When searching for methods to improve the other things I do, I am alone, lacking context and definition. When I search for methods because it is what I do, then I have purpose. Realizing I am a productivity hobbyist gives meaning to what I do.

After realizing that I am a productivity hobbyist, I did a search and found an article on lifehacker, which speaks poorly of the hobby, but hear me out…

The Custom System

I started getting the notion that I am a productivity hobbyist while thinking about car hobbyists and computer hobbyists (being tangential to both worlds). If you ever enter into these worlds, you will rarely find these individuals with the same item (be it car or computer), straight from the factory, discussing how great it is. Rather, these individuals gather to discuss the changes they have made to the item to make it their own. The item is merely a platform for their self-expression.

There are those who speculate why GTD has become so popular, with some even venturing to call it a cult. The evidence for GTD’s popularity is not necessarily in the sales of David Allen Co., but in the number of unofficial works (software, methods, wallpapers, etc.) related to GTD. There is a community devoted to the modification (and not the straight forward implementation) of GTD. In other words, they are productivity hobbyists who use GTD as their platform.

When an individual is able to take an ordinary product and modify it to his own specifications, he then imbues it with his own personality. It transforms from belonging to another to becoming his own. The productivity hobbyist builds a custom system of productivity that is tailored to his unique life, making the system his own.

Modularity

The driving feature for a hobbyist is the ability to take something apart and reassemble it as you see fit. A productivity hobbyist is able to take pieces and processes from a variety of sources and begin to assemble a productivity system for himself. Some pieces may be pre-made, while others may be custom built from scratch. Regardless of the source of the parts, the end result is something he can call his own.

The point is that, for the productivity hobbyist, the joy is in developing the productivity system. It is evolving as you become increasingly aware of your needs. The fun is in becoming more productive, which is the action, rather than necessarily being productive, which is a state. A hobby is something you enjoy doing (action).

Community

I am excited about productivity as a hobby, because of its ability to recognize the community. When people seek productivity to improve the other things they do, they come together with different interests. When they have achieved what they have come for, they will quickly disband and the community will fall apart.

When people come together to share a hobby, they do so under a united purpose. Those that do accomplish are able to share their experience, rather than leaving. You will gain escalating excitement as each individual shares his own discoveries, encouraging you to do the same.

I believe the author of the lifehacker article misinterpreted what it means to be a hobbyist. Yes, it is true that we may have the same model car or the same model computer, but they are so much different. It is exciting to share these differences, because they reveal our potential for change. It is also true that some people discuss and do nothing, but it is the ones who do something who are the true hobbyists.