Author Archives: Michael Schechter

A Balance of Concepts and Tactics

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Michael Schechter • 0 Comments

When I look at my own attempts to improve, there are two things that have made all the difference in my ability to do better work: concepts that help me understand my work and tactics that help me do it.

For too long, I’d focus on one or the other and the impact on the way I work was insufficient. As I continue to improve, I’ve come to value the relationship between “how” and “why” we go about achieving our ambitions.

For those looking to get a better sense of both the concepts and the tactics that can help, today is a good day. Two very smart friends are introducing projects; one offers an in depth look at the concept of mastery over how we work and another shares actionable tactics in many of the key areas of productivity.

Workflow by Kourosh Dini

It’s rare that logic and beauty can occupy the same space, it’s especially rare that this would happen in a productivity book. Workflow is a unique book. It speaks to the concepts far more than the tactics (although there are plenty of useful takeaways that will improve the way you work). It looks to infuse meaning and offer a better understanding of ideas that have lost their very definitions in an age of quick fixes.

It’s very much a textbook of self-mastery. It is meant to be read slowly and carefully. It’s accessible for a novice audience, but is targeted for those who want to take a deep dive into the concepts of productivity, creativity, workflow and mastery.

Workflow is available throughout May for $30 and will double in price starting in June. This 500+ piece masterwork is well worth its full price, but you should seriously consider getting it now at the introductory pricing.

For more information, be on the lookout for a more comprehensive review of Workflow over at Workflowing.

The Productivityist Workbook by Mike Vardy

Just as Workflow is aimed at those looking to study the subject, The Productivityist Workbook focuses more on the immediate challenges that keep people from accomplishing their goals. In this easily accessible workbook, Mike Vardy offers tactics that will help you do a better job of dealing with email, task, time and idea management. This book is meant to be ready quickly and you can start implementing the tactics in it right away. It offers insights and methods that will benefit those looking for a 101 introduction to several key areas of personal productivity.

The Productivityist Workbook is available today for $5.

I’m a biased fan of both Kourosh Dini and Mike Vardy, but I believe their latest projects – especially the complementary balance of concepts and tactics between them – will prove helpful to anyone struggling to do a better job of approaching their work and life.

Filed Under: Creativity, Productivity

My BitQuill Interview

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Michael Schechter • 4 Comments

Yours truly on what’s changed in my life because of this site:

This may sound like hyperbole (and probably is), but I’m a different person for this experience. Or at least a far better version. I know myself better; I do more to mitigate my many, many shortcomings; I have a far better sense of what I want from the world and have developed a few of the skills needed to actualize those ambitions.

[…]

Don’t get me wrong, I still have a ways to go. There are far too many days where I tip more towards the “mess” than the “better,” but more than any other time in my life, I feel as if my life is moving in the right direction.

You can read the rest of the interview here.

Related side note: never, ever follow Pat Dryburgh in an interview series.

Filed Under: Productivity, Self-Improvement

The Three Things #31

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Michael Schechter • 1 Comment

The Three Things, is a weekly series where Gini Dietrich from Spin Sucks, Howie Goldfarb and I share the one thing that captured our attention and that we believe to be worthy of yours.

Workin’ By Jason Rehmus

Michael on Career Paths: So often we think we can decide what we want to do, and then do our best to try and turn that fantasy into a reality. I have spent much of my life attempting to do exactly that. As I get older, I tend to see it more as a path than a destination. I also believe the destination we’re heading towards early on is rarely the one we reach (or would even want to reach).

I’ve been fortunate to watch my friend Jason Rehmus’ career unfold during the past few years. I watched from afar as he set his sites on a career goal, achieved it, but then decided to keep moving along his path. With his new newsletter we’re all fortunate to get to look at where his career path – which somehow manages to seem both unique and familiar – has led and where it’s about to go.

Notes from the Frontline of the War in Cyberspace

Howie on Information and Hacking: Amazing article. Some of the best quotes ever, such as ‘you can’t arrest an idea.’ There will always be a battle between those who create and want to protect what they created, and those who want access to those creations to set them free. This article has great insights into the hacking culture and data/content wars.

Twenty Things I Wish I’d Know When I Was 30

Gini on Perspective…Again: I am quickly becoming a big fan of the writing of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and this article is no exception. We’re talking about a man who, by the time he was 30, achieves more than most of us do in a lifetime. And yet…he says he wants to climb into a time machine and go back and shake his 30-year-old self. There are a few of themes in it: Get as close as you can to your family, learn how to do things yourself, and stop being so shy. You’ll read this and smile a few times, but it’ll also make your heart hurt a little bit. This man, while a great basketball player, seems to be an even greater intellect.

Be sure to subscribe for free by Email or RSS to automatically receive future editions of The Three Things series and more from A Better Mess.

Filed Under: Self-Improvement

The Hunt For A New RSS Reader

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Michael Schechter • 0 Comments

I’ve received a few questions about what I plan to use as a replacement for Google Reader. While I still believe that it is too early to pick an alternative, I’m starting to consider my options.

Rather than continually post on the subject, Mike Vardy and I have setup a “Running List” post over at Workflowing. We will continue to update this with what we believe to be the best options as well as the direction we’re both leaning and why.

There’s still time before the July 1st shutdown of Google Reader, but RSS plays a vital role in how both Vardy and I read the web. We’re anxious to choose an alternative, but at the moment we’re going to sit tight and keep an eye on how our options evolve. If you’re starting to consider your options as well, we’d welcome your feedback.

Filed Under: Productivity

Getting My Workflowing

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Michael Schechter • 0 Comments

For far too long, I’ve wanted to align more of the work I’m doing. This is especially true of what I create for the web. At the moment, I write for this site, I co-host a podcast with Mike Vardy and collaborate with him on a newsletter (and since that isn’t enough, we also have a second podcast associated with said newsletter). In theory, each project has an identity of its own, one that needs to be nurtured. In reality none of these identities are being managed particularly well.

All Over The Place

I’m spread too thin, this holds true for much of my life, but it’s especially true on the web. It’s a mess of my own making and it’s one I need to start cleaning up. I’m taking the first step towards bringing more of my work together; I’m also not doing it alone. Today Mike Vardy and I are introducing Workflowing.

What is Workflowing? I encourage you to check it out for a deeper look at why we wanted to create this and what we intend to do, but at its core it’s a site that aims to do a better job at helping people to actually do better.

Darn You Patrick Rhone

While we are introducing Workflowing today, we’re not officially “launching” it until later this summer. Rather than working in private, we plan to continue to develop the project in public. Those who have listened to the latest Mikes on Mics episode know that I’m somewhat obsessed (read: very obsessed) with Patrick’s recent launch of Minimal Guides. In the span of a week he took a question on App.net and turned it into the first in a series of guides.

He also did much of the work in public, which helped shape and improve the end result. He worked hard, he worked out in the open, he encouraged feedback and, in the span of a week, turned his idea into something tangible. It’s a project that continues to improve as we speak. We’ve been inspired to follow Patrick’s lead. There’s still a lot to be done, but Workflowing is no longer just an idea; it’s something that exists and will now continue to evolve. We hope you’ll follow along.

So… What Does This Mean For A Better Mess?

As of today, not much. If you’ve noticed, I haven’t been writing a ton of “how to” posts. It wasn’t intentional at first, but I’ve already been changing this over to a slightly more personal site (or at least focusing more on the personal aspects of my own attempts at self-improvement). A Better Mess is not going away; it is however becoming a Workflowing project. One that I’m very proud of and passionate about. It will continue to remain as active as ever. Some things will make their way over to Workflowing, but if you enjoy the site today, I expect you’ll enjoy it tomorrow.

And What About The Rest Of Your Projects?

For the time being, we’re looking at Workflowing as an umbrella for all of the work that Mike Vardy and I create. It will also serve as a place to share the work that helps and inspires us. Over time, things may change, but as of today A Better Mess, Vardy’s Productivityist and Mikes on Mics will continue.

Rather than maintaining separate social media accounts for each project, everything will now be shared and promoted under Workflowing. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, ADN and Google+ (that last one was Vardy’s idea). To help things along and help align things we will be shutting down Mike Techniques in favor of focusing our energies on making Workflowing the best that it can possibly be. Subscribers should have already received an email from us explaining what comes next.

We have big plans for Workflowing. I encourage you to check it out and see if what we’re working on has the potential to help you do better.

Filed Under: Productivity, Self-Improvement

I Feel Great…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Michael Schechter • 1 Comment

Confidence is a funny thing. Most of the time when we think we have it, we don’t. I’ve been feeling confident lately. This worries me. It feels good, but it doesn’t feel right. 

No matter how excited I might be about an idea, confidence only comes when I manage to align my energy, potential and skills with an outcome. Until there’s a clear plan, it’s all just bravado. 

There’s nothing wrong with that; bravado is what happens when you allow yourself to believe that you can do something. Confidence comes from doing the work needed to figure out how. I don’t discount the first stage but it doesn’t matter much without the second. 

The truth is that I know. I may not say it to anyone, I may not even be able to admit it to myself, but I know when my confidence is real and when I’m still just trying to pump myself up. The problem is that I often try to see just how far my bravado can take me. I let myself believe that – if I work hard enough – I can will my way to the objective.

I even have some experience to back this up. I mean, I’ve pulled off my fair share of last minute sprints and all nighters in my day. I’ve accomplished more than we thought was possible when the pressure was on. It’s possible, but it’s almost always temporary. It’s a short-term mentality that derails almost any long-term ambition. 

Anyone can sprint, only the prepared can run a marathon. Bravado burns out. Confidence lasts. 

I have a few big rocks that I’m trying to smash – I even think I have the skills to make that happen – but something is off. I’m doing work, but it’s all over the place. I’ve been getting myself ready, I’ve been building up that early bravado and using it to make progress. That’s fine, but it’s not going I get me where I want to go. 

When you feeling confident, you’re probably not. When you’re too busy working on and executing your plan to even think about this, you most certainly are.

Excuse me, I think I have some planning to do…

Note: This post was written late last week before a very thorough review and a few days of targeted cleanup. It’s amazing how – even in a matter of days – having a process for clarifying your plans and clearing your head can get you out of the weeds and back on the right path.

Filed Under: Self-Improvement

The Three Things #30

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Michael Schechter • 0 Comments

The Three Things, is a weekly series where Gini Dietrich from Spin Sucks, Howie Goldfarb and I share the one thing that captured our attention and that we believe to be worthy of yours.

Why I stopped caring about the numbers — 512 Pixels

Michael on Success: All too often, we’re so obsessed with how we’re doing we tend to forget to focus on the work. We fall into a rhythm where all that matters is the stats. Instead of doing the work we’re meant to do, we do what we see is working. We water ourselves down hoping for one more link or one new subscriber. I’m as guilty of this as the next person, but thankfully this week Myke Hurley was here to remind me (and all of us) what matters most. It’s not how many people you can reach but how much you care about those you do. A great post and a great reminder.

Clean, Safe and it Drives Itself

Howie on the Future of Cars: I can’t wait for a car I can sleep in while it drives or makes pancakes or martinis. One that never crashes and reduces traffic. Oh wait. I live in a town where there are no traffic lights or interstates or even double-lane roads. I’m really just excited to not have to drive.

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Gini on Perspective: While I was on vacation, I finished reading The Stand (finally), read Dark Places, and read We Need to Talk About Kevin. The story is about a mother who sees all sorts of sociopathic tendencies in her son, starting as early as birth when he refuses to nurse, through high school when he pours Liquid Drano in his sister’s eye. He goes on to kill several kids, a teacher, and a janitor after school one day and the book deals with the aftermath, from his mom’s perspective. Written as letters to her husband – Kevin’s dad – it’s a compelling look into how a family of a murderer has to deal with society scorn. I finished it as the manhunt for the second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings was coming to an end and it left me haunted. I highly, highly recommend it, if only to give you a different perspective on the human beings who are supposed to love these kinds of people.

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Filed Under: Social Media, Technology