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.
Why I’m Updating the Productivity Field Guide
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Hi Friend, The 2026 Productivity Field Guide launches later this week. Before it does, I wanted to share why I spent so much time on this new edition. The response to the Productivity Field Guide over the last few years has been fantastic. When people tell me how it changed their lives, it’s truly humbling. I love hearing the roles and Arete concept finally gave them a compass. But I kept hearing the same questions: “What do I do when I keep falling short of my Arete?” “How do I stop saying yes to everything?” “I understand the philosophy, but I lose it when I step away from my computer.” So I dug in. The result is the 2026 edition. It addresses all of those challenges: When you fall short: I added the concept of Shadow Roles. For every role you value, there’s a shadow version. The distracted father. The cynical creator. Naming your Inner Vader takes its power away. When you can’t say no: I developed the Arete Radar. It’s a system for detecting new commitments before they hijack your capacity. Includes the meditative gap (the pause between request and response) and language for saying no without negotiation. When the philosophy fades: Physical Anchors. Bracelets, tokens, moving objects. Tangible reminders that keep your Arete visible when you’re away from the screen. I also added the Blank Page Ritual, Solving for Meaningfulness, the Overhead Tax, and a completely redesigned Workshop Series. More on all of that later this week. I think you’re going to love it. Stay tuned. Your pal, Click here to opt-out of further emails about the Productivity Field Guide. |
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.
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