Writing by Tim Metz on productivity, AI, and building software.https://timmetz.nl/enhttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-11-smoother-upgrades-steadier-sign-off/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-11-smoother-upgrades-steadier-sign-off/If you own Lifeline Pro but the app forgot, this update gets your access back. Plus a quieter Sign Off around meetings, a new help center, and a round of fixes.Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/playbook-builder-methodhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/playbook-builder-methodHow to work with AirOps Quill by managing it rather than micromanaging: provide context, tools, and team communication around Playbook development.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-10-vacation-mode-and-automatic-backups/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-10-vacation-mode-and-automatic-backups/Set your dates and Lifeline guards your time off with a calm full-screen rest screen instead of tracking your day. Plus automatic backups of your activity history, faster session naming, and a cleaner Preferences window.Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-9-1-and-1-9-2-smarter-sign-off/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-9-1-and-1-9-2-smarter-sign-off/Sign Off is now on by default for everyone, and it knows about your meetings. Plus a Check for Updates menu item, a popover that doesn't crowd your panels, and a handful of fixes across both releases.Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/animalz-runs-airopshttps://www.animalz.co/blog/animalz-runs-airopsAnimalz launches implementation services for AirOps, bringing strategy and editorial oversight to content teams using the AI platform.Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-9-release-notes-sign-off-challenge/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-9-release-notes-sign-off-challenge/Lifeline 1.9 introduces the Sign Off Challenge: a daily commitment ritual that helps you stop work on time. Plus phone notifications, click-to-edit activities, a new Privacy pane, and a fully editable Activity Log from 1.8.1 and 1.8.2.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-8-release-notes-mcp-support-better-breaks/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-8-release-notes-mcp-support-better-breaks/Lifeline now talks to ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools via MCP. Plus: configurable break ratios, debt-based warnings, and AppleScript automation.Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/aeo-glossaryhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/aeo-glossaryA glossary of Answer Engine Optimization and AI-search terminology, from 'atomic answer' to 'zero-click visibility'.Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-content-systemhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-content-systemHow to go beyond basic AI workflows to a compounding content system with data infrastructure, tools, and feedback loops.Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/context-engineeringhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/context-engineeringEffective AI content depends less on prompt refinement than on context engineering: assembling brand knowledge, audience data, and quality examples.Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-7-release-notes/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-7-release-notes/Lifeline 1.7 is now available in the macOS App Store. This version introduces Committed Mode and custom emoji colors.Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-onionhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-onionA three-layer framework for why most AI projects fail and how to implement AI workflows successfully.Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/claude-codehttps://www.animalz.co/blog/claude-codeA guide to using Claude Code, a terminal-based AI tool, for content audits, research, analysis, and custom marketing tools.Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/how-to-choose-ai-modelhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/how-to-choose-ai-modelA framework for selecting AI models by breaking work into tasks and matching each to the right model's intelligence and personality.Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/non-seo-content-marketing-ideashttps://www.animalz.co/blog/non-seo-content-marketing-ideasAs SEO loosens its grip on content strategy, 20 growth ideas for pipeline, awareness, authority, and visibility beyond keywords.Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-addictionhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-addictionA personal account of AI over-reliance and the case for intentional, human-centered work practices.Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/sprint-goals/https://www.parabol.co/blog/sprint-goals/Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/rilla-case-study-brand-traffic-seohttps://www.animalz.co/blog/rilla-case-study-brand-traffic-seoCase study: how Rilla doubled monthly brand traffic with SEO content built on proprietary sales-conversation data.Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/code-is-content-build-tools-with-aihttps://www.animalz.co/blog/code-is-content-build-tools-with-aiHow marketing teams can build apps with AI without coding expertise, via the author’s SEO forecasting tool.Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/introducing-free-seo-forecasting-toolhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/introducing-free-seo-forecasting-toolIntroduces Animalz's free SEO forecasting tool that projects organic traffic from Domain Authority, keywords, and publishing frequency.Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/chatgpt-prohttps://www.animalz.co/blog/chatgpt-proBreaks down OpenAI's ChatGPT subscription tiers and model families to guide the upgrade decision.Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-marketing-experiments-2024https://www.animalz.co/blog/content-marketing-experiments-2024Five experimental content tactics Animalz tested in 2024, from community-sourced ideas to AI-enabled formats and content refreshes.Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/blockbuster-blogshttps://www.animalz.co/blog/blockbuster-blogsHow transformative ideas originate in blog posts, and what lets certain blogs reach breakthrough status.Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-refresh-toolhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-refresh-toolA major update to Animalz's free Revive tool: GA4 support, instant reporting, richer filters, and a mobile-optimized interface for spotting content decay.Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/interview-keith-perhac-segmetricshttps://www.animalz.co/blog/interview-keith-perhac-segmetricsKeith Perhac on asking targeted questions of marketing data rather than tracking excessive metrics.Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/interview-deborah-carver-content-analyticshttps://www.animalz.co/blog/interview-deborah-carver-content-analyticsDeborah Carver on balancing oversimplified metrics against overly complex attribution to make content analytics actionable.Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/milestone-marketinghttps://www.animalz.co/blog/milestone-marketingWhy celebrating business achievements via milestone marketing is an effective but underused B2B SaaS growth strategy.Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/interview-sara-stella-lattanzio-linkedin-influencerhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/interview-sara-stella-lattanzio-linkedin-influencerHow Sara Stella Lattanzio grew to nearly 40,000 LinkedIn followers and turned it into thought leadership and partnerships.Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-data-ai-productivity-insights/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-data-ai-productivity-insights/Unlock hidden productivity tools: Turn on session star ratings and Lifeline's points system.Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-attribution-guidehttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-attribution-guidePractical strategies for measuring content's business impact, matching attribution sophistication to organizational stakes.Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-marketing-budget-costs-pricinghttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-marketing-budget-costs-pricingWhy agencies hide pricing, and how to evaluate content costs by strategy, quality, and operations.Thu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/founder-led-content-christophe-pasquier-slite-interviewhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/founder-led-content-christophe-pasquier-slite-interviewHow Slite's CEO turned sporadic posting into a deliberate LinkedIn storytelling strategy.Thu, 15 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/founder-led-content-arjun-mahadevan-doola-interviewhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/founder-led-content-arjun-mahadevan-doola-interviewdoola CEO Arjun Mahadevan on a structured approach to founder-led content across personal and company accounts.Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/founder-led-content-irene-yu-skiplevel-interviewhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/founder-led-content-irene-yu-skiplevel-interviewSkiplevel founder Irene Yu on leveraging personal expertise and social media to build trust with product managers.Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/founder-led-content-henry-shapiro-reclaim-interviewhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/founder-led-content-henry-shapiro-reclaim-interviewReclaim.ai's Henry Shapiro on balancing founder-led content with CEO duties through authentic, practical insight.Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-app-hidden-features-in-legacy-menu/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-app-hidden-features-in-legacy-menu/Unlock hidden productivity tools: Turn on session star ratings and Lifeline's points system.Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-6-8-release-notes/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-6-8-release-notes/Lifeline 1.6.8 is now available in the macOS App Store. This version gives you tomato rewards for manually added sessions.Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/blank-page-syndrome-and-generative-aihttps://www.animalz.co/blog/blank-page-syndrome-and-generative-aiA caution against using AI to beat blank-page syndrome, arguing it diminishes creative thinking and original ideation.Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/jess-cook-interview-content-marketing-prhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/jess-cook-interview-content-marketing-prIsland's Jess Cook on integrating content marketing and PR to amplify brand messaging across channels.Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/megan-morreale-interview-content-marketing-futurehttps://www.animalz.co/blog/megan-morreale-interview-content-marketing-futureMegan Morreale argues traditional content marketing departments are fading while the underlying skills grow more valuable.Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/unit21-fraud-fighters-manual-case-studyhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/unit21-fraud-fighters-manual-case-studyHow Unit21's Fraud Fighters Manual generated thousands of leads and millions in pipeline in six months.Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/google-leak-confirms-quality-content-beats-algorithmshttps://www.animalz.co/blog/google-leak-confirms-quality-content-beats-algorithmsLeaked Google documents support the view that original, helpful content beats derivative material over time.Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/agile-coaching/https://www.parabol.co/blog/agile-coaching/Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/sprint-velocity/https://www.parabol.co/blog/sprint-velocity/Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/most-popular-agile-methodologies/https://www.parabol.co/blog/most-popular-agile-methodologies/Fri, 19 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-content-research-tools-chatgpt-perplexityhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-content-research-tools-chatgpt-perplexityHow content teams can use ChatGPT and Perplexity to strengthen research while managing hallucination risk.Tue, 28 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/sprint-retrospective-benefits/https://www.parabol.co/blog/sprint-retrospective-benefits/Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/team-health-metrics-and-indicators/https://www.parabol.co/blog/team-health-metrics-and-indicators/Wed, 09 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/team-health-check-methods/https://www.parabol.co/blog/team-health-check-methods/Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/the-sacra-process-data-journalism-storytellinghttps://www.animalz.co/blog/the-sacra-process-data-journalism-storytellingHow Sacra combines data analysis, journalism, and storytelling into private-markets research investors actually read.Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/how-to-write-user-stories/https://www.parabol.co/blog/how-to-write-user-stories/Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-6-4-release-notes/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-6-4-release-notes/Lifeline 1.6.4 is now available in the macOS App Store. This version brings significant improvements to the auto-launch feature.Tue, 30 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/new-scrum-master-daily-checklist/https://www.parabol.co/blog/new-scrum-master-daily-checklist/A practical guide to a Scrum Master's first month building trust while introducing agile practices.Tue, 23 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-content-guidehttps://www.animalz.co/blog/ai-content-guideA guide to how AI reshapes content marketing through new visibility strategies, quality standards, and workflows.Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/ai-transformation-framework-we-eat-robots/https://timmetz.nl/writing/ai-transformation-framework-we-eat-robots/Introducing a practical approach for keeping up with the rapid changes driven by AI.Thu, 04 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-6-2-release/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-6-2-release/Lifeline 1.6.2 is now available in the macOS App Store.Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/pomodoro-technique-book-francesco-cirillo/https://timmetz.nl/writing/pomodoro-technique-book-francesco-cirillo/Uncover overlooked elements of the Pomodoro Technique with insights from the official book.Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-ai-prompts-chatgpt/https://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-ai-prompts-chatgpt/A list of 14 actions AI can help you with, including free prompt templates for ChatGPT.Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-6-release/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-6-release/Discover the sleek, modern design of Lifeline 1.6, with an enhanced interface for easier navigation.Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/chatgpt-productivity-experiment/https://timmetz.nl/writing/chatgpt-productivity-experiment/A week-long ChatGPT productivity experiment reveals both its shortcomings and potential.Fri, 31 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/creator-motivation-and-productivity/https://timmetz.nl/writing/creator-motivation-and-productivity/What if you could turbocharge someone else's productivity with a small act of kindness? Would you do it?Thu, 23 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/pomodoro-technique/https://timmetz.nl/writing/pomodoro-technique/The Pomodoro Technique is so simple you can start using it by the end of this article, and it’s one of the most effective ways to boost productivity.Sun, 12 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/ai-powered-distractions-information-overload-find-your-focus/https://timmetz.nl/writing/ai-powered-distractions-information-overload-find-your-focus/How to survive in a world where content creation costs nothing and artificial intelligence personalizes all that information so it's irresistible?Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-updates-march-2023/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-updates-march-2023/We're changing how Lifeline’s panels look and work with improved session panel designs.Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/breaks-before-meetings-trick/https://timmetz.nl/writing/breaks-before-meetings-trick/Discover how to avoid back-to-back meetings by starting them five minutes after the hour or half-hour rather than ending them earlier.Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/turning-pro-steven-pressfield/https://timmetz.nl/writing/turning-pro-steven-pressfield/Steven’s Pressfield’s first publishing deal arrived after 27 years. Turning Pro conveys his wisdom on purpose, motivation, grit, and creativity.Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/pomodoro-technique-planning-step-by-step-guide/https://timmetz.nl/writing/pomodoro-technique-planning-step-by-step-guide/By tracking your 🍅 average, you get a more accurate picture of how much productive work you can do in a day or week.Sat, 18 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/how-to-stop-your-retrospectives-running-long/https://www.parabol.co/blog/how-to-stop-your-retrospectives-running-long/Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/pomodoro-power-one-daily-tomato-goal/https://timmetz.nl/writing/pomodoro-power-one-daily-tomato-goal/What's the dream, ambition, project, or goal you've put off for too long? Commit one daily tomato to it, starting today.Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-new-pricing/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-new-pricing/From now on, existing and new subscribers will pay less and get Lifeline Pro at the new prices listed in this article.Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/attention-over-availability/https://timmetz.nl/writing/attention-over-availability/People prioritize Availability over Attention, but checking messages is always a toss, stacked towards attention loss.Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-talk-to-ai-gpt-3/https://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-talk-to-ai-gpt-3/Learn how to use OpenAI’s GPT-3 to make you more productive and creative (with free templates and examples to get you started).Sat, 28 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/social-larping-substance-over-speed/https://timmetz.nl/writing/social-larping-substance-over-speed/Don't resent yourself or others for being slow in responding—or not keeping in touch. Appreciate you didn't sLARP each other.Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/uncomfortable-annual-goal-setting/https://timmetz.nl/writing/uncomfortable-annual-goal-setting/I set a bold and uncomfortable goal for this year: double my income. Here's the process I followed so you can create an ambitious objective and push yourself to grow, too.Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/the-process-nick-saban-ryan-holiday/https://timmetz.nl/writing/the-process-nick-saban-ryan-holiday/Focus on The Process instead of the outcome. Tackle small tasks that need doing. Worry about long-term goals later.Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-mantra-calm-mind/https://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-mantra-calm-mind/If you could only use one productivity mantra all day, what should it be?Tue, 27 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/jevons-paradox-in-knowledge-work/https://timmetz.nl/writing/jevons-paradox-in-knowledge-work/Why are we busier despite our productivity tools becoming more advanced? Why do improved time management skills not result in less work and more leisure time?Wed, 21 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/multitasking-test/https://timmetz.nl/writing/multitasking-test/You might have heard some folks say multitasking doesn't work. Others—or your own experience—say the oppositeWed, 14 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/meeting-tips-from-parabol/https://timmetz.nl/writing/meeting-tips-from-parabol/I recently wrote an article with meeting tips for the blog of Parabol, an agile meeting tool for remote teams.Wed, 07 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/a-world-without-email-cal-newport/https://timmetz.nl/writing/a-world-without-email-cal-newport/A World Without Email is a must-read if you manage knowledge workers. It gives you a new perspective on your role as a leader and how to manage productivity at the team or company level.Wed, 23 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/stress-recovery/https://timmetz.nl/writing/stress-recovery/Recovery is the process of restoring symptoms of work stress (anxiety, exhaustion, and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol) back to pre-stressor levels.Wed, 09 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-journalismhttps://www.animalz.co/blog/content-journalismHow Parabol grew organic traffic via 'content journalism', blending authentic expertise with SEO practices.Tue, 11 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/storytelling-in-content-marketinghttps://www.animalz.co/blog/storytelling-in-content-marketingWhen to use narrative in content, distinguishing instructional 'recipe' content from narrative-driven 'movie' content.Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/timeless-meditation-sitting-without-a-timer/https://timmetz.nl/writing/timeless-meditation-sitting-without-a-timer/Meditation shouldn't be about performance, but using a timer does precisely that. How can we enjoy meditation without feeling forced to perform during our practice?Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-smooth-idle-detection/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-smooth-idle-detection/Lifeline's idle detection has been its most-hated feature, but we couldn't think of something better—until now. Here's everything you need to know about the app's new smooth idle detection.Thu, 14 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/new-app-demo/https://timmetz.nl/writing/new-app-demo/Experience a demo of the new Saent desktop app we're working on. No registration or waiting required—jump right in from the link in this blog post.Wed, 13 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/manual-of-me-short-introduction/https://timmetz.nl/writing/manual-of-me-short-introduction/A Manual of Me is a "user guide" for your coworkers on how to work together. You put one together in no time with this short introduction.Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/find-your-focus-preview-chapter-five-energize/https://timmetz.nl/writing/find-your-focus-preview-chapter-five-energize/When it comes to improving focus, there’s one crucial factor most people are unaware of: your energy. Read chapter five from our Find Your Focus book.Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/single-versus-multitasking-video-henrik-kniberg/https://timmetz.nl/writing/single-versus-multitasking-video-henrik-kniberg/Agile coach Henrik Kniberg shows the adverse effects of working on many things simultaneously versus on just one.Wed, 08 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/digital-fasting/https://timmetz.nl/writing/digital-fasting/With digital fasting, you disconnect from the internet or particular sites and apps for stretches of time. This article explores fast types and how to plan for one.Thu, 02 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/yesterbox/https://timmetz.nl/writing/yesterbox/The Yesterbox concept is straightforward: instead of trying to keep up with every new email that lands in your inbox today, your only goal is to clear out mail from yesterday.Wed, 25 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-make-good-presentation-slides/https://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-make-good-presentation-slides/Here's an approach to presentation building that has nothing to do with graphic design. The looks of your slides matter, but it all starts with the content—the story you tell and how you structure it.Mon, 16 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/tame-the-ravenous-work-beast/https://timmetz.nl/writing/tame-the-ravenous-work-beast/You can't outcompete robots and algorithms on overwork and insomnia. Working with constant interruptions and without breaks is detrimental to those qualities we need most in the future of work.Sun, 08 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/flexibility-for-more-balance/https://timmetz.nl/writing/flexibility-for-more-balance/It wasn't until the pandemic that topics like focus, balance, and everything else Saent had always been about hit the mainstream, and so I wanted to spend more time on Saent again.Sat, 07 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/productive-in-the-real-world/https://timmetz.nl/writing/productive-in-the-real-world/July 2017 marked my return to the employed world. I took a role for the stability and salary package—which looked especially attractive compared to my startup subsistence.Fri, 06 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-company/https://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-company/We raised $500k from angel investors, got selected for a Y-Combinator (YC) interview, experienced with Teal and Holacracy, and shipped 2,000 buttons to over 50 countries.Thu, 05 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/focus-button/https://timmetz.nl/writing/focus-button/I wanted to crowdfund our software, but doing so for apps was rare at the time. A friend suggested a physical button to control the software—hit it to end distractions and start a focus session.Wed, 04 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/timeboxing-distraction-blocking-gamification/https://timmetz.nl/writing/timeboxing-distraction-blocking-gamification/People can't focus and have poor work habits. My solution? An app based on the simplest and strongest productivity hacks I knew of.Tue, 03 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/intentional-disconnecting/https://timmetz.nl/writing/intentional-disconnecting/Hamlet's Blackberry argues we are getting too connected, with ramifications for our mental well-being, relationships, and happiness. What author William Powers described instantly resonated.Mon, 02 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/stop-multitasking/https://timmetz.nl/writing/stop-multitasking/I had just started a video production company. With it came people to manage, business partners, and clients. My email inbox and head were exploding, and I forgot things—ideas, tasks, promises.Sun, 01 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/personal-productivity-journey-and-history-of-saent/https://timmetz.nl/writing/personal-productivity-journey-and-history-of-saent/I'll walk you through my personal productivity journey and the history of Saent in this nine-part article series.Sat, 30 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-privacy-policy-new/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-privacy-policy-new/Sun, 24 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-terms-and-conditions-new/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-terms-and-conditions-new/Sun, 24 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/scrum-boards/https://www.parabol.co/blog/scrum-boards/Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-coach/https://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-coach/An overview of how I think about coaching in general and productivity coaching in particular, with a focus on soft, inner productivity skills.Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/retrospective-prime-directive/https://www.parabol.co/blog/retrospective-prime-directive/Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/member-and-partner-update-q1-2022/https://timmetz.nl/writing/member-and-partner-update-q1-2022/An update on Saent's progress and plans for our members and partners—Q1 2022.Sat, 26 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/saent-mission-post/https://timmetz.nl/writing/saent-mission-post/We're about to overhaul the user experience (UX) of our app Lifeline. To do so, we had to ask tough questions about what Saent wants to achieve and for whom. Here are our thoughts.Wed, 23 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/why-cant-i-focus/https://timmetz.nl/writing/why-cant-i-focus/We recently hosted a ten-day focus challenge. Over 60 participants joined and came in asking: why can't I focus? Here are the ten most remarkable discoveries from our challenge that help find focus.Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.animalz.co/blog/from-docs-to-blockshttps://www.animalz.co/blog/from-docs-to-blocksHow to turn note-taking into a system that compounds creative potential across projects.Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/linkedin-addiction/https://timmetz.nl/writing/linkedin-addiction/In the new year, let's check LinkedIn just once a day, and not on weekends. Join me? Here’s how we'll kick our LinkedIn addiction.Wed, 29 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/2021-wrap-up-find-your-focus-challenge-saent-community-lifeline-ux-overhaul/https://timmetz.nl/writing/2021-wrap-up-find-your-focus-challenge-saent-community-lifeline-ux-overhaul/A wrap-up of 2021 by Saent cofounder Tim Metz, featuring the Find Your Focus Challenge, the Saent community we've (soft-)launched, and upcoming user research for Lifeline's UX.Wed, 22 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/find-your-focus-challenge-2022/https://timmetz.nl/writing/find-your-focus-challenge-2022/Registration for our first challenge of 2022 is now closed. Join our community or leave your email address in the form in this page if you'd like to know when registration for similar challenges opens in the future.Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/improve-any-meeting-with-agile-thinking/https://www.parabol.co/blog/improve-any-meeting-with-agile-thinking/Wed, 01 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/interruptions-tank-return-on-attention-tiago-forte/https://timmetz.nl/writing/interruptions-tank-return-on-attention-tiago-forte/Return-on-Attention reflects how much value you create from the attention you invest in your work. Even the tiniest interruptions tank it by throwing you out of flow.Thu, 25 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.parabol.co/blog/sprint-backlog-essentials/https://www.parabol.co/blog/sprint-backlog-essentials/Wed, 10 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-books/https://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-books/An overview of the best productivity books that have the potential to change your life. Plus, a list of duds to skip so you have more reading time for the great ones.Wed, 15 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/letters-from-a-stoic-seneca-book-review-summary/https://timmetz.nl/writing/letters-from-a-stoic-seneca-book-review-summary/While not an easy read, this is an invaluable and timeless guide on how to live a virtuous and fulfilling life.Sun, 29 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/the-coaching-habit-michael-bungay-stanier-book-summary/https://timmetz.nl/writing/the-coaching-habit-michael-bungay-stanier-book-summary/In Michael Bungay Stanier's The Coaching Habit, coaching becomes a regular, informal part of your day so managers and their teams can work less hard and have more impact.Sun, 29 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/thrive-arianna-huffington-book-review/https://timmetz.nl/writing/thrive-arianna-huffington-book-review/In Thrive, Arianna Huffington makes an impassioned and compelling case for the need to redefine what it means to be successful in today's world.Sun, 29 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/brainchains-theo-compernolle-book-review-summary/https://timmetz.nl/writing/brainchains-theo-compernolle-book-review-summary/World-class collection of research on what technology is doing to our brains, degraded to amateur level by author’s writing style.Sat, 28 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/flow-mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-book-review-summary/https://timmetz.nl/writing/flow-mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-book-review-summary/This book is an exploration of happiness. a large part of the book discusses the why: why flow is important for anyone’s life, not just for athletes and other super-performers.Sat, 28 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/smarter-faster-better-charles-duhigg-book-review-summary/https://timmetz.nl/writing/smarter-faster-better-charles-duhigg-book-review-summary/Does not do as advertised; more about management and team collaboration than about (personal) productivity.Sat, 28 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/hamlets-blackberry-william-powers-book-review-summary/https://timmetz.nl/writing/hamlets-blackberry-william-powers-book-review-summary/if you’ve ever felt technology (especially the internet) is getting the better of you or those around you, this book provides a unique view on the problem and how we might get ourselves out of it.Sat, 21 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-4-8-release-notes/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-4-8-release-notes/Version 1.4.8 of Lifeline is now available and includes an improved planning and review panel, as well as an overheat warning when you stay in a session for longer than 100 minutes.Thu, 19 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/deep-work-cal-newport-book-review-summary/https://timmetz.nl/writing/deep-work-cal-newport-book-review-summary/for anyone who has problems focussing on their work or getting the stuff that matters done, look no further; this is the book for you.Mon, 16 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-4-7-release-notes/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-4-7-release-notes/‍Version 1.4.7 of Lifeline is here, giving you the option to adjust the thickness of your Lifeline (head over to "Preferences > Your Lifeline" if you're eager to do so).Thu, 29 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-feature-overheat-warning/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-feature-overheat-warning/As a Lifeline user, I want to get nudged when I've been in a session for too long without a break. This feature addresses that need.Fri, 23 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-sprint-1/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-sprint-1/Here's what we did for Lifeline in Sprint #1 and what you can expect for the next one.Sun, 30 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-sprint-0/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-sprint-0/Here's what we did for Lifeline over the past few weeks and what you can expect for our upcoming Sprint #1.Mon, 17 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-pro-release-announcement/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-pro-release-announcement/Today we’ve launched Lifeline Pro, our macOS app that lets you go beyond Pomodoro with visual session progress, session labels, and our Calendar integration.Sun, 18 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/custom-session-lengths-in-lifeline-are-almost-here/https://timmetz.nl/writing/custom-session-lengths-in-lifeline-are-almost-here/With our app Lifeline, you can work in 25-minute sessions based on the Pomodoro Technique. Unlike many other Pomodoro timer apps, ours provides flexibility, as you don’t have to stop after completing a 25-minute cycle.Tue, 05 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/two-week-deep-work-challenge-january-4th/https://timmetz.nl/writing/two-week-deep-work-challenge-january-4th/Improving your productivity on your own is hard. That’s why Saent is launching monthly, cohort-based Challenges. Together with a coach and peers, you’ll build profound productivity skills in just two weeks.Mon, 28 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/your-top-five-saent-button-questions-answered/https://timmetz.nl/writing/your-top-five-saent-button-questions-answered/We still receive questions about Saent Buttons often, even though it's been many years since the latest production run. Below you will find answers to the most common questions we receive.Thu, 08 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-now-available-on-the-macos-app-store/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-now-available-on-the-macos-app-store/After weeks of tweaking to meet Apple’s submission requirements, Lifeline is now live in the macOS App Store. With this step, you can trust that our application meets Apple’s strict privacy requirements and technical standards.Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-13-diane-janknegt/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-13-diane-janknegt/Thu, 24 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-12-akhtar-badshah/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-12-akhtar-badshah/Interview with the author of 'Purpose Mindset', on how Microsoft inspires employees to change the world.Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-11-colin-mcelwee-2/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-11-colin-mcelwee-2/Interview with the co-founder of Worldreader, a nonprofit providing digital book access in developing regions.Thu, 03 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-10-bukola-akingbade/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-10-bukola-akingbade/Interview with the CEO of Kucheza Gaming, an e-sports company in Lagos, Nigeria.Tue, 25 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-09-javier-cardona/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-09-javier-cardona/Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/onboard-first-time-internet-users/https://www.kaiostech.com/onboard-first-time-internet-users/Approaches to onboarding people coming online for the first time.Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-08-vimbayi-kajese/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-08-vimbayi-kajese/Interview with the founder/CEO of #Adtags on increasing Black representation.Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/kaios-empowers-new-internet-users/https://www.kaiostech.com/kaios-empowers-new-internet-users/How KaiOS smart feature phones bring first-time internet users online.Mon, 27 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-07-valeriy-skachko-2/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-07-valeriy-skachko-2/Fri, 24 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-06-max-cuvellier-2/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-06-max-cuvellier-2/Fri, 03 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-05-asim-alam/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-05-asim-alam/Interview with the CEO of WebDoc (former Telenor digital & financial inclusion director) on online medical assistance in Pakistan.Mon, 15 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-04-uche-onuora/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-04-uche-onuora/Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-03-jessica-rothenberg-aalami-3/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-03-jessica-rothenberg-aalami-3/Interview with the CEO/founder of Cell-Ed, a mobile learning platform delivering micro-lessons over messaging.Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-02-aaron-fu/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-02-aaron-fu/Mon, 25 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-01-vic-bassey/https://www.kaiostech.com/enabling-tomorrow-ep-01-vic-bassey/First episode of Tim's interview series with change agents in tech, innovation, and digital inclusion in emerging markets.Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-1-20200216-release-notes/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-1-1-20200216-release-notes/A new version of Lifeline is out. Here are the main updates: Keyboard shortcuts are here; check them out in Preferences. You can now disable the auto-timer popup, handy when you’re not using your computer for work.Tue, 25 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/enable-tomorrow-the-next-phase-for-kaios/https://www.kaiostech.com/enable-tomorrow-the-next-phase-for-kaios/Behind-the-scenes on the KaiOS rebrand and its new 'enable tomorrow' tagline and brand identity.Fri, 24 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/what-lifeline-can-do-for-you/https://timmetz.nl/writing/what-lifeline-can-do-for-you/Saent Lifeline is our macOS application that helps you develop an optimal daily working rhythm. The app combines the power of modern software with the best elements of the classic Pomodoro Technique: working in cycles of focused sprints and restorative breaks.Sat, 11 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/work-life-integration/https://timmetz.nl/writing/work-life-integration/We take work wherever we live and life to where we work. Checking email on vacation has become as common as browsing through Facebook while you’re on the boss’s clock. Whether you like it or not, work and life are integrating.Tue, 31 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/better-daily-work-rhythm-with-saent-lifeline/https://timmetz.nl/writing/better-daily-work-rhythm-with-saent-lifeline/Over the past years, we’ve quietly worked on Lifeline, a new Saent application for macOS. The app is now available on the macOS App Store.Sat, 04 May 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/virtuous-circle-of-saent/https://timmetz.nl/writing/virtuous-circle-of-saent/Most productivity and time-management methodologies help us deal with information overload. How to organize data, which tasks to prioritize, what to work on next, projects to delegate to others, and so on.Sun, 28 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/time-your-work-with-timeboxing/https://timmetz.nl/writing/time-your-work-with-timeboxing/Imagine this: you’re headed for the supermarket to buy groceries. You plan to spend $25 on a bunch of tomatoes, fresh juice, a bottle of wine, and half a loaf of bread.Sun, 23 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-five-principles/https://timmetz.nl/writing/lifeline-five-principles/Find calm, do great work, and live a fulfilling life. That’s what Saent is all about. Our newest product—a desktop application for macOS called Saent Lifeline—helps you achieve these goals.Fri, 02 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/magic-power-of-breaks-work-less-get-more-done/https://timmetz.nl/writing/magic-power-of-breaks-work-less-get-more-done/An important component of our macOS application Lifeline is taking sufficient breaks, and in this article, I’ll explain why.Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/solving-techs-problems-tech/https://timmetz.nl/writing/solving-techs-problems-tech/A war for your attention is going on. Some suggest to solve this problem with… technology!Sat, 26 May 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/against-scheduling-in-evening/https://timmetz.nl/writing/against-scheduling-in-evening/Many productivity experts recommend planning your next day the evening before. It allows you to “hit the ground running.” For me this doesn’t work.Sun, 20 May 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/technical-update-fix-login-issue-windows-beta-release/https://timmetz.nl/writing/technical-update-fix-login-issue-windows-beta-release/If you’re experiencing issues logging in to the Saent desktop app on Windows, you can download the below update.Sat, 19 May 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.kaiostech.com/kaios-helps-carriers-transform-business-models/https://www.kaiostech.com/kaios-helps-carriers-transform-business-models/How mobile carriers in emerging markets can transform their business models to serve subscribers still stuck on 2G networks.Mon, 14 May 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/status-update-may-2018/https://timmetz.nl/writing/status-update-may-2018/Here’s (finally) a new update on the status of Saent. There’s some good news and some bad news, so let’s get the bad out of the way first.Mon, 14 May 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/technical-status-update-saent-desktop-software-server-error/https://timmetz.nl/writing/technical-status-update-saent-desktop-software-server-error/Some users are experiencing a server error when trying to login to the Saent desktop software. It’s caused by an expired and invalid SSL certificate which we’ve been unable to restore over the past weeks.Mon, 07 May 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/daily-productivity-checklist/https://timmetz.nl/writing/daily-productivity-checklist/A productivity checklist helps plan your day, so you don't forget about routine but essential activities. This post includes a free template and video explainer.Thu, 30 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/smartphone-issues/https://timmetz.nl/writing/smartphone-issues/Smartphones are pocket-sized computers that allow us to do things that would have seemed like magic just ten years ago.Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/digital-diet-plan/https://timmetz.nl/writing/digital-diet-plan/There’s a new form of obesity — one caused by digital junk food. We’re online all the time. We fragment our attention between a million things.Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/reading-tips/https://timmetz.nl/writing/reading-tips/Picking up a book allows you to connect directly with a great mind (assuming you’re reading a good book, that is). But most of us don’t read all that many books.Mon, 23 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/workday-evolution/https://timmetz.nl/writing/workday-evolution/We’re still working in a manner designed for factories at the turn of the 19th century, even as digital technology has completely changed the nature of the work we do.Mon, 16 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/remote-work-why/https://timmetz.nl/writing/remote-work-why/Working from home, a coffee shop, or even a remote tropical island all sound fantastic. Combined with the entrepreneurial dream of owning your own business it might even be heaven. But here’s what building a remote company is really like.Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/consistency/https://timmetz.nl/writing/consistency/I often get asked, "what is your number one productivity tip?" The answer is "consistency." This article explores why and how to implement consistency in your life.Mon, 02 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/favorite-reads-2016/https://timmetz.nl/writing/favorite-reads-2016/One of the most active Slack channels at Saent is our #reading room, where we share articles, books, and other media we come across each day.Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/breaks-productivity/https://timmetz.nl/writing/breaks-productivity/Breaks are important for a number of reasons, and not taking them can lead to stress, burnout, poor productivity, and poor work quality.Mon, 26 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/conversational-interface-learnings/https://timmetz.nl/writing/conversational-interface-learnings/We announced Saent’s first conversational user interface in a blog post in January 2016. Now almost a full year later, we’ve gone through several iterations on that initial design and learned a lot along the way.Thu, 22 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://web.archive.org/web/20191116224301/https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/conversational-user-interface-design/https://web.archive.org/web/20191116224301/https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/conversational-user-interface-design/Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/digital-obesity/https://timmetz.nl/writing/digital-obesity/Author William Powers makes a convincing call to disconnect from our devices and the internet more often in his 2010 book “Hamlet’s Blackberry.”Tue, 20 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/focus-challenge-what/https://timmetz.nl/writing/focus-challenge-what/In parts I and II of this series on “The 30 Minutes of Focus Challenge” we covered the why and the how. But now that you have that half hour of uninterrupted time per day, what can you do with it?Fri, 16 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/v17-status-update/https://timmetz.nl/writing/v17-status-update/One of the best ways to combat the modern issues of information overload, work stress, burnout, and poor work-life balance is through effective behavior change.Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/focus-challenge-how/https://timmetz.nl/writing/focus-challenge-how/How can you carve out half an hour of completely uninterrupted time when you’re under constant attack from notifications, social media, and email?Tue, 13 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/focus-challenge-why/https://timmetz.nl/writing/focus-challenge-why/Can you focus for half an hour on one thing? If research by Gloria Mark is correct, there’s a good chance the answer is “no.”Wed, 07 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/early-rising/https://timmetz.nl/writing/early-rising/There is a substantial group of elite achievers who wake up at ungodly hours: Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice used to get up at 4:30 am. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson at 5 am.Mon, 05 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/apple-multitasking/https://timmetz.nl/writing/apple-multitasking/I’m working on a report while keeping an eye on my Twitter stream. I send out a few messages while having dinner with my girlfriend. I’m reading an article on my phone while queuing at Starbucks.Wed, 30 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/saent-team-retreat-nyc/https://timmetz.nl/writing/saent-team-retreat-nyc/Earlier this month we did something we’ve never done before at Saent: we met in person. Saent is a fully remote team, operating from half a dozen countries and even more time zones.Mon, 28 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/saent-next-web-momentum/https://timmetz.nl/writing/saent-next-web-momentum/We have some exciting news: almost the entire core Saent team will be descending on New York in a couple of weeks for The Next Web: Momentum conference!Tue, 01 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/goal-setting/https://timmetz.nl/writing/goal-setting/While it was a tall feat, President Kennedy’s moonshot challenge was potentially achievable. As we’ll see later, this is one of the hallmarks of sound goal-setting.Mon, 12 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/seven-questions-planning-day/https://timmetz.nl/writing/seven-questions-planning-day/Your day starts. A blank sheet, full of opportunity. What will it bring? What wonderful work will you get done? Then, on the way to work, you check your email on your mobile and, before you’ve started, your blank sheet of a day crumples.Thu, 25 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://web.archive.org/web/20191019095120/https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/design-time-well-spent/https://web.archive.org/web/20191019095120/https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/design-time-well-spent/Mon, 15 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/letting-go/https://timmetz.nl/writing/letting-go/The holy grail of productivity usually involves getting to the bottom of things; your inbox should be empty. All your tasks completed. No more paperwork to file. All red badge alerts on your mobile gone.Mon, 15 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/vacation-email-message/https://timmetz.nl/writing/vacation-email-message/It’s that time of the year again: summer has officially started, so hopefully you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to enjoy a few weeks of vacation! But… I can already feel your dread for that inbox upon return.Sun, 17 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/daily-routine/https://timmetz.nl/writing/daily-routine/When Michael Phelps woke up at 6:30 am on August 13th of 2008, he wasn’t in his own home. In fact, he was far from it, as he was rising to a new day in the Olympic Village in Beijing.Wed, 22 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/remember-everything-improve-creative-thinking/https://timmetz.nl/writing/remember-everything-improve-creative-thinking/In August of 2014, as I was walking from my home in Beijing to the gym, I can clearly remember a thought firing off in my head. My creative thinking was in overdrive and several dots connected to form the basis for a software tool called SANE.Wed, 15 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/the-importance-of-not-staying-busy/269615https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/the-importance-of-not-staying-busy/269615Argues that constant busyness undermines real productivity; drawing on research into elite violinists and Henry Ford, it makes the case for focused work paired with genuine rest.Thu, 12 May 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://zapier.com/blog/work-life-balance/https://zapier.com/blog/work-life-balance/Research-backed practices for balancing work and life, split into individual and organizational tips.Thu, 23 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-top-5-uber-asana-wechat/https://timmetz.nl/writing/productivity-top-5-uber-asana-wechat/In the Bimonthly Productivity Top 5, I look back at the most important productivity hacks I’ve implemented in the past two months. This one covers May and June of 2015.Sun, 19 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/eisenhower-method/https://timmetz.nl/writing/eisenhower-method/When I was running an online marketing company in Beijing in 2009, my coach introduced me to this classic time-management question: “How do you handle each type of task in the below table?” This model is also known as the Eisenhower Method.Sun, 10 May 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/bimonthly-productivity-top-5-slack-pomodoro/https://timmetz.nl/writing/bimonthly-productivity-top-5-slack-pomodoro/In the Bimonthly Productivity Top 5, I look back at the most important productivity hacks I’ve implemented in the past two months. This one covers March and April of 2015.Sat, 02 May 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/unproductive/https://timmetz.nl/writing/unproductive/For most of us, the challenge is to get more productive. But there are some folks out there wondering how to be less productive.Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/evernote-business/https://timmetz.nl/writing/evernote-business/In a normal office situation, you usually know whom to go to for which information. Perhaps you have a short chat at the water cooler, or you plan a face-to-face meeting to have a more difficult question answered.Fri, 17 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/calm-your-mind/https://timmetz.nl/writing/calm-your-mind/What is the most important thing you’ve ever learned? Walking? Reading? Counting? Or perhaps how to take care of yourself? Managing money? Do your job? Recognize emotions? Human psychology? Loving someone else? Loving yourself? It’s a simple question, yet not an easy one.Sun, 12 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/managing-creativity/https://timmetz.nl/writing/managing-creativity/Creativity and productivity usually don’t go hand in hand. Designers tend to procrastinate. Musicians like to party like rockstars. Flashes of genius don’t happen between 9 am and 5 pm.Sun, 05 Apr 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/meetings/https://timmetz.nl/writing/meetings/What do meetings have in common with the following conversation topics? Banks. The weather. Pollution in Beijing (for those living in China). Facebook. Taxes. Politicians. Your football team’s coach after a lost match.Fri, 27 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/20-easy-things-to-improve-productivity/https://timmetz.nl/writing/20-easy-things-to-improve-productivity/Let’s not waste your time with a fluffy intro about why you should improve productivity. I’m sure the title of this article caught your eye for a reason, else you wouldn’t be here.Thu, 19 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/read-more-and-forget-less/https://timmetz.nl/writing/read-more-and-forget-less/Reading. A skill we all possess, yet not all readers are created equal. Most of us struggle to read a 3,000+ word article, let alone a book. We’re too busy and too distracted.Sat, 14 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/bimonthly-productivity-top-5-sunrise-rise-superman/https://timmetz.nl/writing/bimonthly-productivity-top-5-sunrise-rise-superman/In the Bimonthly Productivity Top 5, I look back at the most important productivity hacks I’ve implemented in the past two months. This one covers January and February of 2015.Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/use-your-calendar-turbocharge-your-day/https://timmetz.nl/writing/use-your-calendar-turbocharge-your-day/You’ve probably heard this time-management advice before: don’t just use your calendar for meetings with other people. Also schedule appointments with yourself and treat them as holy. If you’re like me, that trick somehow never seems to work.Tue, 03 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-use-more-of-your-brain/https://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-use-more-of-your-brain/A blacksmith is useless without his hammer. The factory is nothing without a conveyor belt. A jockey gets nowhere without his horse. Jimi Hendrix is lost without a guitar. What is thunder without lightning… OK, that last one was a joke.Sat, 14 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/you-say-yes-i-say-no/https://timmetz.nl/writing/you-say-yes-i-say-no/Saying yes is easy: We want to please others. We don’t want to disappoint. We want to be able to do everything. We don’t want to miss any opportunities. Saying no, on the other hand, is hard.Sun, 01 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/a-deadly-wandering-matt-richtel-book-summary/https://timmetz.nl/writing/a-deadly-wandering-matt-richtel-book-summary/There are many things we can all learn from the story of Regie Shaw. The one that stands out most is probably this: each one of us could have easily been him, and still any one of us can easily become him.Fri, 30 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/asana-today-upcoming-later-feature/https://timmetz.nl/writing/asana-today-upcoming-later-feature/What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of productivity? Probably not “flexible“. Most tools, systems and methods require you to follow a rigid procedure.Wed, 21 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/essentialism-greg-mckeown/https://timmetz.nl/writing/essentialism-greg-mckeown/In Greg McKeown's 2014 book, Essentialism, he explains the way of the Essentialist—the disciplined pursuit of less but better. "It's about making the trade-off between pursuing lots of good things OR a few really great things."Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-stay-focused/https://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-stay-focused/Chances are you shouldn’t be reading this right now. You set off to do something else, yet somehow you ended up here. Welcome to the Age of Unlimited Distraction.Sun, 11 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-improve-at-work-with-this-simple-solution/https://timmetz.nl/writing/how-to-improve-at-work-with-this-simple-solution/Do you know which shoelace you tied first this morning? Left or right? Did you give much thought to what you did first when you started up your computer? Do you recall how you ended up on this page?Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/habits-of-habits/https://timmetz.nl/writing/habits-of-habits/Have you ever seen someone show up in the most professional snowboarding gear on the planet, on his first lesson? Had an intern who insists he needs a MacBook Pro to properly write his graduation report?Fri, 02 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/self-improvement-2014-kaizen/https://timmetz.nl/writing/self-improvement-2014-kaizen/What have you changed about yourself in the past 12 months? It’s one of my favorite questions when doing job interviews. It tells you quite a few things about the candidate.Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/eat-the-frog-the-one-habit/https://timmetz.nl/writing/eat-the-frog-the-one-habit/One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.” – J.R.R. TolkienFri, 26 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/getting-your-priorities-right-is-hard/https://timmetz.nl/writing/getting-your-priorities-right-is-hard/When everything becomes a priority, nothing is a priority. In fact, until around 1950, people hardly ever used the plural “priorities”. They seemed content to only have one “priority."Fri, 19 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/heres-shouldnt-productive-2015/https://timmetz.nl/writing/heres-shouldnt-productive-2015/Do you plan to go to the gym more often in the new year? Smoke and drink less? Get more engaged at work? Or maybe quit your job and go on that travel adventure you’ve always dreamed of?Thu, 11 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/get-more-done-by-taking-your-time/https://timmetz.nl/writing/get-more-done-by-taking-your-time/"Having a lot to do isn’t the same as actually getting a lot done. Most of the time, people who have a lot to do end up doing a lot of unimportant, unnecessary things.” Leo BabautaWed, 03 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/9-things-can-learn-buzzfeeds-ceo-founder/https://timmetz.nl/writing/9-things-can-learn-buzzfeeds-ceo-founder/Jonah Peretti is to BuzzFeed what Howard Schultz is to Starbucks. And since BuzzFeed is to media what Starbucks is to coffee, the analogy runs deeper than them just sharing the same job titles.Thu, 06 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/learning-hard-way-e2-80-8amanagement/https://timmetz.nl/writing/learning-hard-way-e2-80-8amanagement/In a matter of minutes, hours or days, you can sometimes learn something which initially took others weeks, months, years or even lives to figure out.Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/busy-new-black/https://timmetz.nl/writing/busy-new-black/Fri, 24 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/follow-your-gut/https://timmetz.nl/writing/follow-your-gut/Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://timmetz.nl/writing/addictive-technology/https://timmetz.nl/writing/addictive-technology/Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 GMT