6-Second Sunday: Pseudo productivity, optimism, and chasing horizons

6 Ideas. 6 Second Skim. 6 Minute Read.

Happy 6-Second Sunday!

Here are 6 ideas I’m applying that take 6 seconds to skim and 6 minutes or less to read…

Overview

1. How I’m Moderating Meals: Channeling My British Heritage

2. Idea I’m Exploring: Pseudo Productivity 

3. Skill I’m Honing: Optimistically Biased

4. Unsexy Nutrition Advice I’m Following: Balance and Moderation

5. Conversation I’m Having: Pitfalls of Modern Vegans and Vegetarians

6. Quote I’m Rereading: Point towards a horizon

Let’s dive in.

---

How I’m Moderating Meals: Channeling My British Heritage

Like a dog with too much kibble, I often have the urge to keep eating beyond the point of satiety.

To prevent myself from overeating, I’m channelling my British heritage by boiling the jug and making tea at the end of each meal, especially dinner.

A cup of tea acts as a mental cap to mark the end of my meal.

Pro Tip: Make sure the tea you drink in the afternoon or evening is caffeine-free.

---

Idea I’m Exploring: Pseudo Productivity

In previous jobs, especially during covid when everything went virtual, I spent the majority of my day interrupting important work to promptly answer messages and emails and take unscheduled meetings.

But it wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t even that organization’s fault. (Although we both could have done something to improve it).

The fault lies with how the modern knowledge worker defines productivity.

In his new book Slow Productivity, Cal Newport observes that we “use visible activity as the primary means of approximating actual productive effort.” He coins this pseudo productivity.

Visible activity for knowledge workers means sending messages and emails and taking calls. Actions that make you look busy and important but are rarely impactful in any meaningful way.

As I hunt for new jobs and take the next step in my career, I want to fend off pseudo productivity through clear, honest communication with my future colleagues: If I don’t respond to your messages and e-mails right away, it’s because I’m engaged in deep work on something important. If there is an urgent issue, call me.

---

Skill I’m Honing: Optimistically Biased

“Optimism sounds like a sales pitch. Pessimism sounds like someone trying to help you.” — Morgan Housel

I’m a naturally optimistic person. But that optimism can be swiftly swept away if I’m not very deliberate about my inputs. 

If you’ve been with me for long enough, you’ll know that I actively despise and never consume the news. Over the last 5+ years of keeping the news as far out of sight as possible, nothing bad has ever happened to me.

Here’s my take: