Tech Productivity Issue #10 (Google Remote Work Survey)

Issue #10 (Google Remote Work Survey) 04/22/19

The comic in this tweet (which is a meme based on the original comic) demonstrates something I think all tech workers have faced, the fact that sometimes a problem can best be solved if you just walk away from it and do something else for a while.

While this definitely can work for small bugs we want to weed out, I think the same concept applies to the larger technologies we use. Want to become better at CSS? Don't write any CSS for a month. Want to improve server side? Stay on the client for a few weeks. Hate the terminal? Get out of it for a few days.

Of course, in most cases, due to our jobs, it's impossible to just walk away from a technology for any amount of time. I guess that's what vacations are for. But I do strongly believe that everything needs a break and some reset time.

Now on to this week's hand-picked productivity links!

Tools & Apps

Sagefy - An open-content, adaptive learning platform.

Quire - A visual collaborative platform for your upcoming projects. Lets you map out your thoughts and tackle them with small steps.

Bookcelerator Summary - Summaries of the best books on business, broken down into 5-minute daily emails that you can read with your morning coffee.

UserGuiding - Create interactive product tours in minutes with the most non-technical friendly tool, without coding.

RemoteHR - Everything a U.S. company needs to manage and be in compliance if hiring international remote workers.

Articles & Resources

Technical Skills Are Great, but Communication and Curiosity Are Better - Kyle Galbraith's take on interviews that include technical challenges that don't seem very practical.

How does it feel to be watched at work all the time? - Is workplace surveillance about improving productivity or simply a way to control staff and weed out poor performers?

Want to learn a new skill? Take some short breaks - An NIH study suggests our brains may use short rest periods to strengthen memories.

The Ultimate Guide to Writing Online - David Perell makes the case that writing online is the fastest way to accelerate your career.

Google asked 5,600 employees about remote work. This is what they learned - A two-year study involving data from Googlers in the U.S., Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Suggestions?

Have a suggestion for a productivity-related tool, article, or other resource? Send me a direct message via X (@LouisLazaris) and I’ll consider including it in a future issue.

Stay productive!

Louis
techproductivity.co
@LouisLazaris

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