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Hello, and welcome to this week’s WEN-zine nuggets.

The rules keep flowing into my inbox. Two weeks ago we had the 1-3-5 Rule for Prioritizing. Last week it was the Recurring Task Rule. Monday brought the 5-Hour Rule ...

1. Learn the five-hour rule to make any day successful.

Over the last few decades, a cottage industry has sprung up that examines and dissects the habits and values of “self-made” millionaires. One of the key findings that comes up again and again is known as the “5-hour rule.”

In short, this is the rule where we spend one hour a day learning, reflecting, and thinking. We do this five times a week (which makes up the “5-hour” rule). The rule dates to Benjamin Franklin, who would devote (at least) an hour each day specifically to learning something new. Franklin would rise early to read and write. He even set up his own club of artisans and experimenters. Today, Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Gates all employ some version of the 5-hour rule.

The idea is that devoting an hour of your day to education exercises the mind, improves your skills, and rehearses great discipline. In education-speak, the 5-hour rule gives us both knowledge and skills.

Read the full article on https://bigthink.com/smart-skills/5-hour-rule/ (Suggested by Morning Brew.)

2. If you journal, what type of journaler are you?

I’ve never done any real journaling ... unless keeping a diary for a couple childhood years counts. I do keep a bare-bones “log book” of my daily activities and reminder notes, but not sure that counts ... especially since I toss them after a year or two. But I do save tons of “stuff” to Evernote. Maybe my process has been misaligned.

In his email yesterday, Mike Vardy (https://productivityist.com/) wrote that the key to enhancing your journaling experience lies in choosing the right tools and techniques that align with your personal style.

For The Curator, digital tools enhance your ability to efficiently gather, organize, and access information. Apps that support clipping, bookmarking, and multimedia integration can transform your journal into a powerful resource hub. Imagine creating thematic digital notebooks, each a unique repository of knowledge tailored to your interests.

For The Creator, nothing beats the tactile experience of analog journaling. Sketch, doodle, and paint your ideas into existence. Use your journal as a canvas to explore and visualize concepts with tools that feel as natural as thought itself. Why not start a mixed media journal to bring your ideas to life in vibrant color?

For The Analyst, a hybrid approach using both digital and analog tools suits your methodical and introspective style. Digital apps are perfect for tracking habits and goals with precision, while traditional pen and paper invite deeper personal reflections and connections with your inner self.

Not sure which of the above personas best describes you? Mike suggests taking the free Journaling Persona Assessment to discover your unique journaling style and learn how to optimize your practice for maximum productivity and creativity.

According to the assessment, my persona is “The Creator” ... I guess, although I “collect” more than “create” ... and don’t do any of the typical introspection I think of as journaling ... so would have guessed Curator. Guess my tools and processes are a bit misaligned!

3. FYI items

▪ “14 of the Best Nonfiction Books You Should Read” by bestselling author Mark Manson: https://markmanson.net/best-nonfiction-books-to-read (shared by Keith Allen, Smartr Daily; https://smartrdailynewsletter.beehiiv.com/)

▪ Convert just about anything to anything else. (An oldie but goodie.)

https://www.onlineconversion.com/

Enjoy!

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To Your Writing Success,

Dana K Cassell

Editor

(Dana Cassell is founder of Writers-Editors Network, and has been freelancing/creating full-time for 47 years. In addition to writing, editing, and fact-checking for numerous business clients, she has published more than 2,000 articles and has ghosted or authored more than a dozen books.)

Not a Network member? Join now: https://freelancekeys.com/join-now/ Temporary discount codes:

Save $10 on Basic options: use TESTING coupon code

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