#3 is something I never do. I get these creative urges and I try something. I get frustrated when it gets difficult and retreat to something safer. I spend so much time doing jack shit because I'm overwhelmed by tasks that drain me, and I never take the time to keep those tasks in check. Prime example: I used AI to create a crib sheet for a class I'm teaching. 5 minutes of refinement and the content was perfect. Then I fucked about with the colours and fonts for over an hour in an effort to make it more engaging. Obsessing over the gaps between boxes without ever questioning whether this was worthwhile.
It is the unexpected information, the unexpected piece of work that is most valuable, because everything else can be automated. When busy, we are focused on volume, on efficiency. When busy, we are actively looking to avoid the unexpected.
I've always long thought that busy ≠ productive. It's better to be laser focused on relevant things in spurts than being busy.
Reading this newsletter (and the long high agency article[s] on your website) has got me closer to becoming a high agency individual despite having a few traits already!
I don’t get tattoos. But if I did, I’d get #10
I don’t get tattoos of comments, but if I did…
#3 is something I never do. I get these creative urges and I try something. I get frustrated when it gets difficult and retreat to something safer. I spend so much time doing jack shit because I'm overwhelmed by tasks that drain me, and I never take the time to keep those tasks in check. Prime example: I used AI to create a crib sheet for a class I'm teaching. 5 minutes of refinement and the content was perfect. Then I fucked about with the colours and fonts for over an hour in an effort to make it more engaging. Obsessing over the gaps between boxes without ever questioning whether this was worthwhile.
I feel ya. At least you’re self aware. No need to be so harsh on yourself
It is the unexpected information, the unexpected piece of work that is most valuable, because everything else can be automated. When busy, we are focused on volume, on efficiency. When busy, we are actively looking to avoid the unexpected.
#3 and #4 are the most powerful ones for me. We knew them intuitively, but reading those points stated so clearly is really a wake-up call.
I've always long thought that busy ≠ productive. It's better to be laser focused on relevant things in spurts than being busy.
Reading this newsletter (and the long high agency article[s] on your website) has got me closer to becoming a high agency individual despite having a few traits already!
❤️
This is a great teardown of the “busy = virtue” spell.
Busy isn’t a badge. It’s often a symptom of missing leverage + missing priority clarity. The energy razor alone is worth rereading.
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” - Abraham Lincoln.
The tragedy isn’t that people don’t work hard. It’s that they never stop swinging long enough to ask if the blade is blunt…
Truth.