Recent content in Blog on jan’s thoughts
Don’t bother. That’s the voice. You know the one. It shows up around 100km into a long ride , when your legs have stopped asking politely and you bargain with yourself to keep the pedals turning. It shows up three weeks into an idea, after the initial excitement has worn off and all that’s left is the work . Same voice every time. Don’t bother. It’s not worth it.…
Issue 388 of Dense Discovery — one of my favourite newsletters, which I recommend you subscribe to — describes the book How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World That Demands Answers by Simone Stolzoff as follows: A mix of reportage and self-help, it makes the case that learning to sit with the unknown is one of the most essential skills of our time. And this is the publisher’s…
As many of my regular readers know, this year I started running again — after a mere 15-year hiatus. I still fondly remember my regular runs during my student days, pacing around the streets of Mainz. I was young, stupid, and had nearly unlimited energy. I also had lots of papers and exams to finish at the very last minute (usually the night before). Running was the perfect hobby to exchange stale…
Instructional content dominates YouTube, self-help books, and podcasts. Most of it is autobiography dressed up as method. It is compelling, often entertaining, occasionally inspiring — but it is not teaching, and it should not be mistaken for it. The distinction matters: teaching requires a learner. Instructional content only requires an audience. Yet people take it at face value and use it to…
I tried contact lenses recently. No complaints about the process itself — they went in fine. The full field of vision was something I missed for a long time. But it made me notice how many steps are involved: Wash your hands, open the packaging, carefully take the lens, place the lens, blink, blink again. Repeat for the other eye. Dispose of the packaging. Every single day. And I thought: glasses…
Someone said to me recently: “You look better now, but it wouldn’t be as easy for me as it was for you.” I didn’t know what to say. Not because they were wrong — changes did happen. But they happened so gradually that I barely noticed them myself. There was no dramatic turning point, no before-and-after moment, no meal planning, no calorie counting, no six-week programme…
I arrived in Scotland in September 2012. An Erasmus student at the University of Edinburgh. A twenty-something who was convinced his English was top drawer. I’d studied British history and culture at university in Germany. Read English books. Watched English-language TV. Visited the UK on holiday. As prepared as you can be without actually living here. It took about a day to realise I…
I have two laptops. A MacBook with an M1 chip, and a Lenovo ThinkPad X280 running Fedora Linux. The ThinkPad cost me about £200 used on eBay. Decent Intel Core i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM. More than enough for what it’s become: my weekend computer. The one where I read and write, don’t work and don’t consume . I always thought my experience should be the same across both machines. Or…
This will have come a long way, but it all began when I started spending my beer money on cycling gear. Of course, I still have some beer money ( what would life be without beer? ) but a fair chunk of it shrunk into lycra . Something similar happened with my digital spending. Slowly, without a grand plan, I started shifting what I used to spend on entertainment towards tools that help me create.
At some point towards the end of 2024, I asked myself: what kind of person do I want to be? It wasn’t a crisis. Nothing dramatic. It was a quiet realisation that something was missing — or maybe I’d forgotten it was there. For a long time, I must’ve looked healthy but I didn’t feel healthy. My body was weak — and with that, my mind. Parenthood took its toll, maybe. Short,…
Hand-cutting chips takes about 5 minutes. Peel, halve, slice into sticks, toss with a bit of oil. Done. Five minutes is nothing — yet most people reach for the frozen bag. Five seconds: open and dump into basket or tray. I get it. I’ve done it too. But somewhere along the way, I started cutting my own. They taste better. And something else happened. The potatoes we always had lying around —…
The email lands in your inbox. The tone is blunt, borderline rude. Maybe it’s a customer complaint that feels personal. Maybe it’s a colleague dismissing your work in a meeting. Whatever it is, you feel it immediately: irritation, defensiveness, maybe anger. That feeling is real. It’s valid. And it’s also not particularly useful. What happens next determines everything. You…
People think I’m a highly analytical person. But actually I’m a very creative person who’s using processes and systems to channel their creativity into productivity. I’m sometimes easily distracted. New ideas arrive constantly, uninvited and insistent. Without structure, I’d chase every one of them, abandoning projects halfway through when the next shiny thing…
One morning you open your email client and notice it: your address has changed. Not dramatically. Just firstname@company became firstname.lastname@company . IT sent a memo. Something about “preparing for future growth.” Your old address still works. It forwards automatically. Nothing broke. But something shifted. It’s not the email address itself. It’s what it signals. The…
There’s a moment in every growing company when something shifts: Someone has a good idea. The kind that would have been built in a week six months ago. But now it just sits there. Not because it’s bad, but because nobody’s quite sure if it’s their call to make. So the idea goes into Slack, then maybe the backlog, then nowhere. When you’re ten people, decisions happen…
For over twenty years, we’ve shopped online in exactly the same way: browse a grid, scan thumbnails, click into product detail pages, compare, repeat. It’s so ingrained we barely notice it anymore. The scroll-and-filter ritual feels like part of the internet itself. But habits we take for granted can dissolve overnight. Remember how search used to work before ChatGPT & co? Ten blue links, page…
There’s a certain kind of goal that sounds ambitious, exciting, and perfectly reasonable and still manages to be useless. You’ve probably heard it before: “We want to be the market leader.” “We’re aiming for 10% growth this quarter.” “We need to become more customer-centric.” The issue isn’t that these goals are bad. It’s that they’re abstract. They give the appearance of direction without…
eCommerce is often talked about like a machine. Optimise the inputs, track the outputs, and the system will improve. But in reality, it’s much messier than that. eCommerce is a living system shaped by algorithms, suppliers, customer behaviour, pricing decisions, people, and process. Everything affects everything else. And often, the signal arrives too late to make sense of the cause. When problems…
A saying often attributed to Socrates goes: “All I know is that I know nothing.” In product work, we often operate in a fog of partial understanding: where the real risk isn’t what we clearly don’t know, but what we think we’ve already figured out. I learnt this the hard way once during a database migration. Everything looked fine in testing: small user base, a quick…
A car workshop running at 110% capacity can’t take on an urgent repair. There’s no room for surprises. The best ones run at 70–80%. That bit of space lets them say yes to a loyal customer who needs help. They can take a last‑minute job or fix an unexpected issue without derailing everything else. It’s the same in a doctor’s practice. Pack every appointment back‑to‑back and…
At the end of last year, I started writing down some ideas that had been circling in my head for a while: about how we work, how products take shape, and what makes teams effective in complex environments. These weren’t new thoughts. Just patterns I kept seeing. Meetings that dragged on without tangible results or alignment. Product teams stretched too thin. Conversations that missed the…
It was a hot day in North Berwick. The kind where your skin warms instantly, and the sea looks almost inviting — until you remember it’s the North Sea. I’d stood there many times before. Legs in. That’s where I usually stopped. The water never welcomes you in. It tests you first. But this time I thought — how hard could it be? Sure, it would be uncomfortable. But surely not…
TLDR: Nine months ago I started cycling regularly. It became a habit — and gave me a base level of fitness that makes it easier to try new things, feel good, and just keep moving. Nine months ago, I wasn’t thinking much about fitness. I wasn’t recording workouts or tracking progress. I just happened to get access to bike storage near my home, and a colleague gave me his old bike.
TLDR: Complexity isn’t the problem (until it is) The thing that most often makes me, or the teams I work with, stuck isn’t fear, laziness, or lack of motivation: it’s complexity. It shows up early, making it hard to get started. Or halfway through, where it slowly grinds steady progress to a halt. Rarely does it stop us at the finish line. By then, we’ve usually powered…
I’ve been thinking about workplace culture and what running a business should look like in 2025. The stories I hear from friends, the tone of LinkedIn posts, even the conversations I have with other business owners — something fundamental has shifted in how we think about work. The VC-Fuelled Workplace Revolution If you worked at a hot tech startup between 2010 and 2022, you probably…
I first heard about the concept in an episode of Kassenzone , a German eCommerce podcast, about Bike Components — an online cycle parts shop. In 2022/23, Managing Director of Bike Components , Dominic Land, introduced the concept of an ambidextrous organisation at the company. The term stuck with me because it perfectly captures something I’d observed in every company I’d worked with,…
I don’t exactly remember where I discovered Future Islands, but Tin Man was the first track that introduced me to them. Since then, they’ve become my favourite band and I’m hoping to see them live one day. They’ve been called a “synth-pop” band but the sheer breadth of their sound, Sam Herring’s vocal range and his energy on stage puts them in a whole…
Hummus, a divine dip for palates of all shapes and sizes. A website wouldn’t be complete without a hummus recipe. Here’s my take, inspired by Turkish and Cypriot hummus traditions. Of course, there are millions of hummus recipes across the Levant and every family claim theirs is the best (it probably is). This one is my favourite. Ingredients: 200g dried chickpeas (or 480g cooked/canned, but I…
Far over fast Simple over complex Quality over quantity Substance over style Reliable over novel Durability over disposability Repairable over proprietary Enough over more Less, but better Restraint over excess Local over global Craft over mass production Versatility over specialisation Self-sufficiency over convenience Connection over connectivity Community over isolation
TLDR; Product-led growth thrives when teams understand both user needs and business metrics, using MVPs not just to ship features, but to learn and validate strategic decisions. Product-led growth isn’t just another business strategy — it’s about making your product so effective at solving customer problems that it naturally becomes your primary engine for growth. But achieving this…
TLDR: VATGeek is now live. I made a VAT calculator that doesn’t suck. All keyboard-focused and with shareable URLs. I made a new VAT calculator tool called VATGeek . Not because the world desperately needed another one, but because I got tired of fighting with the existing ones. You know the type — covered in ads, clunky interfaces, and more clicking required than a 90s point-and-click…
I keep forgetting how I like my lasagna layered best. So here’s my personal preference, written down as a reminder to myself and for your enjoyment: Thin(-ish) layer of meat sauce Lasagna sheets Meat sauce Béchamel sauce Lasagna sheets Meat sauce Béchamel sauce Lasagna sheets Meat sauce Béchamel sauce Lasagna sheets Béchamel sauce Mozzarella (grated, torn, or sliced) And here’s a…
I used to be precious about my code ever since I learnt programming. Every line was carefully crafted, every function meticulously designed. But over time, I’ve changed my approach. Being overly attached to code isn’t practical in the long run. These days, I prioritise getting things done. If my code works, it’s ready to go. Is it perfect? Probably not. Does it solve the problem?…
TLDR: Nappylist is now live and will one day hopefully be the premier resource for all nappy related questions As a parent, you quickly discover the critical importance of choosing the right nappy for your baby. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about your child’s comfort, your peace of mind, and your family’s quality of life. The perfect nappy is like a silent…
Finally, goulash season is upon us. As the weather turns cooler, there’s nothing quite like a hearty, warming plate of goulash with pasta and apple sauce. A family favourite is Tim Mälzer’s take on a classic goulash. It really is an autumn and winter staple for us. Rich, flavourful, and perfect for feeding a crowd. You could freeze the goulash for the week ahead, but we usually have no…
In the ever-churning world of business, I’ve often found myself pondering the road less travelled. It’s not about being a contrarian for the sake of it, but rather about questioning the herd mentality that seems to dominate so much of our industry. This got me thinking about anti-cyclical business strategies — approaches that go against the prevailing economic or market trends. The…
Having a solid productivity setup is essential. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various tools, strategies, and methodologies to keep my life somewhat organised. Or at least give me the illusion of having everything under control. What I’ve found most effective is a tailored approach that uses different tools for different contexts. This way, context switching becomes smoother, and I can…
Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products that undergo multiple stages of processing, containing numerous added ingredients like preservatives, sweeteners, and artificial flavours, intended to enhance flavour, texture, or shelf life. I first saw Chris van Tulleken’s talk on ultra-processed foods on Youtube , then read his book, Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat…
Up before rush hour. Waiting to cross the street. At the traffic lights. The music stops playing. Buffering. More buffering. Flight mode. Enjoying the moment just after you finished a piece of work. Sitting on a bench in the park. Warm rays of sunshine in spring. A book. A cup of coffee. Two milk, no sugar. Dipping your head under water. Sirens disappearing in the distance. Before the next ones…
I admit that leaving one shoe untied isn’t a pretty idea. It’s annoying, uncomfortable and outright capital D-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s (replace hyphens with clap emoji to use this as a LinkedIn post…ffs LinkedIn). However, I do enjoy leaving one shoe untied. Preferably on rainy days when you can drag your laces through mud and filthy puddles. Let them absorb the streets you wander. For some this looks…
Seek distractions. Say it and believe it: “The more I play the better.” Choose cooperation and collaboration over competition and monetisation. Build a team outside work. Be an essential part of a community, not of a company. Feed your curiosity, then someone else’s. And encourage them to do the same. Share knowledge. Give freely. Don’t expect anything in return. Let a new skill become your party…
Everybody knows Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” That simple sentence could be the condensed Pessimist Manifesto. Bad luck by default. I can identify with it. I’m from Germany, so I’m naturally pessimistic. Right now I’m thinking, will I ever finish this post? Will it be any good? Probably not. But, like by some miracle, I keep hammering away on my thought-ridden keyboard.…
Every morning on my walk to work, I see the same people. One group particularly stands out: well-groomed young professionals with those ubiquitous lanyards. A lanyard typically consists of a flexible fabric strap, lovingly decorated by an ornate logo print and a key ring or snap hook, which holds an ID badge or keycard. Men hang it casually out one of their front pockets. Women usually carry it…
You love listening to podcasts. They make your morning commute tolerable and your walk back home an absolute delight. Now you want to have your own show and blast your wisdom into the podcastosphere. When I caught the podcasting fever, I started my own podcast called Deep Fried Marketing with my humble friend and co-host, Nick Blackbourn . After one episode back in 2016 - not much happened. Until…
Sometimes I’m productive, sometimes I’m lazy. Sometimes I’m full-on, sometimes I’m idle. Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m not. Sometimes I get it all done, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I’m efficient, sometimes I’m not. Sometimes I need a friend, sometimes I want to be alone. Sometimes I’m responsible, sometimes a mess. Sometimes I follow instructions, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I’m practical,…
Marketing folks often complain that despite providing solid sets of data, some of their clients still decide to go with their gut feeling. Marketers are quick to blame the client, because they toiled days and hours until they’ve finally come up with some meaningful insight. They call their client “straight-up ignorant.” They want to throw them over the castle walls, pull up the draw-bridge and…
I like slow growth. I would always choose the long-term vision over short-term success. Slow growth is organic and sustainable. It’s neither pessimistic nor optimistic. There’s nothing bad about growing slowly. It even makes your business more predictable. Humans need at least 18 years to grow to full maturity — in many cases it takes even longer… Slow growth gives you the opportunity to steadily…
What a radical headline for someone who doesn’t spend a lot of time on Facebook. Every now and then, I scroll through my Facebook timeline. And it’s tough to find something truly remarkable . I’m not talking about my friend feeds. I love breakfast musli pictures! This is about random collections of hashtags on stock photos. About purposeless, gibbering “brands” that try to frame themselves as…
This Modern Age, i.e. modern life, is challenging. We are hardly hunters and gatherers anymore. They call us clickers and scrollers. After reading many many self-help books and consuming copious amounts of countless lifehack blogs, I’d like to present you some ultimate fool-proof advice on how to deal with distractions and boost your productivity : Meet friends Turn off your computer…
I just came across this really interesting article, “How to Design Words” by John Saito , on Medium. John mostly writes for apps and websites. In his article, he gives great examples of effective copy in different user scenarios (system notifications, web copy etc). While I was first dazzled that a writer openly admits that he hates reading , I felt quite relieved when he explains that he actually…