

Episode 203 - Productivity Writers
Sep 17, 2025
This conversation kicks off with personal updates against a backdrop of shifting weather. A dramatic terrace fire leads to discussions on low insurance offers and the complexities of private repairs. The hosts dive into the latest Apple event, sharing their critiques on new devices. A lively debate on influential productivity writers highlights the shift from output hacks to character development. They also tackle the practical uses of AI, urging a cautious approach amid the hype. It's a mix of humor, insights, and relatable experiences.
01:16:36
Insurance Battle Over Fire Damage
- Stu describes fighting his insurance company over low valuations and policy limits after fire damage to his terrace and outdoor contents.
- He notes the insurer capped outdoor contents at €1,000 and applied underinsurance reductions, leaving disputes ongoing.
Desk Delivered—Then Held For Pickup
- Stu's long-awaited desk finally arrived on Cyprus but is being held by UPS for future delivery and pickup logistics.
- He plans to ignore the delivery fuss and expects the desk to appear eventually, having largely forgotten the urgency.
Forced Confinement During Wildfires
- Justin describes being confined by wildfire smoke and avoiding outdoor work while air quality was unhealthy.
- He attended a charity dog event despite the smoke and disliked the traffic jam he encountered driving into the city.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Terrace Fire, Insurance Battles, and Recovery
02:10 • 17min
Desk Delivery Drama, Apple Event Reactions, and Forced Confinement
18:41 • 19min
Music Habits, Productivity Writers, and Character Focus
37:49 • 28min
AI Hype, Practical Use, and Caution
01:05:31 • 10min
Outro
01:15:17 • 1min

#26
• Mentioned in 233 episodes
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People


Stephen R Covey
This book, first published in 1989, outlines seven habits that are designed to help individuals become more effective in their personal and professional lives.
The habits are grouped into three categories: Private Victory (habits 1-3), Public Victory (habits 4-6), and Renewal (habit 7).
The habits include being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win-win, seeking first to understand and then to be understood, synergizing, and sharpening the saw.
Covey emphasizes the importance of personal integrity, effective time management, empathetic communication, and continuous self-improvement.

#42
• Mentioned in 181 episodes
A World Without Email
Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload


Cal Newport
In 'A World Without Email', Cal Newport argues that the constant digital communication, which he terms the 'hyperactive hive mind', has become a productivity disaster.
He contends that this workflow, driven by email and other messaging tools, reduces profitability, slows economic growth, and makes workers miserable.
Newport proposes a workplace where clear processes, not haphazard messaging, define task management.
He advocates for each person working on fewer tasks but doing them better, with significant investment in support to reduce administrative burdens.
The book lays out principles and concrete instructions for streamlining important communication and reducing the central role of inboxes and chat channels in the workplace.

#11
• Mentioned in 323 episodes
The 4 Hour Workweek


Tim Ferriss
In 'The 4-Hour Workweek', Timothy Ferriss presents a step-by-step guide to 'lifestyle design', encouraging readers to question the traditional notion of retirement and instead create a lifestyle that prioritizes freedom, adventure, and personal growth.
The book teaches how to outsource life tasks, automate income, and eliminate unnecessary work using principles like the 80/20 rule and Parkinson’s Law. Ferriss shares his personal journey from a corporate workaholic to a location-independent entrepreneur and provides practical tips and case studies to help readers achieve similar results.
The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on high-value activities, taking 'mini-retirements', and living life to the fullest in the present rather than deferring enjoyment until retirement.

#2023
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
The Power of the Powerless


Václav Havel


Keane, John
Written in 1978, 'The Power of the Powerless' is a seminal essay by Václav Havel that critiques the post-totalitarian systems of Eastern Europe.
The essay, which was circulated in samizdat form, argues that individuals living within such systems must 'live in truth' to challenge the pervasive lies and ideological control of the state.
Havel uses the example of a greengrocer displaying a communist slogan to illustrate the mechanisms of compliance and the potential for resistance.
The book, edited by John Keane, includes responses from various contributors and provides a broad spectrum of democratic opinions on freedom, power, and civil liberty under totalitarian conditions.

#256
• Mentioned in 63 episodes
The Courage to Be Disliked

Fumitake Koga

Ichiro Kishimi
This book unfolds as a dialogue between a young man and a philosopher over five nights, exploring the principles of Adlerian psychology.
It emphasizes that true happiness and freedom come from living a life independent of past traumas and societal expectations.
Key themes include the idea that all problems stem from interpersonal relationships, the importance of separating one's tasks from others', and the concept that freedom is found in having the courage to be disliked.
The book provides practical advice on self-forgiveness, self-care, and mind decluttering, encouraging readers to take control of their life's direction and live in the present.

#157
• Mentioned in 93 episodes
Think Again


Adam Grant
In 'Think Again', Adam Grant argues that the ability to rethink at personal, interpersonal, and collective levels is crucial in today's polarized world.
He uses scientific research, personal anecdotes, and engaging stories to illustrate how people can find joy in being wrong, leverage the benefits of impostor syndrome, and cultivate environments of lifelong learning.
Grant emphasizes the need to challenge our convictions, adopt a scientific mindset, and foster curiosity and humility.
He provides examples of individuals who have successfully rethought their approaches, from firefighters to business leaders, and offers practical exercises for improving rethinking skills.

#2
• Mentioned in 890 episodes
Atomic Habits


James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.

#1302
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Hyperfocus
How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction

Chris Bailey
In 'Hyperfocus', Chris Bailey explores the science of attention and provides practical strategies for managing distractions.
The book introduces two key mental modes: hyperfocus, which is intense and deliberate attention for high productivity, and scatterfocus, a creative mode that allows for novel connections and insights.
Bailey offers advice on setting intentions, modifying environments to reduce distractions, controlling motivation, and strategically using both hyperfocus and scatterfocus to enhance productivity and creativity.

#17
• Mentioned in 268 episodes
Essentialism
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less


Greg McKeown
In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy.
The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities.
McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default.
' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.

#975
• Mentioned in 25 episodes
Do Hard Things
A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations


Harris, Alex, Harris, Brett
In 'Do Hard Things,' Alex and Brett Harris combat the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility.
They weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life.
The book maps out five powerful ways teens can respond for personal and social change, and is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life 'rebelutionaries' in action.
It challenges a generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

#1686
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
Washington
A Life


Ron Chernow
In 'Washington: A Life', Ron Chernow provides a richly detailed and engaging portrait of George Washington.
The book covers his adventurous early years, his heroic exploits during the Revolutionary War, his role in the Constitutional Convention, and his significant contributions as the first president of the United States.
Chernow challenges the stereotype of Washington as a stolid, unemotional figure, instead revealing a man of fiery opinions, many moods, and a fiercely guarded emotional life.
The biography delves into Washington's personal relationships, his complex feelings about slavery, and his meticulous management of Mount Vernon.
It also highlights his political genius and his role in shaping the new federal government and the office of the presidency.

#223
• Mentioned in 69 episodes
How to Become a Straight-A Student
The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less


Cal Newport
In this book, Cal Newport shares insights and strategies gathered from interviews with high-achieving college students who maintain excellent grades without excessive studying.
The book emphasizes the importance of effective time management, focused study sessions, and smart note-taking techniques.
It introduces the 'Straight-A Method' which is based on four pillars: knowledge, control, strategy, and balance.
Newport argues that by using these methods, students can avoid procrastination, optimize their study time, and achieve academic success while maintaining a balanced life.

#6
• Mentioned in 396 episodes
Deep Work
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World


Cal Newport
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill.
These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'.
Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.

#514
• Mentioned in 39 episodes
Make Time
How to Focus on What Matters Every Day


Jake Knapp


John Zeratsky
In 'Make Time', Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky offer a framework to help individuals manage their time more effectively.
The book introduces the concept of the 'Busy Bandwagon' and 'Infinity Pools' (endless digital content) that consume our time.
It proposes a four-step daily process: Highlight (identify the most important task), Laser (focus on that task), Energize (maintain energy levels), and Reflect (evaluate and improve the process).
The authors provide over 80 actionable tips to help readers implement these steps and make meaningful time for what truly matters.

#270
• Mentioned in 62 episodes
4000 Weeks


Oliver Burkeman
A book about time management and how to live a more fulfilling life.

#9
• Mentioned in 335 episodes
Getting Things Done


David Allen
Getting Things Done (GTD) is a personal productivity system developed by David Allen.
The book provides a detailed methodology for managing tasks, projects, and information, emphasizing the importance of capturing all tasks and ideas, clarifying their meaning, organizing them into actionable lists, reviewing the system regularly, and engaging in the tasks.
The GTD method is designed to reduce stress and increase productivity by externalizing tasks and using a trusted system to manage them.
The book is divided into three parts, covering the overview of the system, its implementation, and the deeper benefits of integrating GTD into one's work and life.

#192
• Mentioned in 76 episodes
Indistractable
How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life


Nir Eyal
In 'Indistractable', Nir Eyal delves into the root causes of distraction, arguing that it starts from within and is driven by the desire to escape discomfort.
The book offers a four-step, research-backed model to help readers master internal triggers, manage time effectively, hack back external triggers, and prevent distractions with pacts.
Eyal also discusses how distraction affects various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and parenting, and provides novel techniques to overcome these challenges and live a more focused life.
The Best Ever Episode 203 of Stationery Adjacent. We’ve always been bright orange. #justsayin
Show notes at: https://stationeryadjacent.com/episodes/203