The hottest Productivity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
The Leading Sapiens Weekly 40 implied HN points 21 Nov 24
  1. Knowledge work shouldn't just rely on inspiration or perfect conditions. Showing up consistently, like a plumber, leads to real progress.
  2. Instead of waiting for creativity to strike, focus on making a routine and setting clear goals. This structure helps reduce stress and improves productivity.
  3. It's important to value practice and effort over perfection. Producing more often can actually improve the quality of your work over time.
The Beautiful Mess 661 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  1. Skilled pragmatists in companies can represent a major opportunity for improvement. They are reliable and capable but may not go above and beyond due to skepticism about the value of extra effort.
  2. When trying to improve behaviors in a team, it is crucial to be specific about the desired actions and outcomes. Vague terms like 'drive' or 'passion' can lead to misunderstandings.
  3. Listening to individuals in different categories can provide valuable insights for understanding motivations and barriers to certain behaviors in a team. Embracing diversity in perspectives is key to achieving more together.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Sunday Letters 99 implied HN points 21 Apr 24
  1. Enterprise software focuses more on the buyer than the user, making user experience less important. It just needs to be usable enough to avoid complaints.
  2. Consumer software prioritizes a great user experience because users can easily switch. This keeps companies on their toes to fix bugs and improve features quickly.
  3. Emerging apps from big tech are stuck in the middle. They need basic functionality but often don’t get the attention they need, leading to worse user experiences over time.
Business & Marketing with Nika 39 implied HN points 30 Jun 24
  1. Look for inspiration in different places like books, museums, and online resources. These can spark your creativity when you're feeling stuck.
  2. Brainstorming with others can bring new ideas and perspectives, so don't hesitate to ask for help or feedback.
  3. Sometimes, reusing or repackaging old content can be a smart way to overcome creative blocks and still provide value.
Leading Developers 59 implied HN points 11 Feb 25
  1. Software teams can operate in different 'intensity zones' ranging from very light to maximum effort. Understanding these zones helps managers know when their team can relax or when they need to ramp up work.
  2. Switching between intensity zones is important for a team's success and well-being. It's crucial to have a balance and prepare the team for high-pressure times while also allowing them to unwind afterward.
  3. Effective 'intensity management' is key to keeping a team adaptable and preventing burnout. Setting clear expectations about workload and work intensity helps everyone understand what to expect.
Venture Prose 359 implied HN points 30 Apr 23
  1. Acknowledge when you're falling behind and need to clean house. Don't blame yourself too much; it happens. Adjust your schedule to find more time and space to get things done in the next few days.
  2. Prioritize tasks and schedule them for the upcoming week. Be careful not to spread them too thin. Start with the most critical things early in the morning to avoid carrying a mental backlog.
  3. Don't be afraid to say no, reschedule, or cancel commitments. Get back to handling emails and important messages promptly without overthinking. Be honest about your overwhelmed feelings.
Leading Developers 139 implied HN points 12 Nov 24
  1. Many engineering managers want to code more, but their roles shift them away from hands-on work. Finding even a few hours a week to code can help stay engaged with the team.
  2. Choosing small, impactful tasks can keep managers involved in coding. Projects that help the team or solve annoying issues can be both beneficial and satisfying.
  3. Creating internal tools, like a chatbot for documentation, can improve efficiency and learning. Such projects can bring value to the team while allowing managers to practice their skills.
eieio games 119 implied HN points 13 Mar 24
  1. BreakTime is a game that turns your meetings into a fun experience, literally by breaking bricks. You can play it inside Google Calendar instead of just looking at meeting times.
  2. When you play, BreakTime has an option to decline meetings for you after the game. This adds a humorous twist to handling a busy schedule.
  3. The creator of BreakTime was inspired by friends and enjoyed making it, showing how collaboration can lead to fun and creative projects.
Technology Made Simple 139 implied HN points 17 Feb 24
  1. The remote work vs in-person debate is becoming more divisive with many companies now choosing to return to in-person work.
  2. Financial reasons such as increased turnover due to layoffs, real estate investments, and management preferences are driving companies to push for in-person work.
  3. Despite the preference for traditional office culture, studies show remote work can be just as productive, inclusive, and even boost creativity and performance.
Trying In Public 139 implied HN points 15 Feb 24
  1. Every idea has a place in my Notion setup, allowing me to easily find and revisit notes.
  2. My Notion is organized using databases like To Do List, Abstract Goals Journal, Second Brain, Sales Planner, and Recipe Book.
  3. I use various systems like PARA system, Top 3 method, and Pomodoro timers to manage tasks and projects effectively in Notion.
Leading Developers 98 implied HN points 10 Dec 24
  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.
VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES 39 implied HN points 14 Jun 24
  1. Understand your motivation for writing. Writing should be genuine and not just about getting likes or money. Find your true reason and let that guide your writing.
  2. Make time for writing by treating it as a priority, not just something you do between client projects. Schedule specific blocks of time for writing each day.
  3. Gather resources and ideas before writing. Use tools like mobile notes and bookmarking sites to keep track of ideas and materials to help you write faster.
The API Changelog 1 implied HN point 16 Jun 25
  1. Apple announced updates for their products, including new features for visionOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 to improve user experience.
  2. OpenAI has seen significant growth in revenue and has made its AI models more affordable, staying competitive with other companies in the AI space.
  3. New tools and partnerships are emerging in the fintech and security sectors, enhancing API integration and fraud detection capabilities.
The Engineering Manager 13 implied HN points 29 Dec 24
  1. Efficiency is really important now. Companies need to do more with less and find ways to be productive without hiring more people.
  2. AI tools are becoming essential. Embracing technology like LLMs can boost productivity and help engineers work smarter.
  3. There’s a generational divide. Staying updated with technology is crucial, or you risk being left behind, both personally and for your company.
Running Lean Mastery 137 implied HN points 10 Feb 24
  1. Time in a startup is pulled in different directions - outside and inside the building. Startup founders need to balance both effectively.
  2. Creating a flow state is crucial for productivity. Flow involves being fully immersed in a task, limiting interruptions, and receiving immediate feedback.
  3. To optimize work, establish uninterrupted time blocks for focused tasks, prioritize maker goals early in the day, and schedule manager activities later to maintain flow.
Respectful Leadership 54 implied HN points 25 Jan 25
  1. Smaller meetings are better than larger ones because they keep people engaged. In big meetings, many attendees often feel bored or have nothing to contribute.
  2. You should only invite the people who are essential for the meeting. This helps everyone stay focused and avoid distractions from their actual work.
  3. Frequent large meetings can waste a lot of time. It's more effective to communicate via email or messages for announcements instead of gathering everyone together unnecessarily.
High ROI Data Science 178 implied HN points 23 Jan 24
  1. Success in the new work world requires being forward-looking and prescriptive, not just reacting to trends.
  2. Manufacturing luck involves positioning early in emerging trends to have more opportunities and be better prepared.
  3. To stay relevant, focus on upskilling in areas that align with future trends and combine vision, follow-through, and productivity.
Better Engineers 19 implied HN points 16 Jul 24
  1. The Pareto Principle says that 20% of your tasks create 80% of your results. Focus on those key tasks to be more efficient.
  2. The 2-Minute Rule encourages you to do any task that takes two minutes or less right away. This helps prevent small tasks from piling up.
  3. Using a method like Kanban helps manage your tasks visually. It allows you to see what you need to do, what you're working on, and what’s done.
Adam’s Notes 255 implied HN points 17 Feb 23
  1. AI tools will enhance software developers' productivity and create new possibilities.
  2. Historically, productivity increases in software engineering have occurred with advancements like high-level programming languages, open-source culture, and cloud computing.
  3. Lower barriers to coding will attract more people to software engineering, leading to new opportunities, growth, and products.
Make Work Better 103 implied HN points 14 Nov 24
  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.
Dan Davies - "Back of Mind" 235 implied HN points 12 May 23
  1. The concept of a 'moat' in business, popularized by Warren Buffet, has been misunderstood and misapplied by many.
  2. The original idea behind a 'moat' was to protect a business's unique advantage, not simply to create barriers through legal means.
  3. The focus on 'moats' led to a shift in management attention towards maintaining profits through artificial means rather than product improvement.
Fish Food for Thought 32 implied HN points 30 Oct 24
  1. Relying too much on numbers for management can blind you to important factors. It’s essential to recognize that not everything that matters can be measured.
  2. Nike's recent struggles show how chasing measurable goals can hurt a company's core values. Ignoring brand loyalty and innovation for data-driven decisions can lead to serious problems.
  3. Good leaders need to balance what they measure with understanding the unmeasurable parts of their organization, like team morale and creativity. The best insights often lie outside the numbers.
Both Are True 543 implied HN points 07 Nov 23
  1. Many of us hate being constantly on social media but find it hard to stop.
  2. Our constant need for achievement and validation online can lead to anxiety and a sense of never doing enough.
  3. Taking breaks from social media and setting boundaries with technology can help regain self-control and focus on other fulfilling activities.