How work about work gets in the way of real work. If you want to live a quiet life, live a quiet life. The signals we're watching in 2025.
Welcome to a new issue of the newsletter, “Journal of discoveries.”
Each week, I check a list of hundreds of sources of inspiration to spot exciting articles, videos, podcasts, and books on personal development, leadership, management, technology, and innovation.
While this newsletter will remain a free resource, you might consider becoming a paid subscriber to support my work, and get access to my searchable Notion database. Thanks!
And now, let’s dive in!
One “must” for this week
Time theft at work isn't coming from social media or watercooler chat - it's actually built into how we work.
According to Asana's research across 10,000 knowledge workers, a staggering 60% of work time is spent not on your actual job, but on "work about work" - the endless cycle of status updates, app switching, and hunting down information.
This invisible productivity drain costs the average knowledge worker 103 hours in unnecessary meetings, 209 hours redoing existing work, and 352 hours just talking about work each year.
The impact goes beyond just wasted time - 88% of workers report important projects falling through the cracks, and 80% have experienced burnout.
Personal development
If you want to live a quiet life, live a quiet life.
Feeling stuck? Career move, expert tips
What I learned (and unlearned) reading ten books on nutrition
Are you holding onto something that you no longer need?
Fail! Fail a lot! It’s good for you
34 life lessons from 34 years
Innovation
The signals we're watching in 2025
Introduction to Operator & Agents
AI companions will change our lives
Goals & cycles & sprints, oh my!
The state of video gaming in 2025
“Stealth mode” and other f’ing brilliant strategies
Ten growth tactics that never work
Are you able to turn navigating uncertainty into an asset?
Leadership and management
How work about work gets in the way of real work
Five mistakes managers make when giving negative feedback
Developing a resilient, adaptable workforce for an uncertain future
The future of jobs report 2025
How to scale organizational culture
Happy workers are 13% more productive
Meetings are broken. It's time for a meeting doomsday
One book
“What got you here won't get you there” by Marshall Goldsmith.
See you next Saturday,
Roberto
I’m hosting a free virtual communication workshop!
Spending hours in virtual meetings can be exhausting 😩
You know the feeling—wondering if people are paying attention, struggling to sound confident through the screen, or just wishing you could connect better in those tiny Zoom boxes.
I’ve been there too.
Since 2020, I’ve spent over 5,000 hours in virtual meetings. Along the way, I’ve learned that being effective online is about so much more than just having a great microphone or camera (and you know how I LOVE a good tech setup 🤖).
That’s why I’ve spent countless hours researching, practicing, and learning how to communicate in virtual settings: how to engage, connect, and leave a lasting impression.
My guiding question has always been, “how do I want the people in this meeting to remember me?”
Now, I want to share what I’ve learned with you—and in the process, continue learning myself.
I’m hosting a free workshop to help you become a better communicator in virtual settings.
Whether you’re leading meetings, pitching ideas, or just trying to avoid “Zoom fatigue,” this 45-minute session is designed to give you practical tools you can use right away.
🎯 What’s in it for you?
Learn how to make a stronger, more memorable impression from the moment you join a call.
Discover how to use your voice, gestures, and presence to keep people engaged.
Avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the best-prepared sessions.
And yes, we’ll talk about the all-important technical setup, too!
It’s going to be interactive, fun, and useful—and I’d love for you to join! 🤩
In each session, the spots are limited for better interaction, so don’t wait!
👉 Register here > https://calendly.com/robertoferraro/virtual-communication-workshop
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