Exploring Productivity Through Systems Thinking and New Tools
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Chapter 1: The Impact of Thinking Styles on Productivity
Today, I want to delve into the interplay between various thinking styles—linear, design, and systems—and their effects on productivity. Additionally, I'll introduce you to a new Markdown editor that offers online publishing at a fraction of the cost of Obsidian Publish, alongside a clipboard manager designed for graphics.
Which thinking approach—linear, design, or systems—most significantly enhances your productivity? The answer can vary based on individual perspectives.
Linear thinking emphasizes critical logical steps, while design thinking focuses on creating tailored functionalities that are also aesthetically pleasing. Systems thinking, on the other hand, provides a broader view, illustrating how different components interact and influence one another within a larger context.
I find the article by Houda Boulahbel particularly insightful, as it argues for a balance among these three approaches. Relying solely on linear thinking may lead to an obsession with minor details, causing one to overlook the bigger picture. Conversely, focusing only on design thinking might result in crafting visually appealing solutions to misidentified problems, or worse, solutions that exacerbate issues in the long term. Finally, an exclusive commitment to systems thinking can cause paralysis by analysis, where the abundance of possibilities prevents any action.
— Houda Boulahbel
In my own experience, I have applied this balance to the creation of a plain text productivity system. Linear thinking manifests in hierarchical outlining, design thinking informs typographical choices and the functional interlinking of notes, and systems thinking considers how a collection of notes affects interactions with others and various document formats across different environments.
As someone who regularly makes digital notes, your effectiveness often hinges on how well you balance these three areas.
Section 1.1: Enhancing Productivity with Clipboard Utilities
When it comes to clipboard utilities, many options exist, but few can manage graphics effectively. Tools like Paste keep a variety of graphics—from screenshots to icons—at your fingertips. This allows me to copy multiple elements separately and access them in any order, eliminating the need to revisit the original source.
You can find Paste as part of a Setapp subscription (affiliate link).
Subsection 1.1.1: The Generosity Factor in Productivity
As we approach the end of the year, let’s redefine productivity to encompass actions that boost your well-being, enabling you to accomplish more in less time. Here are three generosity-driven ideas that I particularly appreciate:
- Compliment three strangers: a child, a peer, and an elder, focusing on their inner qualities and skills rather than physical attributes. For example, say, “You’re fantastic at riding that tricycle!” or “Your voice is incredibly soothing; I could listen to you all day.”
- Encourage a teenager: “You are so intelligent. I can’t wait to see who you become, and I admire who you are right now.”
- Set and uphold a boundary. For instance, you could say, “I don’t work weekends,” or “I’m unavailable for meetings for the next two weeks.” By enforcing your boundaries, you inspire others to do the same.
— Alexandra Franze
Chapter 2: Introducing Acreom - A New Markdown Editor
Acreom has emerged as a local-first Markdown editor for developers, offering optional web access through a cloud vault and mobile applications. While I’m not a developer, the prospect of another app for managing Markdown files is exciting!
Here's what Acreom offers:
- A lightweight yet powerful Markdown editor that allows for easy organization and executable knowledge bases.
- A "capture-first, organize-later" interface.
- Local-first functionality, deeply integrated with development tools.
- Community-driven, open-source, and extensible with high-quality plugins that any third-party engineer can create.
- IDE-like support to ease organizational burdens.
From my initial exploration, it appears that Acreom’s standout feature is its calendar integration and an online publishing option that costs less than half of Obsidian’s service. I’m curious to see how their publishing service compares to Obsidian-centric options like Flowershow.
Section 2.1: Monthly Log Reflections
This week, I made no changes to my monthly log setup, which is a positive sign that my system performs well even under pressure. Although I'm known for frequently adjusting systems, especially during hectic times, I find comfort in stability.
Nonetheless, refining plain text task management remains essential, particularly as the number of tasks increases and priorities shift. While I'm currently satisfied with my system, I foresee situations that may necessitate a different approach.
The Plain Text, Paper-Less Productivity Digest aims to explore productivity through a sustainable, plain text perspective, with an appreciation for the essential paper that counts. You can find past episodes in my PTPL List.
For additional insights on Obsidian, click here.
Feel free to download some free productivity resources, including an Obsidian Planner demo vault, from my Gumroad store.
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