Author: paulomdevries@gmail.com

  • World Brief: Global Spending Slows as Inflation Eases

    💡 TL;DR: Inflation is easing, but shoppers are cautious—spending less, saving more.

    [rg-time] • Global Economy • Follow topic • ~3 min read

    What happened

    Inflation slowed across major economies, yet consumer spending weakened faster than expected. Retail and service activity cooled, suggesting many households remain cautious despite lower energy and food prices.

    Share: “Inflation is down, but wallets are still tight.” [rg-copylink]

    Why it matters

    Household spending drives two-thirds of global GDP. When consumers hold back, growth slows. Policymakers now face a delicate balance: keeping inflation stable without tipping economies into stagnation.

    • In the U.S. holiday sales are slower, with discounting at record highs.
    • In Europe, real wages are rising slightly, but savings remain elevated.
    • In Asia, China’s consumers are saving more amid uncertain job markets.

    By the numbers

    • Global inflation: 3.2% (down from 4.9% a year ago)
    • Retail sales volume: -1.1% month-on-month average across G20
    • Personal savings rate: ↑ 1.8 pts globally since midyear

    The bigger picture

    Analysts call this a “post-inflation adjustment”—people are recalibrating, not panicking. Lower price growth restores purchasing power, but habits formed during the inflation surge persist. Central banks are likely to hold rates steady into early 2026, watching confidence data.

    Sources

    [rg-next] Continue: Inflation Trends 2025 Explained

  • World Brief — Global Inflation Cools Unevenly

    TL;DR: Inflation eased in many places, but living costs are still above pre-pandemic levels.

    [rg-time] • World Brief

    What happened

    Central banks held or trimmed rates as price pressures moderated in several regions. Energy and food remain key variables across countries.

    Why it matters

    Borrowing costs, wages, and public budgets depend on inflation trends. Uneven paths complicate policy and household planning.

    Sources

  • World Brief — AI Safety Talks Continue Without Unified Rules

    TL;DR: Countries agree AI can harm and help, but they disagree on how to police it.

    [rg-time] • World Brief

    What happened

    Officials from major economies met to compare approaches to AI safety, focusing on transparency, model risks, and accountability. They pledged continued talks but announced no unified rulebook.

    Why it matters

    Different rules shape how AI is built and used across borders. Companies face uneven obligations, and users get different protections depending on where they live.

    Sources

  • The One-Tab Rule: The Shortcut to Instant Focus

    🧠 TL;DR: Close every extra tab. Work with one. It’s the fastest way to rebuild focus in a distracted world.

    [rg-time] • Focus & Productivity Reads

    Why Multiple Tabs Break Your Brain

    Each tab is a tiny “to-do” your brain keeps open. Even when you’re not looking at them, your prefrontal cortex still tracks them. That background tension fragments focus. The One-Tab Rule shuts down the noise and builds single-task strength.

    How to Apply the One-Tab Rule

    1. 💻 Close everything except what you’re working on.
    2. 📌 Pin the active tab. It becomes your digital workspace.
    3. 🔕 Silence notifications. Even a ping resets your attention.
    4. ✅ Finish the current task before opening another tab.

    Why It Works

    • Eliminates mental leakage. Fewer open loops = less cognitive load.
    • Triggers deep focus faster. Your brain adapts to “one input at a time.”
    • Improves decision clarity. Less visual clutter means faster action.

    Tools That Help

    • OneTab — save all tabs to reopen later.
    • Arc Browser — designed for clean, focused work.
    • Freedom — block distractions across devices.

    Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate. We earn a small commission at no cost to you.

    Quick Playbook

    • Make the One-Tab Rule your default every morning.
    • If you open more, pause and reset.
    • End each workday with zero tabs open — symbolic closure.
    🧠 Try the One-Tab Rule Today

    FAQ

    What if I need multiple references?

    Open one helper tab, finish referencing, then close it. The goal is to avoid passive tabs, not kill productivity.

    Does it really make a difference?

    Yes. Each tab-switch resets your brain’s focus clock. Staying on one tab increases cognitive efficiency by 40%.

  • The 10-Minute Focus Sprint: Get More Done in Less Time

    TL;DR: Set a 10-minute timer, choose one tiny but specific task, and race your own distraction. It’s the fastest way to re-enter deep focus.

    [rg-time] • Focus & Productivity Reads

    Why Short Sprints Beat Long Sessions

    Most people overestimate how long they need to “get in the zone.” The 10-Minute Focus Sprint uses urgency to hack your attention system. Instead of forcing discipline, you create a small burst of momentum that turns into flow naturally.

    How to Run a Focus Sprint

    1. Pick a micro-task. Something finishable in 10 minutes — write one paragraph, clean your inbox, outline a slide.
    2. Start the timer. Phone, watch, or desktop clock — doesn’t matter, just visible.
    3. Work without judgment. Ignore quality. The sprint is about momentum, not perfection.
    4. Stop when it rings. Breathe, stretch, note progress. You’ll often want to continue — that’s the point.

    Why It Works

    • Urgency triggers focus. 10 minutes feels doable, lowering mental resistance.
    • Momentum compounds. Finishing one micro-task primes your brain for the next.
    • Time-boxing kills perfectionism. You focus on finishing, not overthinking.

    Recommended Tools

    • Pomofocus — simple online timer for short work bursts.
    • Freedom — block distracting sites during sprints.
    • Todoist — break big projects into sprint-sized tasks.

    Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate. We earn a small commission at no cost to you.

    Quick Playbook

    • Use sprints to start tasks you’ve been avoiding.
    • Stack three sprints max before a break.
    • End each sprint by writing one sentence: “Next up…” for continuity.
    • Celebrate micro-completions — small wins fuel consistency.
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    FAQ

    Do I need a timer for this?

    Yes. A timer signals urgency. Use your phone, watch, or app — 10 minutes is enough to shift into focus.

    What if the task is longer than 10 minutes?

    Stack two or three sprints with 1–2 minute pauses between. The point is momentum, not duration.

  • The 3-Sentence Morning: Start Clear, Win the Day

    TL;DR: Before checking your phone, write three sentences: what you’ll do, how you’ll feel doing it, and what matters most. That’s your mental reset for the day.

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    The 3-Sentence Ritual

    1. Sentence One — Action: “Today I will ___.” Pick one concrete action that defines success for the day.
    2. Sentence Two — Emotion: “While doing it, I’ll feel ___.” Choose how you want to experience the day, not how you expect to.
    3. Sentence Three — Anchor: “This matters because ___.” Remind yourself of the reason beneath the work.

    Why It Works

    • Direction first. The first thought of the day becomes the blueprint for focus.
    • Emotion calibration. You pre-load the mindset instead of reacting later.
    • Meaning anchor. Writing “why” makes small tasks feel like part of something larger.

    Tools & Resources

    • Simplenote — minimal app for quick morning notes.
    • Notion — create a recurring “3-Sentence Morning” template.
    • Journey — mobile journaling app with reminders.

    Monetization tip: these journaling tools convert well with affiliate links; link to premium tiers for recurring revenue.

    Quick Playbook

    • Keep a sticky note or open doc titled “3 Sentences.”
    • Write before screens or messages.
    • Read yesterday’s three lines before writing new ones.
    • Skip perfection — done daily beats perfect once.
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    FAQ

    What if I oversleep or forget?

    Write them anytime before noon. The value isn’t time — it’s intention.

    Can I do more than three sentences?

    You can, but start with three. The limit builds discipline and clarity — the mind likes boundaries.

  • The 30-Second Focus Reset: Reboot Your Brain Without Leaving Your Desk

    TL;DR: Pause for 30 seconds. Breathe through your nose, exhale slow, look at something 20 feet away. Your brain resets faster than coffee.

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    Do This (Takes 30 Seconds)

    1. Step away from your screen (mentally, not physically).
    2. Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds.
    3. Exhale slowly for 6–8 seconds. Watch your shoulders drop.
    4. Look at a distant object — a wall, a tree, a far corner. Let your eyes unfocus.
    5. Repeat twice. That’s your reset loop.

    Why It Works

    • Physiological sigh. Long exhale signals the body to drop cortisol fast.
    • Visual distance. Changes eye focus → shifts your brain from “tunnel work mode” to calm scanning mode.
    • Micro-disruption. 30 seconds interrupts mental noise, reboots clarity.

    Tools & Resources

    • Calm — free short breathing timers.
    • Pomofocus — add a “Focus Reset” after each 25-minute cycle.
    • Freedom — block distractions so your reset actually resets.

    Monetization tip: Replace these with affiliate links for mindfulness apps or focus tools — this niche has strong RPMs.

    Quick Playbook

    • Run this reset every hour — before fatigue hits.
    • Pair with a sip of water or a stretch for extra recovery.
    • Mark it in your calendar: “Reset :30”. Small habits scale focus.
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    FAQ

    Can I do this in meetings?

    Yes — breathe quietly and shift your gaze slightly. It works unnoticed.

    Isn’t 30 seconds too short to matter?

    Even one slow exhale triggers your parasympathetic system — the “reset” signal. Consistency beats duration.

    Related Reads

  • The One-Tab Rule: How to Focus in a World of Distractions

    TL;DR: Close every tab except the one for your current task. Add friction to everything else.

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    Do This (2 Minutes)

    1. Pick one goal. Write, design, or reply — just one.
    2. Close every other tab. Email, news, chat, socials → gone.
    3. Run a 25/5 block. Start a Pomodoro; decide after the break whether to continue the same tab.

    Why it Works

    • Less context switching. One tab = one mental model.
    • Friction beats impulse. Re-opening a tab takes effort; you’ll skip it.
    • Identity cue. You become the person who single-tasks.

    Tools (Affiliate-Ready)

    • OneTab — collapse all tabs into one list. (Add your affiliate link.)
    • StayFocusd/Freedom — block high-distraction sites during work blocks.
    • Pomofocus — dead-simple 25/5 timer.

    Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase.

    Quick Playbook

    • Start page = blank. No news feeds.
    • Pin only the active tab.
    • End-of-day reset: close all tabs → done.
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    FAQ

    What about research days?

    Use OneTab to park links, then work inside a single doc. Re-open links intentionally.

    Can I keep email open?

    Batch it. One 25-minute block for inbox, then close.

    Related Reads

  • The 10-Word Rule: How to Write Anything Without Overthinking

    Blank page fear? Shrink it. The 10-Word Rule kills overthinking by forcing you to start with one sentence that’s short enough to finish instantly.

    The Rule

    1. Write 10 words or fewer about what you want to say.
    2. Stop. Read it out loud once.
    3. Only expand if you feel momentum — otherwise, keep the 10-word version.

    Example

    Before: “I need to explain why consistency matters in creative work, but it keeps sounding generic.”
    After: “Consistency builds trust when talent is invisible.”

    Why It Works

    • Forces clarity. 10 words cut away fluff fast.
    • Reduces pressure. Anyone can write 10 words — no perfection needed.
    • Builds momentum. Tiny completions lead to flow.

    Tools & Resources

    • Bear Notes — clean minimal writing app for short text bursts.
    • Simplenote — distraction-free quick capture.
    • Notion — store and tag your 10-word sparks.

    Tip for monetization: link each tool with your affiliate tracking; keep one call-to-action per tool.

    Bonus Tip

    When you get stuck mid-writing, return to the 10-Word Rule. Write one mini-summary sentence that re-centers your idea — it’s your anchor.

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    FAQ

    Can I use more than 10 words?

    Of course. The rule is a start line, not a limit. Begin small — expand once the words flow naturally.

    Does this work for emails and social posts?

    Yes. The 10-word start becomes your hook, then you add depth below it. It’s a universal writing primer.

    Related Reads

  • The 2-Minute Start: A Tiny Task That Beats Procrastination

    Here’s the smallest way to start anything: shrink it to a 2-minute starter task. Beat the resistance, then ride the momentum.

    The Move (takes 2 minutes)

    1. Name the starter. “Open the doc.” “Write the title.” “Pack one item.” One action only.
    2. Set a 2-minute timer. Phone timer is fine. Promise you’ll stop when it rings.
    3. Start now. No prep, no re-arranging. Do the tiny action immediately.

    What usually happens

    Momentum shows up. Two minutes become ten. Even if you stop at two, you’ve started, which makes the next step easier.

    Why it works

    • Beats friction. “Start small” bypasses fear and perfectionism.
    • Instant feedback. A tiny win releases just enough dopamine to continue.
    • Identity shift. You become the person who starts right away.

    Tools & Resources

    • Pomofocus — free browser timer (set it to 2 minutes).
    • Notion or Todoist — create a “2-Minute Starts” list.
    • TickTick — quick tasks + built-in timers.

    Monetization tip: replace the links above with your affiliate links where applicable.

    Quick Tips

    • Write starters that begin with a verb (“Open…”, “Write…”, “Email…”).
    • When stuck, make the starter even smaller (“Open laptop”).
    • Pair with a standing rule: never skip two days.
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    FAQ

    Will 2 minutes really help on big projects?

    Yes. The point is to start. Once you begin, the next small step is obvious, and momentum carries you.

    What if I stop after 2 minutes?

    That still counts. Starting reduces future resistance. Most days you’ll keep going; on tough days, the streak survives.

    Related Reads