A Productive Conversation (Mike Vardy)

On this episode of the podcast, I spend time chatting with Paula Mosher Wallace. We spoke about the emotional component that needs to get considered when you’re trying to manage your time. It’s something that Paula feels gets cast aside in a world driven by the pursuit of productivity at all costs. I met Paula at Jeff Goins’s Tribe Conference and we spent a lunch break learning more about each other, something that led to me asking her to join me on the show. We touch on several of the discussion points we brought up during that lunch break but go deeper into things than we did on that day. Talking Points Paula shares her experience with productivity in business and her personal life Why (and how) Paula challenged me on my methodology and philosophy of TimeCrafting What Paula believes the “missing piece” is to most – if not all – time management systems When and where does the emotional time management piece come into play if one’s day was mapped out We look at strategies that you can use to keep going even when emotional turmoil shows up Why does Paula think people fight off their emotions when it comes to this kind of thing? What Paula recommends people do to get started with taking emotional time management into account The importance of finding whatever you need to use to help you keep your intentions front and center What’s one thing that someone can do right to get started with emotional time management? The things you can do to help you either work through or offset the toll that emotions can have on you Does Paula journal…and what are her thoughts on journaling? Quote “It’s understanding that I have long term and meaningful – kind of what I call ‘eternal’ goals – like my relationship with my children that is not a task.” Relevant Links Bloom In The Dark Tribe Conference Episode 215: Running Down a Dream with Tim Grahl Bloom Forward Journal You’ll find that I thought we’d be wrapping up this episode at about the 30 minute mark but Paula and I kept going. This episode is definitely more of a back-and-forth conversation than I usually deliver. I was so involved in the conversation because I feel the piece Paula is bringing to light is that crucial. Honestly, the big takeaway from this episode is that taking and making time to take emotional time management into account is important. Really important. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Daniel Gold of DEG Consulting pops by to talk with Mike about letting go, leaning in, and the primary thing you need to keep in mind that will help you take your work, life, and side projects to greater heights. Relevant Links http://degconsulting.net/ (DEG Consulting) http://www.degconsulting.net/bookstore/evernote (Evernote: The Unofficial Guide to Getting Things Done) http://amzn.to/1BunDF8 (Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action ) http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action (Simon's Famous TEDx Talk: How Great Leaders Inspire Action) http://twitter.com/degconsulting (Daniel Gold on Twitter) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email him at info@productivityist.com and he'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://www.patreon.com/Productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Courtney Carver, the person behind Be More with Less and author of Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More. A passionate and energetic speaker, Courtney shares to communities the power of simplicity in improving health, building meaningful relationships, and creating more joy in life. It goes without saying that we could all afford to be a little less stressed and more emotionally balanced. That’s why I’m sure you’ll find tons of value in this episode whatever you’ve got going on. Relevant Links: Courtney Carver Website Be More with Less Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More | Amazon Project 333 Courtney Carver | Twitter Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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For this episode, my guest is Stacy Tuschl of She’s Building Her Empire. Stacy is a business owner, philanthropist, in-demand speaker and business coach, author, wife, and mother. Her book Is Your Business Worth Saving? is a #1 International Bestseller which helps entrepreneurs to move towards success and do so without sacrificing time away from family. She started her first business at age 18 in her parents’ backyard and was able to grow it into a 7-figure business. As an entrepreneur herself, she understands what her clients experience and struggle with – her hands-on experience and realistic approach ensures that women achieve their business goals. Rescuing businesses and building empires are just some of what we’ve discussed. Other topics we’ve chatted about are: How her journey as an entrepreneur started, how coaches and mentors helped her in her business early on and how she realized her niche in the business. How meeting people with the same mentor yet in different phases and success levels of their businesses motivated her to write her book. Her reason to niche down and focus on women entrepreneurs with She’s Building Her Empire. Lessons learned, challenges her team faced and the groundwork involved with rebranding and shifting focus. The diverse stories of the guests in her show and why she decided despite being a female-oriented brand to have male guests on her podcast. Family and parenthood’s impact on her business, how her calendar, chunking, and theming the days enables her to accomplish more, and similar productivity systems I practice. How people can start to emulate Stacy’s systems through proactive and reactive work scheduling, and having a top 3 in the to-do list. The Mompreneur money map, how it works by simplifying things and implementing ideas, and how to get a free copy of it. Her advice to people waiting to launch their business ideas but lacks the confidence to do so. Relevant Links: She’s Building Her Empire | Stacy Tuschl Is Your Business Worth Saving by Stacy Tuschl Episode 140: How to Know When It’s Time to Rebrand | Stacy Tuschl Mompreneurs Money Map She's Building Her Empire | Facebook The Power of Chunking | Tony Robbins She’s Building Her Empire Live Meet Stacy | Stacy Tuschl Stacy Tuschl (@StacyTuschl) | Twitter Thanks for listening, until next time remember to stop guessing… and start going. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Brooks Duncan from DocumentSnap (a.k.a. The Paperless Guy) is this week’s guest on The Productivityist Podcast. We talked about many things, but primarily focused on the idea of backing up and going paperless. Brooks sets things straight on the concept of going paperless, which often people think means just not using paper at all. He also recounts how he fell into the paperless lifestyle, and how people can also choose to do the same with theirs. Brooks and I walk through the process of easing into the paperless life, its benefits, as well as recommended apps to help us all transition into this lifestyle. On this episode, we discussed: Brooks’ definition of ‘paperless’ and when did he decide to explore the paperless life. The best way of keeping track of the digital files upon switching to paperless. The framework / system / sample workflow to get it from paper to digital. Brooks’ thoughts the rise of digital-analog hybrid notebooks. What were the benefits of the digital space as well as its disadvantages and security. The launch of the second version of The Paperless Security Guide. Related Links DocumentSnap Evernote Scannable The Productivityist Podcast 52: Everything Evernote with Andrew Sinkov Slice Planner Rocketbook Wave Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow Paperless Security Guide Brooks Duncan (@documentsnap) | Twitter If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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In this special Flashback Friday episode, I’m revisiting a conversation I had with my long-time friend and the founder of Zen Habits, Leo Babauta. This episode offers timeless insights into slowing down, living intentionally, and focusing on what truly matters. In 2024, Leo and I caught up to reflect on how much – or how little – has changed since our initial conversation. His wisdom and practices remain as relevant today as they were back then.

If you're not familiar with Zen Habits, it's a blog that has stood the test of time. Over the years, Leo has shifted focus from pure productivity to a more holistic and sustainable approach to living. In this episode, we explore how those philosophies have evolved and deepened, and how they continue to serve us both personally and professionally.

Key Discussion Points

• The importance of slowing down and focusing on what truly matters in life and work
• How Leo manages his time with a large family and multiple projects without burning out
• The power of consistency versus sustainability in daily habits
• How Zen Habits has evolved as Leo's life has changed, but the core principles remain the same
• Leo’s approach to balancing digital tools and paper for organization
• The difference between productivity as efficiency and productivity as aligning intention and attention

As always, it's a pleasure to share these insights from my conversation with Leo. I’ve found that many of the lessons we discussed back in 2011 continue to resonate, especially as the pace of life and work increases. I hope you find these reflections valuable and that they inspire you to slow down and focus on what truly matters. (Originally recorded in 2011)

Links Worth Exploring

• Connect with Leo: Website | Instagram | X/Twitter
• Check out the Fearless Living Academy: Learn more
• Watch Leo's YouTube channel: Check it out
• Listen to Leo's podcast: Hear it here
• While you're listening: Check out Episode 299 of Cal Newport's podcast
• Related Conversation: Episode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport
• Related Blog Post: The Rushing Feeling: How to Hush it

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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In this episode, Mike talks with Dave Caolo of the podcast Home Work and the website Apple World Today about his newest hobby: tabletop gaming. They discuss the benefits of gaming in terms of helping with productivity and planning as well as offer some suggestions of games to check out. Relevant Links http://5by5.tv/homework (Home Work) http://www.appleworld.today/ (Apple World Today) https://unclutterer.com/author/david-caolo/ (Dave on Unclutterer) https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/9714/antoine-bauza (Antoine Bauza | Board Game Designer | BoardGameGeek) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7atuZxmT956cWFGxqSyRdn6GWhBxiAwE (Wil Wheaton's Tabletop on YouTube) http://amzn.to/1LfRMKD (Hey! That's My Fish!) http://amzn.to/1dgNeZi (Castle Panic) http://amzn.to/1cMiiPz (Pandemic) http://amzn.to/1JVVo3d (Forbidden Desert) http://amzn.to/1Fqey1x (Forbidden Island) http://amzn.to/1dgNuHK (Concept) https://cardsagainsthumanity.com/ (Cards Against Humanity) http://amzn.to/1EYUShq (Settlers of Catan) http://amzn.to/1cMiyOL (King of Tokyo) http://amzn.to/1FqeZJl (King of New York) http://amzn.to/1dgMWlh (Tokaido) https://www.youtube.com/user/WatchItPlayed (Watch It Played on YouTube) http://twitter.com/davidcaolo (Dave Caolo - Twitter) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more. (Opening tag from Wayne's World courtesy of Paramount Pictures.)

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We’re much closer to success than we think we are. Today’s guest Greg Reid will help you see what’s possible. Greg Reid is a fascinating character, and he’s testament to achieving great things despite the odds. Even with dyslexia, he is the ultimate master storyteller. He has been published in over 78 books, 32 bestsellers, five motion pictures, featured in many magazines, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s a highly sought-after keynote speaker, entrepreneur, with a strong win-win work ethic. I’m excited to catch up with Greg to learn more about his journey, and dive into his book Three Feet From Gold: Turn Your Obstacles into Opportunities!. Join us as we explore timeless authors, unexpected opportunities, and modernizing Napoleon Hill’s principles for success. Talking Points Why you need to stop planning The story behind the title Three Feet From Gold Why is Napoleon Hill synonymous with success? Greg’s CPC acronym for success Ways to stop us from getting in our own way An interesting path into filmmaking Being a dyslexic author Why you need to seek counsel, not opinion Quote “Seek counsel and not opinion.” Helpful Links The Napoleon Hill Foundation Think And Grow Rich | Amazon Episode 258: What You Can Learn from Napoleon Hill with Jeffrey Gitomer Getting Things Done | Amazon Wealth Made Easy | Amazon Think And Grow Rich ‘Stickability’ | Amazon Make-A-Wish Foundation Wish Man The Secret | Amazon You Were Born Rich | Amazon Rich Dad Poor Dad | Amazon The Millionaire Mentor | Amazon Chicken Soup For The Soul | Amazon Greg Reid’s Instagram Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Craig Kulyk. Craig writes about how to customize your morning to build better habits and be more productive. We spoke about intentionality, how routines set the tone for the day, how you can shift and adapt your rituals over time and more. Here are a few highlights from the show: The power of routines Building constraints (or you find yourself eating too many cookies) Starting points at building a routine The idea of sunk costs The role fear of missing out (FOMO) plays in our decision-making process Establishing breathing room or space into your morning routines Questions to ask that are causing challenges in your morning routine Planning your day The power of small changes Different things Craig has tried in his morning routine such as meditation, fasting, etc. Craig’s experience with the Tribe Conference Relevant Links Five Simple Strategies to Customize Your Morning Routine Start Here – Create Good Mornings What You Can Learn from Mike Vardy About Productivityist The Lesson of Sunk Costs (Applied to Morning Habits) Why You Shouldn’t Spend Time Journaling in the Morning (And What You Should Do Instead) 127 Morning Rituals – The Ultimate List to Customize Morning Routine Mike Vardy’s Morning Routine | My Morning Routine Mike Vardy’s Evening Routine | Evening Routines How Tribe Conference Can Change Your Life Craig Kulyk @craigkulyk | Twitter Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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My guest this week is Justin Jackson. He is a dad, husband, entrepreneur, coach, the founder of Megamaker, author of Jolt, the creator of Marketing for Developers and Tiny Marketing Wins, and overall serial maker. He aims to help people through the things they create. On this episode, we discussed the processes of making and/or modifying. We delved on his systems and approaches in the different initiatives and creations he is currently working on. Other areas we touched on includes: The story of how we met, a brief background of how he has always been involved in businesses and how he transitioned from non-profit, to consultancy, and finally – going solo with his independent projects. How getting married, having children and experiencing failure, affected his plans and initiatives. The process of starting up independently, which includes conceptualizing, case studies, exploring and being a serial maker – getting involved in different things which include his podcast, softwares, plugins, e-books, courses, and even merch. How and why he decided to zero-in on writing Jolt and finishing it in the span of a month. The concept of mind gremlins, how being less self-serving enabled him get rid of these, and other takeaways that people have from his two top products – Jolt and Marketing for Developers. Conducting a survey and how its findings gave him insights when he created Tiny Marketing Wins. His process when things must be put on the backburner or let go, and how he did this with his podcast. His hybrid approach when it comes to making, modifying and refreshing the systems, tricks, and hacks supported by continuous research and learning. A sample hack he shared in writing effective landing page copy and generating leads. Relevant Links: Justin Jackson | Make some stuff MegaMaker What has Justin made? | by @mijustin Jolt | Sell more by standing out Marketing for Developers | A guide to marketing your software, apps, and digital products Tiny Marketing Wins | Weekly marketing tactics for online businesses Watch for mind gremlins | by @mijustin Focus on your own shit | by @mijustin Learning with Justin Jackson | Productivityist We all want progress | by @mijustin Justin Jackson | YouTube Justin Jackson (@mijustin) | Twitter Thanks for listening, until next time remember to stop guessing… and start going. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Krish Ramineni, co-founder and CEO of Fireflies.ai. Krish has had an impressive journey—from being one of Microsoft’s youngest product managers to launching Fireflies, an AI-powered meeting assistant. He’s also been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and has guest lectured at Stanford on deep learning and machine learning.

We cover a lot in this conversation—how AI can enhance focus, how Krish avoids getting pulled into shiny object syndrome while building Fireflies, and what the future of AI-powered productivity looks like. If you’re curious about AI’s role in work and how to stay on track while scaling a business, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Key Discussion Points

• How Fireflies.ai helps people focus on what matters by automating meeting notes.
• Why AI should seamlessly integrate into workflows instead of requiring users to change habits.
• The balance between quantitative and qualitative work—and how AI can enhance both.
• How Krish resisted distractions and stayed committed to building Fireflies.ai instead of pivoting too soon.
• The role of AI in streamlining meetings and reducing unnecessary communication overhead.
• The challenge of maintaining focus while scaling a tech startup.
• Where AI is headed next and how people can leverage it for both efficiency and creativity.

This conversation is a must-listen if you’re interested in AI’s practical applications, how to use it to free up mental space, and what it takes to stay focused in an industry that’s always shifting.

Links Worth Exploring

• Connect with Krish: LinkedIn | Instagram
• Check out Fireflies.ai: Click here
• Learn more about Krish's story: Read it here
• Related Conversation: Episode 525: Mat Ellis Talks About Balancing Productivity and Personal Connection with AI
• Related Blog Post: The Speed of Right

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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This week on the podcast, I spend time with Justin Levy. I've known Justin for a few years now (although we only first met in person last year), and the story that has unfolded for him in the past few months has been very inspiring. Justin, who works for Citrix as Head of Global Social Media, is a young and active guy. In the late summer of 2014, he suffered a seizure. Then it gets even more unreal. "Once at the hospital I had another seizure. After conducting a MRI they found that I had a brain tumor sitting near the motor skills strip and in front of the speech pathways. It would be a few days before they realized that I had dislocated and fractured shoulders." Justin's been chronicling his recovery progress at his blog, Built Unstoppable. It reveals his story and everything that has occurred during this turbulent time. After you're done listening to our conversation, you should check out the blog. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

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I haven’t talked to Carl Honoré for some time so it was a real treat when he joined me on this episode of The Productivityist Podcast. Carl is the author of such books as “In Praise of Slow” and “The Slow Fix”, and his TEDx Talk on slowness has been viewed 2.7 million times. His latest book “Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives”, tackles aging and the stigma around it. While most of society either tries to reverse time or fears growing old, Carl and I embrace the concept of aging. On this episode, we discuss how the idea of aging is evolving, why slowing down is good, and why retirement age is the perfect time to work towards creative pursuits and self-improvement in this “Golden Age of Aging”. Talking Points A decades’ worth of catching up with Carl Carl’s hockey game epiphany about aging and the cult of youth Moving away from the life path straitjacket and towards defining one’s life via values and tastes Riding the gray wave: A take on aging, retirement, and focusing on what matters Embracing technology, continuous learning, and busting myths that come with aging Counterintuitive ways of living bolder towards happiness and well-being Watch your words: How language can impact how we live our lives The play on words on the book title Bolder and what it aims to accomplish Quote “What’s happening now culturally is we’re throwing all those pieces up in the air and they’re coming back down again in a way that gives people the freedom, permission, space, and right to define what their life is going to look like at every stage.”  Relevant Links Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives | Amazon Steve Dotto | The Productivityist Podcast Carl Honoré This episode offers a refreshing take on aging and serves to make each one of us a little bit more optimistic about what it can bring. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Jeffrey Gitomer joins me on this episode of the program. Jeffrey is the author of 15 best-selling books. He’s a creative, on-the-edge, writer and speaker whose expertise on sales, customer loyalty, and personal development is world renowned. Known for presentations, seminars, and keynote addresses that are funny, insightful, in your face, real world, off the wall, and on the money. Given exclusive access to the archives of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, Jeffrey’s most recent book is called Truthful Living: The First Writings of Napoleon Hill. It is the very foundation of Napoleon Hill’s self-help legacy: his long-lost original notes, letters, and lectures—now compiled, edited, and annotated for the modern reader. The focus of our conversation revolves around his book and his vast knowledge and understanding of Hill’s work. Talking Points Jeffrey offers a personal example of how he gets into the right mindset through mindfulness This is what Jeffrey does that most people don’t do to tap into productivity These are the only things that Jeffrey gets notified on…and he reveals how he mitigates the distractions that notifications can occur Jeffrey shares what Napoleon Hill was spending his time on leading up to his later success Listen to a passage from the book discussing “The 5 Point Rule’ What Hill would look at instead of productivity as a measuring stick How does Jeffrey keep himself from spreading himself too thin? This is what shocked Jeffrey when he was putting Truthful Living together Who to look to for timeless personal development advice instead of the latest writings on the subject Jeffrey discusses the sales tactics that don’t work any longer – including qualifying customers How can someone escape the grip of over complicating things? We talk about the concept of work-life balance and the lessons that Hill shares regarding that concept Jeffrey shares his thoughts on the importance of communication and how he’s used communication effectively Quote “Don’t look for the shortcut. Take the ‘longcut.’ The longcut will get you there a hell of a lot faster than the shortcut.” Relevant Links Truthful Living: The First Writings of Napoleon Hill Outliers: The Story of Success Jeffrey Gitomer’s Sales Manifesto The 106 Year Old Problem Self-Help Character Ryan Holiday on Medium Gitomer.com It's clear that much - if not all - of the advice related to time management and productivity has been around for a long time. I've discussed it on my blog and Jeffrey drives that point home through sharing the insights of Napoleon Hill. You don't need to look to articles online or shared posts on Facebook to discover what you can do to better yourself in these areas. The good stuff has been out there for a while now. That stuff is timeless. Spend time looking into the work of the past and you'll find ways to better shape your future. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Chaos is a constant. So what can you do to embrace life’s ebb and flow? Nicola Taggart joins the show to share her latest tips. Nicola Taggart is a life and leadership success strategist, coach, consultant, speaker, and author. Nicola helps people discover a more centered and conscious approach to life that increases their presence both in life and in their career. Through her well-being programs, Calm Your Chaos journal and cards, Nicola helps you take stock of what’s going on in your life. We discuss how we can embrace chaos. From implementing timeless habits, powerful journaling prompts, to visual triggers – this episode will help you beat overwhelm. Talking Points The concept of Calm The Chaos How Nicola structures the journal The role of Calm The Chaos Cards in Nicola’s life Grounding activities Quote “What is the experience you want to feel?” Helpful Links Calm the Chaos Journal Calm the Chaos Cards The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor Episode 265: Bringing Gratitude with Karl Staib Episode 123: Broadcasting Happiness with Michelle Gielan Write It All Down Freewrite NicolaTaggart.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

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On this episode of the show, I speak with New York Times best-selling author Dan Schawbel. Dan is the author of Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation and the host of the 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel podcast. He’s also Partner and Research Director at Future Workplace, and the Founder of both Millennial Branding and WorkplaceTrends.com. Dan and I have a history back when I was the Managing Editor of Lifehack and while we’ve never spoken prior to this episode, we were able to jump into a lively conversation about using technology as a bridge to more human conversations rather than making it a barrier, how technology can also help deepen relationships, the importance of getting out to events and gatherings that push your comfort zones, and more. Relevant Links Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation | Dan Schawbel The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains | Nicholas Carr How our 269 billion emails a day have made us miserable | Fast Company Introduction to Back to Human [FREE DOWNLOAD] The Back to Human Office Party [Comedy Sketch] | YouTube “5 Questions with Dan Schawbel” podcast Dan’s Website I had a great time chatting with Dan. There’s a lot to unpack in this episode and plenty of things that you can try to get “back to human” and I encourage you to try some of those things today. I also encourage you to share this episode and subscribe to the show. If you’re open to rating and reviewing the podcast, that’s even better. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Jordan Bower. We talk about the power of story, his approach to storytelling, and much more (including a mention of one of my favourite storytellers, Steven Pressfield). Jordan is a strategic storyteller now based in my hometown of Victoria. We had a chance to meet up for the first time at Social Media Camp and had a great face-to-face conversation and I was excited to carry that over to the podcast. (He also has a fascinating story to tell of his own and he shares elements of it in this episode.) Relevant Links Jordan Bower: Strategic Storytelling & Corporate Intimacy Expert About Jordan Bower Brush with death made Jordan Bower get serious about photos | Toronto Star Storytelling Approach | Jordan Bower Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer | Amazon Rohdesign | Mike Rohde Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off | TED.com Writing Wednesdays: The Hero’s Journey in Real Life | Steven Pressfield Jordan Bower (@jordan__bower) | Twitter If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode, I spent time with Kris McPeak. Kris is the author of “Elevate Your 8: 21 Days to Prosperous Time Management” and the CEO of SilverPeak Development, an online career coaching community. During the day she also works at the foundation of a community college. Kris loves swimming, knitting, binge-watching TV, and learning new things. Kris McPeak is a self-appointed guru on work-life balance and finding your dream job. Kris worked successfully and happily in higher education, specifically College Housing. She came to a point in her career where the late hours and high touch students are parents started sucking the life out of her. Kris made a claim that she was going to be a housing officer who worked a 40 hour work week and stick to it. According to Kris McPeak’s book, Elevate Your 8: 21 Days to Prosperous Time Management, productivity and time management success comes down to simple math. There are 24 workable hours in every day. Work 8 hours. Sleep 8 hours. What’s left? 8 Hours. How do you be more productive and manage your time? You elevate your 8.   Talking Points What are the “8”?  What can be done with hours after the “8”?  On measuring time spent on doing things  Things that needs to be done now vs. Things that can be done later  Scheduling the weekend  The concept of pairing activities and journaling things  What can one do to help them elevate their 8?  Quote “If we are only working 8 hours a day and we are getting a full 8 hours of sleep at night, what remains is 8 hours. So when I say elevate your 8, that is where you are taking the time to prioritize and utilize those other 8 hours to really ramp up your time management and productivity.”  Relevant Links: Website Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Pinterest Book: Elevate Your 8: 21 Days to Prosperous Time Management The key takeaway from this episode is that if one works only 8 hours a day and sleeps 8 hours a day, then time management boils down to that “Other 8” and that’s usually where people get tripped up. People should think of time as money and prioritize their “spending” because there truly are only 24 usable hours every day. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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As a specialist in delivering presentations and workshops to empower leaders, I’m excited to share with you today’s guest Dave Delaney – an expert on being nice. Today Dave Delaney joins the show, creator of the NICE Method™. He’s a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and the author of the acclaimed book, New Business Networking. He’s worked with the likes of Google, LinkedIn and UPS. I’m excited to speak with the fellow Canadian and comedy fan, to learn more about his approach to simply being… well, nice. We know the world could do with more of that! Tune in as we discuss practising empathy, the “Yes, and…” mindset, being open-minded – and my love for Ted Lasso on Apple TV. Talking Points Leaning into ‘niceness’ Dealing with jerks The link between happiness and niceness How to not treat it as a throwaway word Being authentically nice The skill in considering other people’s opinions and beliefs The NICE Method™ framework The impact of music Quote “First and foremost, be nice to yourself.” Helpful Links Ted Lasso Brené with Jason Sudeikis & Brendan Hunt on Ted Lasso How to Fend Off a Jerk The Master Communicator’s Secret Weapon Episode 274: Humor That Works with Andrew Tarvin Nice Maker Newsletter DaveDelaney.me Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

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This week on the podcast I speak with the founder and CEO of Doist (the makers of Todoist), Amir Salihefendic. We discuss what prompted him to create Todoist, what system he uses to complete his tasks, and dive deeper into what it’s like to work on developing a task management application in today’s age. Relevant Links Todoist Systemist: A modern productivity workflow | Todoist Blog How to create sub-tasks? | Todoist Todoist Business Amir Salihefendic (@amix3k) | Twitter As a special bonus, the promo code "Productivityist" can now be redeemed at todoist.com/redeem for 3 months of free premium. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also, don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with Dai Manuel. Dai is the author of The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto and during this episode we talk about the relationship between health, wellness, and productivity and what his book and work does to promote making the most of this relationship. Relevant Links Going One Year No Beer with Andy Ramage and Ruari Fairbairns | The Productivityist Podcast The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto 10% Happier by Dan Harris | Amazon How to Use The Tough Mudder Pledge to Succeed in Everyday Life | Productivityist Dai Manuel’s Blog about How to Live a Functionally Fit Life The Moose is Loose Weekly Digest | Dai Manuel Dai Manuel (@daimanuel) | Twitter If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This week on the podcast, Chris Ducker joins me for another value-packed episode! Chris is a serial entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, and the founder of Youpreneur.com. He just released a new book titled Rise of The Youpreneur which I truly believe will be a bestseller. We had a fantastic conversation. Here are a few specific topics we covered: The rise of the Youpreneur and what that means What it takes to be a Youpreneur The role of hard work or hustle How to course correct The importance of self-awareness What Chris is focusing on right now Why you should wear your heart on your sleeve Relevant Links: Rise of the Youpreneur | Amazon Purchase Rise of the Youpreneur here to get special bonus ChrisDucker.com | Helping Entrepreneurs Become More Productive and Profitable Youpreneur: The Entrepreneurial Community Where Nobody Gets Left Behind How to Launch a Book Guerilla-Style | Page Two Strategies Youpreneur Mike Vardy | Google Search The Productivityist Podcast: Fostering Your Inner Youpreneur with Chris Ducker | Productivityist Supercharging Your Entrepreneurial Productivity with Mike Vardy | ChristDucker.com Reshaping, Rebuilding and Rebranding Your Business with Mike Vardy | ChrisDucker.com Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This week on the show I'm joined by Ari Meisel of Leverage. We talk about what task management app Ari uses (the answer will surprise you), the art of optimization, automation, and outsourcing, and more tips and tricks you can use to help you make more great things happen by doing less. Relevant Links Leverage | Ari Meisel Evernote FollowUp.cc Slack IFTTT Zapier Blue Blocking Sunglasses | Amazon A Complimentary Less Doing Coaching Call Cylon Compendium Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On today’s episode, I spent time with Owen Video. Owen creates livestream and YouTube strategies for brands including show concept, talent, and marketing strategy. His clients’ shows have been recognized as best in class – and with Owen they continue to push the limit in discovering what’s possible with online video. Owen started the Video Marketing School so that business owners could learn how to generate sales with video. It all started going door-to-door. In 2010, the business community hadn’t even heard of YouTube and the opportunity to reach a marketplace through social media. This is where Owen’s online education began – knocking on doors to offer business video marketing for $20. In one day, he had done 17 videos and he knew he was on to something.  Before long, many of these companies were asking for help with websites, social media, and lead generation. So Owen took the money he was making and invested heavily into online marketing courses, coaching, books, events, and trainings, that would grow his skills and turn him into the masterful marketing machine that he is today.  This was also the time that Owen was creating viral videos. He wrote and produced a series of short films for use in Christian media. Specifically, sermon illustrations, home study videos, and apologetic resources. Many of those videos went viral and some have been purchased for use all over the US. Owen still earn royalties on those films to this day.    Talking Points What propelled Owen Video to dive into the video space?  The journey of producing YouTube videos before as compared to now  Getting the process in place for someone who wants to create a video  How does one get away from the allure of doing a podcast, blog, video, etc. all at the same time?  What did facing cancer teach Owen?  On scheduling using a calendar and time management How to get started making or creating videos Quote “We believe in the market leader approach. Video is just video unless you are trying to be a market leader and that is what we want.” Relevant Links: Website Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube The key takeaway from this episode that productivity, like in many aspects of our work and lives, really does play a role in making videos. Owen knows this and has developed a way to make sure productivity is part of the production process. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Today’s guest is Dr. Mary Lamia – a clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst and the author of the new book What Motivates Getting Things Done. We spoke about why it is important to have ways to create absolute deadlines, the role emotions have in personal productivity, the nature of distraction and more. Some of the topics we discuss include: How specific deadlines combined with accountability can help Task driven people vs. procrastinators Why emotions are what really motivate us A fear of failure is significantly present among those who are successful Why shame anxiety is a powerful motivation too Why distractions are not a bad thing The importance of focusing your stress Relevant Links: Mary Lamia | Website What Motivates Getting Things Done Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csiksszentmihalyi | Amazon How Procrastinators Get Things Done | Psychology Today Mary Lamia @drlamia | Twitter Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On today’s episode, I spent time again with Marc and Angel Chernoff. Marc and Angel Chernoff are New York Times bestselling authors, professional coaches, full-time students of life, admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Through their blog, books, course and coaching, they’ve spent the past decade writing about and teaching proven strategies for finding lasting happiness, success, love, and peace. Lauren and I talked about introspection, fears, making and keeping promises (and Hugh Jackman!). She practically gave me a coaching session on this episode and this conversation ought to prepare you the next time you have a setback. Talking Points Getting on our own way: An anecdote on taking on too much Overcoming the new human experience filled with what’s wrong and fear The relativity of success Working on spiritual, emotional, and physical integrity Beginning at the end and small things that bring macro results I am doing the right thing: Stop asking and start doing and being Setting up consequences to keep promises and be productive Making your dark side work for the good guys Keeping your promises as a way of challenging fear Quote “When you have a big enough dream and you pick the five most important things for you to accomplish but you believe in the whole, there’s magic that will happen so other things happen while you are doing the five things.” Relevant Links Maybe It’s You: Cut the Crap. Face Your Fears. Love Your Life. | Amazon Laughing Man Coffee InnerU Lauren Zander Website Lauren Zander Facebook Lauren Zander Twitter Lauren Zander Instagram This episode will help you face your fears, get through the setbacks, and set your goals. A lot of what we touched on just scratches the surface and if you want more from Lauren, check out her website and her book.  Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode, I’m joined once again by Laura Vanderkam, a fellow productivity specialist. Laura is the author of several books, including The New Corner Office: How the Most Successful People Work from Home. I wanted to talk about productivity with someone who speaks my language, and Laura certainly fits that bill. She’s penned a book that is designed to help people not only survive working from home… it’s a book that will help people thrive while working from home. We talk about what it’s like to be thrust into a “work from home” situation, why right now might just be the best time to take on that monumental project, and much more. This episode is well worth your time… I know you’ll enjoy our conversation!   Talking Points Laura explains why she chose to write this book right now What led Laura to writing this book? Why does Laura advise you manage by task rather than time? How important does Laura thinks self-care in the work environment is during times like these? Laura shares insights on how she thinks people can embrace their own needs more while working from home Laura talks about her chapter that touches on “thinking big” How does Laura think people can continue to track their time while working from home? How can one work from home and parent from home and still bring their best selves to both? Laura gives one action you can take to start building your own “at home” work life Quote “Working from home is a skill.” Helpful Links The New Corner Office: How the Most Successful People Work from Home Episode 202: Off the Clock with Laura Vanderkam Curious with Josh Peck: James Clear We have a lot more time now. So why can’t we get anything done? | The Washington Post lauravanderkam.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Mike sits down with Patrick Rhone to talk about Rick Rubin, his Dash/Plus system, and a bunch of other cool stuff in the first of the regular "Free Time with Patrick Rhone" series on the podcast. Relevant Links http://boingboing.net/2014/10/22/rick-rubin-looks-back-at-the-b.html (Boing Boing: Rick Rubin looks back at the birth of hip-hop) https://twitter.com/patrickrhone/status/524947562894094336 (Twitter: Patrick on Rick Rubin) http://patrickrhone.com/2014/10/26/a-successful-plan/ (Patrick Rhone: A Successful Plan) http://patrickrhone.com/dashplus/ (The Dash/Plus System) http://www.thecramped.com/the-baron-fig-apprentice-a-brief-review/ (Review: The Baron Fig Apprentice) http://patrickrhone.com/ (Patrick's Website) http://twitter.com/patrickrhone/ (Patrick on Twitter) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email him at podcast@productivityist.com and he'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://www.patreon.com/Productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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After reading a comment on YouTube about how to earn a good income without a boring job, today’s guest Joe Barnes made it his mission to find a framework that enables this. Hint: there are three ways. When I left my full-time job at Costco, it felt like a giant leap. So I was excited to have Joe Barnes on the show to hear more about his Three Paths to pursuing your dream job. He set up Escape The System – a resource for entrepreneurs, dreamers, and world-changers. He’s also the author of Do The Work You Love. By freeing your mind from society’s conditioning and finding a passion, you’re on track to living the life you want. Tune in as we learn how to escape boring jobs, how he strategically became an author – his dream job – and what he learnt from two ridiculous tennis matches. Talking Points The boring job Joe did What do we actually mean by “choosing your passion”? The Three Paths Advice to the adventurous who go ‘all-in’ with a change How to stop your passions from fizzling away Dealing with fear when making the career change Advice to people who think it’s ‘past their time’ Lessons learnt from being a tennis coach Joe’s relationship with time Quote “There’s something inside of you that needs expression.” Helpful Links Do The Work You Love | Amazon Episode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport Episode 73: Deep Work with Cal Newport So Good They Can’t Ignore You | Amazon ‘Follow Your Passion’ Is Bad Advice Beau Carnes’ blog post Episode 251: Being a Late Bloomer with Rich Karlgaard Episode 234: Bolder with Carl Honoré What 2 Ridiculous Tennis Matches Taught Me About Mental Toughness And Life The Inner Game of Tennis | Amazon The Score Takes Care of Itself | Amazon EscapeTheSystemNow.com  Screw The System YouTube Channel Joe’s Instagram Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with my friend Kendra Wright. We talk about how we each treat fear, our to do lists, our calendars, and a whole lot more. One of the biggest takeaways from this discussion was how I look at fear and treat as the enemy and how Kendra treats it as if it is her friend. Neither way is wrong or right, but you’ll hear how our approaches differ and why they work for us. Relevant Links Hey Kendra | Kendra’s Website “No, Fear.” -|Productivityist What I Learned About Fear From 700+ Comfort Zone Challenges | Hey Kendra How Colour Can Help You Get the Right Things Done | Productivityist Think Better, Live Better The 106 Year Old Problem | Productivityist Kendra W. (@freehighfives) | Twitter Take The Comfort Zone Challenge If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This episode is the latest in our monthly PM Talks series, where Patrick Rhone and I go deep on foundational elements of productiveness. And for this one—our 600th episode, no less—we dive into a topic that touches everything from our to-do lists to our dinner prep: focus.

What does it really mean to focus? And more importantly, how do we hold onto it when the world (and our brains) are pulling us in a million directions? Patrick and I get personal, philosophical, and practical in this candid conversation about the mechanics, challenges, and beauty of attention.

Six Discussion Points

• Why clarity is essential for cultivating focus
• How poor planning can derail your ability to be present (and how to get back on track)
• The four spheres of attention: Noticing, Awareness, Focus, and Concentration
• How setting an intention—before a task or even a class—can sharpen your results
• The role of tools, routines, and even AI in maintaining (or stealing) our attention
• Why focus is as much about space as it is about time

3 Connection Points

• Patrick's blog
• Ted Lasso's "Be Curious" Scene
• The Center Must Hold (but can it?)

Focus isn’t just about removing distractions—it’s about choosing what matters and committing to it with clarity and care. Whether we’re talking about planning meals or choosing how to use AI, what Patrick and I come back to again and again is this: the quality of your attention determines the quality of your experience. And we hope this conversation helps you experience more of what really matters.

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Do you want to live in an apartment with a jacuzzi in Manhattan – for free? Jen Mazer did that for 10 years (and so much more) – all through the power of manifestation. Jen Mazer (a.k.a. the Queen of Manifestation) is a transformational speaker and coach, teaching people how to manifest their dreams and goals while making an impact on the world. She is the creator of the board game Sparked, and is also the author of the book Manifesting Made Easy: How to Harness the Law of Attraction to Get What You Really Want. Manifesting gave Jen the chance to experience some of the most outrageous adventures – like attending a cocktail party hosted by Martin Scorsese, getting published in the New York Times, and even paying off debt. Jen's the guest on this episode and she’ll share the power of manifestation in her life and how it can do the same for you. We chatted about her background, the law of attraction, resistance, and even touched a bit on quantum physics. Here’s a rundown of what we covered during our conversation: How she started in this niche and how her friends came up with the moniker "Queen of Manifestation". The skepticism and misconception that manifesting is solely about visualization and meditation, how productivity and action factors in, and why she isn’t a proponent of working too hard. Her metaphor on how placing an order of the food you want in a restaurant is what manifesting is like to your life. The importance of trusting your dreams as it could be foreshadowing what the universe wants for you, despite the limitations like not having time, experience, money. The idea of seeing resistance as proof of movement and change, and obstacles as opportunities to experience new things. The law of polarity, fostering awareness through what you want and don’t want, and reframing your intentions by positioning them so that they are positive and open to possibilities. Reframing task management from “have to”, to “need to” to “get to” to make each task more impactful. How her book breaks down manifesting concepts and techniques allowing anyone employ them, and the power of positivity and feeling positive inside before it even manifests. What sparked the creation of the board game she co-created with her friend and how it is able to promote happiness, gratitude, inspiration and love Simple and easy ways to start manifesting, and a story of how an affirmation she wrote years ago manifested in her life. Relevant Links Queen of Manifestation Manifesting Made Easy Strategies for Getting Clear on Your Vision | Queen of Manifestation How to Deal with Resistance | Queen of Manifestation Manifesting Made Easy by Jane Mazer | Amazon Sparked: The game with inspiration, heart & hilarity Queen of Manifestation | Facebook Jen Mazer (@JenMazer) | Twitter Jen Mazer (@jenmazer) | Instagram Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Clarity Coach Jenna Britton is here to help you find more clarity, so you can take action with more purpose and intention. As a self-proclaimed “soulful storyteller”, Jenna Britton is a writer, coach and speaker. Finding Human Design was integral to helping Jenna find — and begin truly living — her life with clarity and ease. So in 2020, she began offering coaching sessions designed and aligned to help people like you understand how parts of your Human Design chart can clarify your purpose — what you’re here to do (and how you’re here to do it). As a fellow writer, I enjoyed discussing with Jenna about the writing process. Tune in to this episode as we unpack internal processing, looking back through old journals, the comedian’s mind, and goosebump moments. And this conversation is by no means just for writers – it will help give you direction if you feel stuck in any area. Talking Points What you get through clarity coaching Finding harmony with clarity and communication The value of journaling Writing creative non-fiction Having a clear intention How to lift the fog of resistance Quote “Clarity comes from action.” Helpful Links Episode 361: Being a Multipotentialite with Vanessa Tharp ‘Wild’ by Cheryl Strayed Baron Fig Jerry Seinfeld: Comedian BraveEnoughToBe.com JennaBritton.com Jenna’s Instagram Brave Enough To Be’s Instagram The BIG Ready 2022 Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

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In this episode, Mike talks about why he still loves and uses paper. He also talks about several paper-based approaches worth exploring, including Ryder Carroll's Bullet Journal and his own creation: The Strikethrough System. Relevant Links http://patrickrhone.com/dashplus/ (The Dash/Plus System by Patrick Rhone) http://www.neuyear.net/products/pre-sales-beta-week-dominator (The Week Dominator by NeuYear) http://bulletjournal.com/ (Bullet Journal by Ryder Carroll) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1562027630/bullet-journal-journaling-at-the-speed-of-life (Bullet Journal — Kickstarter) http://www.eisenhower.me/ (EISENHOWER.me) http://www.1101.com/store/techo/2015/planner/detail_cover/c_hpr.html (Hobonichi Planner Book) http://davidseah.com/node/the-emergent-task-planner/ (The Emergent Task Planner by Dave Seah) http://www.productiveflourishing.com/free-planners/ (Free Planners from Productive Flourishing) http://relay.fm/penaddict (The Pen Addict) http://www.productivityist.com/blog/the-strikethrough-system (The Strikethrough System by Productivityist) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email him at podcast@productivityist.com and he'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://www.patreon.com/Productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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On this episode of the podcast, I talk about the importance of planning – and why August is the month that I give planning my overarching focus. Helpful Links How to Make Better New Year’s Resolutions The NOW Year Action Plan Happy New Year! (or Why I Start My New Year on September 1st) Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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After a lengthy thread on Twitter that debated what contexts were (and weren't), Mike invites some of the participants to discuss their thoughts on contexts in more detail in the second of two episodes on the subject. This episode's guests are Mike's old podcasting partner Michael Schechter and Lee Garrett. Relevant Links https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/13 (The Contexts Conversations: Part One) http://bettermess.com/ (A Better Mess) http://twitter.com/mschechter (Michael Schechter on Twitter) http://bit.ly/PNcontexts (What Keeps Me Highly Productive: A Productivityist Newsletter on Contexts) http://soliamsays.com/ (SoliamSays) http://twitter.com/soliamsays (Lee Garrett on Twitter) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email him at podcast@productivityist.com and he'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://www.patreon.com/Productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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Smartsheet has been a player in the task management and project management space for a long time, and on this episode of the podcast Mike speaks with Brent Frei, the founder and VP of Marketing at Smartsheet. They talk about the present (and future) state of productivity, the subject of email, and why a smarter spreadsheet may very well be the best tool you can use to help you get things done. Related Links Brent Frei | Smartsheet Corwin Hiebert | Managing Creative People + Creative Projects Smartsheet Wins First Place for “Best Microsoft Office 365 App” Smartsheet.com Brent Frei (@B_Frei) | Twitter Brent Frei | LinkedIn Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Deep work can easily feel overwhelming, so we put it off. In this episode we dissect how you can make it meaningful to you, and apply it to any area of your life. We’re only human – we can’t achieve everything on one single day. Instead, it takes steady increments that lead us to the desired results. Today’s guest Cristina Roman has taught her clients this very philosophy. She’s a Certified Life Coach, deep work extraordinaire, and coaches clients on overcoming procrastination.  By small actions, and focusing on results, we get deep into the good stuff, and less of the procrastinating tasks. Tune in as we unpick her favourite books, second order thinking, and why ‘prudence’ is my word. Talking Points Getting into a deep work state within 15 minutes Stand out learning from Cal Newport’s book ‘Deep Work’ Overcome deep work overwhelm Apply deep work to your personal life Deep work for group tasks Using evidence to beat procrastination How our language impacts our beliefs and behaviours How much procrastination can you “afford”? The fear of making the “right or wrong” decision Actionable steps to move away from procrastination Quote “Slow down to speed up.” Helpful Links PiqueCoaching.co/DeepWork  Deep Work | Amazon The Life Coach School  Atomic Habits | Amazon Episode 227: Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear Episode 266: Becoming Indistractable with Nir Eyal Second-Order Thinking: What Smart People Use to Outperform Ziva Meditation Muse Meditation Stress Less, Accomplish More | Amazon Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This week on the show I welcome my friend Shawn Blanc, creator of The Focus Course. We have a deep discussion about intentionality, being attentive, the creative process, productivity, and – fittingly – focus. Relevant Links The Awareness Building Class The Focus Course Tools and Toys Delight is in the Details 2 Experts Share Exactly How to Use a Productivity Journal (& Increase Productivity by 23%) | The Fizzle Show 99 Shawn Blanc (@shawnblanc) | Twitter Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Fifteen years into her journey of simplicity, Courtney Carver continues to inspire people to do more with less. In this special Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, we revisit a past conversation from March 2020 about Project 333, her minimalist fashion challenge that has helped thousands streamline their wardrobes and their lives. But before that, we catch up on her latest book, Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want.

Courtney and I discuss the natural evolution of her work, moving from simplifying physical spaces to creating mental and emotional spaciousness. She shares the origin story of Gentle, which began with a 3 AM epiphany, and why she believes we need to rethink our relationship with time and space. Then, we dive into the practicalities of Project 333, its impact beyond decluttering closets, and how it can lead to greater peace and clarity in everyday life.

Key Discussion Points

• How Gentle came to life and why simplicity isn’t just about stuff—it’s about creating space.
• The evolution of Courtney’s work from Soulful Simplicity to Project 333 to Gentle.
• The hidden emotional weight of clutter and how removing physical items can lighten mental loads.
• Why spaciousness—physical, mental, and emotional—is something we rarely talk about but deeply need.
• The common misconception that Project 333 is only for women and how anyone can benefit from a curated wardrobe.
• Decision fatigue, the power of limiting choices, and how a minimalist wardrobe can reduce daily stress.
• Practical tips for starting Project 333, dealing with sentimental items, and handling gifts that don’t align with a simpler lifestyle.

Courtney's approach to simplicity is thoughtful, actionable, and, above all, gentle. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by too much—whether it’s in your schedule, your home, or your mind—this conversation will give you both practical steps and fresh perspectives on what truly matters. (Originally released March 2020)

Links Worth Exploring

• Connect with Courtney: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
• Get Courtney's book: Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want
• Get Courtney's book: Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really is So Much More
• Weed Out the Clothes You Don’t Wear with a Simple Hanger Trick
• Everything You Need to Know About Project 333
• Related Conversation: Episode 75: Soulful Simplicity with Courtney Carver
• Related Blog Post: Do You Want Fast Or Do You Want Forever?

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Jeff Goins is out to prove that real artists don't have to starve. In fact, he is out to prove that they can thrive in his latest book Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age. My wife and I had the chance to spend time with Jeff at Tropical Think Tank in early 2017 and we had some fantastic conversations surrounding artistry, writing, business, family, and more. While I've hung out with Jeff at other events (including Chris Guillebeau's World Domination Summit), getting to know him better in Cebu was one of the highlights of my time there. Some of the things we discussed in this episode include the idea of how he is able to be so prolific and deliver quality at the same time, why stealing can be something an artist can do, why collaboration can be a good thing – or even the best thing – for the thriving artist, what role mindset and money have in the life of an artist, and more. Relevant Links Real Artists Don't Starve | DontStarve.com     Jeff Goins's Website | GoinsWriter.com   Why You Need to Take Personal Productivity Personally | Productivityist  @JeffGoins | Twitter  Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This week on the program I’m joined by a guest I’ve been looking to chat with for a long time. Francesco D’Alessio runs Keep Productive, a YouTube show dedicated to helping people find the most suitable productivity software for their work and life needs. From helping decision making to curbing switching, Keep Productive is passionate about helping you make long-term decisions about your software. I remember the days of keeping up with all the latest and greatest productivity news and app updates. There came a time when I decided that wasn’t going to be in my long-term plans, so I moved away from that kind of content (for the most part). Francesco, however, is another story. He loves doing exactly that: sharing all the productivity news and app-related content as possible, as evidenced by his extremely popular YouTube channel. During our discussion we get into why he enjoys producing content around apps and productivity news, how he maps out his content plan, and so much more. Talking Points Francesco shares his “productivity origin” story This is what Francesco looks for in an app that he showcases on his YouTube channel What does Francesco define as productivity news? How does he decide what to share? These are the tools that Francesco actually uses We talk about the way forward with transitioning between apps that avoid friction and promote flow This is what Francesco has used in the past and he shares why he moved away from them What about paper? We discuss Francesco’s content workflow How does Francesco deal with content that can become dated? Francesco shares THE productivity app that you should keep your eye on Quote “Tools are going to change you marginally… but it’s really the approach and the methodology that matter.” Helpful Links Keep Productive on YouTube Notion Made Simple Notion Office Hours with Mike Vardy Thomas Frank’s Notion Video Matt Ragland on YouTube Beyond The To Do List #290 – Distractions: Nir Eyal on Becoming Indestractable The Productivityist Podcast #266: Becoming Indistractable with Nir Eyal Francesco on Twitter The Productivityist Podcast Pick of The Week: The Freenoter It’s always gratifying to talk with someone as enthusiastic about productivity as me, and it’s not very often that I get to “geek out” about apps since I’ve largely moved away from creating that kind of content. That’s why I really enjoyed this conversation with Francesco. He knows his stuff and he’s a rising star in the productivity space. I can’t wait to see how the rest of his journey unfolds. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by my friend Angela Crocker. Angela is the author of The Content Planner and Declutter Your Data. We spend the majority of our conversation diving deep into digital decluttering strategies. Some of the specifics of our discussion include the way you can declutter Your apps (which may not mean deleting them), how to streamline your digital calendar, redundancy and intention, dedicated devices, and more tactics. (We even share our thoughts on the role Inbox Zero plays in this.) Relevant Links Declutter Your Data by Angela Crocker | Amazon  The Content Planner by Angela Crocker | Amazon The More or Less with Joshua Becker | The Productivityist Podcast Weed Out the Clothes You Don’t Wear with a Simple Hanger Trick | Lifehacker The NOW Year Wall Calendar Declutter Your Data | Angela Crocker  Declutter Your Data with Angela Crocker | Facebook Angela Crocker | Twitter @angelacrocker Angela Crocker | Instagram @angelacrocker Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Mike Pacchione. Mike is a speaking expert who helps presenters find their voice on stage. (Hint: putting yourself in your speech, while scary, is a bit of a secret weapon for making your speech memorable.) Mike has worked with more than 10,000 speakers from companies all over the world, including giants like Google, Nike, Microsoft, Starbucks and the NSA. I’ve known make for several years now and I look to him whenever I’m putting a talk or presentation together. I wanted to bring him to the program to not only share with you some of his best tactics and tips that will help you present your ideas and insights well, but also to remind me of what I need to do in order to do the same. After listening to this episode you’ll be able to take Mike’s knowledge and experience and apply it to your presentations so you’ll be able to confidently deliver them in a way that leaves your audience wanting more. Talking Points Why is making the assumption that because you have improvisational skills that you can nail a talk a really bad idea? How much time should someone take into consideration while making a presentation? This is what made Mike decide that he wanted to give talks and help other people with their talks full-time How do you balance knowing your stuff but not coming off too prepared or monotone – or looking like you dont know your stuff and are all just “show”? Is there such a thing as too many talks? This is how Mike is constructing his time, now that he’s running his own business and has a child What does a typical day look like for Mike? Some thoughtful tools and tips that Mike shares for presenters to use to their advantage Does Mike recommend eating before going on stage? What advice do you give people when they know they have a talk at a time during the day that isn’t ideal? We talk about being the talk that wraps up an event or conference and what you should do if you find yourself in that slot Here’s the one piece of advice Mike would give someone who is giving a presentation Quote “I always tell people they should feel like the presenter is a friend.“ Helpful Links The Productivityist Podcast #197: Getting Back to Happy with Marc and Angel Chernoff Time Management Ninja: 21 Rules for More Time and Less Stress in Your Life | Craig Jarrow Pre-order my new book TimeCrafting: A Better Way to Get the Right Things Done Amy Porterfield’s Podcast: A Week in the Life (7 Days Behind-the-Scenes with Amy) Help for Your Upcoming Presentation (I Know You’re Nervous) | Pat Flynn World’s Most Popular TED Speaker, Ken Robinson, Shares 5 Secrets Of Giving A Great Speech | BI The Grinder is the year’s funniest new show | Vox (from 2015, show was cancelled far too soon) Subscribe to TimeCraftingTV When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing | Daniel Pink Sterling K. Brown Explains His “No Gym” Workout | Men’s Health StoryBrand | Donald Miller Aqua Notes Water Proof Note Pad The Productivityist Podcast #161: Overlap with Sean McCabe Voxer My CreativeLive Course from 2014: Time Management 101 Breakthrough Play | Gary Ware Your Job is to Make Art – Seth Godin at ConvertKit Craft & Commerce 2017 MikeTalks.co The Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: The Rework Podcast The Productivityist Podcast theme song is Nothing at All by Fictions (courtesy of Epidemic Sound) Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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It's the final bonus episode of the podcast to celebrate The BIG Ready Week! This episode features a new friend and a fellow scribe, Jenna Britton. Jenna Britton is also one of the speakers for The BIG Ready, joining us for the Communication panel. In this final bonus podcast episode leading up to The BIG Ready, Jenna shares more about clarity, delimiting yourself, and communication. Episode Highlights: Why clarity gives focus  How dismissing something limits yourself Why clarity comes from action How clarity and communication are both linked to each other This virtual event features 29+ presenters delivering keynote talks, actionable workshops, and engaging panel discussions around the elements of personal and professional growth. Presented by Productivityist. The BIG Ready is a must-attend for anyone who is trying to take the months ahead and be ready to make them have a BIG impact on their lives. The main stage portion of The BIG Ready takes place on February 2nd, 2021 and includes access to the Opening Party on February 1st, the Closing Party featuring the perfect sendoff to the day's festivities, and the opportunity to attend a Midnight Momentum focused work period as the day draws to a close with yours truly! You can also grab a VIP ticket, which gives you everything I just mentioned PLUS an exclusive 4-hour workshop on February 6th that I'll be facilitating personally. Oh, and every keynote, workshop, and panel will be recorded so you'll be able to revisit and review them anytime you want in the future! Podcast Theme Song: Nothing at All by Fictions (courtesy of Epidemic Sound) 

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It’s time to take a pause. Athlete, author, podcaster and mentor Vernon Foster II shares his steps to mindful living. What’s clear from my conversation with Vernon Foster II is that living a fulfilling life is a lifelong journey. There is no silver bullet or magic pill. Through Vernon’s own personal hardship, and working closely with others, he’s put together all that he has learnt in ‘The 7 Laws of Mindful Living: A Soul Manual’.  I first met Vernon a few years ago at the Podcast Movement, so I couldn’t wait to learn more about this latest book. Join our reflective discussion as we spoke about Vernon’s ‘laws’ of mindful living, the power of taking a break, overcoming limiting beliefs, how to not get caught up in the doing – and a potential 8th Law... Talking Points The Law of Letting Go Limiting identities The art of embracing experiences Removing judgment The Law of Abundance The impact of releasing ‘The 7 Laws of Mindful Living: A Soul Manual’ Overcoming overwhelm with where to start Quote "Craft the narrative that supports who you want to become." Helpful Links VeronTFoster.com The 7 Laws of Mindful Living (Book Website) The 7 Laws of Mindful Living (Amazon / Audible) Podcast Movement ‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller ‘Greenlights’ by Matthew McConaughey Put Up A Pretty Light (w/ Matthew McConaughey) ‘Eat That Frog’ Brian Tracy Episode 351: Eating Frogs with Brian Tracy Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

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After a lengthy thread on Twitter that debated what contexts were (and weren't), Mike invites some of the participants to discuss their thoughts on contexts in more detail. For this first part in the two-part series, the guests are Sven Fechner and Kevin Rothermel. This episode is sponsored by Sanebox. Go to Sanebox using http://sanebox.com/productivityist (this link) and when you sign up for a free trial, you'll get a $15 credit towards your SaneBox subscription! Start making email work for you with http://sanebox.com/productivityist (Sanebox). Relevant Links http://www.productivityist.com/blog/contexts-evolution (The Evolution of Contexts) http://simplicitybliss.com/ (SimplicityBliss) http://simplicitybliss.com/a-fresh-take-on-context-the-omnifocus-setup-talk/ (Video: A Fresh Take on Context) http://www.derubercast.com/ (Sven's German Podcast: Der Übercast) http://twitter.com/simplicitybliss (Sven on Twitter) http://www.kevinrothermel.com/ (Kevin Rothermel) http://twitter.com/kevinrothermel (Kevin on Twitter) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email him at podcast@productivityist.com and he'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://www.patreon.com/Productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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Ever want a do-over with your career? Well, the guest on this episode can help you with that. Jon Acuff is a celebrated (and New York Times best-selling) author whose latest effort, Do Over, can help you figure out how to rescue Mondays, reinvent your work, and avoid getting stuck. In this lively (and efficient) discussion, Jon talks with Mike about Do Over...and they occasionally crack jokes while doing so. Relevant Links http://acuff.me/ (Acuff.me) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591847613/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1591847613&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=ORS33IW6MXOMYERY (Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck) http://www.neuyear.net/products/2015-do-over-year (NeuYear.net — 2015 DO OVER YEAR) http://www.neuyear.net/products/the-now-year (NeuYear.net — 2015 - THE NOW YEAR) http://acuff.me/career-savings-account/ (The Awesome Career Audit) http://acuff.me/do-over/ (DoOver.me) http://worlddominationsummit.com/schedule (World Domination Summit) https://twitter.com/jonacuff (Jon Acuff (@JonAcuff) on Twitter) Want to send us an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email us at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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On today’s episode, I spent time with Humble the Poet. Kanwer Singh aka Humble The Poet is a Toronto-bred MC/Spoken word artist with an aura that embodies the diversity and resiliency of one of the world’s most unique cities. With tattoos, beard, head wrap, and a silly smile, Humble commands attention. He stimulates audiences with ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and go against the grain, with dynamic live sets that shake conventions and minds at the same time. Humble sees life with unique clarity. In his book, Unlearn: 101 Simple Truths for a Better Life, he opens our eyes to our own lives, helping us to recognize the possibilities that await us and the challenges that prevent us from realizing our dreams. With his characteristic honesty and forthrightness, he helps us shed the problematic lessons we’ve learned throughout our lives that limit us, from sabotaging habits, to fixed mindsets, to past regrets, and relearn new, unconventional ways of moving through life. Profound in its simplicity, Unlearn is the perfect invitation to a new beginning and to pursue a life of fulfillment. Talking Points A little bit more about Humble the Poet What does “Unlearn” the book mean for Humble the Poet How important is the virtue of patience On process vs. progress Main lessons that people talk about from the book, Unlearn On the idea of journaling On his daily routine – morning or night person On his next plan and goal What is the takeaway from his book, Unlearn Where can people get stuff from Humble the Poet? Quote “Give a damn about yourself then give a damn about those you care about and then see if there are any more damns left to give.” Relevant Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Snapchat YouTube Book: Unlearn This episode made us realize that the hurdles or challenges that we experience is part of life and there are ways that we can follow to improve ourselves and our lives. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by James Eder, the founder of a new social app called Causr. James shares insights about connecting with others and the role social interaction plays in our lives. Some of the takeaways from our conversation include: We're social beings. If we can give people context and understand who is nearby, connection--and even community--can form. The importance of face-to-face conversations--especially at conferences. There's an energy in real-life interaction; that’s why people still attend conferences. You could probably access all the information online, but interacting in-person takes relationships to a deeper level. Make use of your travel time. Between 30% to 60% of your time traveling is actually used for work and the rest is downtime. Instead of interacting only online, you can use time in an airport to connect with others around you. The idea of net giving versus networking. Ask "How can I help other people?" instead of “What’s in this for me?” when attending networking events. Relevant Links Causr - Connect with people near you now Q&A with Causr founder and CEO James Eder | SmartBrief James Eder | Twitter Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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I’m not a fan of the term “have to" do. When someone tells me that I have to do something, I get my back up. I know there’s no maliciousness attached to the term “have to” but the phrase repels me all the same. Now if you were to say that I “need to” do something, that’s different. There is something about the way that term resonates with me that adds some level of connection that “have to” doesn’t. In fact, “have to” disconnects me from the task far more than “need to” does. “Need to" indicates to me that it’s something that will benefit me by doing. “Have to” indicates to me that it’s something that will not benefit me by doing (at least on the surface) but still needs doing. This week on the podcast Michael Schechter joins me and four-time guest Patrick Rhone to have a candid discussion about the things you have to do versus the things that you want to do, among other things. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Vicki McLeod joins me on this episode of the program. Vicki McLeod is a writer, author, coach, consultant and an award-winning entrepreneur. She is an advocate for mindful business, everyday happiness and living a life rich with meaning. She’s here to talk about her book You and The Internet of Things. Vicki is the author of several books beyond You and the Internet of Things, A practical guide to understanding and integrating the IoT into your daily life (Self-Counsel Press 2020). She’s also penned #Untrending, A Field Guide to Social Media That Matters, How to Post, Tweet, and Like Your Way to a More Meaningful Life (First Choice 2016) and coauthor of Digital Legacy Plan, A Guide to the Personal and Practical Elements of Your Digital Life Before You Die (Self-Counsel Press 2019) and writes a biweekly newspaper column on the intersection of digital and analog life. I’ve been friends with Vick for years and wanted to have her share with you some of the concepts around IoT (The Internet of Things), how IoT can work for you, the importance of getting comfortable with technology, and more. I hope you learn a lot from this discussion… I know I did! Talking Points What is The Internet of Things? Where did Vicki start with buying smart items… and where would she suggest others start? How far does Vicki believe is too far when introducing yourself to The Internet of Things and how can you reign it in if you feel like you’re starting to lose control? How important is it for people to get used to technology being everywhere? Is a fitness tracker a good way to ease into using smart technology? Quote “You need learn how to use it and to develop at least some rudimentary degree of comfort with it.“ Helpful Links You and the Internet of Things: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Integrating the IoT into Your Daily Life vickimcleod.com Hey Alexa, Subscribe to That Podcast: You and the Internet of Things Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Mike just returned from a whirlwind travel schedule, and on this episode of The Productivityist Podcast he discusses how (and why) he went iOS only on this trip. He also offers up his presentation app of choice and sings the praises of SimpleREV. Relevant Links http://ipadonlybook.com/ (iPad Only by Augusto Pinaud and Michael Sliwinski) http://unstuckable.co/ (Stephen Warley - Unstuckable) https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/presentations/id890727601?mt=11&uo=4&at=10l66s (Presentations by David Sparks) https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/4 (The Productivityist Podcast: Tasking, Tracking, and Tactics with David Sparks) https://www.haikudeck.com/ (Haiku Deck) http://patrickrhone.net/ (Patrick Rhone) http://valueofsimple.com/ (Joel Zaslovsky - Value of Simple) http://simplelifetogether.com/ (Daniel and Vanessa Hayes - Simple Life Together) http://simplerev.com/ (SimpleREV) https://gumroad.com/l/beyondtrying (Beyond Trying: The new eBook by Mike Vardy) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email him at podcast@productivityist.com and he'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://www.patreon.com/Productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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Social media and productivity seem to be strange bedfellows. But in the right hands, they can coexist better than you might think. On this episode of the program, I talk about how social media use CAN be productive, how to make that happen, and share the story of my current social media platform experiment with one I never thought I’d use: TikTok. Helpful Links Want to follow me on social? Here’s where I hang out (most of the time productively): Me on TikTok Me on Instagram Me on Twitter | @mikevardy Productivityist on Twitter | @productivityist Me on Facebook Productivityist on Facebook Me on LinkedIn (Sorry, no Snapchat. Yet.) Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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My guest for this episode is Philip McKernan. He is an inspirational speaker, philosopher, writer, and filmmaker who works with entrepreneurs and leaders to live a life that benefits all aspects of their lives. This is one of the most impactful episodes I’ve ever had. We had a very refreshing conversation that covered so much it can get you to see things in a different light. He talked about letting go, alignment, consumption of information, and authenticity. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Some highlights of this episode are: The mindset that puts money on a pedestal, the freedom people think it provides, and how that doesn’t equate to peace of mind, sense of fulfillment and purpose. How long it took him to realize that what he was chasing was out of alignment with who he really was. How "busy-ness" and chaos indicates an underlying pain, how staying busy is just a rationalization of the feeling of disconnection, and how society evolved such that busy became socially acceptable. Indicators and manifestations of a life that is not aligned. The problem with people consuming so many how-to-guides and information instead of trusting their internal wisdom, gut, and intuition. His insights on retreats and conferences, and finding those that actually resonate with an individual in a way that can serve them emotionally and intellectually. The film he put together titled Give & Grow, his definition of what gifts are vs. talents, what drove him to create a film, and why he used this specific medium. The two core things human beings want to do. Strategies to let go on an emotional level and what things that we carry deep down end up sabotaging ourselves. How being aligned is a human possibility that creates fluency making things easier, instead of thinking that life must be hard and hard work is necessary. His thoughts on minimalism as not merely letting go of material things but is deeply rooted in alignment and emotions. The overwhelming expectation for perfection, productivity, and success people are subjected upon – which may not necessarily be their personal truth but a reflection of their family’s, friend’s, or society’s expectations. His thoughts on consumption of information – whether online or offline and how to move from mere information to knowledge, wisdom, and awareness. How he spent a huge chunk of his life suppressing his real self. His advice on how everyone should deal with life. Relevant Links Philip McKernan (@PhilipMcKernan) | Twitter PhilipMcKernan.com | Are you destined for more? Uncover Your Gift | GIVE & GROW A 5 Minute Plea to Do by Gary Vaynerchuck - YouTube Stoicism 101: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs | The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss Stoic Optimism: Ryan Holiday at TEDxUChicago 2014 Thanks for listening. See you next time! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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In this episode, Mike talks with Taylor Pearson, the author of "The End of Jobs" (due out in late June 2015). They discuss the process Taylor used to write the book – including drawing inspiration from Paul Graham's work – as well as what "the end of jobs" can mean for you...if you're willing to shift your mindset. Relevant Links http://taylorpearson.me/the-end-of-jobs (The End of Jobs | Taylor Pearson) http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html (Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule | Paul Graham) https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/36 (Efficient Writing with Jim Woods | The Productivityist Podcast) http://fourhourworkweek.com/2011/03/15/copyeditors/ (So, You Want to Be a Writer? Read This First. | The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss) http://lcmike.jarono.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=podcast43/ (Learn Scrivener Fast | Joseph Michael) https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/33 (How to Deliver a "Do Over" with Jon Acuff | The Productivityist Podcast) https://rollercoasterbook.success.com/ (The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster | Darren Hardy) http://www.softwarebyrob.com/ (Lessons Learned by a Solo Entrepreneur | Software by Rob) http://productivityist.com/balance-schmalance/ (Balance Schmalance | Productivityist) http://danariely.com/ (The Website of Dan Ariely) http://taylorpearson.me/winbooks (The End of Jobs Preorder Offer | Taylor Pearson) https://twitter.com/ctaylormpearson (Taylor Pearson (@CTaylorMPearson) | Twitter) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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On this episode, I chat with Erin Acton, someone that I’ve known for a few years since we’re both based in Victoria, BC. Erin spends her time providing coaching in groups and in one-on-one settings, which allows her to nurture her passion – supporting business owners and leaders to improve their soft skills, which often have the power to create massive shifts both personally and financially. Erin and I discussed the idea of helping people with hard and soft skills – how you can take the temperature of your own hard skills and soft skills sets so that you can figure out where you’re at with them, how she helps people balance qualitative and quantitative results in their business, and how a sick day with her daughter changed everything for her. Relevant Links Erin Acton | Website Erin’s Work/Life Balance Assessment Erin Acton | Twitter This was a fun conversation and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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As the host of the Beyond The To Do List podcast, Erik Fisher has interviewed many of the top names in productivity, task, and time management, and now Mike is putting him on the other side of the mic. They talk about habits, productivity approaches, and a lot more. Relevant Links http://beyondthetodolist.com/ (Beyond The To Do List) http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/ (Social Media Marketing World) http://bit.ly/productivityistweekly/ (The Productivityist Weekly Newsletter) http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0143126563/ref=dp_ob_title_bk (Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385348614/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385348614&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=XORYHAHA7LGVSL3X (Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin) http://minutehack.com/opinions/its-okay-to-be-a-night-owl (Minutehack: How To Hack The Day As A Night Owl) http://pages.cognitea.com/productivityist/ (CogniTea) http://productivityist.com/podcast-read-more-read-better/ (How to Read More (and Read Better)) http://productivityist.com/triggers-how-to-start-moving/ (Triggers: How to Start Moving) http://jimwoodswrites.com/apple-watch/ (Jim Woods: Why I don't Want An Apple Watch And You Shouldn't Either) http://productivityist.com/groundhog-day/ (Why I Start My New Year On Groundhog Day) http://beyondthetodolist.com/procrastinate-on-porpose-roryvaden-on-discipline-procrastination-priority-dilution-bttdl087/ (Beyond The to Do List 87: RoryVaden on discipline, procrastination and priority dilution) https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/32 (Rory Vaden on The Productivityist Podcast) http://twitter.com/erikjfisher (Erik Fisher on Twitter) https://medium.com/@mikevardy (Mike Vardy on Medium) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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On this episode, I’m joined by Brian Dixon, the author of Start with Your People: The Daily Decision that Changes Everything. As a podcaster, conference speaker, and business coach, Brian is passionate about helping high potential leaders and teams thrive in a world of overwhelming options. Some of the things we discuss during our conversation include what people can do to make sure they are starting on the right foot with others, why putting people first plays a role in your productivity, and the things you can do so that you can start with people first. Talking Points Brian speaks about the idea of “deciding” and the concept of the daily decision The nuanced approach to creating harmony between the needs of your people and your own needs This is The One Hour Exchange… and how you make it happen in a way that works for you What steps should someone take if they want to start off on the right foot when “starting with their people” Brian loves personality tests. Here are the four he likes the best. Brian challenges you to pick one day to do this What does it mean to adopt a mentality of abundance? I learned this about Mr. Rogers What can you do to start starting with people today? Quote “The pebble rarely sees the ripple…my job is to make an impact on the people in my life and I will never necessarily know the impact that they make as a result of me impacting them. But I can hold my head up high or put my head on the pillow at night and say ‘job well done.'” Helpful Links Start with Your People: The Daily Decision that Changes Everything Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen The Clarity Sessions The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types 5 AM Miracle: The Daily Decision that Changes Everything with Brian Dixon Episode 265: Bringing Gratitude with Karl Staib Brian’s Website The Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: Typology I like this particular take on “people-powered productivity.” Why? Because it’s personal. Brian’s got some great ideas throughout the pages of his book and he shared quite a few during our conversation. I hope you get a lot out of it. I know that I did. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On today’s episode, I spend time with John Poelstra on a different kind of episode. I actually walk through the elements of adding elements of TimeCrafting to his productivity workflow through a series of conversations over the course of a five day period. Essentially, you’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like working with me through one of my Productivityist Coaching experiences. Here’s a little about today’s guest (and producer of The Productivityist Podcast) John Poelstra…  John helps people take complete ownership of their lives and live in ways that are most meaningful to them–even when they think it’s impossible. This is the crux of his beliefs. John would say that he’s in the “personal development” and “human potential” business and that he help end unnecessary suffering. John loves clarifying confusing ideas and complicated situations that thwart progress and distract people from what’s most important. He helps people get clear on what they want and own their path to it. John helped executives, managers, small business owners, engineers, marketers, and people who are done having life happen to them and want to create something better.   Talking Points Monday: How John’s doing on Monday morning and how he’s lining up his day Monday: John’s normal Monday theme Monday: How important is it for John to start the week right?  Monday: Mike’s homework for John Tuesday: On how John usually set up his Mondays  Tuesday: Setting up Planning Day  Tuesday: What is John going to learn today?  Wednesday: What did John learn yesterday?  Wednesday: Focusing on what things to do  Wednesday: John’s theme for the day  Wednesday: Mike’s challenge for John  Thursday: How was John’s Wednesday? Thursday: Lessons on focusing  Thursday: Things to talk about on Friday  Friday: How John feels about keeping a consistent theme throughout the week and weeks beyond?  Friday: Setting up the theme for the day Friday: Mike reveals the recommended number of weeks where people should practice adopting their theme days  Friday: John’s takeaway from his themed 5 days  Quote “I cannot say enough about the power of focus and just having these boundaries around what you are supposed to be working on.”  Relevant Links Website Twitter LinkedIn Podcast: Theme Your Way to Greater Productivity with Mike Vardy (46) The key takeaway from this episode is that having an outside perspective and accountability can help you see the “blind spots” in your workflow and enhance your personal productivity in the short and long term. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This episode features a discussion with Jared Brown of Hubstaff. Jared and I talk about what you need to do in order to make bringing people on to work with you a more beneficial experience for everyone involved. As someone who is growing a team (slowly, but surely) I wanted to get some solid advice from an expert, and Jared certainly fits the bill. Besides offering his own insights, he also discusses some ideas that come from other sources that you can use to build a better team. Relevant Links The Productivityist Podcast 53 | Making Teamwork Work with Sebastian Klein of Blinkist Jing by TechSmith Asian Efficiency Zoom.us ChrisDucker.com Best Advice I Ever Got: Run Like It’s a Sprint But Pace Yourself for a Marathon | Inc.com The Right Way to Fire Someone | Entrepreneur Eventual Millionaire | Jaime Masters The Hubstaff Blog Remote.co Journey to $500k a Month | Groove Blog How to organize the daily chaos of running a startup | Baremetrics Due | iOS Hubstaff Jared Brown (@jaredbrown) | Twitter Note: This episode was published out of order, so some references mentioned during the podcast aren’t as recent as I’d usually want. I apologize for any confusion this may cause. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This week on the podcast, I speak with James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. James is an expert on habit formation who offers not only theories backed by science, but also practical strategies that will help you achieve powerful, atomic-level results. On this episode, James and I had a really productive discussion on a range of topics from the journey of putting the book together, how alarm clocks fail me (or I fail alarm clocks), turning off the internet router at 10 PM to keeping the beer at the back of the fridge and Crossfit. Talking Points Designing and Defining Atomic Habits: Two main lenses to look the book through  The two-minute rule in scaling down a habit and actually making it stick Importance of slowing down and awareness for effective behavioral change  Having a variety of small things organized toward the same goal  Solutions for setting up efficient timing  Strategies for building good seasonal habits  Tools to make habits stick and break through biases  The three reasons/meanings behind the use of the term “atomic”  Creating a journal that makes it easier to build habits that is useful but not fixed  Quote “Many of our behaviors are socially reinforced… When the social reinforcement is so strong, we overcome the obstacles in our environment. The key insight there is you want to join a tribe, a group where your desired behavior is the normal behavior. Because if it’s normal in that group, then it’s going to seem attractive to you to do it even if it’s not convenient.” Relevant Links Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich | Amazon The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris | Amazon Baron Fig’s Clear Habit Journal Use Freedom to Block Websites, Apps, & the Internet Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator Distraction-free YouTube (Chrome extension) Trello.com James Clear @jamesclear on Twitter @james_clear on Instagram James Clear on Facebook I learned a lot from reading Atomic Habits and through my conversations with James and I’m sure you will too. And make sure to catch the next episode where I have Joey Cofone as my guest for a back-to-back habit tracking and intentionality goodness. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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I’m pleased to welcome to Chris O’Neill on this episode of the podcast. Chris is the CEO of Evernote and I spoke with him over the course of the show about the past, present, and future of Evernote. I’m really happy with how this conversation went down. Whether you’re new to Evernote, have been a long-time user, or have dabbled in it from time to time over the years, there’s plenty of food for thought that you’ll find in this conversation. Relevant Links Evernote Evernote’s CEO Reveals The 5 Keys To The Ultra-Productive Team Of The Future | Forbes Chris O’Neill | Twitter I hope you liked this episode. You can always keep up with episodes through subscribing to the show in your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.). And feel free to share this episode with anyone and everyone you think would be interested in hearing about all things Evernote! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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It’s been a whirlwind of uncertainty lately. David Neagle shares his practical insights to help you step out of the blame game and embrace uncertainty. David Neagle is the best selling author of The Millions Within, and is one of the architects of the coaching and personal growth industry, having worked alongside well-known mentors like Bob Proctor, Marianne Morrisey and Tony Robbins for decades. I brought David on to learn how we can all thrive alongside uncertainty. We explore understanding people’s agendas, the power of stepping away, morning reflections and verbal journaling. Tune in so you can step back and review your thoughts and beliefs that help (or hinder) you as you navigate through uncertainty. Talking Points How to avoid being caught up by uncertainty Why we seek certainty How to leverage your mornings to best set yourself up for the day End-of-day reflection exercises The uncertainties David deals with How to accept more responsibility Quote “How certain we feel inside ourselves determines our productivity.” Helpful Links ‘The Millions Within’ by David Neagle The Successful Mind Podcast DavidNeagle.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

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In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Tamsen Webster, renowned messaging strategist, keynote speaker, and author of the upcoming book, Say What They Can’t Unhear: The Nine Principles of Lasting Change. We dive deep into the principles behind lasting change, communication strategies, and how these concepts align with her broader body of work.

Tamsen shares insights from her latest book, exploring what makes change stick and how messaging plays a crucial role in influencing others. We talk about her experiences crafting communication strategies, the challenges of writing a book, and how persuasion without manipulation is possible.

Key Discussion Points

• Kurtis’ personal story of overcoming anxiety and discovering the power of breathwork.
• The concept of unconscious breath holding and how it signals the body’s stress response.
• A breakdown of different breathwork techniques for calming anxiety, boosting energy, and detoxifying the body.
• How breathwork helps release emotional and physical tension, leading to profound cathartic experiences.
• The connection between breathwork and DMT production, and how it can create mystical and transformative experiences.
• Simple, actionable breathwork exercises, like the sigh technique and straw breathing, to improve focus and well-being.

Kurtis offers a fresh perspective on how something as simple as breathing can have a powerful impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Whether you’re new to breathwork or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation is packed with insights and practical tips.

Links Worth Exploring

• Connect with Kurtis: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | X/Twitter
• Get Kurtis's Book: Breathwork Detox: How to Thrive in the Age of Anxiety
• Check out Breathwork Detox: Website (Use discount code Mike50 for Breathwork Events)
• Related Conversation: Episode 67: A Doer Who Likes To Be with Michael Townsend Williams
• Related Blog Post: How to Start Pacing Your Productivity

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

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Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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This time around I’m joined by Michael Ventura. Michael is the founder & CEO of Sub Rosa – a strategy and design practice – and the author of Applied Empathy. Michael and I talk about why it’s important to know the distinction between sympathy and empathy, what you can do if you want start applying empathy, and why knowing the differences between the types of empathy is important. I really enjoyed my conversation with Michael and I hope you do as well. Talking Points Michael suggests that finding empathy, let alone applying it, is as elusive as I think it is Michael digs into what empathy is but more importantly… what it isn’t Michael talks about the different types of empathy I ask Michael how someone who is trying to help or advise someone when you’re not able to completely empathize with them because their circumstances are so foreign to you Michael discusses the importance of asking questions and why follow up questions are so critical What is a virtue you need have in your toolkit to help you in applying empathy? When did Michael realize that empathy was something he needed to explore? How important is it for people to learn the language of empathy and apply it regularly? We talk about an easy way to understand the difference between sympathy and empathy How does Michael go about helping organizations foster empathy? How can someone take what Michael teaches and apply it on a personal level? What is a simple step that someone can take to start applying empathy today? Quote “If you go to a doctor and tell them ‘My knee hurts’ they don’t jump into ‘Well, there’s five different surgeries we could do to fix your knee.’ They’re going to do some x-rays, they’re going to some CAT scans, and what they might find is that you’ve got a bum ankle. And your ankle is going to throw off your knee a lot. So the root cause isn’t going to be the knee. The knee’s just where it’s showing up.” Helpful Links Applied Empathy Your Lack of Patience is Killing You Brené Brown: The Call to Courage While understanding and applying empathy may not seem helpful to your personal productivity, once you have a better grasp of empathy it can save you time when looking inward and dealing with others. Understanding and applying empathy can help you stay in touch with your humanity in a world that is driven by getting things done. I’m going to try to more on applying empathy to my work and my life and I encourage you to do the same. And Michael’s book is a great place to start. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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In this week's episode of the podcast, I chat with Todd Henry, author of the new book Louder Than Words: Harness The Power of Your Authentic Voice. We discuss the importance of delivering your work and how your voice plays a huge role in that and also talk about our favourite football team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Links Discussed Louder than Words: Harness the Power of Your Authentic Voice by Todd Henry | Amazon Inside The Jungle Podcast | Patreon Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day by Todd Henry | Amazon Workflowing #86: Will You Die Empty with Todd Henry The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment's Notice by Todd Henry | Amazon DJ ZTrip's Twitter Exchange About Die Empty Study Hacks - Decoding Patterns of Success | Cal Newport How to Deliver a "Do Over" with Jon Acuff | The Productivityist Podcast In 1967, Jimi Hendrix Opened for The Monkees | Mental Floss Todd Henry.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Delegation is overwhelming. But it’s an essential part to any business, so expert Barbara Turley joins the show to explain where to begin. How often do you get caught up with small business overwhelm? Today’s guest Barbara Turley, CEO of the Virtual Hub, is a true expert when it comes to hiring and onboarding staff for small businesses. Barbara is an investor and entrepreneur with a keen interest in scalable business models, systems, processes and automation, content marketing and the power of inspired and empowered teams.  The mission of the Virtual Hub is to eradicate small business overwhelm by simplifying the offshore outsourcing process and facilitating cost-effective business scalability. Hiring support is not easy, so I’m excited to hear what Barbara has learnt from hiring some of the best VAs. Join our conversation as we explore setting expectations, the “huddle” concept, and learning from the mistakes we’ve made. It’s time to get out of the loop of being stuck in the busy work trenches, and start thinking about the bigger picture. Talking Points The simple steps to overcoming overwhelm The story behind The Virtual Hub A long-term thinking mindset Busting the common myths behind ‘I can’t delegate’ Procrastinating behind busywork The most effective way to recruit and onboard a VA Providing structures through tools The first step of delegation Quote “Delegation percolates and evolves.” Helpful Links The 4-Hour Workweek | Amazon The E-Myth Revisited | Amazon  Scaling Up | Amazon  Asana TheVirtualHub.com/Productivityist  The Virtual Success Show Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode, I’m joined by KC Procter of Fit Dad Life. KC is a good friend and since he’s a dad like me (albeit with a few more kids) I wanted to talk to him about fitness and health and how they relate to personal productivity. We talked about eating habits, why it’s important to make time for fitness in your life no matter how “busy” you are, and why he decided to start Fit Dad Life in the first place. It’s an enlightening and engaging conversation between two dads (and friends) that have known each other for quite some time. Relevant Links Fit Dad Life World Domination Summit Special stuff for listeners of THIS podcast | Fit Dad Life KC Procter | Twitter Thanks for listening to this episode. If you liked it, please share it with someone that could benefit from it. If you don’t want to miss another episode then be sure to hit that subscribe button in your podcast listening platform of choice. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Cal Newport is back on the show to uncover his magnum opus on why we work the way we work today, and why we need to change our relationship with email. Email simply doesn’t scale – its back and forth nature is what drove Cal Newport down the rabbit hole of finding a better way to work. This includes all methods of communication, be it Slack, WhatsApp, or Facebook DMs and so on. These tools should just be used as shorthand, and not become your work. In his latest book, A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload, I had to unpick my good friend’s insights. Join us today as we uncover why we need to change our relationship with email. In this brave new world, we touch on how email came about accidentally, finding solutions as a team, context switching, and the fascinating research path that led Cal to writing the book. Talking Points The main elements of email that we need to move away from Why email has taken over our work On Merlin Mann and Inbox Zero The Attention Capital Principle Changing our view on email in all parts of the business, from managerial to admin and customer support How you can stop relying on email today Quote “Don’t explain to people what you’re doing, just do it.” Helpful Links ‘A World Without Email’ by Cal Newport Episode 73 with Cal Newport Episode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport ‘Digital Minimalism’ by Cal Newport ‘Deep Work’ by Cal Newport The New Yorker articles by Cal Newport The New Yorker: The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done by Cal Newport Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen Woven Deep Questions Podcast CalNewport.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

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This episode features a conversation with Aaron Mahnke, accomplished author and the man behind the award-winning podcast Lore. The road to Lore wasn’t a straight one for Aaron, so we talk about the journey he had to overnight success and how he used to work versus how he works today. Relevant Links Lore Why I Created Lore | Aaron Mahnke Frictionless Wet Frog Studios Home Work Aaron Mahnke’s Now Page Aaron Mahnke (@amahnke) | Twitter Lore Podcast (@lorepodcast) | Twitter Thanks again for listening to the show – and if you have any feedback you can leave a comment below and/or rate and review the podcast in iTunes or whatever service you’re using to subscribe to the show. Not a subscriber yet? Click here to make that happen in iTunes and click here to grab the RSS feed! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Moe Carrick. She is the founder of Moementum Inc., and she loves to help leaders transform themselves and their companies. Her book, Fit Matters: How to Love Your Job, with Maven House Press, was released May 2017. During our discussion we touched on what she calls The Six Elements of Work Fit, what “flexing” is and how it can help you with getting the right fit in your work, workforce trends that impact fit (and dive into the ones I’ve struggled with myself), what to do when not all of the elements align at work, and more. If you’re trying to figure out whether or not your work is suitable for you, then this episode is going to be a great…fit. Relevant Links: Moementum Fitmatters.biz So Good They Can’t Ignore You | Cal Newport Amy Wrzesniewski | Yale School of Management Moe Carrick | Website Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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In this episode, Mike Vardy sits down with Phil Simon, author of "Message Not Received." They talk about the problem with email, why clarity is often lost in communication, and what we can do to make sure we have a far better chance of being heard when we send out messages to colleagues and cohorts. Relevant Links http://amzn.to/1FPu30f (Message Not Received by Phil Simon) http://www.philsimon.com/tag/message-not-received/ (Phil Simon's Website) http://www.informationdiet.com/ (The Information Diet by Clay Johnson) http://www.hipchat.com/ (HipChat) http://www.smartsheet.com/ (Smartsheet) http://blog.todoist.com/2015/03/02/interview-phil-simon-message-not-received/ (An Interview with Phil Simon, Author of Message Not Received | Todoist Blog) https://twitter.com/philsimon (Phil Simon (@philsimon) | Twitter) Want to send us an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email us at [info@productivityist.com][8] and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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As we step into a new year, I wanted to dedicate this episode to setting the stage for 2025. In this special solo episode, originally recorded as a livestream, I share thoughts on how to start your year (or any time) with intention and focus. Whether you’re tuning in on January 1st or any other day of the year, the concepts discussed are timeless and actionable.

In this episode, I explore the idea that you can begin your "new year" whenever you choose. January, often seen as a time for new beginnings, can also be a month for reflection and recalibration. From journaling practices to forgoing an annual review for an annual "preview" instead, I cover strategies to help you create a roadmap that aligns with your values and goals.

Key Discussion Points

• Why you don’t need to start your year on January 1st (and when I prefer to begin mine).
• Viewing January as a month for reflection and attunement rather than action.
• The power of journaling and how it helps uncover patterns and set intentions.
• Breaking free from recency bias with tools like annual previews.
• The concept of letting go: projects, habits, or goals that no longer serve you.
• Using theming and attention paths to simplify focus for your year ahead.
• Introducing 25 in 25 – a year-long challenge that you can be part of for FREE.

As you embark on a new year, remember that being productive is about aligning your actions with your intentions. It’s not about doing more but about being deliberate with your time.

Links Worth Exploring

• Join the FREE 25 in 25 challenge
• Sign up for The READY Retreat (Use code 24225 to get access for just $25 until January 3rd, 2025)
• Get the TimeCrafting Calendar
• Listen to my conversation with James Clear
• Listen to my conversation with Dave Radparvar of Reflection.app
• David Seah's Groundhog Day Resolutions (thanks, Jackie!)
• Here's the Groundhog Day reports David's made over the years (somewhat updated)
• Listen to my conversation with Dr. Michael Breus
• What Is "Spoon Theory"? And Why Is It Important?

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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Despite the two of us being based in Victoria, and within the same circle, I have only been able to touch base with Adam Quiney pretty recently. He is the kind of guy that I can talk to for hours, no beer needed. In his words, he is an “obsessive perfectionist and high performer” who used to work as a project manager and lawyer. He is currently working as an executive coach where he teaches people how to live a life without compromise while creating the impact they want to. On this episode, we talked about the problem with productivity, fostering relationships, books, among others. Some of the areas we also touched on includes: How personal transformations involve self-awareness, feelings of disconnection or a pain point as the trigger. The idea of the noble sacrifice brought about by caring too much or wanting to make a difference which can create disappointment, anxiety or heartbreak. The 'narrative' we were made to believe that building relationships take time contradicting the concept of efficiency, and how to practice deepening intimacy congruent to productivity. How the pursuit of productivity becomes a hindrance to our lives through too much dependence, and an anecdote on how this fixation can even ruin our relationships. Steps on fixing this challenge by slowing down, gaining awareness on what efficiency is costing us, and facing the fear of what will happen if we’re not efficient. A story highlighting the importance of taking ownership, and the role the ego plays in this conundrum. His top picks when it comes to books which helped him understand human nature, and in turn help others. The importance of balancing one’s boundaries and why he likened traversing life to riding a bike. His insights on the work-life balance vs. work-life integration debacle, and what he thinks is a more plausible concept to aim for.   Relevant Links: Evergrowth Coaching Adam Quiney (@evergrowthadam) | Twitter Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday | Amazon Shambala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chogyam Trungpa The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida | Amazon Books by Neal Stephenson | Amazon Books by Michael Singer | Amazon Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Phil Simon returns to the program to talk about a service that more people have started using in 2020… some whether they wanted to or not: Zoom. Phil’s made a recent appearance on this podcast talking about his book Slack for Dummies. Now he’s back to share some of his knowledge and insights on another service – as well as another book he’s written Zoom for Dummies. We spend this episode talking about the rise of Zoom use, what Phil’s first experience with Zoom was like, and some of the things Phil really likes about Zoom. If you’re new to Zoom and want to go from comfortable to confident with it, then this episode is well worth your time and attention. Talking Points Why does Phil think Zoom replaced Skype in many ways? This was what Phil’s initial experience with Zoom was like Phil talks about what Zoom brings to the table with webinars What is a tip for people who want to get more out of Zoom? Quote “Zoom is focused on user experience and focused on simplicity.“ Helpful Links Zoom for Dummies Episode 308: Talking Slack with Phil Simon Slack for Dummies Gong.io Against the Rules with Michael Lewis PhilSimon.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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I’m excited to welcome Thomas Frank to this episode of the podcast. Thomas is an author, YouTuber, musician, and podcaster who is passionate about helping people become more capable and productive. Thomas does most of his work at College Info Geek, one of the world’s largest and best-loved resources for students. College Info Geek includes a blog, podcast, and a YouTube channel with over 1.7 million subscribers. I’ve been looking forward to releasing this episode for a long time. As a matter of fact, it’s bizarre that I haven’t had Thomas on the show until now. (That’s probably why this episode clocks in as my longest to date, both in terms of length and amount of links in the show notes.) There’s so much we talk about during this episode – as you can see and soon will hear. I hope you enjoy this lengthy and deep discussion that I’m thrilled to send your way. Talking Points When did Thomas decide that video was the route he was going to take? Thomas talks about his inspiration to “do video” a little differently When Thomas researches these videos, what does that look like? Thomas shares how many videos he has in the making process at once This is what his framework looks like What does a typical day look like for Thomas? Who inspires Thomas to make films? Quote “If you’re the kind of person who’s only ever reading productivity books and reading self help books you’re getting a pretty narrow world view.“ Helpful Links Thomas’s Office Tour Productivity Hacks with My Friend Mike Vardy of Productivityist (College Info Geek Ep. 39) The Fizzle Show #356 How Thomas Frank grew his YouTube channel to 1.6 million subscribers and 91 million views SPI 324: From College Nerd to Wildly Successful Personal Brand with Thomas Frank Episode 290: Creative Menopause with Chase Reeves [Recorded LIVE at The BIG Ready] Habitica Episode 75: Level Up Your Life with Steve Kamb Notion The Good Place: The Podcast Process The Money Lab Podcast: Building A YouTube Engine with Thomas Frank This is How Matt D’Avella Works Jet Parker: Action Hero Should You Add This To Your Workspace? I tracked every minute of my life for 3 months. The Best Book I Read in 2019 10 Great Gifts for the Productive Person in Your Life The One Hour Morning Routine Icicle Swords (Live Looping) So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love The Ultimate Study Music Playlist Nebula Baby Driver, by Edgar Wright (2017) – Opening credits Potato Jet on YouTube BEING Potato Jet // Working 70 hours a week to be a Youtuber Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World Thomas Frank’s Website The Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: College Info Geek Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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My guest for this episode of the program is digital strategist, renowned speaker, and good friend Bosco Anthony. When we decided to have this conversation initially, we had a different set of topics in mind. But based on the current climate of the world when we recorded this episode – early June 2020 – the discussion went in a different direction. Bosco Anthony is an International Speaker, Storyteller and Digital Strategist with a background in corporate leadership and business operations. His experience in the corporate sector provides wisdom on operational maturity, business growth, digital strategy, performance efficiencies, and design thinking ideology. Bosco spends much time on research trends and is an idea rebel at heart. Bosco is recognized for his executive mentorship, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for operational maturity. Bosco thrives in a collaborative playground and is known for being an influence to the business and digital community having spoken at TEDx Stanley Park on fuelling life with purpose and alignment. Having roots in Tanzania, East Africa Bosco spent much of his adult life in Vancouver, Canada. He now calls Brisbane, Australia home. I’ve known Bosco for years and have seen him speak on many occasions. He knows his stuff and having him on the podcast has been a long time coming. But there’s more to Bosco than I’d known before having this discussion with him. During our discussion, Bosco and I went beyond the topic of productivity. We focused primarily on the subject of racism and uncertainty. We also spent some time talking about being a night owl, whether or not the return of sports will serve as a distraction from both the minutia and the important issues of the day, and how to deal with uncertainty in a time filled with it. I’m glad we took the time to shift gears and take our conversation down this path. I hope you enjoy it, too. Talking Points Bosco speaks on how he feels about today's on going events and protests I ask Bosco if he thinks that when sports come back that it will create a distraction that shifts attention away from the Black Lives Matter movement How does uncertainty and unfolding uncertain elements in the world affect Bosco’s productivity? Bosco offers some simple steps you can take when you are in trying times and don’t feel like you can keep moving forward Quote “When you’re not biased to one perspective it allows you to absorb more information at a quicker, rapid pace.“ Helpful Links BoscoAnthony.com Why Time Flies: A Mostly Scientific Investigation The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life. High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time 1619 | The NY Times Podcast Series The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest The Productivityist Podcast Pick of The Week: Unlocking Us with Brené Brown Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This episode is being released earlier than usual because it's a special one. Why? Because Mike talks about his "big work" - the thing he's been actively working on for well over a year (and likely subconsciously for five or so). It's called The NOW Year Formula, and he talks about what it is, how it works, and how by adopting it as your productivity approach can help you have more of what you want in life. Relevant Links http://beyondproductivity.com/ (Beyond Productivity - A Live Streaming Workshop) Use PRODPODCAST to get $10 off a Virtual Ticket (that includes a replay of the workshop to view at your leisure) http://friends.creativelive.com/aff_c?offer_id=24&aff_id=71&url_id=227 (Time Management 101 - creativeLIVE) http://productivityist.com/need-take-personal-productivity-personally/ (Why You Need To Take Productivity Personally - Productivityist) https://gumroad.com/l/Productivityistworkbook (The Productivityist Workbook) http://eepurl.com/bhvbqb (Productivity Zones (And How I Built Them Into My New Workspace) - The Productivityist Weekly Newsletter) http://www.thoughttop.com/ (ThoughtTop - Stick-On Whiteboards) http://simplerev.com/ (SimpleREV) http://productivityist.com/nyfreport (The NOW Year Formula Report Newsletter) http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/How-to-Stop-Time-Mike-Vardy-at (How To Stop Time - Mike's TEDxVictoria Talk) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdadZ_KrZVw (In Time) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)

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In this episode, I speak with the founder of ActiveInbox, Andy Mitchell. We talk about email and how you can (if you want) use it as a task manager. (It’s not something I do (or advocate) but for those of you who want to hear why you may want to give this a go…then this episode is for you.) We also talk about the “snoozing” feature that some email apps have, the shifting from app to app and how it can affect productivity, and the different roles people have and how that can impact how productive they can be. Relevant Links ActiveInbox Inbox Zero: Processing to zero | 43 Folders How We Use Slack | Productivityist Hit The Snooze Button To Be More Productive | Productivityist Workflowing #55: Checking The Mailbox with Gentry Underwood Andy Mitchell (@andymitchell) | Twitter Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Michael Hyatt returns to the show for this excellent episode of the program. Michael is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Michael Hyatt & Company. He is also the author of several New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling books, including Platform, Living Forward, Your Best Year Ever, Free to Focus, and his newest book The Vision-Driven Leader. Michael has scaled multiple companies over the years, including a $250M publishing company with 700+ employees and his own leadership development company that has grown over 60% year over year for the past 4 years. Under his leadership, Michael Hyatt & Company has been featured in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for three years in a row. He enjoys The Double Win with his wife of 40+ years, five daughters, and nine grandchildren.  I spoke with Michael about the journey he took to get to this book, what it takes to become a vision driven leader, the importance of having a vision, and much more. As always, it’s fantastic to speak with Michael about his work – he’s someone who truly embodies everything that he delivers to the world – and I know you’ll get plenty out of this discussion. Talking Points Michael talks about why he wrote this book now and if it was a progression of his past books or if now was just the right time What does vision mean to Michael? We discuss the difference between a manager and leader Michael shares whether or not you must use the steps to become a vision driven leader in order… or if that is not all that important What can you do to help a leader who has so many ideas and visions execute those ideas and visions? Michael talks about what he would do if someone isn’t really understanding (or interested) in “The Vision Script” that a vision driven leader attempts to bring to life This is the person that Michael considers to be a vision driven leader that he looks up to We talk further about the term “vision zag” What are some things people can take away from the book that they can use if they are not running a company but simply want to run their lives better? This is the first step to becoming a vision driven leader Quote “Leadership by its very definition means that you’re heading towards a destination and if you’re not clear on the destination you really aren’t gonna be leading people anywhere.“ Helpful Links The Productivityist Podcast #239: Free to Focus with Michael Hyatt Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want A Special Offer from Michael Hyatt for You (Bonuses available until 2020/04/04) The Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: That Creative Life Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On today’s episode, I spent time with Michael Hyatt. Michael Hyatt is the founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, a leadership development firm specializing in transformative live events, workshops, and digital and physical planning tools. In his newest book, Free to Focus, Michael reveals to readers nine proven ways to win at work so they are finally free to succeed at the rest of life. Michael has been married to his wife, Gail, for forty years. They have five daughters, three sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren. They live just outside Nashville, Tennessee. Michael Hyatt focus on how everyone gets 168 hours a week, but it never feels like enough. Work gobbles up the lion’s share. Most people think productivity is about finding or saving time. But it’s not. It’s about making our time work for us. In his book, Free to Focus, it reveals to readers nine proven ways to win at work so they are finally free to succeed at the rest of life–their health, relationships, hobbies, and more. He helps readers redefine their goals, evaluate what’s working, cut out the nonessentials, focus on the most important tasks, manage their time and energy, and build momentum for a lifetime of success. Talking Points On Michael’s new book, Free to Focus On Michael’s definition and background on productivity On the idea of hitting the reset button Scheduling every hour of the day vs. leaving white space in your calendar On making time for others On how to not forget things The idea of the intersection between passion and proficiency How to say “no” with grace Tips for delegation, scaling yourself and getting an assistant How the book Free to Focus came to be On planning and mapping your week What is a backstage and frontstage work Ideas on how to beat distractions On productivity being a personal thing How does it feel to be Michael Hyatt the leader? What does journaling look like for a Michael Hyatt? Parting advice to the listeners Quote “We have got to ask ourselves, what is it that we are trying to achieve through productivity? The first part of the book is all under the umbrella of STOP. We have got to stop and ask ourselves why are we on this hamster wheel? What is it that we are trying to accomplish? And where is it leading?” Relevant Links Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Blog Book: Free to Focus This episode made us realize that many professionals are working as much as 70 hours a week thinking that they are productive but productivity is about making our time work for us. Just imagine having free time again. It’s not a pipe dream. I hope you will learn as much as I did. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of the program I’m joined by David Marquet, best-selling author, student of leadership and organizational design, former nuclear submarine Commander, and named one of the Top 100 Leadership Speakers by Inc. Magazine. David’s new book, Leadership is Language, is a re-engineering of the language we use at work and a new playbook for leaders. “It’s time to ditch the Industrial Age playbook of leadership.” This book provides insights on how choosing your words can dramatically improve decision-making and execution skills for teams.  We talk about the concept that David explores in this book (that leadership is language), why this is as much a playbook as anything else, what leaders need to work on in order to take their leadership skills to the next level, and much more. I enjoyed our conversation and I’m certain you’ll get plenty out of it. Talking Points What lead you to writing this book and why is it so important? David explains the terms “red work” and “blue work” Why do you consider this book to be a playbook? What does David mean by the “be good self“ and the “get better self“? What can someone do to start applying leadership as language today Quote “Start your question with the word ‘how’.“ Helpful Links Leadership Is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say and What You Don’t Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders Intent-Based Leadership David on Twitter: @ldavidmarquet Leadership Nudges The Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: Help Me Pick Future Ones by emailing me at podcast at productivityist dot com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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In this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with Dr. Loretta Breuning from the Inner Mammal Institute. We talk about how you can retrain your brain, including some tactics and tips so that you can start building a happier and healthier brain. We dive into how to build new neural circuits, discuss the four chemicals that affect our behaviour, and how to tap into the animal inside of you so that you can embrace your “inner mammal” and craft more positive experiences. Relevant Links: Blinkist Habits Of A Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, & Endorphin Levels by Loretta Graziano Breuning PhD | Amazon The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor | Amazon The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin | Amazon The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg | Amazon David Attenborough | Wikipedia Inner Mammal Institute: making peace with the animal inside Inner Mammal Inst (@innermammal) | Twitter Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This week I speak with Ryan McRae, better known as The ADHD Nerd. We talk about how ADHD has affected his productivity, what time management tips he recommends to those who have ADHD, and how anyone should combat the perils of procrastination. Relevant Links The ADHD NERD World Domination Summit Workflowing #11: An Unfocused Look at Focus | 5by5 You’ve Just Been Diagnosed With ADHD. Now what? | The ADHD NERD The Ultimate ADHD Guide to Time Management | Medium The Productivityist Podcast 73: Cal Newport | Productivityist The Ultimate ADHD Guide to Procrastination. | The ADHD NERD Productivity Powerhouse Panel | January 27, 2016 2 Experts Share Exactly How to Use a Productivity Journal (& Increase Productivity by 23%) | The Fizzle Show Snapchat FYI | C.C. Chapman IFTTT Ryan McRae on Gumroad Ryan McRae (@TheRyanMcRae) | Twitter A special offer from Ryan exclusive to listeners of The Productivityist Podcast Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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I'm trying something new with A Productive Conversation...

Starting in May 2025, you’ll be able to support the podcast directly—and help keep it focused, ad-free, and sustainable. Just visit https://aproductiveconversation.transistor.fm/support-apc and help shape what’s next.

Seth Godin is a consistent player in the entrepreneurial space, influencing millions to embrace their inner-creative and best serve their audience. In today’s episode, we uncover how you can make that impact. Seth Godin has had a huge influence over my career, so I’m excited to bring him on (again) to hear about his latest projects and new book ‘The Practice: Shipping Creative Work’. As my first guest on the podcast I did as a productivity parodist, there’s lots to catch up on. This interview is full of countless gems, but what really stands out is being consistent with whatever it is that you want to achieve. In his own words, the toughest part is that “you have to show up, even if you don’t feel like it”.    Seth blogs daily. He’s been doing it for years now. He’s built a huge following with over a million readers, and is the author of over 19 books, including Purple Cow, Linchpin, and This Is Marketing. He’s also the founder of the altMBA and The Akimbo Workshops, which runs online seminars that have transformed the work of thousands of people.  Join our conversation as we explore indispensable tools, inbox zero, working with intent – and his 16ft cedar strip canoe. Talking Points Applying assertion to our work Why Imposter Syndrome doesn’t go away You don’t even need to meet your mentors Seth’s daily boundaries Impact of 2020 on his blogging Seth’s attitude towards uncertainty Defining good taste What we actually mean by ‘hacking’ Seth’s relationship with ‘trap’ emails The trap people fall into when chasing authenticity Quote “Know what your audience wants ten minutes before they do.” Helpful Links The Practice: Shipping Creative Work | Amazon Episode 334: Endless Curiosity with Derek Sivers Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction | Amazon  The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy | Amazon  ‘How To Get Your Ideas To Spread’ TED Talk Necessary Endings| Amazon  Ron Finley Teaches Gardening Masterclass Freewrite Inbox Zero: How to Stop Checking Email and Start Finishing It | Amazon Glowforge The Authentic Swing | Amazon TrustYourself.com Seths.blog Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This episode of the podcast features a conversation with Michael Townsend Williams, who is known as “A doer who likes to be.” He’s the founder of Breathe Sync™ and the author of the book Do Breathe…and he’s a big believer in mindful productivity. We talk about that very subject, yoga, and a lot more. Enjoy! Relevant Links Stillworks Getting Things Done with David Allen | The Productivityist Podcast The DO Lectures | Michael Townsend Williams Do Breathe by Michael Townsend Williams Breathe Sync™ How I Organize Evernote: A Peek Inside My Personal System | Michael Hyatt Things by Cultured Code Clear by Realmac Software Michael T Williams (@mtownsendw) | Twitter Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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I welcome Jennifer Dawn, creator of the Best Planner Ever, to the podcast this time around. Jennifer is a serial entrepreneur who has grown two multi-million dollar businesses and serves high-achieving entrepreneurs through private business coaching helping to take their companies further, faster. Since I’ve got a “mild” obsession with paper planners I wanted to talk with Jennifer about what went into building the Best Planner Ever. We discuss how it got its name, the elements that are unique to the planner, and why she thinks it’s important to bring what’s important to you into the planner that you use and how you can do that. Best Planner Ever Jennifer Dawn Coaching Jennifer and I could have kept going for much longer but there’ll (hopefully) be another time for that. Right now it’s time for you to check out her planner (linked above) and check out The Productivityist Playbook as well. You can get The Productivityist Podcast at a discounted price by clicking here. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This time around on the podcast, I spend time with John Lamerton. John is a self-described “lazy entrepreneur” and investor. He balances running an ambitious lifestyle business with raising two young children. A former “hustler”, he now earns more money “working” 20 to 25 hours a week than he used to pulling all nighters and “grinding” for 100+ hours per week. Most of us have this notion that working hard means working long hours. On this episode, we discussed John’s book which is For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow. We also discussed how to work smart by only working 20-25 hours a week and achieving success for your business instead of “hustling” for 100 hours work week. John now mentors his fellow ambitious business owners and teaching them how to design their businesses around his style. Talking Points Introducing John Lamerton’s For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow book What is the definition of a small business? On copying Richard Branson Funnelling your business to thrive Light-bulb moment for the business The five magic ingredients for success On high intensity interval training – HIIT How the essay, 1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly helped in the business Quote “The final magic ingredient is action and that is the key thing that I see most people are failing to do. A lot of people they are not taking enough action. But on the flip-side, there are many many people who take lots of action but it’s the wrong action and they are going 100 miles per hour in the wrong direction.”  Relevant Links Big Ideas… For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow John Lamerton – LinkedIn John Lambert – Facebook This episode reminds us yet again the power of working smart instead of working hard. It is quality over quantity. I hope you will learn as much as I did. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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After stopping the short-lived first edition of 3 Minutes of TimeCrafting, I decided to get back into the idea of producing a daily podcast in February 2019. I began producing shows in earnest following Groundhog Day 2019 (February 2nd) and kept it going for several months. In this lengthy episode, you'll hear me offer insights and ideas on the following: Why you need to make time to sit with feedback Making self-care a part of your productivity practice Embracing the concept of "mise en place" How to get your week to behave better Why theming your days saves time with your kids And that's just for starters. There are 26(!) episodes combined in this lengthy episode, so take your time with it. There's a lot that I offer so spread out your listening as you see fit. And if you like what you hear, let me know. Email me at podcast@productivityist.com to tell me directly or leave this podcast a rating/review wherever you're listening to podcasts these days. Thanks for listening. See you later.

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David Allen joins me on this episode of the podcast to dive deeper into the Getting Things Done methodology. The meat of our conversation gets into how it has evolved over the years since it first was introduced in 2001. There’s a bit of noise at parts during our discussion, but even still this episode is a winner. Some of the highlights of this episode include: How much of a role he had in writing the new book, Getting Things Done for Teens Why he believes teens need GTD more now than ever before A discussion about the reframing of GTD that needed to happen when adapting the methodology for teens How he has changed his approach when teaching GTD over the years David reveals his thoughts on the most challenging aspect of GTD (Hint: It hasn’t changed since the introduction of GTD) A conversation surrounding the renaissance of analog tools and his thoughts on why they’ve made a comeback Relevant Links Getting Things Done with David Allen | The Productivityist Podcast Getting Things Done for Teens | Amazon Getting Things Done | The David Allen Company David Allen (@gtdguy) | Twitter It’s always a treat to get to chat with the creator of GTD. I had a great time speaking with David and I hope you have a great time listening to our conversation. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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What is it that ultimately drives you? It’s key to know this across all areas of your life, so I’m excited to speak with Todd Henry again on the show as we uncover the Motivation Code. Today’s guest Todd Henry has helped identify the unique ways that we are motivated. It’s fascinating: there are 27 potential ways and it’s different for all of us. Todd is a self-proclaimed “arms dealer for the creative revolution”, who is a writer, speaker, and helps facilitate people and teams generate brilliant ideas. He’s written four books and has recently released his fifth book, The Motivation Code: Discover The Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work, co-authored with Rod Penner, Todd Hall and Joshua Miller. It’s not about waiting for work to motivate us; once we identify our true motivations, we’re in flow. In this conversation, we explore MCODE™ assessment, experiencing flow, how knowing our motivation benefits both our work and personal lives. Talking Points Compiling the new books after decades of research How the opportunity came up to write the book The six values of themes Results from the assessment and what they mean Why we need to dig deep with assessment results Trigger, process and outcome motivation Experiencing flow when their motivation code is activated How and when our motivation shifts over time Long-term benefits of knowing your motivational traits Quote “We create enemies when we don’t need to.” Helpful Links Episode 54: Voice Lessons with Todd Henry The Motivation Code | Amazon MCODE™ Assessment Herding Tigers | Amazon Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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It's a bonus episode of the podcast to celebrate The BIG Ready Week! This episode features one of the "funniest" guys I know, Gary Ware. Gary Ware will be delivering a workshop called "The Productive Power of Play" at The BIG Ready. Gary is here to chat with me about the different forms of play that will make you more creative and more efficient. Episode Highlights: Breaking the pattern of conditionality – unpacking it and realizing there are different forms of play Purposeful play: Priming the brain so that we can be more creative Before burnout, calling a "time out" and doing something that will rejuvenate the self before going back to work Instead of scrolling on social media during breaks, why not do something that is engaging that would help in keeping ideas and creativity flowing? This virtual event features 29+ presenters delivering keynote talks, actionable workshops, and engaging panel discussions around the elements of personal and professional growth. Presented by Productivityist. The BIG Ready is a must-attend for anyone who is trying to take the months ahead and be ready to make them have a BIG impact on their lives. The main stage portion of The BIG Ready takes place on February 2nd, 2021 and includes access to the Opening Party on February 1st, the Closing Party featuring the perfect sendoff to the day's festivities, and the opportunity to attend a Midnight Momentum focused work period as the day draws to a close with yours truly! You can also grab a VIP ticket, which gives you everything I just mentioned PLUS an exclusive 4-hour workshop on February 6th that I'll be facilitating personally. Oh, and every keynote, workshop, and panel will be recorded so you'll be able to revisit and review them anytime you want in the future! Podcast Theme Song: Nothing at All by Fictions (courtesy of Epidemic Sound) 

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In this episode, Mike and podcast editor John Poelstra chat with those who were gearing up for The World Domination Summit while at The Productivityist Enthusiasts' Meetup in Portland, Oregon. A bevy of guests pop by on this longer-than-usual episode, and they talk productivity and much more! (Note: Fair warning...by the time Mike asked the questions, he had imbibed a little bit. So he was in "Social Mode".) Relevant Links http://worlddominationsummit.com/ (World Domination Summit) http://www.asianefficiency.com/ (Asian Efficiency) http://heykendra.com/about/ (Hey Kendra) http://pdxgreendragon.com/ (Green Dragon Bistro & Pub) http://johnpoelstra.com/ (John Poelstra | Making sense of things and making them better) http://www.digitalphotomentor.com/ (Darlene Hildebrandt | Digital Photo Mentor) http://simplifilm.com/ (Simplifilm) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-ghGzIAuhw (Did It In Minutes: The Art of Documenting Meeting Notes | YouTube) https://twitter.com/stephenwarley (Stephen Warley (@stephenwarley) | Twitter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLUgmLqdIaE (Andy Dick Floating Head | YouTube) http://www.coffeebaconbooks.com/ (Coffee, Bacon & Books - the art of intentional wandering. ) https://mightygoods.com/category/nomadic-life/ (MightyGoods - Nomadic Life) http://www.holocene.io/ (Holocene - The Travelers) http://zerototravel.com/ (Zero To Travel - How To Travel The World On Your Terms) http://mattgiovanisci.com/about/ (Matt Giovanisci) http://www.drivenshow.co/ (Driven | A Podcast For Driven Entrepreneurs and More) http://www.swimuniversity.com/ (Swim University | The Ultimate Guide to Pool & Hot Tub Care) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.

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On this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Andy Murphy, the founder of Mindset by Design. Andy has helped world champion athletes, multi-millionaire entrepreneurs, Hollywood producers and actors, and even royalty design their mindsets. We discussed what changing and designing your mindset can do for you, how NLP can help you when it is used for good, why it matters who is in your network, and more. Here are a few highlights from the show: Where most people get stuck regarding mindset What neuro-linguistic programming is Removing confirmation bias Why it is important to train ourselves to in each area of our life Our default setting is whatever is safe When we grow, our network changes as well Relevant Links: Mindset by Design Andy Murphy | Twitter Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing… and start going! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Amanda Steinberg. Amanda launched DailyWorth in 2009 to bring a fresh voice and an outsider’s perspective to personal finance and the Daily Worth website has made Forbes’ 100 Best Websites for Women three years running. Amanda has appeared on Good Morning America, Today, CNN, and MSNBC, among others. Forbes named her one of the twenty-one New American Money Masters, Oprah Winfrey chose Steinberg for her inaugural SuperSoul 100 list, and Fast Company calls Steinberg one of 2017's "Most Creative People in Business.” We not only dive into the correlation between time and money but also discuss the relationship that people can have with the finances – particularly the relationships that women can have with money. In fact, that idea is explored in her book, Worth It: Your Life, Your Money, Your Terms. Automation and delegation come into the conversation as well, how to teach kids about the value of money early on, and other great tactics and tips that you can use to improve your relationship with money. Relevant Links Daily Worth Worth It: Your Life, Your Money, Your Terms Your Money Type Online Assessment Money Clarity Amanda Steinberg | Facebook @AmandaSteinberg | Twitter After taking the Money Type assessment I found I was an Epicure with my finances. I’m not surprised. But now I have a means to be more productive with my money thanks to some of what Amanda shared in this episode. I encourage you to take the test and see where you land in the spectrum. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing… Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode of the podcast I’m joined by Rashelle Isip of The Order Expert. Rashelle is a consultant, author, and founder of TheOrderExpert.com, a blog featuring organization, time management and productivity tips, ideas and inspiration to help people lead more balanced lives. She is author of “The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management” and “How to Plan a Great Event in 60 Days.” We talk about a wide variety of topics relating to order and productivity, including the importance of saying no, the idea of journaling, simple ways you can stay on track, and more. For Patreon supporters, we even dive into Rashelle’s thoughts on focus. Relevant Links The Order Expert - Organizing Blog & Organizing Tips About | The Order Expert Why Saying ‘No’ is Important | The Order Expert Books | The Order Expert How to Organize a Notebook or Journal | The Order Expert Blog – Baron Fig 5 Smart Ways to Stay on Schedule | Time Management Ninja The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management | The Order Expert How to Get More Done in a Day | The Order Expert Rashelle Isip (@theorderexpert) | Twitter If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say. You can also fill out this survey to help me make the show better. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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Thane Marcus Ringler takes the professional athlete’s mindset to everyday people in everyday life. Today’s guest is Thane Marcus Ringler, the former professional golfer turned speaker, writer, development coach and podcast host of The Up & Comers Show. It’s his mission to help people get unstuck and overcome the self-limiting beliefs we all tend to carry. In this episode, we explore the four perspective shifts from his book Catalysts For Hope: Unlocking Energy, Optimism, And Your Full Potential. Thane’s idealism is infectious, and this will help frame your mind as we begin 2021. Join this conversation as we discuss the art of leaning in, the process of writing his book, critical thinking – and dragonflies.  Talking Points The 4 Catalysts that will shift your perspective Focus on the process, no the destination Identifying your baby steps A hope-filled life is more practical than you think Why we regularly overlook our purpose A case for Idealism The power of pause Quote “Purpose is active. We don’t default our way into it.” Helpful Links Catalysts For Hope | Amazon The Practice | Amazon Episode 343: Consistency Over Authenticity with Seth Godin Episode 238: How to Keep Going with Austin Kleon 21 Lessons for the 21st Century | Amazon ThaneMarcus.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

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On this episode, I speak with my good friend and author of Company of One, Paul Jarvis. I’ve known Paul for years and am elated to finally have him appear on the show to talk about staying small and how to build a company of one. My discussion with Paul nearly mimics the kind of thing we do every few weeks when we get together for coffee. I’ve admired how Paul goes about his work and we explore those elements during our conversation. Some of the things we talk about are how ego plays a role in building a business, how the “company of one” that Paul built happened accidentally at first, how you can implement the “company of one” mindset in business that are larger, and how to scale through automation in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you in the process. Relevant Links Company of One by Paul Jarvis | Amazon How talking to Seth Godin on the phone changed my life and business by Jeff Goins | Ladders Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday | Amazon Beyond The E-Myth with Michael Gerber | The Productivityist Podcast The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss | Amazon Do Things You Can Sustain | James Clear I Don’t Actually Care About Growth | Paul Jarvis The Sunday Dispatches | Paul Jarvis I learned a lot through this discussion (and by reading Paul’s book) and I trust that you will as well. If you do get value out of our conversation and enjoy the process along the way. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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This week’s episode is with Anthony Metivier, founder of the Magnetic Memory Method, a systematic, 21st Century approach to memorizing foreign language vocabulary, dreams, names, music, poetry and much more in ways that are easy, effective and fun. We spoke about how your memory can affect your personal productivity as well as how to optimize your memory. Here are a few highlights from this episode: Memorizing your entire to-do list vs. memorizing certain items Learning memory techniques for vocabulary, numbers, names, facts, and details about others When you strengthen your memory like a muscle, it also strengthens your mind. The power found in memorizing a deck of cards Using visuals as memory tools and turning numbers into words The Magnetic Memory method and how it works Why intentionality is essential for memorization Memory and information overload Why you should know focus on how you learn Relevant Links: Magnetic Memory Method The Free Memory Improvement Kit What’s Your Learning Style Anthony Metivier | Twitter Anthony Metivier | Youtube Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going! Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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