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 BlogWorkshops | Squarespace Workshops - archive - Building a PortfolioSimplifed 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

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" - YouTubePhineas and Ferb - "My Nemesis" - YouTubeWaldorf education - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCreative Think - Roger von OechAmazon.com: A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative (9780446404662): Roger von Oech: BooksAmazon.com: A Kick in the Seat of the Pants: Using Your Explorer, Artist, Judge, and Warrior to Be More Creative: Explore similar itemsJonathan Coulton with John Roderick - "Nemeses" - YouTube[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com. Use offer code `turnsout` for 10% off.It's About Time! - Phin

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.comLobster Farm | You Look Nice Today"Old, Old Friend" - Threadless.com - Best t-shirts in the worldDancing to "I'm Han Solo" on Kinect Star Wars - YouTubeA Sextodecimestrial Letter to YLNT Shareholders | You Look Nice TodayYou Look Nice Today — The You Look Nice Today Starter Packsimplecomic - An uncluttered comic viewer for os-x - Google Project HostingVachina | You Look Nice TodayWolverine - Marvel Comics DatabaseJean Grey - Marvel Comics Databasekung fu grippe - Siracusa "LIKE AN ANIMAL!" ringt

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.comTwitter / @rands: Reputation is the sum tota ...Video for Merlin's "Inbox Zero" talk | 43 FoldersDamocles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaEveryday Use - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSorry to Lose You (sorrytoloseyou) on TwitterRaynaud's phenomenon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMPU 023: Workflows with Merlin Mann « Mac Power UsersSimple Comic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[SPONSOR] Byword • A Simple Text

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 AmazonRL 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 StoreStealth Mountain (stealthmountain) on Twitterttscoff/Brett-s-TextExpander-SnippetsTE-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 Terpstradrdrang/te-url-snippetsdrdrang/tedist[SPONSOR] Squarespace (30% off 3 months with `buttonitup`)[SPONSOR] Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac and iOSfsck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[img] X-Men & Amazon FlowUse “Mobile Documents” Folder To Sync Files wi

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-MenuBrightkite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTime Management, Productivity, & Project Tracking Software (Mac/PC) | RescueTimeSpirited Away - drikin.com - the Mac wayHibari: A Mac Twitter client with keyword filtering, muting, inline saved search results, inline conversations, tweet lookup, and moreThe Beatles in Hamburg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRazzledazzle | You Look Nice TodayMarked: MultiMarkdown preview, everywhereNoodlesoft | HazelLearn more about Labs features - Google Calendar HelpAwayFind - Mobile notifications for priority messages. The email management solution f

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 Devicesdop-poop-piles.jpg (768×1024)Neighbors | This American LifePittsburgh in Words - Can You Say ... 'Hero'? by Tom JunodPassiveAggressiveNotes.comRight versus pragmatic – Marco.orgThe Elimination of Anger: With two stories retold from the Buddhist textsThree poisons (Buddhism) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFive Precepts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFour Noble Truths - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaNoble Eightfold Path - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaStar Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaStar Wars: Machete OrderTragedy of the commons - Wikipedia, the free

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.orgAmazon.com: It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff (9780743292658): Peter Walsh: BooksSodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit: Amazon.com: Kitchen & Diningikea lamp - YouTubeAmazon.com: Husky PA3242HD 42-Gallon Contractor Clean-Up Bags, 32-Count: Patio, Lawn & GardenAmazon.com: Tuff Sak CCB750 42-Gallon Heavy Duty Contractor Clean Up Bags: Home ImprovementCool Tools: It's All Too MuchMedical uses of silver - Wikipedi

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 - SquarespaceSponsored 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 VCHot dog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia5by5 | 5by5 Specials #4: KindacriticalStudio Neat — WelcomeMy Family’s Experiment in Extreme Schooling - NYTimes.comWhat if the Secret to Success Is Failure? - NYTimes.comBear CSS - Helping you build a solid stylesheet foundation based on your markupCreators of Daily Challenge - MeYou HealthQuills Coffee - Welcome to Quills CoffeeQuit Touching My Toilet PaperPortland Hotel | Downtown Portland Oregon Hotels | Courtyard by Marriott HotelStu Maschwitz (5tu) on TwitterProlost - BlogIMDb - Stuart T. MaschwitzSimon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action - YouTubeHot Pockets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaLaurelhurst Market Restaurant and Butcher Shop Portland, ORThe Paleo Diet: A Link PrimerLo-Carb Chicago Dog | Fli

In the most average episode ever, Merlin and Dan talk physical and digital work environments so you can get going in the right direction and don't have to spend all day on it. And, when do you know you don't want 10 times more of something and what do you do about it? There's no guarantee of security, even if you show up sober, so start acting like an entrepreneur and choose what you want 10 times more of. Links for this episode:An Unfortunate Little Man - Merlin MannSlideshow 2.0 - Blog - The Official Squarespace BlogTop 10 Programming FontsSolarized - Ethan Schoonoverdeplorableword/textmate-solarized - GitHubfilmgirl/TextMate-Themes - GitHubAppearance Manager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaByword • A Simple Text Editor for Macoctothorpe - WiktionaryCalepinMerlin’s Calepin ThingeePelican — Pelican v2 documentationPygments — Python syntax highlighterSanta's Village artifacts | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Slideshow 2.0 - Blog - The Official Squarespace Blogkung fu grippe • An Unfortunate Little Man For tod

TOPIC: The Hidden Cost is the True Cost Merlin is back from MacWorldPipeiWorld to talk with Dan about the True Cost of iceberg lettuce, an anchor tenant, 20 minutes of your time, and how much of your life you're going to eat sand. You don't have a TARDIS to make it back to pick up your kid or make it to Built to Spill so walk the coastline. Links for this episode:Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis: Natalie Portman from Comedy Deathray, Between Two Ferns, Natalie Portman, Zach Galifianakis, Scott Aukerman, and BJPorterBetween Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Conan O'Brien & Andy Richter from Between Two Ferns, Andy Richter, Conan O'Brien, Zach Galifianakis, Comedy Deathray, Scott Aukerman, and BJPorterMandy Patinkin - IMDbAlien Nation (1988) - IMDbMerlin Mann - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediasnopes.com: Handyman's Invoice5by5 | After Dark #75: PamphletMichael Wolfe's answer to Engineering Management: Why are software development task estimations regularly off by a factor of 2-

TOPIC: Slipping on Dates, Sliding on Days Merlin and Dan talk about managing projects, scheduling calls, and being home when you scheduled a party. It SEEMS SO SIMPLE but then Jeannie has to go to Guam and slipping is your SOP. The way out of this quagmire is to admit you can't get out of it. You can't change a culture of slipping with a poster or a fairy princess. You have to fix the slides if you want to fix the slips. Links for this episode:Google Web FontsAgile Online StoreSponsored by 1Password and Squarespace.

TOPIC: What to do if you fear a layoff. Merlin and Dan talk about rumors of layoffs—when the fear gets you, and you start filing in the narrative with a panther, even if you're developing the best-of-breed cereal portal or have been in the newspaper's Accounts Payable department for 20 years. What do you do at the fork in the road? Do you interview with The Bobs? Do you just grow up and ask what the hell's happening? Do you try to pray away the hurricane? Or, do you just get tragically okay with being 10 times more terrified for 10 more years? Yes: there are lessons from The Wire. Links for this episode:Amazon.com: The DV Rebel's Guide: An All-Digital Approach to Making Killer Action Movies on the Cheap (9780321413642): Stu Maschwitz: BooksStu Maschwitz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaProlost - BlogNoble savage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Wire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Industry Standard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Big Lebowski (1998) - IMDb5by5 | 5by5 at the Movies #

John Gruber joins Merlin to talk about blog engines, Lego, bias, credibility, the project triangle, and (duh) Star Wars.  Links for this episode:Project triangle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaStar Wars Vintage KENNER Commercial - Death Star - YouTubeThe Phantom Edit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaStar Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Edit » Fanedit.org – Home of the faneditsstar wars despecialized - Google SearchBehind the Scenes of Harmy's Star Wars "Despecialized Edition" - Screened5by5 | The Talk Show #57: The Banana Window5by5 | The Talk Show #71: HashcowLegacy Tobacco Documents Library: About the Collectionsre: agreements between Stallone and Asso... (hlm56b00)Amazon.com: Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy (9780439882828): Matthew Reinhart: BooksAmazon.com: Don't Think of an Elephant!: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives (9781931498715): George Lakoff, Howard Dean, Don Hazen: BooksEco - "Writings: IBM vs. Mac"43f Podcast: John G

TOPIC: How habits get made.  Dan and Merlin are back for 2012 to discuss how habits are like little hairs or inertia or homeostasis or something. How we build habits, how they get built for us, and what we can learn about habits from making our daily coffee. Links for this episode:Shutting Down My Porno Site | Pat DryburghAmazon.com: Thinking, Fast and Slow (9780374275631): Daniel Kahneman: BooksAvailability heuristicTurn your key, sir!Photic sneeze reflexkung fu grippe • annicka: zombiesenelghetto: Black Flag,...HomeostasisAmazon.com: Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black/Brushed Metal: Kitchen & DiningFood drives: Charities need your money, not your random old food. - Slate MagazineBetterAmazon.com: Sakura IDenti-Pen Permanent Dual-Point Pen, Black: Arts, Crafts & SewingAmazon.com: uni-ball Gel RT Micro Point Retractable Pens, 12 Blue Ink Pens(69035): Office ProductsAmazon.com: uni-ball Deluxe Fine Point Roller Ball Pens, 12 Black Ink Pens (60052): Office ProductsJe

TOPIC: Resolving to skip the New Year's resolutions. In the last episode of 2011, Merlin and Dan talk about fresh starts and modest changes rather than rehearsing for sucking. You don't need a calendar to tell you to change. Whether you want to give up nail biting, onanism, or drinking a gallon of vodka a day, you need a plan and a tolerance for failure. Plus, a little care never hurts. How to do it? Keep it small, keep it time-limited, keep it action-oriented. Happy New Year, jackals. We love you. Links for this episode:Neven Mrgan's tumbl - "Focused dabbling"5by5 | The Talk Show #72: H.R. FluffypuffLooking back at our fresh starts & modest changes | 43 FoldersFight with kniveskung fu grippe - Blue-Sky SolutioneeringFive cues that Robert Plant is ready to have sexual intercourse with you « 5ivesTwitter - "GoDaddy's the insane roommate…"Ep. 14: "Big City Apology" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin MannSaturday Night Live: "Kings of Catchphrase Comedy Tour Vol.

Topic: The Meta-Distractions of "Minimalism" This week, Merlin and Dan get all "Zen" about bias and minimalism. Your background won't get any blacker, so stop burning cycles arguing on the internet or worrying about what other people think or how minimal you are. It's not about the bird skeletons, lion skins or barefoot girls. Unless that's what works. Just make sure it really works.  Links for this episode:kung fu grippe • Meet Thorstenson Finlandson[SPONSOR] Squarespace (30% off 3 months with code `fineformerlin`)[SPONSOR] 1Password (40% off everything for B2W listeners)The Hudsucker Proxy - "Thorstenson Finlandson"Fresh Starts & Modest Changes | 43 Folderskung fu grippe • 43 Simple Ways To Simplify Your LifeLarry Wall [Wikipedia]Marked: MultiMarkdown preview, everywhereRay Bradbury's Desk - mlkshkA man, a ball, a hoop, a bench (and an alleged thread)… TELLER! - Las Vegas WeeklyAmazon.com: Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings (9780804831864): Paul Reps, Nyogen Se

Topic: The Narcissism of Small Differences This week, Merlin has a quiz for Dan to determine whether Ben Franklin, "The Immigrant Song," or Quantum Mechanics has the most cultural impact--as well as his teasing out Dan's go-to for uninstalling Android apps. Paying attention to the same degree you care goes nicely with keeping a sense of humor. Especially about those small differences regarding couch cushions, pink spaceships, and Sgt. Pepper's. The answers are Moby Dick, Julian calendars, ZoSo, chigger bites, and--yes--The Greater Nerd Theory. Links for this episode:Benjamin Franklin's daily schedule | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Twitter / @joelhousman: @hotdogsladies @danbenjami ...Niels Bohr - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia5by5 | The Talk Show #70: Pre-Lit5by5 | Back to Work #39: A Source of Rice with VelocityMerlin's Essay: BetterNarcissism of small differences - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaZoSo - Google Searchkung fu grippe • Easily, the best edition of this very important...Amazon.com: How

Topic: Moving from dumb nouns to awesome verbs. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the problem with Capital Letter Nouns; how real and specific verbs will always trounce Excellence, Effectiveness, and Mission Statements--even in the Best-of-Breed Pursuance of Five-Nines Quality Across The Enterprise. They also look at transitive and intransitive flavors of "feasance," finding your keyboard's Excellence Key, opting-in for The Johnson Treatment, lancing that actionable boil, and (as ever) shooting the obvious fish in the obvious barrel. Links for this episode:Merlin Loves 1Password on Vimeo5by5 Illustrated[SPONSOR] Squarespace (offer code: `fineformerlin`)[SPONSOR] 1Password (40% off everything for B2W listeners)Capgras delusion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSix Sigma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaUrban Dictionary: johnson rodAntiques, Collectibles, Shows, Clothing, Food, By the Bay, Alameda Point Antiques Faire and Michaans AuctionsCapital Letter Nouns v. lower-case verbs | 43 FoldersMission statem