Minimum Viable Productivity System
The best tools in the world won’t make you productive—solid systems will.
Until recently, I've been talking about the concept of a Minimum Viable Productivity Toolkit (MVPT)—the essential stack of tools you need to get things done. But in reality, it has never been about the tools. It has always been about the system.
I love tools and have opinions on which ones do their job well. But without a solid system, even the best tools won’t make a difference.
A MVPS has three key elements:
A calendar for time-based commitments.
A notes system for capturing ideas and reference material.
A task manager to track what needs doing.
These are separate systems, though they often integrate in some way. You might use three distinct tools or a combined approach. A Bullet Journal can handle all three if you prefer analogue methods. If you lean towards digital, you might mix and match apps.
Sitting above these systems is quick capture, a crucial layer inspired by David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD). Quick capture ensures you have a reliable way to grab thoughts as they come, whether that is a notebook, voice notes, or a digital inbox. This could be a separate tool or seamlessly built into your existing system.
Productivity tools are just the surface. The real focus should be on the underlying system, the structure that helps you manage your work and life in a way that works for you.
What does your system look like right now?
