From the Editor

Reading this issue provoked deep reflection within myself, and I hope it will do the same for you, too. Practically every article shows the well-known and scientifically proved (but often forgotten) fact that psychological mechanisms—usually unconscious—rule the human world. With every decision, every step, and every relationship, our personal productivity, career and even our health are shaped by how feel and what we think. Gonçalo Gil Mata warns in his article on procrastination that talking about behavior patterns is risky, but I will take the risk and share my thoughts on the matter.

The weirdos

In the interview with the inspirational Chris Brogan featured in this issue, we talk about “freaks,” the subject of his latest book. Chris defines freaks as “people like this 68-year-old woman who said, ‘I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.’”

I feel like I am a freak, too. My optimism seems weird to most people. If they didn’t know who I am and what I do, they wouldn’t take me seriously. There are many people who are labeled as freaks by our society. Why? Because they are not like the majority. They differ from the norm, which makes people uncomfortable. There are too many discrepancies, doubts, and things to compare. A person who talks to a weirdo can’t find any confirmation that what she thinks, does and believes in is right. The thing is, people do need these kind of signals all the time in order to feel safe. It’s a typical psychological mechanism.

Inspiration, advice, and practice

Judith Glaser (the world’s leading authority on WE-centric Leadership) analyzes a psychological mechanism that starts whenever we are in high-stress situations: “Executive functions that help us with advanced thought processes like strategy, trust building, and compassion shut down.” You become a different person and actually start acting out against yourself. This issue contains an article about this little addiction which we all suffer from — addiction to being right and fighting for it like a wild animal.

Check out the article on procrastination by Gonçalo Gil Mata. He speaks about the mental and emotional processes behind putting off doing the important things. You will learn why you procrastinate, and what subtle and deliberate steps can help you stop doing it.

In the articles by Michael Hyatt, Grace Marshall, Jocelyn Coverdale and Laura Stack, you can read about the psychological operations going on in your mind and “soul” as well. You will easily understand what I am talking about if you work while in a proper “therapeutic” mood.

Productivity is about our attitude, inner mechanisms, and habits. It is about negotiating with the little voice inside our heads and also about trying to protect ourselves mentally and emotionally.

I hope you like this issue. Make sure to let me know what you reflected upon after the read.

Meet the team

I’d like to thank my team again and again to help me deliver this magazine to you. Feel free to contact us and share your thoughts and impressions. We would be delighted to hear from you!

Execution: Magda Błaszczyk
Design: Radek Kozieł
Technology: Radek Pietruszewski and Tomasz Kapelak
Editing: James Tonn,Emily Derr
Vision (that’s me!): Michael Sliwinski