Writing
Despite feeling somewhat under the weather last week (or maybe because of it):
- I wrote 4 blog posts on creative writing (all are published or scheduled to be published on The Ode Map)
- I outlined 2 articles around generalism and the future of work
- I drafted the introduction to a book
- Finally got around to introducing myself on the Generalist.World community Slack
It’s amazing how much more productive you can be (I think I mean prolific) when you can do what your heart wants you to do, rather than force yourself to do something your head thinks you should do.
What I didn’t do was anything with an hourly rate attached.
Reading
Roger Swannell’s post about Success State Roadmaps was interesting. It reinforces something I see, which is that once delivery starts, people tend to forget to look up at the ‘why’, leading to the product (or strategy or ‘deliverable’) veering off course - often with good intentions, but generally not what's wanted. Ensuring that you are continually measuring, monitoring and reflecting at all levels (why, what & how), and have information radiators for all levels, helps to keep everyone’s eyes on the ball.
Hyperact’s “Missing guide to product strategy” was also an interesting publication this week. I’ve yet to give it a decent read-through but, at first glance, it looks to cover what I’d hope to see. More on this next week, I hope.
Watching
Given I was not feeling 100%, you will forgive me for some of my watching choices this week.
Firstly, the nostalgia trip:
- Star Trek: TNG - Series 1 Episodes 1-5. Don’t they all look young! I remember watching this when it first aired on terrestrial television here in the UK. In my mate/colleague’s house in Cambridge. I’m not crying; you’re crying.
- The Fast Show - Series 1 Episodes 1&2. I don’t think I’ll continue with this. Some of it hasn’t aged that well. I mean, I thought it was all hilarious at the time. And there were some sketches that I didn’t remember, so that was nice.
Secondly, the ‘I don’t want to think, I just want to consume’ pile:
- The Marlowe Murder Club. Finished watching series 2. I mean, it passes the time and doesn’t offend, so I’m not going to complain.
Finally, the 'meaty' stuff (relatively speaking):
- The Assassin - Series 1. [IMDb] Well, that was brilliant. Funny, tense, a bit gory. Keeley Hawes & Freddie Highmore were excellent. Jack Davenport playing off-character. Alan Dale playing a complete and utter bastard. Brilliant! I already said that.
- Bäckström - Series 2. [IMDb] A good story, excellent cast. I preferred Series 1, but this is still great. Looking forward to watching series 3. (Not to be confused with Backstrom[IMDb] - the US remake - which I haven't watched, but imagine will not be as good, as it has less accents.)
Listening
Not much this week: