Will you help us shape our YouTube channel for 2025?

We’re currently planning our YouTube content for the upcoming year, and would love your input.

What topics, challenges, or ideas would you like to see us cover on our channel?

Don't Try to "Boil the Ocean" - A Simple Guide to Overwhelming Projects

In last week’s Q&A in our Second Brain Membership, I talked to a wonderful older gentleman facing a daunting project:

Relocating decades' worth of memories and belongings to a new home.

It seemed impossible, draining his energy and leaving him unsure where to even begin.

His situation perfectly illustrated what I call "boiling the ocean" – the trap of treating everything as equally important. It's a common pattern I see:

• Organizing every photo you've ever taken
• Digitizing all your journal entries
• Sorting through each item you've accumulated

These massive undertakings share a crucial flaw: they fail to distinguish between what truly matters and what doesn't.

The solution? Apply the classic 80/20 rule (also known as the Pareto Principle): Which 20% of the items will bring 80% of the value?

But here's the real challenge – and why many of us get stuck "boiling the ocean": We're afraid to make these value judgments. Treating everything as equal feels safer than deciding what to keep and what to let go.

Remember this: Avoiding these decisions doesn't make them easier – it just postpones the inevitable. The sooner you start identifying what truly matters, the sooner you can focus your energy where it counts.

Stop Switching: Why New Apps Won’t Fix Your Productivity Problems

Are you tempted by the latest productivity apps, thinking the next one will solve all your problems? This video is for you!

I'll explain why jumping from one app to another often leads to wasted time and frustration—plus the four worst times to switch apps.

Instead, find out when it's actually worth making the switch and how to pick a tool that fits your personal workflow.

6 Must-Watch Videos for a Sustainable Approach to Productivity

Our friends at PDF Expert – my favorite PDF reader and editor – recently curated a list of must-watch videos from trusted productivity YouTubers, emphasizing a healthy and balanced approach to productivity.

I'm honored that my video on the PARA Method made it to the top of the list. You’ll also discover videos on note-making, deep work, procrastination, and avoiding obsessive productivity.

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