Are you an Architect or a Gardener?
We have two thinking styles. It's the way we solve problems and do creative things.
We move between both. But we each have a natural tendency:
Architects are more top-down thinkers that prioritize order and organization.
Gardeners are more bottom-up thinkers that prioritize creativity and curiosity.
What to know which one you are?
Here is the easiest way to determine your natural thinking style. When you are in the early stages of a new work…
Do you know the end of your story?
If so, you are likely a natural architect.
If not, you might be a natural gardener.
Takeaway # 1
Each mode has advantages and disadvantages.
Architects prefer seeing "the big picture" to
further their decision-making and sensemaking.
They are good organizers and benefit from
having a few lists to guide their actions.
Left unchecked, their need to know everything
about a subject or situation can stymie action.
Gardeners are comfortable without a complete
high-level picture. They can work effectively with
limited information.
Left unchecked, their interests become become
rabbit holes—disorienting them from making
clear progress.
Takeaway # 2
The key is to switch modes when you feel stuck.
If you’re stuck in the weeds, take off your gardener's hat and build some perspective by creating a rough Map of Content.
• Assemble everything you’ve been capturing, writing, and thinking about.
• Look for the larger picture as an Architect
If you’re lost in abstraction, stop building unearned structure and get your hands dirty.
• Dive into a specific note and just start writing.
• Gardening
There is an art to moving between Architect and Gardener. Once you get a feel for it, you'll have a skill to break through sticking points and continue making meaningful progress.
Never say no, offer 3 Yeses instead.
One option might not fit.
Two can feel like pressure.
Three?
That's choice, flexibility, and often, a perfect match.
Beat your nearing burnout!
Drop tasks that don’t matter to your goal.
Delegate what others can do better
Automate your routine
Focus on 5 key actions a day
Start with purpose, maintain focus, eliminate the excess.
People confuse the terms efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency.
Understanding the differences between these terms can significantly improve your productivity.
Know the distinctions and make your output soar.
If I could only share one lesson with the world, it would be this.
Procrastination is an emotional problem.
You don’t put things off because you’re lazy, unmotivated, or lack discipline.
Gisteren heb ik aangegeven dat er vakministers in het kabinet moeten zitten met kennis van zaken op hun eigen vakgebied.
Die kunnen natuurlijk lid zijn van politieke partijen.
Nooit gedacht dat dat zo controversieel zou zijn.
@Schwarzenegger Thank you Mr Schwarzenegger. I’ve been studying the self help industry for over 8 years and read ‘all the books, went to all seminars and heard all the podcast’.
Your message is all we need to know. Everything else is only complicating the process. 🙏
😬 Don't get caught up in #timemanagement tricks that make you do even more in less time and stress you out.
🔎 Focus on #effectiveness instead.
It might take you longer and the path towards your goal might even be messier.
But looking back, it will be the right thing to do