MacVoices

MacVoices #22138: Catching Up With David Sparks and His Shortcuts Field Guide (1)

Jun 28, 2022

David Sparks, a former trial attorney turned tech educator, discusses his shift from law to a tech career, sharing insights on the evolution of MacSparky.com. He introduces his 'Shortcuts for Mac Field Guide' and explains how Mac shortcuts have improved over time. Sparks delves into the importance of meaningful technology that enhances productivity rather than just monetizing attention. He also reflects on the mixed reactions to his career change and the fulfillment he has found in empowering users through his content.

23:47

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Episode guests

David Sparks

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Quick takeaways

David Sparks transitioned from a legal career to full-time content creation, focusing on empowering the Mac community through technology education.

His newly released Shortcuts for Mac Field Guide aims to simplify automation for users of all skill levels by offering structured instructional content.

Deep dives

Transitioning to Full-Time Content Creation

David Sparks discusses his recent decision to leave his legal career to become a full-time content creator focused on technology, particularly for the Mac community. After reflecting on his passions and realizing the fulfilling nature of his Max Sparky work, he decided to scale back his law practice, ultimately closing it after nearly three decades. Client reactions varied widely, from support and understanding to concern for his future, highlighting the personal adjustments that come with such a significant career change. This transition has allowed him to fully invest time in creating content, leading to greater satisfaction and creative output.

Intro

2min

Navigating Career Transitions

7min

Navigating the Challenges of Teaching Technology

4min

Navigating Digital Tools and Shortcuts

7min

Reassessing Technology: From Productivity to Profit

4min

We catch up with David Sparks to discuss a variety of topics, including his transition away from the practice of law and how MacSparkly.com has evolved and grown. Next, we touch on his new Shortcuts for Mac Field Guide, why shortcuts on the Mac got off to a rough start, and how it has improved in recent versions. (Part 1)

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Show Notes:

Links:

Shortcuts for Mac Field Guide (Standard Version)

Shortcuts for Mac Field Guide ( Plus Version)

Guests:

David Sparks is a trial attorney who gave up his law practice to become a full-time geek.. David publishes MacSparky.com and is the co-host of the Mac Power Users podcast. He is also part of the Focused and Automators podcasts, and publishes his Field Guide series of training at Learn.MacSparky.com, among other-MacSparky-related projects..

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