Matt Tilmann
@mittendad.bsky.social
Helping parent-preneurs and solo creators reclaim time, freedom, and self-care l Build your golden years now — not someday at http://mittendad.substack.com
Big trades are rarely about headlines.
They’re about timing.
Teams at different stages need different things:
– Early: flexibility
– Mid: execution
– Late: leverage
Same for solopreneurs.
Longevity often means trading certainty for runway, not chasing the next “star.”
They’re about timing.
Teams at different stages need different things:
– Early: flexibility
– Mid: execution
– Late: leverage
Same for solopreneurs.
Longevity often means trading certainty for runway, not chasing the next “star.”
February 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Big trades are rarely about headlines.
They’re about timing.
Teams at different stages need different things:
– Early: flexibility
– Mid: execution
– Late: leverage
Same for solopreneurs.
Longevity often means trading certainty for runway, not chasing the next “star.”
They’re about timing.
Teams at different stages need different things:
– Early: flexibility
– Mid: execution
– Late: leverage
Same for solopreneurs.
Longevity often means trading certainty for runway, not chasing the next “star.”
Quick exercise: Calculate what context switching costs you.
How many times do you check email, Slack, or switch between tasks today?
Write that number down.
Now multiply it by 15 minutes.
How many times do you check email, Slack, or switch between tasks today?
Write that number down.
Now multiply it by 15 minutes.
February 4, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Quick exercise: Calculate what context switching costs you.
How many times do you check email, Slack, or switch between tasks today?
Write that number down.
Now multiply it by 15 minutes.
How many times do you check email, Slack, or switch between tasks today?
Write that number down.
Now multiply it by 15 minutes.
In 2026, the ability to focus on one thing for 90 minutes is rarer than knowing how to prompt AI.
Everyone's optimizing for speed and automation.
Almost nobody's optimizing for depth.
That's not a problem.
That's your edge.
Everyone's optimizing for speed and automation.
Almost nobody's optimizing for depth.
That's not a problem.
That's your edge.
February 4, 2026 at 5:37 PM
In 2026, the ability to focus on one thing for 90 minutes is rarer than knowing how to prompt AI.
Everyone's optimizing for speed and automation.
Almost nobody's optimizing for depth.
That's not a problem.
That's your edge.
Everyone's optimizing for speed and automation.
Almost nobody's optimizing for depth.
That's not a problem.
That's your edge.
Biggest #productivity mistake: thinking multitasking is efficiency.
Most days, it’s just paying the “restart tax” over and over.
mittendad.substack.com/p/the-hidden...
Most days, it’s just paying the “restart tax” over and over.
mittendad.substack.com/p/the-hidden...
The Hidden Cost of Context Switching: Why Your Brain Isn’t Built for This
How Constant Task Switching Destroys Productivity, Focus, and Your Mental Health—And What to Do About It
mittendad.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Biggest #productivity mistake: thinking multitasking is efficiency.
Most days, it’s just paying the “restart tax” over and over.
mittendad.substack.com/p/the-hidden...
Most days, it’s just paying the “restart tax” over and over.
mittendad.substack.com/p/the-hidden...
The advice to "#niche down" is killing multi-passionate creators.
You don't need to pick one interest and abandon the rest.
You need a mission that channels everything into one profitable brand.
Here's how the top 1% actually do it:
You don't need to pick one interest and abandon the rest.
You need a mission that channels everything into one profitable brand.
Here's how the top 1% actually do it:
February 2, 2026 at 5:59 PM
The advice to "#niche down" is killing multi-passionate creators.
You don't need to pick one interest and abandon the rest.
You need a mission that channels everything into one profitable brand.
Here's how the top 1% actually do it:
You don't need to pick one interest and abandon the rest.
You need a mission that channels everything into one profitable brand.
Here's how the top 1% actually do it:
Researchers call it "#attention residue"—when you switch tasks, part of your brain stays behind, still processing the previous thing
This is why you feel scattered even when you're "working hard."
It's not a discipline problem.
It's neuroscience.
This is why you feel scattered even when you're "working hard."
It's not a discipline problem.
It's neuroscience.
January 22, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Researchers call it "#attention residue"—when you switch tasks, part of your brain stays behind, still processing the previous thing
This is why you feel scattered even when you're "working hard."
It's not a discipline problem.
It's neuroscience.
This is why you feel scattered even when you're "working hard."
It's not a discipline problem.
It's neuroscience.
You're not broken when you can't focus—your brain just isn't built for constant task-switching.
The real cost? It's the attention residue, the 40% of time lost getting back into flow, and the anxiety from never being fully present.
One fix:
#mentalhealth
The real cost? It's the attention residue, the 40% of time lost getting back into flow, and the anxiety from never being fully present.
One fix:
#mentalhealth
January 21, 2026 at 6:58 PM
You're not broken when you can't focus—your brain just isn't built for constant task-switching.
The real cost? It's the attention residue, the 40% of time lost getting back into flow, and the anxiety from never being fully present.
One fix:
#mentalhealth
The real cost? It's the attention residue, the 40% of time lost getting back into flow, and the anxiety from never being fully present.
One fix:
#mentalhealth
You know that feeling when you're supposed to be working but everything feels like pushing a boulder uphill?
Then Tuesday at 9pm you're suddenly wired with ideas and can't sleep?
That's not random. That's your enthusiasm trying to tell you something.
Then Tuesday at 9pm you're suddenly wired with ideas and can't sleep?
That's not random. That's your enthusiasm trying to tell you something.
January 17, 2026 at 7:25 PM
You know that feeling when you're supposed to be working but everything feels like pushing a boulder uphill?
Then Tuesday at 9pm you're suddenly wired with ideas and can't sleep?
That's not random. That's your enthusiasm trying to tell you something.
Then Tuesday at 9pm you're suddenly wired with ideas and can't sleep?
That's not random. That's your enthusiasm trying to tell you something.
Fast learning isn’t more info. It’s better loops.
Loop 1: Teach right away.
Explain the idea to someone with zero context.
Their reaction shows your gaps.
Fill the gaps.
Teach again. Repeat.
Loop 1: Teach right away.
Explain the idea to someone with zero context.
Their reaction shows your gaps.
Fill the gaps.
Teach again. Repeat.
January 12, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Fast learning isn’t more info. It’s better loops.
Loop 1: Teach right away.
Explain the idea to someone with zero context.
Their reaction shows your gaps.
Fill the gaps.
Teach again. Repeat.
Loop 1: Teach right away.
Explain the idea to someone with zero context.
Their reaction shows your gaps.
Fill the gaps.
Teach again. Repeat.
Might be worth a try? #anxiety open.substack.com/pub/mittenda...
Stop Anxiety From Stealing Your Life With Three Breaths
A grounded, step-by-step ritual to get your joy, patience, and presence back.
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Might be worth a try? #anxiety open.substack.com/pub/mittenda...
It’s weird: everyone says it’s impossible to win right now, but as a customer it's interesting how #business makes it harder than ever to spend money.
January 10, 2026 at 2:10 PM
It’s weird: everyone says it’s impossible to win right now, but as a customer it's interesting how #business makes it harder than ever to spend money.
The world is messy right now (putting it lightly). Hopefully this can help you, if only even a little bit. Take care of yourselves. #anxiety #news open.substack.com/pub/mittenda...
Stop Anxiety From Stealing Your Life With Three Breaths
A grounded, step-by-step ritual to get your joy, patience, and presence back.
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:52 PM
The world is messy right now (putting it lightly). Hopefully this can help you, if only even a little bit. Take care of yourselves. #anxiety #news open.substack.com/pub/mittenda...
#AI isn’t replacing your job.
It’s exposing whether your work is thinking or just typing.
Across Dan Koe and Cal Newport, the signal is consistent:
• Automate the routine parts of your work—on purpose
• Write your processes like you’re training a replacement (including how you think)
It’s exposing whether your work is thinking or just typing.
Across Dan Koe and Cal Newport, the signal is consistent:
• Automate the routine parts of your work—on purpose
• Write your processes like you’re training a replacement (including how you think)
December 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM
#AI isn’t replacing your job.
It’s exposing whether your work is thinking or just typing.
Across Dan Koe and Cal Newport, the signal is consistent:
• Automate the routine parts of your work—on purpose
• Write your processes like you’re training a replacement (including how you think)
It’s exposing whether your work is thinking or just typing.
Across Dan Koe and Cal Newport, the signal is consistent:
• Automate the routine parts of your work—on purpose
• Write your processes like you’re training a replacement (including how you think)
#December self-care as a parent looks nothing like the IG version.
No bath bombs. No weekend retreats. No uninterrupted mornings.
Just you, stealing 10 minutes while your kid watches Bluey for the third time today.
That counts. Here's how to make it work:
No bath bombs. No weekend retreats. No uninterrupted mornings.
Just you, stealing 10 minutes while your kid watches Bluey for the third time today.
That counts. Here's how to make it work:
December 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
#December self-care as a parent looks nothing like the IG version.
No bath bombs. No weekend retreats. No uninterrupted mornings.
Just you, stealing 10 minutes while your kid watches Bluey for the third time today.
That counts. Here's how to make it work:
No bath bombs. No weekend retreats. No uninterrupted mornings.
Just you, stealing 10 minutes while your kid watches Bluey for the third time today.
That counts. Here's how to make it work:
When everything feels urgent, one clear priority is sanity.
What’s the one thing you want to feel proud of by Sunday?
A problem to solve for you:
You’ve got 12 “must-dos.”
How do you pick the 1–2 that truly move the week forward?
What’s the one thing you want to feel proud of by Sunday?
A problem to solve for you:
You’ve got 12 “must-dos.”
How do you pick the 1–2 that truly move the week forward?
December 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
When everything feels urgent, one clear priority is sanity.
What’s the one thing you want to feel proud of by Sunday?
A problem to solve for you:
You’ve got 12 “must-dos.”
How do you pick the 1–2 that truly move the week forward?
What’s the one thing you want to feel proud of by Sunday?
A problem to solve for you:
You’ve got 12 “must-dos.”
How do you pick the 1–2 that truly move the week forward?
I wonder how much different the world would be if adults understood play like kids do?
#parenting #reflection
#parenting #reflection
December 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I wonder how much different the world would be if adults understood play like kids do?
#parenting #reflection
#parenting #reflection
You aren't lazy, you're distracted. It's not a character flaw; it's a call to optimize your environment.
Most people think focus is about eliminating distractions, but it's actually about creating an environment so engaging that distractions fade away.
Most people think focus is about eliminating distractions, but it's actually about creating an environment so engaging that distractions fade away.
December 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
You aren't lazy, you're distracted. It's not a character flaw; it's a call to optimize your environment.
Most people think focus is about eliminating distractions, but it's actually about creating an environment so engaging that distractions fade away.
Most people think focus is about eliminating distractions, but it's actually about creating an environment so engaging that distractions fade away.
If December self-care keeps collapsing into “I’ll start in January,” try this.
One slight shift can change the whole month.
Here’s a simple idea you can steal today: build a December Self-Care Floor—5 tiny non-negotiables that fit in 15 minutes total.
One slight shift can change the whole month.
Here’s a simple idea you can steal today: build a December Self-Care Floor—5 tiny non-negotiables that fit in 15 minutes total.
December 10, 2025 at 9:04 PM
If December self-care keeps collapsing into “I’ll start in January,” try this.
One slight shift can change the whole month.
Here’s a simple idea you can steal today: build a December Self-Care Floor—5 tiny non-negotiables that fit in 15 minutes total.
One slight shift can change the whole month.
Here’s a simple idea you can steal today: build a December Self-Care Floor—5 tiny non-negotiables that fit in 15 minutes total.
Self‑help books have nothing on parenting.
The playground teaches patience; bedtime stories teach storytelling.
Trust that the small daily rituals you share with your kids are already making you wiser.
The playground teaches patience; bedtime stories teach storytelling.
Trust that the small daily rituals you share with your kids are already making you wiser.
December 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Self‑help books have nothing on parenting.
The playground teaches patience; bedtime stories teach storytelling.
Trust that the small daily rituals you share with your kids are already making you wiser.
The playground teaches patience; bedtime stories teach storytelling.
Trust that the small daily rituals you share with your kids are already making you wiser.
Seasons of Creativity: How to Stop Expecting Summer Energy in a #Winter Season dailyrefill.beehiiv.com/p/stop-expec...
Stop Expecting Summer Energy When You’re in a Winter Season
Burned out by 3 p.m.? Learn to align self-care and creativity with your real season instead of forcing summer energy all year.
dailyrefill.beehiiv.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Seasons of Creativity: How to Stop Expecting Summer Energy in a #Winter Season dailyrefill.beehiiv.com/p/stop-expec...
For many people, simply naming their current season reduces self-judgment.
Instead of “I’m failing,” the story shifts to “I’m in a Winter season right now, so of course I don’t have Summer output.”
Instead of “I’m failing,” the story shifts to “I’m in a Winter season right now, so of course I don’t have Summer output.”
December 5, 2025 at 4:42 AM
For many people, simply naming their current season reduces self-judgment.
Instead of “I’m failing,” the story shifts to “I’m in a Winter season right now, so of course I don’t have Summer output.”
Instead of “I’m failing,” the story shifts to “I’m in a Winter season right now, so of course I don’t have Summer output.”
Thirties and forties aren’t the end of experimentation.
The skills you’ve gained are a springboard, not shackles.
Try a class, pick up a new hobby, join a community...
Momentum breeds energy.
The skills you’ve gained are a springboard, not shackles.
Try a class, pick up a new hobby, join a community...
Momentum breeds energy.
December 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Thirties and forties aren’t the end of experimentation.
The skills you’ve gained are a springboard, not shackles.
Try a class, pick up a new hobby, join a community...
Momentum breeds energy.
The skills you’ve gained are a springboard, not shackles.
Try a class, pick up a new hobby, join a community...
Momentum breeds energy.
Most creators don’t need more time.
They need a system that actually works in the tiny pockets they already have:
They need a system that actually works in the tiny pockets they already have:
December 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Most creators don’t need more time.
They need a system that actually works in the tiny pockets they already have:
They need a system that actually works in the tiny pockets they already have:
Clutter is an instinctive reflex that pulls us away from what matters.
Marie Kondo reminds us: simplifying isn't about perfection—it's about clarity.
Strip away the noise, and focus emerges.
Subscribe to mittendad.substack.com for more.
Marie Kondo reminds us: simplifying isn't about perfection—it's about clarity.
Strip away the noise, and focus emerges.
Subscribe to mittendad.substack.com for more.
December 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Clutter is an instinctive reflex that pulls us away from what matters.
Marie Kondo reminds us: simplifying isn't about perfection—it's about clarity.
Strip away the noise, and focus emerges.
Subscribe to mittendad.substack.com for more.
Marie Kondo reminds us: simplifying isn't about perfection—it's about clarity.
Strip away the noise, and focus emerges.
Subscribe to mittendad.substack.com for more.