Time management techniques that actually work. Which AI to use now. How we respond matters.
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
Your calendar isn't just for meetings but also an excellent tool for real productivity.
Instead of adding to-dos to an app, you can try putting some into your calendar; without fancy tools, take your to-do and put it on your calendar as an event.
If something comes up and you can’t do the task at that time, move the event to a new slot, and at the same time, you’ll reflect on that and ask yourself if it’s crucial for you.
This works because your calendar is your roadmap, and it’s the idea of “timeboxing” also shared by Nir Eyal in his book “indistractable”.
In this article from Lenny Rachisky, he shares nine more brilliant productivity tips. The key is starting small: pick one or two that resonate with your current challenges and give them an honest try.
Personal development
Time management techniques that actually work
Dorodango: the japanese art of polishing dirt
Every productivity thought I've ever had, as concisely as possible
How to turn a bad day around
How to break out of autopilot and create the life you want
The right now test
Innovation
Which AI to use now
How chinese AI startup DeepSeek made a model that rivals OpenAI
A ChatGPT moment is coming for robotics
Why talking to users is holding your startup back
Why DeepSeek shouldn’t have been a surprise
What fully automated firms will look like
Leadership and management
How we respond matters
Stop relying on others for validation at work
Why we avoid difficult conversations – and how to change that
How to structure a great interview
Picking your battles when you are hyper-rational
Cross-discipline approaches
This 90-day plan turns engineering leaders back into frontline developers
What drives managers to sabotage talented employees
One book
“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini.
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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