If you’ve been reading for a while, you’ve no doubt heard me mention that Jonathan Mead and I have been working on a product together. We started this project back in December and it’s grown into something quite different than what we started with. And by different, I mean a lot better.
That product is The Dojo: A Guide to Doing What Matters. It’s a distillation of the major techniques that we’ve been practicing and teaching for a few years, and it comes with a 40-page ebook, 7 audio sessions, and 4 recorded calls – and will contain a few other surprises.
We’ve eschewed a lot of the fluff you’d normally find and instead went right to the core, so you can expect to find a lot of gems of insight in a simple, beautiful package. At least, that’s what a lot of the feedback about it is saying.
(I’d like to take a second and say that Jonathan’s design work on this project is phenomenal. I’m very proud of how his skills in that area have grown.)
If you’ve been looking for a different approach to productivity and personal development that focuses more on what you can do and less on, well, hacks, tools, systems, and such, you’ll like the Dojo. It’s written so that it’s accessible and insightful, but it’s light on us directing you about what, specifically, to do.
You might find it odd that, on the one hand, the Dojo seems to be dismissive about systems, planners, and lists, yet, on the other hand, I create those very things. The appearances are deceptive – systems, planners, and lists have a place in meaningful action, but they’re largely external structures that augment our internal motivations, resources, and capabilities. The Dojo is focused on those internal components much more than the external ones. When you combine your internal motivations, resources, and capabilities with external systems and structure, things become a lot easier to do.
If you’re interested, head on over to The Dojo’s page by clicking this link. (That link will take you offsite.)
I *love* the design, and huge applause to Jonathan.
I’m also very much in favour of the cut-the-fluff approach. I haven’t dug far into the Dojo (I got an advance copy ;-)) because I’m stopping and *thinking* about things. Which is always a good sign. I’d far rather have 40 awesome pages than 200 so-so ones.
This is very much in tune with how I feel about productivity — it’s not about ticking boxes, it’s about finding and doing more of your great work, and having the courage and the momentum and the focus to keep on.
Anyway, people, don’t read my comment, go check it out! 🙂
I completely agree with Ali! I really don’t like the GTD approach. It doesn’t focus on happiness, it just focuses on getting things done. My thoughts have really changed after reading this post:
http://www.illuminatedmind.net/2010/01/05/why-people-hate-productivity/
I bought it today, and I am really looking forward to going through the material. I am a fan of your work, and Jonathan’s work, and I will also be making a video review on my blog when I am finished.
Thanks a bunch!
Josh Lipovetsky.
This one pretty much blew me away. Freaking amazing work, guys.
Ah, gentle folks, but getting things done is what makes me happy.
You see, the solution is simple, clear and elegant, My Dear Watson.
If X,Y,Z happen to be the variables in your life, why should they be mutually exclusive?
Pray, give it a thought. Won’t you, please?
In other words, you can tick off tasks from your to-do list, get things done, create results AND have fun. Be happy.
The trick is to try to play with whatever life provides you: if you have a lemon, make a lemonade. Easier said than done, though.
Or, maybe, like the Buddha, I have attained nirvana. Well, not yet anyway.
Cheerio!
Of course! And I love getting things done. I like crossing things off my list, especially things which I wanted to do and enjoyed doing.
The problem (for me, at least) is that it’s all too easy for ticking boxes to become the point … for me to ignore the bigger picture in favour of knocking out a few tasks. I’m getting more balanced about this, but I’m particularly thrilled to see Charlie and Jonathan taking this approach.
They’re not anti-productivity or anti-doing stuff, they’re pro doing it in a more sustained, meaningful and impactful way.
This might explain something… I’ve been using the “Du-oh!” system all this time!
If only I’d had your guide and had started a GirlPie site/blog back when I first met all you guys in ’08, I’D be one of the “Top Funnest Useful Cute 30 Bloggers to Watch in 2010” too~ !
Very cool for you Charlie, Jonathan — smart name, wise approach, swell intent, keen need-filler, and the mellow release is welcome. (But I didn’t get my advance review copy… hmm… Ha! )
Happy birthday to your Dojo!
Your pal,
~ @TheGirlPie
This looks like a great product. Too many times I’ve caught myself doing work that just keeps me busy instead of getting me closer to my goals.
Doing actions that matter is what going to get our goals met. I’ve been working on this for the past few months, but I am considering buying this product to get me closer. Money is a little tight, but it will probably be worth it.