Here’s a LifeHack: Stop Reading LifeHacks
Here a hack, there a hack, everywhere a hack hack.
LifeHacks: Wanna be popular? Don’t try to be popular.
MoneyHacks: Wanna save money? Get one less haircut a year.
WorkHacks: Wanna find your dream career? Always be looking.
Here’s a novel concept for our hack-happy society: stop reading all of these hacks, step away from the keyboard and actually do something! You see, if you’re glued to your computer monitor, the only hack you need is “how to read your computer monitor.” Aside from reading left-to-right, there’s not much more to say. But these so-called productivity experts would find a way.
“Sitting up straight and tilting your head to the right will activate your tear ducts, thus lubricating your eyes and allowing you to read three letters more per minute – resulting in 11,733 more words read a year.”
Whatever, man. You can keep you 11,733 words. Let’s just say I’m all hacked out.
I’m a man of action. If I want to shave – I’ll shave. I don’t need to know how to make the blade last a day longer.
If I want to kill a fly – I’ll kill a fly. Flyswatters have been around since the beginning of time and I think they do the trick just fine.
If the lifehack genre was killed off, where would these “expert” writers go? Probably back to their day jobs flipping burgers.
And while I take issue with the writers, it’s really you, the reader, that I have a serious beef with. What is it about “5 Ways to Think Faster” that has you all click happy?
Don’t deny it.
Your humble author is a tremendous hypocrite – often relying on “lifehack” headlines to draw you in. I laugh as I count my number of unique visitors then cry from the shame of it all.
Let’s stop the madness.
You’re perfect just the way you are and the Jack of All Blogs will love you no matter what; even if you’re not the most productive kid on the block.
So let’s make a pact here and now that we’ll talk and read a lot less and DO a lot more.
Now please excuse me, the editors at JOAB have asked me to get started on my next entry – 7 Ways to Get the Most Out Of JOAB. Peace out!
Great point. While it’s possible to get too analytical, there is enough value in many of the tips, if implemented, to make them worth checking out.
However, over time, the tips do seem to become redudant. Better to just get into a GTD state of mind.
Ed Kohler said this on November 6, 2007 3:44 am
Very funny, coming from a fellow hack!
And you’re so right. The thing about tips is, one size does not fit all, and we can get into advice overwhelm. I find that going for a walk does a lot more for my mind than reading (and not acting on) lots of “shelf-help.”
Carol L. Skolnick, Clear Life Solutions said this on November 17, 2007 1:45 pm
That’s funny. I agree with Ed too. I enjoy some of the hacks I’ve seen, but some of them do get into insignificant, mundane stuff.
Sure, implement things to be efficient, but take each day as it comes, deal with stuff and move on. Don’t try to come up with a process for everything. Leave a little room for serendipity.
Mark said this on November 22, 2007 11:30 pm
Great one – I love it! I think it has to do with our “quick fix” culture. Have a problem? Take a pill. Got an ache? Get surgery. Not being productive, try this little tip. In some ways it’s like the car flags we put on our vehicles – It’s literally the least we can do. (Sorry for the poke there).
A while back there was a blog meme going around – “What’s the ultimate productivity tip?” I argued it’s the wrong question. It’s here, if you’re interested: The ultimate productivity tip
http://ideamatt.blogspot.com/2007/05/ultimate-productivity-tip.html
Matthew Cornell said this on November 22, 2007 11:30 pm