#1: I started daily logging
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This is my first issue of the newsletter. Lately, I’ve had topics that I wanted to share but haven’t find the proper place. Too short for a blog post, too long for a tweet. I decided to give a try to Substrack to share things that I discover and could also help others.
These are the things that I want to share with you this week:
A method to not forget anything: Daily logging.
I started daily logging. No, I did not forget a v for (v)logging or a b for (b)logging. I call it logging because it’s like a software log. Short, concise, and a lot of them over the day. You can use it when you need to remember or understand something that happened. Could be also called short-form journaling if you will.
I write down bullet points when something interesting or new happened. I also add thoughts, ideas or insights. I keep only one note, with the number of the day at the beginning and everything afterwards. Something like this:
24
- Today I sent the first newsletter email with Substack.
- I watched a new episode of Abstract about Ian Spalter. Insightful.
I keep two different logs. One personal and one for work. The personal one has more ideas, insights or articles I want to read. Also things that I learn in videos, podcasts or books.
I have one single note that I only append things. This way I don’t need to find in which note I wrote it, but only remember more or less which day I did. I use Apple Notes for the personal log as I have it in all my devices and I can write everywhere.
For work logging I use a markdown file in my computer. I write down everything, even confidential meeting notes, so I value privacy here. And here I don’t need the portability of Apple Notes, as when I work I’m always in the laptop.
How product design works at Instagram
The other day I watched an episode of Abstract about product design. In the episode, Ian Spalter explains the process of product design in Instagram. I found it very interesting and well produced. Even if a lot of things where explained for someone that have no idea what product design is. This is one excerpt that I liked:
It’s not so much the writing of the joke, it’s the listening to them bomb, and then trying to rewrite them. — Dave Attell (Comedian)
In this analogy Ian talks about the analogy in product design and the job of a comedian. Both have an iterative process, where you need to tweak the product over time.
A new podcast you must listen to
I enjoy every episode of the Indie Hackers Podcast from Courtland Allen. Courtland interviews indie creators and ask them about their journey.
Julian Shapiro writes insightful guides about writing well or mental models. The writing essay is a must-read if you want to improve your writing skills.
Courtland and Julian recently started a podcast together: Brains.
One of the episodes I liked the most wast this one, about Writing Books. They interview James Clear — author of Atomic Habits — and Mark Manson — author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.
How to make a Cinematic Baseball Short Film
Danny Gevirtz shared how he created this short film. Both the pre-production and BTS and recently the breakdown of the scenes, gear, and lighting he used. I like how he approached this project: he wanted to have sports videos in his reel, so he shot the project himself.
If you like filmmaking, you should subscribe to his channel for interesting insights and projects.
Why you should keep a small Identity?
This week I found this old article from Paul Graham. Paul explains how people cannot think clearly on topics that have become part of their identity. Topics like religion or politics often end up clashing when people identify as X or Y. This never ends to a fruitful discussion.
The more labels you have for yourself, the dumber they make you.
What did you discover this week worth sharing? Let me know by replying this email!
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