Tag: review

Book Review: Indistractable

Posted on by richardbingham

This is the new title from Nir Eyal, the author of the well-known ‘Hooked’ which uncovered the research behind how social media (and other tech products) keep their users engaged. This new book took him five years of research and essentially offers advice on staying focused.

The book does a great job of explaining the Human Psychology behind much of what we all experience every day. Nir uses simple terms to cover many academic studies and uses lots of relatable examples.

The essence of the book is down to a neat set of four practices to help avoid distraction. Without going into the detail they deserve, these are:

  • Removing External Triggers – controlling gadgets, environment and people.
  • Controlling Internal Triggers – managing the day and tasks properly.
  • Make Pre-commitments – make pacts to help you stay on task.
  • Make Time – set times for the enjoyable things.

Sweeping insights that get made throughout the book include the proposition that our over-use of technology is actually helping us avoid pain. That might be having specific interactions, honest conversations or trying to work in a dysfunctional culture.

As such busying ourselves with invented tasks (like meetings and email) allow us to do something which looks like progress but often isn’t.

As you’d expect there is a lot about using settings on gadgets and leveraging proper calendar time-boxing to really get things done.

The book clearly focuses on jobs that include a decent amount of solo tasks generating creative output – like writing, programming, or design. That said I don’t think anyone can ignore advice on reducing distraction and this interesting and accessible book is a treat.

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Review: Stand-up Desk

Posted on by richardbingham

After 4 weeks of trailing a stand-up desk (the Sit-Stand Workstation from Contour) I’d like to share my experience and offer some observations.

Don’t Spend Too Much. My model is on Amazon for around £160 ($180), which is considerably cheaper than full desks with electronic pneumatics (at £500+). The Contour requires a reasonably solid desk upon which to mount it, and my desk has a glass top too, but the end result is actually very solid. Obviously it’s only the weight of the monitor, keyboard and mouse that it’s holding … although the thing itself is pretty heavy.

Mix It Up. I have not yet managed to stand all day, but think that a variety is a good thing. I try to get 50% of my time standing as a minimum. I seem to like to take calls sitting, and do work standing. I am also currently trailing the Pomodoro Technique (article to follow), which means lots of short breaks and works well with a sit-stand mix.

Stand Properly. Just like sitting, a good standing posture is important. If you have a habit of putting all your weight on one leg, or in odd foot positions, then just make sure you don’t stay in a bad position for too long. I seem to naturally shuffle every few minutes.

Keep Drinks Safe. Because I am raising and lowering part of my desk it makes sense for liquids to be aware from the moving area.

Longer Cables. As I put together the desk it was clear that power and other cables would be stretched when I raise the desk. Just something to look out for, else things can get dangerous.

Manage Breaks. When you’re already out of the chair, you might find yourself wandering off, away from work. Most of the time this is a good thing, as long as you don’t get more snacks and do return fairly quickly.

Keep Going. The first week the thing mostly remained in sit position. Week two saw more standing, and so did week three. So it was a gradual adoption and required a little getting used it. Now I am going to keep using it for sure.

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