Walt Mossberg, former Verge executive editor and tech columnist, discusses the 40 years of the Macintosh computer. Ali Abdaal talks about his new book on productivity. David Pierce answers a question about laptops.
Making productivity more enjoyable and fun can increase productivity by approaching tasks with a positive attitude and finding tools and apps that feel good to use.
Productivity apps face the challenge of balancing functionality with delightful design, with some apps like Notion managing to strike a good balance while others struggle to provide a whimsical user experience without sacrificing usability.
Finding tools that feel good to use, even if they may not be the most comprehensive, can significantly improve productivity, shifting the focus from specific tools to goals, plans, and systems.
Deep dives
Framing and Mindset: Making Productivity Fun
The central thesis of the podcast episode centers around the idea that making productivity more enjoyable and fun is an underrated way to increase productivity. The host and guest, Ali Abdal, discuss the importance of framing and mindset when it comes to being productive, emphasizing the need to approach tasks with a positive attitude and to find ways to make them more enjoyable. They highlight the idea that using tools and apps that feel good to use can enhance productivity, mentioning examples like Notion and Things 3. While acknowledging the value of productivity tools, they also recognize that the ultimate goal is to find tools and systems that make the process more enjoyable and ultimately lead to increased productivity.
The Role of Design and Whimsicality in Productivity Apps
The podcast delves into the challenge that many productivity apps face in achieving a balance between functionality and delightful design. While apps like Notion have managed to strike a good balance, many others struggle to provide a whimsical and fun user experience without sacrificing usability. The guest, Ali Abdal, and the host discuss their personal experiences with various productivity apps, sharing insights on how apps that feel good to use can increase motivation and ultimately lead to higher productivity. They also touch on the difficulty of integrating fun and whimsical design into productivity apps without compromising their purpose or overwhelming users with excessive animations or features.
The Shift in Mindset Resulting from Writing the Book
The guest, Ali Abdal, reflects on his personal journey with productivity tools and acknowledges that his perspective has shifted as a result of writing his book. While he had previously spent a significant amount of time testing and exploring various productivity tools, he now recognizes that the tool itself matters less than the feeling of enjoyment it provides. He explains that finding tools that feel good to use, even if they may not be the most functionally comprehensive, can significantly improve productivity. The book has led him to reevaluate his approach to productivity, focusing more on goals, plans, and systems, rather than being too reliant on specific tools or apps.
The Simplicity and Effectiveness of Goal-Plan-System (GPS)
The podcast episode introduces the concept of Goal-Plan-System (GPS) as a core framework for productivity. The guest, Ali Abdal, explains that the central elements of productivity boil down to having clear goals, creating effective plans to achieve those goals, and establishing systems that support the execution of those plans. He emphasizes that a simple approach, regardless of the specific tools or methods used, can lead to significant improvements in productivity. The discussion also touches on the challenges of content creation in the productivity space and the tendency to focus on complex systems and apps, rather than the fundamental concepts of goal setting, planning, and system development.
Long-form conversations on personal finance
The podcast episode discusses a content creator on YouTube who focuses on long-form conversations with people struggling with their finances. He coaches them through basic financial principles such as saving more than you spend and investing wisely. The speaker finds this content captivating, especially the emotional aspects of coaching people through their financial challenges.
The importance of balance and intentional use of technology
The podcast delves into the topic of finding balance and intentionality in a digital world. It explores the idea of deliberately adding friction to certain digital activities to create a more mindful and rewarding experience. The speaker shares personal examples, such as listening to nature soundtracks while working, as a way to recharge and create a more enjoyable work environment. The discussion also touches on the value of offline activities and the significance of incorporating emotional well-being into productivity strategies.
Today on the flagship podcast of really old computers:
03:54 - Walt Mossberg, former Verge executive editor and longtime Wall Street Journal tech columnist, joins the show to discuss forty years of the Macintosh computer.
40:28 - Ali Abdaal chats about his new book "Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters To You" and why overthinking your productivity system might not be such a good idea.
