Your open tabs are unfinished decisions, not bookmarks

2 hours ago

Open tabs often represent unfinished decisions, not just bookmarks.
A tab carries context: why the page mattered, when to return, and what to decide.
Bookmarking loses the reason; need to capture the decision.
Six-step method: choose one tab, capture link, add reason if helpful, choose return time, close tab, make decision later.
Closing the tab is not finishing; it moves the decision to a trusted place.
Tably is an iPhone app implementing this practice, but Notes or Reminders work too.
Start with one unfinished decision; save the reason, choose when it returns, then let the tab go.

Asking 'What do you think?' without sharing your own opinion outsources your thinking work to others, creating extra cognitive load.
This behavior often stems from not reading/understanding the document or from fear of committing to a position.
A better approach is to state a clear recommendation with reasoning, consider alternatives, and set a deadline for feedback.

Focus on conveying important information and reasoning, not typography or grammar.
Explain what and why a change was made, not just how it was implemented.
Consider the diverse readers: those using git bisect, git blame, code reviewers, and future maintainers.

Spaced repetition is a powerful memory tool accessible to anyone, requiring only minutes daily.
The four steps: add flashcards, see question, recall answer, rate success.
Writing good flashcards is the most critical skill; software and algorithm choice are secondary.

Focus on the objective, not the implementation.
Early decisions are made with limited information and should not be treated as sacred.
Sunk cost is inevitable, but rigidity is optional.

Hasty Briefsbeta