The Best Articles in Productivity
The most useful articles and videos in Productivity from around the web—beginners to advanced—curated by thought leaders and our community. We focus on timeless pieces and update the list whenever we discover new, must-read articles or videos—make sure to bookmark and revisit this page.
Top 5 Productivity Articles
At a glance: these are the articles that have been most read, shared, and saved in Productivity by Refind users in 2023 so far.
Videos
Watch a video to get a quick overview.
I learned a system for remembering everything
Go to https://squarespace.com/mattdavella to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MATTDAVELLA. Thanks to Squarespace for sponso...
How to Get Ahead of 99% of People (Starting Today)
This is what nobody tells you about success.In this video, you’ll learn one trick that could make you more successful than 99% of people. It's not what you t...
CLARITY Is POWER: Yuval Noah Harari
Ultra-athlete Rich Roll talks with bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari about the most pressing issues currently facing mankind. For more, go here👉🏾http://...
How to manage your time more effectively (according to machines)
Human beings and computers alike share the challenge of how to get as much done as possible in a limited time. Over the last fifty or so years, computer scientists have learned a lot of good…
Dan Shipper: The unexpected key to boosting your productivity
Ever wished you could stop procrastinating and just be as efficient as a machine? Since you're a human, that's not going to happen -- but that's OK, says entrepreneur Dan Shipper. Here's how you can…
What is ...?
New to Productivity? These articles make an excellent introduction.
How to Learn Anything: A Beginner's Guide to Ultralearning
Learn how to learn anything using the Ultralearning method, and set yourself up for success with our Ultralearning Template for Notion.
«Feedback is simply the process of comparing your results with the desired results. It sounds easy in theory — but can actually be quite hard.»
What is underneath productivity?
I’ve been obsessing about productivity for a long time. I used to spend a lot of time thinking about tools for thought and second brains. But these days, I spend most of my time thinking about…
«When you go deeper into the stack you realize this: in order to be productive, you need to have an end toward which you are working. You also need to have a means or a strategy to get there.»
What Is Decision Fatigue And How To Combat It
Are you struggling to make good decisions? Adopt these strategies to overcome decision fatigue and start making the right choices.
«block scheduling is the practice of allocating large chunks of time to related tasks. For example, you might designate Mondays for meetings and Tuesdays for strategy.»
What Is Procrastination? How To Identify & Stop This Destructive Habit
Welcome to this procrastination guide. You'll learn what procrastination is. In this guide, I also share tested and proven ways to beat it.
How to ...?
How to conquer digital distractions
Digital distractions are all around us. Here's how to combat them so you can stay focused and productive at work.
«Users were gambling every time they shared a photo, web link, or status update,»
How to Have a Powerfully Effective Day
By Leo Babauta A lot of people I talk to are unhappy with their ability to get stuff done in their lives. They feel they’re wasting a lot of time, never really getting anything important done. What I…
«Wonder — how can I see wonder in everythingCuriosity — how can I learn something from every moment?Love — how can I bring love into everything I do?Aliveness — how can I feel lit up about my life?»
How To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done
How do we get motivated? The latest research has secrets that can help us get going and get things done even when we don't feel like it...
How to Break the Perfectionism-Procrastination Loop
Are you dealing with problems related to procrastination and perfectionism? Learn about the perfectionism-procrastination loop and how to break it.
«I think you could substitute the word “unrealistic” for the word “vague,” and you’d have a more accurate assessment of the problem.»
How to switch from Notion to Obsidian
Are you thinking of switching from Notion to Obsidian? As a rule of thumb when choosing a note-taking app, Notion tends to better suit architects, while Obsidian suits gardeners better. If you feel…
Trending
These links are currently making the rounds in Productivity on Refind.
Paying Attention
Sherlock Holmes says in the book, The Study of Scarlet: I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes…
The Paradox of Tolerance
What we can learn from Karl Popper's Paradox of Tolerance, and what we must all do to practice tolerance.
The Fine Balance between Short-Term & Long-Term Planning
As humans, we're constantly trying to optimise for success and make the most of our time. But have you ever stopped to consider the role that time itself plays in our actions and decisions? I’d…
«The barbell approach to risk management, proposed by economist and philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb, involves taking on two extreme positions – one with a low level of risk and one with a high level of risk – rather than a moderate position with a medium level of risk.»
Be All In: Unlock Your Full Power
By Leo Babauta One of the things that really humbled me in recent years is the realization that I am often only halfway in on anything I do. I’m rarely ever really all in. For example, I might join a…
«Even when you feel like giving up, you don’t give yourself the option.»
How to Take Better Breaks at Work, According to Research
Taking periodic work breaks throughout the day can boost well-being and performance, but far too few of us take them regularly — or take the most effective types. A systematic review of more than 80…
Short Articles
Short on time? Check out these useful short articles in Productivity—all under 10 minutes.
Why we wait: Understanding the emotions behind procrastination
Procrastination is your body and your brain trying to communicate a state of emotional struggle. Ignoring that message leads to more negative emotions, but embracing procrastination and trying to…
«consider each emotion in the model to identify whether you’re procrastinating because the task is difficult, unclear, scary or tedious»
Time is emphasis: planning your calendar as a leader
ICYMI we are launching a pilot where we partner with a limited number of companies to place fractional execs in the Operations and People roles. If you or someone you know needs interim help, you can…
The Neuroscience of Achieving Your Goals
Eight Specific, Actionable, Science-Backed Strategies
«Before you go about tackling the big goal for the day, pick two or three small tasks to complete — organize your desk, water the plants, do the dishes, whatever. Those little successes grease the brain with adrenaline and motivates the bigger work to come.»
How Your Attention Shapes Your Life
Attention is a powerful force. It shapes your thoughts, actions, and even your identity. In her book Rapt, Winifred Gallagher delves into the crucial role of attention in living a fulfilling life.…
When You Are Your Own Worst Enemy
What a simple and profound thought about the nature of boredom and self-awareness can teach us about ourselves
«Self-consciousness makes us more insecure and anxious because it attempts to hold our inner life to some arbitrary standard created by our outer»
Long Articles
These are some of the most-read long-form articles in Productivity.
One Question to Ask Yourself to Know Your Future
The German writer and philosopher Goethe believed he could predict someone’s future based on one simple fact. “If I know how you spend your time,” he wrote, “then I know what might become of you.”…
«But here’s the thing: Your life in the future isn’t going to look the way you want it to unless you take control of your time and attention.»
Overstimulation is Ruining Your life
Breaking free from the cycle of overstimulation and reclaiming your focus and productivity
Why Micro Habits Are Better Than Typical Habits
Unlike typical habits - the ones you start and abandon after a while. Micro habits have the potential to change your life for good. See how...
«In the age of consumerism. The default action of a person is to – wait for it – consume stuff. Not only new clothes. New tech stuff. But also content related to getting something new»
Persistent Stress: What Every Productive Worker Needs to Know
Most people love a challenge—and the jolt of stress that comes with it. But persistent stress at work? Here's how to eliminate it.
16 productivity systems to help you work smarter, not harder
There's something for everyone in these 16 productivity systems, designed to help you regain focus, eliminate distractions, build habits, and more.
«Must, should, could, won't or Moscow method»
Thought Leaders
We monitor hundreds of thought leaders, influencers, and newsletters in Productivity, including:
Derek Sivers
See http://sive.rs for all about me. Newest book “HOW TO LIVE: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion” at http://sive.rs/h
Mark Manson
3x #1 NYTimes bestselling author. Best known for F-Bombs and uncomfortable truths. Giving life advice that doesn't suck since 2008.
Tim Ferriss
Author of 5 #1 NYT/WSJ bestsellers, early-stage investor (http://angel.co/tim), Tim Ferriss Show podcast (900M+ downloads), founder of http://saiseifoundation.org
Leo Babauta
Creator of Zen Habits. Training in uncertainty. Zen student, vegan, dad, husband.
Publications
We monitor hundreds of publications, blogs, newsletters, and news sources in Productivity, including:
Ness Labs
The learning community for ambitious knowledge workers. Join us to think better, learn faster, and work happier: http://nesslabs.com/membership 🧠✨
LifeHack
LifeHack helps busy people get the most out of their lives in the shortest amount of time, through actionable, step-by-step systems that multiply results.
Nir Eyal
Bestselling author of "Hooked" and "Indistractable"
Mark Manson
3x #1 NYTimes bestselling author. Best known for F-Bombs and uncomfortable truths. Giving life advice that doesn't suck since 2008.
Leo Babauta
Creator of Zen Habits. Training in uncertainty. Zen student, vegan, dad, husband.
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