase productivity.
  3. Some teams might mix strong and collective code ownership to accommodate different personalities and work styles, benefiting everyone involved.

Top Links 549 Markets holding their breath. BBQ and shale productivity. Liberal academia & the Space Force.

Chartbook • 400 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
💰 Finance Markets Economics Productivity Academic Space
  1. Markets seem to be very tense right now. People are watching closely for changes and updates.
  2. BBQ and shale productivity are highlighted as important topics. These areas are crucial in economic discussions.
  3. There's a mention of the intersection between liberal academia and the Space Force. This could spark interesting debates and insights.

You need to neglect mostly everything to win big

Play Permissionless • 319 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Strategy Productivity Management Optimization
  1. To win big, you only need to get a small number of things right and can afford to mess up everything else. This applies to both companies and individuals.
  2. Winning big often requires unlearning traditional schooling strategies and focusing on doing a great job at a few key aspects while neglecting the rest.
  3. Removing non-essential tasks and focusing solely on what helps deliver better and faster results can lead to significant improvements and ultimately winning big.

What Can be Done in 59 Seconds: An Opportunity (and a Crisis)

One Useful Thing • 1013 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Productivity Ethics Artificial Intelligence
  1. AI tools like Copilot and GPTs are making AI use easier and more normal.
  2. Using AI for tasks can lead to a crisis in the workplace regarding the value of human effort and skills.
  3. Despite the crisis, there is an opportunity to delegate tasks to AI, allowing humans to focus on what they enjoy and explore new interests.

It takes 23 mins to recover after an interruption

Elevate • 616 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity Mental health Workplace culture Time management Self-care
  1. It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track after an interruption, impacting productivity significantly.
  2. Context switching involves more than just changing tasks; it's like asking your brain to switch languages, leading to cognitive drain.
  3. Strategies for managing context switching include understanding task importance, using tech tools wisely, and fostering a workspace culture that respects deep work.

Top Links 548 A productivity surge in the US oil industry. Taiwan's AI exports. The price of data and Joan Didion putting the boot in.

Chartbook • 371 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Industry Technology Productivity Trade
  1. The US oil industry is experiencing a big boost in productivity, which is likely affecting the overall economy.
  2. Taiwan is making significant strides in AI exports, indicating growth in tech and innovation in the region.
  3. There are rising concerns about the value of data in today's world, reflecting how important and expensive information has become.

Special Sunday Edition: 12 Thoughts On Running (And Leading Teams & Building Products)

Implications, by Scott Belsky • 825 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Running Leadership Productivity
  1. The author shares thoughts on running that can be applied to leading teams and building products.
  2. Starting small with running led to unexpected benefits in life, leadership, and creativity.
  3. The author encourages readers to find their own 'running equivalent' to experience similar benefits.

Yes, little AI agent, you can use my computer

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Cybersecurity Startups Market Trends 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.

Is now really the right time to start?

Kenny’s Sub • 199 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Freelancing Productivity Startups Goal setting
  1. It's a good idea to start projects now, even if it's small. This allows for progress to begin and builds momentum over time.
  2. Starting small can lead to important gains. Just like planting a fruit tree, the benefits will come later if you start today rather than waiting.
  3. Taking small actions today can help reduce stress in the future. Even simple tasks, like planning or writing a title, can make a difference.

UX Roundup: Wealth and Happiness | Wealth and AI | ASI and Unemployment

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Economics User Experience Productivity Wealth
  1. There's a strong link between wealth and happiness. Generally, richer people tend to report being happier, showing that money does matter to a degree.
  2. AI has the potential to significantly boost our living standards over the next couple of decades. Even a doubling of wealth can make a big difference in people's lives.
  3. Superintelligent AI won't make humans obsolete. History shows that when smarter workers enter the workforce, new jobs and opportunities usually arise, benefiting everyone.

How has ChatGPT Changed Your Life?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 459 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Productivity Education Software Innovation
  1. ChatGPT has helped many people by providing useful code examples, especially for those who struggle with visual learning. This has made a big difference for students like Aaron, who felt lost before using it.
  2. Users say ChatGPT has made them more productive in tasks like brainstorming, coding, and research. It's like having an assistant that helps with ideas and writing.
  3. Many people have found it easier to learn and create things because of ChatGPT. It has lowered the barriers for those who want to develop applications or tools that seemed impossible before.

Change what you do, to change where you go.

Elevate • 517 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Habits Growth mindset Self-Improvement Mindfulness Productivity
  1. Our lives are influenced by patterns and routines, some chosen consciously and others unknowingly. Changing habits can propel us forward or hold us back.
  2. To change where we go, we must change what we do. Setting clear goals, creating action plans, and building support networks are essential for effective change.
  3. Embrace failures as learning opportunities, cultivate a growth mindset, and regularly review and adjust your actions to transform obstacles into stepping stones for growth.

Why Scrum is Stressing You Out

Rethinking Software • 445 HN points • 11 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile Methodology Productivity Project management
  1. Sprints make work feel never-ending because they are constant deadlines without breaks. Unlike past methods, there’s no time to rest and recharge, leading to ongoing stress.
  2. Sprints are often imposed on teams without their input, removing their freedom and motivation. Control over how work is done is important for reducing stress and improving satisfaction.
  3. In Scrum, there is little time for preparation before starting tasks. Developers need time to think, plan, and get ready to tackle projects, or they end up feeling overwhelmed and unprepared.