In this Productivity like a Pro Podcast Episode by the Paperless Movement®, Tom Solid and Paco Cantero dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of Personal Knowledge Management and productivity tools. From the latest developments in Tana to the game-changing AI-powered features in Readwise Reader, they explore what it truly takes to build a seamless and efficient digital workflow.
The Rise of Tana and the Challenge of Simplifying Tool Stacks
Tana has officially gone live, and notable figures like Ali Abdaal have even invested in the platform. While this signals strong confidence in the tool’s future, Tom and Paco discuss the complexities of committing to a single platform. They emphasize the ongoing challenge of reducing their tool stack without sacrificing efficiency—a mission that has proven nearly impossible.
Despite efforts to consolidate everything into Heptabase, Tom realized that different tools serve different cognitive functions. The balance between deep and shallow thinking is crucial, and attempting to force all processes into one tool led to friction. In the end, Tana remained an essential part of their system, proving that the right tool stack isn’t about minimalism but about clarity in purpose.
Why ClickUp Still Can’t Replace Sunsama for Personal Task Management
ClickUp continues to make significant updates, but its persistent bugs and limitations prevent it from replacing Sunsama for personal task planning. While ClickUp excels in Business Knowledge Management and team collaboration, Paco and Tom agree that having a separate tool like Sunsama provides much-needed clarity and focus for individual task management.
They highlight the importance of context switching—moving between different tools for different brain processes. Instead of seeing it as a productivity killer, they argue that it can actually enhance efficiency by offering distinct perspectives and mental shifts.
Readwise Reader’s AI Update: A Game-Changer for PKM
One of the most exciting revelations in this episode is Readwise Reader’s new AI-powered Chat with Your Highlights feature. Paco shares how this completely transforms the way he interacts with stored content. Now, instead of merely highlighting and tagging, he can engage in a conversation with his own curated knowledge base. This eliminates the need for manual organization while unlocking new insights and connections that would have otherwise remained hidden.
The AI-driven retrieval system allows users to surface relevant information without effort, making Readwise Reader an even more indispensable tool for PKM. For Tom and Paco, this update cements Reader’s place alongside Tana and Heptabase as a core part of their productivity ecosystem.
The Paperless Movement® Approach to Productivity
At the Paperless Movement®, the goal is to help Busy Professionals build an end-to-end productivity system that truly works. If you’re struggling with tool overload or seeking clarity in your workflow, the [Paperless Movement® Membership](https://paperlessmovement.com/join) provides the guidance you need. With deep-dive courses on Note-Taking, PKM, Task Management, and Project Management, you’ll gain the skills to optimize your digital workspace and work more efficiently.
Want to take your productivity to the next level? [Join the Paperless Movement® Membership today](https://paperlessmovement.com/join) and start mastering the tools and workflows that will transform the way you work.
