In a world where technology is increasingly conspiring to steal our focus and attention, my goal is to teach you how to be more productive with Apple technology. I want to help you achieve what is most important to you and enjoy your life at the same time using technology instead of becoming another one of its victims. Pretty much everything I make points at that North Star. I believe in this message so much that I’ve staked my livelihood on it.
It's Never the Tools
It's Never the ToolsAs the Paris Olympics wrap up, my favorite meme from the games is the story of Yousef Dikeç, the Turkish sharpshooter. I had no idea how much gear is involved in Olympic-caliber shooting. Special heavy clothes limit your motion. Special glasses with special lenses allow you to see your sight and target perfectly. Eye patches that would make Blackbeard jealous prevent your brain from getting confused. The whole thing starts to give off a Locutus of Borg feel. And then there was Turkish pistol shooter Yousef Dikeç. He showed up with a T-shirt and a pair of in-ear earplugs. Then he stuck his one hand in his pocket, raised his other arm, closed one eye, and shot his way to a silver medal. I like gear as much as the next guy, but always remember gear is not what makes you successful. Your pal, p.s. My Productivity Summer Camp project is now rolling. We've got 22 students (ranging from high school to graduate school) getting comfortable with their Arete and figuring it out. Want to work on your own Arete? Check out my Productivity Field Guide and use code YOUSEF for 10% Off for the next week. |
David Sparks (MacSparky)
In a world where technology is increasingly conspiring to steal our focus and attention, my goal is to teach you how to be more productive with Apple technology. I want to help you achieve what is most important to you and enjoy your life at the same time using technology instead of becoming another one of its victims. Pretty much everything I make points at that North Star. I believe in this message so much that I’ve staked my livelihood on it.
Hi friend, I’ve been wearing Apple Watches since day one, and the 2024 lineup is the most impressive yet. They make great holiday gifts, but here’s the thing: You don’t need to buy the most expensive model to get a great Apple Watch experience. Let’s break this down into plain English and figure out which watch belongs on your wrist. The Three Flavors of Apple Watch Series 10: The Sweet Spot This is the Goldilocks watch — not too much, not too little, but just right for most users. This year...
Hello friend, We recently got an update to the iPad mini (hooray!) The latest version is a solid upgrade, making the iPad mini more capable thanks to additional memory improving its ability to handle the coming Apple’s Intelligence features. But it’s hardly a massive leap forward. I often hear from people asking, “Which iPad size should I get?” The answer, as always: it depends. For me, the starting point for any iPad purchase is the iPad Air with its 10.9” screen. It’s a great all-around...
Hello friend, I’ve mentioned several times on my podcasts that we’re experiencing a renaissance in automation, particularly on the Mac. This shift isn’t driven by a single tool but rather by the interoperability of a collection of tools. AppleScript has been available on the Mac for decades, offering significant automation opportunities if you want to learn it. AppleScript allows users to connect applications and work with the same data to accomplish unified tasks. However, for many, learning...