Friction, Reward and Productivity Systems
Is there more to be gained from higher friction systems?
Hey,
We hope you are doing well. Rob writing this edition. We’ve done another podcast on Friction, Reward and Productivity Systems - where I introduce my new system (images from it below) and we ponder whether my journey to seek out a low friction productivity system is devoid of reward.
And maybe, just maybe, a higher friction system has a better reward. We discuss this, and we chat about Helen’s system, as well as covering how my system is currently working. To be fair, it’s only week three, but so far my level of calmness, clarity and productivity is through the roof.
By adding more friction to my system (moving away from ToDoist’s simple task add, moving to an analogue system, introducing coloured paper and using my old typewriters), I am seeing more reward from the output.
But also, there is reward in the building and using of this system too (the coloured paper, the military-style command I have on my life now, and more).
You can listen to the podcast here : Friction, Reward and Productivity Systems
Friction Systems
My system basically comprises of military-style printouts, inspired by a rabbit-hole moment of research into early 20th Century military paperwork (don’t ask why I was looking for this).
I was impressed by how formal, neat and analogue they were. Clear, clean and direct. It is a masterclass in simple clarity and alignment.
I therefore created my own for my many projects. One sheet for one deliverable, for one project.
I also decided to buy some coloured paper (this one on Amazon met the brief and is not too thick, but not too thin) and ensure each colour represented a project.
Most military style documents have stamped approvals etc….so, of course, I bought a stamp to mark whether something had been “shipped”.
I opted for the COLOP stamp. Who would have thought there were so many options when it came to stamps?
As you can see in the image above - I stamped it with “shipped - date”. I am now piling up the sheets when they’re done.
This is WAY more friction than simply using ToDoist (digital tool). But, I was finding that because the friction to add tasks to Todoist is low, I was adding millions of tasks. I therefore dreaded opening it - and couldn’t see clearly what I needed to do to get stuff shipped. It became overwhelming and I didn’t get much reward from it.
The reward was hidden in how easy it was to add tasks - but that turned out to be less than a reward in the long run.
Friction
This new system had friction in creating the forms. Has friction when I come to print them (ensuring the right coloured paper and having to print them out) and has higher levels of friction when using the forms (writing things out, carrying the paperwork around with me, filing).
But, the reward is that I am getting more done. The reward is that I enjoy the process of printing and cataloging, and I get the reward of putting good old fashioned pen to paper. Not to mention the stamp joy.
Check out the podcast where we jump into more detail, Helen explains her rewards are often using stickers and we share some stationery stories. Friction, Reward and Productivity Systems podcast.
Interesting Links
Always be knolling. Knolling is a technique in photography where items are placed, typically at 90 deg, next to each other. And what better subject than the humble paperclip.
Love a good pen test.
More knolling.
Wow.
Lots of folders.
Stationery_reading_addict has bought a book by Emma Gannon via the Pound Project, and they are super stylish in their packaging. Wouldn’t it be nice if all books came prepared like this - with postcards!
All Things Analogue with some beautiful travellers notebooks. Must. Resist. Buying.
Nice.
So neat. And beautiful.
That’s it for this week.
The latest episode is out now : Friction, Reward and Productivity Systems
You can find us on Instagram : Stationeryfreaksuk
Our website is here : Stationeryfreaks.com
Have a great fun, creative, productive, joyful few weeks until the next one.
Rob & Helen