Category: productivity

Using the four tendencies in real life

I started using Gretchen Rubin’s framework on the four tendencies a couple of months back, first with my team members. It has been transformative for my 1:1s, taking a lot of stress out of the interactions. Knowing what motivates them (and me) has brought clarity: clarity that I’ve channelled into more effective communication - and patience. This is how I apply it in my day-to-day (and why I tend to ask everyone around me to take the quiz).

Does your agenda allow you to THINK?

Since moving into a leads role at Automattic, my responsibilities have changed quite a bit. Where previously I focussed on direct customer interactions (and some quality assurance), my primary concern is now my team and the division. This beckons the question: how do I organize my day? And what should I be doing? This very question was part of my most recent coaching conversation

How to learn all those crucial skills

Ever wondered HOW you are supposed to learn all those live-changing crucial skills recommended by all those gurus? Let me share some pragmatic experiments that should get you started.

My Colemak Experience

After 4 years debating with myself, I have finally switched to Colemak. This is my experience.

My office Setup

Working from home means you can set up your office environment as eccentric or normal as you wish. This is how I did it.

Birthday Reminder Shenanigans

Receiving a postcard is a trigger of happiness for many people, and for me writing them is a source of joy in itself. If only I could remember everybody’s birthday ahead of time!

How to reduce stress in the long run

Very often we get trapped between urgent tasks and looming dead lines, without being able to concentrate duly on one task only. And with so much stress, creativity and motivation are the first to die. However, there is a simple trick how you can get out of this daily rat race, by remembering Parkinson's Law, … Continue reading How to reduce stress in the long run →