HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Start the year curious, and keep learning!
About Me
Hi, I’m Anisha!
I’m a front end developer and software engineering student, and this newsletter is where I document my learning as I grow through technology, productivity, and life.
I created The Insight Letter as a space to share what I’m discovering throughout my learning journey from studying computer science, mathematics, and engineering, to building better systems, habits, and soft skills for navigating the real world. Some weeks it’s a lesson from university, sometimes it’s a self paced online course, and other times it’s a reflection that changed how I think.
Along the way, I share the insights and approaches that have helped me most so you can pick what resonates, adapt it to your own life, and skip a bit of unnecessary trial and error.
If you enjoy learning alongside someone who’s curious, honest about the process, and focused on growing consistently, you’ll feel at home here.
Time blocking > To-do Lists
For a long time, my to-do lists looked great but most of the important tasks stayed untouched. I wasn’t lazy or unmotivated; I just kept postponing things because they weren’t
intentionally structured into my day.
I realised the problem wasn’t the tasks, it was the system. My to-do list lived in one app, my calendar in another, and my attention kept bouncing between tools. Every switch made it easier to procrastinate.
My Solution
Google Workspace
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with Google Tasks integrated directly into Google Calendar. Instead of writing endless lists, I assign tasks to actual time blocks. If something matters, it earns a place in my calendar.
How this makes things simpler:
Create your tasks in Google Tasks.
Open Google tasks by clicking on the icon in the sidebar.
Drag and drop to your Calendar.
Also works on Microsoft: If you prefer Microsoft tools, you can use Microsoft To Do + Microsoft Calendar. This is great if your workflow lives more in the Microsoft environment than Google’s.
What’s helped the most is simplicity. One system, one place to check, and a clear answer to when I’m doing something, not just what I want to do.
Thoughts for the Upcoming Week
I’ve noticed that focusing on goals that push me to improve on my own past performance helps me stay motivated and see patterns over time.
Doing this weekly gives enough space to actually make progress, while keeping me aligned with my priorities. Reflection also makes it easier to spot what’s truly working versus what’s just taking up time. Studies suggest this approach boosts engagement and perseverance, which is why it’s widely used in learning and professional development. It’s also why I’ve adopted it into my own weekly routine.
NSW Education
A question I’m thinking about this week
Over the last week, I’ve been asking myself what actually moved the needle this week versus what just felt busy. It’s helped me notice patterns I usually miss.
If you want to try it too, here’s what I’m reflecting on:
1️⃣ What actually mattered this week?
2️⃣ What didn’t actually make progress, even though I spent time on it?
3️⃣ What would I repeat or change next week?
Making time to reflect like this helps me track not just what I did, but what I’ve learned and sets me up to move forward with clarity.
Wishing you a week of growth and momentum!
Kind Regards,
