David Kadavy

David Kadavy is author of Mind Management, Not Time Management; Digital Zettelkasten; & Design for Hackers.

3 new articles this week

May 07, 2026

I published three new articles on Substack this week:

  1. Why the Curious Peak Late: When you’re curious it takes longer to build your foundation.
  2. Not finishing what you start is actually pretty smart: The unique paper trail of the man who published 500 – and left 150 unfinished – tells us a lot about how creative work gets done (or doesn’t).
  3. 47 lessons from 47 years: self-explanatory.

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47 lessons from 47 years

May 04, 2026

As of today, I have been alive for 47 years. Here is everything I’ve learned:

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1st Quarter 2026 Income Report

May 01, 2026

To listen to an audio version of this report, join the Patreon »

Revenue for the first quarter of 2026 was:

Q4 2025’s revenue was $11,883.

Q1 2026 profits were:

Q4 2025’s profit was $7,724.

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Hours left, stretch goal reached (audiobook included!)

April 02, 2026

Just a quick post to let you know that the stretch goal has been reached for the briefly re-opened Finish What Matters Preview Edition.

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Finish What Matters Preview Edition (briefly) re-opened

March 24, 2026

After a couple months of extra-focused writing I’ve re-opened the Preview Edition of Finish What Matters. keep on reading »

The hidden cost of Shiny Object Syndrome

February 01, 2026

Just a few days left to join the Finish What Matters Preview Edition »

What’s the harm in taking on one more project? We can get some idea by asking the question, How many people need to be in a room before two have the same birthday? keep on reading »

Stretch goal for Finish What Matters: audiobook for all

January 28, 2026

I have now reached my initial funding goal for the Finish What Matters Preview Edition!

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Chapter 2 of Finish What Matters Preview Edition now available

January 26, 2026

There’s one week left to sign up for the Preview Edition »

If you beat yourself up for not finishing what you start, you might want to look at how you define what’s finished. keep on reading »

Join the finishing cohort and get it done in Q1

January 18, 2026

Is there a creative project you want to finally finish in Q1 of 2026?

During the Preview Edition of Finish What Matters I’m doing a very special Finishing Cohort. Here’s how it works: Meet with me and a small group of motivated creators three times throughout Q1.

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December 2025 Income Report (2025 review, 2026 predictions!)

January 16, 2026

To listen to an audio version of this report, join the Patreon »

December’s revenue was $2,677, down from November’s $3,823. Profits were $1,575, down from November’s $2,541.

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