Good tools won't fix bad habits

The best tool for the job is the one you already have

I have an interest in tools/tech, so naturally I like having the most powerful tools I can for getting tasks done.

The problem is that I apply that logic even if the task is something I haven’t done before. So sometimes I won’t try to do anything until I have “that” tool. 

Then I run into the problem of  getting the tool, not appreciating what the tool can do, and getting nowhere.

That’s like having a 16 year old learn how to drive in a Formula 1 car, ridiculous. 

This has been a struggle for me, so I’ve taken steps to work through it after realizing I was making productivity more complicated than it needed to be. 

I made a Notion dashboard to track a bunch of things in my life. I even organized it using the P.A.R.A. method from - Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte. .

But somehow it became a grind to use it.

So I used it less often than expected. Instead of trying to force myself to use it, I decided to stop and only use the resources in it that I truly needed and seek out a way to do more with less. 

This is my current set-up for to-do's and just jotting down ideas.

A “dumb” system consisting of pen and paper. 

Somehow I pick this up more often than my carefully crafted Notion page. 

This has been all the proof I need to show how complicated I tend to make things.

I mean think about it, if I can’t write a task down on a piece of paper and cross it out when I’m done, do you really think I’ll use a 47 layer Notion database?

No. 

Because tools won’t save you from bad habits. 

The best new camera won’t help you become a better photographer if you don’t even understand exposure or composition. 

My approach to avoid this has been to immediately start with whatever I have and ignore the shiny object syndrome when it comes to new tools. Also keeping things extremely simple and only adding to the complexity of the tool when I need it. 

So far this has led to reduced friction between task completion and some more clarity in my day. 

I know eventually I transfer a part of this system to Notion and my Reminders app on the iPhone to prevent losing notes. 

But so far, pen and paper have been extremely helpful in enabling me to get more done. 

I encourage you to give it a shot.

Thanks for reading - OG