The internet has made us all cargo cultists to some degree. We see someone successful describe their process and we assume that their success flows from that process. We copy the external forms without understanding which elements actually matter. Maybe the successful person's elaborate morning routine contributed to their achievements, or maybe... See more

We all want the security of following a proven system, the confidence that comes from doing things "the right way." I understand that impulse. There's comfort in both structure and in knowing that thousands of people have followed this path before and found success. But systems become crutches when we let them override our own judgment about what... See more

The magpie approach = a truth that system-builders often obscure: productivity advice is contextual. What works depends on your job, your cognitive style, your life circumstances, and even your current season of life. And seasons...well, they change, don’t they?

A system that's perfect for a freelance writer might be completely wrong for a software... See more

The magpie knows better. It understands something that productivity gurus spend entire books dancing around: good ideas are where you find them. The optimal approach isn't to pledge allegiance to one system and defend it against all competitors. The optimal approach is to steal liberally from everything and build something that actually functions... See more