Jun 8, 2023·edited Jun 8, 2023Liked by Tim Denning
All the people I could forward to who need to read this will either half read it with a preconceived judgement block or won't read it at all (being too busy lol). Ultimately, I found you, Tim Denning, by myself, through my own healing and learning journey. I've learned that the best hope is they see the fruits of my process and ask about it. Then I'll pass on your fabulous thoughts knowing they will be more likely to take the time to really absorb these thoughtful words of wisdom. Bless you, thanks Tim. Xx Sam
Tim, I love the little sneak peek into your family life. I bet your daughter is adorable and "yes" life and priorities and productivity change with children! I especially laughed at your description of planning your vacations....nothing like scheduling overload to brighten a family trip!
We must be on the same wavelength this week. I just published an article on my Substack called "My Brain is a Washing Machine". It tackles the all-too-common problem of brain overload.....or scientifically speaking, 'Brain Fog'.
I'm glad to be subscribed to your publication. Your writing is 'real'. That's a great skill to have.
Tim, good article. Applicable in so many ways for an independent entrepreneur like me. For a majority of 9-5 employees this seems beyond their experience. That is a whole different universe being the employee not the employer. The freedom of owning your own business has its downside. Thanks for covering the topic.
The obsession with optimization is real! I tried Roam, Obsidian, Evernote, you name it. In the end, they became more of a distraction than anything. Now, I’m back to just scribbling notes down on the back of old teletype messages I get at work.
I have a major goal right now - getting to another city in my huge country to spend a week with longtime friends, and a lifelong friend. My to-do list is nearly finished, and it's still five weeks till I go to the airport for my big plane ride. I HATE to do things "last-minute", because important stuff gets missed that way. I am easing up on productivity right now to stay focused on my major goal. Next hurdle is packing - I'm going "carry on only" for the first time for a trip, no checked baggage. We'll see how that goes. Thanks for sharing the "dark side" of productivity, Tim, and all the best to you and the family.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this week's edition. I felt I could resonate a lot with the adverse effects 'being productive' have on your mind and relationships. Great work and great approach to something I feel a lot of people can relate to.
Applying what you talked about to the life of a professional artist is interesting. It does fit in many ways. I know I am always thinking art... and forget there are times I need to not let it color (pun intended) every moment of my day! I am going to share this newsletter with my friends and get a conversation going if possible. Thank you.
Yes! Too much of my life was wasted between regret and - I will when. Then I came home from work one day and found my wife deceased.
The last few years of my life (now in my 60s) have been the most productive. In relationships as well as work. Live in the present moment, and only try to control what you can (which is invariably more than you thought you could.)
read "4000 weeks - time management for mortals". It's enlightening, and helps you deal with a couple of the issues explained here.
https://www.amazon.com/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Management-Mortals/dp/0374159122
I loved the seasons analogy. Things change, grow and wither. Great stuff.
All the people I could forward to who need to read this will either half read it with a preconceived judgement block or won't read it at all (being too busy lol). Ultimately, I found you, Tim Denning, by myself, through my own healing and learning journey. I've learned that the best hope is they see the fruits of my process and ask about it. Then I'll pass on your fabulous thoughts knowing they will be more likely to take the time to really absorb these thoughtful words of wisdom. Bless you, thanks Tim. Xx Sam
Tim, I love the little sneak peek into your family life. I bet your daughter is adorable and "yes" life and priorities and productivity change with children! I especially laughed at your description of planning your vacations....nothing like scheduling overload to brighten a family trip!
We must be on the same wavelength this week. I just published an article on my Substack called "My Brain is a Washing Machine". It tackles the all-too-common problem of brain overload.....or scientifically speaking, 'Brain Fog'.
I'm glad to be subscribed to your publication. Your writing is 'real'. That's a great skill to have.
Tim, good article. Applicable in so many ways for an independent entrepreneur like me. For a majority of 9-5 employees this seems beyond their experience. That is a whole different universe being the employee not the employer. The freedom of owning your own business has its downside. Thanks for covering the topic.
The obsession with optimization is real! I tried Roam, Obsidian, Evernote, you name it. In the end, they became more of a distraction than anything. Now, I’m back to just scribbling notes down on the back of old teletype messages I get at work.
I have a major goal right now - getting to another city in my huge country to spend a week with longtime friends, and a lifelong friend. My to-do list is nearly finished, and it's still five weeks till I go to the airport for my big plane ride. I HATE to do things "last-minute", because important stuff gets missed that way. I am easing up on productivity right now to stay focused on my major goal. Next hurdle is packing - I'm going "carry on only" for the first time for a trip, no checked baggage. We'll see how that goes. Thanks for sharing the "dark side" of productivity, Tim, and all the best to you and the family.
This is super motivating and helpful, to get my head wrapped around my own journey and next steps. Love your writing, Tim
related to each an every phrase... congrats
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this week's edition. I felt I could resonate a lot with the adverse effects 'being productive' have on your mind and relationships. Great work and great approach to something I feel a lot of people can relate to.
Applying what you talked about to the life of a professional artist is interesting. It does fit in many ways. I know I am always thinking art... and forget there are times I need to not let it color (pun intended) every moment of my day! I am going to share this newsletter with my friends and get a conversation going if possible. Thank you.
To me, this might be the best thing you've ever written. Hit the nail on the head.
This is incredible and for me your best work Tim. Thank you!
so can relate to these feelings
It’s that optimisation trap. People are trying to reach an ‘optimal’ state, but what the hell does ‘optimal’ mean? It’s never ending.
Derek Sivers said “saying something is good enough is a superpower” 👌
Yes! Too much of my life was wasted between regret and - I will when. Then I came home from work one day and found my wife deceased.
The last few years of my life (now in my 60s) have been the most productive. In relationships as well as work. Live in the present moment, and only try to control what you can (which is invariably more than you thought you could.)
Good advice Tim.