Listology 101 with Solist.blog: An Interview with the Blog’s Founder
Solist.blog is a blog dedicated to exploring the world of lists and productivity. I’m excited to dive into this fascinating topic with its founder and editor-in-chief, German Tebiev. Before we begin, I’d like to acknowledge German’s keen eye for detail. As we were preparing for this interview, he graciously pointed out a typo in my Friendly Disclaimer and Approval message form, suggesting a correction from “punished” to “published”. This attention to detail speaks volumes about his exceptional editorial skills and gracious spirit.
Mana:
What drives your passion for writing about lists, and how do you keep your content fresh and engaging?
German:
During my life and career, I noticed that maintaining an additional order can lead to great results. The most vivid example is aviation. The whole aviation, from those who build the planes to those who fly, can’t operate without checklists. I also noticed that checklists and lists are usually overlooked as uninteresting instruments and hardly investigated. It means that they are yet to be fully uncovered. The mysterious tool bringing previously unimaginable results looks like a great topic to investigate. I use numerous materials. I use books, photos from the internet, discussions with people of different professions. They all inspire me.
Mana:
How has your relationship with lists evolved over time, and what have you learned about yourself in the process?
German:
Yes, it definitely evolved. 11 months ago, when I started the blog, I didn’t know as much about my topic as I do today. I was a practitioner, but I wasn’t familiar with scientific papers on checklists or the field of Listology, which emerged in 2017.
Mana:
What advice/tips would you give to me or other bloggers who may be struggling to stick to a posting schedule?
German:
You need to ensure that your environment is supportive enough to help you stick to your schedule. Lists or checklists can be helpful tools, but perhaps it’s essential to establish a conducive environment first.
Mana:
What’s the most personal or meaningful list you’ve ever created, and why is it significant to you?
German:
I hope my most personal list is yet to come. However, I do have a list outlining my book-reading process, which I import into my to-do application. This list reflects years of refining my approach to reading productively. Interestingly, it’s surprisingly concise.
Mana:
If lists could turn your wishes into reality, what would be the first things you’d want them to fulfill for you?
German:
They can definitely turn wishes into reality. There’s a concept called operational definition, which is essentially a list that defines something by outlining the steps to achieve it. For example, making a cup of tea can be broken down into simple steps: “take cup, put tea, add hot water”. We can apply this concept to various aspects of life, figuring out ways to improve and documenting the steps to achieve them in operational definitions — or lists.
Mana:
Do you think lists can be a reflection of our values, priorities, or personality traits? Why or why not?
German:
I think lists can be at least a rough approximation. Not everything can be easily put into words, but you can start by writing down a list and refining it over time.
Mana:
Can you share a time when a list didn’t work out as planned, and what you learned from the experience?
German:
I don’t recall any disastrous stories, but young lists often fail. However, failure is a lesson that you can use to enhance the lists. As lists mature by incorporating lessons learned, they become to fail less often.
Mana:
Can you share any notable milestones or achievements in your blogging journey?
German:
October was the first month when I started seeing daily visitors. Additionally, I began participating in the blogging community towards the end of 2024, and I’ve really enjoyed this experience.
Mana:
Which historical or contemporary person’s to-do list, would you be most curious to see, and why?
German:
Good question! I’m not sure, as I regularly come across successful people who don’t seem to rely on to-do lists. In fact, I’m not aware of any highly successful person who has a strong practice of using them.
Mana:
What’s your ultimate goal for your blog, and how do you see it evolving in the future?
German:
To become the world’s most renowned blog about lists and checklists.
Mana:
How do you approach creating content that spans multiple platforms, such as social media, and or potentially podcasting or You-Tube?
German:
I regularly post on Threads and create pins for Pinterest, although my presence is still relatively small for now.
I’d like to extend my thanks to German Tebiev for his thoughtful insights. To continue exploring German’s perspectives on productivity, lists, and more, visit the Solist.blog’s website and follow @Solist.Blog on other social channels.
This interview is a collaborative effort between myself, Mana W Rothstein, Solist.blog founder and editor-in-chief, German Tebiev, and the supportive staff at CHU Sainte-Justine. I would like to thank everyone involved for their invaluable support and assistance in making this interview a reality.
