Back To Work

TOPIC: Obsessions, Compulsions, Obsessions, and Compulsions. Also, Obsessions—and Compulsions. This week, Dan and Merlin lick the doorknob five times, tap their heads with their shoes, and ponder the problem of obsessions and compulsions. Links for this episode:Staying on Top of Calendar Events — Jamie PhelpsMorning Glory | You Look Nice TodayStaying on Top of Calendar Events — Jamie PhelpsSafe (1995)Five Somewhat Novel Compulsions I had at one time or another | 5ives5by5 | Back to Work #29: I Download FLACHow To Start a Meditation PracticeThe Aviator ending scene , the way of the future. - YouTubeCognitive behavioral therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Aviator ending scene , the way of the future. - YouTubeIn Which We Sleepwalk At Our Convenience - Home - This RecordingEdge of Sanity | This American LifeHistory of Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyCognitive behavioral therapy - MayoClinic.comBest "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" Titles[SPONSOR] Ting - Mobile That Makes SenseTrepanning - Wikiped

TOPIC: Capture, Contracts, and Mapping the Territory. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about keeping an honest calendar and ensuring you regularly review your "contracts" with yourself. Chock-a-block with practical COM-ponents for making sure your map is up to date with the territory. ¿Spanish question marks? ¡Si! Zibba-zabba! Fax my gal! Links for this episode:[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "`soold`") Merlin’s Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann[Screencast] Ep. 03: Blocks Intro — Merlin’s Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin MannQ: What would you like to see here? — Merlin’s Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin MannTwitter / hotdogsladies: Offer—mail me a SASE and ...Back to Work Starter Pack — Merlin MannI…uh…have plenty to spare. - mlkshkGarden Gnome | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Rondo Hatton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediakung fu grippe • Hooooly shit. Looks like a few people want them...kung fu grippe • rotl: For serious scholarship only. Two hundred...Timeboxing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA

TOPIC: Honesty and Sociopathy Go to Work Merlin and Dan talk about the cultural divide between you and your work. Coping with work is a little like being a sociopath so you better make sure you're taking away the right lessons and being honest about the right things. Anything else is a little dishonest. You don't need to quit your job, but you made want to at least resign your certainty. Nice!™ Links for this episode:"We're officially broken-up for ten minutes" TextExpander snippet5by5 | Systematic #6: Merlin Talks A LotGetting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen: 9780142000281: Amazon.com: BooksMerlin Mann - Independent Writer, Speaker, and BroadcasterSquarespace 6 Blog — Merlin MannEp. 01: Quick Intro — Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin MannEp. 02: Content Collections — Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "`soold`") [SPONSOR] 1Password - Have you ever forgotten a password?[SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut U

TOPIC: Kicking and Screaming Merlin has been dragged kicking and screaming into at least two things this week. Sometimes, that works out, and sometimes it doesn't. But, how many of those things do we need? How many can you sign up for? How often do you see Beast coming down the hall? There aren't that many things you have to do, but how can you see it coming? Well, you know where your cumin is and you haven't checked your MySpace this week. How's that for complicated? Links for this episode:1Password is Ready for John the Ripper | Agile BlogBlizzard and insecurity questions: My father’s middle name is vR2Ut1VNj | Agile Bloglowe/zxcvbnPassfault Demo: Password Evaluationkung fu grippe • Merry Christmas. My office bathroom is a very...Sublime Text 2 Tips and Tricks (Updated) | Nettuts+Passfault Demo: Password Evaluation5by5 | Build and Analyze #90: This Person Isn't Really Heredan on App.net[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "`soold`") [SPONSOR] Back To Work - Igloo Software (giving

TOPIC: Adapting to the Danger Room of Life Dan and Merlin talk about how the protagonist of your story handles change in personal and work environments. How do you respond in the face of change you haven't anticipated or isn't conducive to who you want to be? What is the worst that could happen? Who can help you except you? Links for this episode:kung fu grippe • I’m The Old One I love this photo. [via]Merlin’s Awkward Hair Odyssey - a set on Flickrbadtz & me - march '99 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!FL Driver's License; Summer, 1991 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Manhattan, 1989 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!5by5 | Hypercritical #79: Grandpa Uncle Joe[BUY THIS!] Back to Work 'That's Fine for Merlin' T-Shirtkung fu grippe • Sweet Dreams (I love you, Alex Hardy)Twitter / danbenjamin: In the box http://t.co/NAAGyX9EAvalanche (comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCognitive bias - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMeriln Mann - Indie Writer, Speaker, and BroadcasterPro tempore - Wikipedia, the f

TOPIC: Gut Churn, Pointing Arrows, and Recognizing Change This week, Dan and Merlin talk at length about a recent article by Radiolab's Jad Abumrad, called, "The Terrors & Occasional Virtues of Not Knowing What You’re Doing." From the genesis of Radiolab through casting about for what comes next, Jad's article reads like a Greatest Hits of Back to Work. Just terrific. It all comes down to working through the times you don't know what you're doing and making, then accepting that—even once you do know—you still have to push through change and evolution. Working through the fear to make something awesome? Well. That's Fine for Jad Abumrad. Links for this episode:Transom » Jad AbumradBehaves So Strangely - RadiolabPodcasts - RadiolabHome - RadiolabJad Abumrad - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaProtools-Screen-Shot.png 1,677×1,020 pixelsBehaves So Strangely - RadiolabBinary BonsaiMerlin Mann's WishlistOfficial Squarespace 6 Templates and ThemesBack to Work That's Fine for Merlin T-Shirt | 5by5Jad

TOPIC: Motivation, Hardware Stores, and Fighting the Last War This week, Dan and Merlin talk about motivation—how it changes, how it doesn't, and how it can be fueled by anxiety and cognitive dissonance. There is also discussion of Merlin's pear tart problem, the challenge of the engineering triangle, and, yeah, a new t-shirt That's Fine for Merlin. Links for this episode:Back to Work That's Fine for Merlin T-Shirt | 5by5And now it’s all thisCommuting Takes Its Toll: Scientific Americanfjohnrickert: "@hotdogsladies That doesn't look like you at all! Where are the wrinkles? And the cane?"[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "`yourshow`") [SPONSOR] DocuSign (Support 5by5 with a free 30 day trial)5by5 | The Comic Shack #7: Snakt!Letters: Marx-Engels Correspondence 1864kung fu grippe • Ubiquitous Capture I already mostly forgot what...Gastroesophageal reflux disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCognitive dissonance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTracy, California

TOPICS: Better Meat & Working Backwards This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the many strategic and tactical benefits of reverse-engineering your next project. There is also extensive discussion of choosing, preparing, and cooking meat. It's not food until is sounds like food and it smells like food. Links for this episode:5by5 | The Incomparable #98: Obscure References and Sadness[SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!TextExpander: bit.ly with authentication - Brett TerpstraTextExpander 4.0 Fill-In Feature on VimeoHow to Tell If That Steak is DoneAmazon.com: Jaccard Supertendermatic 48-Blade Tenderizer: Home & KitchenNetflix's lost year: The inside story of the price-hike train wreck | Internet & Media - CNET NewsThe Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat | Simply RecipesAmazon.com: Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food (9780596805883): Jeff Potter: BooksCooking For Engineers - Step by Step Recipes and Food for the Analytically MindedCo

TOPIC: Feeling Stuck in the Middle This week, Dan and Merlin talk about a topic suggested by listener, @toddsandends: what happens when you're stuck enforcing rules you don't agree with? Whether you're a security guard, an RA, a SysAdmin, a character on The Wire, or pretty much anybody else, sometimes there's just stuff you gotta do. Even when you think it's a terrible idea. So, who's allowed to corrupt you, what's it worth, and how long is that going to be okay with you? As ever, work is a lot of work. Links for this episode:[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "`yourshow`") kung fu grippe - A Sense of Scale I’ve wanted to see what’s...The Wire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediadog diapers - Google SearchX - See How We Are - (Acoustic) - YouTubekung fu grippe - Trinity “C’mon, help ol’ Gil out here!”Brainstorm (1983)Brainstorm Movie Trailer - YouTubeSF bay area all housing classifieds "birds" - craigslistMarsEdit 3 - Desktop blog editing for the Mac.The Wire - "These

TOPIC: How Much Honesty Can We Stand? This week, Dan and Merlin talk about how ridiculously complex "Honesty" can be. Do "Candor," "Transparency," "Frankness," and all those other Capital Letter Nouns mean the same thing? Links for this episode:Things said can't be unsaid - selfesteem cruelty brutalhonesty | Ask MetaFilterThe 'Busy' Trap - NYTimes.com[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "`yourshow`") Gellies Local 416 | You Look Nice Today107.7 The Bone / KSAN-FM San Francisco > Homekung fu grippe - Mixed GrillJester - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaI Think You're Fat - EsquireRadical Honesty - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: On Bullshit (0218681122946): Harry G. Frankfurt: BooksPowerMate Support | Griffin TechnologyTed From The Internet: On a recent 5by5 AD, Dan and Merlin were throwing around the idea of a 5by5 Morning Zoo.Great Tools For Your Mac By Andreas Hegenberg » BetterTouchTool, BetterSnapTool & SecondBarTackling keyboard shortcut woes in

TOPIC: Aspects of Letting Go This week, Dan and Merlin talk about two very different viewports into doing what you want to do and being who you want to be. There's the non-fiddly value you earn from getting junk out of your head and into a place you trust (in this instance, OmniFocus location-based contexts). Then, there's the "what the cuss?" situation faced by listener, "Evan," who's struggling with a work conundrum that's hard on the office freezer and his feelings. How do you move toward doing the right thing in the face of a lot of wrong? And, how do you take care of the piddly crap that's made your brain such a messy white board? Also, there's our new t-shirts, some boot scoots, lots of tickles, plus, that total tool who pushed Shlomo out. Don't even get Merlin started. Literally. Links for this episode:5by5 | Mac Power Users #91: Workflows with Merlin Mann III5by5 | Subscribe to the NewsletterColor Merlin![SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "`laydown`") [SPONSOR] TextExpande

TOPIC: Confidence, Courage, and the Problem with Thinking This week, Dan and Merlin talk about why we may or may not feel confident to do stuff. How do other people seem to get it so easily, and where do they find the courage? Well. You walk through The Forum, you check the mics, and you never let thinking get in your way. Too much thinking? UNACCEPTABLE! Dungeon. Seven years. No trials. Links for this episode:Dalrympled (Dan)Dalrympled (Merlin)solipschtick — By this point in my life, I’d also had enough...Me & YouTwitter / hotdogsladies: All of you. Dungeon. SevenHerb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - A Taste of Honey (1967)_HQ - YouTubeTandoor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaDesigner drug - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaToilets in Japan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediakung fu grippe - Accomplished entirely with that Peter Jackson...Biblical Mount Sinai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTom Baker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaPresentation ZenThe Mosquito Coast - Wikipedia, the free encyclope

TOPIC: The Problem with Passive-Aggression. If that's okay with you. This week, Dan and Merlin apologize if they've made you unhappy with an episode about passive-aggressiveness, wussy non-communication, and non-apology apologies. But, maybe, that'll just have to be okay with them. But, could you PLEASE take your tuna out of the fridge, pick up after your dog, make more coffee, change the toilet paper roll, and help with taking trash to the curb? Thank You In Advance For Your Cooperation! — The Management Links for this episode:kung fu grippe - Q: What’s my next X-Men? Obviously, a lot of you...Twitter / defunkt: Soon: http://t.co/ufqZ8FiZPassive–aggressive behavior - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaPassiveAggressiveNotes.comDays of Future Past - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaDays of Future Passed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMultiverse (Marvel Comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaEarth-616 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaPDFpen for iPad: PDF Editing Software for Mac iOSBULK Bag! Issue #05kun

TOPIC: Recalibrating Expectations This week, Dan and Merlin talk more about struggling with expectations. Everybody's expectations. Including yours. Why it's worth recalibrating your own expectations, managing others' expectations, and accepting the impossibility of knowing—let alone meeting—the expectations of the entire world. Because, that's monkeyballs. We also learn that Merlin likes his buttons touched very gently. Links for this episode:Language Log » “Factlets”Back To Work - Igloo SoftwareHearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediakung fu grippe - Back to Work: “Like Patty Hearst in a Closet” ...Back to Work (b2wshow) on TwitterAmazon.com: Apocalypse Now (Apocalypse Now / Apocalypse Now Redux / Hearts of Darkness) (Three-Disc Full Disclosure Edition) [Blu-ray]: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Francis Ford Coppola: Movies & TVAmazon.com: Heart of Darkness (Dover Thrift Editions) (9780486264646): Joseph Conrad, Stanley Appelbaum: Books[SPONSOR] Igloo Softwa

TOPIC: Boogers and Expectations Are you making perfect reports when your boss just wants them on time? Are you making crème brûlée when you should be jumping in a trench? Are wangs and boogers causing problems at work? This week, Dan and Merlin talk more about expectations – whether you're willing to or not – and the risks of expectations of partners, bosses, and kids. How can you handle expectations? There aren't a lot of easy answers. As you'd probably expect. Links for this episode:middleclasstool - Blog - Something Something Meth JokePre-Cana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHanlon's razor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaZagg Pepper | We’re super excited to show you our latest and...Found My Place - BlogTales of Wonder - Marvel Masterworks Uncanny X-Men Vol 2 New Ed TPConfessions of a Car Salesman - Print Friendly[SPONSOR] MailChimp [SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "`goaheadcaller`") [SPONSOR} Warby Parker (10% off with discount code, "`5BY5TV10`") David M

TOPIC: Incentive, Inspiration, and Motivation This week, Dan and Merlin are inspired to talk about the incentive and the motivation to make something. Inspiration is marketed as something you're missing, but it has a short expiration date, and if you're more scared than uninspired then it doesn't matter how many pieces of candy you're offered. And what do you do if selling bottled water cozies affects your intrinsic motivation to make them? Well. It's complicated. As usual. Links for this episode:Replication studies: Bad copy : Nature News & CommentThe Coffee Collective Blog: Updated Aeropress brewing methodLetters of Note: It has never got easierkung fu grippe • “La la laaaaaaaa…” (Sneaky Peek of next Squarespace song)[SPONSOR] PDFpen from Smile: A Proud Sponsor of Back To WorkSign-up for Back to Work's BULK Bag! Newsletter 5by5 | 5by5 Specials #6: Regarding The Talk Show5by5 Radio iOS AppAmazon.com: AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Bonus 350 Micro Filters: Kitchen & DiningNerd Boyfri

TOPIC: Trying On The Change This week, Dan and Merlin (who might not have mentioned he didn't sleep much) discuss the balance between placing nickel bets versus going all-in—or at least thinking all-in. You might be talking yourself into stasis or change, but if you don't really try it on first, you may find out the techno and combat boots are nothing compared to living under incontinent grackles. Links for this episode:kung fu grippe • Example Portraiture (Tanforan Mall) Hm. Hm. ...kung fu grippe • 3rdmartini: Taco night was apparently a success....Found My Place - BlogIt's a Wonderful Life - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaPictures & Photos from It's a Wonderful Life - IMDbits-a-wonderful-life_592x299.jpg 592×299 pixels"And don't tell me there isn't one bit of difference between null and space, because that's exactly how much difference there is. :-)"New TextMate Bundle, Edit Templates and Campaigns | MailChimp Email Marketing BlogThe surprisingly complicated legacy

TOPIC: The Pete Campbell Problem Ever notice how you never really "arrive?" Or, have you ever noticed that right when you think you've "arrived," you don't stay arrived for very long—but now have a whole big bunch of new stuff to do? Yeah, us too. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about expectations, the wrong kinds of ambition, and the unquenchable lust for prestige and respect. Good practitioners practice, great leaders lead, and crummy managers just get their fingers all brown from digging around in your chocolate bag. How to see yourself more as your team does—and less as That Guy who deserves more everything. Because there will always be more "everything." Links for this episode:Found My Place - Blog - Song: "Staying Up"I loved Merlin Mann’s song Staying Up so much I...Orchestra hit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Arrival (1996) - IMDbMad Men's Pete Campbell: An interview with Vincent Kartheiser - Slate Magazine[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager | MailChimp[SPONSOR] Bu

TOPIC: Stressing Out About Stress Dan and Merlin talk about what happens when stress meets stress, anxiety feeds anxiety, and 10 guys maybe try to jump you in the woods. Which kinds of stress are simply unavoidable? Which ones are addictive? Which ones can be tolerated? And, yes, which kinds of stresses can be vanquished by firing your boss? Links for this episode:FoundMyPlace.net (Merlin's Music Project with Squarespace)[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager | MailChimpSign-up for Back to Work's BULK Bag! NewsletterAeroPress “Ritual” on Vimeo[SPONSOR] Build a Website - Create a Blog - SquarespacePricing - SquarespaceAmazon.com: Das Keyboard Model S Professional Mechanical Keyboard: ElectronicsThe Stenciled Approach | You Look Nice TodayMN 82: Ratthapala SuttaDorothy Parker: "If all the girls attending it were laid end to end…"Dorothy C. Fisher: "A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary."Prayer (Direct petitions to God) - Wikipedia,

TOPIC: The Surprising Problems of "Doing What You Love" Merlin has some follow up on Agency: be in control of what you give away and why you charge what you charge, and Dan is interested in what happens when you stop loving what you love when you do it as a job. There are no guarantees, so don't mistake the Federalist Papers for Constitutional Law, and if you miss the signs you shouldn't be sailing, you'll just end up vomiting in your bucket hat. You're not going suddenly arrive and do what you love. You get there through course correction: look back at all the ugly birdhouses and look ahead for the next step toward building a home. Links for this episode:Mad Men's Pete Campbell: An interview with Vincent KartheiserTwitter / @danbenjamin: At last, the Bulk Bag at @ ...The Unofficial 5by5 SoundboardMicah's tumblog - It’s the post that @danbenjamin and @hotdogsladies...Greenview Studios - Journal - Back to WorkAmazon.com: Apogee JAM Studio Quality Guitar Input for iPad, iPhone and Mac: Electronicsb