Comfortable Tools Lead To Productivity

Posted on August 30, 2007 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Productivity,Techniques

The Right Tools For the job

I am aware that you can re-purpose things to serve functions the designer never intended. For example, in college I never owned a tool set. If I had to hang up a picture, I would use a high-heeled shoe to do the pounding.

I have a theory that we enjoy doing things more if we like the tools we use. I used to dread putting up pictures, but after being presented with a tool set one holiday, I loved hanging things up. Little things may not get the job done, but they can make the experience vastly more pleasurable. One the other hand, little things may not hinder a job completion, but can annoy and detract from the experience. Have you ever been to a concert where the audience contained a persistent cougher?

The Right Tool: My Pen

I have a classic example of how using the right tool can lead to productivity. I am left-handed, and consequently very picky about my writing implements. The ink has to dry quickly, or I end up wearing it. The grip has to be at least non-hand-specific or my fingers will ache. The barrel can’t be too thin or my hand will cramp. If the nib is too thick, my handwriting will be illegible.

At the same time, I have been endeavoring to keep a handwritten journal for the past year. It was difficult to do. Every time I would sit down, I would gaze at the cup on my desk filled with the failures of the ongoing experiment to find a great pen, and more often than not decide I didn’t want to write that day.

Finding The Perfect Pen For Me

I found a group discussing GTD, and the topic had turned to pens. I took in every suggestion, weeded through them, and found pens I could use, but didn’t love. The discussion turned to fountain pens. About that time, where people were singing the praises of their fountains, a catalog arrived with a selection. The price made me gasp. How could I spend that much for a pen when none of the other cheaper versions had worked? In a weak moment, I ordered a pen. Hot pink with purple ink.

I Found The Right Tool

In spite of my misgivings, I love that pen. It meets every one of my criteria, and feels great. Since I have acquired it, I not only write in my journal almost daily, but I will also write other things (like letters to relatives who don’t own computers) much more readily.

It just goes to show that the right tool can make a job much easier and enjoyable…to the point of getting it done!

Just in case you were wondering, this pen of mine can be found at Levenger.Com.

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