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A Fairy Tale Revisited and a Workspace That Checks All the Boxes

The Portal: Issue 054

WELCOME TO THE PORTAL: a weekly dose of refreshing productivity strategies and unconventional ideas to help you finally feel in control of your time.

Subscribe now and join thousands of others discovering a world where productivity actually feels fun (instead of making us feel like sh*t).

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Us at every reply

This issue of The Portal is brought to you by

This week’s sponsor has helped us manage our growing business for over 2 years. It seamlessly integrates with all the apps & services you’re already using and has a number of lifesaving features like Reserves, which helps us automatically set aside incoming funds for future expenses like taxes.

Novo is giving new users $40 when you open and fund a new account!

💭 ONE THING WE’RE THINKING ABOUT

You’ve heard about the beef between the tortoise and the hare, right?

While this tale is typically used as a tool to teach kids that slow and steady wins the race, it’s also a warning about going too fast, and the most underrated productivity philosophy of our time.

This week on the blog, we dive deep into the surprising advantages of life in the slow lane.

🎧 ONE THING WE’RE LISTENING TO

PLAYLIST: Wild Ambience

An entire playlist of ambient music with nature sounds to help you relax, ease into the day, or calm tf down when you’re overstimmy 🙃

👀 ONE THING WE’RE OBSESSED WITH

We all know what it feels like to white-knuckle it through your workday, especially if you have ADHD — but what if some relief lies in simply making some adjustments to your work environment?

Here are 5 things to consider to make your workspace a better place for your chaotic brain:

🪑 Furniture & Ergonomics

Your space should accommodate alllllll the different ways you like to work — standing, sitting, cross legged, feet up, etc. If your current setup isn’t cutting it, get creative!

💡 Lighting

Instead of flicking on the dreaded overhead lighting, switch it up to infuse a new feel to your space. Try grabbing a couple lamps from the thrift store or opening up your blinds instead!

🎧 Sounds & Noise

Getting this part right is a MUST for your precious nervous system. Take note of the sounds that positively & negatively impact you, and act accordingly — noise cancelling headphones, ambient music, etc.

🛍️ Organization

Forget all the “rules” of organization and give yourself the permission to do what works for your brain. Prioritize designated zones for different tasks to help your brain switch gears, and give yourself visible reminders instead of keeping everything in your head!

🕯️ Scent

Scents are tied to our memory, so you can essentially Pavlov yourself to get into a certain mode (work mode, relax mode, etc.) by incorporating the same smell each time you do an activity. We highly recommend lighting the same candle each time you sit down for deep work!

🤔 ONE QUESTION FOR YOU

⭐️ ONE LAST THING

On those days when your brain wants a little bit of dopamine to get through your work tasks, this is a less distracting alternative to Netflix!

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