The objects that make me REALLY productive
You already know this: we are pushed to consume.
On the Internet, you can find a ton of videos and articles praising the merits of this or that product.
They tell you itās going to significantly increase your productivity.
And in the end, you spend ā¬300 on items that donāt help you.
Originally, I wanted to write a simple article about my setup.
But I thought that wasnāt the most interesting approach.
I prefer to show you 5 objects that have had a real impact on my productivity.
Paper and pencil
You didnāt expect that one, did you!
Itās true, when we think of productivity, we often think of super high-tech and expensive gadgets.
But one of the things Iāve discovered is that my brain appreciates more or less tangible objects.
As a CS student, you can imagine I know that taking notes on my PC is way more optimal.
However, I canāt get away from paper for certain things.
In fact, putting my thoughts down on paper has several effects:
- First, it relaxes me.
- Next, it allows me to visualize what Iām writing in a different way.
- And finally, itās a way for me to keep a tangible record of what Iām doing.
I do two things in my notebooks.
First, I try to write down my thoughts, day after day. Itās particularly effective for managing stress because, as soon as I write, all the stressful thoughts become a bit ridiculous.
Then, it also helps me track my habits! I implemented this system thanks to this newsletter by Paul Barbosa.
And honestly, itās pretty effective because as soon as I get home, I see my notebook open to that page (writing this newsletter is actually one of my daily habits, haha).
AirPods Pro 2
Okay, now weāre getting a bit more technical.
Actually, my AirPods are very important to me for a simple reason: I am very sensitive to noise.
As soon as thereās a lot of noise, I develop a pretty annoying headache.
Thatās where the AirPods helped me a lot: they have insane noise cancellation.
(By the way, I think the AirPods Pro 3 are even better at this, but I havenāt tried them yet.)
So, let me tell you, since I got them, it has really changed my life.
And since Iām also a big music fan, having a good audio system at my fingertips helps me stay focused.
My MacBook Pro
Okay, I admit I said I wasnāt going to talk about super high-tech and expensive objectsā¦
But ever since I switched to macOS, Iāve really felt a gain in productivity.
Iām not saying Windows is bad, mind you! I spent 10 years of my life on it, and in some aspects, itās great.
But what I like about my MacBook is that:
- I have access to software that is generally better designed and more pleasant to use.
- I donāt need to install 200 drivers to make my computer work.
- Itās a robust machine; it will last a long time.
That said, if you donāt do editing or intensive tasks, you donāt need to buy a MacBook Pro.
Some rumors talk about a ā¬700 MacBook by the end of the year. If it really exists, it could be a very good investment.
My E-reader
Iāve always been a big reader. The real problem is that, as a student, it can be difficult to afford books. And on top of that, since we have a busy schedule, it becomes complicated to lug a book around everywhere.
Thatās where an e-reader is really useful.
Books are often much cheaper, and best of all, you can take them everywhere!
My e-reader fits in my pocket, so instead of taking out my phone on the subway, I read.
And by doing that, Iāve already read 2 books since the start of 2026.
PS: The book in the photo is incredible; it changed my perception of history and the world, haha!
One last piece of advice: do what feels right
With all these lists and comparisons, you can quickly feel overwhelmed. Feeling like you always need more to finally get to work.
I advise you to make your own list, try a couple of things, and, if possible, buy second-hand (which is the case for my MacBook).
Itās more eco-friendly, and if you find a good deal, you get good gear.
At the end of the day, being disciplined and putting in the effort every day is the most effective thing to do.