Tech Productivity Issue #321 (Lesser-known macOS Tips & Tricks)

Issue #321 (Lesser-known macOS Tips & Tricks) 04/07/25

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In theory, knowing keyboard shortcuts for our operating system of choice is going to increase our productivity significantly. But the catch is that we have to learn the keyboard shortcuts and retain the information. That is, we have to know them and allow them to become second nature to us.

If you're a Mac user, you might benefit from this list of lesser-known tips and tricks for macOS. Many of the tips are shortcut key combinations but there are also some other general macOS tips as well.

The tips are divided into 19 different categories. There isn't an on-page internal link list to the subheadings, which would help, but it's a huge list of tips that you may find yourself going back to multiple times to learn new things.

The categories include Native UI Conventions, Screenshots, Open/Save Dialogs, Function Keys, Menu Bar / Notification Center, Finder, Dock, Spotlight, Safari, Mail, Calendar, Terminal, and lots more. Hopefully you'll find something in it that's useful!

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

Tools & Apps

Notebooks.app — An AI whiteboard application that lets you connect notes, videos, websites, and research on an infinite canvas, with connections made via AI.

Accountabilify — A Telegram app that provides daily check-ins, habit tracking, and real-time motivation, so you can set goals, stay accountable, and see real progress.

GPT Workspace — Automate busywork and create faster in Google Docs, Sheets, and Gmail with GPT Workspace. Save hours every week without leaving your favorite tools. sponsor

Skedular — A workspace management platform for hybrid teams to manage their physical office resources like desks, meeting rooms, company assets, etc.

Grizzly Templates — A set of Notion templates, individual or bundled, to be more productive, organize finances, and streamline business operations.

DeskRest — A customizable break reminders app for Mac users, to help you improve posture, reduce eye strain, and boost productivity.

Ranger — A fast, secure, and user-friendly budgeting app with universal account sync and clear insights without the complexity.

Articles & Resources

The Software Engineering Identity Crisis — Are software engineers becoming something more like managers now with the influx of AI-assisted coding?

Stamina is a Quiet Advantage — A short but important description of what stamina means, a quality normally associated with physical endurance, but discussed in relation to our goals, progress, team work, etc.

Need Some Digital Nomad Inspo? Check Out The Noam Tribe Today! — The Noam Tribe is a free weekly digital newsletter that explores tips, tricks, and more on travel and the digital nomad lifestyle. Check it out today. sponsor

Allocate Time in Each Day for Both Strategic and Tactical Work — The message here is to ensure that we don't bog ourselves down with nothing but tasks and grunt work, but to spend time daily focusing on bigger picture stuff.

3 Ways to Harness the Power of Your Unfocused Mind — Suggestions include starting with an easy task before moving on to difficult ones, using AI to organize your tasks, and exploring connections with your tired mind.

How To Get Control of Your Time — "Regularly questioning the reason behind your actions will reveal the social patterns driving your decision-making processes."

28 Pieces of Productivity Advice I Stole From People Smarter Than Me — From 2015, Ryan Holiday's list of tips inspired by everyone from Napoleon to Tim Ferriss.

Suggestions?

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

Stay productive!

Louis
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