Tynan's 2023 work prioritization strategy centers around balancing enjoyment, impact, and urgency. He emphasizes choosing tasks he genuinely wants to do, ensuring alignment with his overall goals, and incorporating a small amount of urgent but less enjoyable work to maintain momentum. This system involves maintaining a ranked list of potential projects, regularly re-evaluating priorities, and focusing on a limited number of key areas, currently including fitness, finance, relationships, and creative pursuits. He acknowledges the influence of external factors but stresses the importance of internal drive and proactively shaping his own work.
Tynan Sylvester, in his 2023 blog post entitled "How I Choose What to Work On," meticulously details his evolved system for project selection and execution, emphasizing a dynamic approach that balances intrinsic motivation with potential impact. He eschews rigid adherence to pre-determined plans, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of creative endeavors and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances and emerging opportunities.
The core of his system revolves around maintaining a meticulously curated list of potential projects, categorized by scope and effort. These categories range from small, easily achievable tasks to large, ambitious undertakings, providing a diverse pool from which to draw inspiration and allocate resources. He emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing and refining this list, adding new ideas as they arise and pruning those that have lost their appeal or relevance. This continuous curation ensures the list remains a vibrant reflection of his current interests and aspirations.
Beyond mere listing, Sylvester introduces a crucial element of prioritization. He employs a scoring system based on two primary factors: "Urgency," reflecting external deadlines or time-sensitive opportunities, and "Excitement," representing his intrinsic motivation and passion for the project. This dual-axis approach allows him to visually map his projects and identify those that optimally balance pressing needs with personal fulfillment. This visualization, facilitated by a simple spreadsheet, aids in making informed decisions about where to direct his energies.
Furthermore, Sylvester advocates for a pragmatic approach to project initiation, recommending starting with a small, manageable "slice" of a larger project. This "slicing" technique allows for early validation of ideas, minimizes the risk of overcommitment, and provides a sense of accomplishment that fuels further progress. It also allows for iterative development and refinement, adapting the project based on early feedback and learnings.
The post also delves into the psychological aspects of project management, acknowledging the common pitfalls of procrastination and distraction. Sylvester suggests strategies for mitigating these challenges, including consciously scheduling dedicated work blocks, minimizing interruptions, and cultivating a mindset of focused attention. He stresses the importance of understanding one's own working style and tailoring the environment to promote productivity.
Finally, Sylvester underlines the iterative nature of his system, emphasizing the need for continuous reflection and adjustment. He encourages readers to adapt his principles to their own circumstances, recognizing that the ideal workflow is a personalized construct that evolves over time. The overall message is one of mindful engagement with one's work, leveraging a structured yet flexible approach to maximize both productivity and personal satisfaction.
Summary of Comments ( 27 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43470146
HN users generally agreed with the author's approach of focusing on projects driven by intrinsic motivation. Some highlighted the importance of recognizing the difference between genuinely exciting work and mere procrastination disguised as "exploration." Others offered additional factors to consider, like market demand and the potential for learning and growth. A few commenters debated the practicality of this advice for those with less financial freedom, while others shared personal anecdotes about how similar strategies have led them to successful and fulfilling projects. Several appreciated the emphasis on choosing projects that feel right and avoiding forced productivity, echoing the author's sentiment of allowing oneself to be drawn to the most compelling work.
The Hacker News post titled "How I Choose What to Work On (2023)" linking to Tynan's blog post has generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on the practicality and applicability of Tynan's framework for choosing projects.
Several commenters appreciate the structured approach Tynan presents. One highlights the value in explicitly listing potential projects and assigning scores based on criteria like impact, enjoyment, and feasibility, emphasizing how this process can bring clarity and prevent stagnation. Another commenter echoes this sentiment, praising the systematic nature of the framework and suggesting it as a valuable tool for combating decision paralysis.
However, some express skepticism about the feasibility of accurately scoring subjective criteria like "fun." One commenter questions whether assigning numerical values to inherently qualitative aspects truly adds value, suggesting it might introduce an illusion of objectivity. Another points out the potential for bias in these scores, highlighting how one's current mood could significantly influence the assigned values and skew the results.
A recurring theme in the comments is the tension between passion projects and financially viable ventures. Some commenters argue that while Tynan's framework might be useful for personal projects, it's less applicable to business decisions where market demand and profitability are paramount. One commenter suggests that focusing solely on intrinsic motivation, as Tynan seems to advocate, could lead to neglecting crucial external factors.
Some of the discussion revolves around the author, Tynan, himself. Commenters familiar with his previous work and lifestyle express a degree of cynicism, suggesting that his advice might not be universally applicable given his unique circumstances and financial independence. One comment specifically mentions his past successes, implying that his current framework might be a product of his privileged position rather than a universally effective strategy.
Finally, a few comments offer alternative approaches to project selection. One commenter mentions using a "Regret Minimization Framework," focusing on choosing projects that one is least likely to regret in the future. Another suggests a more iterative approach, emphasizing the importance of starting small, gathering feedback, and adapting along the way. This commenter argues that overthinking and over-planning can be detrimental, advocating for a more dynamic and responsive approach to project selection.