It's full-on book writing mode and I have so many ideas I want to compete for a spot in the book that digital isn't enough.
This wide-angle photo shows my rich tapestry of paper sheets.
I'm loving it.
Can I share the biggest takeaways from the exercise so far?
Doodle before you noodle. The very first thing I do when I encounter a new blank page is start doodling. If I have a doodle on the page, the page no longer is perfect. It's no longer intimidating. Blank page begone! Now it's ready for my actual thinking—the noodling. (Thanks to mystic artist Kris Davidson for the nudge to noodle.)
One color for each sheet. This does subtle things. It forced me to set up more sheets than I initially was going to, the effect is I feel free and liberated with an over-abundance of areas in which to capture my thoughts. Nothing feels too precious. I don't hesitate to write. And the different colors makes it more fun.
Space is ace. Boy do I feel grateful to be able to lay out—nay, splay out—my ideas across a large table. They say Time is the new luxury. It's true. But another great luxury is having physical space to lay out ideas. And at least in that regard, I'm rich right now.
Digital is still where I write. Analog is a physical extension of my mind. It's cognitive scaffolding. But digital is where I play with ideas, write and rewrite, and rediscover notes I wrote about Maps of Content from 2020 that already perfectly articulate what I need in Chapter 8.
I'm reverse timeblocking. For the next two months, I don't have to block out any writing time in my calendar for the book. If I have any free space in my calendar, that means it's going to writing the book. The only type of event I need to add, is anything that is not writing the book. For intense periods of focus on a singular effort, reverse timeblocking works better.
I'm curious, what resonated? Will you make a new note called "Doodle before you noodle"? Will you try it out on the very next blank page you touch?
Welcome LYT Book Pathfinders...it begins!
This is an exciting moment in the development of the best book possible—an artifact for the ages that many of you will have a hand in shaping!
Between now and the book's launch in June 2027, you have an opportunity to be a part of LYT Book Pathfinders. Around 300 of you who applied are being accepted in the next 12-36 hours (check your email).
What being a Pathfinder involves: Be a beta reader for the chapters you are sent and leave honest feedback in the book portal.
Then during Spring 2027, if you really like the book...
Talk about it on social, in newsletters, to colleagues, family, and friends. But especially during the launch window to truly amplify the book's reach.
Review it within the first 1-2 days of launch on Amazon and Goodreads to have a hand in helping the book fly amongst the (five) stars. (This matters WAY more than you might think.)
Regarding getting your name in the book, I'm working with my publisher on this, but if you give a reasonable amount of quality feedback in the book portal, my goal is to get your name in the book.
If you applied to provide book feedback any time in the past year, be on the lookout for your invitation to the book portal. If you have been accepted, you'll receive chapters to read and give feedback on. You are now a part of the group: Book Team East.
If the title of the book is Linking Your Thinking, we need a subtitle that provides any missing clarity about what the book is about. Here's a quick poll. Please vote.
Which subtitle makes you want to read the book more?
May I just say, embrace the oxbow. The oxbow is an attempt. A river attempted to run a certain path. It was successful for a while. Then a new path opened up, and the previous path is no longer a part of the river. But it is a part of the landscape.
If the gif doesn't animate, watch it here. It's worth it.
Product Hunt Wins
A huge thank you to all who supported our recent Product Hunt launch!
While we showed up to the party and placed 23rd in upvotes, you all showed out with a huge community presence and we placed 2nd in comments.
It meant a lot to hear how Linking Your AI and LYT have supported you. The whole team is grateful for the words you shared. And now the Product Hunt page is an amazing artifact on the web with comments, reviews, good vibes, and great energy.