“Successful design is not the achievement of perfection, but the minimization and accommodation of imperfection.” — Henry Petroski
Everything is a work in progress.
That includes this newsletter.
You may notice I tweaked the design of this issue. I hope it makes for a more enjoyable (and valuable) read for you.
Now, on to this week’s ideas…
1. Make your Writing More Powerful with this Military Technique
“The basic idea is simple: put the most important details first. Don’t tease or delay your main point because people are busy and their time is valuable.”
If anyone knows the importance of clear communication it’s the military. Jan-Erik Asplund explains how a military technique can make your writing more powerful and shows how to adapt the BLUF (bottom line up front) method to improve your reports, emails and communication in general.
“Simplifying first is a strategy to help you surface options that are categorically better. By setting a different target, you play a different game altogether.”
I love simple concepts that have the potential to completely change the way you work and this is certainly one of them.
Wes Kao explains what happens when you simplify first instead of last and suggests it’s a frame shift that will help you come up with options that are categorically different and usually better than when you try to simplify after creating something.
3. How To Make Meditation Ten Times Easier
"The typical advice for losing focus is not very consoling: do your best, fail repeatedly, and progress will creep up on you."
This is one of few best articles that I read on meditation. David Cane, the author, provides a simple but effective solution to help you continue the practice of meditation.
4. Personal Kanban Part 1 — Why Todo-Lists don‘t work
"At its core Kanban is about visualizing state. The idea is: If I know the current state I can make profound decisions... It helps you to keep focus on what’s important now and nevertheless you alway have all tasks in sight to avoid surprises."
If you had known me already, you know that I am obsessed with productivity tricks. Recently I (re)discovered Personal Kanban, and this was one of the best articles that gave me the motivation. It has been a week since I started it in Trello. So far so good.
Why don't you try it too...