# 5 Years with a Hybrid Productivity System: My Honest Review ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UlFEQleAAr8/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Introduction to Hybrid Productivity Systems [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=0s) - Hybrid [[Task management | productivity systems]] combine the best of both digital and analog tools to help individuals achieve their goals in life [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=0s). - These systems integrate different tools to provide a comprehensive approach to [[Productivity | productivity]] [(00:00:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=2s). - The effectiveness of hybrid productivity systems is explored through a 5-year review of using such a system [(00:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=8s). - This review aims to provide an honest assessment of the system's performance over an extended period [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=11s). - The review is based on personal experience of using a hybrid productivity system for the past 5 years [(00:00:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=14s). ## My Journey with Hybrid Systems [(00:00:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=15s) - A hybrid [[Productivity | productivity]] system has been used since 2019, following a life shift that made it necessary to explore paper-based systems like the [[Bullet journal | bullet Journal]] alongside digital task tools [(00:00:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=29s). - The decision to switch to a hybrid system was due to feeling overwhelmed by digital task tools and significant life changes, including having kids and a job change [(00:00:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=47s). - The hybrid system combines a bullet Journal with a digital tool, and various digital tools have been used over time, starting with [[OmniFocus | Omnifocus]] [(00:00:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=55s). - Omnifocus was initially chosen for its reputation as a best-in-class digital [[Task management | task management]] tool, but it was found to be tactically focused and not mesh well with the bullet Journal [(00:01:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=66s). - Other digital tools that have been tried include Todoist, [[Notion (productivity software) | Notion]], Obsidian, and Logseq, with the goal of finding a tool that works well with the bullet Journal [(00:01:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=84s). - The process of experimenting with different tools has provided valuable insights into what works well and what doesn't in a hybrid productivity system [(00:01:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=93s). ## Challenges of Hybrid Systems [(00:01:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=98s) - Using a hybrid [[Productivity | productivity]] system can result in complexity due to the need to manage both digital and physical tools, requiring extra time to copy information between the two systems [(00:01:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=103s). - This complexity can lead to decreased trust in the system if there is not enough time to regularly sync the digital and physical components, resulting in less frequent use [(00:02:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=146s). - One of the biggest struggles with hybrid systems is keeping the digital and physical components synced up in a way that makes sense [(00:02:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=158s). - The "what goes where" problem is another significant challenge, where information can end up in multiple places due to convenience or availability, leading to divergence and requiring extra time to sync [(00:02:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=167s). - This divergence can result in wasted time searching for information or transferring it between systems, highlighting the need for a clear understanding of where information should be stored [(00:03:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=203s). ## Effective Use Cases for Hybrid Systems [(00:03:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=211s) - Hybrid systems work well for keeping high-level information as a dashboard that users can refer to daily, providing a productive way to track projects and goals [(00:03:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=213s). - A simple and effective iteration of a hybrid system was using [[Notion (productivity software) | Notion]] as a personal dashboard in late 2019, which included a list of projects, yearly theme, and a couple of goals being tracked [(00:03:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=230s). - This system worked well when paired with a notebook for daily tasks, meeting notes, and moving projects forward [(00:04:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=258s). - However, the system can fall apart when it becomes too complicated on the digital side, making it less likely to be used [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=271s). - An example of over-complication is trying to implement a system like August Bradley's PPV system, which links multiple databases together, and can break the simplicity of the hybrid system [(00:04:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=276s). - Over-complicating the system can cause users to quit using it and struggle to simplify it again to achieve a natural flow state [(00:04:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=293s). ## Recommendations and Final Thoughts [(00:05:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=310s) - A hybrid [[Productivity | productivity]] system is recommended for someone with multiple competing deadlines or various streams of work, as it allows for easier management and maintenance in a single digital system [(00:05:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=311s). - A full digital system is ideal for individuals with multiple tasks and deadlines, but it can be overwhelming and requires regular maintenance and updates [(00:05:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=316s). - A paper-based system is suitable for those with a regular schedule and fewer competing deadlines, and may only require supplementation with digital tools [(00:05:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=336s). - A paper-based system is perfect for content creators or students, as their work can be managed within a single notebook [(00:05:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=351s). - Having multiple streams of work may require a digital system, but it can be overwhelming, and a new concept for organizing work in a digital system is being developed to make it more manageable [(00:05:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=358s). - More information about the new concept for organizing work in a digital system will be shared in a separate video [(00:06:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFEQleAAr8&t=381s).