The Martin Messier Gazette

Everyone and anyone interested in increasing productivity has, at one point or another, crossed the following instruction: The secret to productivity is focus. Do only one thing at a time. And then, the inevitable question surfaces: “How do I do that?” I venture to say that Merlin Mann has answered the question. Before you sweat the logistics of focus: first, care. Care intensely. [...] So, first, care. Then, as you’ll happily and unavoidably discover, all that “focus” business has a peculiar way [...]

Ali Hale wrote a provoking article on productivity over at Productive Flourishings. You should read it. She writes: When we get in a tangle and try to match up creativity with productiveness with busyness, it’s often because we’ve been taught to align productivity with outputs – particularlymeasurable outputs: words written, hours worked, widgets cranked. But being productive isn’t about being able to point to items ticked off on a to-do list. It’s possible, indeed, easy, to be very busy and active [...]

I just found out about this awesome little program on Lifehacker. CreaWriter is a Windows program designed to increase your productivity and creativity. Its minimalist interface full screen and distraction free, envolves you in a relax and calm atmosphere which stimulate your concentration and creativity in writing. I’ve been a fan of DarkRoom for a long time, but this one really takes the cake home. Magnificient interface, relaxing ambient sound, and a distraction-free writing environment. Just what I needed. Incidentally, [...]

Tony Robbins often says that our life is a direct reflection of the expectations of our peer group. Recently, Johnny B. Truant posted about this on Copyblogger. He gave a few tips to supercharge your peer group: Find blogs, forums, and online social communities filled with people whose expectations you’d like to meet, and hang out there. Find a coach or mentor. Paying for coaching is a great way to care if you meet the coach’s expectations. Work with someone [...]

I just gave my son his first slap on the butt. He’s three. While I feel terrible about this, it was necessary. And I hope I never have to do it again. For a long time, he’s been developing egocentric aggressive behaviors (hitting his nanny, destroying his sister’s games when he gets frustrated, etc.). My wife and I have discussed the issue with him, have given him timeouts, to no avail. Apparently, he needs a stronger pain reference to help [...]