2024-04-19 17:00
Many people feel that they have to “force” themselves to work. Examples include:
Waiting for deadlines to pressure themselves
Faking deadlines
Hoping for a muse or interest to s… Read More
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Kourosh Dini | Mind, Music, And Technology Blog
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Description of man as reflected in the interface with music and technology. Gonzo style journalism with a psychiatrist/musician performing live within the virtual world of Second Life.
2024-04-12 15:00
Every book is an entire world, waiting to be explored.
My father had a large library. Many of the books were inherited from a friend. That friend had told him that when he was younger, he wo… Read More
2024-04-11 21:12
If you haven’t caught it already, I had the pleasure and opportunity to write about the Force vs Visit approach to work that I’ve been talking a lot about lately as a guest blogg… Read More
2024-04-05 15:00
When a list overwhelms, you might think the trouble is the work itself. But that’s not always the case.
On my first days as a resident physician, I worked on the inpatient medical floo… Read More
2024-03-29 15:00
I’ll do this. Now the next thing. Ok. What’s going on with email… Gotta respond here. But I need this first…
Some days there’s no room for air. You dive in an… Read More
2024-03-22 15:00
The Seductive Power of Tools
Tools are powerful. They help us bring our visions to reality.
Turn a key, and a lock opens. Press play on a music app, and lovely noises come out. Ask an AI to… Read More
2024-03-15 15:00
Whether preparing taxes, preparing a report, or taking out the garbage, we might find ourselves waiting “until it’s really important.”
Why do something that’s not im… Read More
2024-03-08 16:00
We cannot do everything we wish. Such is the human condition.
But we can create structures, whether in words, lists, gadgets, and more, to hold things aside while we focus on the moment.
Any… Read More
2024-03-01 16:00
When writing a list of things to do, we look into the future. We write things like:
“Do report”
“Clean gutters”
…
The implication is that if we make it through… Read More
2024-02-23 16:00
Note takers, makers, apps, and shakers have been quite the rage in recent days. With a promised ease of writing, can we create simply by resting on the notes we’ve naturally squirreled… Read More
2024-02-16 16:00
It never ends, does it?
If you write out your projects — work, school, personal, or otherwise — you’ll quickly discover a never-ending sea of things to do.
Further, you now… Read More
2024-02-09 16:00
“When will it be done?”
Many of us have to answer this question, whether it’s a work environment asking for estimate of time for a project or even from ourselves when tryin… Read More
2024-02-02 16:00
Forcing ourselves to get started, through deadlines, shame, or asking others to push us can leave us feeling exhausted.
But when we use a Visit-Based approach, rather than one based in force… Read More
2024-01-26 16:00
Stuck
Those of us who feel like we cannot work unless we are interested in something or are fueled by some impending deadline, can simply feel stuck.
We can neither fake interest, nor can w… Read More
2024-01-19 16:00
I could do this! I can do that! But, I need to this! But, but… I really want to do that!
One of the powers and frustrations of a wandering mind is the number of things that we can do… Read More
2024-01-12 16:00
When feeling dependent on deadlines, feeling that we can only things we are interested in, Forcing ourselves to work by some means can seem to be the only choice.
However, it might be only… Read More
2024-01-09 14:48
My pal, David Sparks, has done it again and released his latest Productivity Field Guide (Standard Edition|Plus Edition) (limited time 10% launch discount PFGLAUNCH).
I do love his intro:
&l&hell…Read More
2024-01-08 21:40
The Omni Group, makers of my beloved OmniFocus, OmniGraffle, and OmniOutliner, had me join their Omni Show podcast where I got to discuss my use of OmniFocus.
Have a listen here.
It’s… Read More
2024-01-05 16:00
So we’ve reached another year and you may be wondering about your New Year’s resolution. What does it mean to resolve ourselves to something? What if we later decide it’s a… Read More
2023-12-29 16:00
Evidence of a “Force-Based” System of Working
Many of us engage in force-based systems of work and don’t even realize it.
In another video, I described an example: we have… Read More
2023-12-22 16:00
Many of us can inadvertently fall prey to force-based systems of work.
How easy is it to fall into such systems?
Monday
I’ve got that report to write. It’s due on Friday.
Both i… Read More
2023-12-15 16:00
Many of you have come to this site through my writings on OmniFocus (Here, Here, here and here). It’s been years since I’ve written much about it.
OmniFocus 4 has just been rele… Read More
2023-12-08 16:00
A Force-Based Method of Work
There are several different ways of approaching work, but one in particular, I would call a Force-Based Method.
There are several different ways of approaching w… Read More
2023-12-04 21:07
Last week, I had the pleasure of chatting with David Sparks and Stephen Hackett on their Mac Power Users podcast.
As always, I had a lot of fun waxing eloquently, not so eloquently, and ever… Read More
2023-12-01 16:00
When we try to get good at something, there’s often the sense of needing to challenge ourselves, of pushing. There’s often this kind of scrunched up face kind of image that we g… Read More
2023-11-24 16:00
I might … just might… do the dishes now…
Oh my goodness, I’m getting up. I’m walking over to the dishes. I’m doing it!
But suddenly a voice calls from… Read More
2023-11-17 16:00
So, what do you do for a living?
or
What do you work on?
Either appears to be a simple question. But if you really wanted to give the essence of what you do, beyond some simple label, I imag… Read More
2023-11-10 16:00
“It’s all going well. Uh oh.”
Even when things are seemingly going well, when you are getting your work done and making it to the things you enjoy, many of us can feel frig… Read More
2023-11-06 16:00
Plucking at the corner of a box’s cellophane wrapping, trying to find that small weakness to make some tiny hole to tear the rest off–it is a lovely little puzzle, a tease of the… Read More
2023-10-27 15:00
Uh oh, I’ve wandered off… she’s still talking… what’s she talking about?
I hope I figure it out before it’s my turn to say something.
I’ll just ke… Read More
2023-10-23 15:00
“I don’t wanna” feelings can hit strong.
Not only when trying to do work but sometimes even with those things we’d normally enjoy.
One psychiatrist, Dr. William Dodso… Read More
2023-10-16 15:00
One of the most powerful concepts I’ve read in productivity is that of David Allen’s “trusted system”. The better we can build systems we trust to present what we wan… Read More
2023-10-09 15:00
Dear Reader,
“I do my best when my back is up against the wall.”
Sounds familiar? Well you’re not alone. Many rely on looming deadlines as a primary motivator. But is it al… Read More
2023-10-02 15:00
Write it down. Get it out of your head. Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.
Productivity advice often centers around getting things out of your head.
Notetaking advice is often… Read More
2023-09-25 15:00
Laundry? Taxes? Work report?
“I don’t wanna” feelings can run strong. They are often complex, irritating, and frustrating.
Whether someone tells us to do something or even… Read More
2023-09-11 15:00
“I’m sorry. I can’t do the laundry. I just don’t have the dopamine.”
I’m paraphrasing the above from a social media post. It was humorous as these videos… Read More
2023-08-30 14:19
There are numerous methods for note-taking nowadays. Whether you use DEVONthink, Craft, Notion, Roam, Apple Notes, or Obsidian.
Learning to use any one of these takes time. David has a… Read More
2023-08-28 15:00
Projects get stalled for any number of reasons.
The advice to “just start” is close, but not quite right.
What’s missing? Find out below…
The dreaded project. You kn… Read More
2023-08-21 15:00
Feel good memes are sometimes useful.
But if we’re not careful, they can lead us to stagnation.
How do we tread a path forward without sinking?
Sometimes, the Internet troubles me.
Eve… Read More
2023-08-14 15:00
Exhausting one’s self with work, looking for the optimal way to take a break, we can easily lead ourselves astray with breaks that run us off course, lasting forever.
What other option… Read More
2023-08-07 15:00
Step right up! Step right up to see the latest and greatest note-taking, idea-making, world-shaking app to solve all your problems.
You’ll never have to think again!
That’s rig… Read More
2023-07-31 15:00
What do you do when you “don’t feel like it” and still have to make something?
Forcing yourself hardly works.
Read on for a better path…
A blank page demands, &ldquo&hell…Read More
2023-07-24 15:00
Sometimes you “just don’t feel like it”.
The work is unappealing and just about anything else is more interesting.
How do you engage?
When motivation is there, the wind in… Read More
2023-07-17 15:00
Emergencies can focus a wandering mind
But too often that focus is harried
How can we find a more relaxed focus when needed?
“Dad, there’s water leaking from my ceiling.”
I… Read More
2023-07-10 15:00
“Maybe I’ll watch a Youtube video to inspire me!”
Whatever skill we are trying to improve, be that playing at the piano, learning better sales techniques, or running a part… Read More
2023-07-03 15:00
Flow can turn into a destructive hyperfocus.
Those with ADHD often have more power to guide it than they realize
There are at least 3 levers in reach…
Maybe it’s cleaning the cl… Read More
2023-06-26 15:00
Are deadlines the only way you can get things done?
What if you can break free from them?
Particularly for those with ADHD, those creative powers waiting within can be a wonderful resource w… Read More
2023-06-19 15:00
Time isn’t an illusion. We swim in the stuff.
Time and attention would seem to be separate things.
But, I’m not so sure. I often wonder if they are just two perspectives used to… Read More
2023-06-12 15:00
Even starting simple tasks can sometimes overwhelm us.
Learn how to bring yourself to The Edge of Action and support your decision, no matter which way you go.
Read on…
I’ve jus… Read More
2023-06-05 15:00
Work and play are often posed as contrasting figures.
Particularly for those who struggle with ADHD, they may even seem enemies.
But what if there is a fusion between them, a fusion that cou… Read More
2023-05-29 15:00
Good stress is still stress.
Managing it is not only healthy but can also help make good things happen.
Can your system deal with good stress, too?
The success of Waves of Focus has been won… Read More
2023-05-22 15:00
Hey Folks,
Bit of a change up today. This one’s got video…
A few months ago, my friend Jim Green asked me to help out with one of his pieces, Scryer.
I was in a bit of a bind th… Read More
2023-05-12 15:00
Many systems and apps seem to promise everything, like guessing your motivations and prioritizing your next best thing to do.
But the implied promise readily breaks.
Here’s why and wha… Read More
2023-05-09 15:00
“You’re so smart, why can’t you just…?”
What a painful half-compliment.
If only there were a simple switch to make it all come together…
How many times… Read More
2023-05-05 15:00
A thousand thoughts a day…
First this, then that. Wait, what about the other thing?
Before one thought’s finished, the next has already knocked the first aside.
How does anyone… Read More
2023-05-01 15:00
Dear Readers,
Getting into things may seem difficult without “the right conditions”, where the stars align and you can finally do that thing you’d been putting off.
Maybe y… Read More
2023-04-24 15:00
Work is neither something to fight or collapse from
There’s a much gentler and natural path
Read on…
Why is it that we don’t take our cues from Nature when it comes to wor… Read More
2023-04-17 15:00
The term “productivity” is much maligned.
Whether work asks us to be “more productive” or we make demands of ourself.
I’d like to take the word back…… Read More
2023-04-10 15:00
Just because you’re getting your work done,
Doesn’t mean you’re not exhausted doing it.
Consider why…
Taking care of the day-to-day, the chores, the hygiene… Read More
2023-04-03 15:00
It can be all too easy to succumb to the “I don’t wanna…” feelings
Either pushing through or ignoring can create problems
How about another way?
Some struggl… Read More
2023-03-27 15:00
Wandering minds are told to find something “novel” to stay engaged
But the novel wears out
Here’s another idea…
“I can’t get anything done unles… Read More
2023-03-20 15:00
A diagnosis can feel freeing, giving us a word to discuss
But sometimes the diagnosis itself can hold us back
Consider how…
A wandering mind, such as those with ADHD, may stru… Read More
2023-03-13 15:00
Be on time, turn that in, stop what you’re doing… it can feel impossible to keep up.
How can we better relate to time?
Read on…
“I’ve got something t… Read More
2023-03-06 16:00
Past, Present, and Future Selves talk all the time, sometimes messing with your day.
It just may not be obvious.
Here’s one seemingly absurd conversation…
**Pr… Read More
2023-02-27 16:00
The troubles of an Inbox don’t come from the Inbox itself.
It comes from the weights it places in front of us.
Read on to find out more…
There’s a wonderful meme c… Read More
2023-02-20 16:00
“Who would like to try conjugating this… [pause]… Put that away!”
The teacher had been pacing behind me.
Who was she talking to? It couldn’t be me. I wa… Read More
2023-02-13 16:00
Over the years, several clients have independently described their medication for ADHD as:
“It’s like putting on glasses.”
Some of them come to me after years of struggling… Read More
2023-02-06 16:00
Efficiency is overhyped and may, in fact, be damaging.
It may even harm our ability to think.
Consider how…
My father was a highly respected surgeon. Legends gathered and cont… Read More
2023-02-04 03:46
Just a post of music I like… Read More
2023-01-30 16:00
When is preparation the same as procrastination?
—
Today’s story is inspired by a conversation with my daughter. Credit where it’s due…
While working, I often ru… Read More
2023-01-23 16:00
Perfect is not the enemy of good…
—
Several weeks ago, I’d asked you, my dear reader, what to do with my course *[Waves of Focus: Guiding the Wandering Mind](https://w… Read More
2023-01-16 16:00
Do you ever nod your head in conversation as if you understood?
Meanwhile your mind is drifting off else?
Here’s a way to tune in…
_________________________
Take a race car… Read More
2023-01-09 16:00
Couldn’t learning just be easy?
Likely not.
But one method does follow the “simple but hard to master” refrain…
—
In therapy, there comes a point where the… Read More
2023-01-02 16:00
This post is just another distraction.
Maybe you’re sick and tired of everything you need to do, wanted a break, and here you are.
But, maybe this post offers another way out?&hell… Read More
2022-12-26 16:00
Welcome to the MAP post series, in which we examine important components when attempting to find growth, stability, and a sense of direction. In our last email, we considered mastery. Today… Read More
2022-12-12 16:00
In the first post, I introduced the concept of the MAP, an acronym describing a path to help you find direction, particularly when other task systems and apps have failed you, and for those… Read More
2022-12-05 16:00
Recently, I saw a tweet from Justin Welsh in which he describes his annoyance with those focused on productivity. He noted that he’d prefer to spend time with family over “maxim… Read More
2022-11-28 16:00
In every moment, we may be…
… drifting without direction,
… deeply engaged in some flow,
… or struggling through treacherous waters, hoping to avoid the rocks alo… Read More
2022-11-21 16:00
Getting started can be tough.
But many of us make it worse without realizing it.
Here are 8 things some of us tell ourselves that we think might help, but often actually make things worse:… Read More
2022-11-14 16:00
“I just need to start.”
A familiar refrain. Many of us struggle with that difficult thing, that work item that we avoid, push aside, and pretend isn’t there.
For a whi… Read More
2022-11-07 16:00
Improvise!
Ok, easier said than done as most things are.
In fact, many just flatly say, “I can’t improvise,” often while pointing to some inability to keep a rhythm.
But… Read More
2022-11-07 16:00
On Trying to Hide ADHD
For many with ADHD, it can be a terrible struggle to just “make it”–to get a job, to do well at school, to maintain a relationship, or otherwise… Read More
2022-10-31 15:00
The word “habit” can strike fear. They face us with an infinite and onerous future where feelings of failure can overwhelm us before we even begin.
Some time ago, I wrote The Tr… Read More
2022-10-26 15:00
Information’s pace of flooding our senses continues to accelerate by the minute. Opening Twitter, Reddit, or any social media can leave us horribly exhausted.
With a hoped for relief f… Read More
2022-10-24 15:00
When you’re broke, it’s hard to look at your bank account, let alone create a budget.
When your task system is out of whack, it can be hard to open the app, let alone re-build it… Read More
2020-12-04 21:43
My friend Sam Sharp, after years of hard work, has put together a lovely classical rendition of my favorite album of all time, the Beatles’ Abbey Road. It’s called Abbey Bowed! … Read More
2020-10-30 16:28
I had a wonderful time talking with Andrew Mason as part of the Omni Show. Have a listen to [the podcast here](https://www.omnigroup.com/blog/how-psychiatrist-kourosh-dini-maintains-balance… Read More
2020-10-04 23:41
I worked this piece out over the summer. … Read More
2020-09-12 17:00
2020-07-29 08:00
# Why Care?
Why should we care about the work in front of us?
This may appear to be an absurd question. The reasons should be obvious. But any time the words “should” and “… Read More
2020-07-22 15:00
The existence of a world of productivity, the books, the articles, the talking heads (including myself), all point to an unspoken assumption that productivity is always a good thing. 1 While… Read More
2020-07-15 15:00
Caution & Definition
Any tool, whether physical, digital, or mental, requires some form of caution.
We must recognize our intentions as separate from the tools we use to develop them. It… Read More
2020-07-08 15:00
Another question I received after the recent webinar at Learn OmniFocus was to clarify the Land & Sea Project in terms of the number of channels one can use.
For details on the Land &&hell…Read More
2020-07-01 15:00
Useful Lists
We can easily be overwhelmed by looking at even a realistic list of things we’d like to do today. This is particularly the case if there are many small tasks. A good list… Read More
2020-06-24 15:00
How we word our tasks can make a significant difference in how we approach them. For example, several rules of thumb may be:
Start with a verb
Maintain both simplicity and clarity when possi… Read More
2020-06-10 15:00
“Falling off the GTD wagon” (or any task system for that matter) can be all too easy and all too disrupting. Especially, when you’ve grown used to a system, &hell…Read More
2020-05-29 15:47
Releasing a book is an odd experience.
After a long period of steady work, with no real deadline other than my own desire to move on to the next thing, it’s done. I flip a few levers… Read More
2020-04-08 15:00
Welcome to the Chaotic Workflow series. Check out [Part 1](https://www.usingomnifocus.com/2017/04/workflows-in-chaos-chaotic-workflows-part-1/), [Part 2](https://www.usingomnifocus.com/2017/… Read More
2020-03-27 17:07
My friend Dan Precision of 88 Fingers Louie fame came up with an awesome video in his time of quarantine set to the tune of Blondie’s “Call Me”:
(Dan actually mastered my… Read More
2020-03-25 15:00
Welcome to the Chaotic Workflow series. It started off as a “A Teacher’s Plight” series after I’d received an email from a teacher having a difficult time with… Read More
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