Do Busy Right - The Task and Attention Management Podcast
Do Busy Right - The Task and Attention Management Podcast
Larry Tribble, Ph.D.

Do Busy Right - The Task and Attention Management Podcast

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If you're like most people, there's lots of stress in your life around your level of "busy". Funny thing: we're never taught how to manage the 'stuff' that delivers that stress. The key is to set up tools and workflows that allow you to better manage your tasks and your attention. That's what Do Busy Right means - manage your tasks and attention in such a way that you get things done with less stress. We are learning that here. Happy to have you.
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What is Attention Compass and how will it help me? (Classic Episode) - DBR 096
06 September 2025

What is Attention Compass and how will it help me? (Classic Episode) - DBR 096

What is Attention Compass and How will it help me? (Classic Episode) This is one of a series of posts that are going to discuss Attention Compass in detail. Attention Compass is my proprietary tool and workflow to put you in control of your information and attention - making you a better more confident knowledge worker and reducing your stress over your productivity. I think many people are...
From Sirens to Tags: Categorizing Information for Executive Function - DBR 095
29 August 2025

From Sirens to Tags: Categorizing Information for Executive Function - DBR 095

We are constantly bombarded with information, and the challenge is to make that flow work for us, not against us. This episode explores how our brains instinctively make meaning and categorize information. It defines an organizational scheme that supports your attention, not interrupts it, by fostering an emergent, personal approach to managing information. Discover how to develop a system that...
The Hidden Personal Secret to Group Information Management - DBR 094
23 August 2025

The Hidden Personal Secret to Group Information Management - DBR 094

Is your team's knowledge siloed and difficult to find? We often focus on personal organization, but effective group information management is the key to a cohesive and successful team. This episode challenges traditional, top-down approaches and presents a more effective, individual-centric solution. Discover how empowering every team member to manage their own information can transform your...
The Strategic "No" - the Master Skill of Attention Management - DBR 093
16 August 2025

The Strategic "No" - the Master Skill of Attention Management - DBR 093

Your attention is your most valuable asset, but it's constantly under assault from an "infinite" number of tasks and requests. This episode provides the understanding and practical tactics to confidently say "no," reclaim your productive potential, reduce overwhelm, and intentionally direct your life and work. Learn to master this crucial skill and manage the things you're not doing. Key...
The Enduring Principles of AI for Knowledge Workers - DBR 092
09 August 2025

The Enduring Principles of AI for Knowledge Workers - DBR 092

AI is changing at a breathtaking pace, but its foundational principles and impacts on knowledge work are likely to persist. This episode dives into these enduring truths, moving beyond specific features to explore how AI is transforming our productivity. We'll discuss its inherent design for engagement, the pitfalls of its chat interface, and its real-world performance on common tasks like...
Architecting Your Digital Sanctuary - an application of 'monk mode' - DBR 091
01 August 2025

Architecting Your Digital Sanctuary - an application of 'monk mode' - DBR 091

Episode 91: Architecting Your Digital Sanctuary Feeling overwhelmed by distractions and struggling to find focus in your work? This episode explores the concept of "monk mode" transformed into a practical, regular practice: architecting your digital sanctuary. Learn how creating a focused work environment can dramatically increase your efficiency, improve work quality, speed up completion, and...
Master Your Tasks & Time with a Backlog Refinement Rhythm - DBR 090
26 July 2025

Master Your Tasks & Time with a Backlog Refinement Rhythm - DBR 090

Episode 90: Master Your Tasks & Reclaim Your Time with Backlog Refinement Description: Are you tired of daily to-do list "rigmarole" and feeling overwhelmed by your tasks? This episode introduces a powerful concept for managing your commitments and freeing up valuable time: the backlog, and the crucial "refinement rhythm" that keeps it manageable. Discover how implementing a structured...
PIM is Critical for Knowledge Creation - DBR 089
19 July 2025

PIM is Critical for Knowledge Creation - DBR 089

I want to delve deeper into a concept that listeners found interesting in a previous discussion: Commonplace Books. My goal here is to show you how a modern toolset, specifically Attention Compass, transforms the idea of a commonplace book from an overwhelming task into a practical and incredibly powerful exercise for the modern world. This is especially valuable for those of us who are knowledge...
Episode 88 - Meetings and Death By Them - Is It Inevitable?
12 July 2025

Episode 88 - Meetings and Death By Them - Is It Inevitable?

Hi there. I want to talk about a common source of pain among people on teams: meetings. You simply can’t discuss productivity without addressing meetings, and my goal is to equip you with actionable ways to make meetings more productive. I’ll share tactics, discuss the realities of meeting culture, and provide desk-level actions you can implement to improve how meetings function within your...
Be Your Own Executive: Mastering Productivity Through Executive Function - DBR 087
07 July 2025

Be Your Own Executive: Mastering Productivity Through Executive Function - DBR 087

My goal today is to help you understand a few things that are true about knowledge work, specifically focusing on a concept called executive function. This term may be new to you, but I believe it perfectly describes what we're all dealing with in our daily lives and work. Ultimately, I want to describe an "operating system" that we can put in place to help us with this crucial skill. Why is this...