Enroll early in the Busyness Trap: Escape Overload and Focus on What Matters: https://dyan-williams.thinkific.com/courses/busyness-trap Module 1 is now available. For an early enrollment fee of $29, you will get unlimited access to Module 1 plus all new modules that are added incrementally. The price of this course will increase as more modules are published. When all the modules are made available, the enrollment fee could be from $99 to $199. A year ago, I started outlining the modules and wri...
Apr 16, 2025•4 min•Ep. 72
Learn 7 reasons why the Law of Attraction is unproductive and even harmful. The Law of Attraction says your thoughts and feelings manifest your reality; they contain vibrations and frequencies that create tangible outcomes or visible results. It’s pseudoscience that makes vague references to neurology, metaphysics and quantum mechanics. The law of attraction is a New Thought or New Age concept. The idea is that whatever you desire, the universe will provide. The 3 steps of manifestation are to a...
Mar 27, 2025•17 min•Ep. 71
When you’re busy all the time, it’s hard to pause, slow down and rest. But the busier you are, the more you need to recover and recharge. In episode 70 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) Wanting to rest is not a sign of weakness or laziness 0:00 2) What is rest 0:53 3) The benefits of passive rest, like Niksen (the Dutch term for doing nothing) 1:21 4) The advantages of active rest, like tactile hobbies or meditative activities 2:20 5) Rest can be mentally restorative, physically rechargi...
Aug 15, 2024•12 min•Ep. 70
Learning is a meta skill for thriving, growing, and doing better. When you don’t learn, you stay stuck and repeat the same mistakes. While learning might not be as urgent as performing tasks, producing output and meeting deadlines, it’s just as important. Your performance is at its lowest when you’re purely performing or purely learning. You’re most likely to succeed when you have the ideal mix of both. In episode 69 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) Chronic performance is counterproduct...
May 04, 2024•15 min•Ep. 69
Uncertainty makes it harder to make progress and find flow in meaningful things. In easy conditions, progress is a straight line toward an end point. But when there’s uncertainty, progress is more like a feedback loop. In episode 68 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) 0:09 When faced with the unknown, you can either do something or do nothing. 2) 0:26 The difference between uncertainty and ambiguity and why they both cause frustration. 3) 1:03 The Paradox of Control and how we create anxie...
Feb 12, 2024•15 min•Ep. 68
Setting goals - when done right - puts you on the path to a more desired life. In goal setting, do not make the finish line the main thing or lose sight of the journey. In episode 67 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) 0:15 By breaking your big goals down into mini goals, you achieve small wins that build your confidence, grow your knowledge, and keep you on an upward spiral. 2) 0:32 Goals are spotlights pointing you in a certain direction. They are not always your ultimate destination poi...
Jan 15, 2024•11 min•Ep. 67
A bias for action can help you do big things and reach big goals. In big projects, it's vital in the delivery phase, which should be fast. But it hurts the planning phase, where it’s better to be slow. In episode 66 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) 0:00 A bias for action feels productive but can also backfire and cause big failure in big projects. 2) 0:55 Every big project has 2 basic phases: Planning and Delivery. 3) 1:11 In their book, How Big Things Get Done, authors Bent Flyvbjerg a...
Nov 05, 2023•18 min•Ep. 66
Solitude is a chosen state of being alone. It is not the same as interpersonal loneliness or existential loneliness, which may lead to an early death or death by suicide in extreme cases. The need for alone time is as vital to human life as the need for social interaction. When you practice solitude, you will be better able to move through loneliness with skill, rather than try to end it unskillfully at all costs. In episode 65 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The main differences betwe...
Sep 13, 2023•19 min•Ep. 65
As you make gains, step by step, your actions and behaviors that used to take a lot of effort become more like a habit. You can choose to stay there and enjoy what you’ve accomplished or take the next step for a new challenge. The Incrementalist: A Simple Productivity System to Create Big Results in Small Steps , is now available on both Amazon and Leanpub. The book shows you how to skillfully practice the Incrementalist principles to do the right things, in the right way, at the right time – ev...
Aug 21, 2023•3 min•Ep. 64
Uncertain outcomes and imperfect data make it tougher to decide. A decision starts with a choice, which is an opportunity to select from two or more options. A decision is cutting off options and narrowing it down to just one. This is harder to do in novel, high-stakes situations. In episode 63 of The Incrementalist, you will learn how to make better decisions in the face of uncertainty: 1. Understand that decision making starts with knowing what you really want. Go with thick desires, instead o...
May 10, 2023•17 min•Ep. 63
Decision-making can be daunting. A decision can be so tough that you avoid it for as long as possible, instead of approach it head-on. And we can get worn out by the sheer number of choices we make daily. In episode 62 of The Incrementalist, you will learn two major pitfalls in decision making and strategies to navigate them: 1. Pitfall #1 - Choice Overload Decision Matrix Paradox of Choice Maximizer vs. Satisficer Narrow Framing 2. Pitfall #2 - Cognitive Bias System One vs. System Two Thinking ...
Mar 23, 2023•14 min•Ep. 62
Goals are targets, milestones or results you want to achieve. But week after week, month after month, year after year, we set goals that we soon forget. Before you decide that goals don’t work, first look at how you set them. In episode 61 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) Even when we don't set goals, we carry them around in some shape or form. 2) 7 big mistakes to avoid when goal setting (and how to fix them). Watch the video, 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Goal Setting on our YouTube channe...
Feb 03, 2023•17 min•Ep. 61
Even if goals don’t make you happy or happier, you still need to make them for different reasons. In episode 60 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The limits of goal setting and goal achievement. 2) The 5 reasons you still need to set goals, even if they don't really make you happier. Watch the video, Why You Need to Set Goals, Even if Achieving Them Doesn't Make You Happier , on our YouTube channel, The Incrementalist - A Productivity Show . It adds another dimension to what you hear on ...
Dec 01, 2022•16 min•Ep. 60
What to do - when you feel like doing nothing - depends on the reasons you're unmotivated and unproductive. In episode 59 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The Procrastination Equation, a formula by Dr. Piers Steel that helps explains why you feel unmotivated and why you procrastinate. 2) 10 tips to get out of a mental slump and motivation rut. Watch the video, What to Do When You're Motivated to Do Nothing , on our YouTube channel, The Incrementalist - A Productivity Show . It adds anot...
Oct 30, 2022•16 min•Ep. 59
Toxic productivity occurs when you apply habits, routines and practices that are prescribed for someone else. Some of the productivity advice are hacks, tricks and tips that won’t work for you. They just don’t match with your mindset, preferences and season of life. In episode 58 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1) The truth about productivity advice and toxic productivity. 2) 5 universal principles or basic rules to apply in any productivity practice. 3) 7 common mistakes to avoid when m...
Aug 17, 2022•15 min•Ep. 58
Harness the power of slow living and practice the slow philosophy. This is how you break the obsession with doing more faster and, instead, do the right things at the right speed. On the road of life, there are twists and turns, hills and valleys. We can map out and plan our journey. But even then, we can’t always see what’s ahead of us in a given moment. And slowing down is the only way to move ahead. In episode 57 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1. Slow living gives you an infinite sou...
Jul 20, 2022•17 min•Ep. 57
If you have trouble finishing projects and goals, you’re not alone. This is a common human experience. But there are 5 things you can do to finish strong with any project or goal. In episode 56 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1. The limits of willpower, better habits, and more refined systems. 2. The 5 things to start doing to finish your goals - i. Make progress incrementally and imperfectly. ii. Set smaller, more flexible goals. iii. Enjoy the process, not wait for the desired result. ...
Jun 02, 2022•14 min•Ep. 56
Your ability to focus on deep work is key to being productive. Your power to connect ideas is vital to being creative. Whether you’re focusing or mind wandering, you need to direct your attention to perform at your peak. In episode 55 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1) The difference between Hyperfocus and Scatterfocus and why you need both modes of focus to control your attention. 2) Mind wandering is not a problem if you have meta-awareness or metacognition, i.e., to be aware of your a...
May 13, 2022•15 min•Ep. 55
Digital technology has its benefits and is not all bad. But tech-overuse and tech addiction cause problems too. To break our tech addiction and master our tech use, we need Digital Minimalism: “A philosophy of technology use in which you focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else," says author Cal Newport. In episode 54 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1) Onlin...
Apr 25, 2022•15 min•Ep. 54
When we hear the term work-life balance, we tend to think of it as a good thing. It’s doing great work, without overworking. It’s getting enough rest, without staying idle. But if we want to have a meaningful and productive life, striving for perfect work-life balance is not often the right path. What we really want to aim for is Intentional Imbalance. In episode 52 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1) 3 reasons work-life balance isn't really practical or beneficial 2) 3 elements of Intent...
Mar 11, 2022•12 min•Ep. 52
Do you struggle to stick with challenging projects? Can you stay curious when you do tedious tasks? How do you deal with boring, hard things you have to do? Habits help you automate positive behavior and actions on a daily basis. But they are not enough to perform at your peak. There will be times when you will have to do boring or hard things that take uphill effort. If you can make boring, hard work easier to do, that’s more than half the battle in making the impossible possible. In episode 51...
Feb 23, 2022•15 min•Ep. 51
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Do you have thoughts churning around, usually about things you don’t control? Is lack of clarity stopping you from taking action? If you feel stuck, bored or just plain lazy, you might be waiting for inspiration to strike. But what if it doesn’t? You might think you need more discipline or willpower. But even the most disciplined people procrastinate on the things they need to do. And willpower is finite. The more you use it, the less you have on a...
Feb 12, 2022•11 min•Ep. 50
Do you have trouble remembering to do a new habit? Are you setting the right conditions to form the habit? Do you lose motivation when you don’t get immediate results? Habit stacking is a quick way to build good habits, which have a lasting, massive impact in your life. Habits are automatic behaviors that reduce decision fatigue, make time your ally, and save your energy for the hardest things. In episode 49 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1) The Habit Stacking formula 2) How habit stack...
Feb 04, 2022•13 min•Ep. 49
Goals are the results and outcomes you want to achieve. They are the direction you want to head in, at least for the time being. But systems are what create the desired results and outcomes. Your daily habits make up your system. What you do day in and day out compounds over time to determine your level of success, mastery and contentment. In episode 48 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1) Key lessons from James Clear's Atomic Habits and Professor BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits books 2) What is a h...
Jan 28, 2022•11 min•Ep. 48
Do you get overwhelmed by digital task management tools? Are you seeking a good mix of structure and flexibility in your day? Is there an easy, stress-free way to block time for important projects? When you hear the term Time Blocking, you might picture color-coded calendars filled up with specific activities for the week. Digital apps to block time might also come to mind. But you really don’t need an app or even a planner to time block. In episode 47 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1) ...
Jan 19, 2022•16 min•Ep. 47
Are you in a cul-de-sac, on a cliff, or in the dip? Patience and persistence are essential for success. If you give up whenever you face a challenge or an obstacle, you’re bound to fail. But you also need to know when to quit and cut your losses. In episode 46 of The Incrementalist, you will learn: 1) The Sunk Cost Fallacy means we prefer to continue the action if we already put time, effort, and money into it, even if the current costs outweigh the benefits. 2) Commitment bias is to stand by pa...
Jan 11, 2022•14 min•Ep. 46
The start of the new year is an ideal time to take stock and reflect. January 1, the 1st of every month, or the start of a new season are temporal landmarks. This is when many of us set goals or recommit to goals. A review of the year gives you insights on how to move forward in the next. It’s better to do it in the first week of the year, but no later than before you start planning for the upcoming months. In episode 45 of The Incrementalist , you will learn: 1. How much time to invest in the Y...
Dec 31, 2021•11 min•Ep. 45
At the end of the year and the start of a new one, we tend to reflect on accomplishments and think about aspirations. There’s nothing wrong with keeping the status quo if it works for you. Constantly striving for the next big thing is no better than leading a simple, satisfying life. But like all human beings, you probably have a wish or a dream that has yet to come true. A wish or a dream is not a goal until you have a plan of action. And a plan of action is not made until you define the next s...
Dec 20, 2021•18 min•Ep. 44
We have all experienced anxiety on some level at various points in our lives. COVID-19 and the global response to it have brought massive changes and deep uncertainty since the start of 2020. Before then, 90% of Americans in the room raised their hands when asked if they had experienced daily anxiety. Wendy Suzuki, a neural science and psychology professor at NYU, says that number has gone way up. But she reminds us that at its core, anxiety is really a protective mechanism. Like all emotions, i...
Dec 11, 2021•16 min•Ep. 43
There are news stories and articles on how we have the attention span of a goldfish. You might have heard that with the Internet, we can now only focus for 8 seconds at a time. The good news is there are no studies to back this up. There is also a common belief that we use only 10% of our brain. The entire brain is being used, but some parts are more activated than others. Having a peak mind is more about knowing where your attention is than whether or not you are hyper-focused or hyper-vigilant...
Dec 04, 2021•13 min•Ep. 42
