Science keeps telling everyone that multitasking is bad.1 When you multitask, it takes a toll on your productivity.2 Switching between two different technologies (like watching TV while posting on social media) can negatively affect your long-term and working memory.3 But people still do it. Research even found out why: Multitaskers feel that they’re getting more things done, even if multitasking has little positive correlation to their effectiveness.4 I get why we have the urge to multitask. We want to make the most of our 24 hours. We want to get more things done in less time. If you’re rea ..read more

Writing is one of the most powerful tools, one that can transform your life in unimaginable ways. But how do you start a writing habit that sticks? It can be an outlet for your thoughts and emotions, a means to articulate your ideas, and the vehicle that leads to personal and professional growth. But the secret to reaping these benefits lies not in the act of writing itself, but in making it a daily habit. Consistent, daily writing can sharpen your thoughts, enhance your creativity, and give you a profound sense of accomplishment. But starting a writing habit can be daunting. It doesn’t have ..read more

Productivity does not equal busyness. This is the most important realization that I had in my career. Once I understood the true definition of productivity, I didn’t only accomplish more, I also felt happier. I must tell you that my happiness, wealth, and health all improved once I focused on one thing: Improving my productivity. The moment I finally figured out how to achieve a goal in the most effective way (which is what productivity is about), I started making meaningful progress in my life. And this is what I think is the most important thing in life: Making meaningful progress. If you w ..read more

Every time you hit snooze on your alarm, ignore your calendar reminder, skip the gym, don’t go to the supermarket while your fridge is empty, and so forth — you become one of the many procrastinators who can’t get things done. That’s because you’re making a decision to NOT do what you should be doing. William James said it best: ”When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that in itself is a choice.” We all know that we should pay the bills, follow our dreams, and improve ourselves. Yet, we delay those things like chronic procrastinators. If you’re one of us, I have two powerful word ..read more

I used to think that consistency was about perfection. “If I can’t be perfect it’s just a waste of time,” I would say. I didn’t yet know that occasional inconsistency can actually help my progress. This type of thinking originates from two places: A fear of failure: If we talk ourselves out of trying, we can ensure we never fail. Unrealistic expectations: We tend to overestimate our own abilities. The old me would get angry if I wasn’t consistent when it came to work, exercise, or other habits. As a result, I was angry every week. But for the past years, I’ve adopted a different mindset. I ..read more

According to a study that was conducted for the Dutch Ministry of Education, 32% of university students quit in their first year.1 I still remember when I was in my first year of studying business. After a few months, students started to drop out. They wanted to switch to different degrees. They thought another degree would make them happier. 1 in 3 that quits sounds very familiar to me. But quitting never popped up in my mind when I was studying. One of the things I realized early on in my life is that education is not so much about what you learn (unless you want to be a lawyer, doctor, or ..read more

How often do we pursue something purely as a means to do something else? I spoke to a former co-worker of mine who’s now working as a business coach. She has her own practice and own coaching methodology. But the last time we caught up, a few years ago, she was participating in some kind of coaching accreditation program. Many people assume you need some sign of approval before you can work in a particular profession. This is certainly true for coaches. But also for authors, consultants, and other expert-level jobs. While I think the system accreditation serves a purpose, it’s not always the ..read more

We’ve all wasted time. But sometimes, we waste a bit too much time. The other day I watched a Skip & Shannon video on YouTube (a sports show mostly about the NBA and NFL), and then, I watched another video about the NBA. I watched the first video around 10 pm. The next time I looked at the clock, it was about 12:15 am. Wait, what? More than 2 hours on my tablet? What happened? Well, wasting time. That’s what happened.  When you do it occasionally in your free time, it’s no big deal. But there are many people who waste time during the day at work. A while back, I did a study and found ..read more

The reason I’m always looking for ways to get more done in less time is that there are many other things in life I enjoy. Look, I’m not the most socially active person. It’s not like I travel all the time or go out every day. I like to have an empty calendar some days. I’ll exercise, go to the sauna, read a book, watch a movie, or spend time on my hobby or side project. To get more done in less time doesn’t necessarily mean you have to work harder or wake up earlier. It’s all about optimizing your time so you get the most out of every hour you work. It’s about working smarter and being more e ..read more

5 min read Ever since the early 2010s, people have been warning of the “age of distraction.” It’s no longer a warning. We’re definitely living through the Distraction Age.  The start of the 2020s has shown all of us how draining it can be to deal with distractions.  It’s no surprise so many of us feel chronically drained. There’s so much information we have to process and so many things we have to adjust to.  On top of that, it seems like there’s even more uncertainty when it comes to the economy, health care, and the rising cost of living.  Let’s not talk about the things ..read more