Sometimes the answers we’re desperately searching for show up in the most unexpected places.. today, while procrastinating at work (let’s be honest), I decided to watch some productivity videos on YouTube. Little did I know that two random videos would give me the exact solution to the overwhelm I’ve been drowning in since taking on this Product Owner role.
The 3-2-1 System: Why I’m Stuck in Maker Mode 🎯
The first video I stumbled upon was from theMITmonk about managing time like a CEO using the 3-2-1 system – 3 roles, 2 zones, and 1 non-negotiable. The concept is simple but powerful: you need to identify whether you’re operating as a Maker (hands-on work), Marker (delegating), or Multiplier (strategic thinking).
And here’s what hit me hard:
What got you till here will not get you there.
I’m still stuck in that maker mindset.. I don’t want to let go of doing the actual work because that’s what I know, that’s what made me good at my job. But now? Too many meetings, too many stakeholders, too much Klaus (if you’ve read my other blogs, you know). The mental shift from maker to marker hasn’t happened yet, and that’s exactly why everything feels so overwhelming. This video made me realize I need to stop clinging to the old way of working if I want to actually succeed in this new role.. I really need to give this a shot.
Writing It Down: Why Digital Isn’t Always Better 📝
The second video was by Sarthak Virmani about the power of keeping a notebook and journaling instead of relying entirely on digital tools. He talked about how writing slows down your mind and helps you think in the right direction. But the line that absolutely destroyed me was:
Risk comes when you’re not knowing what you’re actually doing.
That’s exactly where I am right now.. I took this PO role and there are so many variables I don’t understand yet. I’m figuring things out slowly, but that uncertainty is always there, haunting me in the background. I don’t know things, and I don’t know who to ask.. Klaus is a pain in the ass, and asking my reportees makes me look incompetent. Hello, self-doubt, my old friend 😅
Writing things down forces you to confront what you don’t know instead of letting it swirl around in your head causing anxiety. It’s about clarity.. about actually understanding what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
Back to the BuJo: A Year Later 📔
After watching that second video, I dug out my old journal. My last entry? January 17, 2025. Today is December 16, 2025. Yeah, I skipped an entire year.. LOL!
I had started the Bullet Journal (BuJo) method back then, but it never stuck. This time feels different though. With this new role, the mental shift I need to make, and all the tasks I need to track, I think journaling might actually be the missing piece. It’s not just about productivity.. it’s about getting my head straight, understanding the chaos, and making sense of what’s actually important.
Tomorrow’s a New Shot 🚀
I’m genuinely excited for tomorrow.. I know, weird right? But hear me out. I have a planning and refinement session with Klaus and the team, and this time I’m going in with a different approach. I’m going to ask all the doubts, clarify everything in-depth, and actually understand the tasks instead of nodding along pretending I get it.
Both these videos reminded me that I haven’t failed yet.. I’ve just been approaching this wrong. Maybe giving this PO thing another proper shot, with the right mindset and tools, will change everything.youtube
I’m sure it will go great.. this year I feel blogging has stuck with me a little, and I’m hoping the same happens with journaling. Some things just click when the timing is right, you know? Sometimes the best solutions aren’t about working harder or doing more.. they’re about slowing down, writing things down, and actually understanding what you’re doing. That clarity? That’s what turns chaos into progress. And that’s exactly what I’m building toward 💫
