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Calm productivity for academics
Author: Michael Rowe
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Stuck on a big question? Here’s how to break it down
Here’s what I’ve learned when trying to answer big questions: the question itself is the problem. Complex questions like “How do I make this work?” feel appropriately serious, but they’re actually asking you to solve for multiple variables simultaneously. The technical term for the solution is tractability—a process of breaking complex questions into components you…
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Academic communication systems: Why they fail and what you can do about it
Academic communication systems create cascading failures through unclear accountability, fragmented information, and human bottlenecks. Communication systems in other sectors solved these problems decades ago through clear governance and infrastructure. This framework shows what university-based staff can do—from individual practices to institutional advocacy—to create meaningful change.
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Work that shouldn’t exist: What to do when your role is a workaround
A lot of academic work seems to exist purely to compensate for broken institutional systems. When your primary function is forwarding emails, duplicating data, or routing queries, you’re not adding value—you’re revealing systemic dysfunction. Personal productivity strategies can’t fix organisational failures, and acknowledging these patterns is the essential first step.
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Why reading more won’t help you learn faster
Most of us treat learning like filling a bucket—we think that if we consume enough content then understanding will emerge. But after months of podcasts, videos, and articles about AI, I had breadth but couldn’t take positions. The problem wasn’t reading too little. It was reading for breadth when I needed depth. Here’s how to…
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A three-stage strategy for navigating conflicting advice
Modern life demands decisions about topics outside our expertise—from managing children’s screen time to choosing healthcare approaches or evaluating educational options. We’re drowning in conflicting advice from experts who seem to contradict each other. Here’s a three-stage strategy that transforms information overwhelm into systematic understanding you can actually use.
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Four questions for making sense of contradictory information
When credible sources contradict each other, ask four questions in sequence: Who’s making this claim and why? What’s the actual evidence behind it? What are they comparing it to? What are they not telling you? This systematic approach works for a wide range of decisions you need to make, no matter what area of your…
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[Note] Sounds and vibrations are the worst kinds of notifications
“Sounds and vibrations are the worst kinds of notifications since they grab your attention even when not using your device. Because of this you’ll notice that only calls, calendar and reminders, and uptime monitors have sounds enabled, since these are the time sensitive ones. But even then I still have sleep mode active after 7pm,…
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Clearing email backlog: A systematic strategy when returning from leave
Clearing email backlog after extended absence doesn’t have to derail your return to productive academic work—with the right systematic approach, you can regain control of your inbox and establish better communication habits.
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[Note] Attending to emails
“My inbox isn’t a place for leisurely reading. When I open my email it’s with purpose. If I want to catch up on my newsletters and blogs I follow, I can flop down on the couch, open my RSS reader, and enjoy them when I’m not also trying to work.” – Herman Martinus.
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How to break down academic tasks: Stop setting yourself impossible goals
If you’re struggling with productivity, the problem might not be your motivation—it could be that you don’t know how to break down academic tasks effectively. Most academics create to-do lists filled with projects disguised as tasks, then wonder why they feel paralysed when it’s time to start work.
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[Note] Start before you’re ready
“Waiting for the right time is seductive. Our mind tricks us into thinking that waiting is actually doing something… Waiting rarely makes things easier. Most of the time, waiting makes things harder. The right time is now.” – Shane Parrish