I’m at home all day, so why is it so hard to meditate?

You’d think being forced to stay home is the ideal time to develop a deep, consistent mindfulness practice. It’s good for well-being, and it’s good for focus at work, with clients and while working from home. So why do I *not* meditate? Why do I keep putting it off? When I stop and pay attention … Read more

Escaping unplanned Netflix binges

What regrets will you have on your deathbed? It almost certainly won’t be “I wish I’d caught the last two seasons of Brooklyn 99!” If you have goals that don’t involve sitting on the couch watching endless television and films, limiting your Netflix time is important. This post has a bunch of obvious suggestions like … Read more

A little bit of clarity

I have spent much of my life with a sense of having so much to do, so much that I want to do, but little sense of what to do next. And this is fundamental. Dreams, plans and todo lists are only effective when they direct our actual actions at a specific point in time. To … Read more

Effective study methods

Here’s a video I made a while back about learning, which is a passion for me. (Now, I’m more skilled in study technique than in making videos, so please excuse the video quality, and send me constructive feedback!) I talk about the value of self-testing, of increasing the challenge to the right level, and weird … Read more

Procrastination is about emotions, not time

When we ask ourselves why we procrastinate, a couple of reasons come easily to mind: That we are lazy, and that we suck at time management. The first is actively unhelpful. The time management explanation is also a distraction. Time management skills are important, don’t get me wrong. Planning, timeboxing, project tracking and to-do lists … Read more

I do it too (and it’s okay)

People sometimes ask me whether I got into anti-procrastination coaching because I’m a super-effective and productive person who could help other people be like me, or because I had problems with procrastination myself. Let me assure you, I am not the pinnacle of productive, focused work. I chose this path because I had massive problems … Read more

Procrastination self-prescription (that works for me every time)

I have work to do, but constant low-grade pain from a shoulder strain is killing my concentration and will to work these last 24 hours. I’ve distracted myself with social media and I’m letting people down because of it. If only I knew an anti-procrastination coach. Oh, wait! Okay, here’s my self-prescription: 5 minutes of … Read more

Before they ever met you

The person who treated you hurtfully, who judged you, who disappointed you… Their responses to you were set in motion long before they ever met you. This is not about you. You? Now? Your influence and power lie in stopping for a moment and choosing your response. Note: This is not analytic philosophy or epistemology. … Read more

Return to the desired behavior without judgment

Perfectly expressed: Getting organized (or establishing new habits) is like following your breath when learning to meditate. We are taught that, when you notice your mind wandering off and straying from the intention of following the breath, you simply notice having done so, without judgment, and return to following your breath. What if we could … Read more

Investing time and energy for friendship

Many times in my life I’ve felt disconnected, lacking the friendships I desire. At a distance from old friends, geographically and emotionally. It hasn’t been simply bad luck, or dastardly actions by others. (And if I focused on those things, what could I do about them? Very little.) Speaking for myself, disconnection has followed from my neglecting … Read more

​Spend energy to create energy

Spending energy creates energy. A short run and I’m more alert. A slightly harder run and (once I recover) I have energy for days. I take a push-up break from the computer instead of a cookie break, and I feel more energised. And the same seems to apply to most of us. Physics still applies: … Read more

​My routines are my strength

​My routines are my strength. But they are not strong enough.  My boundaries are my protection. But if they are poorly established and defended, they do not protect me.  I want to be calm, energetic and focused. To achieve that, I must do the things that help me be calm, energetic and focused.  Make things … Read more