Finding Productivity in the Analogue (Pt. 2)
Reducing Distractions by Cutting Off Access
Back in 2018 I made a video about a minimalist bullet journal layout that helps boost creativity by eliminating digital distractions.
That video has 624,000+ views today.
It is obvious we are in search of ways to be more productive, and though our digital devices are amazing tools that propel humanity into the future, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing if it takes you away from other priorities.
Focus is a very important part of any job, and the shocking discovery that multitasking doesn’t actually exist begs the question of “how do we narrow in on one thing at a time for maximum effectiveness?”
The Machine
At my 9-5 job with LeisureMedia360, our employees have prided themselves in the amazing customer service they have provided over the years. Upon joining the company in March of 2022, I personally found this to be true and the praises of clients saying the same thing further solidified that to me.
One of my many projects I have given myself in the new position is to find ways to continue that level of customer service into the digital department I am helping to build.
Beyond a few digital processes to deliver this trait (i.e. zoom meetings to go over reports, an educational digital newsletter, hand-holding through strategy planning, etc.) I wanted to go with the age-old hand-written thank you letter to clients once campaigns wrapped.
The only problem was, I hate hand-writing thank you notes and my handwriting is not the best around.
That’s when I was made aware of an old 1940s ROYAL KMG typewriter (pictured above) that was collecting dust on the owner’s side desk in his office.
BINGO.
Historically a publishing company started back in the 80s, typewriters clacked away all up and down the halls of this office at one point.
Here was a chance to bring back that nostalgia.
The Affect
Fellow employees are always popping by my office saying ‘Man! I haven’t heard that sound in a long time!”, I have already sent off some typewritten notes which receive an impressed and excited follow up at the uniqueness of the gesture, and I even have plans to put this machine to work on the sales side of things.
Not only is this silly throw-back bringing smiles and attention to the department at Leisure, it is also an insane productivity tool.
It stays on a side desk in my office and when I am typing on it, it is just me, the keys, and a blank piece of paper to pour my thoughts into.
I am filling out a binder of morning thoughts about life and work each morning, and ideas about the future moves of the department seem to flow out of the machine itself.
Those ideas are filling out yet another binder.
Nothing New Here…
Look, typing on a typewriter is obviously nothing new… there is nothing groundbreaking about it because it has already been done, exhausted, and left behind.
But the outcomes of moving from one desk to another and banging out notes on an analogue device as opposed to my digital keyboard is shaking things up just enough to produce some interesting results.
And the throw-back to the machines that used to run the company when it was founded seems like a nice tie in to the very roots of the company itself.
Where To Get One
If you do a quick Google search for an old typewriter, you will find they are still relatively expensive, at $100+. I love and hate this as these machines used to run the world and were built very well and deserve to hold their value. But anyone looking to pick one up for $20 (which feels a little closer to perceived value) will be hard pressed to find one at that price online and might have more luck at an estate sale.
If you can find one, Amazon sells ribbon, and paper does still exist, believe it or not.
I hope it will bring you as much joy and productivity as it has me.
And I can’t wait to head back into the office again tomorrow morning and put it to work again.
Latest Content
Videos
Main Channel:
Here is a review I made of the Juiced HyperScrambler II. And yeah, I wrecked it on the first big ride…
Photography Channel:
My top 9 photos taken so far this year.
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A little love letter to my favorite camera. This video is doing better than any other video on my photography channel to date!
Stuff I’ve Been Enjoying
Silo — Apple TV+ show that is way better than I thought it was going to be. Give it a shot.
Kodak Microwave Cake Thingies — These are ballin. Use milk, add some maple syrup. Delicious.
Rode Video Mic Go — These are just great. You can see I put one on a camera mount thing to hold like a mic in my last photography videos above. They sound great.
Faizal Westcott — Probably already mentioned him before, but he’s a really chill YouTube photographer and I love his videos.
Stretchy Professional Pants — Got these pants from Target. They’re actually really cool. I’ve been wearing them every day to work with the bottoms cuffed. Can’t find a link. Hennepin Tech Slims are what they are called.
iOS 17 — Got the developer beta. Not a crazy update, but some nice new features for sure.
Apple Vision Pro — If you haven’t heard about this yet, I would be surprised. I don’t want to get this, but if someone handed me one, I would probably be delighted.
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Spencer, firstly, DUDE, so glad you're ok! Watched the bike review w/o sound last night but just listened and wow; thiings could have went south. Great review; electric, a consideration!
The typing thing. I am typing to you on my newly acquired Logitech MX mini keyboard, which I love! The same as you; what would help the process and I learned, old school on an IBM Selectric II, I think. Loved it. Now you have me thinking . And mechanical SOUNDS like your're working so there's that.
Thanks always for your tips and joirney. (whew!) You may consider increasing your visibility as people aren't mentally looking for bikes and 2) these are fast bikes. Be safe.
And congratulations for your new one!