03
Topic 03
Productivity & Tools
The apps, AI tools and plain systems that still save time six months later, and the ones that quietly turn into a second job. Used for longer than a weekend before they get written up.
The test here is simple: is it still in use months later, and did it give back more time than it took to set up? Most tools pass the first week. Fewer pass the sixth month.
In this section
Covers
- Notes and knowledge systems
- AI tools and where they help
- Planning and focus methods
- Learning and studying
Doesn’t cover
- Affiliate “best of” lists
- Tools I haven’t used for real
- Hustle culture
Starter questions
When does a productivity system become another job?
When maintaining it takes longer than the work it’s organizing. Want this one sooner? Tell me.
What should AI handle for you, and what shouldn’t it?
Grunt work it can do well and you can check quickly is a good fit. Judgment calls usually aren’t. Want this one sooner? Tell me.
Which study techniques have evidence behind them?
Testing yourself and spacing out your practice have far better evidence than rereading and highlighting. Want this one sooner? Tell me.
All Productivity & Tools Memos
01
On the desk
The first Memo is on the desk.
It goes out the day it’s finished. Until then, have a look around the topics.