Jamie Thingelstad, Senior VP at SPS Commerce, discusses how he uses OmniFocus to balance his demanding role and diverse interests efficiently. He shares his journey to mastering task management, the importance of staying mindful while being productive, benefits of automation, and tips for improving productivity in task management systems.
Revamp systems periodically to improve efficiency, not just tools.
Integrate automation for task management to optimize workflow and increase productivity.
Deep dives
Efficient System Management
When managing tasks and systems, it is crucial to distinguish between system problems and tool-related issues. Attempting to solve system challenges with tools can be counterproductive. It is essential to view the system, tools, and the content within the system as separate components. For instance, utilizing OmniFocus for 16 years, the speaker emphasizes the need to periodically revamp the system rather than attributing inefficiencies solely to the tool.
CTO Role and System Evolution
The speaker, Jamie Thingelstad, the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of SPS Commerce, discusses his role in overseeing technology functions. He highlights his 30-year career, transitioning from managing tasks through email inboxes to adopting a structured system. Having used OmniFocus since 2008 inspired by David Allen's Getting Things Done methodology, Jamie shares his journey to streamline his workflow and increase productivity.
Automation and System Optimization
Automation plays a significant role in enhancing task management efficiency. Jamie integrates tools like Drafts, Shortcuts, and Sanebox to streamline his workflow. Utilizing templates and automation for recurring tasks, such as publishing a newsletter or managing holiday projects, highlights the speaker's strategic approach to optimizing his system. He emphasizes the importance of evolving systems over time and learning from past mistakes to achieve productivity and mindfulness.
Today, we have a really smart, inspiring guest, plus we’re excited to share a new experiment we're trying out -- our very first video episode of The Omni Show! We plan to try some more experimental episodes in video format; so, we would love to hear any feedback you might have. If you enjoy the video version of the show, we’d appreciate a “like” and a “subscribe”.
On this episode, we interview Jamie Thingelstad, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of SPS Commerce. Discover how Jamie leverages OmniFocus to streamline his professional and personal life, balancing a demanding role and diverse interests with unparalleled efficiency. Learn Jamie's strategy for maintaining a productive state, ensuring he remains present and effective in every aspect of his life.