Read This to Have a Better Life in 2025

9 ideas that will transform how you live, work, and interact with the internet.

Dec 19, 2024

The truth is that you are constantly under attack—and so am I.

If you’ve ever felt like distractions, scattered obligations, or the pull of social media are holding you back, you’re not alone.

This post is your roadmap to reclaiming your focus and designing a more intentional life.

Here are 9 strategies for surviving in a fast-paced world.

Let’s dive in and start taking back control.

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1. If You Do Knowledge Work, You Need to Understand its Flaws

One day, I tracked the number of times I switched tasks in an hour: it was 17.

No wonder I couldn’t get anything meaningful done.

Task-switching is productivity poison. It fragments your focus, kills your momentum, and leaves you exhausted without results. The solution? Protect your focus like it’s your most valuable resource.

Batch similar tasks, silence notifications, and dedicate your best hours to uninterrupted deep work.

What’s one distraction you could eliminate today?

2. If You Are Overwhelmed by Obligations, You Need to Build Smarter Systems

Your brain is for thinking, not for storage.

Yet most of us try to juggle calendars, commitments, and mental to-do lists all at once—and it’s a recipe for burnout.

Instead, build a system that works for you. Time-block your day, capture tasks in a single tool, and do weekly reviews to stay on track. These small habits free your mind for what truly matters.

Your system doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to work.

What’s one way you could streamline your obligations this week?

3. If You Want to Work From Home, You Need More Structure, Not Less

Working from home sounds freeing—until the lack of structure derails your productivity.

Without clear boundaries, the lines between work and life blur, and your focus takes a hit.

Remote work requires more discipline, not less. Create a daily schedule, carve out dedicated workspaces, and communicate clear expectations with coworkers and family.

Structure is supposed to be liberating, not restrictive.

What’s one boundary you could set to improve your work-from-home flow?

4. If You Are Doing Deep Work, You Need to Match Your Workspace to the Nature of Your Work

You wouldn’t cook in a cluttered kitchen, so why try to write in a noisy cafe?

Your environment is either a productivity ally or a constant distraction. Create spaces that match the nature of your work. Quiet corners for thinking, busy cafes for brainstorming, or even a well-lit desk for creative sprints.

The right space turns good work into great work.

What does your deep workspace look like right now, and how could you improve it?

5. If You Are on the Internet, You Should Choose Small Over Big

Forget going viral—small, niche communities outperform giant platforms every time.

Instead of chasing likes and shares, focus on creating meaningful work and engaging deeply in your niche.

Whether it’s launching a podcast, writing a newsletter, or building a community, smaller circles often lead to greater impact.

Why aren’t you sharing your stories on Substack?

6. If You Have Kids, You Should Keep Them Off Smartphones

Smartphones are powerful tools, but they’re also thieves of attention, creativity, and connection.

For kids, the stakes are even higher.

Encourage hobbies, outdoor time, and real-world relationships instead. Fewer screens mean richer lives. And it starts with setting boundaries at home.

Imagine a weekend where your family connects over board games instead of screens.

What’s one way you could create a smartphone-free zone in your home?

7. If You Are Scrolling, You Are Not Living

Social media might feel essential, but books, nature, and skill-building lead to far richer rewards.

Instead of scrolling, use your time to deepen your expertise, connect with your local community, or create rather than consume. Your phone shouldn’t run your life—you should.

Every minute spent online is a minute not spent building something meaningful.

What’s one app you could delete today to reclaim your focus?

8. If You Want a Better Future, You Should Plan Backwards from Your Dream Life

Instead of chasing grand goals, ask yourself: What does my ideal day look like?

Work backwards from that vision to design systems and habits that align with it. Beware of the “someday” trap, where you overwork today in the hope of earning rest later—it rarely works.

Sustainable, steady effort wins every time.

What would one step toward your dream lifestyle look like this week?

9. If You Want to Beat the Game, You Need to be Patient

Consistency beats intensity every time.

Instead of rushing to achieve, find joy in the process and let rewards come naturally.

Think of patience as a superpower. It’s the secret ingredient that turns long-term effort into lasting success.

Big results come from small, steady steps.

What’s one project you could commit to for the next five years?

So, where will you start today? Let us know below! 👇

Algorithmically Speaking

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