Head Space

Calm productivity for academics

Tag: collaboration

  • Use constraints to boost creativity

    Limited time, resources, and information can sometimes represent opportunities to use constraints to boost creativity

  • Fried & Hansson: It doesn’t have to be crazy at work

    It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson champions a “calm company” approach, where productivity doesn’t equate to relentless busyness. By minimising distractions, protecting time, and setting realistic expectations, the authors propose a sustainable work culture that prioritises well-being alongside impactful results.

  • Creative thinking with Obsidian

    For academics, the early stages of a writing project should be a time of exploration and discovery. Yet the tools we use often constrain our thinking in subtle but powerful ways. Most of us default to writing in linear documents like Google Docs or Word. While these tools excel at many things – including collaborating…

  • Adam Grant: Give and take

    Give and Take by Adam Grant explores how giving, taking, and matching reciprocity styles impact personal and professional success. Through research and real-life examples, Grant shows that selfless, strategic giving fosters collaboration, builds trust, and creates long-term advantages—especially valuable in academic and professional environments that thrive on partnership and mentorship.