The Seventy Tools of Excellence, out tomorrow.

We are toolmakers; we love creating that which enhances our capabilities, whether it is a thing, an idea, or a process. The earliest tools were a flint that allowed the fast, clean preparation of an animal skin for warmth, a line of gut to catch fish for nourishment, and, of course, fire, wrenched from a passing storm. Further tools were concepts: how to organise the hunt, how to verify edible food, and ideas of a presence beyond the body: a god, a universe, a spirit.

Now, of course, tools-from power drills to surfboards to iPhones-surround us with abundance. I am fascinated by tools that make a difference, as not all do. Some are glittery and seductive; those we get but never really use; those fresh pasta makers at the back of cupboards, for example. Some tasks are perfect without any help at all: the fullest of hugs. But some tools, yes, use them well, and there is no stopping you. The best has evolved and will continue to do so; flint became sharpened flint. Sharpened flint was lashed to a wooden handle, multiplying force through leverage. The axe was born, a tool that would reshape civilisations through boats, bridges, and bravado.

A Tool of Excellence might be a physical object: a go-bag (all you need to survive 72 hours if disaster hits), a skipping rope (the most effective home and travel gym, ever), an egg-timer (a profoundly effective productivity tool). Or a concept such as the two-by-two decision matrix (a simple grid that clarifies complex choices by plotting options against two key criteria, revealing the obvious path forward), the vegetable spectrum (a colour-coded system ensuring you consume the full range of nutrients by eating vegetables across the rainbow each week), the checklist (a failsafe against human error that transforms expertise into reliable execution, particularly under pressure). Or a complete strategy such as the 3x5 action card system which blossoms when combined with my Personal Compass and _Master List _ approaches (a portable workflow that keeps your most important tasks visible and actionable, synchronised with your core values and project inventory).

The Seventy Tools of Excellence detailed in the companion are the infrastructure of deep productivity at its most profound level. Over the years of hunting down the true tools, I have noticed a pattern among those that earn their place: they offer simplicity and reliability. They are not systems requiring elaborate maintenance or steep learning curves. They are foundational tools and habits that quietly-and without fuss-ease daily life.

I have collected, defined and use, often daily, approximately seventy such tools; each is explored in around 150 words; enough to explain what it is, why it matters, and how it will help.

Available: amazon kindle. 1 January 2026. Worldwide.