Matt Tilmann
@mittendad.bsky.social
Senior Analyst, Girl Dad, Husband | Staying curious about life and sharing what I learn along the way. I Subscribe now at https://mittendad.substack.com
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Matt Tilmann
@mittendad.bsky.social
· May 6
I’m building a life where:
– Time matters more than titles
– Family moments aren’t missed
– Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation
And through Mitten Dad Minute, I’m helping other parent-preneurs and creators do the same.
Join in. Subscribe at the link in my bio and start today.
– Time matters more than titles
– Family moments aren’t missed
– Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation
And through Mitten Dad Minute, I’m helping other parent-preneurs and creators do the same.
Join in. Subscribe at the link in my bio and start today.
Your messy, clunky first attempts at distilling your notes aren't proof you're bad at this.
They're exactly how your intuition is being built.
Every time you delete a "good" highlight, you're training discernment.
Every time you rewrite that awkward sentence, you're developing your voice.
They're exactly how your intuition is being built.
Every time you delete a "good" highlight, you're training discernment.
Every time you rewrite that awkward sentence, you're developing your voice.
November 13, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Your messy, clunky first attempts at distilling your notes aren't proof you're bad at this.
They're exactly how your intuition is being built.
Every time you delete a "good" highlight, you're training discernment.
Every time you rewrite that awkward sentence, you're developing your voice.
They're exactly how your intuition is being built.
Every time you delete a "good" highlight, you're training discernment.
Every time you rewrite that awkward sentence, you're developing your voice.
You think you need more time to create #content, but you're already generating 10x more ideas than you'll ever use.
The issue isn't ideation.
It's that you're treating every voice memo like a finished product instead of raw material.
Speed beats quality in capture.
The issue isn't ideation.
It's that you're treating every voice memo like a finished product instead of raw material.
Speed beats quality in capture.
November 13, 2025 at 12:19 PM
You think you need more time to create #content, but you're already generating 10x more ideas than you'll ever use.
The issue isn't ideation.
It's that you're treating every voice memo like a finished product instead of raw material.
Speed beats quality in capture.
The issue isn't ideation.
It's that you're treating every voice memo like a finished product instead of raw material.
Speed beats quality in capture.
The best creators don't have perfect intuition:
They capture without editing
They delete without guilt
They publish before they're ready
They treat thoughts like ingredients, not finished meals
They value progress over polish
Done beats perfect every single time.
They capture without editing
They delete without guilt
They publish before they're ready
They treat thoughts like ingredients, not finished meals
They value progress over polish
Done beats perfect every single time.
November 13, 2025 at 11:14 AM
The best creators don't have perfect intuition:
They capture without editing
They delete without guilt
They publish before they're ready
They treat thoughts like ingredients, not finished meals
They value progress over polish
Done beats perfect every single time.
They capture without editing
They delete without guilt
They publish before they're ready
They treat thoughts like ingredients, not finished meals
They value progress over polish
Done beats perfect every single time.
Hopefully you were able to take a break from the onslaught of #news to catch the #northernlights tonight!
November 13, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Hopefully you were able to take a break from the onslaught of #news to catch the #northernlights tonight!
Everyone tries to fix their 2 PM energy crash with more coffee.
I tracked what actually drained me versus what filled me up for 2 weeks.
Those back-to-back Zoom calls I considered "productive" were destroying me worse than any missed sleep.
I tracked what actually drained me versus what filled me up for 2 weeks.
Those back-to-back Zoom calls I considered "productive" were destroying me worse than any missed sleep.
November 13, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Everyone tries to fix their 2 PM energy crash with more coffee.
I tracked what actually drained me versus what filled me up for 2 weeks.
Those back-to-back Zoom calls I considered "productive" were destroying me worse than any missed sleep.
I tracked what actually drained me versus what filled me up for 2 weeks.
Those back-to-back Zoom calls I considered "productive" were destroying me worse than any missed sleep.
I spent 3 weeks with 7 browser tabs open researching one newsletter idea.
Zero published words.
The mental drag wasn't anxiety—my body was screaming that the system was broken.
Started using a 5-question clarity check instead of opening new tabs.
Zero published words.
The mental drag wasn't anxiety—my body was screaming that the system was broken.
Started using a 5-question clarity check instead of opening new tabs.
November 12, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I spent 3 weeks with 7 browser tabs open researching one newsletter idea.
Zero published words.
The mental drag wasn't anxiety—my body was screaming that the system was broken.
Started using a 5-question clarity check instead of opening new tabs.
Zero published words.
The mental drag wasn't anxiety—my body was screaming that the system was broken.
Started using a 5-question clarity check instead of opening new tabs.
Everyone talks about shiny object syndrome.
Justin Welsh nailed the real problem: shiny outcome syndrome.
Chasing someone else's 10 million instead of building autonomy at your own pace.
The spiral stopped when I admitted I was avoiding decisions, not collecting tools.
Justin Welsh nailed the real problem: shiny outcome syndrome.
Chasing someone else's 10 million instead of building autonomy at your own pace.
The spiral stopped when I admitted I was avoiding decisions, not collecting tools.
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Everyone talks about shiny object syndrome.
Justin Welsh nailed the real problem: shiny outcome syndrome.
Chasing someone else's 10 million instead of building autonomy at your own pace.
The spiral stopped when I admitted I was avoiding decisions, not collecting tools.
Justin Welsh nailed the real problem: shiny outcome syndrome.
Chasing someone else's 10 million instead of building autonomy at your own pace.
The spiral stopped when I admitted I was avoiding decisions, not collecting tools.
Standing at my desk with 25 minutes before school pickup, browser tabs multiplying like rabbits.
That tightness in my chest wasn't procrastination—it was decision avoidance disguised as research.
That tightness in my chest wasn't procrastination—it was decision avoidance disguised as research.
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Standing at my desk with 25 minutes before school pickup, browser tabs multiplying like rabbits.
That tightness in my chest wasn't procrastination—it was decision avoidance disguised as research.
That tightness in my chest wasn't procrastination—it was decision avoidance disguised as research.
Your "newness" is your value.
You're solving problems in real-time that others are facing right now.
Stop waiting until you're "ready" to connect with other creators.
You're solving problems in real-time that others are facing right now.
Stop waiting until you're "ready" to connect with other creators.
November 8, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Your "newness" is your value.
You're solving problems in real-time that others are facing right now.
Stop waiting until you're "ready" to connect with other creators.
You're solving problems in real-time that others are facing right now.
Stop waiting until you're "ready" to connect with other creators.
You hit 1,000 followers and still feel completely alone after publishing.
Here's why creator loneliness isn't about audience size (and what actually fixes it):
Here's why creator loneliness isn't about audience size (and what actually fixes it):
November 8, 2025 at 2:02 AM
You hit 1,000 followers and still feel completely alone after publishing.
Here's why creator loneliness isn't about audience size (and what actually fixes it):
Here's why creator loneliness isn't about audience size (and what actually fixes it):
You need a creative accountability buddy:
Weekly 5-minute check-ins
Share what you shipped
Share what's next
No judgment, no pressure
Just consistent support
One person changes everything.
Weekly 5-minute check-ins
Share what you shipped
Share what's next
No judgment, no pressure
Just consistent support
One person changes everything.
November 8, 2025 at 1:04 AM
You need a creative accountability buddy:
Weekly 5-minute check-ins
Share what you shipped
Share what's next
No judgment, no pressure
Just consistent support
One person changes everything.
Weekly 5-minute check-ins
Share what you shipped
Share what's next
No judgment, no pressure
Just consistent support
One person changes everything.
The loneliest creators:
Have thousands of followers
Post consistently every day
Get decent engagement numbers
Never share the messy middle
Build an audience but zero friendships
You can be popular and completely alone.
Have thousands of followers
Post consistently every day
Get decent engagement numbers
Never share the messy middle
Build an audience but zero friendships
You can be popular and completely alone.
November 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The loneliest creators:
Have thousands of followers
Post consistently every day
Get decent engagement numbers
Never share the messy middle
Build an audience but zero friendships
You can be popular and completely alone.
Have thousands of followers
Post consistently every day
Get decent engagement numbers
Never share the messy middle
Build an audience but zero friendships
You can be popular and completely alone.
You joined 4 Discord servers and never posted.
You attended virtual meetups and felt more isolated.
You follow 100 creators but never talk to one.
Stop collecting communities. Start building relationships.
You attended virtual meetups and felt more isolated.
You follow 100 creators but never talk to one.
Stop collecting communities. Start building relationships.
November 7, 2025 at 9:33 PM
You joined 4 Discord servers and never posted.
You attended virtual meetups and felt more isolated.
You follow 100 creators but never talk to one.
Stop collecting communities. Start building relationships.
You attended virtual meetups and felt more isolated.
You follow 100 creators but never talk to one.
Stop collecting communities. Start building relationships.
If you're waiting to "make it" before finding your people, you've got the order backwards.
Build community first.
Success follows connection.
Build community first.
Success follows connection.
November 7, 2025 at 7:04 PM
If you're waiting to "make it" before finding your people, you've got the order backwards.
Build community first.
Success follows connection.
Build community first.
Success follows connection.
Most creators don't burn out from creating too much.
They burn out from creating alone too long.
They burn out from creating alone too long.
November 7, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Most creators don't burn out from creating too much.
They burn out from creating alone too long.
They burn out from creating alone too long.
A cheers of the morning ☕️ or 🫖 cup to my fellow parents of young ones or fur babies for who that mystical “getting an hour back of sleep” fails to exist once daylight savings time ends.
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
A cheers of the morning ☕️ or 🫖 cup to my fellow parents of young ones or fur babies for who that mystical “getting an hour back of sleep” fails to exist once daylight savings time ends.
Not exactly sure what they’re teaching (or not teaching) in driver’s ed to the younger crowd anymore:
October 31, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Not exactly sure what they’re teaching (or not teaching) in driver’s ed to the younger crowd anymore:
There’s something liberating about realizing how little the stars care about your to-do list.
Curious? Make sure you're subscribed at the link in the pinned post.
Issue drops tomorrow morning at 6:30 am EST.
#universe #selfcare #worklifebalance #mindfulness #productivity
Curious? Make sure you're subscribed at the link in the pinned post.
Issue drops tomorrow morning at 6:30 am EST.
#universe #selfcare #worklifebalance #mindfulness #productivity
October 31, 2025 at 2:50 AM
There’s something liberating about realizing how little the stars care about your to-do list.
Curious? Make sure you're subscribed at the link in the pinned post.
Issue drops tomorrow morning at 6:30 am EST.
#universe #selfcare #worklifebalance #mindfulness #productivity
Curious? Make sure you're subscribed at the link in the pinned post.
Issue drops tomorrow morning at 6:30 am EST.
#universe #selfcare #worklifebalance #mindfulness #productivity
At the end of each month, it’s worth asking: where did my #energy actually go?
What gave you energy this month — and what drained it?
Reflect on one activity, habit, or mindset that fueled you… and one that exhausted you.
What gave you energy this month — and what drained it?
Reflect on one activity, habit, or mindset that fueled you… and one that exhausted you.
October 30, 2025 at 1:56 PM
At the end of each month, it’s worth asking: where did my #energy actually go?
What gave you energy this month — and what drained it?
Reflect on one activity, habit, or mindset that fueled you… and one that exhausted you.
What gave you energy this month — and what drained it?
Reflect on one activity, habit, or mindset that fueled you… and one that exhausted you.
You know that overwhelming feeling you have right now? Like there's just way too much on your plate?
Here's the thing: you're not imagining it.
There genuinely is too much. Your gut is telling you the truth on this one.
Here's the thing: you're not imagining it.
There genuinely is too much. Your gut is telling you the truth on this one.
October 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
You know that overwhelming feeling you have right now? Like there's just way too much on your plate?
Here's the thing: you're not imagining it.
There genuinely is too much. Your gut is telling you the truth on this one.
Here's the thing: you're not imagining it.
There genuinely is too much. Your gut is telling you the truth on this one.
Sometimes the best moves happen when you stop forcing things and just pivot.
Where have you had to shift lately, by choice or by circumstance?
Think of one area where your focus had to change.
What did it teach you?
And what kind of peace did it bring once you stopped fighting it?
Where have you had to shift lately, by choice or by circumstance?
Think of one area where your focus had to change.
What did it teach you?
And what kind of peace did it bring once you stopped fighting it?
October 29, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Sometimes the best moves happen when you stop forcing things and just pivot.
Where have you had to shift lately, by choice or by circumstance?
Think of one area where your focus had to change.
What did it teach you?
And what kind of peace did it bring once you stopped fighting it?
Where have you had to shift lately, by choice or by circumstance?
Think of one area where your focus had to change.
What did it teach you?
And what kind of peace did it bring once you stopped fighting it?
Launching my referral program, I opened six tabs researching "perfect incentives."
Caught myself. Closed everything.
Ran my Clarity Check.
I just needed three simple tiers. Fifteen minutes later it was live.
No perfection required.
Just real progress.
Caught myself. Closed everything.
Ran my Clarity Check.
I just needed three simple tiers. Fifteen minutes later it was live.
No perfection required.
Just real progress.
October 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Launching my referral program, I opened six tabs researching "perfect incentives."
Caught myself. Closed everything.
Ran my Clarity Check.
I just needed three simple tiers. Fifteen minutes later it was live.
No perfection required.
Just real progress.
Caught myself. Closed everything.
Ran my Clarity Check.
I just needed three simple tiers. Fifteen minutes later it was live.
No perfection required.
Just real progress.
I didn't need a new planner.
I needed decisions to be easier when I had 7 minutes of energy and a half-eaten sandwich.
Now I ask 5 questions before opening any tab.
The rescue: What decision am I avoiding? What's my actual energy?
One clear move beats magic every time.
I needed decisions to be easier when I had 7 minutes of energy and a half-eaten sandwich.
Now I ask 5 questions before opening any tab.
The rescue: What decision am I avoiding? What's my actual energy?
One clear move beats magic every time.
October 28, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I didn't need a new planner.
I needed decisions to be easier when I had 7 minutes of energy and a half-eaten sandwich.
Now I ask 5 questions before opening any tab.
The rescue: What decision am I avoiding? What's my actual energy?
One clear move beats magic every time.
I needed decisions to be easier when I had 7 minutes of energy and a half-eaten sandwich.
Now I ask 5 questions before opening any tab.
The rescue: What decision am I avoiding? What's my actual energy?
One clear move beats magic every time.
Last spring I had a "brilliant" newsletter idea.
Three weeks later: seven tabs of research open, two half-finished outlines, zero published words.
My clarity check would've saved me 20+ hours of wheel-spinning.
The drag wasn't laziness but a broken system.
Three weeks later: seven tabs of research open, two half-finished outlines, zero published words.
My clarity check would've saved me 20+ hours of wheel-spinning.
The drag wasn't laziness but a broken system.
October 28, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Last spring I had a "brilliant" newsletter idea.
Three weeks later: seven tabs of research open, two half-finished outlines, zero published words.
My clarity check would've saved me 20+ hours of wheel-spinning.
The drag wasn't laziness but a broken system.
Three weeks later: seven tabs of research open, two half-finished outlines, zero published words.
My clarity check would've saved me 20+ hours of wheel-spinning.
The drag wasn't laziness but a broken system.
For today, something to think about is that when you feel off track, the hardest part isn’t starting again but simply giving yourself permission to.
What helps you reset your rhythm when life gets messy?
What helps you reset your rhythm when life gets messy?
October 27, 2025 at 2:35 PM
For today, something to think about is that when you feel off track, the hardest part isn’t starting again but simply giving yourself permission to.
What helps you reset your rhythm when life gets messy?
What helps you reset your rhythm when life gets messy?