🦆 The Rubber Duck Method

A simple productivity hack you’ve probably never heard of

Author

Flocus
January 07, 2024

Hey there! Happy New Year and welcome back to The Flow by Flocus. And to the 6,541 new subscribers this week, hello and welcome 👋 If you’re new here, you can catch up on our previous editions right here.

This week: We're diving into an unconventional but effective technique, The Rubber Duck Method. It’s popular in the developer community, but we’re repurposing it for anyone — whether you’re a student or working professional.

Let’s unpack it and give you actionable takeaways in less than a few minutes.

🦆 What’s the Rubber Duck Method?

The Rubber Duck Method (commonly known as Rubber Duck Debugging) originated from a story in the book “The Pragmatic Programmer”.

It involves explaining a problem or concept out loud, as if you were talking to a rubber duck.

This method is well known in the software engineering world, but can easily be applied in any area, whether it’s academic, professional, or personal.

Why it Works

By articulating your thoughts, you can often unravel complex issues or gain new insights:

  • Vocalizing your thought process forces you to break down complex ideas into simpler terms.

  • When you say something out loud, your sense of hearing can trigger your memory or comprehension differently.

  • You might identify any assumptions or overlooked details in your original thinking.

đź“‹ How to Implement It

Now that you know the power of the Rubber Duck Method, here’s how to make it a part of your daily routine:

  1. Pick your duck. Any object works, but having a designated “listener” can make the process feel more intentional. You can even get an actual mini rubber duck to keep on your desk to remind you to use the method!

  2. Incorporate it into your daily study or work routine, especially when tackling tough tasks. Even if you don’t always need it, try and use the method at least once a day to get into the habit.

  3. After explaining to your “duck”, take a moment to reflect on any new realizations or changes you may have come across. Jot down any notes in a bullet list while it’s fresh.

đź“š Real Life Examples

  • When studying, use a rubber duck (or any inanimate object) when you can’t wrap your head around a tough concept.

  • Read parts of any writing (like reports or essays) to your rubber duck to catch any spelling or grammar mistakes.

  • Stuck on a work project? Talk it through with your duck as a casual way to engage with the problem before asking your coworkers.

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🖥️ Use Flocus to start your year off on the right foot! It’s our free, browser-based dashboard for focus and ambience, featuring aesthetic backgrounds, a custom Pomodoro timer, and lots more.

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That’s it for this week! We hope the Rubber Duck Method helps you tackle any tough problems that come your way this week, and any other weeks ahead.

Until next Sunday,
Flocus Team