One of my previous posts from earlier this year is gaining a lot of reads recently as people search for the latest Chronodex for 2026. So I am writing this post to signpost where it has gone as the original site hosting the links and downloads to the Chronodex by the author has moved to a new site and a paid for download model.
The format of the downloads are primarily meant for the Midori Traveller Notebook system, but it can be used without by printing out and using an elastic band to hold the pages together.
Personally I have moved away from the downloadable PDF planner a while ago in favour of a stamp version of the Chronodex that I can add to my journals when I want to incorporate it in rather than keep a seperate notebook. There are plent of versions of the stamp avalible on Etsy and Amazon and a quick google search for “chronodex stamp” should point you to one. You will of course need an inkpad to use it.
What it is
The Chronodex is a clock-shaped calendar designed to help you visualise and manage your time more effectively. It is a manual task for the user to fill out with pens or markers and activities are shown as arcs or blocks around the circle as the day progresses. It is useful for productivity, journaling, ADHD-friendly planning, and creative workflows.
How it works (basic)
The circle represents a full day (midnight to midnight or waking hours)
Each hour corresponds to a position on the clock
You draw or color segments for activities (work, breaks, sleep, exercise, etc.)
Optional symbols or colors show energy, mood or task type can be added by the user
Feedly provides an aggregation tool that collects stories from various blogs and websites that I find useful for research and information . This generates a list of stories that can be quickly scanned on a single screen without having to visit multiple sites. Clicking on a story displays a snippet from the source site and provides a link to read the full article, if necessary. Using a series of keystrokes, it is possible to read the headlines, then move through the articles efficiently, stopping and opening them as needed.
Sources can be categorized to allow an all-view or just what’s new in a category.
List of Websites
BCS – Latest insights, ideas and perspectives from BCS and its community.
TechRepublic – News, tips, and advice for IT professionals.
It is good to see that the Chronodex is still going strong with the release of the first half of the year 2025 version now available. The Chronodex is a clock-shaped calendar designed to help you visualise and manage your time more effectively.
The format of the downloads are primarily meant for the Midori Traveller Notebook system (Patrick is associated with the Traveller Company), but it can be used without by printing out and using an elastic band to hold the pages together.
This is a productivity tool that I have used on and off for a good number of years now. From printing out the half year versions, I have moved to a stamp version I can put into my journal when needed using an ink pad and a steady hand.
I use the Chronodex as it has a visual appeal, with its circular design giving an engaging visual overview of how you are spending (or spent) your time, allowing easy review to check productivity vs getting the tasks done that need to be done. Using a colour code system helps quickly identify the most important tasks and see how the time is distributed across different activities.
I could very well achieve the same things using modern tools and AI, but occasionally it’s good to keep my hand in writing rather than typing and I don’t want to be tethered to a device 24 x 7 just to check a schedule.
As 2024 begins I have updated my PKMS (Personal Knowledge Management System) to keep up with the latest developments in knowledge management and my own priorities. You can use this as a pattern to help create your own PKMS and stay informed and ahead of the curve.
A PKMS is a system that can help you manage and organise personal knowledge, which includes information that is relevant to your personal and professional life.
A well crafted and maintained PKMS can provide a capability for:
Continuous Learning:
Together with a growth mindset a PKMS facilitates a structured approach to acquiring, organising, and reviewing knowledge.
Increased Productivity:
Access to relevant organised information as you need it, keeping you ahead of the curve.
Knowledge Retention:
Ability to store and retrieve information as required in an organised repository.
Adaptability:
Technology, Information and Data evolves on a daily basis and it is important to stay informed.
I still believe strongly in separating my personal social and business social, although there is the occasional need for the two to cross. These are the tools that I use. There are lots of other tools available that you could use to build a PKMS yourself.
Personal Life
Personal Journal
My go to notebook of choice for Journaling is still the Moleskine plain pocket book and I am on journal number 37, soon to be no 38. Its quality and paper is good enough for my needs and archival quality. I still favour the Pilot ball ink pens (0.5 or 0.7) as they flow nicely on the page. See my blog post No batteries required for further details.
Social Media
In keeping my work life separate from my personal life, I use platforms such as Instagram and Facebook for friends and family with appropriate two factory and security settings in place. Even with those settings you still need to consider that once something is online, it could be public in the future.
Professional Life
Research
This is split into several areas and these are a few of the inputs that I use to grab information, feeds, data from:
Streaming Services
RSS Feeds
Podcasts
TED Talks
Web Searches
Blog Posts
Courses
Reading
This is a high level list of the types of content that I gain information from for research and learning.
Streaming Services covers platforms such as YouTube. The availability of cameras and online streaming platforms, more content is being made available and recorded by people to pass on their knowledge.
RSS Feeds low my to pull updates from sites into Feedly.
Podcasts cover both Audio and Video casts that I watch/stream online or download to my Phone / Media Player (Audio and Videos) to listen to when I am on journeys in the car or other transportation methods or out walking the dog. Daily walks with the dog provide a good time to listen to these.
The amount of online learning available today is huge from free MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Courses) to paid for course such as Udemy and LinkedIn. Lots of vendors now provide a good level of free training for their products and solutions. This category also covers courses that I can take through work.
Feedly
Feedly provides an aggregation tool which I use to collect the stories from blogs and web sites. This provides a list of stories that can be scanned tin a few minutes on a single screen without going via multiple sites. Clicking on a story will bring up a snippet from the source site and provide the link to read the source article if required. Using a series of key strokes you can read the headlines, then move down the articles at a reasonable speed, stopping and opening when needed.
Sources can be categorised to allow an all view or just whats new in a category.
Thinking Time
Thinking Time covers the time that I spend absorbing the PKMS information coming in from the different sources and then also process and apply in different ways. It is also good to spend time reflecting on what I have learnt and think of different and new way to use the information and learnings.
Note Taking
I use two tools now for note taking, OneNote and Obsidian. I favour obsidian as it uses markdown which I use a lot in GitHub for documentation, and its ability to structure data in a logical way and allows you to query data in an interactive graph.
Blogging and Being Social
Following my Thinking Time I gather my thoughts and research and write these down through my blogs and podcasts and publish these on Social Media, WordPress and GitHub.
AI
I have not yet introduced any AI to my PKMS, but hopefully in 2024 I will find the right tool to help automate and filter the information I am consuming and keep me on top of my learning.
Further Reading
If you are looking for inspiration in creating your own PKMS, Reddit has a great list of PKMS tools that is worth a look and a discussion board on setting up a PKMS.
From prehistoric time painting the number of mammoth killed of food, to the first weather forecast recorded and in present times the number of followers and posts someone has made, humanity is obsessed with data, and its growing exponentially. At the same time we seem to be afraid of pressing delete and put our minds to working out new ways to record, analyse and report on things.
Through data we are able to find new ways of doing things, fixing things and developing new things across multiple fields and disciplines. Datafication is a term that was introduced in 2013 and covers how we are turning data in to useful things today.
Our smartphones, fitness trackers, and even our cars are collecting data about us and the world around us.
In the age of information, data is everywhere. From the time we wake up in the morning to the moment we fall asleep at night, we are surrounded by data.
What is Datafication?
Datafication is a technological trend turning many aspects of our life into data which is subsequently transferred into information realised as a new form of value.
Datafication is the process of turning everything into data. It involves collecting, storing, analysing, and using data to make decisions and predictions. Datafication has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the rapid advancement of technology and the rise of big data. With the advent of the internet and the proliferation of connected devices, we are generating more data than ever before.
The amount of data generated each day varies and is difficult to precisely measure since it depends on multiple factors such as the sources of data and the definition of what constitutes “data.” However, it’s estimated that around 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created each day.
This number is constantly increasing as more devices and systems become connected to the internet and generate data, and as technology advances to enable the creation of more data types, such as videos, images, and sensor data. Additionally, with the rise of machine learning and artificial intelligence, there is an increasing need for vast amounts of data to train these algorithms, further driving the growth of data creation
Why is Datafication Important?
Datafication has become an important aspect of modern society because it has the potential to improve the way we live, work, and play. By analysing data, using tools, methods and AI we can gain insights into everything from consumer behavior to traffic patterns to the spread of diseases. This information can be used to make better decisions, optimise processes, and solve problems.
One area where datafication has had a significant impact is healthcare. With the help of wearable devices and electronic health records, healthcare providers can collect and analyse data to monitor patient health and identify potential health risks. This has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
Datafication has also had a significant impact on business. By collecting and analysing data on customer behavior, businesses can gain insights into what their customers want and need. This information can be used to improve products and services, optimise pricing strategies, and target marketing efforts.
The Risks of Datafication
While datafication has many benefits, it also comes with risks. One of the biggest risks is the potential for data breaches and privacy violations. As more and more data is collected and stored, the risk of a data breach increases. This can result in the theft of personal information, financial data, and other sensitive information.
Another risk of datafication is the potential for bias. When data is collected and analysed, it is important to ensure that the data is representative and unbiased. If the data is biased, it can lead to inaccurate conclusions and decisions.
The Future of Datafication
Datafication has given the opportunities for new roles in data analysis to become commonplace and help drive businesses through new ways of looking at data.
Conclusion
Datafication is a powerful tool that has the potential to improve the way we live, work, and play. As data continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, it is important to ensure that we use it responsibly and ethically.
The concept of a “second brain” has gained popularity in recent years, especially among individuals who want to improve their digital mindset and optimize their productivity.
Having written about having the right digital mindset previously, I am now looking at the next levels of these posts and what you can do in more recent times.
What is a second brain?
A second brain is a system that allows you to store, organise, and retrieve information and ideas that are important to you. This is basically a way of storing those useful bits of knowledge, other than just using an email system as a knowledge system.
A second brain is a personal knowledge management tool that can help you capture and connect your thoughts, ideas, and experiences. It is often used to augment your own memory, to increase your productivity, and to help you make better decisions.
Why is a second brain useful?
There are many reasons why a second brain can be useful. Here are my top three:
Better memory: A second brain can help you remember important information and ideas that you might otherwise forget. By capturing and organizing your thoughts and ideas, you can easily access them later when you need them.
Increased productivity: A second brain can help you stay organized and focused, allowing you to work more efficiently and effectively.
Better decision-making: By organizing and connecting your ideas and experiences, a second brain can help you see patterns and make connections that might not be immediately apparent.
How can you create a second brain using digital mindset tools?
There are many digital mindset tools that can help you create a second brain. Here are my top five, and there are many others such as One Note.
Evernote: Evernote is a note-taking app that allows you to capture and organize your thoughts, ideas, and experiences. It’s a powerful tool for creating a second brain because it allows you to easily tag and categorize your notes, making them easy to find later.
Notion: Notion is a versatile productivity tool that can be used for everything from note-taking to project management. It’s a popular choice for creating a second brain because it allows you to create databases, wikis, and other organizational tools that can help you stay organized and focused.
Roam Research: Roam Research is a note-taking app that’s designed to help you connect your ideas and experiences. It’s a popular choice for creating a second brain because it allows you to easily link and cross-reference your notes, making it easy to see patterns and connections.
Trello: Trello is a project management tool that can be used to create a second brain. You can create boards for different projects, and then use cards to capture and organize your thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
Airtable: Airtable is a spreadsheet-like database that can be used to create a second brain. You can create tables for different topics, and then use fields to capture and organize your thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
I was sent a meme the other day which apart from making me laugh, actually illustrates our acceptance of modern technologies over a period of time and is the reason for this blog post.
Not sure who created the photo/meme so unable to credit at this time (so thanks internet).
We can explain Technology Acceptance through a model. How we use and perceive technology changes from person to person. There are also external factors that can effect our perception. Lets look at the meme as an example.
Previous advice from fuel vendors has always pointed at not using a mobile at the fuel pump. This information was spread through via an email stating that an influential figure in the fuel market said it was dangerous to use a mobile near a pump. This had a wide impact and the “Do not use your mobile near a fuel pump” sticker was born.
This guidance has been since shown to be a myth and was a topic of Myth Busters experiments. It was proved as busted back in 2004 and that in fact there is more danger from static electricity getting out of the car. This has in the main been accepted and in a complete turn around now and keeping up with modern banking and consumer trends, allow the payment of fuel through a mobile phone (of course you should always follow the latest legislation for use of a mobile whilst driving).
There is a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (defined by Fred Davies 1989) that can be used to look at how a technology may be accepted through its perceived use and usefulness.
The model is based on four constructs:
Perceived ease of use
Perceived usefulness
Attitudes
Actual behaviours
These constructs are linked as per the model diagram below:
The model suggests that when users are presented with a new technology, a number of factors influence their decision about how and when they will use it, notably:
Perceived usefulness (PU) or (U) – This was defined by Fred Davis as “the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would enhance their job performance”. It means whether or not someone perceives that technology to be useful for what they want to do.
Perceived ease-of-use (PEOU) or (E) – Davis defined this as “the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would be free from effort” (Davis 1989). If the technology is easy to use, then the barriers conquered. If it’s not easy to use and the interface is complicated, no one has a positive attitude towards it.
The External Variables are factors that can effect the four constructs such as
Social influence
Design
Content
Entertainment
Cost
Social media is one external variable to add to the list, that has a growing impact on the PU and PEOU. Going back to the petrol pump analogy, in the video earlier referenced an influential person in the industry is quoted as saying don’t use mobiles at the pumps. In todays world the use of social media would have this message out quicker than an email, influencing how the product is used, myth or not. This has an influence on our perception of the technology.
The model however does not account for people doing things not as planned or rational. Here is a good video explaining the Technology Acceptance Model:
Another year and another release of the popular Chronodex time management diary system for Jan to Jun 23. As usual this is split into two publications and each covers 6 months of the year.
I have blogged about using this format of time recording before and its uses (see further reading). I have now invested in a stamp version of the Chronodex so I can incorporate this into my regular journaling/diary writing within my preferred Moleskine Journals.
Following my last post on my PKMS (Personal Knowledge Management System), where I covered the use of Podcasts as one of my inputs into the information I consume, here are my top 10 Podcast recommendations for 2023. These are mostly technology based podcasts, although some have a wider scope.
1. The Digital Human (BBC)
In The Digital Human podcast Aleks Krotoski (Broadcaster and Journalist) explores the digital world and the topics that affect, grow and change it.
2. a16z Podcast
The a16z Podcast discusses tech and culture trends, news, and the future with regular multiple podcasts. The a16Z podcast is produced by Andreessen Horowitz a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm.
3. TED Radio Hour
The TED Radio Hour podcast brings together some of the best TED talk topics across a wide range of topics. This is a great way to get to hear about the latest information about TED talks.
4. WB-40 Podcast
In the WB-40 podcast hosted by Matt Ballantine and Chris Weston they hold conversations on how technology is changing how we work.
5. Tech Tent (BBC)
In the Tech Tent podcast broadcaster and journalist Rory Cellan-Jones talks about the latest stories in the tech world.
6. FT Tech Tonic
In the Tech Tonic podcast by the FT (Financial Times) it investigates the promises and perils of this new technological age – the digital revolution.
7. The Vergecast Podcast
The Vergecast podcast is hosted by Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz, where they present a weekly view of tech news, whats happing now and in the future.
8. Tech Swamp Podcast
The Tech Swamp podcast covers global tech policy and business headlines, tidbits of tech history, and topical policy deep-dives on legislation and regulation in the U.S., EU, UK, and around the globe.
9. Tech Stuff Podcast
The Tech Stuff podcast hosted by Jonathan Strickland explores the people behind the tech, the companies that market it and how technology affects our lives and culture.
10. Back to Work Podcast
In the Back to Work podcast Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin discuss productivity, communication, work, barriers, constraints and tools.
Furthering my Personal Journalling I have decided that for 2020 I would give the “Daily Stoic” book and journal a go.
I am doing this along side my normal daily journaling and keeping the two separate for now at least.
I’m up to Journal number 28 with 4380 pages written so far and still going strong.
A couple of colleagues have tried the Daily Stoic before and gave it good reviews. The books basically take passages and quotes from Philosophers/Stoics Epictetus 55 – 135 AD, Seneca 54 BC- 39 AD and Marcus Aurelius 121-180 AD and provide translations into modern life.
Stoicism is a philosophy of personal ethics informed by its system of logic and its views on the natural world – Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism
3 Days in and its going well so far starting my day with the relevant dated page in the book, followed by writing down some Morning and Evening reflections into the Journal. It will take all year to complete the book so will need some habit forming to do this morning and evening. I can see times where this is not practical and would need some planning as carrying the books around is not something I really want to be doing too much. This is where some of it may end up as a digital entry added in at some point in the future.
The advice so far has been on self reflection on choices, learning and saying no to get to those things that matter. You could say it is common sense, but for me its getting the right mindset using some guidance.
Is it worth doing this? At the moment I would say its a bit early in the journey and writing to decide, however so far I have found the advice to be good and the use of the reflection time to be worth while. Writing down notes on what I have read/learnt is a great method of remembering and does reinforce my thoughts. It will be interesting to see if I am still doing this in a few months time and look back against what I have written.
I would like to hear if you have used these books and your thoughts.
Furthering my Personal Journalling I have decided that for 2020 I would give the “Daily Stoic” book and journal a go.
Max Hemingway 
