productivity — Writing Things

Yearly reflections: My big three for 2023

As one is wont to do amidst Spotify wrapped Instagram stories, heartfelt Facebook posts, and twitter threads inviting me to make 2023 my best yet (follow my Substack to learn how!), I find myself prompted into reflection on the last 360-odd days.

In some ways, this year has been challenging. At a personal level, I’ve taken a seat on the periphery of some loss and some illness. I’ve also experienced some great highs. At a professional level, the year has been characterised by hard work, growth, and questioning. Questioning within my topic of research, because I started doctoral studies this year, but also questioning myself; where I want to go, what I want to focus on, and what’s important. That journey is ongoing. The three ideas below are ones that, in one way or another, came into focus for me this year, which I hope to carry into 2023.

Philosophy, Topical / MiscSonia DiabDecember 30, 20222022, productivity, reflections, self

On Productivity: Decision Fatigue and Crappy Afternoons

We have a limited amount of energy for decision-making, so minimising the peripheral choices we would otherwise add to the mix can help us focus on more important things. Otherwise, by the time evening rolls around, we end up irritable and exhausted. You could find yourself at the tail end of the workday, making dumb concessions in a negotiation. Or, you could be so mentally drained that you give in to your impulse to order too much junk food from UberEats. Lowered inhibitions and stupid choices because our brain is done and over it.

Creativity: 6 Surprising Ways to Enhance Your Creative Flow

Although there are probably genetic components to creativity, as there is with most things connected to our individual personalities, there is a lot of evidence that we can develop our creativity, too.

Here are 6 ways we can nurture and enhance our creative flow:

Human Behaviour, ProductivitySonia DiabAugust 11, 2020Creativity, productivity

Stop Seeing Red, Start Seeing Pink: Colour and Your Environment

I like to think my office desk is always tidy. In reality, though, every few days it ends up looking like a used bookstore vomited everywhere.

Our brains are pretty sensitive to our environment. Often, small things can have a significant impact on our mood, motivation and behaviour.

Human Behaviour, ProductivitySonia DiabAugust 6, 2020colour, productivity, red, pink