Do Busy Right - The Task and Attention Management Podcast

Why Self-Improvement Should Be a Group Activity - DBR 100

Change is hard because we are habitual creatures. This episode explores how to leverage our powerful social nature to overcome the difficulty of self-improvement and achieve mastery. Getting better allows us to experience greater joy, agency, and efficiency, leading to less stress. Learn how to overcome cultural hurdles and utilize group dynamics for strong accountability, effective feedback, and deliberate practice. Overcoming Cultural Hurdles * The Cultural Fallacy: Our culture often worships "talent" and creates an illogical fallacy that admitting the need for improvement means admitting you are not very good. This prevents us from openly seeking to get better at externally important and visible activities. * Leveraging Social Nature: We must utilize our strong social instinct—a powerful force—to aid improvement. This means finding a group that is also committed to improving, making them less likely to use our efforts against us. Leveraging Social Accountability and Community * Accountability: Strong accountability is derived from our social nature, acting as motivation based on our instinct for approval, especially from those on the journey with us. Self-accountability is extremely difficult. * Seek and Accept Feedback: Establish people who will give you empirical feedback—an informal 360-degree review. We must learn not just how to give feedback, but how to receive it, giving others permission to observe and comment on our work. * Find Others on a Similar Journey: Create a community where people agree to be open and honest about new habits or skills they are trying to install. This honesty helps our brains become less defensive and provides tactical tips (e.g., using a kitchen timer instead of a phone for a workout). Improving Visibility and Observation * The Challenge of Self-Evaluation: It is very difficult to perform and evaluate your performance simultaneously. In the heat of the moment, the majority of your cognitive energy is focused on the content of the performance, leaving little room to observe mistakes or improper form. * Create "Game Film": Technology allows us to create our own "game film" (e.g., recording work or typing to count backspace usage). * Enlist Intentional Observation: Ask other people to be intentional observers. Group members can agree to watch each other, perhaps tracking a specific behavior like filler words during a presentation. Creating and Utilizing a Laboratory (Practice Environment) * The Need for a Lab: It's hard to get better when every activity is a "live fire exercise," as we push back to what was previously successful and are less likely to innovate due to fear. A laboratory is an environment intentionally set up for experiments. * Key Aspects of the Practice Facility: * Realism: The lab must resemble the actual performance environment. * Remove Barriers: Practice less when the environment is hard to set up. Configure gear so that only one button push is needed to start, or remove psychological barriers like using a headset so you don't annoy others. * Accountability for Utilization: External accountability is necessary for actually using the practice environment. * Utilize Coaching: Coaches are an efficiency tool that provides accountability, tips, shortcuts, and a curriculum. Always seek a coach who can articulate a plan for what you will learn. Paying for coaching turns improvement into an investment. Conclusion Because we are habitual creatures and change is hard, we must lean into external, social structures. The social instinct is key, providing the strong accountability and observation necessary for growth. By creating a dedicated, realistic practice "laboratory" and utilizing coaching, we can effectively engage in group self-improvement. All these things work together—the accountability, the observation, the dedicated environment, and the social nuance of shared effort. larry@dobusyright.com [larry@dobusyright.com]; linkedin.com/in/larrytribble [https://linkedin.com/in/larrytribble]

Cognitive Ergonomics for the Pain of Productivity Anxiety - DBR 099

Are you struggling with productivity anxiety—that feeling of drowning or running on a treadmill? You are not alone; 80% of workers report this struggle. This episode shifts the rhetoric away from self-blame, analyzing the underlying causes and symptoms of this pervasive problem. The solution is not treatment, but technique: a concept called Cognitive Ergonomics, which builds systems to support your attention and strengthen your cognition. The Pervasive Problem: Productivity Anxiety * Symptoms and Impact: Productivity anxiety often feels like drowning, being on a hamster wheel, or a treadmill where you are constantly speeding but not feeling like you are speeding up. The root word for anxiety means "choking". Under stress, we often respond emotionally rather than thinking things through rationally. * Cognitive Strain: Stress causes a lack of nuanced thought, leading to problems like all-or-nothing thinking, self-judgment, and catastrophizing. * Self-Perception: The strain leads to chronic dissatisfaction and feelings of inadequacy. This robs us of our agency because we feel incapable of dealing with the volume of information. This feeling is compounded when we perceive that other people do not appear to be suffering to the same degree, leading to guilt, shame, and comparison. This is not a personal failure, but an environmentally caused problem. The Causes: Technology and Culture Collision * Environmental Problem: The situation is a natural outgrowth of the technologies we have developed, married with the prevalent workplace culture. This is a collision of "convenience" technology and the prevailing "hustle culture". * Technology Misalignment: Almost all modern technology is concerned with convenience and speed, not supporting strong cognition. Faster communication is not equivalent to better quality or better volume. Our tools may, frankly, be making us "stupid". * Non-Actionable Information Load: The same cognitive asset we use for productive output is necessary to deal with all information. We are inundated with information that is not actionable for us, leading to claims on our attention that are simply beyond our mental ability to react effectively. * Workplace Culture: The culture presumes that environmental stress makes us more productive, which is the opposite of the reality. There is a cultural phenomenon that discourages contentment. The Solution: Techniques for Cognitive Ergonomics * The Need for Technique: The fundamental problem is that nobody is teaching us how to manage in this new environment. The solution lies in finding and implementing good techniques. * Applying Ergonomics to the Mind:Cognitive Ergonomics (or attention ergonomics) is about identifying and managing environmental factors that cause stress and inhibit our cognition. We should treat the constant, repetitive mental stress as similar to a physical Repetitive Stress Injury. * Benefits of Attention Management: Good attention management supports and prevents the hampering of cognitive work. It sharpens both fluid intelligence (imagination, rapid thinking) and crystallized intelligence (experience, wisdom, slower thinking). Conclusion We must stop ignoring the mental repetitive stress injury that the modern workplace imposes. The crucial element we are missing is technique. By employing the principles of attention ergonomics or mental ergonomics, we can manage this new environment and build systems that work for us, rather than constantly struggling to cope. This approach is the foundation upon which strong cognition—and therefore high performance in work and life—is built. The pursuit of cognitive ergonomics is the way to Do Busy Right. larry@dobusyright.com; [larry@dobusyright.com] www.linkedin.com/in/larrytribble [https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytribble]

The Art and Science of Focus for Knowledge Workers - DBR 098

In a world of constant distractions, our ability to focus is a skill under threat. This episode explores why mastering focus is not just about productivity but about doing our best work and leading a more thoughtful life. We'll delve into the modern crisis of attention, understand why our brains resist deep work, and learn actionable strategies to train your focus like a muscle. The Foundational Importance of Mental Clarity * Half the battle in focusing is clearing your mind. * This involves getting information out of your head and into a system where you can manage it. * A practical tactic is "parking downhill": when pausing a task, leave yourself a quick note about "what was next" to make it easy to restart. The Modern Crisis of Focus * The Reverse Flynn Effect suggests a reversal in the long-standing rise of IQ scores over the last 12 years, a period that correlates with the widespread use of mobile devices. This leads to the hypothesis that we are losing our ability to focus. * Evidence from math skills tests shows a high correlation between students who thoroughly complete demographic information and those who achieve higher test scores, suggesting that even basic math skills are a function of focus and persistence. * Our media consumption is trending toward shorter and shorter segments and rapid "cutscenes," which may hinder our ability to train for sustained focus. We are becoming a "soundbite culture". * Our brains are naturally wired to seek novelty, making sustained focus an uphill battle that must be trained. Practical Strategies for Cultivating Focus * Mindfulness: Even short periods (8-10 minutes) can be beneficial for building focus. * Reading: Reading is an excellent training ground for focus. * Savoring: Practice experiencing everyday tasks and enjoyable activities more deeply. * Managing Distractions: Actively work to prevent external interruptions and externalize internal thoughts so they don't clamor for attention. * Avoid Multitasking: Constantly switching your attention, like checking your phone during a movie, actively works against training focus. * Be Intentional: Make conscious choices about how you engage with information. Question whether your short-term curiosity is leading to the collection of trivial knowledge rather than deeper inquiry. Recognize that much of the information we consume is "junk food". Conclusion Just as we exercise our bodies, we must train our minds. Our modern information environment denies us the mental exercise necessary for sustained focus. By choosing to be intentional, savoring experiences, and pushing back against the constant pull of novelty, we can rebuild our capacity for focus and lead a richer, more productive life. larry@dobusyright.com [larry@dobusyright.com]; linkedin.com/in/larrytribble [https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytribble] I'd enjoy hearing from you.

Fables of Work: Hard Work #2 - Beyond the "Brute Force" Model - DBR 097

"Work hard" is common advice, but what does it really mean? This episode challenges the one-dimensional view of success and "hustle culture." It explores the limitations of the "brute force method" and deconstructs "hard work" into four distinct "flavors." By understanding these different kinds of challenges, you can critically evaluate your own career path, define your version of success, and choose the "pain" you are best suited to deal with. Challenging the "Brute Force" Model of Success * We often see narratives of seemingly successful people who advocate for the "brute force method," which involves sacrificing life for intense, long hours. * The entrepreneur Emil Barr, for example, is presented as someone who works 12.5 hours a day, 7 days a week, with little sleep, to become a billionaire by age 30. * However, there are multiple valid paths to success. Many people define success as a "quiet life" with financial comfort rather than immense wealth, a philosophy akin to the "millionaire next door." * Impatience, not virtue, often determines the difference between these models. Deconstructing "Hard Work": Four Distinct "Flavors" "Hard work" is an ambiguous term that lumps different types of challenges together. It's important to recognize that useful and valuable work is challenging, but it doesn't always have to be a "white-knuckle" grind. 1. Physically Demanding and Dangerous Work: This involves direct physical exertion and personal risk. Examples include military service, SEAL training, or being a firefighter or professional athlete. It requires overcoming fear, the use of physical skills, and the energy of the body. 2. Long Hours / Brute Force: The work itself may not be dangerous, but the sheer volume and duration of effort make it hard. The "Elon Musk model" of 10-12 hour days, 7 days a week, is a prime example. This is the "brute force" model of success, probably derived from #1 above. 3. Cognitively Hard Work: This involves creating new knowledge, solving complex problems with no clear answers, and pushing intellectual boundaries. Examples include computer programming, thought leadership, or inventing new concepts. This type of work is draining, but for some, it is not particularly painful. 4. Emotionally Hard Work: This involves navigating emotionally charged situations, often in leadership roles or careers such as therapy or pastoral work. It requires patience, strong communication, and the ability to endure frustration, such as a doctor facing grieving families. This work is emotionally draining, but perhaps less so for some than for others. These four types are all underpinned by the underlying qualities of grit and persistence. Success and flourishing requires these qualities. Maybe best to think of them as Choosing Your Own Challenge * What is "painful" for one person might not be for another, highlighting the individual nature of hard work. Some might, indeed, find the brute force method to be the right one for them. * What is most important to note is that the brute force method is not the only path. It is not even required, but is most likely simply a sign of impatience. * From the four types above, and perhaps others, we should choose the "flavor of pain" or struggle that we are best adapted to dealing with or find most acceptable. * Instead of searching for an elusive "passion," a more productive approach is to understand what challenges or flavors you are willing and able to embrace to a greater degree than others. * This understanding can help you navigate your career and life choices with greater clarity and purpose, moving beyond a simplistic and potentially damaging narrative of sacrificing everything for success. This is a core principle in enabling us to Do Busy Right.

What is Attention Compass and how will it help me? (Classic Episode) - DBR 096

What is Attention Compass and How will it help me? (Classic Episode) This is one of a series of posts that are going to discuss Attention Compass in detail. Attention Compass is my proprietary tool and workflow to put you in control of your information and attention - making you a better more confident knowledge worker and reducing your stress over your productivity. I think many people are struggling with the problem(s) that Attention Compass solves – overwhelm, associated stress, and fear that things are falling through the cracks. If that's you, I want to serve you as best I can. So, I'll tell you how to implement your own Attention Compass. If you try to do it and struggle, give me a call and I'll help you get it fixed. We'll start with some assumptions that explain why Attention Compass is built the way it is. This will help you make decisions about how you want to use your Attention Compass. It should also help you figure out more about why you want to have an Attention Compass. Underlying assumptions * There are more than we could ever… * There are more things to do than we could ever get done * There are more things to know than we could ever learn * This makes us fear forgetting/losing/missing something * This fear is low-level, continually stressful for us * Our memories are unreliable as to time, particularly in the future * We know this so we create artifacts and systems, but our brains don't trust them * Misusing the 'workbench', the productive asset, our mind/brain * That means we need to get things off our mind Implications * More than we can look at and more than we can get done = a ton of stuff * This means that we have to store it in a system * Task management * We get paid on delivering artifacts and we call the work to do so 'tasks'; tasks need to be first-class citizens in our information management system; a task is just a specific kind of information * Managing 'time' vs. managing 'attention' Properties of the system * Electronic is best, mostly because it'll be a lot of stuff * And we need to use a backlog (metaphor) to store it * What a backlog is * Backlog justification (vs. PMI 'calendar' and WBS) * And we have to make and track postponement decisions * When we say we're 'not doing' something, we're usually postponing; these decisions need to be tracked * About Attention Compass * So, these things mean that you need a personal Information Management System; Attention Compass is precisely that The four workflows (most frequent to least) * Capture * Observing the internal and external worlds * Capture is semi-continuous, event-driven * Processing * Turn it in to want it is and put it where it belongs * Daily review * Don't have to make a to-do list, just pull from the backlog * Validate against other commitments * Weekly Review – the bigger picture * Maximum clarity and control So what? Now you understand some of the ideas of Attention Compass. Pick one and work to implement it in your life - tracking your postponement decisions is a good example. You can go to my website for instructions on how to make a physical system (called a "tickler file") that will put you in complete control of your postponements. As you create this habit, you will begin to see a new clarity and confidence about your tasks and attention management. This should encourage you to continue your efforts to improve in this critical area of your knowledge work life. larry@dobusyright.com [larry@dobusyright.com] or www.linkedin.com/in/larrytribble [https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytribble]