Writing + Doodles
Name Your Monsters to Tame Them
"A monster hiding in the dark will never be as scary once you’ve turned on the light."
The Cost of Saying Yes
We often think about boundaries in terms of what to say no to. But there’s another way to frame it.
The Power of Doing Things Daily-ish
If you want to start a new healthy habit, how often should you commit to doing it? How about daily-ish?
Rest is an Act of Kindness to Others
Rest is often seen as something we take for ourselves. But have you ever noticed the effect it has on others?
One Way to Manage Your “To Read” Pile
I’ve been thinking about Oliver Burkeman’s advice for avoiding information overload: treat your "to read" pile like a river rather than a bucket.
When to Say “No”
Most of us wait until we’re overwhelmed at work before we say no.
By then, it’s too late.
Are You Suffering Twice?
In Stoicism, "suffering twice" refers to the suffering we cause ourselves by worrying about things that might never happen.
The Imposter Syndrome Paradox
“Imposter syndrome is a paradox: others believe in you, you don’t believe in yourself, yet you believe yourself instead of them.” — Adam Grant.
Are Your Technology Choices Additive or Extractive?
I came across some new (to me) terminology in an article from Cal Newport’s blog that I think is useful: additive and extractive technology.
Radical Acceptance
Radical Acceptance, in its simplest form, can be expressed as follows: Pain + Resistance = Suffering.
You Don’t Have to Finish Everything
Somewhere along the way, many of us picked up the idea that we should finish what we start. It's what adults do. But…
Deliberate Rest
If you want to become an expert at something, hard work matters. Research suggests that it takes around 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become an expert in a particular field. We tend to focus on that part: the work. But there’s another essential piece we often overlook: deliberate rest.
What's in Your Feel Better Kit?
Because I write, doodle, and speak about productivity, you might assume I’m in a permanent state of productive flow: focused, energised, and ending each day with a clear to-do list. Let me reassure you: that’s not always the case.
Practice Makes Perfect (Including the Bad Stuff)
“Practice makes perfect” might not be a phrase I love (perfection isn’t the goal), but the core idea holds up. We improve at what we do often. The thing is, this works both ways.
The Importance of Positive Self-Talk
Positive self-talk... I know it sounds a bit woo-woo, but it matters.
Energy Accounting: An Energy Management Strategy
If your work involves leading or supporting others, you’ll know how much energy it takes. Some activities leave you feeling energised, while others drain your reserves.