#productivity

Doug notes that spending one's days doing what feels easiest can have consequences, and it is essential to find a balance, or the golden mean, to achieve a happy life. He references Annie Dillard and Aristotle to illustrate the importance of balance in daily life, citing the need to avoid both excess and deficiency. By finding this balance, individuals can create a better future for themselves.

Doug has been exploring the concept of intentional unproductivity, challenging the notion that one's value is tied to their productivity. He has been making a conscious effort to work less and focus on activities that bring him joy and fulfillment, such as reading and creating. By doing so, Doug aims to carve out time and space for self-reflection and personal growth, questioning the idea of who we are without our productive pursuits.

Doug advocates for separate spaces for different tasks, inspired by Austin Kleon's concept of digital and analogue desks. He visited IKEA to create a dedicated analogue workspace, resulting in a clean, white, and wood/cork setup that contrasts with his black and silver computer desk. The new arrangement allows him to swivel from his main desk to a clear space for analogue work.