Back to Work

TOPIC: Agency, Independence, and Outing Your Makebelieve "Partners."

Dan and Merlin return to the topic of agency.

Who's allowed to speak and act on your behalf? And, what happens when you discover people who've unilaterally decided by fiat to speak and act on your behalf?

Well. If your work (and your business) matters to you, you tell them to knock it off.

How to reclaim your own stuff, set your own terms, and fire all the non-silent non-partners of the lucrative Free Compliment Industry.

Links for this episode:

• Workshops | Squarespace Workshops - archive - Beyond the Blog
  
• Workshops | Squarespace Workshops - archive - Building a Portfolio
  
• Simplifed Plans and Pricing — The Official Squarespace Blog
  
• [SPONSOR] Squarespace.com. Use offer code `turnsout` for 10% off.
  
• [SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!
  
• iTextEditors - iPhone and iPad text/code editors and writing tools compared
  
• "If you think it's fancy to expect permission to sell stupid shit people said, just wait until you start saying stupid shit worth selling."
  
• 5by5 | Back to Work #12: Chewie's Medal is Not Canonical
  
• Free as in "Me" | 43 Folders
  
• Giant Steps - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Henry's law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Amazon.com: Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit: Kitchen & Dining
  
• Amazon.com: A Confederacy of Dunces (9780802130204): John Kennedy Toole, Walker Percy: Books
  
• 5by5 | After Dark #143: After Back to Work #63
  
• Merlin's Frequently Asked Questions - Merlin Mann
  

Sponsored this week by our pals at Squarespace and Smile. Please visit the show notes for this episode to find links, tips, and special offers.

TOPIC: Karmasucks, No-Sayers, and Black and White Thinking

Dan and Merlin consider the karmasucks and black and white thinking that lead to inertia and a culture of derision.

Anyone can laugh at an agenda, and it only takes one turd in the punchbowl to ruin the party, so don't ask permission, ask yes or no questions, and keep your judge behind your explorer.

Links for this episode:

• Why isn't that Buddha statue fat?
  
• Monty Python - "Election Night Special" - YouTube
  
• Phineas and Ferb - "My Nemesis" - YouTube
  
• Waldorf education - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Creative Think - Roger von Oech
  
• Amazon.com: A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative (9780446404662): Roger von Oech: Books
  
• Amazon.com: A Kick in the Seat of the Pants: Using Your Explorer, Artist, Judge, and Warrior to Be More Creative: Explore similar items
  
• Jonathan Coulton with John Roderick - "Nemeses" - YouTube
  
• [SPONSOR] Squarespace.com. Use offer code `turnsout` for 10% off.
  
• It's About Time! - Phineas and Ferb Wiki - Your Guide to Phineas and Ferb
  
• My Nemesis - Phineas and Ferb Wiki - Your Guide to Phineas and Ferb
  
• DAYTUM
  
• False dilemma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Splitting (psychology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Borderline personality disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Creative Prob-solving (KISP)
  
• Spicynodes : Fostering creativity
  
• Grace Hopper: "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission."
  
• "Never let the guy with the broom decide how many elephants can be in the parade."
  
• "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!"
  
• VIDEO: "John Cleese - A Lecture on Creativity" (Do **NOT** miss!)
  
• "Bill Cosby: Himself" - Part One
  
• Bill Cosby: Himself (1983)
  
• Ep. 14: "Big City Apology" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann
  
• Tim & Eric - "Gravy Robbers Training Video" (with Zach Galifianakis)
  
• Tim & Eric - "Gravy Robbers!" - YouTube
  
• Election Night Special - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Primer (2004)
  
• DAYTUM: Merlin's Running Sodastream Stats
  
• Mitchell & Webb - "That's Numberwang!"
  

Sponsored by Squarespace. Use offer code, turnsout for 10% off.

Dan and Merlin talk about Dancing Han Solo, going to college in Florida, and developing smarter patterns for Getting Things Diaried.

Whether you're calling collect, person-to-person, or station-to-station, it's time to get serious, get realistic, and just get it on the calendar.

Send the invite, work those Telephone Thursdays, and make that call E6W ("Every 6 Weeks"). Pick the system that supports your intentions. Then use it.

Links for this episode:

• LensRentals.com - Hammerforum.com
  
• Lobster Farm | You Look Nice Today
  
• "Old, Old Friend" - Threadless.com - Best t-shirts in the world
  
• Dancing to "I'm Han Solo" on Kinect Star Wars - YouTube
  
• A Sextodecimestrial Letter to YLNT Shareholders | You Look Nice Today
  
• You Look Nice Today — The You Look Nice Today Starter Pack
  
• simplecomic - An uncluttered comic viewer for os-x - Google Project Hosting
  
• Vachina | You Look Nice Today
  
• Wolverine - Marvel Comics Database
  
• Jean Grey - Marvel Comics Database
  
• kung fu grippe - Siracusa "LIKE AN ANIMAL!" ringtone
  
• App Store - Comic Zeal Comic Reader
  
• AwayFind - Mobile notifications for priority messages. The email management solution for Gmail and Exchange.
  
• Tungle.me | Scheduling Made Easy
  
• Cash Duke
  
• Claude Zeins (czeins) on Twitter
  

Dan and Merlin consider how to rethink your work as a platform. It's not just a job, or just a career, or (God forbid) just a brand--it's about deciding when you need to take your time and attention pro.

How the stuff you've made and done can be leveraged into the next things you'd like to make and do; how to find the orthogonal angles and unexpected branches; how to learn what you need to learn; and how to take your work so seriously that you'll dare a quick dip in the douche pool.

Links for this episode:

• Why People Remember Negative Events More Than Positive Ones - NYTimes.com
  
• Twitter / @rands: Reputation is the sum tota ...
  
• Video for Merlin's "Inbox Zero" talk | 43 Folders
  
• Damocles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Everyday Use - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Sorry to Lose You (sorrytoloseyou) on Twitter
  
• Raynaud's phenomenon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• MPU 023: Workflows with Merlin Mann « Mac Power Users
  
• Simple Comic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• [SPONSOR] Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac and iOS
  
• How Companies Learn Your Secrets - NYTimes.com
  
• A compelling take on breaking bad habits - FT.com
  
• 37signals: Web-based collaboration apps for small business
  
• "If you're proud of your work, don't worry whether everyone loves it…"
  
• Amazon.com: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles (9781936891023): Steven Pressfield, Shawn Coyne: Books
  
• Amazon.com: The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life (9780743235273): Twyla Tharp, Mark Reiter: Books
  
• kung fu grippe • Donny & Marie - “May Tomorrow Be A Perfect Day” ...
  
• Kill file - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  

Sponsored by Byword, a Simple Text Editor for Mac and iOS

This week, Dan and Merlin tackle the problem of changing cultures at work. It's not a snapshot, it's not a kitchen table, and it may actually have surprisingly little to do with you.

Which is complicated.

Links for this episode:

• App Store - Flow Powered by Amazon
  
• RL Classic for iPhone, iPod touch (4th generation), iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPad (3rd generation) and iPad Wi-Fi + 4G on the iTunes App Store
  
• Stealth Mountain (stealthmountain) on Twitter
  
• ttscoff/Brett-s-TextExpander-Snippets
  
• TE-snippets | TextExpander snippets beter the bullitsTE-snippets | TextExpander snippets beter the bullits
  
• [SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!
  
• TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!
  
• TextExpander Tools - Brett Terpstra
  
• drdrang/te-url-snippets
  
• drdrang/tedist
  
• [SPONSOR] Squarespace (30% off 3 months with `buttonitup`)
  
• [SPONSOR] Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac and iOS
  
• fsck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• [img] X-Men & Amazon Flow
  
• Use “Mobile Documents” Folder To Sync Files with iCloud Across Macs
  
• Eternal September - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Applejack Project Page
  
• Radius 81/110 - All this
  
• Laurelhurst Market Restaurant and Butcher Shop Portland, OR
  
• Video: Merlin's Time & Attention Talk (Improvised Rutgers Edition) | 43 Folders
  

Sponsored by Byword, Squarespace, and Smile.

TOPIC: Changing Inputs

Dan turns Merlin's technical difficulties into a discussion of discovering and paying attention to things that have a high ROI.

It's not about who you think you are, or the latest and loudest thing. You'll miss something even if you follow 1000 blogs, so remember who you really are.

La pregunta: ¿Que hacer?

Links for this episode:

• Squarespace Food Truck (@ SxSW, Mar 9-17)
  
• [PDF] Squarespace-Food-Truck-Menu
  
• Brightkite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Time Management, Productivity, & Project Tracking Software (Mac/PC) | RescueTime
  
• Spirited Away - drikin.com - the Mac way
  
• Hibari: A Mac Twitter client with keyword filtering, muting, inline saved search results, inline conversations, tweet lookup, and more
  
• The Beatles in Hamburg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Razzledazzle | You Look Nice Today
  
• Marked: MultiMarkdown preview, everywhere
  
• Noodlesoft | Hazel
  
• Learn more about Labs features - Google Calendar Help
  
• AwayFind - Mobile notifications for priority messages. The email management solution for Gmail and Exchange.
  
• OtherInbox | Save your inbox for real people
  
• SuperDuper!
  
• OmniFocus for Mac - Products - The Omni Group
  
• Your Outboard Brain Knows All
  
• My Blog, My Outboard Brain - O'Reilly Media
  
• One Foot Tsunami by Paul Kafasis
  
• The Presurfer
  
• kickingbear
  
• Gmail - Priority Inbox – mail
  
• Makebelieve Help, Old Butchers, and Figuring Out Who You Are (For Now) | 43 Folders
  
• Dreyfus model of skill acquisition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple opinion and news | The Loop
  
• Tip of the tongue - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Flow (psychology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• File:Challenge vs skill.svg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Amazon.com: Unix in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition (9780596100292): Arnold Robbins: Books
  
• kung fu grippe • tedfromtheinternet: On a recent 5by5 AD, Dan and...
  
• AppleJack Project Page
  

Sponsored by Squarespace.com (30% off 3 months, with offer code, buttonitup)

Merlin and Dan talk about successful lawn care secrets and getting angry over dog poop, paper towels, duck crossings, and the Dark Side.

No one ever saw the error of their ways because they saw a note from Management. Instead of counting piles and grabbing coals, maybe act a little more like Mr. Rogers.

Links for this episode:

• Rogue Amoeba | Piezo: Charmingly Simple Recording From Applications and Audio Devices
  
• dop-poop-piles.jpg (768×1024)
  
• Neighbors | This American Life
  
• Pittsburgh in Words - Can You Say ... 'Hero'? by Tom Junod
  
• PassiveAggressiveNotes.com
  
• Right versus pragmatic – Marco.org
  
• The Elimination of Anger: With two stories retold from the Buddhist texts
  
• Three poisons (Buddhism) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Five Precepts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Four Noble Truths - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Noble Eightfold Path - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Star Wars: Machete Order
  
• Tragedy of the commons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Edit » Fanedit.org – Home of the fanedits
  
• Star Wars Episode 2: Attack Of The Phantom » Fanedit.org – Home of the fanedits
  
• Mike J. Nichols (theeditdoctor) on Twitter
  
• Woody Allen: "Eighty percent of success is showing up."
  
• Arthur Treacher - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• "There is 1 person with the first name 'Fedow' in Florida."
  
• [SPONSOR] Squarespace.com (30% off 3 months, with offer code, buttonitup)
  

Merlin and Dan talk about your attachment to old coffee cups, Captain America glasses, and Grandma's underwear cabinet—all the physical (and emotional) clutter that keeps you from making the things you love and having the life you want. The Kipple.

See: it's not a red snapper problem, it's an emotional problem. So, quit being scared of your fridge, or your inbox, or your todo list. Just suck it up, buy some contractor bags, and never organize another thing that's not worth keeping.

Links for this episode:

• Right versus pragmatic – Marco.org
  
• Amazon.com: It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff (9780743292658): Peter Walsh: Books
  
• Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit: Amazon.com: Kitchen & Dining
  
• ikea lamp - YouTube
  
• Amazon.com: Husky PA3242HD 42-Gallon Contractor Clean-Up Bags, 32-Count: Patio, Lawn & Garden
  
• Amazon.com: Tuff Sak CCB750 42-Gallon Heavy Duty Contractor Clean Up Bags: Home Improvement
  
• Cool Tools: It's All Too Much
  
• Medical uses of silver - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Leon Trotsky - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• My War on Clutter: Never "organize" what you can discard | 43 Folders
  
• My War on Clutter: Inspiration for Independence Day | 43 Folders
  
• My War on Clutter: The Tools to Purge BIG | 43 Folders
  
• Clutter War II: Attack of the Giant Baby | 43 Folders
  
• kung fu grippe
  

Sponsored by TinyLetter and Shopify.

This week Dan and Merlin ponder why there's so much variability in the quality of our work. 

Whether we're making code, scrubbing toilets, or stinking up the Arby's, what explains our individual drive to do something better?

Links for this episode:

• Features - Squarespace
  

Sponsored by 1Password and Squarespace.

Merlin and Dan talk about returning to paleo, the nature of wieners and discouragement, crown vic habits and anxiety addiction.

You won't beat it without a cocktail of grit and care with just the right amount of sacrifice.

Links for this episode:

• BRYCE DOT VC
  
• Hot dog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• 5by5 | 5by5 Specials #4: Kindacritical
  
• Studio Neat — Welcome
  
• My Family’s Experiment in Extreme Schooling - NYTimes.com
  
• What if the Secret to Success Is Failure? - NYTimes.com
  
• Bear CSS - Helping you build a solid stylesheet foundation based on your markup
  
• Creators of Daily Challenge - MeYou Health
  
• Quills Coffee - Welcome to Quills Coffee
  
• Quit Touching My Toilet Paper
  
• Portland Hotel | Downtown Portland Oregon Hotels | Courtyard by Marriott Hotel
  
• Stu Maschwitz (5tu) on Twitter
  
• Prolost - Blog
  
• IMDb - Stuart T. Maschwitz
  
• Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action - YouTube
  
• Hot Pockets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Laurelhurst Market Restaurant and Butcher Shop Portland, OR
  
• The Paleo Diet: A Link Primer
  
• Lo-Carb Chicago Dog | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
  
• United Airlines - Airline Tickets, Airline Reservations, Flight Airfare
  

Sponsored by Smile and Squarespace.