Avoid the lure of fancy tools

Hey there,

I’m a total geek for the latest tech tool or gadget. These days, not a week goes by where I don’t hear about an exciting new tool (powered by AI) that promises to transform my workflow.

I have no doubt some amazing innovation is happening right now. Yet it’s worth remembering that fancy tools are mostly a distraction.

So before you sign up for the latest and greatest tool that promises to fix all of your problems, let’s discuss a different approach that can save your sanity.

Something to Try

What’s the best to-do list app? The best notebook and pen for journaling? The most productive desk set-up to help you find laser-like focus?

It’s not hard to find answers to those questions. Everyone has their favorites. The Internet is full of videos and articles on the Best This or The Cool New Way to Do That.

I’m not immune to to this obsession with tools. Just a few months ago, I wrote a personal newsletter about my “tech stack” and all the tools I use to run my life.

But the truth of the matter is that spending time finding the perfect tool is often a subtle form of procrastination. If you’re not careful, you can spend countless hours researching, installing, optimizing, and fiddling with tools.

And might these hours be better spent on the Highlights you truly care about?

That’s why it’s worth trying to Avoid the Lure of Fancy Tools (#53).

Here are a three reasons this tactic works:

#1 Easier than actual work

It’s easier to set up a new software tool for notetaking than it is to actually write the novel you’ve been dreaming about. It’s easier to research the best website builder for your new business rather than calling your first lead.

Unless you’re in a very specific profession, like a chef or surgeon, the odds are that choosing the perfect tool is usually a distraction. It’s yet another way to stay busy instead of doing the work you want to be doing.

#2 The fragility of fancy tools

The other problem with fancy tools is they’re fragile.

How many times have you had one shut down out of nowhere? Or you lose your notes due to syncing issues? Or the old one isn’t compatible with an upgrade?

And consider the psychological effects. When your productivity depends on a particular suite of tools, what happens when you don’t have your tools? Can you grab a Bic pen and a legal pad and make the same kind of progress? Are you thinking about your work, or your tools?

#3 New tools are like debt

When you choose to adopt a new tool as an individual, the time spent learning and implementing the tool is only your time.

But if you work in a team, the impact of adopting a new tool is much larger. While the promise of the shiny new thing is tempting, the new tool rarely delivers on its promise and often leaves your team feeling bogged down and overwhelmed trying to incorporate new tool.

That’s why we recommend that teams treat new tools as debt. Before you add a new product, process, or platform to your company, ask yourself whether it’s really worth it.

It took a while to break my obsession with fancy tools. And I’m not entirely free of this particular distraction.

There are certainly moments when investing time and energy into your tools and workflow make sense. I’ve personally been spending 30 minutes a day getting up-to-speed with AI.

But it’s a fine line. When I find myself getting lost in a research rabbit hole on the latest tool instead of actually focusing on what matters, then I remind myself of this tactic.

Tech & Tools

It’s hard to write about tools without sharing a few favorites.

Here are some simple, non-fancy tools I’m currently using:

​3 x 5 Index Cards: rather than a fancy to-do list app, I write down my Highlight on the front of an index card, along with a handful of other important tasks on the back.

​Casio Classic F91W: I’ve been wearing this simple watch for going on seven years.

​Evernote: while it’s not as fancy as Roam, Obsidian, or any of the latest notetaking tools, it’s super reliable, and easily accessible on my phone or computer.

Timely Quotes

Thanks for reading, see you in two weeks!
Connor