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.
EnkiTask is a lightweight project management tool designed specifically for freelancers. It focuses on simplicity and ease of use, offering essential features like task management, time tracking, and invoicing, all within a clean and intuitive interface. The goal is to help freelancers stay organized, manage their time effectively, and streamline their billing process without the complexity of larger project management platforms. It aims to be a central hub for managing all aspects of freelance work.
HN users generally found EnkiTask's simplicity and focus on freelancers appealing. Several commenters praised the clean UI and ease of use, suggesting it's a good alternative to more complex project management tools. Some expressed interest in specific features like time tracking and invoicing, while others requested integrations with existing tools like Google Calendar. A few users compared it favorably to Notion, highlighting its dedicated project management features as a key advantage. There was also a discussion around pricing and the potential for a free tier, with some users expressing willingness to pay for the service.
Stack-Ranker is a simple web app designed to help users prioritize any list of items. By presenting two items at a time and asking users to choose which is more important, it uses a sorting algorithm similar to merge sort to efficiently generate a ranked list. The resulting prioritized list can be copied or saved for later, and the tool offers the ability to import lists and randomize order for unbiased comparisons. It's pitched as a lightweight, no-frills solution for quickly prioritizing anything from tasks and features to movies and books.
HN users generally expressed skepticism about the "stack ranking" method proposed by the website. Several commenters pointed out that simply making lists and prioritizing items isn't novel and questioned the value proposition of the tool. Some suggested existing methods like spreadsheets or even pen and paper were sufficient. There was a discussion around the potential for overthinking prioritization and the importance of actually taking action. The lack of a clear use case beyond basic list-making was a common criticism, with some users wondering how the tool handled more complex prioritization scenarios. Several users also expressed concerns about the website's design and UI.
The author explains their extensive use of Org Mode, an Emacs extension, as a powerful, all-encompassing tool beyond simple note-taking. They highlight its flexibility for managing writing projects, from initial brainstorming and outlining to drafting, editing, and publishing. Org Mode's structured format, using plain text and simple markup, facilitates easy reorganization, version control with Git, and export to various formats like HTML and PDF. The author demonstrates how features like tags, links, and the ability to embed code and results directly into documents make it ideal for technical writing, literate programming, and project management, ultimately creating a unified system for knowledge creation and organization.
Hacker News users generally praised the article for its clear explanation of Org Mode's benefits and the author's workflow. Several commenters shared their own experiences and tips for using Org Mode, highlighting its versatility for tasks beyond writing, such as project management and note-taking. Some discussed the learning curve associated with Org Mode, acknowledging its initial complexity but emphasizing the long-term payoff. A few users mentioned alternative tools, but the overall sentiment leaned towards appreciating Org Mode's powerful features and extensibility. The discussion also touched upon the advantages of plain text and the philosophical appeal of owning your data.
This blog post details how to create and manage recurring checklists within Emacs' Org Mode. It leverages the SCHEDULED and STYLE properties of list items to automate the reappearance of tasks at specified intervals. The author demonstrates how to define a daily checklist template, schedule its repetition daily, and configure it to reset each morning, ready for a new day's checking. Furthermore, it explores more complex scenarios, including using timestamps to track completion history and adding specific scheduling keywords for more nuanced control over recurrence, like excluding weekends. The post also briefly covers handling checklist items that don't need daily resetting.
Hacker News users generally praised the article for its clear explanation of using Org Mode for recurring tasks. Several commenters shared their own workflows and modifications, including using the org-super-agenda package, scripting with elisp for more complex recurring tasks, and integrating with mobile apps like Orgzly. Some pointed out potential limitations of the author's approach, suggesting alternatives like dynamic blocks for greater flexibility. The discussion also touched on broader Org Mode features, such as capturing tasks and agenda views. A few users highlighted the steep learning curve of Emacs and Org Mode but affirmed their power once mastered.
Ocal is an AI-powered calendar app designed to intelligently schedule assignments and tasks. It analyzes your existing calendar and to-do list, understanding deadlines and estimated time requirements, then automatically allocates time slots for optimal productivity. Ocal aims to minimize procrastination and optimize your schedule by suggesting realistic time blocks for each task, allowing you to focus on the work itself rather than the planning. It integrates with existing calendar platforms and offers a streamlined interface for managing your commitments.
HN users generally expressed skepticism about Ocal's claimed ability to automatically schedule tasks. Some doubted the AI's capability to understand task dependencies and individual work styles, while others questioned its handling of unexpected events or changes in priorities. Several commenters pointed out that existing calendar applications already offer similar features, albeit without AI, suggesting that Ocal's value proposition isn't clear. There was also concern about privacy and the potential need to grant the app access to sensitive calendar data. A few users expressed interest in trying the product, but the overall sentiment leaned towards cautious skepticism.
TalkNotes is a website that transforms free-form text into actionable tasks. Users input their thoughts, ideas, or meeting notes, and TalkNotes uses AI to identify and extract tasks, assigning due dates and prioritizing them based on context. The platform aims to simplify task management by eliminating the need to manually parse and organize notes, allowing users to focus on brainstorming and ideation while ensuring follow-up actions are captured and scheduled. It offers a clean and intuitive interface for managing the generated tasks and integrating them into existing workflows.
HN users generally expressed skepticism and criticism of TalkNotes. Several pointed out existing, more robust solutions like Todoist, Mem, or even simple note-taking apps. The core critique revolved around the limited functionality of TalkNotes, particularly the lack of editing capabilities and organizational features beyond basic tagging. Some questioned the value proposition of converting spoken thoughts directly into tasks, suggesting it might lead to an overwhelming and unmanageable task list. The perceived simplicity of the site was also seen as a negative, with commenters arguing it didn't offer enough to justify its existence over readily available alternatives. A few users suggested potential improvements, such as adding editing and task management features, but the overall sentiment leaned towards finding the current iteration too basic.
Interruptions significantly hinder software engineers, especially during cognitively demanding tasks like programming and debugging. The impact isn't just the time lost to the interruption itself, but also the time required to regain focus and context, which can take substantial time depending on the task's complexity. While interruptions are sometimes unavoidable, minimizing them, especially during deep work periods, can drastically improve developer productivity and code quality. Effective strategies include blocking off focused time, using asynchronous communication methods, and batching similar tasks together.
HN commenters generally agree with the article's premise that interruptions are detrimental to developer productivity, particularly for complex tasks. Some share personal anecdotes and strategies for mitigating interruptions, like using the Pomodoro Technique or blocking off focus time. A few suggest that the study's methodology might be flawed due to its small sample size and reliance on self-reporting. Others point out that certain types of interruptions, like urgent bug fixes, are unavoidable and sometimes even beneficial for breaking through mental blocks. A compelling thread discusses the role of company culture in minimizing disruptions, emphasizing the importance of asynchronous communication and respect for deep work. Some argue that the "maker's schedule" isn't universally applicable and that some developers thrive in more interrupt-driven environments.
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.