Thank you Todd. This is the first productivity post written by a man where I feel truly seen and validated.
We run a busy farm, and I am the primary caregiver for our 3 boys. You've given me the grace to acknowledge that maybe it's not my failures in being productive, but the reality of life that I live.
Plus I'm keen to put your other practical tips into practice to help my non-parenting/non-lifing time find flow
And that’s why I wrote it. The push to be original prevents a lot of authors from being honest and practical.
I keep wondering how much brilliant creativity is lost because of other life priorities. That is the output doesn’t map onto what could have been if society was structured differently
Strategy 1 has been rattling around in my brain since I first read it yesterday. I adore you for highlighting it. And, while this might be slightly off-topic from the theme of the entire post, let’s take this acknowledgment and apply it to those navigating mid-life dating and their “non-negotiables.”
Based on the truth of Strategy 1, maybe it’s worth elevating non-negotiable qualities that truly matter when life gets real: someone who can scrub dog shit off the reading chair while fielding a call from the school nurse, who’s simultaneously coordinating pickups for two other kids at opposite ends of the city.
"Must be a reader." Who can argue with that? I certainly didn’t when I recently heard it. But a single mom working two jobs and putting herself through school probably isn’t picking up a book for pleasure or even interest. Credit scores, drama-free exes, and consistent workout routines are all great benchmarks. If you score high on those scales (or they’re on your list), I’m cheering you on and supporting what you value.
But what about adaptability, emotional intelligence, a sense of humor in chaos, the capacity to stay steady in storms, or the grit to show up when it’s hard? How about kindness that goes beyond convenience, integrity that isn’t conditional, or the courage to do the unglamorous work of love? These aren’t trivial—they’re essential.
I’d love to see more of these qualities taking their rightful place at the top of the list.
Erin first of all thank you. But forget that. Remember how we had a brief conversation on edginess? This is it. Please turn this into a substack post and then let me know so I can share it far and wide. All of this.
Very cool post Todd. I would love to hear more about how you consolidate insights from books, papers, and your personal notes into papers, books or projects.
I'm a big fan of Robert Greene and Ryan Holiday's notecard system. I'd love to hear about your processes - even if they're ad-hoc rather than systematic.
Thank you Todd. This is the first productivity post written by a man where I feel truly seen and validated.
We run a busy farm, and I am the primary caregiver for our 3 boys. You've given me the grace to acknowledge that maybe it's not my failures in being productive, but the reality of life that I live.
Plus I'm keen to put your other practical tips into practice to help my non-parenting/non-lifing time find flow
And that’s why I wrote it. The push to be original prevents a lot of authors from being honest and practical.
I keep wondering how much brilliant creativity is lost because of other life priorities. That is the output doesn’t map onto what could have been if society was structured differently
Yes, yes, 11 times over, yes.
[Warning. Tangential soapbox ahead.]
Strategy 1 has been rattling around in my brain since I first read it yesterday. I adore you for highlighting it. And, while this might be slightly off-topic from the theme of the entire post, let’s take this acknowledgment and apply it to those navigating mid-life dating and their “non-negotiables.”
Based on the truth of Strategy 1, maybe it’s worth elevating non-negotiable qualities that truly matter when life gets real: someone who can scrub dog shit off the reading chair while fielding a call from the school nurse, who’s simultaneously coordinating pickups for two other kids at opposite ends of the city.
"Must be a reader." Who can argue with that? I certainly didn’t when I recently heard it. But a single mom working two jobs and putting herself through school probably isn’t picking up a book for pleasure or even interest. Credit scores, drama-free exes, and consistent workout routines are all great benchmarks. If you score high on those scales (or they’re on your list), I’m cheering you on and supporting what you value.
But what about adaptability, emotional intelligence, a sense of humor in chaos, the capacity to stay steady in storms, or the grit to show up when it’s hard? How about kindness that goes beyond convenience, integrity that isn’t conditional, or the courage to do the unglamorous work of love? These aren’t trivial—they’re essential.
I’d love to see more of these qualities taking their rightful place at the top of the list.
Erin first of all thank you. But forget that. Remember how we had a brief conversation on edginess? This is it. Please turn this into a substack post and then let me know so I can share it far and wide. All of this.
Very cool post Todd. I would love to hear more about how you consolidate insights from books, papers, and your personal notes into papers, books or projects.
I'm a big fan of Robert Greene and Ryan Holiday's notecard system. I'd love to hear about your processes - even if they're ad-hoc rather than systematic.
Oh yeah let me hit that.
Just started listening to Oliver’s voice!
How is he?
He’s good! 😊
I liked the bonus one best!
I am, after all, a Muse ✨.