Tools for thinking

The tools we use shape how we think. Choosing them carefully is one of the most important decisions we can make.

The medium is the message

When I write in a text editor, I think in paragraphs. When I write by hand, I think in fragments. When I use a mind map, I think in connections.

None of these is inherently better than the others. But they produce different kinds of thinking. The question is: what kind of thinking do you need right now?

Simplicity compounds

Every feature in a tool is cognitive overhead. Every option is a decision to make. The best tools are the ones that disappear into the background, letting you focus on the actual work.

I've found that simpler tools tend to last longer in my workflow. The complex ones burn bright for a few weeks and then get abandoned.

Building your own

There's something valuable about building your own tools, even small ones. A script that formats your notes. A shortcut that files emails. A template that structures your meetings.

These homemade tools fit your workflow exactly because they were made for it. And the act of building them forces you to understand what you actually need.