January 2025

Sorry, this January blog is late. I really have no excuses other than every time I sat down to do it, I got distracted (book recommendation coming). For this blog I am focusing on some apps that have really helped my productivity, eased my pace of learning new material and a quote that hit me hard.

Book Recommendation:

Fast Focus by Damon Zahariades

The number of notes and ideas I have taken away from this book is incredible. I have ideas for myself and business, but also for specific employees. The way our current offices are set up distractions are everywhere, but with some practices outlined in this good book we will work hard to stay more focused. Here is a brief summary:

Fast Focus is a practical guide to improving concentration and productivity in a world full of distractions. Zahariades explores the science behind focus and provides actionable strategies to eliminate mental clutter, manage time effectively, and build habits that enhance deep work. The book covers techniques such as the Pomodoro method, time blocking, and prioritization frameworks to help readers stay on task and complete their work efficiently. With a no-nonsense approach, Fast Focus is designed for professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to maximize their attention span and achieve their goals faster.

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App For Increasing Productivity

Brain.FM

I use this for times when I need to really focus or be creative for a project. I have noticed this works and keeps me focused much like my Hapbee smart device I talked about in an earlier blog. It works on all devices and allows for downloads during offline time. Here is a short summary of the app’s technology and features:

Brain.fm is an app designed to enhance focus, relaxation, and sleep through AI-generated functional music. It uses neuroscience-backed audio to stimulate brain activity and improve cognitive performance. It has focus as discussed above but also sleep, relaxation, and mediation modes. Give it a try, my next step is to use relaxation mode because recently I’ve noticed I have not been able to sit still. This has been the case for most of my adult life, but this is the first time I really have recognized my inability to just sit and read a book or do nothing for an extended time period. Honestly it is a little scary, maybe not scary but it pisses me off. 😊 More on this in next months, I mean this months blog.

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App to Learn More

I have used Blinkist for years but recently got introduced to Shortform from one of the many newsletters I receive; I just can’t remember which one, remember I turned 50 so I’m not as sharp as I used to be. Here is a comparison of the two apps depending on your needs, one may be better than the other. I like both depending on the content I want to learn:

1. Content Depth & Detail

• Blinkist: Offers 15-minute summaries of nonfiction books, focusing on key takeaways. It’s great for quick insights but doesn’t go into much depth.
• Shortform: Provides detailed, chapter-by-chapter summaries that include additional insights, context, and even comparisons to other books. It’s more like a condensed version rather than a surface-level summary.

2. Writing Style & Additional Insight

• Blinkist: Presents concise summaries with minimal analysis, making it ideal for skimming the main ideas quickly.
• Shortform: Goes beyond summaries by offering in-depth analysis, commentary, and even exercises to help readers apply the concepts.

3. Audio vs. Text

• Blinkist: Strong focus on audio summaries, making it popular for on-the-go listening.
• Shortform: Primarily text-based summaries, though some audio content is available.

4. Book Selection & Coverage

• Blinkist: Covers thousands of nonfiction books in business, self-improvement, psychology, and more.
• Shortform: Has a smaller but more curated selection, with deeper dives into each book.

5. Price & Value

• Blinkist: More affordable (around $8–$15/month), with a focus on quick learning.
• Shortform: More expensive (around $24/month), but offers richer, more detailed content.

6. Learning Experience

• Blinkist: Best for people who want quick takeaways without deep analysis.
• Shortform: Better for those who want detailed breakdowns, context, and application exercises.

Which One Should You Choose?

• If you want quick, bite-sized insights→ Go with Blinkist.
• If you prefer in-depth summaries with additional analysis → Choose Shortform.

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The Quote

This is a quote from Sahil Blooms’ New Book:

I haven’t started the book it was just launched last week, and I decided to add it to my Audible Library. This quote was referenced in his Curiosity Chronicle newsletter.

“I’ll tell you a secret. Something they don’t teach you in your temple. The gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again” – Achilles, Troy (2004 Film)

Remember Momento Mori from an earlier blog – it literally means remember you must die so live a life worth living!