> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # #222 - plodder or burster? - URL: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/222-plodder-or-burster/ - Published: 2025-01-20T05:05:05.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-20T05:05:04.000Z - Description: How to stop measuring yourself against others success PLUS learning how to handle feedback. Great thinking on working styles, some tips on better breathing and superb daily word game. - Author: Matt - Tags: Newsletter 🎵 I've added the first tunes to my [Highs of 2025 playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/38iyZrpL0wOBNVFvuWvyR0?si=0d8e6467d224441c&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), where nearly every day I'll try and post a new track that interests me. [You can follow here.](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/38iyZrpL0wOBNVFvuWvyR0?si=0d8e6467d224441c&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ## The Stuff that MattRs **Monday Motivation.** Let this week be the one where you stop measuring yourself against other people's timelines and [redefine what success means to you.](https://camillestyles.com/wellness/career/how-to-redefine-success/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Bonus Stuff.* [*Seven reasons why you are STILL not successful.* ](https://durmonski.com/self-improvement/reasons-you-are-unsuccessful/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk)If you are thinking about how to make more progress in your career, [maybe it’s time to find a great career coach.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/five-questions-to-ask-before-hiring-a-career-coach/) **Feedback.** For many, it’s annual review time. You might be getting unexpected feedback in the process. [Here’s a great way to take feedback without getting defensive.](https://nickwignall.com/how-to-take-feedback-without-getting-defensive/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Bonus Stuff.* [*Here’s my series on feedback.*](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/tag/feedback/) **Productivity**. [Are you a plodder or a burster?](https://stevepavlina.com/blog/2012/10/plodding-and-bursting/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) And how do you work with others with different styles? *I like this simple explanation of working styles.* **Luck**. [Last week](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/221-ping-time/), I shared how to improve your luck by increasing its surface area. This week, some understanding of [what we gain by recognising the role of chance in our lives.](https://psyche.co/ideas/what-we-gain-by-recognising-the-role-of-chance-in-life?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Badass**. [How to be a badass.](https://soulsalt.com/how-to-be-a-badass/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Three practical steps that will make you a badass at work ✍️ ****Random Journal Prompt:** How has your career path differed from your initial expectations? [From my Career focused prompts. ](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journal-prompts-career/) ****Bonus Stuff.** [Try my 30 day Journalling Challenge](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journalling/). ![silver and white round analog clock](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1595516239376-c777c32a72a4?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDh8fGFsYXJtJTIwY2xvY2t8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM3Mjg2ODA5fDA&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Catherine Hughes](https://unsplash.com/@cathughes6?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) **Morning**. [Five ways to find YOUR perfect morning routine.](https://www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/best-productive-morning-routines?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Adding 30 mins of reading to my morning has been a game changer for learning, and also relaxation - how are YOUR morning routines setting you up for the day? **Breathing**. [How conscious breathing can reduce depression and anxiety.](https://theconversation.com/conscious-breathing-can-reduce-anxiety-and-depression-tips-for-how-to-do-it-242527?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Bonus Stuff.* [*I’ve been using the Lungy app during my daily commute*](https://www.lungy.app/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *to practice some mindful breathing, I recommend it.* **Declutter**. [Questions to ask your self that will help you declutter. ](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/05/questions-to-ask-yourself-to-declutter-your-home-and-organise-your-life?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk)These are a bit more useful than the standard Kondo question about ‘joy’, helping you find ways to use your space more usefully. **Exercise**. How to get back into working out. S[ome practical advice for anyone looking to get back on the road to regular movement.](https://www.forhers.com/blog/how-to-get-back-into-working-out?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Life.** [33 ways to improve your life, Japanese stye](https://www.mrporter.com/en-us/journal/lifestyle/life-lessons-people-tokyo-japan-style-food-24538500?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). #10 and #24 are particularly cool. **Finally**. [Betweenle](https://betweenle.com/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). Brilliantly executed and hugely frustrating daily word game, based on Wordle - but a real challenge. 🎵 Have you tried ****FlowStuff**? It's my ever growing and changing playlist of music for concentration and relaxation. 35 hours of mostly beatless and wordless music. [You can follow along here.](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2rXoop87aCB6oe1HBERtyn?si=f38e9657e468481c&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ### 🔈 My week in Music... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2025/01/Parchman-Prison-Prayer-1024x1024-1.jpg) My recommendation this week is an extraordinary field recording of long term prisoners at a Mississippi maximum security jail. The Parchman Prison Prayer is full of soul and some incredible voices. Plus - my top ten artists of the week. [Read My Week in Music here](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/mwim-6/) ### Stuff Someone Said (feel free to share) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2025/01/-222.png)