When we’re stuck creatively, productively or intellectually, we often tend to frame the problem as a lack of ideas, discipline, or motivation. So we try to push, to think harder, or to optimize our tools and systems. But “stuckness” is rarely a thinking problem. It’s a nervous system state, which can be regulated much more … Read More
Most advice about consistency sounds the same: try harder, be more disciplined, push through resistance. Discipline is often seen as the difference between people who succeed and people who don’t. And if you fall off, the explanation is usually moralized: not enough willpower, lack of grit, laziness. But people don’t fail because they don’t try … Read More
You’ve probably said it or heard it: “I work better under pressure.” It feels true because when the deadline looms, your brain kicks into overdrive. That last-minute rush can feel productive (even thrilling!) but it’s not increased performance. It’s rushed performance to compensate for weeks of avoidance and inaction. Procrastinating then rushing to finish a … Read More
In 2008, Spotify set the ambitious vision to create a legal music streaming service that could compete with piracy. Their initial strategy was clear-cut: secure licensing deals with major record labels, build a robust platform, and acquire users. But the path that led to their current 626 million active users was anything but straight. They … Read More
From product launches to project management, I’m obsessed with checklists. And I’m not the only one. Systemic complexity means that we cannot rely on our memory alone to know what to do and when to know it. Checklists are a powerful tool allowing us to unload some of the cognitive stress of living our lives … Read More
Have you ever been so deeply immersed in a creative activity—writing, designing, coding, or even brainstorming—that time seemed to disappear, and the world around you faded away? This state is known as being in the zone or getting in the flow. Those expressions are often used about athletes performing at their peak, with all their … Read More
Back in 2018, I spent weeks learning everything about rare teas to start a new business; I studied every resource I could find, saved them in a folder, took copious notes, and then… Nothing. When it was time to take the first real step, I hesitated. The hesitation turned into procrastination, endlessly tweaking and perfecting … Read More
Help your colleague fix a bug, remind the sales team to follow up with a prospect, write a detailed brief for the marketing intern, share a list of healthy recipes with your spouse, plan out a fun day for you and your friend this weekend… If your to-do list looks like this, you may be … Read More
Stephen King didn’t become a bestselling author by reading about writing—he became one by writing every single day. The same applies to many successful people across various fields. They didn’t just gather information—they took deliberate action, committing to daily practice that helped them refine their skills. Yet, so many of us continue to endlessly collect … Read More
Following a recent essay by Paul Graham, everyone has been talking about Founder Mode (running the business with a hands-on approach at all levels) versus Manager Mode (delegating responsibilities to direct reports). The former is motivated by a deep personal connection to the mission of the company, the latter by the need for structured operational … Read More