My general opinion about productivity apps, tools, and resources is this: It doesn’t matter. I say that because most people hide behind their apps. We’re always looking for the ONE app that will turn us into a productivity monster.
Or we believe that tools or other resources will help us do better work. YouTuber and filmmaker Casey Neistat makes this point very clear, he says:
“The gear never matters. Tell a great story really well, and people will forgive whatever gear you shoot it on.”
Friends, family, and readers often ask me what made me decide to do what I do now. And to be honest, I wish I could give people a straightforward answer.
But I don’t have an explanation for how I found my calling, passion, meaning, or whatever you want to call it.
The closest I got was: Just try a lot of things, step outside of your comfort zone, and see what happens.
It’s an honest answer. I’m never afraid to say “I don’t know,” when people ask me a question. I think people often feel the urge to give an answer when someone asks them a question.
Let’s be real for a second. How often do your mood and confidence depend on the number of likes you get on Facebook, Twitter, or any other place that has social currency?
Sadly, many of us trade social currency for confidence. Sounds like a pretty good deal, right? I’ll like your dog pictures on Facebook. And you like my cool new profile picture with sunglasses while I’m looking away from the camera.
There’s one downside this exchange. It’s FAKE. And you know it!
Nothing annoys me more than the loss of time.
When I feel like I’m wasting my time on useless activities, doing meaningless things, or when I’m spending time with negative people, I get frustrated.
When it comes to time, I agree with what Darwin once said:
“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
But I’ve found that an obsession with time can put unnecessary pressure on yourself. I see it a lot with ambitious people—anyone who wants to get the most out of life.
They feel like they have to use every single minute of life. Things have to happen: Quick, quick, now, now.