Apr 10, 2021Tribute to AmmammaUrmila Gudihal, 1937–2021 — I lost my grandmother, my Ammamma, this week. She was my last remaining grandparent. Grief is strange. I haven’t been able to talk to anybody about how I feel. My voice can’t seem to carry the words that describe my sorrow. There’s too much to say and nothing to say…Tribute6 min readTribute6 min read
Feb 14, 2021Remembering with Roam ResearchUse cases and Explanations of Δ — I’ve used Roam Research for over a year to capture ideas, memories, and book notes. Now, I also use Roam Research to remember. Note-taking methods (like the Zettelkasten method) help you build a repository of ideas from the information you’ve consumed. But how do you remember the ideas you’ve generated…Roam Research6 min readRoam Research6 min read
Oct 18, 2020Read Now, Learn LaterSyncing Kindle Highlights with Roam Research This post builds off my post about Zettelkasten note-taking in Roam Research. I’m a believer in the Zettelkasten note-taking method and have found that creating literary notes from what I read has helped me understand the content. But I have a confession to make…3 min read3 min read
Oct 18, 2020Using Templates in Roam ResearchIt took me a couple of weeks to adopt Roam Research as my primary note-taking tool. Roam was intuitive enough to get me interested, but once I learned how to create and use templates, I became hooked. …Roam Research3 min readRoam Research3 min read
Oct 18, 2020Active Reading in Roam ResearchFeaturing the Zettelkasten Method — I’ve recently become more deliberate about interacting with the content I read. I’ve consumed hundreds of books, but have never been able to accurately retain what I’ve learned from them. Thankfully, I read a book called How to Take Smart Notes, which presented a solution: the Zettelkasten note-taking method. In…Roam Research5 min readRoam Research5 min read
Jul 25, 2020“Thank You,” and “I’m Curious”Two phrases that could save you during a rough interview. — As an interviewer, you want to use your one hour with a candidate to collect as much data as possible. You want to help the candidate feel comfortable so they feel well equipped to showcase their skills — not just in your session, but in future sessions. But how do…Interview2 min readInterview2 min read
Jul 14, 2020A Proactive Approach to Time ScarcityUse Present Time to Create Future Time — I recently wrote a post about mental bandwidth, and its impact on our choices. In this post, I will describe time scarcity: a common cause of reduced mental bandwidth for managers. It’s the all-too-familiar problem of having too much work and not enough time. Scarcity If you’re operating under time constraints…Productivity5 min readProductivity5 min read
Jul 9, 2020Padmini Writes — My First ReflectionHopefully, the first of many. — Two months ago, I decided to improve my writing. I made a proclamation on Twitter, published a blog post on the subject, and set out to create new writing habits. While learning a new skill, I like reflecting on my growth in order to draw motivation from it. …Writing6 min readWriting6 min read
Jul 6, 2020Understanding BandwidthYour most valuable mental resource. — Follow me on padmini.substack.com. A few years ago in the middle of a technical interview, I experienced a mental “blink”. I stared at the whiteboard but couldn’t think; it felt like my neurons were frozen in their tracks. …Management And Leadership9 min readManagement And Leadership9 min read
Jun 17, 2020Showing UpHow I stopped flaking on my friends. — A few years ago, I decided to be a better friend. I don’t know whether it was my love for my friends or my fear of losing them that motivated me to pursue this goal. …Personal Growth5 min readPersonal Growth5 min read
