What do fad diets, New‑Year’s resolutions, and “miracle” morning routines have in common? They all work—until they don’t.

In this episode, Alex and Moah unpack why no single productivity system can serve everyone forever, and how embracing change (like a Buddhist) is the real path to getting more done while feeling less busy. They’ll share why short‑term wins are still wins, how weekly reviews act as an early‑warning system when output stalls, and the hidden cost of clinging to workflows that no longer fit your role, life stage, or team dynamics.

Stop chasing that one weird productivity trick, and pick up a simple framework for building (and refreshing) your personal “toolbox” of tactics. And remember, “better is good” in productivity too.

Links from the Show!

POUNDS : Weight Loss Trial https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2763382/

Quitters Day https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/tired-of-your-busy-january-gym-strava-reveals-the-exact-date-itll-be-quiet-again

The Fresh Start Effect https://faculty.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Dai_Fresh_Start_2014_Mgmt_Sci.pdf

Better is good https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VolsV0ox_yw

Tools

Boomerang for Gmail boomeranggmail.com

Boomerang for Outlook boomerangoutlook.com

Got todos? Get GQueues gqueues.com

Still staring at that stubborn unfinished task? Bring in virtual witnesses, set a kitchen timer, or bet money on a cause you despise and watch it finally get done.

In Part 2 of our “Third Pillar of Productivity,” Moah and Alex explore how to set up accountability for yourself with various tools and unconventional techniques. They test-drive low-stakes body-doubling, share how they put up real money on stickK’s infamous “anti-charity” wagers, and unpack why sharing your goal with a friend can rocket completion rates and what research says about commitment devices.

Tune in to learn how the right deadline, partner, or wager turns procrastination into unstoppable momentum and walk away with an accountability toolkit ready for your next leftover task.

Links from the Show!

Writing down goals increasing the chance of success : https://www.dominican.edu/sites/default/files/2020-02/gailmatthews-harvard-goals-researchsummary.pdf

95% success rate https://crossfit306.ca/news-and-events/2019/5/1/be-95-more-likely-achieve-your-goal-with-one-simple-step (We can’t find the actual “study” by ASTD)

Commitment and Consistency Principle mentioned in Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Cialdini

Commitment device and their efficacy research with data from stickK

Tools

Flowclub: https://www.flow.club/

Focusmate: https://www.focusmate.com/

stickK.com: https://www.stickk.com/

Boomerang for Gmail boomeranggmail.com

Boomerang for Outlook boomerangoutlook.com

Got todos? Get GQueues gqueues.com

There’s that one task for everyone. You see it. You skip it. You promise tomorrow. But tomorrow never shows up. What if getting started isn’t about more discipline? What if it’s about… making friends with gnawing rats?

In this episode, we explore how to make dreaded tasks feel more accessible to get started or lingering projects to get completed.

What kind of ceiling height is better suited for what kind of tasks? Could a tomato-shaped kitchen timer give you the burst of energy to start that long dreaded project? And what does a pre-lunch setup ritual that only takes one minute have to do with momentum? We’re unpacking all of it—and more—in this episode.

If your to-do list has a stale, shame-tinted leftover, this one’s for you. Come sit with the rats. You might be surprised what happens next.

Links from the Show!

The Influence of Ceiling Height https://assets.csom.umn.edu/assets/71190.pdf

Temperature and productivity https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark%3A/67531/metadc882029/

Time Surfing - Reference to gnawing rats https://www.timesurfing.uk/#book

Hawthorne Works Experiment - Note: most writeups of this experiment attribute the results to the participants being observed rather than the environment changes. Blame either the shifting sands of research or Alex’s faulty memory! https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/the-hawthorne-effect

Boomerang for Gmail boomeranggmail.com

Boomerang for Outlook boomerangoutlook.com

Got todos? Get GQueues gqueues.com