Diligent Sunday Newsletter / Issue #1
In this first Diligent Sunday issue, you'll find updates on community growth, summaries of this week's articles on goal planning and simplifying your life, and a curated collection of further knowledge bites. Thank you for subscribing, and I hope you have a successful week ahead!
Dear Readers,
Starting today, in addition to the front page update notification newsletter, there will also be a second, weekly newsletter, which I will henceforth always publish on Sundays. You can set in your profile whether you want to receive both or only one of the two (or none).
You'll find in this week's issue:
- Housekeeping news & statistics
- Summary of this week's blog articles & Social Media Posts
- A curated collection of further knowledge bites I came across this week.
Thank you for subscribing to the blog, and I wish you an exceptionally successful week!
-- Martin from Deliberate-Diligence.com
Housekeeping News & Statistics
- To provide greater clarity for new readers, I have refined the value proposition of Deliberate-Diligence.com to focus on three specific areas: (1) getting clarity, (2) creating impact, and (3) living deliberately. These topics were chosen after writing 55 blog articles in the past three months and identifying common themes among them. Please note that there may be some exceptions, such as travel tips and gadget reviews.
- Based on feedback from the social media communities, I have recognized that many readers are interested in both the concept of deliberate diligence and the person behind it. As a result, I have become more personal in my writing and presentation on the blog, as seen in the new headline banner.
- The blog has seen impressive growth since its launch at the end of September, starting with zero readers and now reaching a total of 398 readers across all platforms. This represents a 460% increase against the November data. In terms of traffic, the blog receives over 1,000 unique visitors per month. The most engagement is on TikTok, with 20,000 views in the past 30 days and a 624% growth in viewership. The content has also received 656 likes on the platform.
- Costs: 407,76€. Revenue: 0€ (nothing to sell, yet). Effort: ca. 165-200hrs.
Summary of this week's blog articles & Social Media Posts
How to plan your goals for 2023 in one afternoon?
Martin
The TL;DR is that you can plan your goals for 2023 in an afternoon by using time horizons to create a balanced system that is neither too complex nor too simple. This system involves setting goals for the year, projects for the quarter, deliverables for the month, and tasks for the week. You should only plan in detail for the immediate time frame and leave the rest unplanned. You can start by setting your goals for the year and translating them into concrete projects for the quarter, deliverables for the month, and tasks for the week. You should also make sure to include tasks that are small, easy, and enjoyable to complete to keep your motivation up.
Revolutionize Your Life: The Power of Simplification to Overcome Decision Fatigue
Martin
Simplifying one's life can help reduce decision fatigue and increase productivity. This can be achieved by minimizing possessions, streamlining systems, and simplifying communication. Simplification creates mental space, makes it easier for others to follow one's lead, and helps avoid misunderstandings. Strategies for streamlining include removing unnecessary possessions, following the "one-in, one-out" rule, and not being sentimental about possessions. It can also be helpful to minimize the number of choices one faces in daily life, such as by creating routines or following a set schedule.
The Simplest Productivity Tool is using a Weekly Desk Planner
Martin
Using a weekly desk planner can be a simple and effective productivity tool. These planners allow one to plan their week in a clear, organized manner, and the limited space helps with prioritization and being realistic about what can be accomplished each day. The tactile experience of writing down tasks can be satisfying and a way to stay motivated. A weekly planner can be an excellent alternative to digital tools and help with organization and satisfaction.
Creating a daily schedule that allows you to be calm and productive.
Martin
A daily routine can bring a sense of satisfaction and stability and be a powerful tool for productivity and success. It can also help with decision fatigue, reduce stress and anxiety, and allow time for activities that bring joy and fulfilment. Finding a routine that works may take trial and error, but the effort can be worthwhile. It is possible to have a flexible routine that accommodates personal control and the need to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
Additional Social media posts worth mentioning
- Tiktok (German): Track Your Time to Take Control of Unwanted Time Spend! (e.g. if you want to spend less time on social media) #timetracking #time #timemanagement
- Tiktok: Don’t forget to schedule your vacations and time off‘s in advance for 2023! #vacation #planning #worklifebalance
- Twitter: A fascinating perspective on "Solitude": According to this, one would have to protect oneself from ALL foreign thoughts, also, e.g. through books and other media.
- Twitter: I always thought I would do a lot of walking ("Ambulation", as I learned), but Nitzsche topped that.
- Twitter: The simple truth about becoming more organized: Write things down! Whether it's a to-do list, a schedule, or notes from a meeting. Background to this post: I noticed through conversations that many users first need to learn the basics of productivity, and I can help with straightforward tips. How do you organize your to-dos? How do you organize your day? Which tools do you use? Etc.
- Twitter: A quote from Robert Greene about recognizing genuine character traits of people in stressful situations. On Linkedin, however, an appreciated reader and colleague has given a differentiated perspective (disagreement) on the quote and warned not to oversimplify; that's worth reading, too.
- Twitter: Sick of the hustle mentality in self-improvement? Take a laid-back approach instead. You don't have to follow a crazy routine and sacrifice all your free time to achieve your goals. Work out a bit, eat healthily, and limit social media time. Remember, less is often more.
A curated collection of further knowledge bites I came across this week.
- Alex Brogan on Linkedin: 10 mental concepts that will make you way smarter
- Currently reading: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness. Some of the key messages are summed up in this Twitter thread. The Book is a bit more detailed.
- DD is not about dating advice, but a user asked on Reddit if she must feel bad about having an interest in other men despite being in a relationship. My answer to this: There are no relationships in which you have been so in love for years that you don't have eyes for other potential partners. Many believe there must be such a thing (the media and fairy tales promise that), but there is not. Being in a committed relationship means perceiving and accepting your interest in other hot people and actively deciding not to act on these options. (I don't know if this is universally valid, but at least it reflects my experience.)
- My father-in-law died suddenly and unexpectedly the night before New Year's Eve. He was only 59 years old and fell over while doing sports. In addition to coping with the grief, especially from my wife, I have again become aware of the following things: (1) How finite our time is to create values and find our purpose, (2) That you have to enjoy the time with friends and family at any time because it can be over at any time ("Wherever you are, be all there") and (3) That you better always say goodbye as if it could be the last time (i.e. avoid quarrels and negativity).
- More and more companies are tackling the issue of meeting culture and realizing what productivity killers they are. Good! This week Shopify was in the news in this regard.
- I suggest cutting sugar from your diet. After two weeks of doing so, I no longer experience hunger pangs or periods of fatigue. At a body weight of 110kg, I consume less than 60g of sugar per day, which is below the EU's daily recommendation of 50g for individuals with a 2000 calorie intake. This small change has made a significant impact on my health and well-being.
- Ben Meer, a Personal Development influencer on Linkedin, has some inspirational posts from time to time. He follows a "systems-based" approach.
- Here is a little cost-saving tip that my wife and I are currently trying out: We no longer order online immediately when we notice something missing, but we wait until Sunday to discuss it together. The one or other buying impulse passes until then.
That's it for this week! I hope you like this new format 👍
Discussion