Every week there's a new AI tool. Every month there's a productivity system that promises to change everything. Here's what I've actually used consistently for 6 months and why.
The Core Stack
Notion → structure and planning
Obsidian → knowledge and long-term memory
ChatGPT/Claude → execution and drafting
A simple notes app → capture anything, anywhere
That's it. Four tools. No complex integrations. No monthly subscriptions to manage.
The AI Integration That Actually Matters
Most people use AI wrong. They treat it like a search engine ("tell me how to do X") or a replacement for thinking.
The real leverage: AI as a thinking partner, not an answer machine.
Instead of asking "how do I plan a project?" ask "I'm planning X. Here's my current thinking. Challenge my assumptions."
The Compound Effect
Most productivity systems degrade. This one compounds:
- Notes go into Obsidian — searchable, linkable, permanent
- Notion handles the projects and tasks that need action
- AI helps you think through problems, not just execute tasks
- The system gets better over time as you add more notes
The One Thing That Makes It All Work
Consistency over intensity.
I spend 10 minutes every morning reviewing yesterday's notes and adding context to today's tasks. That's it. The system isn't complex — it's just maintained.
The real productivity hack: showing up every day with a slightly better understanding of what you're working on than yesterday.
What's your current productivity stack? What AI tools are actually sticking for you? Comments welcome.
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