Given some of my recent posts on productivity and excellence (see the PIE category for some examples), where I outline habits and log my progress in my project to become the best version of myself, I have received questions concerning what I think the best websites for productivity are.
I generally like to avoid looking for things specifically driven towards “life hacks” and “productivity hacks” (for some good thoughts on this, see here) and prefer rather to focus on those that drive me to better conceive my time and use it more efficiently from a mindset perspective. This is one reason why I use the term “excellence” rather than “productivity” or merely “development.” Excellence is a constant process and practice. Looking to just increase productivity can make one fall into the trap of just using one-off procedural fixes, rather than confronting new mindsets and ways to fix that, rather than procedures.
For that reason, my recommended reading list probably looks pretty different than a lot of lists on similar topics. These are the blogs I check on a regular basis that provide great fodder for thinking about personal excellence:
- Paul Graham — Graham offers some great stuff on philosophy, tech, education, and more. His “Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule” is a piece I recommend for thinking about your time more productively.
- Sam Altman — The blog of Y Combinator cofounder Sam Altman offers insight into the startup world from somebody who spends plenty of time around successful and unsuccessful companies. His “Advice to Ambitious 19 Year Olds” is something every high-achieving young person should immediately read.
- Nathaniel Branden — Though not really a “blog,” as much as a repository of good essays, Branden’s site is a good go-to for inspiration and a kick in the self-concept. I recommend his “All About Responsibility” for starters.
- Psychology Today — Freedom to Learn — Peter Gray’s posts on unschooling, Sudbury Schooling, and the importance of play are not only important for parents and educators but also for anybody looking to deschool themselves.
- Killing College — A new blog by a college dropout chronicling his and others’ experiences with leaving college to create lives for themselves.
- UnCollege Blog — The blog and community of Thiel Fellow Dale Stephens’ Uncollege organization. This site features everything from stories about the Gap Year participants (Stephens’ program associated with UnCollege) to tips on making an UnColleged experience productive and getting the most out of it
- The Art of Manliness — Some of the think-pieces authored on here provide great commentary on self-efficacy and self-respect, as well as providing good intellectual fodder.
- The New Philosopher — This magazine offers some of the best publication of academic philosophy for the population at large. While some of the articles are just run-of-the-mill think-pieces from academics, some of them provide great overviews of schools of philosophy and some new foils for thinking about living your life consciously.
- The School of Life — Much like The New Philosopher, The School of Life blog is a great outlet for academic philosophers attempting to make their discipline practical to the everyday person. Sometimes the pieces are largely fluff and provide little fodder for thinking about life, but sometimes they can be thought-provoking and challenge the assumptions with which we unconsciously operate. Their book, How to Find Fulfilling Work is highly recommended.
In addition to these sites, I occasionally swing by Medium,