Fernando Nóbel

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Use tools that strengthen the right mindset

| 1 min (280 words) | by Fernando Nóbel
#Productivity

Are your tools making you more responsible… or just more demanding?

Tools enhance our abilities, whether physical or mental. But they’re not neutral. Tools also shape the mindset we bring to our work.

For example, a schedule is a tool that enhances your ability to plan your time. But it can also foster two very different mindsets:

In other words, a good tool can backfire if it strengthens the wrong mindset. If you’re already highly self-demanding, the last thing you need is a tool that amplifies that pressure even further.

That’s why, whenever you use a tool, ask yourself these two questions:

  1. What mindset (consciously or unconsciously) am I reinforcing with this tool?
  2. Is this the right mindset for this situation?

I once recommended to a colleague that he try daily planning (making a plan for how to approach each day). In my experience, it’s a very valuable tool because it fosters proactivity, responsibility, and flexibility. However, in his case it didn’t work: he felt it was a waste of time, and the feeling of “not sticking to the plan” was emotionally too harsh.

The problem wasn’t the tool, but the mindset: he was using it to fuel his self-demanding mindset. And from that place, planning didn’t help at all — in fact, it was counterproductive. So before he could benefit from this kind of planning, he first had to work on his mindset: shifting from demand to responsibility.

And you, what mindset are your tools reinforcing?

Best,
Fernando Nóbel


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