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.
Small experiments repeated over time create transformation:
- Test one new morning routine this week.
- Try batching content for 30 minutes daily.
- Send one relationship text every morning.
You don't need a perfect plan. You need a repeatable experiment.
- Test one new morning routine this week.
- Try batching content for 30 minutes daily.
- Send one relationship text every morning.
You don't need a perfect plan. You need a repeatable experiment.
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Small experiments repeated over time create transformation:
- Test one new morning routine this week.
- Try batching content for 30 minutes daily.
- Send one relationship text every morning.
You don't need a perfect plan. You need a repeatable experiment.
- Test one new morning routine this week.
- Try batching content for 30 minutes daily.
- Send one relationship text every morning.
You don't need a perfect plan. You need a repeatable experiment.
Your relationships compound exactly like your investments:
- A quick text when you think of someone
- A 10-minute call on your drive home
- Sharing a funny memory with your sibling
The tiny deposits you make today create the emotional wealth you'll need tomorrow.
- A quick text when you think of someone
- A 10-minute call on your drive home
- Sharing a funny memory with your sibling
The tiny deposits you make today create the emotional wealth you'll need tomorrow.
November 23, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Your relationships compound exactly like your investments:
- A quick text when you think of someone
- A 10-minute call on your drive home
- Sharing a funny memory with your sibling
The tiny deposits you make today create the emotional wealth you'll need tomorrow.
- A quick text when you think of someone
- A 10-minute call on your drive home
- Sharing a funny memory with your sibling
The tiny deposits you make today create the emotional wealth you'll need tomorrow.
You're not behind because you lack a complicated system.
You're behind because you haven't started the simple one that actually works.
Inertia dies the moment you move.
You're behind because you haven't started the simple one that actually works.
Inertia dies the moment you move.
November 23, 2025 at 12:14 PM
You're not behind because you lack a complicated system.
You're behind because you haven't started the simple one that actually works.
Inertia dies the moment you move.
You're behind because you haven't started the simple one that actually works.
Inertia dies the moment you move.
If you can't commit to something for two years, don't start it:
Compounding only works when you stay invested long enough to see its effects.
- Your first year builds the foundation nobody sees.
- Your second year is when momentum becomes visible.
Compounding only works when you stay invested long enough to see its effects.
- Your first year builds the foundation nobody sees.
- Your second year is when momentum becomes visible.
November 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
If you can't commit to something for two years, don't start it:
Compounding only works when you stay invested long enough to see its effects.
- Your first year builds the foundation nobody sees.
- Your second year is when momentum becomes visible.
Compounding only works when you stay invested long enough to see its effects.
- Your first year builds the foundation nobody sees.
- Your second year is when momentum becomes visible.
You treat tiny investments in your bank account like they matter, but you ignore the one-second text that could strengthen a relationship for years.
November 23, 2025 at 3:09 AM
You treat tiny investments in your bank account like they matter, but you ignore the one-second text that could strengthen a relationship for years.
Inertia is the enemy.
When you're doing nothing, it's easy to keep doing nothing.
But here's the antidote: do something. Anything.
Define your next step. Track your progress. Celebrate the tiny win.
You don't need a perfect system. You need tangible evidence you're moving forward.
When you're doing nothing, it's easy to keep doing nothing.
But here's the antidote: do something. Anything.
Define your next step. Track your progress. Celebrate the tiny win.
You don't need a perfect system. You need tangible evidence you're moving forward.
November 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Inertia is the enemy.
When you're doing nothing, it's easy to keep doing nothing.
But here's the antidote: do something. Anything.
Define your next step. Track your progress. Celebrate the tiny win.
You don't need a perfect system. You need tangible evidence you're moving forward.
When you're doing nothing, it's easy to keep doing nothing.
But here's the antidote: do something. Anything.
Define your next step. Track your progress. Celebrate the tiny win.
You don't need a perfect system. You need tangible evidence you're moving forward.
Everyone says build your second brain with folders and tags.
I've dumped hundreds of unorganized thoughts into @memdotai and let AI surface what mattered when I needed it.
Curious how you can do the same?
Read on.
substacktools.com/sharex/sDVG...
I've dumped hundreds of unorganized thoughts into @memdotai and let AI surface what mattered when I needed it.
Curious how you can do the same?
Read on.
substacktools.com/sharex/sDVG...
Drowning In Random Notes? Mem AI Is Your Lifeline
Scattered notes killing your output? This AI tool fixes it.
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Everyone says build your second brain with folders and tags.
I've dumped hundreds of unorganized thoughts into @memdotai and let AI surface what mattered when I needed it.
Curious how you can do the same?
Read on.
substacktools.com/sharex/sDVG...
I've dumped hundreds of unorganized thoughts into @memdotai and let AI surface what mattered when I needed it.
Curious how you can do the same?
Read on.
substacktools.com/sharex/sDVG...
Creative burnout doesn't mean you need a vacation.
It means you've been creating without input.
You're pouring from an empty cup.
The fix isn't rest... it's refill:
- Read something unrelated to your niche
- Have a real conversation (not networking)
It means you've been creating without input.
You're pouring from an empty cup.
The fix isn't rest... it's refill:
- Read something unrelated to your niche
- Have a real conversation (not networking)
November 21, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Creative burnout doesn't mean you need a vacation.
It means you've been creating without input.
You're pouring from an empty cup.
The fix isn't rest... it's refill:
- Read something unrelated to your niche
- Have a real conversation (not networking)
It means you've been creating without input.
You're pouring from an empty cup.
The fix isn't rest... it's refill:
- Read something unrelated to your niche
- Have a real conversation (not networking)
Busy parent-creators: Kit's monthly Creator Plan is 60% off through Dec 2nd.
I use it because it actually lets me automate the boring stuff so I can focus on creating.
- More subscribers who convert
- #Email sequences that run while you sleep
- Time back for what matters for your #business
I use it because it actually lets me automate the boring stuff so I can focus on creating.
- More subscribers who convert
- #Email sequences that run while you sleep
- Time back for what matters for your #business
November 20, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I used to think the best creators were the ones who never stopped.
Now I know better.
The best creators are the ones who stop before they have to.
Before the resentment. Before the emptiness. Before they start hating the thing they once loved.
Now I know better.
The best creators are the ones who stop before they have to.
Before the resentment. Before the emptiness. Before they start hating the thing they once loved.
November 18, 2025 at 10:11 PM
I used to think the best creators were the ones who never stopped.
Now I know better.
The best creators are the ones who stop before they have to.
Before the resentment. Before the emptiness. Before they start hating the thing they once loved.
Now I know better.
The best creators are the ones who stop before they have to.
Before the resentment. Before the emptiness. Before they start hating the thing they once loved.
Sometimes the smallest wins are the ones we skip over.
Drop a link to something you created recently:
• a tweet/thread
• a video
• a post
• a paragraph
• a small idea
Then leave one encouraging reply for someone else.
Problem to Solve:
Drop a link to something you created recently:
• a tweet/thread
• a video
• a post
• a paragraph
• a small idea
Then leave one encouraging reply for someone else.
Problem to Solve:
November 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Sometimes the smallest wins are the ones we skip over.
Drop a link to something you created recently:
• a tweet/thread
• a video
• a post
• a paragraph
• a small idea
Then leave one encouraging reply for someone else.
Problem to Solve:
Drop a link to something you created recently:
• a tweet/thread
• a video
• a post
• a paragraph
• a small idea
Then leave one encouraging reply for someone else.
Problem to Solve:
Self-efficacy isn't built by reading about #success.
It's built by taking small actions that prove you're capable.
Then taking bigger actions.
Then looking back and realizing you became someone you didn't know you could be.
It's built by taking small actions that prove you're capable.
Then taking bigger actions.
Then looking back and realizing you became someone you didn't know you could be.
November 18, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Self-efficacy isn't built by reading about #success.
It's built by taking small actions that prove you're capable.
Then taking bigger actions.
Then looking back and realizing you became someone you didn't know you could be.
It's built by taking small actions that prove you're capable.
Then taking bigger actions.
Then looking back and realizing you became someone you didn't know you could be.
If you’re trying to grow your newsletter or content business, this is for you.
The team behind Write • Build • Scale just gave me 3 FREE one-month premium subscriptions (valued at $60)… and I’m giving them away.
Their premium content includes:
Growth systems top creators actually use
The team behind Write • Build • Scale just gave me 3 FREE one-month premium subscriptions (valued at $60)… and I’m giving them away.
Their premium content includes:
Growth systems top creators actually use
November 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
If you’re trying to grow your newsletter or content business, this is for you.
The team behind Write • Build • Scale just gave me 3 FREE one-month premium subscriptions (valued at $60)… and I’m giving them away.
Their premium content includes:
Growth systems top creators actually use
The team behind Write • Build • Scale just gave me 3 FREE one-month premium subscriptions (valued at $60)… and I’m giving them away.
Their premium content includes:
Growth systems top creators actually use
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.