Noodle.mx Network http://www.rssmix.com/ This feed was created by mixing existing feeds from various sources. RSSMix Buying Ourselves Time – TPW368 https://theproductivewoman.com/buying-ourselves-time-tpw368/ Sometimes spending money on the right tools and carefully chosen resources can buy back time for what matters most.


Investing in carefully chosen tools and resources can equal buying ourselves time for what matters most

Last month in episode 364 we talked about tools we can use to boost our productivity without spending much (if any) money. I firmly believe it’s not necessary to spend a bunch of money to be productive. 

BUT sometimes it’s worth investing a bit of money in tools or services that can help us free up time, energy, or attention for the goals, projects, dreams, and people that mean most to us. I’m not suggesting that any of these is necessary in order to be productive, but if you’re overloaded and overwhelmed or looking for a way to carve out time for something that’s important to you, one or more of these might be worth investigating.

1. Outsourcing - Paying someone to do routine tasks that need to be done but don’t need to be done by you


Housecleaning, lawn service, meal services, laundry service, home repair 
Filing, data entry, other clerical help 
Virtual assistance - Scheduling, booking travel, email triage 
Podcast editing; show notes


2. Public transportation - car services (often used by executives and professionals in large cities), Uber, Lyft, subway, or bus. If you spend a lot of time on the road, consider whether you could let someone else do the driving so you can work during the trip.

3. Quality tools (household, office, or otherwise) - Working with inadequate or poorly functioning tools can make things take longer. I don’t advocate for indiscriminately throwing money at a problem, but to boost your efficiency and effectiveness at the core functions of your job (at home or at work) it’s worth investing money in the best tools you can afford for those core functions.


Cleaning supplies and tools 
Computer, printer, scanner 
Software that automates work processes (e.g., invoicing, accounting, etc.)


4. Regular in-person assistance - For example, a Mother’s helper - college student, mature high schooler, or a retired mom looking to make a little cash.


* Drop off/pick up kids 
* Run errands (dry cleaning, packages, etc.) 
* Fold clothes


5. Home exercise equipment - if you can discipline yourself to use it, having equipment at home can allow you to work out at home on your own schedule, moving your body without the commute to and from the gym. Investing in a digital coaching tool like iFIT or Apple’s fitness app can buy you motivation by keeping you interested and challenged without the need to make an appointment with a trainer.

6. Education (to help you be more efficient and effective) - What this might look like depends on the areas where you need help.


* Maybe hire a business coach or a life coach to help you get clarity on your goals and develop a road map to accomplishing them.  
* Or a professional organizer to get your workspace or certain areas of your home in order so you lose less time looking for missing items or cleaning/maintaining your stuff. 
* Attend a carefully chosen conference or online course to help you get better at key tasks


Final thoughts

Each of us needs to decide for herself how and where to deplo...]]> Laura McClellan 368 Buying Ourselves Time clean 31:04 Sometimes spending money on the right tools and carefully chosen resources can buy back time for what matters most. Wed, 13 Oct 2021 08:36:02 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10337 2021-10-13T08:36:02Z Jeremie Kubicek on Becoming a Leader Worth Following https://beyondthetodolist.com/404 404 Jeremie Kubicek on Becoming a Leader Worth Following full Erik Fisher Jeremie Kubicek talks about what it takes to become a leader worth following. 38:39 no Jeremie Kubicek specializes in getting leaders to a higher level through his speaking, consulting and books. He takes complex concepts and adapts them into powerful tools that are practical and scalable. Jeremie speaks worldwide to audiences of all sizes across various industries and sectors. In this conversation Jeremie and Erik talk about his new book is 'The 100X Leader: How To Become A Person Worth Following'.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+ugaeTFZo ]]> Erik Fisher Jeremie Kubicek (https://amzn.to/2Fq4ASL) specializes in getting leaders to a higher level through his speaking, consulting and books. He takes complex concepts and adapts them into powerful tools that are practical and scalable. Jeremie speaks worldwide to audiences of all sizes across various industries and sectors. In this conversation Jeremie and Erik talk about his new book is 'The 100X Leader: How To Become A Person Worth Following (https://amzn.to/2Fq4ASL)'. This episode is brought to you by: * Wild Alaskan Company (http://wildalaskancompany.com/beyond) * Setapp (http://setapp.com) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4ASL" rel="nofollow">Jeremie Kubicek</a> specializes in getting leaders to a higher level through his speaking, consulting and books. He takes complex concepts and adapts them into powerful tools that are practical and scalable. Jeremie speaks worldwide to audiences of all sizes across various industries and sectors. In this conversation Jeremie and Erik talk about his new book is &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/2Fq4ASL" rel="nofollow">The 100X Leader: How To Become A Person Worth Following</a>&#39;.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://wildalaskancompany.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Wild Alaskan Company</a></li> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> </ul> Mon, 11 Oct 2021 03:00:00 GMT d8f70126-c63a-48e9-b65b-ad3a7ef8d4b5 Erik Fisher 2021-10-11T03:00:00Z Obstacles to Productivity – TPW367 https://theproductivewoman.com/obstacles-to-productivity-tpw367/ This week we're talking about ways to overcome some of the most common (and frustrating) obstacles to our productivity.


Obstacles to productivity don't have to stop us from accomplishing what matters most

All of us, me included, have lots of things we want and need to do. We have an idea in our minds of what it means to be productive: checking things off our to-do list (whether written or mental), achieving our big goals, making a life we can be proud of, or at least satisfied with. Whether or not we’ve intentionally thought about it, we have a picture in our minds of what a productive life looks like 

Because we live in the real world, life and our circumstances don’t always cooperate with that vision. That vision doesn’t come into reality without getting past obstacles--internal and external, physical and mental. One way to boost productivity, in whatever sense you’re thinking about it, is to identify those obstacles that are getting in your way and then come up with a plan to remove or overcome them. This is a very personal exercise--what constitutes an obstacle for me might not be one for you. I thought I’d talk about a few of them this week. 

These aren’t the only obstacles, but the ones I’ve been thinking about (and in several cases experiencing) lately. Some are physical/external, while many of them are internal, even self-created.

Physical/external obstacles

(I'm starting with the physical or external obstacles, which in many ways are easier to deal with!)


* Inadequate tools 

* Uncomfortable chair or bad lighting, 
Poorly functioning cleaning equipment 
* Slow computer and/or crummy software




The answer is to figure out what tools are necessary for the tasks you’re doing and budget as necessary to invest in the right tools for the job. (Note: This is not an invitation to use researching and shopping for “better” tools as an excuse to procrastinate!)


* Clutter


Simply put: clutter makes everything take longer. We've talked about this often in past episodes, so I'm not going into detail here. For more, check out:






TPW 203 13 Areas to Declutter in Our Homes
* TPW163 Clutter, Stress, & Simplicity 
* TPW277 10 Things to Declutter
TPW083 The Art of Decluttering: An International Conversation






The way past this obstacle is obvious: Make a point of decluttering your workspaces.


* Physical condition


To accomplish what we want to in life (whether specific tasks, work or personal projects, strong relationships, or anything else that’s part of a life that matters as we each define it) we need to be as physically healthy and strong as we’re able to be. We need to maximize our stamina to do the things we want to do. It's hard to get through our days doing the things we want and need to do if we’re physically exhausted, sick, or weak.




Factors we should think about:

Lack of sleep
Poor diet
Hydration
]]> Laura McClellan 367 Obstacles to Productivity clean 31:12 This week we're talking about ways to overcome some of the most common (and frustrating) obstacles to our productivity. Wed, 06 Oct 2021 08:13:46 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10317 2021-10-06T08:13:46Z Jaime Masters on Focus, Flow, Time Tracking and Nootropics https://beyondthetodolist.com/403 403 Jaime Masters on Focus, Flow, Time Tracking and Nootropics full Erik Fisher Jaime Masters of Eventual Millionaire talks about 'Absolute Yes', Flow State, Time Tracking and Nootropics. 46:09 no Jaime Masters is the CEO of Evential Millionaire. She is a Business coach, author, and professional speaker and has hosted one-on-one interviews with over 350 millionaires and billionaires.

In this conversation Jaime and Erik talk about 'Absolute Yes', Flow State, Time Tracking and Nootropics.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+JDp1qpT0 ]]> Erik Fisher Jaime Masters (http://eventualmillionaire.com/beyond) is the CEO of Evential Millionaire. She is a Business coach, author, and professional speaker and has hosted one-on-one interviews with over 350 millionaires and billionaires. In this conversation Jaime and Erik talk about 'Absolute Yes', Flow State, Time Tracking and Nootropics. This episode is brought to you by: * Justworks (http://justworks.com) * Textexpander (http://textexpander.com/podcast) <p><a href="http://eventualmillionaire.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Jaime Masters</a> is the CEO of Evential Millionaire. She is a Business coach, author, and professional speaker and has hosted one-on-one interviews with over 350 millionaires and billionaires. </p> <p>In this conversation Jaime and Erik talk about &#39;Absolute Yes&#39;, Flow State, Time Tracking and Nootropics.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://justworks.com" rel="nofollow">Justworks</a></li> <li><a href="http://textexpander.com/podcast" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> </ul> Mon, 04 Oct 2021 03:45:00 GMT 53b3d9c2-a419-4bd7-8ced-3326b92ae30f Erik Fisher 2021-10-04T03:45:00Z Productive Reading: Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport – TPW366 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-reading-digital-minimalism-by-cal-newport-tpw366/ In this episode we continue our recurring “Productive Reading” series, this time talking about my key takeaways from Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport. (Spoiler alert: I HIGHLY recommend this book.) Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport.



Being more intentional about our use of digital tools can increase our productivity and enhance our quality of life

In past episodes of our recurring Productive Reading series, we’ve talked about the lessons and key takeaways I found in books such as Gary Keller’s The ONE Thing (episode 133), The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg (episode 147), 3 books written by Brené Brown (episode 166), Soulful Simplicity, by Courtney Carver (episode 182), The Free-Time Formula by Jeff Sanders (episode 211), James Clear’s wonderful Atomic Habits (episode 230), Free to Focus, by Michael Hyatt (episode 250), Attention Management, by Maura Nevel Thomas (episode 271), The Minimalist Home, by Joshua Becker (episode 324), and most recently, Effortless, by Greg McKeown (episode 349). This time I’m sharing some of my most important takeaways from a 2019 book by Cal Newport, who’s the author of, among other things, the best-selling Deep Work. I recently read his 2019 release, Digital Minimalism, and I’ve been looking forward to talking with you about it.

Who is Cal Newport? 

From the back cover copy:

Cal Newport is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and the author of six books, including Deep Work and So Good They Can’t Ignore You. You won’t find him on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, but you can often find him at home with his family in Washington, DC, or writing essays for his popular website, calnewport.com.

Why did I read this book?

I’ve heard about this book from several sources I respect, and I was intrigued by its premise, especially since I’ve personally struggled with the conflict between the convenience and utility of the devices and apps I use and the overwhelm of being always on. I thought this book would offer some insight into regaining some sense of control and peace in what Newport refers to as “our tech-saturated world.” 

On the front flap, it says

Common-sense tips like turning off notifications, or occasional rituals like observing a digital Sabbath, don’t go far enough in helping us take back control of our technological lives, and attempts to unplug completely are complicated by the demands of family, friends, and work. What we need instead is a thoughtful method to decide what tools to use, for what purposes, and under what conditions.

]]> Laura McClellan 366 Productive Reading: Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport clean 42:49 In this episode we continue our recurring “Productive Reading” series, this time talking about my key takeaways from Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport. (Spoiler alert: I HIGHLY recommend this book.) Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:58:51 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10305 2021-09-29T08:58:51Z AYJW120 – Shang-Chi https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw120-shang-chi/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw120-shang-chi/feed/ 0 Eastern philosophy clashes with Western culture in Marvel’s Shang-Chi, a movie that pits good against evil in a classic Asian hero story. Eastern philosophy clashes with Western culture in Marvel’s Shang-Chi, a movie that pits good against evil in a classic Asian hero story. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:03:36 Eastern philosophy clashes with Western culture in Marvel’s Shang-Chi, a movie that pits good against evil in a classic Asian hero story. Podcast Rated PG-13 apathy Desires Eastern philosophy goals interracial marriage legacy Marvel motivation responsibility temptation unequally yoked Yin Yang Wed, 29 Sep 2021 00:04:25 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw120-shang-chi/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6474 2021-09-29T00:04:25Z Paul Jarvis on Resilience, Autonomy, Speed and Simplicity https://beyondthetodolist.com/402 402 Paul Jarvis on Resilience, Autonomy, Speed and Simplicity full Erik Fisher Paul Jarvis on staying small and avoiding growth to have freedom to pursue more meaningful pleasures in life and how to make it work for you. 48:01 no Paul Jarvis is a web designer, best-selling author and gentleman of adventure. Paul has a reputation as the designer whose vision and web design strategy is the prime catalyst for building multi-million dollar businesses. He's worked with Silicon Valley startups, pro sports athletes, Fortune 500 companies, best-selling authors and the world’s biggest entrepreneurs. Paul's new book is 'Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business'.

In this episode he and Erik talk about staying small and avoiding growth to have freedom to pursue more meaningful pleasures in life, and avoid the headaches that result from dealing with employees, long meetings, or worrying about expansion. Company of One introduces this unique business strategy and explains how to make it work for you.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+TJnoFMqu ]]> Erik Fisher Paul Jarvis is a web designer, best-selling author and gentleman of adventure. Paul has a reputation as the designer whose vision and web design strategy is the prime catalyst for building multi-million dollar businesses. He's worked with Silicon Valley startups, pro sports athletes, Fortune 500 companies, best-selling authors and the world’s biggest entrepreneurs. Paul's new book is 'Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business' (https://amzn.to/2CrhfU7). In this episode he and Erik talk about staying small and avoiding growth to have freedom to pursue more meaningful pleasures in life, and avoid the headaches that result from dealing with employees, long meetings, or worrying about expansion. Company of One introduces this unique business strategy and explains how to make it work for you. This episode is brought to you by: * LMNT (http://drinklmnt.com/beyond) * Setapp (http://setapp.com) <p>Paul Jarvis is a web designer, best-selling author and gentleman of adventure. Paul has a reputation as the designer whose vision and web design strategy is the prime catalyst for building multi-million dollar businesses. He&#39;s worked with Silicon Valley startups, pro sports athletes, Fortune 500 companies, best-selling authors and the world’s biggest entrepreneurs. Paul&#39;s new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/2CrhfU7" rel="nofollow">&#39;Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business&#39;</a>.</p> <p>In this episode he and Erik talk about staying small and avoiding growth to have freedom to pursue more meaningful pleasures in life, and avoid the headaches that result from dealing with employees, long meetings, or worrying about expansion. Company of One introduces this unique business strategy and explains how to make it work for you.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://drinklmnt.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">LMNT</a></li> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> </ul> Sun, 26 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT eedd4591-0ea7-4a9f-98eb-235f5fb64570 Erik Fisher 2021-09-26T05:00:00Z Bonus Shortcast Episode: Nir Eyal on Conquering Distractions https://beyondthetodolist.com/401 401 Bonus Shortcast Episode: Nir Eyal on Conquering Distractions full Erik Fisher A shortcast episode with Nir Eyal on Conquering Distractions 12:25 no This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Nir Eyal on conquering distractions.

You can listen to all the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free!

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+S-HyS88m ]]> Erik Fisher This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Nir Eyal on conquering distractions. You can listen to all the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends (http://blinkist.com/friends) and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free! <p>This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I&#39;ve partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Nir Eyal on conquering distractions.</p> <p>You can listen to all the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to <a href="http://blinkist.com/friends" rel="nofollow">blinkist.com/friends</a> and enter &#39;beyond&#39; for 14 days of Blinkist for free!</p> Thu, 23 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT f6286ecb-06b3-4a5b-ad8e-9b6306c09a7c Erik Fisher 2021-09-23T05:00:00Z Productive Living: Span of Control, with Carey Lohrenz – TPW365 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-span-of-control-with-carey-lohrenz-tpw365/ In this latest episode of our 2021 Productive Living series, Navy fighter pilot, bestselling author, and mom Carey Lohrenz and I talk about formulating a plan for success by focusing on your span of control.


Leadership, span of control, and productivity

Carey Lohrenz is a highly sought-after leadership speaker, business consultant, military aviation pioneer, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who’s been featured in notable media outlets such as NPR, Time, CNN, NBC, and CBS. She’s also a wife and a mom to 4 kids! At one time, Carey was one of the U.S. Navy's first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilots. (For people who are not familiar with aviation, an F-14 is the same plane that Tom Cruise flew in the movie Top Gun.)

The cockpit of an F-14 is one of the most demanding environments on earth and where Carey learned some of her most unforgettable lessons, not just in flying, but also in life and leadership. When Carey was in the Navy, she was fortunate to work with outstanding teammates and had lots of opportunities for coaching and improvement. For the last 15 years, Carey has worked with Fortune One through Fortune Fifteen companies helping leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and even athletes not only build their own leadership skills but build and grow high-performing teams as well. While doing this, she is also a mom and business owner--similar to many other women in the TPW community. She is always juggling several glass balls, hoping to not drop the most important one.

What is a span of control?

Carey has written about leadership in the past, but her new book, Span of Control, is about navigating stressful times by focusing on what you can control.

To Carey, the phrase "span of control" refers to an idea, mantra, or framework that is determined by the number of things you can and should control at any given time, with the understanding that everything else is just a distraction. The biggest challenge and opportunity is for us to learn how to overcome our circumstances instead of being overwhelmed by them. In Carey's book, she shares her "span of control" framework as a tool and a resource for helping us to determine what we can and should control and to help us solve the problems caused by chaos and uncertainty. Her goal is to help us meet our commitments and accomplish our goals and dreams.

The way forward to being productive in any situation or circumstance is to focus on the things you can control. 

There is so much going on in the world right now that we can't control. Focusing on what we can control can really make a big difference. Although we may never find ourselves in the cockpit of a fighter jet or leading a business, or even consider ourselves to be a "leader", we are all living in an age of overwhelming chaos and the uncertainty can take a toll on us. Most of us are facing more demands than we can handle. Task overload happens when the number of things we are being asked to pay attention to outpaces the information processing capacity of our brain. This can lead to overwhelm and burnout. 

The good news though, is that if we take a second to understand that our goal should be to do anything possible to prevent task overload, we will still be able to function at a high level where we're present and serve ourselves and others. There is a path forward and that's the important thing to know.

Carey's advice for handling task overload

When it comes to handling task overload,]]> Laura McClellan 365 Productive Living: Span of Control, with Carey Lohrenz clean 47:45 In this latest episode of our 2021 Productive Living series, Navy fighter pilot, bestselling author, and mom Carey Lohrenz and I talk about formulating a plan for success by focusing on your span of control. Wed, 22 Sep 2021 08:47:39 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10286 2021-09-22T08:47:39Z Dorie Clark on the power of Long Term Thinking https://beyondthetodolist.com/400 400 Dorie Clark on the power of Long Term Thinking full Erik Fisher Dorie Clark shares principles and frameworks to give long term strategy to achieving your goals. 43:53 no Dorie Clark is an Adjunct Professor of Business Administration at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and a Visiting Professor for IE Business School in Madrid. She has guest lectured at Harvard Business School, the Harvard Kennedy School, Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, the Wharton School, the MIT Sloan School of Management, and more.

Her new book is The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World. In it she shares unique principles and frameworks you can apply to your specific situation, as well as vivid stories from her own career and other professionals' experiences to give long term strategy to your goals.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+AubzGWA8 ]]> Erik Fisher Dorie Clark (https://amzn.to/3zzMGr2) is an Adjunct Professor of Business Administration at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and a Visiting Professor for IE Business School in Madrid. She has guest lectured at Harvard Business School, the Harvard Kennedy School, Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, the Wharton School, the MIT Sloan School of Management, and more. Her new book is The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World (https://amzn.to/3zzMGr2). In it she shares unique principles and frameworks you can apply to your specific situation, as well as vivid stories from her own career and other professionals' experiences to give long term strategy to your goals. This episode is brought to you by: * Setapp (http://setapp.com) * Wild Alaskan Company (http://wildalaskancompany.com/beyond) * Postie (http://postie.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3zzMGr2" rel="nofollow">Dorie Clark</a> is an Adjunct Professor of Business Administration at Duke University&#39;s Fuqua School of Business and a Visiting Professor for IE Business School in Madrid. She has guest lectured at Harvard Business School, the Harvard Kennedy School, Stanford University&#39;s Graduate School of Business, the Wharton School, the MIT Sloan School of Management, and more. </p> <p>Her new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/3zzMGr2" rel="nofollow">The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World</a>. In it she shares unique principles and frameworks you can apply to your specific situation, as well as vivid stories from her own career and other professionals&#39; experiences to give long term strategy to your goals. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> <li><a href="http://wildalaskancompany.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Wild Alaskan Company</a></li> <li><a href="http://postie.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Postie</a></li> </ul> Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT a356544a-c956-4c2e-a3f8-d36dc63de43e Erik Fisher 2021-09-19T05:00:00Z Bonus Shortcast Episode: Laura Vanderkam on Remote Work https://beyondthetodolist.com/399 399 Bonus Shortcast Episode: Laura Vanderkam on Remote Work full Erik Fisher A shortcast episode with Laura Vanderkam on Remote Work Productivity 11:06 no This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Laura Vanderkam on remote work productivity.

You can listen to all the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free!

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+Xi8wdf8J ]]> Erik Fisher This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Laura Vanderkam on remote work productivity. You can listen to all the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends (http://blinkist.com/friends) and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free! <p>This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I&#39;ve partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Laura Vanderkam on remote work productivity.</p> <p>You can listen to all the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to <a href="http://blinkist.com/friends" rel="nofollow">blinkist.com/friends</a> and enter &#39;beyond&#39; for 14 days of Blinkist for free!</p> Fri, 17 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT 3f482d62-c9ed-4cf0-87dc-0f01e2a45750 Erik Fisher 2021-09-17T05:00:00Z Productivity for Free – TPW364 https://theproductivewoman.com/productivity-for-free-tpw364/ Productivity doesn't have to be costly. This week I share ideas for free productivity tools that can help you accomplish more of what matters to you.


There are many free (or low-cost) productivity tools to help you focus and make time for what's most important

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it would take to simplify my life, which includes thoughts about simplifying my budget. I spent some time thinking about and researching tools and resources we can use for free, which can help us to be more productive and focus on what really matters.

Managing our tasks

I love OmniFocus and have paid for it for years. There are other good paid apps too, such as Todoist and Nozbe. But after doing some research I discovered some alternatives to these apps that are free.


Paper and pen, of course. Literally a notepad and pen, or paper planners (not totally free, of course, but can be quite inexpensive).
There are free versions of Todoist and other paid apps (which may have limited features).
Google products, such Google Docs, which is a simple list in a word processor document (you could do the same in a Word document if you already have MS Office.) There is also Google Keep (this link explains How to use it), which lets you create notes, reminders, and more and is available on Android, computers, iPhone, and iPad.
Apple products--apps that come preinstalled on your Apple devices, such as Notes and Reminder.
Notion--a very versatile new-ish (or new to me) software that can become a hub for your life--to-do lists, notes, planning, etc. This app is free for individual use and there are apps for Windows, Mac, mobile devices, which will all sync.
There are free versions of shared tools like Asana and Trello, which use a very visual approach to task and project management.


Managing our commitments

To keep track of where we need to be and at what time, we need a calendar of some type, whether paper or electronic. If it is an electronic calendar, preferably it will come with alerts and reminders. I use Fantastical, which I love, to sync all my various calendars (personal, TPW calendar, calendars I share with Mike). Fantastical is a paid calendar and although for me it's worth the cost, there are also free alternatives.


Paper calendar -- wall or desk/paper planner (not totally free unless you receive one as a freebie from a business)
Google Calendar
If you have/use Apple devices, iCal
Notion


Learning new productivity skills

There are lots of sources of paid trainings, sponsored by various apps and productivity experts. I receive,]]> Laura McClellan 364 Productivity for Free clean 43:18 Productivity doesn't have to be costly. This week I share ideas for free productivity tools that can help you accomplish more of what matters to you. Wed, 15 Sep 2021 08:57:14 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10274 2021-09-15T08:57:14Z Megan McNealy on Achieving Optimal Productivity Through Well-being https://beyondthetodolist.com/398 398 Megan McNealy on Achieving Optimal Productivity Through Well-being full Erik Fisher Megan McNealy talks about achieving optimal productivity through well-being. 48:51 no Megan McNealy has devoted her career to helping others achieve their highest potential-- by helping clients attain financial freedom through her wealth management career, and by helping readers and audiences master total well-being through her impactful work as a well-being and success thought leader.

In Reinvent the Wheel, McNealy takes on the mistaken belief that doing well is more important than being well. In executive summary style, with to-the-point research combined with poignant stories, McNealy shows that well-being, in fact, drives, promotes and accelerates success.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+lqM0XaLS ]]> Erik Fisher Megan McNealy (https://www.meganmcnealy.com) has devoted her career to helping others achieve their highest potential-- by helping clients attain financial freedom through her wealth management career, and by helping readers and audiences master total well-being through her impactful work as a well-being and success thought leader. In Reinvent the Wheel (https://amzn.to/2O1fYZJ), McNealy takes on the mistaken belief that doing well is more important than being well. In executive summary style, with to-the-point research combined with poignant stories, McNealy shows that well-being, in fact, drives, promotes and accelerates success. This episode is brought to you by: * LMNT (http://DrinkLMNT.com/beyond) - Get a free sample pack! * LinkedIn Jobs (http://linkedin.com/beyond) - Post your job free! <p><a href="https://www.meganmcnealy.com" rel="nofollow">Megan McNealy</a> has devoted her career to helping others achieve their highest potential-- by helping clients attain financial freedom through her wealth management career, and by helping readers and audiences master total well-being through her impactful work as a well-being and success thought leader. </p> <p>In <a href="https://amzn.to/2O1fYZJ" rel="nofollow">Reinvent the Wheel</a>, McNealy takes on the mistaken belief that doing well is more important than being well. In executive summary style, with to-the-point research combined with poignant stories, McNealy shows that well-being, in fact, drives, promotes and accelerates success.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://DrinkLMNT.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">LMNT</a> - Get a free sample pack!</li> <li><a href="http://linkedin.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn Jobs</a> - Post your job free!</li> </ul> Mon, 13 Sep 2021 03:45:00 GMT b4b2ba61-66a5-4e7c-a242-4e5c039a006e Erik Fisher 2021-09-13T03:45:00Z Bonus Shortcast Episode: Robert Stanley on Quitting https://beyondthetodolist.com/397 397 Bonus Shortcast Episode: Robert Stanley on Quitting full Erik Fisher A shortcast episode with Stanley Robertson on Why Quitting is the Last Principle of Success 10:55 no This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Stanley Robertson on Why Quitting is the Last Principle of Success.

If you're interested, you can listen to all the rest of the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free!

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+dPT7ZVhJ ]]> Erik Fisher This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Stanley Robertson on Why Quitting is the Last Principle of Success. If you're interested, you can listen to all the rest of the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends (http://blinkist.com/friends) and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free! <p>This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I&#39;ve partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Stanley Robertson on Why Quitting is the Last Principle of Success.</p> <p>If you&#39;re interested, you can listen to all the rest of the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to <a href="http://blinkist.com/friends" rel="nofollow">blinkist.com/friends</a> and enter &#39;beyond&#39; for 14 days of Blinkist for free!</p> Fri, 10 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT fda7aa91-dbca-4e58-af83-ebb4a8f39891 Erik Fisher 2021-09-10T05:00:00Z Back to School (as an adult) – TPW363 https://theproductivewoman.com/back-to-school-as-an-adult-tpw363/ In this episode we discuss returning to school as an adult student and how to balance your studies and other responsibilities, while still making time for yourself.


Returning to school isn't easy, but it's possible to balance your responsibilities and still make time for what matters most.

There was a question raised recently about going to school as an adult. Specifically, I was asked to talk about my experience as a college student and then a law student as an adult, while still raising a family. 

First, some stats about adult students


* “According to EAB, a research firm in the education sector, 38 percent of undergraduates are considered adult learners—i.e. older than 25. This number of adult undergraduates is projected to grow 21 percent by 2022. Adults going back to college to add to their existing degrees or finish degrees they once started is becoming increasingly common.” [from 7 Reasons Adult Learners are Going Back to School]
Several articles note that a majority of adult students returning to college after an absence are women.
It's never too late to go back to school--several articles described students between the ages of 25 and 69.
There are lots of reasons to return to school--to change careers, improve opportunities for advancement, updating skills or developing new skills and expertise, finishing a degree that was started sometime before, or going for an advanced degree (graduate or professional school), or maybe you've reached a stage in life when you can afford the time and expense of college.


My experience (and my daughter's) as an adult student

I started college at 20 (already married) and did a year of undergrad, during which my first child was born. We moved across the country (twice) then I went back to school for another year after our second child was born. Ten years and 2 kids later, I went back to school to finish undergrad. Our 5th child was born a couple of weeks after finals of my junior year. I then went directly to law school when our oldest was 14 and our youngest was 1. 

Interestingly enough, 20+ years later, our oldest daughter is doing the same. She started college right out of high school but after a couple of years of school she married and started a family, then last year went back to school to finish a degree in preparation to be a teacher. She turned 40 this year and she and her husband have 4 daughters. I asked her for her thoughts on the experience, some of which I’ll share later. One thing she mentioned that’s better now as an older student than when she was just out of high school: “I have better time management skills now and I’m more focused. I’m more motivated to do well so I’m not wasting my time or money.” She said she likes being in school now much more than she did when she was younger. She knows why she’s there and what she wants so she is more focused and not distracted by friends and “college life” and what everybody else is doing.

Specific challenges adult students face


* Balancing life and school--you might need to balance your family responsibilities, or maybe even a job. This is one of the things Rachel mentioned as being the big challenge.
Lack of funds--you might not qualify for loans, and already have a budget filled with a mortgage, car payments, braces for the kids, etc.
Lack of confidence--you may struggle with thinking, "What if I’m not cut out for college?]]> Laura McClellan 363 Back to School (as an adult) clean 40:05 In this episode we discuss returning to school as an adult student and how to balance your studies and other responsibilities, while still making time for yourself. Wed, 08 Sep 2021 08:24:58 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10249 2021-09-08T08:24:58Z Aaron Dignan on Challenging Assumptions and Operating System of an Organization https://beyondthetodolist.com/396 396 Aaron Dignan on Challenging Assumptions and Operating System of an Organization full Erik Fisher Aaron Dignan talks about challenging the assumptions about the future of work, the organizational operating system and making the necessary changes to move forward.  43:50 no Aaron Dignan is the founder of The Ready, an organization design and transformation firm that helps institutions like Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Airbnb, and charity: water change the way they work. He is a co-founder of responsive.org, an investor in purpose-driven startups, and a friend to misfit toys.

Aaron’s new book is Brave New Work: Are You Ready to Reinvent Your Organization? In this conversation, Aaron talks about challenging the assumptions about the future of work, the organizational operating system and making the necessary changes to move forward.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+7h5waC8Q ]]> Erik Fisher Aaron Dignan (https://amzn.to/2tXVp6I) is the founder of The Ready (https://theready.com/), an organization design and transformation firm that helps institutions like Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Airbnb, and charity: water change the way they work. He is a co-founder of responsive.org, an investor in purpose-driven startups, and a friend to misfit toys. Aaron’s new book is Brave New Work: Are You Ready to Reinvent Your Organization? In this conversation, Aaron talks about challenging the assumptions about the future of work, the organizational operating system and making the necessary changes to move forward. This episode is brought to you by: * Textexpander - Get 20% off your first year! (http://textexpander.com/podcast) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/2tXVp6I" rel="nofollow">Aaron Dignan</a> is the founder of <a href="https://theready.com/" rel="nofollow">The Ready</a>, an organization design and transformation firm that helps institutions like Johnson &#38; Johnson, Microsoft, Airbnb, and charity: water change the way they work. He is a co-founder of responsive.org, an investor in purpose-driven startups, and a friend to misfit toys. </p> <p>Aaron’s new book is Brave New Work: Are You Ready to Reinvent Your Organization? In this conversation, Aaron talks about challenging the assumptions about the future of work, the organizational operating system and making the necessary changes to move forward.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://textexpander.com/podcast" rel="nofollow">Textexpander - Get 20% off your first year!</a></li> </ul> Mon, 06 Sep 2021 03:00:00 GMT 6c882fea-d294-44ba-929e-cf8cd12f5ef7 Erik Fisher 2021-09-06T03:00:00Z Bonus Shortcast Episode: James Clear Atomic Habits https://beyondthetodolist.com/395 395 Bonus Shortcast Episode: James Clear Atomic Habits full Erik Fisher A shortcast episode on James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits' 11:18 no This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is all about the power of habits and how to create them, and is created from my episode with James Clear the author of Atomic Habits.

If you're interested, you can listen to all the rest of the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free!

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+RfYFQFrN ]]> Erik Fisher This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is all about the power of habits and how to create them, and is created from my episode with James Clear the author of Atomic Habits (https://amzn.to/3DKf7G1). If you're interested, you can listen to all the rest of the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends (http://blinkist.com/friends) and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free! <p>This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I&#39;ve partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is all about the power of habits and how to create them, and is created from my episode with <a href="https://amzn.to/3DKf7G1" rel="nofollow">James Clear the author of Atomic Habits</a>.</p> <p>If you&#39;re interested, you can listen to all the rest of the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to <a href="http://blinkist.com/friends" rel="nofollow">blinkist.com/friends</a> and enter &#39;beyond&#39; for 14 days of Blinkist for free!</p> Fri, 03 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT 99d80523-2bb0-464f-9160-1f310dfd9cd2 Erik Fisher 2021-09-03T05:00:00Z Creating Productive Routines – TPW362 https://theproductivewoman.com/creating-productive-routines-tpw362/ Developing intentional and purposeful routines can make a big difference in our day-to-day productivity.


 

The value of routines in building a productive life

What is a routine?

To begin with, let's establish what a routine is. The dictionary I consulted defines routine as “a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program”. So basically a routine is a  set of habits performed at a regular time and/or place. We all have them, mostly developed unintentionally, such as what time we get up in the morning and what we do first. Routines can be lots of different kinds -- morning, evening, daily/weekly/monthly, health-related (fitness), social, work-related, etc. 

How do routines help? 

How can routines help improve productivity? To begin with, routines promote efficiency; anything we do repeatedly, we can do more quickly. 

Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent.

Routines also help minimize decision fatigue. If we follow a sequence of actions we’ve chosen ahead of time, we don’t have to decide what to do next.

They allow our brains to go on autopilot, freeing up brain power for creative thinking and problem-solving. If you have something you do the same way over and over again (maybe at work or in your kitchen), you have a routine and can allow your mind to wander and think about something else--maybe a problem that needs to be solved.

One article I read stated that “Research has consistently shown that routines can play an important role in mental health". One study, for example, found that routines could help people better manage stress and anxiety. Having a regular routine can help you:


Lower stress levels 
Form good daily habits 
Take better care of your health 
Feel more productive 
Feel more focused


That same article notes how important routines can be during stressful times of our life, saying, “Even if you don't typically thrive on a strict schedule, having a routine can be helpful in times of unpredictability, uncertainty, and stress.” 

How do we create a productive routine?


* Awareness -- notice the routines you already have in place and then observe and evaluate them. What’s working, what’s missing, what would you like to change (and why)?
Intentionality -- What do you want to accomplish? Serenity? Order? Accomplishment? What’s an area of your life that could benefit from a new or changed routine? For example, Do you want mornings before school/work to be more peaceful? Do you want to set yourself up for productive work mornings by establishing a daily shut-down routine?


It's not about simply adding more stuff into your day, but being strategic about what you routinely do. 

Incremental changes are better than attempting a massive overhaul. Start simple, add and adjust as you go. 

Give yourself time for the changes to turn into habitual routines. They should be personal to you and serve your life.

Examples of routines

I'm sharing a couple of my own routines, not because they’re perfect, but simply as examples. These reflect the fact that I work from home, my kids are grown and gone, it’s just Mike and me.]]> Laura McClellan 362 Creating Productive Routines clean 33:06 Developing intentional and purposeful routines can make a big difference in our day-to-day productivity. Wed, 01 Sep 2021 08:32:05 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10233 2021-09-01T08:32:05Z Juliet Funt on Taking Strategic Pauses to Conquer Busyness https://beyondthetodolist.com/394 394 Juliet Funt on Taking Strategic Pauses to Conquer Busyness full Erik Fisher Juliet funt talks about how to reclaim creativity, conquer busyness, and do your best work using strategic pauses. 43:30 no Juliet Funt is a renowned keynote speaker and tough-love advisor to the Fortune 500. She is an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busywork. Her new book is 'A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work'.
In this conversation Juliet talks about how to reclaim creativity, conquer busyness, and do your best work using strategic pauses.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+E_ySdboS ]]> Erik Fisher Juliet Funt (https://www.julietfunt.com) is a renowned keynote speaker and tough-love advisor to the Fortune 500. She is an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busywork. Her new book is 'A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work (https://amzn.to/2WTYWFg)'. In this conversation Juliet talks about how to reclaim creativity, conquer busyness, and do your best work using strategic pauses. This episode is brought to you by: * LMNT (http://drinklmnt.com/beyond) * Setapp (http://setapp.com) <p><a href="https://www.julietfunt.com" rel="nofollow">Juliet Funt</a> is a renowned keynote speaker and tough-love advisor to the Fortune 500. She is an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busywork. Her new book is &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/2WTYWFg" rel="nofollow">A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work</a>&#39;.<br> In this conversation Juliet talks about how to reclaim creativity, conquer busyness, and do your best work using strategic pauses.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://drinklmnt.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">LMNT</a></li> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> </ul> Mon, 30 Aug 2021 03:45:00 GMT 14e895ba-9532-4d6c-9630-ff345de87702 Erik Fisher 2021-08-30T03:45:00Z AYJW119 – The Tomorrow War https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw119-the-tomorrow-war/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw119-the-tomorrow-war/feed/ 0 In Amazon Prime’s The Tomorrow War, conscripted soldiers and scientific researchers try to prevent a future alien threat from destroying humanity, excluding the only secure hope of a true future through faith in God. In Amazon Prime’s The Tomorrow War, conscripted soldiers and scientific researchers try to prevent a future alien threat from destroying humanity, excluding the only secure hope of a true future through faith in God. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:10:08 In Amazon Prime’s The Tomorrow War, conscripted soldiers and scientific researchers try to prevent a future alien threat from destroying humanity, excluding the only secure hope of a true future through faith in God. Podcast Rated PG-13 Abandonment christ climate change environmentalism eternity future hope idolatry invasion PTSD sins of the fathers sloth youth Fri, 27 Aug 2021 17:27:35 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw119-the-tomorrow-war/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6448 2021-08-27T17:27:35Z Using Words Productively – TPW361 https://theproductivewoman.com/using-words-productively-tpw361/ Using words productively calls for intentionality but can maximize our positive impact on the world around us.


Using words productively contributes to a life that matters

I’ve been a bookworm since I learned to read, and a writer for almost as long. I’ve always loved words--the sounds, the meanings, the way they can express (or create) feelings or take us into another world or way of thinking.  

As a lawyer, words are my stock in trade. I use them all day long, speaking and writing, articulating ideas and taking in information. 

As a podcaster, words are the tools I use to communicate ideas and make connections. 

I've been thinking a lot these days about the things we say -- to each other and to ourselves, both spoken and written words. Do words matter? Yes. The words we use, whether spoken aloud or only in our thoughts, affect us--our mindset, our perception of the world we live in and the people we meet, our relationships.

In a 2013 TED discussion on NPR, “Does Language Bring Us Together or Pull Us Apart?”, biologist Dr. Mark Pagel speaks of the potency of our words using a memorable phrase, explaining that through language we are able to “implant our ideas” into another’s mind. Language provides the rails on which thoughts ride. The words we use — and how we use them — matter immensely because they shape the way we perceive the world and participate within it.” [from How Much Do Our Words Matter?]

"Words are free. It's how you use them that may cost you." ~ KushandWizdom

1. Think before speaking

"Be mindful when it comes to your words. A string of some that don't mean much to you may stick with someone else for a lifetime." ~ Rachel Wolchin.

Watching our words is one of the ways we can maximize our positive impact on others and the world around us--by thinking before we speak. The words we say thoughtlessly may not mean much to us but they can have a huge impact on others.

Before responding to a person or situation, question your assumptions. If we stop and think about our assumptions, it may change the words we choose to use-- assumptions about others (their motivations, their capabilities), about yourself (your abilities or motivations), or your circumstances.

Part of the Work that Byron Katie teaches is about taking a thought (which is just words, right?) and running it through some questions:


* Is it true? 
* Can I absolutely know it’s true? (Can it be proven in a court of law?)  
* How do I react when I believe it? 
* Who would I be without that thought?


Pay attention to the tone of your words to others and to yourself.

2. Train your mind

Words are what our minds use to create thoughts. Our thoughts create our emotions, which drive our actions, which produce our results.

Thoughts are words; choose them intentionally. Thinking and saying things as simple as I get to vs. I have to can make a big difference. It's a subtle change in words and mindset and we can choose which one we want to have. 

If you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right. We can change the way our minds use words by persistent, intentional practice.

Last week's guest,]]> Laura McClellan 361 Using Words Productively clean 34:32 Using words productively calls for intentionality but can maximize our positive impact on the world around us. Wed, 25 Aug 2021 08:21:38 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10214 2021-08-25T08:21:38Z Grant Crowell on Creative Communication Skills https://beyondthetodolist.com/393 393 Grant Crowell on Creative Communication Skills full Erik Fisher Grant Crowell on how to use creative techniques to improve workplace communication. 43:34 no Grant Crowell is a virtual events trainer, a creative communication skills facilitator, a neurodiversity speaker and author. His book is 'GRANTASMS: Creative twisted words for cool people!'. In this conversation, Grant talks about how to use creative techniques to improve workplace communication.

This episode is bought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+lTetxyvz ]]> Erik Fisher Grant Crowell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantcrowell/) is a virtual events trainer, a creative communication skills facilitator, a neurodiversity speaker and author. His book is 'GRANTASMS: Creative twisted words for cool people! (https://amzn.to/3mLyVmm)'. In this conversation, Grant talks about how to use creative techniques to improve workplace communication. This episode is bought to you by: * Postie (http://postie.com/beyond) * Setapp (http://setapp.com) <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantcrowell/" rel="nofollow">Grant Crowell</a> is a virtual events trainer, a creative communication skills facilitator, a neurodiversity speaker and author. His book is &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/3mLyVmm" rel="nofollow">GRANTASMS: Creative twisted words for cool people!</a>&#39;. In this conversation, Grant talks about how to use creative techniques to improve workplace communication. </p> <p>This episode is bought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://postie.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Postie</a></li> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> </ul> Mon, 23 Aug 2021 03:00:00 GMT cd364463-ba4d-4dd6-abb5-dfdd818f1127 Erik Fisher 2021-08-23T03:00:00Z Productive Living: Mental Health, with Scout Sobel – TPW360 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-mental-health-with-scout-sobel-tpw360/ In this latest installment of our 2021 Productive Living series, Scout Sobel and I talk about mental health & productivity--feeling safe in your emotions, living in alignment, and going after your dreams.


Taking care of your mental health is an important part of making a life that matters

Scout Sobel is the CEO of Scout's Agency, host of the Scout podcast, co-host of Okay Sis podcast, and author of the new book, The Emotional Entrepreneur. Scout lives in San Diego with her husband and princess Pomeranian and enjoys journaling, reading, having Happy Hour with her friends, and watching Parks & Rec and Jurassic Park.

Scouts journey to who she is today

Scout's entrepreneurial journey began with many different iterations until she got to where she is today--and who she is today wasn't even possible until she discovered podcasting. Each step she took along the way was important, though, and had an impact on who she is.

Scout had her first depressive episode when she was 14 years old (although she remembers feeling some symptoms between the ages of 4 and 6--behavioral problems and social isolation) and was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder Type Two at the age of 20.

Her mental health journey has had many iterations and symptoms, including depression, anxiety, hypomania, catatonia, psychosis, paranoia, and suicidal ideation. Upon receiving her diagnosis and being deemed as nonfunctional by her doctors, she dropped out of college due to an inability to function in today’s society - a theme that would play out in her early twenties as she quit every minimum wage job, internship, or program she started. During this time she also participated in outpatient programs and tried different medications.

At the age of 23, she discovered entrepreneurship and realized that this was a play her mental illness could "dance" in. Her highest of highs and lowest of lows often mirrored entrepreneurship, so it was a good fit for her.

Although Scout has been a functioning member of society since her mid-20s (and she is now approaching 30), it's only been within the last year and a half that she has finally felt safe and comfortable with her mental illness and all the emotions she experiences. She feels grounded now and no longer views her mental illness as her enemy, but rather her guiding light. 

When Scout speaks about her mental illness, she is often admired for her bravery and strength because it's not easy to talk about. She understands there is a shame and stigma around mental illness (and when she was first diagnosed there was very little social media) but she never felt for one minute that she shouldn't share her story. She shares it openly and with pride because her mental illness is a part of who she is.

Scout's advice for someone who is experiencing hopelessness

There was a pivotal moment in Scout's life when she started to take responsibility for her own healing after her boyfriend (who's now her husband) looked at her within two months of dating and said, “If you are depressed and hopeful, I can be in this relationship. If you are depressed and hopeless, I can’t be here with you."

In that moment, he showed Scout that she was actually in control and had the ability to have hope, faith, and gratitude, rather than exist in a victimhood mentality and let other's opinions influence her...]]> Laura McClellan 360 Productive Living: Mental Health, with Scout Sobel clean 43:49 In this latest installment of our 2021 Productive Living series, Scout Sobel and I talk about mental health & productivity--feeling safe in your emotions, living in alignment, and going after your dreams. Wed, 18 Aug 2021 08:01:23 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10188 2021-08-18T08:01:23Z Ron Friedmann on Using Reverse Engineering to Master New Skills Faster https://beyondthetodolist.com/392 392 Ron Friedmann on Using Reverse Engineering to Master New Skills Faster full Erik Fisher Ron Friedmann shares how using reverse engineering helps to master new skills faster. 41:11 no Ron Friedman, an award-winning social psychologist who specializes in human motivation. Ron has served on the faculty of the University of Rochester, Nazareth College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and has consulted for some of the world’s most successful organizations. Ron's new book is Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success. In this conversation, Ron shares how using reverse engineering helps to master new skills faster.

This episode is brought to you by

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+Wp_Q8PAC ]]> Erik Fisher Ron Friedman, an award-winning social psychologist who specializes in human motivation. Ron has served on the faculty of the University of Rochester, Nazareth College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and has consulted for some of the world’s most successful organizations. Ron's new book is Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success (https://amzn.to/3stApT0). In this conversation, Ron shares how using reverse engineering helps to master new skills faster. This episode is brought to you by * LinkedIn Jobs - Post your job for free! (http://linkedin.com/beyond) <p>Ron Friedman, an award-winning social psychologist who specializes in human motivation. Ron has served on the faculty of the University of Rochester, Nazareth College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and has consulted for some of the world’s most successful organizations. Ron&#39;s new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/3stApT0" rel="nofollow">Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success</a>. In this conversation, Ron shares how using reverse engineering helps to master new skills faster.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by </p> <ul> <li><a href="http://linkedin.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn Jobs - Post your job for free!</a></li> </ul> Mon, 16 Aug 2021 03:00:00 GMT ab9fd02a-0983-4ee6-ab60-0b7a56c2017e Erik Fisher 2021-08-16T03:00:00Z 15 Productive Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less – TPW359 https://theproductivewoman.com/15-productive-things-you-can-do-in-15-minutes-or-less-tpw359/ We don't always have big chunks of time to devote to particular tasks or projects. Let's look at some ways to be productive when we only have a few minutes.


Quick productive things--making good use of the short pockets of time

I have come up with 15 very productive things we can do in 15 minutes or less to help us be more efficient with our time. I broke these down into 3 categories: some about our home, some regarding general organization, and some for our self-care.

Five productive things we can do around the home 

Whether we live alone, with roommates, or with a spouse and houseful of kids, keeping our home in order is a never-ending task. It matters because if we want to make a home rather than just live in a house, make it a place where we, our families, and our guests feel welcome, relaxed, at peace, or able to work on our creative pursuits, we need to tend to certain tasks.


Make the bed. It's a way to establish a bit of control over your space. As the biggest item in the room, getting it in order immediately makes the room look better and you’ll rest better at night getting into a made bed.
Empty the dishwasher. If it’s empty, the things you need are where they belong, and it’s easy to put dishes in there as they get used rather than piling them on the counter or in the sink. The kitchen is more pleasant to work in when it’s tidy and definitely more efficient; you're not having to work around a full sink or messy countertops, and the items you need are where you need them. If your house is like mine where the kitchen is open to the living area, having the kitchen tidy makes the rest of the house look better. If it’s already empty, you can use your few minutes to load it or to wash a load of dishes by hand.
Declutter and tidy a drawer or cabinet or shelf. The less we own, the less we have to clean, store, maintain, etc., and the easier it is to find and use the things we actually like and need. If we make a point of using a few minutes each day to declutter one drawer or cabinet, we can painlessly reduce the number of unnecessary possessions. If we rotate through the house, we can get through all the spaces this way in a few weeks. 
Find 15 (or more) things to donate or discard. Grab a bag or basket and speed through the house pulling items off shelves, counters, drawers, etc., to either donate or discard. Moving quickly helps prevent second-guessing; just go with your gut: Do I use this? Do I love it?
Reset the main living areas of the house. This isn't a deep clean, just something you can do quickly. Toss trash, put toys, books, etc., away; take dishes to the dishwasher, straighten cushions and fold throw blankets--generally put things back where they belong. Doing these things will make the space more relaxing and pleasant. A great time to do this could be before bed or before leaving for work. If you have kids in the house you might need to do it a couple of times a day. Generally, this takes only 5 minutes or so, so you might want to do a quick sweep or vacuum too. 


Five productive things we can do in the areas of general productivity & organization

So often we procrastinate on things that need to get done because we overestimate how difficult they’ll be or how much time they’ll take. But really, they can be done pretty quickly if we just get to it. Give yourself 15 minutes to get tasks off your to-do list and mind.


Make a phone call. Return a call, schedule an appointment, get information you need.
Process your email inbox. Begin by triaging the emails quickly--can you delete any of them? Reply to the important ones that can be responded to in a couple of minutes or less and transfer those that require more time into an action folder (and put a reminder ...]]> Laura McClellan 359 15 Productive Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less clean 44:22 We don't always have big chunks of time to devote to particular tasks or projects. Let's look at some ways to be productive when we only have a few minutes. Wed, 11 Aug 2021 08:29:57 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10173 2021-08-11T08:29:57Z Jeff Brown on the Power of Creating and Optimizing a Reading Habit https://beyondthetodolist.com/391 391 Jeff Brown on the Power of Creating and Optimizing a Reading Habit full Erik Fisher Jeff Brown of the Read to Lead Podcast talks about the power of creating a reading habit and how to optimize it. 44:04 no Jeff Brown is a podcaster, mentor, and speaker. He is the host of the Read to Lead podcast, and co author of the new book: Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career. In this conversation, Jeff talks about the power of creating a reading habit and how to optimize it.

This episode is brought to you by:

  • Brain fm Boost your reading speed and comprehension and get 20% off your first year!
]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+JCqYQ7uI ]]> Erik Fisher Jeff Brown (https://readtoleadpodcast.com) is a podcaster, mentor, and speaker. He is the host of the Read to Lead podcast (https://readtoleadpodcast.com), and co author of the new book: Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career (https://readtoleadbook.com). In this conversation, Jeff talks about the power of creating a reading habit and how to optimize it. This episode is brought to you by: * Brain fm (http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm) Boost your reading speed and comprehension and get 20% off your first year! <p><a href="https://readtoleadpodcast.com" rel="nofollow">Jeff Brown</a> is a podcaster, mentor, and speaker. He is the host of the <a href="https://readtoleadpodcast.com" rel="nofollow">Read to Lead podcast</a>, and co author of the new book: <a href="https://readtoleadbook.com" rel="nofollow">Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career</a>. In this conversation, Jeff talks about the power of creating a reading habit and how to optimize it.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm" rel="nofollow">Brain fm</a> Boost your reading speed and comprehension and get 20% off your first year!</li> </ul> Mon, 09 Aug 2021 03:00:00 GMT efbdb87b-7d15-42ba-896f-308c30d2d705 Erik Fisher 2021-08-09T03:00:00Z Recent Finds – Productivity Resource Discoveries – TPW358 https://theproductivewoman.com/recent-finds-productivity-resource-discoveries-tpw358/ This week I'm sharing some recently discovered productivity resources that you might find helpful as well!


 

A few new-to-me resources that might increase your everyday productivity

This episode is inspired by feedback from the survey I've been asking you to weigh in on. A lot of people who've completed the survey have asked for more resource recommendations for books and other things.

This time I thought I'd share some resources I’ve discovered in the last few months and/or haven't mentioned on the podcast before. The criteria for inclusion in this episode start with first, relevance to making a meaningfully productive life, and second, not having been discussed previously on the podcast.

Caveat: I don’t necessarily agree with everything that’s said in these various resources, because I make a point of checking out a lot of different viewpoints, but I find something of value in each of these. As with anything (including this podcast) I encourage you to read or listen with an open but discerning mind and take what’s of value to you, discarding what’s not. 

Books


* Lightly: How to Live a Simple, Serene, and Stress-Free Life, by Francine Jay . Described as “a recipe book for minimalism”, this book offers a perspective on simplifying your life so you can be more peaceful and productive. The author offers lots of practical tips on decluttering, reorganizing, and simplifying your home, schedule, and life. I’m listening to the Audible version and plan to get a hard copy so I can go back through and re-read and ponder parts of it.


What the Amazon listing says:

“Do you ever feel like life is weighing you down? Like the stuff in your home, the to-dos in your schedule, the worries in your heart are too much? Make "lightly" your mantra, one lovely little word to live by, and transform your life.  

There's no shortage of decluttering books on the market, but Lightly is different. It goes beyond decluttering - far beyond - to uplift your thoughts, your actions, every moment and aspect of your life. 

Learn how to lighten:   

Your stuff: create a serene space with your favorite things 
Your step: consume less and live in harmony with the Earth 
Your stress: be less busy and breeze through your days 
Your spirit: clear emotional baggage from your mind and heart ”




* I Really Needed This Today: Words to Live By, by Hoda Kotb (host of the Today show). This book has very short readings--a page for each day of the year, each featuring an inspirational, funny, or thought-provoking quote and a few sentences of her thoughts about it. Here are two quotes in particular that caught my attention:


“Today I want you to think about all that you are instead of all that you are not.”

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” ~ Simone Weil


* Successful Aging, by Daniel J. Levitin. Levitin is a neuroscientist, cognitive psychologist, and bestselling author who also wrote the fascinating book I’ve mentioned before, The Organized Mind. Successful Aging explores the myths and science regarding how we age and what we can do to age well and remain healthier, active, and productive as we move into our later years.


“The cost of sidelining the elderly is enormous in lost economic and artistic productivity, severed family connections, and diminished opportunities.]]> Laura McClellan 318 Recent Finds - Productivity Resource Discoveries clean 36:13 This week I'm sharing some recently discovered productivity resources that you might find helpful as well! Wed, 04 Aug 2021 08:38:52 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10154 2021-08-04T08:38:52Z Stanley Robertson on Why Quitting is the Last Principle of Success https://beyondthetodolist.com/390 390 Stanley Robertson on Why Quitting is the Last Principle of Success full Erik Fisher Stanley Robertson on Why Quitting is the Last Principle of Success 51:08 no Dr. Stanley G. Robertson is the author of the book 'Quit: The Last Principle of Success'. In this conversation, Stanley and Erik discuss:

  • The stigma of quitting
  • The steps of qutting well
  • Bad reasons to quit things
  • Why our brain can't let it go

This episocde is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+XSRHF_-C ]]> Erik Fisher Dr. Stanley G. Robertson is the author of the book 'Quit: The Last Principle of Success (https://amzn.to/2P9PIif)'. In this conversation, Stanley and Erik discuss: * The stigma of quitting * The steps of qutting well * Bad reasons to quit things * Why our brain can't let it go This episocde is brought to you by: * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa ign=textexpander-May-2021) <p>Dr. Stanley G. Robertson is the author of the book &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/2P9PIif" rel="nofollow">Quit: The Last Principle of Success</a>&#39;. In this conversation, Stanley and Erik discuss:</p> <ul> <li>The stigma of quitting</li> <li>The steps of qutting well</li> <li>Bad reasons to quit things</li> <li>Why our brain can&#39;t let it go</li> </ul> <p>This episocde is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa%20ign=textexpander-May-2021" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> </ul> Mon, 02 Aug 2021 03:45:00 GMT 305aa4d3-b384-4f4e-8d67-2d4d5272fd1c Erik Fisher 2021-08-02T03:45:00Z Productive Living: Self Care, with Jaime McLaughlin – TPW357 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-self-care-with-jaime-mclaughlin-tpw357/ Self-care matters! In this installment of the Productive Living series beauty expert Jaime McLaughlin and I talk about quick and easy daily self-care that helps us be productive, efficient, and present for what matters most.


Self-care is an important part of making a life that matters

Jaime McLaughlin is a lifestyle coach for moms, a self-care strategist, and a professional hair and makeup artist. She is the founder of The Mac House Co. and the host of The Unfiltered Motherhood Podcast. Through her educational platform, Jaime helps women prioritize self-care daily - without the mom guilt. She is passionate about helping women take care of themselves in the midst of a selfless season of life and truly learn to thrive in all areas. She’s also a married mom of 4 kids.

Jaime first started her career as a hair and makeup artist, working with weddings and other events, for about 14 years, all while having her children. Jaime breastfed all her children and was able to find a way to fit their feedings in, in between the events she worked at.

This career initially was perfect for Jaime because she could fit time in with her family while still working on her career. After a while, though, it became more and more difficult to leave her children for events, especially when she was gone for 12 hours at a time.

After having her 4th child, Jaime felt a really strong push to be done with weddings and other events, even though it was the only career she had never known. She felt there was something more for her. She made the executive decision to not return to doing weddings and events once her maternity leave was complete. Jaime's husband was supportive of this decision and this gave her space and time to evaluate what she wanted to do with her life. She knew she wanted to do something online, something she could do passively and scale over time. She started out by making a PDF beauty guide because women were constantly asking her about what techniques and products she used. Over time, this PDF guide turned into a beauty course and the rest is history!

While working with women over the course of her career, Jaime noticed that they have so much guilt and shame associated with taking care of themselves and spending time doing it, and would compare themselves to other women they saw on social media. Jaime saw the opportunity to connect with these women, showing them how to care for themselves without guilt through The Confident Mom Method, which is now the main course she offers on her website, amongst others. Jaime teaches women that putting themselves last is not a good strategy and is not sustainable. It only leads to burnout. There are so many small habits that we can infuse into our day that can foster more energy, productivity, positivity, and joy.

What does self-care really mean?

The definition of self-care is:

"The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health, or the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress."

Jaime thinks this is a great definition but she changes it up a bit to say that self-care is about proactively making choices and creating habits to ensure that you are able to sustain your lifestyle (or the lifestyle you want). Self-care can be a tool you use to thrive in your daily life, not just survive.

Lately, self-care has become a bit of a marketing ploy and there are a lot of products on the market for self-care as well. These marketings ploys are all reactive though, not proactive,]]> Laura McClellan 1:04:19 Self-care matters! In this installment of the Productive Living series beauty expert Jaime McLaughlin and I talk about quick and easy daily self-care that helps us be productive, efficient, and present for what matters most. Wed, 28 Jul 2021 08:37:19 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10134 2021-07-28T08:37:19Z AYJW118 – Black Widow https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw118-black-widow/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw118-black-widow/feed/ 0 The Black Widow finds family and forgiveness when her past blasts her out of her self-imposed exile. The Black Widow finds family and forgiveness when her past blasts her out of her self-imposed exile. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:18:39 The Black Widow finds family and forgiveness when her past blasts her out of her self-imposed exile. Podcast Rated PG-13 adoption brainwashing discernment family human trafficking indoctrination myopia redemption sacrifice salvation Wed, 28 Jul 2021 02:22:19 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw118-black-widow/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6430 2021-07-28T02:22:19Z Jess Cording on Managing Stress and Anxiety https://beyondthetodolist.com/389 389 Jess Cording on Managing Stress and Anxiety full Erik Fisher Jess Cording talks about scheduling time to worry, getting the right amount of caffeine, and having a plan for loneliness. 38:33 no Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, INHC is a registered dietitian, health coach, and writer with a passion for helping people streamline their wellness routine and establish a balanced relationship with food and exercise. Through her writing, consulting, public speaking, and counseling, she works with individuals, corporations, and the media to help make drama-free healthy living approachable and enjoyable.

Her new book is The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety. In this converdsation, she and Erik talk scheduling time to worry, getting the right amount of caffeine, and having a plan for loneliness.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+SnUiTj_R ]]> Erik Fisher Jessica Cording (https://amzn.to/2OF4sUV), MS, RD, CDN, INHC is a registered dietitian, health coach, and writer with a passion for helping people streamline their wellness routine and establish a balanced relationship with food and exercise. Through her writing, consulting, public speaking, and counseling, she works with individuals, corporations, and the media to help make drama-free healthy living approachable and enjoyable. Her new book is The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety (https://amzn.to/2OF4sUV). In this converdsation, she and Erik talk scheduling time to worry, getting the right amount of caffeine, and having a plan for loneliness. This episode is brought to you by: * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa ign=textexpander-May-2021) * Sit Down, Startup by Zendesk (https://www.zendesk.com/campaign/sitdownstartup/) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/2OF4sUV" rel="nofollow">Jessica Cording</a>, MS, RD, CDN, INHC is a registered dietitian, health coach, and writer with a passion for helping people streamline their wellness routine and establish a balanced relationship with food and exercise. Through her writing, consulting, public speaking, and counseling, she works with individuals, corporations, and the media to help make drama-free healthy living approachable and enjoyable. </p> <p>Her new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/2OF4sUV" rel="nofollow">The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress &#38; Anxiety</a>. In this converdsation, she and Erik talk scheduling time to worry, getting the right amount of caffeine, and having a plan for loneliness. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa%20ign=textexpander-May-2021" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.zendesk.com/campaign/sitdownstartup/" rel="nofollow">Sit Down, Startup by Zendesk</a></li> </ul> Tue, 27 Jul 2021 05:00:00 GMT 75940f4c-4356-4fab-8097-2a716bb368b7 Erik Fisher 2021-07-27T05:00:00Z How to Enjoy Rest – TPW356 https://theproductivewoman.com/how-to-enjoy-rest-tpw356/ We can give ourselves permission to rest, relax and recharge without feeling guilty about it. It's possible to make time for rest, enjoy it, and still be productive.


Enjoying rest means we can be more productive in our everyday life

Not long ago I asked the TPW community to share with me productivity questions and struggles they’d like me to address. One topic that was suggested had to do with getting back on track when we’ve let things get out of control, which we talked about in episode 354. 

Another comment in that discussion came from Marla, who said,

“Because I do aim to be productive I have trouble with being in the moment. I can not really enjoy doing nothing. I’d be interested in an episode about how to enjoy rest.”

Several members of the community echoed Marla’s struggle with this, so I thought it would be worth looking at.

Why do we have trouble being in the moment and enjoying downtime?

Many of us who care about productivity and about making lives that matter feel the same way Marla does. We feel that if we’re not doing something “productive,” we’re wasting time. As one writer put it:

“We can be very hard on ourselves, can’t we? We can feel battered by the demands we put on ourselves to achieve and to do. That feeling that everything we do with our spare time must have a purpose. It feels like it’s not enough just to be. But the things that seem to have little or no purpose are actually the most important things of all. Pointless things have a point.”

We struggle with being in the moment, often because our minds are going 100 miles per hour, thinking about the next things we need to do next or what we could have done better. And if our mindset is focused on productivity as measured by doing, that can make enjoying our rest even more difficult.

Things we can do to enjoy time off to rest and restore.

Let's first start with understanding the meaning and significance of “rest”.

Definition: verb: “cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength”; noun: “an instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity”.

Rest matters because taking time away from work is necessary for the restoration of energy, focus, and perspective. Researcher and Silicon Valley consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang has written a book called Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less, in which he has said

 “Rest is not this optional leftover activity. Work and rest are actually partners. They are like different parts of a wave. You can’t have the high without the low. The better you are at resting, the better you will be at working.” [quoted in Why Restorative Rest Makes You More Productive And How To Achieve It]

Rethink what it means to be productive.

It's important to recognize that rest is not unproductive but is an essential component of productivity. All this is just as true when we’re busy--too busy to take time off to rest. Give yourself permission to rest and relax. 

“The times when we least feel like doing something for ourselves are the times when we most need to do exactly that. We need time out. We need to give our brains a rest.” [from Laura McClellan 356 How to Enjoy Rest clean 29:34 We can give ourselves permission to rest, relax and recharge without feeling guilty about it. It's possible to make time for rest, enjoy it, and still be productive. Wed, 21 Jul 2021 08:45:02 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10119 2021-07-21T08:45:02Z Scott Shute On the Positive Benefits of Mindfulness and Compassion in Organizations https://beyondthetodolist.com/388 388 Scott Shute On the Positive Benefits of Mindfulness and Compassion in Organizations full Erik Fisher Scott Shute on mindfulness and compassion take in the workplace and the impact moving from a "Me" to "We" mindset can have on an organization. 43:20 no Scott Shute is the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion at LinkedIn, and Author of 'The Full Body Yes: Change Your Work and Your World from the Inside Out'.

In this conversation Scott talks about how companies can best help their employees, the place mindfulness and compassion take in the workplace, and The impact that moving from a "Me" to "We" mindset can have on an organization.

This episode is brought to you by

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+VsISCZ8E ]]> Erik Fisher Scott Shute is the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion at LinkedIn, and Author of 'The Full Body Yes: Change Your Work and Your World from the Inside Out (https://amzn.to/3rsl1pl)'. In this conversation Scott talks about how companies can best help their employees, the place mindfulness and compassion take in the workplace, and The impact that moving from a "Me" to "We" mindset can have on an organization. This episode is brought to you by * Sit Down, Startup by Zendesk (https://www.zendesk.com/campaign/sitdownstartup/) <p>Scott Shute is the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion at LinkedIn, and Author of &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/3rsl1pl" rel="nofollow">The Full Body Yes: Change Your Work and Your World from the Inside Out</a>&#39;.</p> <p>In this conversation Scott talks about how companies can best help their employees, the place mindfulness and compassion take in the workplace, and The impact that moving from a &#34;Me&#34; to &#34;We&#34; mindset can have on an organization.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.zendesk.com/campaign/sitdownstartup/" rel="nofollow">Sit Down, Startup by Zendesk</a></li> </ul> Tue, 20 Jul 2021 05:00:00 GMT 100d821b-85e9-479f-8c44-0ed9ec9ee7f2 Erik Fisher 2021-07-20T05:00:00Z Greg Mckeown on Making Essential Activities Easy https://beyondthetodolist.com/387 387 Greg Mckeown on Making Essential Activities Easy full Erik Fisher Greg McKeown on Essentialism, and making essential activities easy without burning out. 53:16 no Greg McKeown is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less'. His new book is 'Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most'. He is also the host of the 'What's Essential Podcast'.

In this conversation, Greg talks about what Essentialism is and making the most essential activities the easiest ones, so you can achieve the results you want, without burning out.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+-m4KQDSV ]]> Erik Fisher Greg McKeown is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (https://amzn.to/2Vy2vjt)'. His new book is 'Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most (https://amzn.to/2VEd4S9)'. He is also the host of the 'What's Essential Podcast (https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/)'. In this conversation, Greg talks about what Essentialism is and making the most essential activities the easiest ones, so you can achieve the results you want, without burning out. This episode is brought to you by: * Sit down, Startup by ZenDesk (https://www.zendesk.com/campaign/sitdownstartup/) * LinkedIn Jobs (http://linkedin.com/beyond) <p>Greg McKeown is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/2Vy2vjt" rel="nofollow">Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less</a>&#39;. His new book is &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/2VEd4S9" rel="nofollow">Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most</a>&#39;. He is also the host of the &#39;<a href="https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/" rel="nofollow">What&#39;s Essential Podcast</a>&#39;. </p> <p>In this conversation, Greg talks about what Essentialism is and making the most essential activities the easiest ones, so you can achieve the results you want, without burning out. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.zendesk.com/campaign/sitdownstartup/" rel="nofollow">Sit down, Startup by ZenDesk</a></li> <li><a href="http://linkedin.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn Jobs</a></li> </ul> Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:00:00 GMT 44355562-bd68-45d7-bb0c-686480f6c087 Erik Fisher 2021-07-14T17:00:00Z Simple Way to Manage To-Dos – TPW355 https://theproductivewoman.com/simple-way-to-manage-to-dos-tpw355/ Looking for a simple but effective way to get your to-do list under control? That's our topic on this week's episode of The Productive Woman podcast.
 



Using a simple to-do management system can help us stay productive

A lot of us struggle at times to stay on top of all the things we need and want to do. Some of this comes from the fact that most of us wear more than one hat and we have plenty of things to do in each of the roles that are important to us. As we discussed back in episode 215--Task Management 101, we face a couple of types of challenges:


* Keeping track of it all – As women, we often have not only our tasks to take care of but those of other people as well. We have to make sure the most important things get done--juggling multiple roles for family, home, job (and maybe a side hustle), volunteer projects, friends/social activities, hobbies and interests, and self-care.
Taking on too much – We often have unrealistic expectations of ourselves, an unrealistic understanding of what we can do in the time available, and an unrealistic idea of how long tasks take. 


In episode 215 we talked about the fundamentals of effective task management (check out that episode for more detail) and I thought this would be a good time to review those fundamentals.

1. Building the right habits- Anything that’s habitual uses a different part of our brain, leaving space for creative thinking elsewhere.

2. Understanding the key concepts-It’s important to distinguish between tasks and projects:

-A task can be done in one segment of time in one location with one set of tools. 

-A project requires more than one step, one segment of time, a session of work. 

-Your to-do list should have only tasks, which might (or might not) be organized by projects. For more info, listen to episode 130--What's On Your To-Do List?

3. Understanding (and applying) the basics of the GTD (Getting Things Done) Approach- This is based on the teachings of David Allen in his book, Getting Things Done. The basic components of a high-functioning task management system are:


* Capture: Have a place to put everything you need to do and get it off your mind

Make it easy – Have it with you and use a tool that makes it easy to get the task into your inbox (to be processed later) 
Be consistent – Always do it and put everything in the same place


* Process

Go through all the emails in your inbox and put them where they need to be – categories, labels, deadlines, etc. 
Schedule regular brief times to do this – perhaps in the morning, afternoon, or evening
Sometimes, the processing means deciding not to do it or not to do it until later 


* Do

Have effective ways to view your task list 


Scheduling 
Block scheduling/batch processing 
Delegation: Maybe the things that need to be done don’t need to be done by you. Maybe you need a system to keep track of stuff you’re waiting for other people to do.


* Review: This is a key element of effective task management!

* Even if you’ve captured and processed your to-do list, if you never look at your list again, you don’t get to the “Do” step because you won’t remember.




]]> Laura McClellan 355 Simple Way to Manage To-Dos clean 34:17 Looking for a simple but effective way to get your to-do list under control? That's our topic on this week's episode of The Productive Woman podcast. Wed, 14 Jul 2021 08:44:52 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10096 2021-07-14T08:44:52Z Getting Back on Track – TPW354 https://theproductivewoman.com/getting-back-on-track-tpw354/ No matter the reason, when you've let things slide for a while, getting back on track can feel like an overwhelming task. Let's talk about some tips that can help tame the chaos and reestablish some control.


Taking back control of your life, one day at a time

Becky, a member of our TPW Facebook group, asked this question: 

“You may have covered this before but I would love to hear tips on how to get going when you have lost control of everything (email, work projects, home organisation, health goals). Not just how to deal with a bad day but picking yourself up and starting again when you have let everything slide for months and are faced with an overwhelming, chaotic backlog” 

We’ve all been there. Something happens in our life that throws our schedules, systems, and habits out of whack. I mentioned last week that for me, a series of houseguests and family events, combined with a series of tight work deadlines, got me off track in several ways. 

When something like this goes on for any length of time, it can result in a situation that is overwhelming. Things can become so chaotic and the backlog is so big we don’t even know where to start. Add to that some negative self-talk (“What’s the matter with me? I should have been able to keep up. How did I let things get so bad?”) and we can end up stuck in a cycle that just perpetuates the problem.

How to take back control when things have gotten out of hand

It starts in our mind--recognizing when we’re criticizing and condemning ourselves for being human. It’s hard to take any action when we’re mired in self-criticism. When you catch yourself having those thoughts, decide whether or not you’re going to believe them. Take a step back and consider what the “problem” is and how you got there. Maybe an illness? New baby? Family crisis? Pandemic? There’s a reason you are where you are today--what is it? Learn to manage your own thinking so you can start to turn things around.

In Episode 221 we talked about some things to do when we’re disappointed with our progress toward goals. Much of what we discussed in that episode is applicable here, so it's worth listening to. Here are the key points: 


* Don’t compare yourself to anybody else. 
* Let go of the “shoulds”. 
* Show yourself as much compassion as you would a dear friend or a child. Give yourself grace--you’re allowed to be human.


Take a few minutes to look for the positive--What’s working for you right now? What have you done well (instead of the other things you feel like you should have been doing to keep life under control)? If you're struggling to come up with things you've done well, ask someone you love to help you. There is always something you've been doing well. The best way to get into a positive frame of mind is to look for the good in your life. Try writing down 10 things (or more) that you’re grateful for right now, even in the midst of chaos.

Do a mind dump--write down everything that’s weighing on your mind. Getting it all out of your head and onto paper where you can look at it and evaluate it rationally really is the crucial first step of restoring peace and order. Every project that's uncompleted, every healthy habit dropped, every deadline looming (or missed), every task that needs to be tended to. What is the chaos? Where is it in your life? (Is it at home, work, or somewhere else?) What needs to be done? Write it all down, even if what needs to be done is “figure out what to do about X”. 

Pay attention to your thoughts as you do this. If you start down that path of beating yourself up, remember . .]]> Laura McClellan 354 Getting Back on Track clean 30:21 No matter the reason, when you've let things slide for a while, getting back on track can feel like an overwhelming task. Let's talk about some tips that can help tame the chaos and reestablish some control. Wed, 07 Jul 2021 08:04:19 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10080 2021-07-07T08:04:19Z Shawn Stevenson on Caffeine and Screen Curfews to Get Better Sleep https://beyondthetodolist.com/386 386 Shawn Stevenson on Caffeine and Screen Curfews to Get Better Sleep full Erik Fisher Shawn Stevenson of The Model Health show shares how to get higher quality sleep. 49:16 no Shawn Stevenson is an author of  Sleep Smarter: 21 Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success. He is also the creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the #1 Health podcast in the country on iTunes. A graduate of The University of Missouri, St. Louis, Shawn studied business, biology and kinesiology, and went on to be the founder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a company that provides wellness services for individuals and organizations worldwide.

This episode is brought to you by:
Streak
Unidragon - Use code 'beyond' for 10% off!

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+UQrFe4jY ]]> Erik Fisher Shawn Stevenson is an author of  Sleep Smarter: 21 Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success (http://amzn.to/2i7RhJD). He is also the creator of The Model Health Show (http://theshawnstevensonmodel.com/podcasts), featured as the #1 Health podcast in the country on iTunes. A graduate of The University of Missouri, St. Louis, Shawn studied business, biology and kinesiology, and went on to be the founder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a company that provides wellness services for individuals and organizations worldwide. This episode is brought to you by: Streak (http://streak.com/beyond) Unidragon (http://unidragon.com) - Use code 'beyond' for 10% off! <p>Shawn Stevenson is an author of  <a href="http://amzn.to/2i7RhJD" rel="nofollow">Sleep Smarter: 21 Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success</a>. He is also the creator of <a href="http://theshawnstevensonmodel.com/podcasts" rel="nofollow">The Model Health Show</a>, featured as the #1 Health podcast in the country on iTunes. A graduate of The University of Missouri, St. Louis, Shawn studied business, biology and kinesiology, and went on to be the founder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a company that provides wellness services for individuals and organizations worldwide.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="http://streak.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Streak</a><br> <a href="http://unidragon.com" rel="nofollow">Unidragon</a> - Use code &#39;beyond&#39; for 10% off!</p> Tue, 06 Jul 2021 05:00:00 GMT ff257380-f4d7-4474-85fb-445952f06203 Erik Fisher 2021-07-06T05:00:00Z Mid-Year Checkin – TPW353 https://theproductivewoman.com/mid-year-checkin-tpw353/ Mid-year is a good time to pause and reflect. Are you happy with how the year has gone so far?


Mid-year checkin - taking inventory of our year so far

Way back in episode 95 and again in episode 303 we talked about a process for doing a midyear review; I encourage you to check those out. In the meantime, I wanted to have a quick chat about how the year has gone so far, some things I’ve enjoyed that you might like too, and some thoughts I’m pondering as we move into the second half of this year.

When I'm thinking about how my year is going, I like to start from a positive perspective (which doesn’t come naturally for me--I more easily see where things fall short). I purposely try to cultivate this mindset because it makes for a happier life, at least for me. So to start a mid-year checkin, identify and celebrate the wins! And by celebrate, I mean write them down and be happy about it. Not only your accomplishments, but the good things that have happened in your world.

So for instance, as I'm publishing this episode, our younger daughter and her husband welcomed their first child just a few days ago--our 9th grandchild. In addition, during the first half of this year we finally finished two major projects here at the house, and I've lost a fair amount of weight. These are all things I want to take note of, be grateful for, and celebrate!

What about you? What good things have happened in your life during the first half of this year?

The next step is to revisit and re-evaluate your goals. Did you set any goals for this year? How are you progressing toward accomplishing them? Do you want to rethink any of them? If you’re disappointed with your progress, give some thought to how and why you got off track. 

For myself, I’ve made progress on a couple of my goals for this year--losing weight, for example, and some decluttering and organizing for the house.

However, I have fallen off the wagon in the last week or two on my diet and exercise plan. Looking at why, I realize when something happens to throw off my daily routine (such as houseguests or losing a couple of nights’ sleep while at the hospital with my daughter), I find it harder to stick with my healthier habits. So I need to come up with a plan to help me stick with my healthy habits when my normal routine gets interrupted. 

In addition, I still haven’t launched the YouTube channel. I'm pondering the reasons why and coming up with a plan to address it. (Next week I will go into more depth on how to re-set/reboot when things have gotten off track.)

Now let's look at what’s coming in the second half of the year? What do you need to do to be ready?

In my family, our youngest son is leaving in a few days to move to another state where his new post-graduation job is located. It’s a big milestone for him, but also for us. He’s been gone before, but just away at school. This is his first post-graduation job, his first apartment, and this is permanent. 

Another big event coming up is that I will be hosting the first-ever TPW planning retreat here at my home. Five women will be joining me here for a long weekend in October to retreat, relax, and consider plans for the coming year. 

As for travel plans, we're hoping to visit our son in DC and our other son and his family in Wisconsin.

I'll be spending some time thinking about what I can do now to prepare for each of these important upcoming events.

On a completely unrelated note . . . a couple of things I’ve liked recently


* Madame Chic books--written by Laura McClellan 353 Mid-Year Checkin clean 38:07 Mid-year is a good time to pause and reflect. Are you happy with how the year has gone so far? Wed, 30 Jun 2021 08:48:08 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10058 2021-06-30T08:48:08Z James Beshara on Caffeine Alternatives for Energy and Productivity https://beyondthetodolist.com/385 385 James Beshara on Caffeine Alternatives for Energy and Productivity full Erik Fisher James Beshara on Caffeine Alternatives for Energy and Productivity 1:00:08 no James Beshara is a startup founder and investor in San Francisco, CA. After developing a heart condition in 2013 from excess caffeine consumption, James became fascinated by the science and research backing up alternatives to caffeine for energy, productivity, and focus. His new book is 'Beyond Coffee: A Sustainable Guide to Nootropics, Adaptogens, and Mushrooms'.

In this conversation Erik and James talk about James past relationship with caffeine, decreasIng stress and improving productivity.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+e3PL80Dm ]]> Erik Fisher James Beshara (https://beyondcoffeebook.com) is a startup founder and investor in San Francisco, CA. After developing a heart condition in 2013 from excess caffeine consumption, James became fascinated by the science and research backing up alternatives to caffeine for energy, productivity, and focus. His new book is 'Beyond Coffee: A Sustainable Guide to Nootropics, Adaptogens, and Mushrooms' (https://amzn.to/37zSnY2). In this conversation Erik and James talk about James past relationship with caffeine, decreasIng stress and improving productivity. This episode is brought to you by: * Magic Mind - Use code 'todo20' for 20% off! (http://magicmind.com/todo) * Setapp (http://setapp.com) * Sit down, Startup Podcast by Zendesk (https://www.zendesk.com/campaign/sitdownstartup/) <p><a href="https://beyondcoffeebook.com" rel="nofollow">James Beshara</a> is a startup founder and investor in San Francisco, CA. After developing a heart condition in 2013 from excess caffeine consumption, James became fascinated by the science and research backing up alternatives to caffeine for energy, productivity, and focus. His new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/37zSnY2" rel="nofollow">&#39;Beyond Coffee: A Sustainable Guide to Nootropics, Adaptogens, and Mushrooms&#39;</a>.</p> <p>In this conversation Erik and James talk about James past relationship with caffeine, decreasIng stress and improving productivity.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://magicmind.com/todo" rel="nofollow">Magic Mind - Use code &#39;todo20&#39; for 20% off!</a></li> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.zendesk.com/campaign/sitdownstartup/" rel="nofollow">Sit down, Startup Podcast by Zendesk</a></li> </ul> Tue, 29 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT c305f2c4-bb3b-45e2-ac09-3639d69f281a Erik Fisher 2021-06-29T05:00:00Z Dream Horse – AYJW117 https://areyoujustwatching.com/dream-horse-ayjw117/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/dream-horse-ayjw117/feed/ 0 An economically depressed community rallies its hope and faith around a racehorse. An economically depressed community rallies its hope and faith around a racehorse. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:00:54 An economically depressed community rallies its hope and faith around a racehorse. Podcast Rated PG Dark Horse depression Dream Alliance excitement gambling horse racing hwyl identity mining monotony motivation purpose Wales Welsh National Mon, 28 Jun 2021 02:37:45 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/dream-horse-ayjw117/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6412 2021-06-28T02:37:45Z Productive Living: Lifestyle Medicine, with Sarah Keyes – TPW352 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-lifestyle-medicine-with-sarah-keyes-tpw352/ Join Physician Assistant Sarah Keyes and me in this latest episode of the Productive Living series as we talk about how to taking care of our health by making simple but meaningful lifestyle choices--and giving ourselves grace along the way.


Making lifestyle changes can have a positive effect on our health and our productivity

Sarah Keyes has a keen interest in something known as Lifestyle Medicine. She notes that while she’s a Physician Assistant by training, she is an educator by passion and currently is pursuing her doctorate in education while continuing to coach patients and teach as an assistant professor in the Baylor College of Medicine’s Physician Assistant program, helping to train the next generation of physician assistants. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys cooking, figuring out productivity hacks, napping and resting, and hanging out with her husband, baby Weston (5 months), and Calvin (3 years).

Sarah was first introduced to Lifestyle Medicine by a mentor who thought it might be a good fit for her due to her interest in helping others live healthy lifestyles. When she looked into it, it was a lightbulb moment for her. She knew this was a topic she wanted to learn more about and teach to others. Sarah feels very fortunate that she gets to do this for a living and she tries to model it in her own life as well.

What is Lifestyle Medicine?

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine defines Lifestyle Medicine as the evidence-based use of lifestyle modifications in order to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic disease. It's kind of an old notion that we can use our habits, the choices we make, and our lifestyle to promote our health and prevent chronic disease. While it's extremely elegant in idea, it's not easy to practice.

Lifestyle Medicine is framed through six pillars:


* Nutrition
* Physical Active
* Stress Management
* Sleep
* Social Support
* Substance Use Secession


If we optimize and work to have supportive habits in all of these areas, then we're on the path to having a healthier life. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine website says that

“80% or more of all healthcare spending in the U.S. is tied to the treatment of conditions rooted in poor lifestyle choices." Chronic diseases and conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, multiple types of cancer—are among the most common, costly and preventable of all health conditions.”

Some people could see this as blaming us for our own disease, but it's actually encouraging news, because if poor lifestyle choices are causing or contributing to these types of conditions, then that means we have the power to be healthier by changing our choices.

How we can change our poor lifestyle choices

This is the million-dollar question because so much of the healthcare spending in the United States is on the conditions listed above (and women in particular are really impacted by heart disease). It's actually empowering to know that Lifestyle Medicine can give us some control and autonomy over our lives. Sarah believes our society views poor health as having no willpower or discipline, and although that may apply in some cases, Lifestyle Medicine can allow us to take control and ask ourselves, what can I do to promote my health?

There are both upstream and downstream factors that play a role in how healthy we are though, such as inequality and access to care, but knowing that we can change our health by changing our lifestyle choices is one thing that can give us some control.

Some behaviors that can put you at a higher risk for dise...]]> Laura McClellan 352 Productive Living: Lifestyle Medicine, with Sarah Keyes clean 45:21 Join Physician Assistant Sarah Keyes and me in this latest episode of the Productive Living series as we talk about how to taking care of our health by making simple but meaningful lifestyle choices--and giving ourselves grace along the way. Wed, 23 Jun 2021 08:51:58 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10028 2021-06-23T08:51:58Z Corbett Barr on Digital House Cleaning, Online Presence and Reputation https://beyondthetodolist.com/384 384 Corbett Barr on Digital House Cleaning, Online Presence and Reputation full Erik Fisher Corbett Barr walks through the decision process of his digital reboot and house cleaning. 46:30 no Corbett Barr is a founder/CEO of Fizzle. He's been self employed on the Internet since 2005, earning a living from blogging, podcasting, online courses, memberships, SaaS and more. Recently Corbett announced he was doing a digital house cleaning or online presence reboot. In this conversation Corbett talks with Erik about what he is pruning and keeping digitally,

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+itXwXn2R ]]> Erik Fisher Corbett Barr (https://corbettbarr.com) is a founder/CEO of Fizzle. He's been self employed on the Internet since 2005, earning a living from blogging, podcasting, online courses, memberships, SaaS and more. Recently Corbett announced he was doing a digital house cleaning or online presence reboot. In this conversation Corbett talks with Erik about what he is pruning and keeping digitally, This episode is brought to you by: * Usual Wines (http://usualwines.com) Use code 'beyond' for $8 off! * Streak (http://streak.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://corbettbarr.com" rel="nofollow">Corbett Barr</a> is a founder/CEO of Fizzle. He&#39;s been self employed on the Internet since 2005, earning a living from blogging, podcasting, online courses, memberships, SaaS and more. Recently Corbett announced he was doing a digital house cleaning or online presence reboot. In this conversation Corbett talks with Erik about what he is pruning and keeping digitally, </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://usualwines.com" rel="nofollow">Usual Wines</a> Use code &#39;beyond&#39; for $8 off!</li> <li><a href="http://streak.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Streak</a></li> </ul> Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT 42d2f0ff-709f-4dc1-b985-23f52801871c Erik Fisher 2021-06-22T05:00:00Z Doing Things Badly – TPW351 https://theproductivewoman.com/doing-things-badly-tpw351/ This week I discuss our fears surrounding trying new things and why doing things badly can be very productive.


Doing things badly can be very productive

The fear of trying something new can limit our lives and self-growth

Anything worth doing is worth doing well. 

Have you heard that saying? I have, and it’s something I internalized from a young age. In fact, as a recovering perfectionist, I think I internalized it as “Anything worth doing is only worth doing perfectly.” As a result, I’ve missed out on a lot of things because I didn’t want to do things badly--and I especially didn’t want to be seen doing something badly. 

I almost didn't launch the podcast because of fear of not doing it right (whatever that means!) and what that would say about me as a person. I've realized recently that despite the lessons I've learned over the years, I'm still holding myself back. I want to launch a YouTube channel but hesitation about looking silly keeps me from moving forward.  

The truth is, though, we can never do anything well without doing it badly first. We need to learn to give ourselves grace and permission to do things badly.

We also need to redefine failure. Doing something badly isn't failure; not even trying is. We haven't failed until we've given up.

But we don't have to master everything either. Sometimes we try, do it badly, and decide it’s not for us. Some things we do once or twice just for the experience, not for mastery, and not to prove anything to ourselves or anyone else. 

What holds us back?

Self-doubt 

When we're not sure we have the ability, smarts, skill, . . . whatever. This leads to procrastination as we wait to be “ready” or for the conditions to be “just right”. This often arises because we have unrealistic (and unachievable) expectations of ourselves. As one writer has said in Forbes, “The problem with focusing on the need to do it well is that you end up focusing on why it’s not good enough, and this begins a vicious spiral that can lead to stress, frustration and depression.”

Fear of failure

Why are we afraid of failure? What story do we tell ourselves (maybe without realizing it) about what failure means--specifically, what it means about us? Failure can feel like a death to us. But I keep reminding myself of something I heard Brooke Castillo say once: by not trying, you’re failing ahead of time. If the worst that can happen is that you won’t accomplish it . . . well, that’s what you’re doing now!

Fear of other people’s judgment

Why does it matter to us if others judge us negatively when we do something poorly? Part of it may be related to our primitive brain--our survival depends on being part of the tribe; isolation is deadly.

The important question: Whose opinion of you really matters? Who is the "they" whose judgment you're worried about?

This topic really is all about thought work. It's about managing our own thinking and getting out of our own way. This often starts with awareness. 


* Recognize when you’re doing it--when there’s something you need or want to do but you’re not taking action on it . 
* Do the work. Ask yourself the question: what is it that’s holding me back? Dig deep and at each level, ask yourself why. What’s the worst thing that could happen if you try and do it badly? When I think of this question I think of my podcasting friend Dave who,]]> Laura McClellan 351 Doing Things Badly clean 34:13 This week I discuss our fears surrounding trying new things and why doing things badly can be very productive. Wed, 16 Jun 2021 08:16:12 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=10010 2021-06-16T08:16:12Z Miles Adcox on Prioritizing Emotional Wellness, Mental Health and Margin https://beyondthetodolist.com/383 383 Miles Adcox on Prioritizing Emotional Wellness, Mental Health and Margin full Erik Fisher Miles Adcox talks about prioritizing emotional wellness and mental health and margin. 44:02 no Miles Adcox is an entrepreneur, speaker, host, and coach. He is the Owner and CEO of Onsite, an internationally-known emotional wellness lifestyle brand that delivers life-changing personal growth workshops, inspiring content, leadership retreats, and emotional treatment.

In this conversation Miles talkes with Erik about prioritizing emotional wellness and mental health and margin.

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+tDlJfFfX ]]> Erik Fisher Miles Adcox is an entrepreneur, speaker, host, and coach. He is the Owner and CEO of Onsite, an internationally-known emotional wellness lifestyle brand that delivers life-changing personal growth workshops, inspiring content, leadership retreats, and emotional treatment. In this conversation Miles talkes with Erik about prioritizing emotional wellness and mental health and margin. Mentioned in this episode: * Setapp (http://setapp.com) * Donald Miller - Scary Close (https://amzn.to/2T4VIst) * Donald Miller - Beyond the To-Do List 1 (https://beyondthetodolist.com/57) * Donald Miller - Beyond the To-Do List 2 (https://beyondthetodolist.com/94) <p>Miles Adcox is an entrepreneur, speaker, host, and coach. He is the Owner and CEO of Onsite, an internationally-known emotional wellness lifestyle brand that delivers life-changing personal growth workshops, inspiring content, leadership retreats, and emotional treatment.</p> <p>In this conversation Miles talkes with Erik about prioritizing emotional wellness and mental health and margin.</p> <p>Mentioned in this episode:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/2T4VIst" rel="nofollow">Donald Miller - Scary Close</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/57" rel="nofollow">Donald Miller - Beyond the To-Do List 1</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/94" rel="nofollow">Donald Miller - Beyond the To-Do List 2</a></li> </ul> Tue, 15 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT 960d6b70-15cb-4092-80a5-a3d792933a1d Erik Fisher 2021-06-15T05:00:00Z Prioritizing Your Passions, with Mary Sutton – TPW350 https://theproductivewoman.com/prioritizing-your-passions-with-mary-sutton-tpw350/ Multi-published mystery author and full-time technical writer Mary Sutton and I chat about committing to your passions and finding time for “your” stuff amidst the things you “have” to do.


Making time for your passions is an important part of making a life that matters

Writing under the pen name Liz Milliron, Mary Sutton is the author of the Laurel Highlands mystery series, starring a Pennsylvania State Trooper and a Fayette County public defender in the scenic Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania. She is also the author of the Homefront Mysteries, set in Buffalo, NY in the early years of WWII. The series features Betty Ahern, a young woman doing her part for the war effort working at Bell Airplane while she nurses fantasies of being a private detective.

Mary is a past president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Sisters in Crime, as well as a member of International Thriller Writers and Pennwriters. In addition to all of that, she also works as a technical writer, which is a busy career in and of itself. Now an empty-nester, she lives outside Pittsburgh with her husband and a very spoiled retired-racer greyhound.

In college, Mary was an English major and always thought she'd write the "great American novel". But then she got married, had children, and started a career, and the novel took a back seat to other priorities. At the time, she thought she was being productive but looking back on things, maybe not as productive as she could have been. For the last 10 years, she has finally been able to figure out what real productivity means to her, and how to go about achieving it. Mary's children are now grown so she more has time to do things she didn't have time for in the past.

How Mary balances her technical writing career with writing novels

It was initially difficult for Mary to switch back and forth between her career as a technical writer and her passion for writing mystery novels. Over time, though, Mary has learned how to compartmentalize the two and decide, this is the time to write the novel and this is the time to focus on the technical writing.

Mary had a former editor who introduced her to the concept of the sacred writing hour. This is time that is dedicated to only working on her novel. She doesn't answer the phone, surf the internet, or let anything else distract her. Working on fiction is her sole focus. This hour is completed during Mary's most productive time of the day, which is between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm. After the hour is up, Mary returns to her technical writing. This habit and mindset has been the key to balancing the two types of writing.

A typical day

Mary's most typical days often start with her dog waking her up at 6:30 am (he's the best alarm clock). She feeds the dog and then has some breakfast herself. After that, Mary tries to spend some time doing mindful reading to get her in the right frame of mind for the day. Right now she is reading a book of essays by G.K. Chesterton. She also enjoys reading biographies and other non-fiction books.

From 7:00 am to noon, Mary focuses on her day job as a technical writer, which she does from home, thinking only about the tasks she needs to complete for work and nothing else.

At noon she puts away her work computer, gets out her personal computer, and begins her sacred writing hour. She may also have her lunch during this time.

After that, it's back to her job from 1:00 until about 3:30.

In the afternoon, she might decompress by reading for pleasure, sit in her backyard and enjoy the quiet, or maybe attend to some personal business.

When her husband comes home from work, they have dinner and spend time together. During the evenings, Mary says her only priority is her husband and she deliberately does not work.

]]> Laura McClellan 350 Prioritize Your Passions, with Mary Sutton clean 48:13 Multi-published mystery author and full-time technical writer Mary Sutton and I chat about committing to your passions and finding time for “your” stuff amidst the things you “have” to do. Wed, 09 Jun 2021 08:37:34 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9988 2021-06-09T08:37:34Z Nir Bashan on Creativity and Unlocking The Creator Mindset https://beyondthetodolist.com/382 382 Nir Bashan on Creativity and Unlocking The Creator Mindset full Erik Fisher Nir Bashan on creativity for non-creative people and training your mind to think in a creative way. 34:54 no Nir Bashan is a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, and ultimately create more meaning in their work. His new book is The Creator Mindset: 92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability.

In this conversation Nir talks about unlocking The Creator Mindset creativity for non-creative people and training your mind to think in a creative way.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+wnQA86ey ]]> Erik Fisher Nir Bashan (https://amzn.to/3v9hzjS) is a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, and ultimately create more meaning in their work. His new book is The Creator Mindset: 92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability (https://amzn.to/3v9hzjS). In this conversation Nir talks about unlocking The Creator Mindset creativity for non-creative people and training your mind to think in a creative way. This episode is brought to you by: * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa ign=textexpander-May-2021) * Unidragon Puzzles (http://unidragon.com) - Use code 'BEYOND' for 10% off <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3v9hzjS" rel="nofollow">Nir Bashan</a> is a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, and ultimately create more meaning in their work. His new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/3v9hzjS" rel="nofollow">The Creator Mindset: 92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability</a>.</p> <p>In this conversation Nir talks about unlocking The Creator Mindset creativity for non-creative people and training your mind to think in a creative way.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa%20ign=textexpander-May-2021" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> <li><a href="http://unidragon.com" rel="nofollow">Unidragon Puzzles</a> - Use code &#39;BEYOND&#39; for 10% off</li> </ul> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT 1091a803-9c04-4349-9e3a-155ba3d82056 Erik Fisher 2021-06-08T05:00:00Z Bonus Episode: Erik Fisher on The Simplify Podcast by Blinkist https://beyondthetodolist.com/381 381 Bonus Episode: Erik Fisher on The Simplify Podcast by Blinkist full Erik Fisher Erik Fisher on lessons from podcasting about productivity for almost 10 years. 36:41 no This bonus episode is an appearance Erik made on the Simplify podcast by Blinkist. In it you will hear lessons from almost 10 years of podcasting about productivity.

blinkist.com/friends and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free!

Link to original episode
https://simplify.simplecast.com/episodes/erik-fisher-get-the-right-work-done

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+AKTJkdZ7 ]]> Erik Fisher This bonus episode is an appearance Erik made on the Simplify podcast by Blinkist. In it you will hear lessons from almost 10 years of podcasting about productivity. blinkist.com/friends (https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=beyond) and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free! Link to original episode https://simplify.simplecast.com/episodes/erik-fisher-get-the-right-work-done <p>This bonus episode is an appearance Erik made on the Simplify podcast by Blinkist. In it you will hear lessons from almost 10 years of podcasting about productivity. </p> <p><a href="https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=beyond" rel="nofollow">blinkist.com/friends</a> and enter &#39;beyond&#39; for 14 days of Blinkist for free!</p> <p>Link to original episode<br> <a href="https://simplify.simplecast.com/episodes/erik-fisher-get-the-right-work-done" rel="nofollow">https://simplify.simplecast.com/episodes/erik-fisher-get-the-right-work-done</a></p> Mon, 07 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT 051c54cd-ffe7-44ed-bb70-7a3325b468a5 Erik Fisher 2021-06-07T05:00:00Z Productive Reading: Effortless – TPW349 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-reading-effortless-tpw349/ The most essential things don't have to be so hard. In this newest installment of our recurring Productive Reading series I'm sharing my key takeaways from Greg McKeown's new book, Effortless. Effortless, by Greg McKeown.



Making life's most meaningful tasks enjoyable and effortless

We are continuing our Productive Reading recurring series, which I started two or three years ago. In the past, we’ve talked about the lessons and key takeaways I found in books such as Gary Keller’s The ONE Thing (episode 133), The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg (episode 147), 3 books written by Brené Brown (episode 166), Soulful Simplicity, by Courtney Carver (episode 182), The Free-Time Formula by Jeff Sanders (episode 211), James Clear’s wonderful Atomic Habits (episode 230), Free to Focus, by Michael Hyatt (episode 250), Attention Management, by Maura Nevel Thomas (episode 271), and most recently, The Minimalist Home, by Joshua Becker (episode 324). This time I’m sharing some of my most important takeaways from a new book by Greg McKeown, who’s the author of one of my favorite productivity books, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. His new book is called Effortless, and I’ve been looking forward to talking with you about it. [Note: Unless otherwise identified below, all quotes in this post are from Effortless.

Who is Greg McKeown? 

From the back cover copy:

"Greg McKeown is a speaker, a bestselling author, and the host of the popular podcast What’s Essential. He has been covered by The New York Times, Fast Company, Fortune, Politico, and Inc., and has been interviewed on NPR, NBC, Fox, and The Steve Harvey Show. He is also among the most popular bloggers for LinkedIn and is a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum. McKeown’s New York Times bestselling book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less has sold more than a million copies worldwide. Originally from London, England, he now lives in California with his wife, Anna, and their four children."

Why did I read this book?

Essentialism is one of my top three most influential books on productivity and one I return to periodically for inspiration,]]> Laura McClellan 349 Productive Reading: Effortless, by Greg McKeown clean 42:51 The most essential things don't have to be so hard. In this newest installment of our recurring Productive Reading series I'm sharing my key takeaways from Greg McKeown's new book, Effortless. Wed, 02 Jun 2021 08:49:26 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9966 2021-06-02T08:49:26Z Don’t get your hopes up, only a test https://cleancomedypodcast.com/dont-get-your-hopes-up-only-a-test/ https://cleancomedypodcast.com/dont-get-your-hopes-up-only-a-test/feed/ 0 Testing something in podcast apps. Testing something in podcast apps.
]]> Daniel J. Lewis and Jeremy Laughlin 10 Testing something in podcast apps. Blog Wed, 02 Jun 2021 02:31:13 GMT https://cleancomedypodcast.com/dont-get-your-hopes-up-only-a-test/#respond https://cleancomedypodcast.com/?p=5972 2021-06-02T02:31:13Z Ximena Vengoechea on The Power and Skill of Listening https://beyondthetodolist.com/380 380 Ximena Vengoechea on The Power and Skill of Listening full Erik Fisher Ximena Vengoechea talks about the power of listening and how to be a successful listener in any situation. 41:25 no Ximena Vengoechea is a user researcher, writer, and illustrator whose work on personal and professional development has been published in Inc., The Washington post, Newsweek, and Huffington Post. She is the author of the new book, 'Listen Like You Mean it: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection'.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+e8K6MVwf ]]> Erik Fisher Ximena Vengoechea (https://amzn.to/3fNOKVw) is a user researcher, writer, and illustrator whose work on personal and professional development has been published in Inc., The Washington post, Newsweek, and Huffington Post. She is the author of the new book, 'Listen Like You Mean it: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection' (https://amzn.to/3fNOKVw). This episode is brought to you by: * Otis (http://meetotis.com/beyond) * Unidragon Puzzles (http://unidragon.com) Use code 'beyond' for 10% off <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3fNOKVw" rel="nofollow">Ximena Vengoechea</a> is a user researcher, writer, and illustrator whose work on personal and professional development has been published in Inc., The Washington post, Newsweek, and Huffington Post. She is the author of the new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3fNOKVw" rel="nofollow">&#39;Listen Like You Mean it: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection&#39;</a>.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://meetotis.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Otis</a></li> <li><a href="http://unidragon.com" rel="nofollow">Unidragon Puzzles</a> Use code &#39;beyond&#39; for 10% off</li> </ul> Tue, 01 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT 73ccfb0f-6438-4cfe-93ce-db3a4239b736 Erik Fisher 2021-06-01T05:00:00Z Stowaway – AYJW116 https://areyoujustwatching.com/stowaway-ayjw116/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/stowaway-ayjw116/feed/ 0 Stowaway addresses the age-old philosophical question of whose life has more value when someone must die so that others may live. Stowaway addresses the age-old philosophical question of whose life has more value when someone must die so that others may live. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:15:09 Stowaway addresses the age-old philosophical question of whose life has more value when someone must die so that others may live. Podcast Rated R anna Kendrick Blair Allen ethics lifeboat dilemma Mission to Mars NASA Oxygen sacrifice sanctity of life space exploration trolley problem Sat, 29 May 2021 19:07:10 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/stowaway-ayjw116/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6390 2021-05-29T19:07:10Z Productive Living: Getting Dinner on the Table, with Kelly Senyei – TPW348 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-getting-dinner-on-the-table-with-kelly-senyei-tpw348/ In a continuation of the 2021 Productive Living series, I talk with chef, cookbook author, and mom Kelly Senyei about feeding our families, maximizing our productivity, and giving ourselves grace.


Making meal preparation a part of your productive day: helpful suggestions and recipe ideas

Kelly Senyei is a professional chef and television host who appears regularly on The Food Network Kitchen and The Hallmark Channel. In her new book The Secret Ingredient Cookbook: 125 Family-Friendly Recipes with Surprisingly Tasty Twists, Kelly offers delicious, accessible recipes that each feature an unexpected star ingredient. Over the past year, we've been cooking a lot more and at this point, may have cooking fatigue. When writing her new cookbook, Kelly was conscious of that, and also paid attention to the cost of preparing her recipes and how much time it would take.

Kelly’s website, Just a Taste, draws millions of eyes monthly (and is also in its 13th year), and she hosts an excellent and interesting podcast by that same name.

Kelly lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and three young sons, ages 4, 2, and 5 months.

The intersection of food and family

On Kelly's website, in her book, and on her podcast, she talks a lot about the intersection of food and family. Kelly's single most favorite person on the planet is her mother, who is the inspiration for Kelly's career. Growing up, food was always at the core of everything Kelly's family did. Her mother always had a hot meal on the table and the family ate together every night. The importance of food and eating together was instilled in Kelly at a young age and she is now continuing that tradition with her own family.

Now that a lot of us have been working from home for quite some time, the line between our professional life and our home life has been blurred, and it's even easier than before to overwork. Cooking and sitting down for a meal is the perfect excuse to put our phones away and focus on each other. Kelly's recipes are budget-friendly crowd-pleasers that take a half-hour or less to prepare, and don't have a laundry list of ingredients.

Meal delivery services have also become increasingly popular and for good reason, but Kelly's recipes are focused on ways you can cut down on meal prep during the evening "rush hour" in your home by providing lots of make-ahead tips. One of Kelly's favorite recipes is Chicken Milanese, which can be prepared ahead of time and easily paired with other sides. They can be pan-fried or put in an air fryer as a healthier option.

Kelly's tips for efficient meal planning

Preparation is key when it comes to getting meals on the table throughout the week. Currently, Kelly offers over 25 weekly meal plans on her website and her favorite part of these plans is that they each come with a grocery list, which makes the meal planning process even easier. All the ingredients for the recipes are affordable and easily accessible. Kelly is also a fan of grocery delivery services to make the process even smoother and faster. When it comes to meal planning, it's important to stay efficient, prep ahead of time, and utilize modern technology and services.

Keeping meal prep simple and efficient

For those of us who are strapped for time or who feel we aren't ...]]> Laura McClellan 348 Productive Living: Getting Dinner on the Table, with Kelly Senjei clean 42:23 In a continuation of the 2021 Productive Living series, I talk with chef, cookbook author, and mom Kelly Senyei about feeding our families, maximizing our productivity, and giving ourselves grace. Wed, 26 May 2021 08:39:35 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9943 2021-05-26T08:39:35Z Jason Scott on Project Management and Productivity https://beyondthetodolist.com/379 379 Jason Scott on Project Management and Productivity full Erik Fisher 43:47 no Jason Scott has personally overseen the global transformational efforts within organizations such as DirecTV, Trader Joe's, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Mattel, and others. His book 'The Irreverent Guide to Project Management: An Agile Approach to Enterprise Project Management' offers comprehensive, step-by-step instruction and best practice techniques to help you move your project forward aggressively and achieve optimum results.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+MXY-A6fz ]]> Erik Fisher Jason Scott has personally overseen the global transformational efforts within organizations such as DirecTV, Trader Joe's, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Mattel, and others. His book 'The Irreverent Guide to Project Management: An Agile Approach to Enterprise Project Management (https://amzn.to/3vAiJpm)' offers comprehensive, step-by-step instruction and best practice techniques to help you move your project forward aggressively and achieve optimum results. This episode is brought to you by: * Otis (http://meetotis.com/beyond) * Setapp (http://setapp.com) * Usual Wines (http://usualwines.com) - use promo code 'beyond' for $8 off! <p>Jason Scott has personally overseen the global transformational efforts within organizations such as DirecTV, Trader Joe&#39;s, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Mattel, and others. His book &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/3vAiJpm" rel="nofollow">The Irreverent Guide to Project Management: An Agile Approach to Enterprise Project Management</a>&#39; offers comprehensive, step-by-step instruction and best practice techniques to help you move your project forward aggressively and achieve optimum results. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://meetotis.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Otis</a></li> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> <li><a href="http://usualwines.com" rel="nofollow">Usual Wines</a> - use promo code &#39;beyond&#39; for $8 off!</li> </ul> Tue, 25 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT 24abbc31-7ce7-43df-9b6d-809cfd3d29fd Erik Fisher 2021-05-25T05:00:00Z 10 Unproductive Things to Stop Doing – TPW347 https://theproductivewoman.com/10-unproductive-things-to-stop-doing-tpw347/ Sometimes in order to make space in our lives for the good and productive things, we need to weed out the unproductive things--things we do habitually that don’t serve us.  In this episode we're talking about 10 unproductive things we can stop doing to...


Unproductive habits can prevent us from making a life that matters and making the most of our time

I have come up with a list of 10 unproductive things that we should stop doing, and I offer some suggestions on what we can replace them with in order to be more productive on a day-to-day basis. Some of these are practices, while others are mindsets. 

1. Multitasking. Multitasking is doing more than one thing at a time, such as replying to emails and listening to a webinar or talking to someone and cooking. We think we’re being more productive, but in fact it’s likely to take longer (as our brain switches back and forth) and we are more likely to make mistakes, both of which are unproductive. This isn’t an issue if you’re doing one thing that requires attentiveness and one that’s mechanical (e.g., listening to a podcast and folding clothes), but just be aware of the impact of multitasking. It’s much better (and more effective) to do one thing at a time, focus, and be present. 

2. Constantly changing your tools, systems, or routines, looking for the “magic pill” that will solve your productivity problems. There’s always a learning curve when you try something new, even if the new thing is good. One of the benefits of creating and sticking with a system or a tool is you get familiar and you develop muscle memory, so you can move more quickly, complete the task more efficiently, and thus be more effective in a shorter amount of time.

3. Dropping items somewhere "for now". We all do this to one degree or another, and it shows up in various ways. We come in the door from work or a trip or an errand and drop our purse, keys, packages, the mail on a counter “for now”. We change for bed or get ready in the morning and leave our clothes or pajamas on the floor “for now”. We finish with a tool in the kitchen or our office or elsewhere and leave it on the counter or our desk “for now”. We put the clean laundry on the bed (or leave it in the dryer) “for now”. Once in a while it’s not a big deal, but if it’s habitual, it leads to clutter, time lost searching for items we can’t find when we need them, etc. The more productive alternative is to identify a home for everything that comes into the house and establish the habit of taking the few extra seconds and steps to put things where they belong right away. You'll have less clutter and all the benefits that come with that, which we’ve talked about before. If you always put things where they belong, you always know where they are. 

4. Overscheduling our lives--scheduling events and activities back to back with no downtime or white space between them. Doing this can create more stress because of the potential for being late if one event runs long. It also makes it more difficult to be prepared mentally or otherwise for one event if you’re going straight into it from something else (and no time to process the information from the one you just left if it’s a class or a meeting). It's especially difficult if days are filled with meetings and events and activities and no time is blocked out for that “deep” work--the work that requires creativity or problem-solving thinking. The more productive approach: leave space in between scheduled events or activities--and not just travel time, but downtime--to make notes about the meeting that just ended and jot down your action items; to take a quick walk or stretch; to get a drink of water or use the bathroom; to return a phone call; or just to close your eyes and breathe for a couple of minutes. It's also valuable to intentionally block out times each day or week for your “deep” work,]]> Laura McClellan 347 10 Unproductive Things to Stop Doing clean 41:25 Sometimes in order to make space in our lives for the good and productive things, we need to weed out the unproductive things--things we do habitually that don’t serve us.  In this episode we're talking about 10 unproductive things we can stop doing to be more productive. Wed, 19 May 2021 08:48:22 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9922 2021-05-19T08:48:22Z Jon Acuff on Changing Overthinking Into a Superpower to Achieve Your Goals https://beyondthetodolist.com/378 378 Jon Acuff on Changing Overthinking Into a Superpower to Achieve Your Goals full Erik Fisher Jon Acuff talks about identifying overthinking, calling it what it really is (fear), and offering a simple plan to turn it from a super problem into a superpower. 53:17 no Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including his Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. He's an INC Magazine Top 100 Leadership speaker and has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences and companies around the world.

His latest book is Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking. In this conversation he talks about identifying overthinking, calling it what it really is (fear), and offering a simple plan to turn it from a super problem into a superpower.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+Ma2H4oZF ]]> Erik Fisher Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including his Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. He's an INC Magazine Top 100 Leadership speaker and has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences and companies around the world. His latest book is Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking (https://amzn.to/3yuhlq8). In this conversation he talks about identifying overthinking, calling it what it really is (fear), and offering a simple plan to turn it from a super problem into a superpower. This episode is brought to you by: * Streak (http://streak.com/beyond) * Otis (http://meetotis.com/beyond) * Usual Wines (http://usualwines.com) - Use promo code 'beyond' for $8 off! <p>Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including his Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. He&#39;s an INC Magazine Top 100 Leadership speaker and has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences and companies around the world.</p> <p>His latest book is <a href="https://amzn.to/3yuhlq8" rel="nofollow">Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking</a>. In this conversation he talks about identifying overthinking, calling it what it really is (fear), and offering a simple plan to turn it from a super problem into a superpower.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://streak.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Streak</a></li> <li><a href="http://meetotis.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Otis</a></li> <li><a href="http://usualwines.com" rel="nofollow">Usual Wines</a> - Use promo code &#39;beyond&#39; for $8 off!</li> </ul> Tue, 18 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT 7ca4d540-6b6b-4751-ade2-e582e8106900 Erik Fisher 2021-05-18T05:00:00Z Productive Living: Women and Leadership, with Lydia Fenet – TPW346 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-women-and-leadership-with-lydia-fenet-tpw346/ Author, auctioneer, and NYC mom Lydia Fenet and I talk about leading with confidence, negotiating for what you're worth, and networking like a pro.


Leadership for all of us: knowing your worth and negotiating with confidence

Lydia is Global Managing Director and Strategic Partnerships and Lead Benefit Auctioneer at Christie’s Auction House. She has led auctions for more than 600 organizations and raised over half a billion dollars for nonprofits globally. She was named one of New York’s most influential women by Gotham magazine and has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Crain’s, and has appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Town & Country. Her widely acclaimed book, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You, was published by Simon & Schuster and was optioned for TV/Film by New Form Entertainment. Lydia is also a wife and mom who lives in New York City with her family. 

Lydia first moved to New York City 20 years ago, after leaving college and securing a job at Christie's Auction House. While Lydia was in college in 1997, she read an article in Vanity Fair magazine about how Princess Diana sold her dresses for charity and she thought it was incredible. She decided right then that she had to work at Christie's and told everyone she met that she was going to work there one day. Lydia thinks that voicing your goals to others is very important, and in this case, it worked! She ended up encountering an employee of Christie's, which enabled her to get an internship while in college, and that led to her job. Lydia has been at Christie's in various roles for 20 years. She has a passion for her work, which was not something she necessarily envisioned doing while growing up in a small town. She wants to share her passion and message with other women who may want to do something bigger with their lives and to have confidence while doing it.

Lydia's role as a Charity Auctioneer

In Lydia's role as a charity auctioneer, she does talk very fast, if that's something you were wondering about. But she also gets to see beautiful and rare pieces sold all the time, such as a da Vinci painting worth half a million dollars. She gets to stand on stage in front of a crowd with items she has selected for the auction and uses a variety of skills she has learned over time to get the audience excited and competitive with each other, all with the goal of having them bid against each other to raise the most money for a good cause. Lydia loves this part of her job and the "feel good" moments it brings, as well as knowing she is contributing to helping others.

What inspired Lydia to write her book

Lydia says that every time she does her job as an auctioneer, either before or after the auction takes place, there are women who will come up to her and say that they could never do what she does. This may be for a variety of reasons, such as they hate selling or asking others for something or to do something. Lydia began to hear this often and realized that the skills these women lacked were something she lacked at one point too, but she learned the skills and they could too. It was then that she decided to write her book, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You, to teach women the tools she has learned over the last 16 years--how to be confident in front of crowds, how to sell a product or idea, or even themselves, and feel good while doing it.

A lot of Lydia's book relates to leadership in a broad sense. One of the themes she comes back to throughout the book is inspiring others and leading by example. When it comes to leadership, Lydia says one of the most important aspects of it is supporting the cause. If you are someone who takes credit for all of the good things that happen and lea...]]> Laura McClellan 346 Productive Living: Women and Leadership, with Lydia Fenet clean 55:54 Author, auctioneer, and NYC mom Lydia Fenet and I talk about leading with confidence, negotiating for what you're worth, and networking like a pro. Wed, 12 May 2021 08:15:03 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9887 2021-05-12T08:15:03Z Dee Ann Turner on Transitioning Your Career to Create a Work Life You Love https://beyondthetodolist.com/377 377 Dee Ann Turner on Transitioning Your Career to Create a Work Life You Love full Erik Fisher Dee Ann Turner talks about how to navigate transitions in your career and create a work life you love. 43:23 no Dee Ann Turner spent three decades leading teams and coaching staff members at Chick-fil-A. In her new book 'Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job, and Launch Your Future' Dee Ann draws on that experience to create a guide that is part roadmap, part proactive push to understand ourselves and our goals better.

In this conversation, Dee Ann talks with Erik about:

  • Finding a job
  • Preparing for an interview
  • Conquering the first 90 days
  • Managing work relationships
  • Getting started in a career now,
  • Making career transitions, entering into second acts,
  • Finding a career that gives work life meaning

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+CptEQQaX ]]> Erik Fisher Dee Ann Turner (https://amzn.to/3y1W3zX)spent three decades leading teams and coaching staff members at Chick-fil-A. In her new book 'Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job, and Launch Your Future (https://amzn.to/3y1W3zX)' Dee Ann draws on that experience to create a guide that is part roadmap, part proactive push to understand ourselves and our goals better. In this conversation, Dee Ann talks with Erik about: * Finding a job * Preparing for an interview * Conquering the first 90 days * Managing work relationships * Getting started in a career now, * Making career transitions, entering into second acts, * Finding a career that gives work life meaning This episode is brought to you by: * Ladder Life Insurance (http://ladderlife.com/beyond) * Canva (http://canva.me/beyond) * Setapp (http://setapp.com) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3y1W3zX" rel="nofollow">Dee Ann Turner </a>spent three decades leading teams and coaching staff members at Chick-fil-A. In her new book &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/3y1W3zX" rel="nofollow">Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job, and Launch Your Future</a>&#39; Dee Ann draws on that experience to create a guide that is part roadmap, part proactive push to understand ourselves and our goals better. </p> <p>In this conversation, Dee Ann talks with Erik about:</p> <ul> <li>Finding a job</li> <li>Preparing for an interview</li> <li>Conquering the first 90 days</li> <li>Managing work relationships</li> <li>Getting started in a career now, </li> <li>Making career transitions, entering into second acts, </li> <li>Finding a career that gives work life meaning</li> </ul> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://ladderlife.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Ladder Life Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="http://canva.me/beyond" rel="nofollow">Canva</a></li> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 11 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT 8276166e-9843-496d-b595-c054a078e0fe Erik Fisher 2021-05-11T05:00:00Z Personal Productivity: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Me – TPW345 https://theproductivewoman.com/personal-productivity-10-things-you-might-not-know-about-me-tpw345/ Since productivity is such a personal thing, I thought it might be fun to share a few things you might not know about me and how they affect my productivity. I invite you to do an inventory of the personal factors that affect your productivity. 


 

Personal productivity - and what you might not know about me

Productivity is a very personal thing. Everything about us--our background, our relationships, our physical and mental condition, our mindset--affects our productivity, both our ability to do the things that are important to us and our ability to make a life that matters--partly because all these things affect how we define a life that matters. 

What has influenced my approach to productivity--and how it helps me make a life that matters

This episode is being published a few days before my birthday. I thought it was a good time to share a few things you might not know about me and how they affect my productivity. I invite you to do an inventory of the personal factors that affect your productivity. 

1. I was born with congenital hip dysplasia. This means I have physical limitations that affect how I do things. For example, I cannot squat or tailor sit, so doing certain tasks, such as cleaning low areas like baseboards or putting things away in bottom cabinets, requires me to bend over or get on my hands and knees. I also walk a bit differently due to one leg being shorter than the other, which is something I've always been self-conscious about. Over time, this hip dysplasia led to degenerative arthritis and eventually much-needed hip replacement surgery, which was life-changing. I was finally pain-free after so many years.



2. I'm the oldest of 6 children. A lot of birth-order science supports the idea that I was born to be a productivity nerd.

“According to the stereotype, firstborns tend to be serious, structured, goal-driven, high-achieving, well-organized and logical thinkers.” [from Can Birth Order Determine Success or Failure? Science Says Maybe So] 

Large families pretty much require organization. Being the oldest in a large family I was inclined toward organization--lists and charts and organizing games and clubs. 

3. I was born and raised in Washington state, but we moved a lot. My dad was a log truck driver, and a bit of a wanderer, so we moved often. I went to 3 different schools for 6th grade alone. I hated moving because I was and am an introvert who found it hard to make friends when I was young. I was often the "new kid" in class and that made me self-conscious. It took me many years (and some favorite activities) to learn ways to fit in to new situations and feel comfortable speaking up. This experience of moving around a lot and constantly being in new situations has had an impact on my productivity and making a life that matters. I've never really had a hometown and the impact of that has caused me to gravitate towards making a home wherever I am (which is wherever Mike is) and making it feel homey.

4. When I was younger, I wanted to be a country singer. In junior and senior high school, music was my life. All my friends were met through the various choirs I sang in. I met Mike in one of those groups. Participating in choirs and vocal ensembles taught me things about teamwork, about the importance of practicing and developing your craft. I learned to be comfortable in front of an audience, both singing as part of the choir and as a soloist and also speaking, introducing myself or our group, introducing songs, and more. I learned to be flexible when my dreams changed. To me, that’s a big part of productivity. 



5. I married at 18 and had our first child at 20. I was set to go to college as a vocal performance major when I graduated from high school. Life intervened over the summer after graduation when I connected w...]]> Laura McClellan 345 Personal Productivity: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Me clean 48:50 Since productivity is such a personal thing, I thought it might be fun to share a few things you might not know about me and how they affect my productivity. I invite you to do an inventory of the personal factors that affect your productivity.  Wed, 05 May 2021 08:58:42 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9855 2021-05-05T08:58:42Z Dave Crenshaw on The Myth of Multitasking https://beyondthetodolist.com/376 376 Dave Crenshaw on The Myth of Multitasking full Erik Fisher Dave Crenshaw talks about how and why multitasking doesn’t work and how to be more effective by doing one thing at a time. 46:29 no Dave Crenshaw is the author of 'The Myth of Multitasking: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done'. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller.

In this conversation Dave talks with Erik about how and why multitasking doesn’t work and how to be more effective by doing one thing at a time.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+aCuKxPFU ]]> Erik Fisher Dave Crenshaw (https://amzn.to/3h6bGR0) is the author of 'The Myth of Multitasking: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done (https://amzn.to/3h6bGR0)'. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking (https://amzn.to/3h6bGR0)—a time management bestseller. In this conversation Dave talks with Erik about how and why multitasking doesn’t work and how to be more effective by doing one thing at a time. This episode is brought to you by: * OTIS (http://meetotis.com/beyond) * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa ign=textexpander-May-2021) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3h6bGR0" rel="nofollow">Dave Crenshaw</a> is the author of &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/3h6bGR0" rel="nofollow">The Myth of Multitasking: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done</a>&#39;. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is <a href="https://amzn.to/3h6bGR0" rel="nofollow">The Myth of Multitasking</a>—a time management bestseller.</p> <p>In this conversation Dave talks with Erik about how and why multitasking doesn’t work and how to be more effective by doing one thing at a time.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://meetotis.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">OTIS</a></li> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa%20ign=textexpander-May-2021" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> </ul> Tue, 04 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT 84bd0a0b-176d-4654-b352-69cf7db2c5a5 Erik Fisher 2021-05-04T05:00:00Z Productive Living: Finding Peace In Our Parenting, with Lynyetta Willis – TPW344 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-finding-peace-in-our-parenting-with-lynyetta-willis-tpw344/ Psychologist Dr. Lynyetta Willis and I discuss parenting, productivity, and family empowerment.


Productive Living: Family Empowerment and Productivity

Dr. Lynyetta Willis is a psychologist, family empowerment coach, speaker, and author who helps frustrated families break free from stable misery and unhelpful habits in their parenting and partnerships, so they can create more harmony and joy with those they love. She lives in Georgia with her husband and their two children.  

Lynyetta has been in the mental health field for 20 years, specializing in trauma healing, family and couples work, and parenting. She had her own practice for many years but has since closed it and is now coaching, working with families all over the world. Her clients (mostly women) tend to be very high achievers who feel like they are doing well in so many areas of their life, but when it comes to things like self-care, parenting, and partnerships, they feel like they are failing. This is an area Lynyetta refers to as stable misery: a place where we can get stuck in unhelpful patterns, often with those we love, making us feel unhappy.

Another phrase Lynyetta uses is stable misery minions, meaning the things that keep us in those habits, such as a sense of feeling disempowered.

One of the things Lynyetta really focuses on is family empowerment, as she has always been interested in family work in general. When we feel disempowered as parents or partners, it can really cause us to stay down in that place of stable misery. Lynyetta works with couples and families who just want to break free from that place so they can feel more in sync with who they want to be--and know they can be.

One of the ways Lynyetta helps is by helping people find the tools they need to feel empowered in their most important relationships. She wants her clients to feel empowered so they can show up in the best, most aligned way possible, for those in their lives. And when Lynyetta says she wants you to feel empowered, she doesn't mean over people, but by having power within yourself and with people. She wants you to ask yourself, "Where is my power in this moment", and then use that in a healthful way to shift the moment, or shift yourself, to positively affect what's going on around you.

Creating self-awareness and recognizing triggers

Lynyetta runs a 12-week program for parents called Trigger to Transform, in which she helps parents with transforming their triggers so they can overcome their unhelpful habits and become the parents they want to be. What often happens is that parents will read books and do other things to become the best parents they can be, but will then get into a situation with their kids that will trigger them and the book they just read will ultimately not be useful to them. This often makes parents feel worse about their situation. When we get triggered, the part of our brain (frontal lobe) that holds all the knowledge from the books we may have read gets locked up and we become emotional. We are put into a "fight or flight" mode and we fall back on old patterns that no longer work for us, such as yelling or shaming.  Lynyetta talks about the Four Horseman Mindset in her work, and those four horsemen are pain, blame, shame, and avoidance. Those are the four default emotions we can fall back into when we are feeling triggered and disempowered.

Lynyetta says the best way to change these patterns of behavior is to realize that you (...]]> Laura McClellan 344 Productive Living: Finding Peace In Our Parenting, with Lynyetta Willis clean 49:10 Psychologist Dr. Lynyetta Willis and I discuss parenting, productivity, and family empowerment. Wed, 28 Apr 2021 08:47:34 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9829 2021-04-28T08:47:34Z Mary Rensel and Ali Hively on Brain Health and Optimization https://beyondthetodolist.com/375 375 Mary Rensel and Ali Hively on Brain Health and Optimization full Erik Fisher Mary Rensel and Ali Hively talk on Brain Health and Optimization. 47:11 no Dr. Mary Rensel and Ali Hively have backgrounds in academic medicine and life coaching. Their company, BrainOps Group helps professionals optimize their brain for stress management, productivity and performance.

In this conversation they talk about ways to optimize your brain health and function through sleep, physical activity, nutrition and much more.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+a_lMKTC4 ]]> Erik Fisher Dr. Mary Rensel and Ali Hively have backgrounds in academic medicine and life coaching. Their company, BrainOps Group (https://www.brainopsgroup.com) helps professionals optimize their brain for stress management, productivity and performance. In this conversation they talk about ways to optimize your brain health and function through sleep, physical activity, nutrition and much more. This episode is brought to you by: * Canva (http://canva.me/beyond) * Setapp (https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon dthetodolist) <p>Dr. Mary Rensel and Ali Hively have backgrounds in academic medicine and life coaching. Their company, <a href="https://www.brainopsgroup.com" rel="nofollow">BrainOps Group</a> helps professionals optimize their brain for stress management, productivity and performance. </p> <p>In this conversation they talk about ways to optimize your brain health and function through sleep, physical activity, nutrition and much more. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://canva.me/beyond" rel="nofollow">Canva</a></li> <li><a href="https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon%20dthetodolist" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 27 Apr 2021 05:00:00 GMT 68db3483-2122-4755-91cd-52d766d11183 Erik Fisher 2021-04-27T05:00:00Z WandaVision, Part 2 – AYJW115 https://areyoujustwatching.com/wandavision-part-2-ayjw115/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/wandavision-part-2-ayjw115/feed/ 0 It’s not all chaos and grief . . . there’s a moral to the story of WandaVision. It’s not all chaos and grief . . . there’s a moral to the story of WandaVision. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:09:58 It’s not all chaos and grief . . . there’s a moral to the story of WandaVision. Podcast Rated PG Agatha Harkness chaos covet depression Disney forgiveness Gina Carano grief Johnny Depp Marvel mcu Nexus politics power restitution sitcoms television Tim Allen Vision witchcraft Mon, 26 Apr 2021 01:37:25 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/wandavision-part-2-ayjw115/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6381 2021-04-26T01:37:25Z Five Ways To Get Started – TPW343 https://theproductivewoman.com/five-ways-to-get-started-tpw343/ How do you get started when faced with paralyzing overwhelm? In this episode I share 5 tips that can help.


Beat the overwhelm and get started on your to-do list


"Busyness is a full-time job." ~ Unknown 


When you factor in the varied roles we play--employee or business owner, mom, wife, friend, volunteer, home keeper, and more--it can be difficult to find the balance between being productive and feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, I'll offer five tips to help get started when we feel paralyzed by overwhelm. 

Five tips to get the ball rolling

Tip # One: Start with a plan 

You need to know what you want--your goals and objectives--before diving into the day-to-day tasks that need attention. That’s why it’s so important to build in time to think about what matters most to you, to have that picture in your mind of what you want your life to look like and who you want to be in the world, so it can guide your decisions about how to spend your time and what to do when.

Keeping that in mind, when I find myself paralyzed by overwhelm because of all the things that need to get done, I try to take a deep breath, then sit down and do a brain dump--just get everything out of my head onto paper or the screen so I see it and then start to figure out what to do about it. You can use an app like Trello, Google Calendar (or any other calendar of choice), Evernote, or any note-taking app, or just a pen and paper to capture your thoughts and outline your plan of attack. Evaluate the things on that list in light of your own goals, objectives, and priorities, and make some quick decisions about things that can be deleted or delegated. 

Tip # Two: Prioritize your tasks by importance 

Once you’ve weeded out the things you’ve decided not to do, scan the list again to assign priorities to what is left. This will help you see the most important things to do first and those that can wait until later--now that you have them written down so they won’t be forgotten.

I’m not suggesting you spend a lot of time putting them in numerical order, but group them roughly by urgency and importance. By scanning the list you can identify whether there’s something that really, truly needs to get done RIGHT NOW--maybe paying bills that are about to be delinquent, or returning that urgent call from a client. Once these urgent matters have been taken care of you can feel free to go back into tackling any unfinished work without being bogged down by distractions. 

Tip # Three: Be realistic about what you can do with the time and energy you have at the moment 

Here I’m really talking about that feeling of despair we get when we look at something on our list and know it’s got to be done, but there’s just no way to get it done in the time that's available for it.

If a task feels too daunting, look at it again--is it really a task, or is it a project? It's important to understand the difference between a project and a task. A task can be completed in one place in one chunk of time; a project cannot because it is made up of multiple tasks. For example, decluttering your house (or even decluttering a room) isn’t a task; it’s a project--and a pretty big one, at that. The way to make it happen is to break it into smaller chunks that seem manageable so progress isn't stalled due to lack of motivation.  

Tip # Four: Set a timer 

Once you’ve identified and prioritized your tasks and chosen which one to start with, adjust your thinking. Instead of thinking “How long will this take?]]> Laura McClellan 343 Five Ways to Get Started clean 25:24 How do you get started when faced with paralyzing overwhelm? In this episode I share 5 tips that can help. Wed, 21 Apr 2021 08:24:18 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9811 2021-04-21T08:24:18Z Premium Subscriptions and More Coming to Apple Podcasts https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/premium-subscriptions-and-more-coming-to-apple-podcasts/ In Apple's live-streamed presentation on April 20, 2021, they announced several new products and offerings. But in only a couple minutes, Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned Apple Podcasts with announcements that will affect the whole industry. In Apple's live-streamed presentation on April 20, 2021, they announced several new products and offerings. But in only a couple minutes, Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned Apple Podcasts with announcements that will affect the whole industry.



Disclaimer: This episode contains my live-streamed initial thoughts, along with consenting participants, recorded shortly after Apple's presentation. Any misrepresentations are accidental.



“Subscribe” changed to “follow”



The first change is something we've known about for a few months. With iOS 14.5 and macOS 11.3, Apple is changing the label for getting episodes automatically from “subscribe” to “follow.” While I and many other podcasters rarely saw issues with the word “subscribe,” frequent studies and experiences have demonstrated that most people think you have to pay when you subscribe. For example, subscribing to a newspaper, streaming entertainment, Internet service, and such.



But while I feel like the word “follow” implies a more personal thing, like following a person or a brand on social media, I think it removes the potential misunderstanding about any involved costs. Spotify and a couple other podcast apps already use the word “follow,” and Twitch even already uses both “subscribe” and “follow” on the same platform to mean different things: subscribe to pay the content creator, or follow to simply see when they publish new content.



I suspect YouTube and other podcast apps will soon follow suit (pun unavoidable).



I also really like this change because for a long time, I've wanted to add a new feature to My Podcast Reviews to help podcasters grow their audiences by providing a smart link with the right podcast options. I quickly registered FollowthePodcast.com and we launched that as an included new feature on My Podcast Reviews!



So even though you might still be struggling to say “Apple Podcasts” instead of “iTunes,” I think switching from saying “subscribe” to “follow” will not only match current and future options, but maybe even help you get more listeners because they'll understand quicker.



Premium subscriptions in Apple Podcasts



If you didn't already read it, here's the emailed announcement from Apple. I recommend you read all the links, too.



Dear Podcast Creator,We are thrilled to share the following announcements and updates.Introducing Apple Podcasts SubscriptionsStarting today, creators in more than 170 countries and regions can offer premium subscriptions on Apple Podcasts, which will be accessible to listeners next month. Creators set the pricing for each subscription, which are billed monthly by default, and define the benefits, such as ad-free listening, early or exclusive access to new series, or access to additional or archival content. Creators can also offer annual billing and provide free trials and sample episodes.Creators interested in offering subscriptions can log in to Apple Podcasts Connect and enroll in the new Daniel J. Lewis 349 Premium Subscriptions and More Coming to Apple Podcasts 1:06:32 In Apple's live-streamed presentation on April 20, 2021, they announced several new products and offerings. But in only a couple minutes, Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned Apple Podcasts with announcements that will affect the whole industry. <p>In <a href="https://www.apple.com/apple-events/april-2021/">Apple's live-streamed presentation on April 20, 2021</a>, they announced several new products and offerings. But in only a couple minutes, Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned Apple Podcasts with announcements that will affect the whole industry.</p> <p>Disclaimer: This episode contains my live-streamed initial thoughts, along with consenting participants, recorded shortly after Apple's presentation. Any misrepresentations are accidental.</p> <h2>&#8220;Subscribe&#8221; changed to &#8220;follow&#8221;</h2> <p>The first change is something we've known about for a few months. With iOS 14.5 and macOS 11.3, Apple is changing the label for getting episodes automatically from &#8220;subscribe&#8221; to &#8220;follow.&#8221; While I and many other <em>podcasters</em> rarely saw issues with the word &#8220;subscribe,&#8221; frequent studies and experiences have demonstrated that most people think you have to pay when you subscribe. For example, subscribing to a newspaper, streaming entertainment, Internet service, and such.</p> <p>But while I feel like the word &#8220;follow&#8221; implies a more personal thing, like following a person or a brand on social media, I think it removes the potential misunderstanding about any involved costs. Spotify and a couple other podcast apps already use the word &#8220;follow,&#8221; and Twitch even already uses both &#8220;subscribe&#8221; and &#8220;follow&#8221; on the same platform to mean different things: subscribe to pay the content creator, or follow to simply see when they publish new content.</p> <p>I suspect YouTube and other podcast apps will soon <em>follow</em> suit (pun unavoidable).</p> <p>I also really like this change because for a long time, I've wanted to add a new feature to <a href="https://mypodcastreviews.com/">My Podcast Reviews</a> to help podcasters grow their audiences by providing a smart link with the <em>right</em> podcast options. I quickly registered <a href="https://followthepodcast.com">FollowthePodcast.com and we launched that as an included new feature on My Podcast Reviews</a>!</p> <p>So even though you might still be struggling to say &#8220;Apple Podcasts&#8221; instead of &#8220;iTunes,&#8221; I think switching from saying &#8220;subscribe&#8221; to &#8220;follow&#8221; will not only match current and future options, but maybe even help you get more listeners because they'll understand quicker.</p> <h2>Premium subscriptions in Apple Podcasts</h2> <p>If you didn't already read it, here's the emailed announcement from Apple. I recommend you read all the links, too.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>Dear Podcast&#160;Creator,</p><p>We are thrilled to share the following announcements and&#160;updates.</p><p><strong>Introducing Apple&#160;Podcasts Subscriptions</strong></p><p>Starting today, creators in more than 170 countries and regions can offer premium&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2H1B9B3N">subscriptions</a>&#160;on Apple&#160;Podcasts, which will be accessible to listeners next month. Creators set the pricing for each subscription, which are billed monthly by default, and define the benefits, such as ad-free listening, early or exclusive access to new series, or access to additional or archival content. Creators can also offer annual billing and provide free trials and sample&#160;episodes.</p><p>Creators interested in offering subscriptions can log in to&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2t0i2Q8k">Apple&#160;Podcasts Connect</a>&#160;and enroll in the new&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2e3E0A8Y">Apple Podcasters Program</a>&#160;for an annual fee, which provides access to all of the tools required to build and distribute premium subscriptions on Apple Podcasts.</p><p><strong>New Tools in Apple&#160;Podcasts Connect</strong></p><p>Also beginning today, all creators can access an updated Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard, which includes new features that make it easier to manage your content on Apple&#160;Podcasts.</p><p>With&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2t0i2Q8k">Apple Podcasts Connect</a>, you can now create&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2t3V3a4v">channels</a>, which are groups of shows that can be personalized with unique titles, descriptions, and artwork. Just like shows, you can offer free channels, which make it easy for listeners to discover all of your shows, plus paid and freemium channels through&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2e9l2B4h">Apple&#160;Podcasts Subscriptions</a>.</p><p>Additionally, you can now view and edit&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2H1L9i9p">podcast metadata</a>,&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2H5E3Q0k">schedule and manage show availability</a>&#160;for each country and region, and organize shows into channels right from the dashboard. With Analytics, you can gain insight into how listeners are engaging with your shows through&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2t0w3l7v">new performance metrics</a>&#160;and visualization tools, such as engaged listeners, listeners by city, and the new episodes performance graph. Apple Podcasts Connect also now offers a robust system for managing multiple&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2e5i7C5Y">users and roles</a>, making it easy to invite collaborators to manage your subscriptions, channels, and shows.</p><p><strong>Apple&#160;Podcasts for Creators</strong></p><p><a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2H1l2U1P">Apple&#160;Podcasts for Creators</a>&#160;is a new destination where you’ll find resources for developing, marketing, and managing your content on Apple Podcasts. Explore articles, tools, and guides that will help you learn the basics and stay up to date with the latest podcast news.</p><p>For more information about Apple&#160;Podcasts Subscriptions, visit&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2H8n8M4p">Apple Newsroom</a>. To get started go to&#160;<a href="https://c.apple.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=usa&a=ftdIjL6%2Bt9d0iVN6iYrOCI4BR1mtHFxafl81g75j95LvOrPP6jh1iq1B%2BuXAG6XM6w3bQprA5Cc7tsr95WwLKrDvUCao3dtXhXd4aEDzrj000XuhbxN2A5qQsQKRvs%2BS&ct=ac2t0i2Q8k">Apple Podcasts Connect</a>.</p><p>Best regards,<br>The Apple&#160;Podcasts&#160;team</p><cite>&#8220;Introducing Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and more&#8221; sent from Apple Podcast on April 20, 2021</cite></blockquote> <h2>IMPORTANT: Own your directory listing and email address!</h2> <p>Now, even more than before, it's crucial that you have access to the email address(es) in your RSS feed. Some podcast-hosting providers (like SoundCloud and <em>formerly</em> Anchor) default to use their email address, but probably let you easily change it to your own.</p> <p>You also <em>must</em> own your podcast catalog listing or else you won't have access to these new features (or the deeper stats Apple has been providing for years). If you worked with an agency when launching your podcast, they can help you get things in order. If you let Anchor submit and own your podcast-catalog listing, you'll need to <a href="https://help.anchor.fm/hc/en-us/articles/360032820251-Accessing-Apple-Podcasts-Analytics">follow these instructions to reclaim ownership</a>.</p> <h2>Apple Podcasts on Android?</h2> <p>Now that Apple has a direct way for <em>them</em> to make money from podcasts (since they get our annual program subscription fee and a fair portion of the subscription payments), I think they now have a direct financial incentive to bring Apple Podcasts to other platforms. Not only to split up iTunes on Windows like they did on macOS, but also to finally bring Apple Podcasts to Android!</p> <p>They didn't announce anything about this, but I've been publicly predicting this for years, and I suspect we'll finally see it happen in 2021 or shortly after!</p> <h2>New hardware also great for podcasters</h2> <p>Apple is going &#8220;Oprah&#8221; with their new Apple Silicon chip, M1: &#8220;You get an M1! And you get an M1! Everybody gets an M1!&#8221;</p> <p>The new iPad Pro and 24&#8243; iMac have Apple's incredible new M1 chip that's faster and far more energy efficient. Not only does this mean you can get things done faster, but they said the new 24&#8243; iMac is so energy- and temperature-efficient that its fans run at only 10 dB under normal load! That will provide a practically silent machine for podcasting and maybe even remain silent for live-streaming!</p> <p>There's a <em>lot</em> more to this announcement that Apple gave only a couple minutes in their presentation. I and other podcasting-industry professionals will be talking about this for quite a while!</p> <h2>Need podcasting help?</h2> <p>If you need one-on-one help, or you haven't launched your podcast, yet,&#160;<a href="http://theaudacitytopodcast.com/consulting">click here to request a personal coaching and consulting session</a>&#160;and we'll connect you with a podcasting expert we trust!</p> <h2>Ask your questions or share your feedback</h2> <ul><li>Comment on the show notes</li><li>Leave a voicemail at (903) 231-2221</li><li>Email &#102;&#x65;&#101;&#x64;&#98;&#x61;&#99;&#x6b;&#64;&#x54;&#104;&#x65;&#65;&#x75;&#100;&#x61;&#99;&#x69;&#116;&#x79;&#116;&#x6f;&#80;&#x6f;&#100;&#x63;&#97;&#x73;&#116;&#x2e;&#99;&#x6f;&#109; (audio files welcome)</li></ul> <h2>Follow <em>The Audacity to Podcast</em></h2> <ul><li><a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/applepodcasts">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/googlepodcasts">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/spotify">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/android">other Android apps</a>, or in your favorite podcast app.</li><li><a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/facebook">Join the Facebook Page</a></li><li><a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/youtube">Subscribe on YouTube for <em>Podcasting Videos by The Audacity to Podcast</em></a></li><li><a href="http://twitter.com/theDanielJLewis">Follow @theDanielJLewis</a> on Twitter</li></ul> <h2>Disclosure</h2> <p>This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship. I may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.</p> Wed, 21 Apr 2021 03:23:41 GMT https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/?p=29061 2021-04-21T03:23:41Z Julie Fast on Getting Things Done with Depression https://beyondthetodolist.com/374 374 Julie Fast on Getting Things Done with Depression full Erik Fisher Julie Fast on how to get things done and increase productivity when dealing with depression. 56:39 no Julie Fast is a critically acclaimed international author, researcher, educator and sought after expert in the mental health field. She is regarded as a mental health pioneer for her groundbreaking, comprehensive approach to treating bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, anxiety and schizoaffective disorder using both mainstream and self created management strategies. She is also the author of Get It Done When You're Depressed, now with a 2nd edition.

In this conversation Julie talks about easy to follow and practical strategies for anyone trying to live a more productive life when dealing with depression, like how to know when your brain is lying to you and many more strategies for keeping your life on track.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+-VNAEunz ]]> Erik Fisher Julie Fast (https://amzn.to/3v6QUEM) is a critically acclaimed international author, researcher, educator and sought after expert in the mental health field. She is regarded as a mental health pioneer for her groundbreaking, comprehensive approach to treating bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, anxiety and schizoaffective disorder using both mainstream and self created management strategies. She is also the author of Get It Done When You're Depressed (https://amzn.to/3v6QUEM), now with a 2nd edition. In this conversation Julie talks about easy to follow and practical strategies for anyone trying to live a more productive life when dealing with depression, like how to know when your brain is lying to you and many more strategies for keeping your life on track. This episode is brought to you by: * Setapp (http://setapp.com) * Vidyard (http://vidyard.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3v6QUEM" rel="nofollow">Julie Fast</a> is a critically acclaimed international author, researcher, educator and sought after expert in the mental health field. She is regarded as a mental health pioneer for her groundbreaking, comprehensive approach to treating bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, anxiety and schizoaffective disorder using both mainstream and self created management strategies. She is also the author of <a href="https://amzn.to/3v6QUEM" rel="nofollow">Get It Done When You&#39;re Depressed</a>, now with a 2nd edition. </p> <p>In this conversation Julie talks about easy to follow and practical strategies for anyone trying to live a more productive life when dealing with depression, like how to know when your brain is lying to you and many more strategies for keeping your life on track.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> <li><a href="http://vidyard.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Vidyard</a></li> </ul> Tue, 20 Apr 2021 05:00:00 GMT d280dab4-58d5-4b8e-85a7-9496d5c1b7f5 Erik Fisher 2021-04-20T05:00:00Z Ariel Garten on Meditation, Mindfulness and Neuroscience https://beyondthetodolist.com/373 373 Ariel Garten on Meditation, Mindfulness and Neuroscience full Erik Fisher Ariel Garten, cofounder of Muse on meditation, mindfulness and and overcoming mediation misconceptions. 46:09 no Ariel Garten is a Neuroscientist, former psychotherapist and cofounder of Muse - The Brain Sensing Headband. Muse tracks your brain during meditation to give you real-time feedback on your meditation, guiding you into the “zone” and solving the problem most of us have when starting a meditation practice. Muse lets you know when you are doing it right.

In this conversation, Ariel talks about:

  • What meditation is
  • What meditation is NOT
  • How to get started
  • The benefits of meditation
  • How Muse works and helps meditation

This episode is broguth to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+oGP4_jx2 ]]> Erik Fisher Ariel Garten is a Neuroscientist, former psychotherapist and cofounder of Muse - The Brain Sensing Headband (http://beyondthetodolist.com/muse). Muse (http://beyondthetodolist.com/muse) tracks your brain during meditation to give you real-time feedback on your meditation, guiding you into the “zone” and solving the problem most of us have when starting a meditation practice. Muse (http://beyondthetodolist.com/muse) lets you know when you are doing it right. In this conversation, Ariel talks about: * What meditation is * What meditation is NOT * How to get started * The benefits of meditation * How Muse (http://beyondthetodolist.com/muse) works and helps meditation This episode is broguth to you by: * Setapp (http://setapp.com) * Vidyard (http://vidyard.com/beyond) <p>Ariel Garten is a Neuroscientist, former psychotherapist and cofounder of <a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/muse" rel="nofollow">Muse - The Brain Sensing Headband</a>. <a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/muse" rel="nofollow">Muse</a> tracks your brain during meditation to give you real-time feedback on your meditation, guiding you into the “zone” and solving the problem most of us have when starting a meditation practice. <a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/muse" rel="nofollow">Muse</a> lets you know when you are doing it right.</p> <p>In this conversation, Ariel talks about:</p> <ul> <li>What meditation is</li> <li>What meditation is NOT</li> <li>How to get started</li> <li>The benefits of meditation</li> <li>How <a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/muse" rel="nofollow">Muse</a> works and helps meditation</li> </ul> <p>This episode is broguth to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://setapp.com" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> <li><a href="http://vidyard.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Vidyard</a></li> </ul> Wed, 14 Apr 2021 14:00:00 GMT 9d510955-de9a-4450-ad42-5703c9d4309f Erik Fisher 2021-04-14T14:00:00Z Building Meaningful Relationships in a Virtual World, with Betsy Hays – TPW342 https://theproductivewoman.com/building-meaningful-relationships-in-a-virtual-world-with-betsy-hays-tpw342/ Author and college professor Betsy Hays and I talk about how we can build and nurture professional and personal relationships through virtual networking.


Virtual networking - prioritizing relationships in today's virtual world

Betsy Hays is a keynote speaker, author, and workshop presenter who specializes in communication and productivity topics. She is also the lead Public Relations Professor for the Department of Media, Communications and Journalism (MCJ) at Fresno State, a post she has held since 1999. In this role Betsy teaches how to help organizations use communication to accomplish their goals. She also teaches advertising, which is a sister discipline of public relations.

Betsy has always felt that education would be the right field for her. Little did she know that working with "big kids" would be where her heart was. In fall 2018, Betsy took over as Chair of the MCJ Department. Betsy loves to see her students flourish and likes to stay in touch with them over the years.

She and her husband are now empty-nesters, as their two daughters are off at college and grad school. Betsy has always loved reading, walking, cooking, and baking and is newly obsessed with yoga. She is the co-author of three books, including Win & Wow: Public Relations Secrets for Everyday Success. 

A typical day

Betsy's typical day now is very different from when her children were younger. She likes to think of her life in seasons, and this is definitely a new season for her.

Betsy wakes up at around 5:30 a.m. and starts her morning routine, which is very important to her. This routine includes meditation, reading and journaling, exercise, and a lot of coffee.

Once her workday starts, she tries to leave her mornings free from meetings because this is when she has her focused work time. She tries to not look at her email until she has done one or two hours of what she calls her MITs--her most important things.

At lunchtime, since she's working from home now, she tries to eat outside for some fresh air. In the afternoon, she alternates between checking her email, completing more MITs, teaching her classes, or hosting meetings.

She takes another outdoor "sunshine break" around 3:30. Betsy also tries to take as many calls as she can outside, just to stretch her legs and have a nice change of pace.

Before ending her day at about 6 p.m., she will focus on what she wants to complete the next day.

In the evenings, she makes dinner, spends time with her husband, and maybe Facetimes with one of her daughters. She may also read or watch TV. She is then in bed by 9:00 or 9:30 since she has to get up so early.

Biggest productivity challenges

One of Betsy's biggest productivity challenges is implementing her own plans. She has a well-thought-out schedule that she puts a lot of time into, but she doesn't always follow it, which leads to everything suffering as a result.

She deals with this by reflecting on how she feels when she is doing her evening re-set. If she's feeling overwhelmed or disheveled, she knows it's because she hasn't followed her plans.  She will then recommit to doing better the next day.

On the weekends, she tries to be purposeful when taking her walks, using the time to reflect on the different components of her life, such as her nutrition, exercise, her family, her schedule, etc. She will give herself kudos for things that went well but will also consider how things could have gone better. There are times when she has to let things go because there is no way she can follow a set schedule, but she will give herself grace during these times.

]]> Laura McClellan 342 Building Meaningful Relationships in a Virtual World, with Betsy Hays clean 45:25 Author and college professor Betsy Hays and I talk about how we can build and nurture professional and personal relationships through virtual networking. Wed, 14 Apr 2021 08:55:37 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9783 2021-04-14T08:55:37Z How to Be Happy – TPW341 https://theproductivewoman.com/how-to-be-happy-tpw341/ Studies show happy people are more productive. This week we're talking about things we can do to be happy.


Happiness and making a life that matters

The topic of happiness has been on my mind a lot lately, especially because of how life has been over the last year. We've dealt with the pandemic and all that's come from that, as well as other world changes. It can affect our happiness and how productive and healthy we are. Today I thought I would go into more detail on the subject of happiness.

What does it mean to be happy? 

Dictionary: hap·py| ˈhapē | adjective (happier, happiest)  

1. feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. 

 (happy about) having a sense of confidence in or satisfaction with (a person, arrangement, or situation): I was never very happy about the explanation | I can't say they looked too happy about it, but a deal's a deal. 

According to Wikipedia: 

The term happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states, including positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. It is also used in the context of life satisfaction, subjective well-being, eudaimonia, flourishing and well-being.

Since the 1960s, happiness research has been conducted in a wide variety of scientific disciplines, including gerontology, social psychology and positive psychology, clinical and medical research and happiness economics.

I don’t believe we should expect to feel happy every minute of every day. After all, we live in the real world. Hard things happen. Sad things happen. We need and choose to do things that aren’t fun.

And the truth is, happiness only has meaning in a world where we experience sadness and disappointment and anger and all the other emotions.

So when I talk about being happy, I’m not talking about creating a world where every minute we feel bouncy and upbeat and joyous. I’m talking about creating a life in which our baseline is happiness, where when hard or sad things happen we’re able to process them, feel those feelings, and rebound back to that baseline happiness, where generally we find joy and peace and contentment in our day-to-day lives. 

“happiness isn’t something that just happens to you. Everyone has the power to make small changes in our behavior, our surroundings and our relationships that can help set us on course for a happier life.” (from a New York Times article, How to Be Happy)

Why is happiness relevant to productivity? 

Happy people are more productive! In this podcast, we talk a lot about getting things done, but we also talk about ordering our lives in such a way that we have a positive impact on the world and defining our lives in a way that is important to us.  Our life will be more meaningful and matter more to the extent that we are happy in our lives. If we are happy, we are able to accomplish more.

“probably the best way to be more productive is to just be happier. Happy people accomplish more.” (from an Inc. magazine article, 10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Incredibly Happy)

How to be happy--things we can do 

1.  Learn to understand and accept who you are.

Trying to be someone you’re not is the surest way to be unhappy at a deep, permanent level. This doesn’t mean you can’t recognize your weaknesses and flaws and try to improve, but learning the difference between personality types and flaws is important. For example,]]> Laura McClellan 341 How to Be Happy clean 45:42 Studies show happy people are more productive. This week we're talking about things we can do to be happy. Wed, 07 Apr 2021 08:24:54 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9758 2021-04-07T08:24:54Z Megan Hyatt Miller on How To Win at Work & Succeed At Life https://beyondthetodolist.com/371 371 Megan Hyatt Miller on How To Win at Work & Succeed At Life full Erik Fisher Megan Hyatt Miller, CEO of Michael Hyatt & Co. talks about the 5 principles of achieving the double win: Winning at work and succeeding at life. 47:22 no Megan Hyatt Miller is the chief executive officer at Michael Hyatt & Co. She is also the co-host of the Lead to Win podcast. Her new book, co-authored with her father Michael Hyatt is 'Win at Work & Succeed At Life: 5 Principles to Free Yourself From the Cult of Overwork'.

In this conversation Megan talks about work/life balance, the cult of overwork and implementing the double win in your organization and at home.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+MFzfHH0F ]]> Erik Fisher Megan Hyatt Miller is the chief executive officer at Michael Hyatt & Co. She is also the co-host of the Lead to Win podcast. Her new book, co-authored with her father Michael Hyatt is 'Win at Work & Succeed At Life: 5 Principles to Free Yourself From the Cult of Overwork (http://winandsucceedbook.com/beyond)'. In this conversation Megan talks about work/life balance, the cult of overwork and implementing the double win in your organization and at home. This episode is brought to you by: * Vidyard (https://www.vidyard.com/beyond/) * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa ign=textexpander-Apr-2021) <p>Megan Hyatt Miller is the chief executive officer at Michael Hyatt &#38; Co. She is also the co-host of the Lead to Win podcast. Her new book, co-authored with her father Michael Hyatt is &#39;<a href="http://winandsucceedbook.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Win at Work &#38; Succeed At Life: 5 Principles to Free Yourself From the Cult of Overwork</a>&#39;.</p> <p>In this conversation Megan talks about work/life balance, the cult of overwork and implementing the double win in your organization and at home. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.vidyard.com/beyond/" rel="nofollow">Vidyard</a></li> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campa%20ign=textexpander-Apr-2021" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> </ul> Tue, 06 Apr 2021 05:00:00 GMT 941ce5e9-d73c-4bf5-955d-7ae3fdf8fdfb Erik Fisher 2021-04-06T05:00:00Z 13 Apps That Help Me Manage My Life – TPW340 https://theproductivewoman.com/13-apps-that-help-me-manage-my-life-tpw340/ This week I'm sharing some apps that help me manage my life, get things done that are important to me, and stay productive throughout my day.


Using apps can help you stay productive and organized

A lot of what we do these days is digital. I mentioned in a recent episode that lately I have been using a paper planner to manage things, which I really enjoy doing, but a lot of the things I need to manage are online and the way I keep up with everything is by using some favorite apps.

The apps I included on this list are apps I use every day to manage certain elements of my life. The first 7 are available for multiple operating systems (Apple and non); the last 6 are Mac/iOS only, but where I can I suggest alternatives that work for Windows and/or Android. 

I am excluding the common basics like Word, Dropbox, Email, Slack, MS Teams, OmniFocus, and Kindle app. I am also excluding TextExpander because I talk about them frequently, but it is absolutely one of the apps I use most frequently and that contributes most to my productivity at the computer 

Apps that work on all operating systems 

1. Backblaze - This is a cloud-based backup service that automatically and continuously backs up my computer and any connected hard drives. If you’ve ever had a hard drive fail or a computer stolen or damaged (such as in a natural disaster), you know the importance of having a backup. It's recommended to have 2 backups--a local one (to a hard drive) and a remote or cloud-based backup. I use Backblaze for my remote backup

If you need to restore, you can order a USB drive of your data and mail it back to them in 30 days for a refund. It has the ability to restore multiple older versions of a file, has automatic or scheduled backup (so if you need to save your bandwidth during the day you can schedule it to back up overnight, for example.) It can also locate a missing or stolen computer and has Auto threading & throttling or set your own upload limit. 

The cost is $60/year/computer if paid annually (with a discount if you pay for 2 years at a time). There is also a  free trial available. I pay for it for both my iMac and my MacBook Pro and it's worth every penny for the peace of mind it gives me knowing if the unexpected happens I’ll be able to retrieve my files.

Alternatives - Carbonite, among others. 

]]> Laura McClellan 340 13 Apps That Help Me Manage My Life clean 46:42 This week I'm sharing some apps that help me manage my life, get things done that are important to me, and stay productive throughout my day. Wed, 31 Mar 2021 08:39:02 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9722 2021-03-31T08:39:02Z Michael Dietrich-Chastain on Reducing Stress, Accomplishing Goals, and Mastering Adaptability https://beyondthetodolist.com/370 370 Michael Dietrich-Chastain on Reducing Stress, Accomplishing Goals, and Mastering Adaptability full Erik Fisher Michael Dietrich-Chastain on Reducing Stress, Accomplishing Goals, and Mastering Adaptability 44:18 no Michael Dietrich-Chastain is a psychotherapist, an executive coach, and an organizational consultant at his firm Arc Integrated. He is also the author of the book CHANGES: The Busy Professional’s Guide to Reducing Stress, Accomplishing Goals, and Mastering Adaptability.

Mentioned in this episode:
[Blinkist - Get Shortcasts of this podcast!](beyondthetodolist.com/blinkist)

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+1iTAEiHL ]]> Erik Fisher Michael Dietrich-Chastain (http://thechangesbook.com) is a psychotherapist, an executive coach, and an organizational consultant at his firm Arc Integrated. He is also the author of the book CHANGES: The Busy Professional’s Guide to Reducing Stress, Accomplishing Goals, and Mastering Adaptability (https://amzn.to/37yWyV4). Mentioned in this episode: Blinkist - Get Shortcasts of this podcast! (beyondthetodolist.com/blinkist) <p><a href="http://thechangesbook.com" rel="nofollow">Michael Dietrich-Chastain</a> is a psychotherapist, an executive coach, and an organizational consultant at his firm Arc Integrated. He is also the author of the book <a href="https://amzn.to/37yWyV4" rel="nofollow">CHANGES: The Busy Professional’s Guide to Reducing Stress, Accomplishing Goals, and Mastering Adaptability</a>.</p> <p>Mentioned in this episode:<br> [Blinkist - Get Shortcasts of this podcast!](beyondthetodolist.com/blinkist)</p> Tue, 30 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT 8852e72d-399e-4482-a5a2-84090b83c6b3 Erik Fisher 2021-03-30T05:00:00Z WandaVision, Part 1 – AYJW114 https://areyoujustwatching.com/wandavision-part-1-ayjw114/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/wandavision-part-1-ayjw114/feed/ 0 The true heir to Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision dives into the consequences and the politics of a world fractured by the Blip. The true heir to Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision dives into the consequences and the politics of a world fractured by the Blip. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:12:22 The true heir to Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision dives into the consequences and the politics of a world fractured by the Blip. Podcast Rated PG Disney diversity Endgame Gina Carano grief identity politics Infinity War Marvel mcu Quicksilver racism terrorist the Blip Tony Stark villain Vision X-Men Tue, 30 Mar 2021 01:37:42 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/wandavision-part-1-ayjw114/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6359 2021-03-30T01:37:42Z 7 Ways to Improve Your Podcast and Promotion with Jarvis AI https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/7-ways-to-improve-your-podcast-and-promotion-with-jarvis-ai/ Do you want to improve the content on your podcast? Jarvis (also known as “Conversion AI”) can help! It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate blog post ideas, headlines, phrases, captions for images, and more. How good is it? Do you want to improve the content on your podcast? Jarvis (also known as “Conversion AI”) can help! It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate blog post ideas, headlines, phrases, captions for images, and more.



How good is it? That first paragraph was generated using Jarvis's “Blog Post Intro Paragraph” template! And all the italicized text in this article was generated or enhanced by Jarvis with little to no tweaking from me.



Click here to try Jarvis yourself with a FREE 5-day trial!



(As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases through this link. But I recommend products I truly believe in, regardless of earnings.)



Unless otherwise noted, the following input descriptions and text were provided by my email subscribers.



1. Improve your podcast descriptions



Jarvis is a nifty little tool that will take your podcast description and make it the best you've ever seen. With just three clicks, Jarvis automatically finds all of those perfect words to fit in there without any effort on your part!



Jarvis offers multiple frameworks to help market products:



* AIDA: attention ➜ interest ➜ desire ➜ action* PAS: problem ➜ agitate ➜ solution* BAB: before ➜ after ➜ bridge



I ran the same podcast title and description through all three of these frameworks to demonstrate the different results you can get.



Podcast: ExtraVirgin Food and TravelDescription: ExtraVirgin is a podcast for gourmands who love to travel and travellers who love good food. Join your hosts, food and travel journalist Natascha Mirosch and bon vivant Samantha Donsky, who between them have eaten their way around more than 60 countries, as they meet the passionate people who make wandering the world so rewarding and so delicious.AIDA framework:Join us on our journey as we explore the world and all of its delicious food.We’ve eaten our way around more than 60 countries, meeting passionate people who make wandering the world so rewarding and so delicious.You won't want to miss out on this podcast that will make you hungry while also making you laugh!Subscribe now to get all our episodes free!PAS framework:Traveling can be a lonely and stressful experience, especially when you are constantly surrounded by unfamiliar food.The best way to combat this is to learn about the local cuisine so you know what ingredients to look out for at the supermarket. But it's also important to meet people who live there, not just tourists. You need locals as your guide through their culture and customs.That's where ExtraVirgin Food & Travel comes in! We'll help you understand how locals eat and travel in different countries around the world while sharing our tips on how we've made these experiences even better with our own hacks! Join us as we explore new cultures together from a traveller’s perspective while eating some of the most amazing food that each country has to offer!BAB framework:You love to travel, but you also love good food. However, finding the best restaurants and local eateries is always a challenge.Imagine having a podcast that tells you about the best places to eat in every city you visit. It's like having your own personal tour guide who knows all of the hidden gems and where to find them!Join Natascha Mirosch and Samantha Donsky as they take on the world one bite at a time with ExtraVirgin Food & Travel!



2. Brainstorm episode topics



I've spoken before on ways to brainstorm episode ideas for your podcast. But this AI can make it much easier!]]> Daniel J. Lewis 348 7 Ways to Improve Your Podcast and Promotion with Jarvis AI clean 37:56 Do you want to improve the content on your podcast? Jarvis (also known as “Conversion AI”) can help! It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate blog post ideas, headlines, phrases, captions for images, and more. How good is it? That first paragraph was generated using Jarvis's “Blog Post Intro Paragraph” template! And all... <p><em>Do you want to improve the content on your podcast? Jarvis </em>(also known as &#8220;Conversion AI&#8221;) <em>can help! It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate blog post ideas, headlines, phrases, captions for images, and more.</em></p> <p>How good is it? That first paragraph was generated using Jarvis's &#8220;Blog Post Intro Paragraph&#8221; template! And all the italicized text in this article was generated or enhanced by Jarvis with little to no tweaking from me.</p> <p><a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/jarvis">Click here to try Jarvis yourself with a FREE 5-day trial!</a></p> <p>(As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases through this link. But I recommend products I truly believe in, regardless of earnings.)</p> <p>Unless otherwise noted, the following input descriptions and text were provided by my email subscribers.</p> <h2>1. Improve your podcast descriptions</h2> <p><em>Jarvis is a nifty little tool that will take your podcast description and make it the best you've ever seen. With just three clicks, Jarvis automatically finds all of those perfect words to fit in there without any effort on your part!</em></p> <p>Jarvis offers multiple frameworks to help market products: </p> <ul><li>AIDA: attention ➜ interest ➜ desire ➜ action</li><li>PAS: problem ➜ agitate ➜ solution</li><li>BAB: before ➜ after ➜ bridge</li></ul> <p>I ran the same podcast title and description through all three of these frameworks to demonstrate the different results you can get.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong>Podcast:</strong>&#160;ExtraVirgin Food and Travel</p><p><strong>Description:</strong>&#160;ExtraVirgin is a podcast for gourmands who love to travel and travellers who love good food. Join your hosts, food and travel journalist Natascha Mirosch and bon vivant Samantha Donsky, who between them have eaten their way around more than 60 countries, as they meet the passionate people who make wandering the world so rewarding and so delicious.</p><p><strong>AIDA framework:</strong><br><em>Join us on our journey as we explore the world and all of its delicious food.</em></p><p><em>We’ve eaten our way around more than 60 countries, meeting passionate people who make wandering the world so rewarding and so delicious.</em></p><p><em>You won't want to miss out on this podcast that will make you hungry while also making you laugh!</em></p><p><em>Subscribe now to get all our episodes free!</em></p><p><strong>PAS framework:</strong><br><em>Traveling can be a lonely and stressful experience, especially when you are constantly surrounded by unfamiliar food.</em></p><p><em>The best way to combat this is to learn about the local cuisine so you know what ingredients to look out for at the supermarket. But it's also important to meet people who live there, not just tourists. You need locals as your guide through their culture and customs.</em></p><p><em>That's where ExtraVirgin Food & Travel comes in! We'll help you understand how locals eat and travel in different countries around the world while sharing our tips on how we've made these experiences even better with our own hacks! Join us as we explore new cultures together from a traveller’s perspective while eating some of the most amazing food that each country has to offer!</em></p><p><strong>BAB framework:</strong><br><em>You love to travel, but you also love good food. However, finding the best restaurants and local eateries is always a challenge.</em></p><p><em>Imagine having a podcast that tells you about the best places to eat in every city you visit. It's like having your own personal tour guide who knows all of the hidden gems and where to find them!</em></p><p><em>Join Natascha Mirosch and Samantha Donsky as they take on the world one bite at a time with ExtraVirgin Food & Travel!</em></p></blockquote> <h2>2. Brainstorm episode topics</h2> <p>I've spoken before on <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/how-to-brainstorm-future-podcast-topics-tap195/">ways to brainstorm episode ideas for your podcast</a>. But this AI can make it much easier! </p> <p><em>With Jarvis, you can brainstorm the next episode topics for your podcast. You just need to type in a few words and it will give you an infinite amount of ideas! This app is perfect if you're struggling with what's going on this week or running out of topic ideas because some episodes could sound similar.</em></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong>Podcast:</strong> Logbook Memories</p><p><strong>Description:</strong> An aviation podcast where we discuss stories that are torn right from the pages of your pilot logbook. We're here to remind each other why we fly. Our guests look back in the pages of their logbooks and find a flight that was particularly memorable or meaningful, and share the story of that flight or adventure in their own words.</p><p><strong>AI-generated topic ideas:</strong></p><p><em>• Private pilot tips for composite aircraft<br>• What do you love about flying?<br>• 25 Things to Cross Off Your Pilot Bucket List</em></p></blockquote> <h2>3. Build episode outlines</h2> <p><em>Jarvis is a great service that can outline your episodes for you! All you have to do is input an overview, which Jarvis then transforms into bullet points with accompanying notes. It's like having a virtual assistant who gives feedback on how well-structured or informative your content was at every turn—no more second guessing yourself</em>!</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong>Podcast:</strong>&#160;Talaterra</p><p><strong>Episode title idea:</strong>&#160;How to nurture your relationship with the outdoors</p><p><strong>AI-generated outline:</strong></p><p><em>1. Get outside and explore your surroundings<br>2. Take a walk with your partner or friends in a nearby park<br>3. Plant flowers in pots on the porch or balcony<br>4. Buy furniture that is made locally<br>5. Hang pictures of family members throughout the house, including outdoorsy shots where you are hiking, camping, etc., to remind yourself of all the great times you've had together</em></p></blockquote> <h2>4. Find new marketing angles</h2> <p><em>Jarvis is the master of marketing and he's right there to help when you need it most. He can find new angles for your podcast in seconds so you don't have worry about a thing!</em></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong>Podcast:</strong>&#160;Daily Radio Bible</p><p><strong>Description:</strong>&#160;The Daily Radio Bible is a daily podcast of the Bible read by Hunter Barnes, taking readers through the Bible in one year. If you have ever wanted to read through the Bible in a year, or just want to use your time during your morning commute to feed your soul, the DRB is just for you. You don’t have to go it alone, we can experience the word of God together.</p><p><strong>AI-generated marketing angles:</strong></p><p><em>• Receive a daily word from the Bible<br>• Get biblical encouragement and knowledge in your mailbox every day<br>• Listen to God's word read by our narrator, Hunter Barnes<br>• Support those that are reading through the Bible this year<br>• A modern way of reading through the Bible for today’s generation</em></p></blockquote> <h2>5. Respond to reviews (especially negative reviews)</h2> <p><em>Let Jarvis help you respond to podcast reviews, especially negative ones. It's a great way of showing that you're human (even though you're using an AI!) and not just some faceless podcast in the world.</em></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong>1-star review from &#8220;gehyra&#8221;:</strong></p><p>1 minute of information wrapped in 30 minutes of self promotion! This podcast has almost no content: it's a merciless listener-grab and affiliate marketing attempt… packed with worthless buzzwords like &#8220;How To…&#8221; and &#8220;Top 5…&#8221;, but it doesn't deliver.</p><p>He seems like a nice guy, and I'm surprised he would try to treat people as naive-cash-cows and listener-statistics</p><p><strong>AI-generated response:</strong></p><p><em>Thanks for taking the time to review The Audacity to Podcast, gehyra. I'm sorry you didn't find it helpful.</em></p><p><em>It's true that my podcast is a marketing strategy and affiliate marketing opportunity&#8211;but there are also 30-plus episodes of content with interviews from experts, entrepreneurs, authors, etc., as well as practical tips and resources on how to start your own podcast or improve yours. So while I do have an incentive to get people onto my email list through this free resource, I hope they'll stay for more than just the promo or one episode!</em></p></blockquote> <h2>6. Focus on your podcast's value and benefits</h2> <p><em>One of the ways you can use Jarvis is to help people understand your podcast's value and benefits.</em> In other words, answering &#8220;What's in it for me?&#8221;</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong>Podcast (not used by this template):</strong>&#160;School Savvy Podcast</p><p><strong>Description:&#160;</strong>The School Savvy Podcast shares knowledge with parents and students to help students in grades k-12 succeed. You will learn about academic skills, life skills, student mental health, careers, college, and more. We answer questions you didn’t know you had. Remember, when you increase your knowledge, you increase your options. Join us each week and get School Savvy.</p><p><strong>AI-generated &#8220;unique value propositions&#8221;:</strong></p><p><em>• A podcast for parents and students.<br>• 100% FREE weekly podcast that covers the basics of life skills, academic skills, student mental health, career planning and more.<br>• Learning about school and life skills is easier than ever with School Savvy.</em></p><p><strong>AI-generated &#8220;features to benefits&#8221;:</strong></p><p><em>Standard benefits:</em></p><p><em>• Get your child to love school.<br>• Learn how to help them thrive in their classes.<br>• Learn from experts in the field.<br>• Be informed with up to date information about education<span style="font-size: inherit;">.</span></em></p><p><em>Emotional benefits:</em></p><p><em>• Give your child the best education possible.<br>• Feel like you're a part of the solution for your children's success.</em></p></blockquote> <h2>7. Write better headlines</h2> <p><em>The headlines on your blog posts and episodes are the first thing people see. It's important to craft a headline that will catch their attention while still being relevant. </em></p> <p>Whether you're looking for an episode title, or your sub-headings within your episode, Jarvis can help!</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong>Description:</strong> Jarvis can help you improve your podcast promotion and content.</p><p><strong>AI-generated headlines:</strong></p><p><em>• Improve your marketing and content with Jarvis<br>• Get more downloads, subscribers and engagement with Jarvis<br>• The best podcast maker for podcasters on the market today<br>• Podcast growth made easy<br>• Put your podcast on steroids with Jarvis<br>• Get the most out of your podcast<br>• Why you need more listeners and sponsors for your podcast</em></p></blockquote> <h2>Watch my walkthrough/demo videos</h2> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <iframe title="Improve and Grow Your Podcast with this AI" width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ftNbaytVHBE?feature=oembed&#038;showinfo=0&#038;rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div></figure> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <iframe title="Using AI to respond to podcast reviews, boost SEO, and more" width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G_sDrNDVuC8?feature=oembed&#038;showinfo=0&#038;rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div></figure> <h2>AI should never completely replace YOU!</h2> <p>While many of these examples are amazing and could probably be used verbatim, you may need to tweak some things. Jarvis doesn't know everything, so it can be factually incorrect sometimes—like saying your podcast started in 2008 or guessing on some details. But you can easily correct these.</p> <p>You also know yourself, your show, and your audience better than an AI, so you can use the AI-generated results as starting points to create your own content or edit the results to better fit your unique needs.</p> <p>But what I've found the <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/jarvis" title="Conversion.ai | AI Powered Marketing Copy and Content" class="pretty-link-keyword"rel="" target="_blank">Jarvis AI</a> can do is give me a much better start to many things, help me brainstorm stuff, and it has often helped me get in a focused mindset to then create content myself.</p> <p><a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/jarvis">Click here to try Jarvis free for 5 days!</a></p> <p>(If the free trial expires, joining through my link will probably still give you some kind of bonus.)</p> <h2>Need podcasting help?</h2> <p>If you need one-on-one help, or you haven't launched your podcast, yet,&#160;<a href="http://theaudacitytopodcast.com/consulting">click here to request a personal coaching and consulting session</a>&#160;and we'll connect you with a podcasting expert we trust!</p> <h2>Ask your questions or share your feedback</h2> <ul><li>Comment on the show notes</li><li>Leave a voicemail at (903) 231-2221</li><li>Email &#x66;&#x65;&#x65;&#x64;&#x62;&#97;&#99;&#107;&#64;The&#x41;&#x75;&#x64;&#x61;&#x63;&#x69;&#116;&#121;&#116;oPo&#x64;&#x63;&#x61;&#x73;&#x74;&#x2e;&#99;&#111;&#109; (audio files welcome)</li></ul> <h2>Follow <em>The Audacity to Podcast</em></h2> <ul><li><a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/applepodcasts">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/googlepodcasts">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/spotify">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/android">other Android apps</a>, or in your favorite podcast app.</li><li><a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/facebook">Join the Facebook Page</a></li><li><a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/youtube">Subscribe on YouTube for <em>Podcasting Videos by The Audacity to Podcast</em></a></li><li><a href="http://twitter.com/theDanielJLewis">Follow @theDanielJLewis</a> on Twitter</li></ul> <h2>Disclosure</h2> <p>This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship. I may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.</p> Sun, 28 Mar 2021 01:35:37 GMT https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/?p=28851 2021-03-28T01:35:37Z Productive Living: Managing Your Money Well, with Alaina Fingal – TPW339 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-managing-your-money-well-with-alaina-fingal-tpw339/ In this installment of our Productive Living series, I talk with accountant and certified financial coach Alaina Fingal about money and productivity--including how you can overcome fear related to your money, learn how to establish a budget,


Managing your money and making a life that matters

Alaina Fingal is an accountant, certified financial coach, author, and content creator. She helps busy people who struggle with budgeting and time management use a paper planner to get organized. She shares her easy approach to productivity & finances through her YouTube channel. Her work has been featured in many significant publications, and she was recently selected as one of LA Wire's 40 under 40 along with such notables as Mark Zuckerburg, Rihanna, and actress Jessica Alba. Alaina lives in New Orleans, Louisiana with her husband Torrey and their two daughters.

Alaina started her business in late 2017 when she was trying to figure out to "adult" better. She was a wife and mom and wanted to lead a more organized life. She had been working as an accountant for several years but didn't feel like she was as productive as she could be.

At that point, Alaina decided that she was going to get organized using her paper planner. When Alaina writes things down and has a plan for the day, she feels the most organized, so she knew her paper planner was the key.

From there, Alaina started to organize and manage her money better, and then her friends and family started asking for help too. Her YouTube channel grew from that experience, and it has spiraled into the company it is today. Alaina loves teaching people systems and routines to help them adult better.

Alaina's favorite planner and why it works

Alaina's paper planner of choice is the disc-bound Happy Planner. She likes that you can remove and add pages and how customizable it is overall. She has tried other planners such as the Erin Condren Life Planner and Passion Planner, but the Happy Planner has worked out the best for her.

Alaina currently has two planners: one for home life and one for her business. Each planner is customized to exactly what she needs, including sections for health, home, money, and business. Alaina refers to her planner as a "Frankenplanner" because she has take sections from multiple planners and combined them into one large book with different sections. She has categories such as goals, mood, schedule, etc. This larger book allows her to have all her plans in one place.

Alaina has created downloadable budgeting templates that are available in her Etsy shop. They allow you to break down your budget by paycheck and plan exactly what you're going to do with your money. Alaina hopes that by using these templates and watching her YouTube videos, you will be able to duplicate what she has done with the same amount of success.

Alaina's advice on how to get started with managing your money

Alaina recommends you start first by learning your "Money Personality", which is the typical way you handle your money and your relationship to...]]> Laura McClellan 339 Productive Living: Managing Your Money Well, with Alaina Fingal clean 1:01:33 In this installment of our Productive Living series, I talk with accountant and certified financial coach Alaina Fingal about money and productivity--including how you can overcome fear related to your money, learn how to establish a budget, and save for your future. Wed, 24 Mar 2021 08:40:33 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9691 2021-03-24T08:40:33Z Charlie Gilkey on How to Start Finishing Projects in Your Life and Go From 'Idea' to Done! https://beyondthetodolist.com/369 369 Charlie Gilkey on How to Start Finishing Projects in Your Life and Go From 'Idea' to Done! full Erik Fisher Charlie Gilkey talks about how to start actually finishing projects in your life. 53:37 no Charlie Gilkey is the founder of Productive Flourishing, a website that helps changemakers (creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs) start finishing the stuff that matters. Productive Flourishing is routinely placed in the Top 50 websites for planning, productivity, creativity, and team development for creative folk.

Charlie's book Start Finishing presents a 9-step method for converting an idea into a project by addressing the challenges you'll face and getting the project on a reality-based schedule.

Check out shortcasts of this podcast on Blinkist!

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+zziR5tQz ]]> Erik Fisher Charlie Gilkey (http://startfinishingbook.com) is the founder of Productive Flourishing (https://www.productiveflourishing.com), a website that helps changemakers (creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs) start finishing the stuff that matters. Productive Flourishing is routinely placed in the Top 50 websites for planning, productivity, creativity, and team development for creative folk. Charlie's book Start Finishing (https://amzn.to/34fQw9t) presents a 9-step method for converting an idea into a project by addressing the challenges you'll face and getting the project on a reality-based schedule. Check out shortcasts of this podcast on Blinkist! (http://beyondthetodolist.com/blinkist) <p><a href="http://startfinishingbook.com" rel="nofollow">Charlie Gilkey</a> is the founder of <a href="https://www.productiveflourishing.com" rel="nofollow">Productive Flourishing</a>, a website that helps changemakers (creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs) start finishing the stuff that matters. Productive Flourishing is routinely placed in the Top 50 websites for planning, productivity, creativity, and team development for creative folk.</p> <p>Charlie&#39;s book <strong><a href="https://amzn.to/34fQw9t" rel="nofollow">Start Finishing</a></strong> presents a 9-step method for converting an idea into a project by addressing the challenges you&#39;ll face and getting the project on a reality-based schedule.</p> <p><a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/blinkist" rel="nofollow">Check out shortcasts of this podcast on Blinkist!</a></p> Tue, 23 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT 3a4b4c23-ccf7-4b0e-8349-57eb4a450a38 Erik Fisher 2021-03-23T05:00:00Z Habits That Help Me Stay Productive (and a Few I Need to Work On) – TPW338 https://theproductivewoman.com/habits-that-help-me-stay-productive-and-a-few-i-need-to-work-on-tpw338/ This week we’re talking about habits, specifically looking at some habits that help me stay productive and a few that don’t. We also discuss how to replace "bad" habits with ones that will really serve you in your daily life.


Productive Habits--and Those that Aren't

We’ve talked a lot about habits over the years on this podcast because I believe our habits determine the quality of our productivity and our life. In his fascinating book called The Power of Habit (the subject of episode 147 in our Productive Reading series), Charles Duhigg says:

“Most of the choices we make each day may feel like the products of well-considered decision making, but they’re not. They’re habits.”

He cites a 2006 paper published by a researcher from Duke University that found that more than 40% of our daily actions are not actual decisions, but habits. 

What’s a habit?

A habit is something we do automatically, without conscious thought--which shoe we tie first, which side of the bed we sleep on, where we put the milk in the fridge, the first thing we do when we wake up in the morning, the route we take to work and back. Duhigg notes the technical definition of a habit as “the choices that all of us deliberately make at some point, and then stop thinking about but continue doing, often every day.” 


* Habits of action -- things we do (or avoid doing) 
* Habits of thought -- unconscious thought patterns that either serve us or don’t 


The dictionary defines a habit as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” The brain favors the familiar because habitual actions consume less energy (in the brain) than non-habits. So when we do something repeatedly for which we get that dopamine hit, the brain sees that as something important and creates strong neural pathways to support it. The brain doesn’t differentiate between things that help us and things that hurt us--it just recognizes repetition. 

Productive Habits (habits that help me) 


* Regular exercise. This habit serves me because it furthers my goal of being healthy as I age. For me, this is what I call an anchor habit and what Duhigg refers to as a keystone habit, which is one that serves as a foundation for other habits. When I exercise regularly, I also tend to drink more water and to eat better, because I don’t want to undo the benefits of the hard work. It’s also a habit I need to nurture intentionally because I don’t like to sweat or breathe hard or work that hard, so if it’s not habitual, it’s easy to skip. I try to keep the habit going, doing it daily and not allowing myself to miss more than one day. To develop the habit of exercise, I had to start small, bargaining with myself for just 5 minutes on the treadmill and developing the feeder habit of putting my workout clothes on as soon as I get up. Once that 5-minute workout became habitual, I started pushing myself to add a minute or two, then over time another minute or two, and so on. Once I’d established 30 minutes of walking in the morning as a habit, I started increasing the incline, then pushing myself to go a little faster for a few minutes. Now I go about 40-45 minutes a day at a moderate incline, mostly fast walking but increasing to a jog for 2-3 minutes at a time every 5 minutes. 
* Automatically writing appointments and other commitments onto my calendar. This is something I’ve done my entire adult life and something that has made a huge difference for me in terms of consistently being where I’m supposed to be on time and prepared. Every time I schedule anything, it goes into my digital calendar.]]> Laura McClellan 338 Habits That Help Me Stay Productive (and a Few I Need to Work On) clean 41:48 This week we’re talking about habits, specifically looking at some habits that help me stay productive and a few that don’t. We also discuss how to replace "bad" habits with ones that will really serve you in your daily life. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 08:42:53 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9665 2021-03-17T08:42:53Z Kim Foley on How You Can Be Your Best in Virtual Meetings https://beyondthetodolist.com/368 368 Kim Foley on How You Can Be Your Best in Virtual Meetings full Erik Fisher Kim Foley on how you can be your best in virtual meetings. 1:01:13 no Kim Foley founded Smartphone Video Production Academy and trains organizations how to produce and edit professional-quality mobile video. In addition, she consults with corporations on how to create better quality virtual meetings. Her new book is Virtual Meetings With Power And Presence: The Ultimate Guide To Online Meetings.

In this conversation, Kim talks about how you can be your best in virtual meetings, from tech to clothing and apprearance.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+FgrgvLZ_ ]]> Erik Fisher Kim Foley (https://amzn.to/3cJZbXH)founded Smartphone Video Production Academy and trains organizations how to produce and edit professional-quality mobile video. In addition, she consults with corporations on how to create better quality virtual meetings. Her new book is Virtual Meetings With Power And Presence: The Ultimate Guide To Online Meetings (https://amzn.to/3cJZbXH). In this conversation, Kim talks about how you can be your best in virtual meetings, from tech to clothing and apprearance. This episode is brought to you by: * The Great Courses Plus - Get a full unlimited month free at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/beyond (http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond) * Mint Mobile (http://mintmobile.com/todo) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3cJZbXH" rel="nofollow">Kim Foley </a>founded Smartphone Video Production Academy and trains organizations how to produce and edit professional-quality mobile video. In addition, she consults with corporations on how to create better quality virtual meetings. Her new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/3cJZbXH" rel="nofollow">Virtual Meetings With Power And Presence: The Ultimate Guide To Online Meetings</a>.</p> <p>In this conversation, Kim talks about how you can be your best in virtual meetings, from tech to clothing and apprearance. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">The Great Courses Plus - Get a full unlimited month free at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/beyond</a></li> <li><a href="http://mintmobile.com/todo" rel="nofollow">Mint Mobile</a></li> </ul> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT 17c152de-ebdc-40a9-8254-3ae30c802958 Erik Fisher 2021-03-16T05:00:00Z Productivity While Living Abroad, with Sarah Tulen – TPW337 https://theproductivewoman.com/productivity-while-living-abroad-with-sarah-tulen-tpw337/ Newlywed, Gen-Z'er, and small business owner Sarah Tulen and I talk about balancing and growing a new business (and a new marriage!), all while living in a new country. 


Being Productive While Running a Business Overseas

Sarah Kim Tulen is a nomad who hails from Orange County, California, attended Emerson College in Boston, worked and lived in New York City, and is now living in the Netherlands! Sarah's husband (whom she met in New York) is from the Netherlands and last year when his visa expired, they decided to move to the Netherlands rather than renew it.

Sarah is the founder of Communaholics, a digital marketing agency she founded just a year ago, that creates innovative digital strategies for open-minded clients. Sarah's agency runs on a green initiative called PLANT10 that is written into every contract, meaning that Communaholics plants 10 trees for every month of work done with a client. 

Sarah previously worked at one of the best communication firms in the United States and aims for her agency to be a less intimidating environment than the places she has previously worked at. 

In college, Sarah majored in marketing communications and minored in entrepreneurship. She also has a background in digital marketing. Sarah feels that based on her studies and past experience, she is exactly where she is supposed to be.

When she's not working, Sarah enjoys surfing, rock climbing, yoga, skincare, embroidery, macramé, painting, baking, and most prominently-sushi eating!

A typical day

Sarah's typical day is very different than what you might think a successful entrepreneur may have. Sarah's husband is a chef, so his hours are quite varied. She tries to align her schedule with his and because several of her clients are in the US, she is able to begin her day a bit later, around 10:00 am. One of the reasons Sarah began her business, rather than apply to a traditional job, was so she would be able to see and spend time with her husband since his schedule cannot be controlled.

Sarah begins each day by enjoying a matcha latte and spending some quiet time with her husband. She also likes to take time to visually plan her day out and think of all the things she needs to get done. After a while she will begin working on her social media content, getting things posted to her business Instagram page.

Around noon she will be doing client work with a focus on getting all of her meetings held in the early afternoon.

Her workday usually ends at about 1:00 in the morning. After work she spends time creating content for her social media pages or watching television.

Sarah and her husband moved to the Netherlands in the middle of the pandemic and initially, there was no strict protocol on masks. Now, however, the country is on lock-down. All shops are closed and there is a curfew of 9:00 pm. Masks are also now required everywhere. This has made it a challenge for Sarah to meet people and make friends in a new country. She also expected that her family would be able to visit her, but that's not possible right now. Fortunately, her husband's friends and family have been very welcoming to her.

Biggest productivity challenges

In managing her life and business, Sarah finds that her biggest challenge is just starting. 

Sarah is diagnosed with ADHD, which impacts how she manages her time and gets work done. She finds that throughout the day, she will drift to different activities, so she has to re-align herself every few hours to stay on track. Sarah also deals with anxiety and imposter syndrome (as so many of us do) as a young business owner, questioning her own capabilities or whether or not she is ready for what she is doing.
]]> Laura McClellan 337 Productivity While Living Abroad, with Sarah Tulen clean 52:40 Newlywed, Gen-Z'er, and small business owner Sarah Tulen and I talk about balancing and growing a new business (and a new marriage!), all while living in a new country.  Wed, 10 Mar 2021 09:49:36 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9631 2021-03-10T09:49:36Z John Lee Dumas on Discipline, Mentorship, Achieving Uncommon Success https://beyondthetodolist.com/367 367 John Lee Dumas on Discipline, Mentorship, Achieving Uncommon Success full Erik Fisher John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneurs on Fire talks about 51:06 no John Lee Dumas is the founder and host of the award winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire. His first traditionally published book, The Common Path to Uncommon Success is available for pre-order now at UncommonSuccessBook.com.

In this conversation John talks about lessons learned in podcasting, entrepreneurship, writing the book, and how discipline and mentorship helped him get started.

This episode is brought to you by:

  • The Great Courses Plus - Get a full month FREE at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/beyond
  • Vital Choice - Use Code BEYOND10 to get 10% off one order
]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+CK8hA9yx ]]> Erik Fisher John Lee Dumas is the founder and host of the award winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire. His first traditionally published book, The Common Path to Uncommon Success (http://UncommonSuccessBook.com) is available for pre-order now at UncommonSuccessBook.com (http://UncommonSuccessBook.com). In this conversation John talks about lessons learned in podcasting, entrepreneurship, writing the book, and how discipline and mentorship helped him get started. This episode is brought to you by: * The Great Courses Plus - Get a full month FREE at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/beyond * Vital Choice (http://vitalchoice.com) - Use Code BEYOND10 to get 10% off one order <p>John Lee Dumas is the founder and host of the award winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire. His first traditionally published book, <a href="http://UncommonSuccessBook.com" rel="nofollow">The Common Path to Uncommon Success</a> is available for pre-order now at <a href="http://UncommonSuccessBook.com" rel="nofollow">UncommonSuccessBook.com</a>. </p> <p>In this conversation John talks about lessons learned in podcasting, entrepreneurship, writing the book, and how discipline and mentorship helped him get started. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li>The Great Courses Plus - Get a full month FREE at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/beyond</li> <li><a href="http://vitalchoice.com" rel="nofollow">Vital Choice</a> - Use Code BEYOND10 to get 10% off one order</li> </ul> Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT 54a48ba8-b9f2-49e0-bfcf-4eef1fa65fd7 Erik Fisher 2021-03-09T06:00:00Z How to Choose and Use a Planner – TPW336 https://theproductivewoman.com/how-to-choose-and-use-a-planner-tpw336/ This week we're talking about how to choose and use a paper planner to be more productive.


How we can use planners to maximize our productivity

What is a planner?

From Wikipedia: “A personal organizer, datebook, date log, daybook, day planner, personal analog assistant, personal planner, year planner, or agenda (from Latin agenda – things to do), is a small book or binder that is designed to be portable. It usually contains a diary, calendar, address book, blank paper, and other sections. The organizer is a personal tool and may also include pages with useful information, such as maps and telephone codes.”

Paper planners are not the only option you have. There also are excellent digital planning tools available. I'm not talking about those this week, but if you’re interested, let me know and I can do an episode about those another time. 

Do you need a planner? 

It depends on your life. If your commitments are fairly simple and you feel like you’re staying on top of things, you probably can manage with a calendar (paper or digital) for appointments and important dates, and a notepad or notebook for to-do lists and brainstorming. 

You might need a planner if you have a lot of things to keep track of--multiple roles/life elements, or multi-step projects you need to plan and keep track of, either for work or personal life.

You definitely need a planner if you feel like you’re missing appointments, things are slipping through the cracks, or you’re not keeping up. 

Tips for choosing a planner

The best way to select a planner, without getting overwhelmed by all the options, is to decide first what you need it to do for you.


* Is it for home/personal life or business or all of the above? 
* How full and complex is your life? If it's fairly simple, a notepad or blank notebook where you can plan projects and create to-do lists, plus a calendar (paper or digital) for appointments might be enough.  
* What do you want to plan? Household things? Personal to-dos? Business/work projects? Events?  
* How do you like to view your plans--month at a glance? Week at a glance? Full page per day (useful if you have lots of appointments and to-dos each day?)
* Do you simply want month/day/week pages, to-do lists, and maybe a monthly calendar, or do you want extras, like goal-planning worksheets, motivational quotes, habit trackers, budget-planning sections, or blank pages for brainstorming? All of these and more are available in various types of planners. 
* Do you want a utilitarian (plain, businesslike) planner or something colorful and pretty? 


After you've done that, spend a little time researching options 

It can be overwhelming and intimidating to figure out which planner to try. A search on Amazon for “planner 2021” showed over 4000 results! That’s why thinking first about what you want to do with your planner will help because you can eliminate anything that won’t fit those needs.

Different formats of planners


* Hardbound or Softbound 
* Disc bound-- nice to be able to remove and add and move pages around 
* Spiral or Loose-leaf 
* Pre-dated or Undated 
* “Full” sized, medium, small 
* Preformatted vs. flexible design (e.g., various sections you can use the way you want to) 


If you can’t get to a store to look at planners in person, check out YouTube and search for planner reviews and walk-throughs. You’ll find lots of videos that will go through the features and design of different planners.]]> Laura McClellan 336 How to Choose and Use a Planner clean 48:51 This week we're talking about how to choose and use a paper planner to be more productive. Wed, 03 Mar 2021 09:36:56 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9613 2021-03-03T09:36:56Z Cal Newport on Information Overload and a World Without Email https://beyondthetodolist.com/366 366 Cal Newport on Information Overload and a World Without Email full Erik Fisher Cal talks about the real problem with modern knowledge work, how email and other tech plays into it, how the problem started and how to start getting ahead in the new world of knowledge work that is coming soon. 53:05 no Cal Newport is the author of Deep Work and So Good They Can’t Ignore You and Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Cal's new book is A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload. In this conversation Cal talks about the real problem with modern knowledge work, how email and other tech plays into it, how the problem started and how to start getting ahead in the new world of knowledge work that is coming soon.

Tweet or DM me your questions for an upcoming Q & A episode with Cal!

Make sure to check out Cal's article 'When Did Productivity Become Personal?' for further reading on this topic.

This episode is brought to you by:
Textexpander - Get 20% your first year!

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+2mk0aHqf ]]> Erik Fisher Cal Newport is the author of Deep Work (https://amzn.to/2N6I3hm) and So Good They Can’t Ignore You (https://amzn.to/2EaHn83) and Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World (https://amzn.to/2Ee4yyh). Cal's new book is A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload (https://amzn.to/3r8T3yb). In this conversation Cal talks about the real problem with modern knowledge work, how email and other tech plays into it, how the problem started and how to start getting ahead in the new world of knowledge work that is coming soon. Tweet or DM me (http://twitter.com/erikjfisher) your questions for an upcoming Q & A episode with Cal! Make sure to check out Cal's article 'When Did Productivity Become Personal?' (https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2020/11/17/when-did-productivity-become-personal/)for further reading on this topic. This episode is brought to you by: Textexpander - Get 20% your first year! (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t extexpander-Mar-2021) <p>Cal Newport is the author of <a href="https://amzn.to/2N6I3hm" rel="nofollow">Deep Work</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/2EaHn83" rel="nofollow">So Good They Can’t Ignore You</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ee4yyh" rel="nofollow">Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World</a>. Cal&#39;s new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/3r8T3yb" rel="nofollow">A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload</a>. In this conversation Cal talks about the real problem with modern knowledge work, how email and other tech plays into it, how the problem started and how to start getting ahead in the new world of knowledge work that is coming soon. </p> <p><a href="http://twitter.com/erikjfisher" rel="nofollow">Tweet or DM me</a> your questions for an upcoming Q &#38; A episode with Cal!</p> <p>Make sure to check out Cal&#39;s article <a href="https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2020/11/17/when-did-productivity-become-personal/" rel="nofollow">&#39;When Did Productivity Become Personal?&#39; </a>for further reading on this topic.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t%20extexpander-Mar-2021" rel="nofollow">Textexpander - Get 20% your first year!</a></p> Tue, 02 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT 6fc79306-1fc8-44a2-837a-990fb22be09d Erik Fisher 2021-03-02T06:00:00Z What We Watched – AYJW113 https://areyoujustwatching.com/what-we-watched-ayjw113/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/what-we-watched-ayjw113/feed/ 0 February was a dry month for movies, so once again we’re giving you a glimpse into what we've been watching for our own enjoyment. February was a dry month for movies, so once again we’re giving you a glimpse into what we've been watching for our own enjoyment. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:14:36 February was a dry month for movies, so once again we’re giving you a glimpse into what we've been watching for our own enjoyment. Not Rated Podcast All Creations Great and Small anthropology archaeology Bones Cobra Kai Daily Wire dominion ethics foolishness gospel James Herriot karate persecution pride redemption Run Hide Fight school shootings self-defense The Karate Kid veternarian young-earth creation Fri, 26 Feb 2021 01:43:33 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/what-we-watched-ayjw113/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6337 2021-02-26T01:43:33Z Productive Living: Prioritizing Health and Fitness, with Jennifer Nagel – TPW335 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-prioritizing-health-and-fitness-with-jennifer-nagel-tpw335/ This week's episode, which is part of our Productive Living series, features my conversation with certified personal trainer and CEO of Figured Out Fitness, Jennifer Nagel, about how a well-rounded fitness routine can contribute to our productivity and...


Paying attention to our health and fitness can improve our productivity

Jennifer Nagel is a certified personal trainer and CEO of Figured Out Fitness. She helps women over 30 who want simple nutrition and fitness solutions so they can be strong, feel energetic and live healthy lives. Her practical advice has been featured in MyFitnessPal, POPSUGAR Fitness, and Well + Good. And when she’s not coaching, you can find her watching sappy Netflix original movies, embarrassing her kids, and planning her next travel adventure with her hubby.

Jennifer actually didn't start out in the health and fitness field. Although her college degree is in Food Sciences and she has always loved exercise and nutrition, her first career was working in higher education, strategy, and operations.

Jennifer transitioned to her current career after a series of life changes beginning in her early 30s. While going through a divorce and navigating how to be a single mom, she also got a big promotion at work. Even though work promotions are a good thing, with all that Jennifer was going through in her personal life, this promotion and the extra responsibilities took their toll on her. She began feeling stressed out and anxious, and her health suffered as well. Burnout would be an understatement for what was happening to her physically, mentally, and emotionally and she had a bit of a breakdown. After a visit to the doctor, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure at just age 31. This was a shock for her, as she had previously been very healthy.

At that point, she began to get back into fitness and nutrition, which eventually led to coaching and training others. Jennifer made the decision to leave her long-term career and instead start a business online, which wasn't common at that time.

Eventually, Jennifer remarried. Her husband is also in the fitness industry, and together they lead a life very focused on their health and nutrition. Jennifer focuses on working with busy women all over the world. She really enjoys helping others who are going through similar circumstances and guiding them towards better health.

 How regular exercise can improve our productivity

When we talk about fitness, what does that really mean? Jennifer says it's more than just getting buff. It all boils down to whether or not our bodies can support us in doing the things that are important to our life. Jennifer often defines this in terms of energy, mobility, clarity, and focus.

We all have different passions and things we enjoy doing, but all of those passions require a healthy body and a clear mind so we can focus and do the things that are important.

When Jennifer once asked herself what was truly important to her, it was being a good mom and showing up at work. In order to do those things, she had to start taking care of her health.

When it comes to how meaningful physical fitness is to our productivity, Jennifer divides this into two categories; physical productivity and mental productivity. These are the categories that have the biggest impact on our overall productivity.]]> Laura McClellan 335 Productive Living: Prioritizing Health and Fitness, with Jennifer Nagel clean 53:18 This week's episode, which is part of our Productive Living series, features my conversation with certified personal trainer and CEO of Figured Out Fitness, Jennifer Nagel, about how a well-rounded fitness routine can contribute to our productivity and making a life that matters. Wed, 24 Feb 2021 09:57:57 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9596 2021-02-24T09:57:57Z Eric Partaker on Identity, Purpose and Change https://beyondthetodolist.com/365 365 Eric Partaker on Identity, Purpose and Change full Erik Fisher Eric partaker on how setting 3 alarms can transform your health, wealth, and relationships. 39:51 no Eric Partaker is a certified coach by the High Performance Institute. Eric coaches a limited number of entrepreneurs and leaders throughout the world, helping them reach peak levels of performance, in both their businesses and lives. He draws from his work experiences, cutting-edge research, and behavioral science from Stanford University, as well as the approaches and techniques used in the worlds of elite sports and the military - areas where peak performance is key.

In this conversation Eric talks about his new book The 3 Alarms: A Simple System to Transform Your Health, Wealth, and Relationships Forever.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+JWJ14p66 ]]> Erik Fisher Eric Partaker (https://www.ericpartaker.com) is a certified coach by the High Performance Institute. Eric coaches a limited number of entrepreneurs and leaders throughout the world, helping them reach peak levels of performance, in both their businesses and lives. He draws from his work experiences, cutting-edge research, and behavioral science from Stanford University, as well as the approaches and techniques used in the worlds of elite sports and the military - areas where peak performance is key. In this conversation Eric talks about his new book The 3 Alarms: A Simple System to Transform Your Health, Wealth, and Relationships Forever (https://amzn.to/3pRBxNh). This episode is brought to you by: * The Great Courses Plus - Get 1 month Unlimted for free! (http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond) * Vital Choice (http://vitalchoice.com) - Use code 'BEYOND10' for 10% of one order * Otis - Get a free 14 day trial and $50 credit (http://meetotis.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://www.ericpartaker.com" rel="nofollow">Eric Partaker</a> is a certified coach by the High Performance Institute. Eric coaches a limited number of entrepreneurs and leaders throughout the world, helping them reach peak levels of performance, in both their businesses and lives. He draws from his work experiences, cutting-edge research, and behavioral science from Stanford University, as well as the approaches and techniques used in the worlds of elite sports and the military - areas where peak performance is key.</p> <p>In this conversation Eric talks about his new book <a href="https://amzn.to/3pRBxNh" rel="nofollow">The 3 Alarms: A Simple System to Transform Your Health, Wealth, and Relationships Forever</a>. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">The Great Courses Plus - Get 1 month Unlimted for free!</a></li> <li><a href="http://vitalchoice.com" rel="nofollow">Vital Choice</a> - Use code &#39;BEYOND10&#39; for 10% of one order</li> <li><a href="http://meetotis.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Otis - Get a free 14 day trial and $50 credit</a></li> </ul> Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:00:00 GMT 23c66245-fbad-4beb-91a4-e8e5ef6e4637 Erik Fisher 2021-02-23T06:00:00Z Creating a Weekly Schedule That Helps You Get Things Done – TPW334 https://theproductivewoman.com/creating-a-weekly-schedule-that-helps-you-get-things-done-tpw334/ If you’re frustrated by the feeling that weeks go by with no progress on the things that matter to you, or you don’t seem to have enough time in a week to get the things done that you need and want to do, creating a schedule can help. 


Using a weekly schedule to be your most productive and efficient

What is a schedule? It is a plan we can create for carrying out the tasks and projects that we need to do throughout the week, making lists of intended events and times. Schedule can also be a verb: we can take the action of scheduling things that are important to us.


* Noun: a plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving lists of intended events and times. 
* Verb: arrange or plan (an event) to take place at a particular time. 


Why would you need a schedule?


* Predictability can reduce anxiety and stress. It allows us to know what's going to happen and when. We can also let go of stress over things you’re not doing at any given moment because you know you’ve allocated time for it.
* Routines and habits use less mental energy, which you can instead use for creative thinking and problem solving. 
* Doing things regularly, at reasonable planned intervals, can prevent things piling up into an intimidatingly big project, such as housecleaning projects or paperwork related to our business. 
* If things are falling through the cracks because you are not remembering to do them, scheduling them can prevent them from getting overlooked.
* If one week after another goes by with no progress on your most important projects or most treasured goals, having a schedule that includes time to work on things can help you make progress.


Some tips for creating a weekly schedule that works for you

1. Write it down.

Even if you have a schedule in your mind (and even if it’s working for you), there is still value in seeing it on paper. Being able to look at it objectively and really think about it helps you decide if you want to do certain things, or even have to do them.

2. Schedule time for your priority projects.

Do you know your prime time, like when you have the most energy and it's easiest to focus? Can you set aside--and protect--that time for the work that needs your energy and attention? Instead of fitting projects in around the day-to-day, try scheduling time for them first, even if it’s only small amounts of time. You can make a lot of progress one small step at a time if those small steps are taken consistently. 

3. Build in white space. 

“In design, 'white space' is negative space. It’s not blank space because it has a purpose. It is balancing the rest of the design by throwing what is on the page (or the screen) into relief. The white space helps focus your visual attention.” [from Why You Need “White Space” in Your Daily Routine] 

This article goes on to discuss how white space in our schedule serves the same purpose:

“If we want to create an environment that nourishes innovation and imagination, we need to build quiet counterpoints into our daily rhythm. These small moments of 'white space'— where we have time to pause and reflect, or go for a walk, or just breathe deeply for a few moments — are what give balance and flow and comprehension to our lives as a larger whole.” 

White space isn’t time to process emails or plan or watch TV. It’s time where you’re not committed to doing anything in...]]> Laura McClellan 334 Creating a Weekly Schedule That Helps You Get Things Done clean 34:21 If you’re frustrated by the feeling that weeks go by with no progress on the things that matter to you, or you don’t seem to have enough time in a week to get the things done that you need and want to do, creating a schedule can help.  Wed, 17 Feb 2021 09:44:33 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9569 2021-02-17T09:44:33Z Jeffrey and Jami Downs on The Power of Streaking to Create Life Changing Results https://beyondthetodolist.com/364 364 Jeffrey and Jami Downs on The Power of Streaking to Create Life Changing Results full Erik Fisher Jeffrey and Jami Downs of StreakingMastery.com talk about the power of streaking, how streaks are different from habits, and how to recover from a broken streak. 1:00:21 no Jeffrey and Jami Downs of StreakingMastery.com are the authors of the new book Streaking: The Simple Practice of Conscious, Consistent Actions That Create Life-Changing Results.

In this conversation they talk with Erik about the power of streaking, how streaks are different from habits, the rules of streaking, choosing the right streaks, and how to recover from a broken streak.

This episode is broguth to you by:
The Great Courses Plus - Get 1 month Unlimted for free!
Otis - Get a free 14 day trial and $50 credit
Mint Mobile - Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+6IGtR-OU ]]> Erik Fisher Jeffrey and Jami Downs (https://www.streakingmastery.com) of StreakingMastery.com (https://www.streakingmastery.com) are the authors of the new book Streaking: The Simple Practice of Conscious, Consistent Actions That Create Life-Changing Results (https://amzn.to/3bsQUGI). In this conversation they talk with Erik about the power of streaking, how streaks are different from habits, the rules of streaking, choosing the right streaks, and how to recover from a broken streak. This episode is broguth to you by: The Great Courses Plus - Get 1 month Unlimted for free! (http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond) Otis - Get a free 14 day trial and $50 credit (http://meetotis.com/beyond) Mint Mobile - Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month (http://mintmobile.com/todo) <p><a href="https://www.streakingmastery.com" rel="nofollow">Jeffrey and Jami Downs</a> of <a href="https://www.streakingmastery.com" rel="nofollow">StreakingMastery.com</a> are the authors of the new book <a href="https://amzn.to/3bsQUGI" rel="nofollow">Streaking: The Simple Practice of Conscious, Consistent Actions That Create Life-Changing Results</a>. </p> <p>In this conversation they talk with Erik about the power of streaking, how streaks are different from habits, the rules of streaking, choosing the right streaks, and how to recover from a broken streak. </p> <p>This episode is broguth to you by:<br> <a href="http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">The Great Courses Plus - Get 1 month Unlimted for free!</a><br> <a href="http://meetotis.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Otis - Get a free 14 day trial and $50 credit</a><br> <a href="http://mintmobile.com/todo" rel="nofollow">Mint Mobile - Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month</a></p> Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:00:00 GMT 08685eb0-b367-41fd-8e71-ca1ecaf608f2 Erik Fisher 2021-02-16T06:00:00Z Maintaining Balance as a Military Spouse, with Carla Swartz – TPW333 https://theproductivewoman.com/maintaining-balance-as-a-military-spouse-with-carla-swartz-tpw333/ Special education professional, mom, and military wife Carla Swartz and I discuss balancing a busy career, parenting, and a spouse in the military.


Military spouse or not, we all need to learn to rely on others during busy times

Carla Swartz is a special education professional who lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband, who’s currently on a long deployment with the U.S. National Guard, and their two children, a 21-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter. She works for a public cyber charter school as a Regional Director of Special Education.

Prior to moving into administration, Carla taught special education for 10 years, which has always been a passion for her. As Carla's children grew, her career blossomed and she found herself ready to move into an administrative role, which she has been doing for the last 4 years.

Carla has found that as she has grown older, she has learned to better balance her career with her husband's career, as well as her family life. In Carla's free time she loves to read, trail run, and shop for antiques. She’s also a member of the TPW Community Facebook group, which is how I connected with her.

A typical day

Carla is an early riser (between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m.) and likes to start her day with a treadmill workout while she listens to a podcast. She has found it a bit challenging to stick with this schedule since working from home but knows she is just not her best without her morning exercise. She needs this time to herself in order to have a successful day. Carla also takes breaks throughout her workday to listen to music and dance a bit around her office to clear her head, rather than be in work mode the entire day. She sets an alarm to remind herself to do this each day.

Although her husband has been on long deployments before during their marriage, Carla has found that with this particular deployment she has been especially challenged with finding a balance as a mother. Every day she tries to focus on only the priorities, whether that be personal or professional--what absolutely needs to be done and when that will be completed.

If she has any remaining energy after completing the top priorities, she will work on other things.  However, at this point in her life, Carla is comfortable with having things left undone at the end of the day. She knows she can always get to them the next day.

She tries to be very cognizant of her time, prioritizing only what is most important for her and her family. Carla has found that as she's gotten older, she's realized that getting everything done perfectly is not a realistic goal and not important. If you set yourself up for perfection all the time, you're going to feel like a failure all the time.

Carla also thinks it's important to ask for help and rely on others to help you get things done, such as professional peers or family. Carla explains that she got to this way of thinking over time through trial and error and maturing, but also through making mistakes and getting burnt out. She got to the point where she was getting overwhelmed and making mistakes and realized that she had to ask for help, and it was okay. Asking for help didn't come naturally to her, but she's learned she can't do everything and isn't meant to.

Carla is grateful that her parents and in-laws live nearby, as well as good friends she can rely on to help her when her husband is away. If you are in a similar situation to Carla but don't have family close by, she recommends stepping out of your comfort zone and searching out people in the community who can help. Be open to new relationships, join mom groups, and put yourself out there. Community matters to all of us, but it's especially important to those whose life partner is away for long periods of time due to mili...]]> Laura McClellan 333 Maintaining Balance as a Military Spouse, with Carla Swartz clean 52:35 Special education professional, mom, and military wife Carla Swartz and I discuss balancing a busy career, parenting, and a spouse in the military. Wed, 10 Feb 2021 09:37:01 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9554 2021-02-10T09:37:01Z Chris Byers on Remote Teams, Remote Culture and OKRs https://beyondthetodolist.com/363 363 Chris Byers on Remote Teams, Remote Culture and OKRs full Erik Fisher Chris Byers of Formstack on building a remote culture, maintaining that culture during the pandemic, onboarding remote workers, and OKR planning. 47:48 no Chris Byers, CEO of Formstack, an online form and data-collection platform. He has helped Formstack grow from 7 to 200 employees in the past 10 years and pioneered a highly relational remote culture. Formstack also produces the Ripple Effect Podcast.

In this conversation Chris talks with Erik about building a remote culture, maintaining that culture during the pandemic, onboarding remote workers, and OKR planning.

This episode is brought to you by:
Otis
Vital Choice - Use code 'BEYOND10' for 10% of one order

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+oTE5bogI ]]> Erik Fisher Chris Byers, CEO of Formstack (https://www.formstack.com), an online form and data-collection platform. He has helped Formstack grow from 7 to 200 employees in the past 10 years and pioneered a highly relational remote culture. Formstack also produces the Ripple Effect Podcast (https://www.formstack.com/podcasts). In this conversation Chris talks with Erik about building a remote culture, maintaining that culture during the pandemic, onboarding remote workers, and OKR planning. This episode is brought to you by: Otis (http://meetotis.com/beyond) Vital Choice (http://vitalchoice.com) - Use code 'BEYOND10' for 10% of one order <p>Chris Byers, CEO of <a href="https://www.formstack.com" rel="nofollow">Formstack</a>, an online form and data-collection platform. He has helped Formstack grow from 7 to 200 employees in the past 10 years and pioneered a highly relational remote culture. Formstack also produces the <a href="https://www.formstack.com/podcasts" rel="nofollow">Ripple Effect Podcast</a>.</p> <p>In this conversation Chris talks with Erik about building a remote culture, maintaining that culture during the pandemic, onboarding remote workers, and OKR planning.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="http://meetotis.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Otis</a><br> <a href="http://vitalchoice.com" rel="nofollow">Vital Choice</a> - Use code &#39;BEYOND10&#39; for 10% of one order</p> Tue, 09 Feb 2021 06:00:00 GMT 6f14fa91-d5a4-4b62-a3a5-2b2d6381fa87 Erik Fisher 2021-02-09T06:00:00Z Simple Daily Hacks for a Productive Home – TPW332 https://theproductivewoman.com/simple-daily-hacks-for-a-productive-home-tpw332/ Often we don’t have the time to spend all day cleaning. But there are small things we can do each day to help maintain order, peace, and productivity at home.


Productivity tips to bring order and calm to your home

Here are six daily productivity hacks that I've come up with--just little things we can do each day to make life easier and more peaceful 

1. Try an evening home reset

Take 10 minutes to sweep through the main living areas before bed.




* In the living/family room area: toss trash, straighten cushions, pillows, throws, grab dirty dishes & take to the kitchen, put toys/games in a basket, bin, or cabinet, and put remotes where they belong.
* In the kitchen: load the dishwasher and set it to run overnight, wash any dishes in the sink, tidy and wipe down countertops.




Remember you don’t have to do this all yourself. Recruit spouse, roommate, kids to help.

2. Take a few minutes in the afternoon or evening to look ahead to the next day

What can you do to prep for a more peaceful morning? Maybe preassemble lunches (you can do this while dinner cooks), get your work bag or kids’ backpacks set up and ready to go, along with anything else they need for the next day’s activities (Sports practice? Dance class? Piano lesson?) and, if applicable to the season and your location, coats, boots, gloves, hats. Lay out clothes for yourself and kids, including underwear, shoes, jewelry, etc. Set up the coffee maker, even cereal bowls or whatever for breakfast; take meat out of the freezer to thaw for dinner.

3. Take a few minutes in the morning to set up for a good day

Whether you’re going out for the day or staying home, make your bed and teach the kids to do the same. Doing this immediately elevates the look of the room, the sense of order and control, and makes it so much nicer to come back to at the end of the day. Make it easier by keeping beds (especially kids’ beds) simple-comforter, fewer decorative pillows, etc. For kids, consider all-in-one zipper bedding, like Beddy’s or alternatives found on Amazon. Straighten up and quickly wipe down bathroom counters and hang towels and put away clothes before you leave the bathroom. If you’re leaving for the day (work, school, errands) do a 5-minute reset before you go-kitchen countertops, main living areas, etc.

4. Home with kids? Try 3-minute pick-up games.

Things can get messy and chaotic with toys, home school stuff, and snack dishes laying around. To avoid a total disaster by the end of the day, do 3-minute pickups throughout the day (e.g., before lunch and dinner). Put on a fun, energetic song and everybody puts things away and tidies as fast as possible until the song ends.

5. 15-minute sprints

Set a timer, put on some music, and get as much done as you can. If you do this once or twice a day, start in a different spot each time. 

6. Take advantage of found minutes

When you find yourself in between tasks, rather than stand and stare out the window, try to make some progress on a chore that gets neglected.




* While the water boils for the pasta, wash the dishes you’ve cooked with so far, or declutter and tidy your utensil drawer. 
* Keep a sponge and cleanser in the shower,]]> Laura McClellan 332 Simple Daily Hacks for a Productive Home clean 24:01 Often we don’t have the time to spend all day cleaning. But there are small things we can do each day to help maintain order, peace, and productivity at home. Wed, 03 Feb 2021 09:04:17 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9539 2021-02-03T09:04:17Z Annie Duke on Making Better Decisions by Identifying and Dismantling Hidden Biases https://beyondthetodolist.com/362 362 Annie Duke on Making Better Decisions by Identifying and Dismantling Hidden Biases full Erik Fisher 1:04:36 no Annie Duke is a decision strategist, poker champion, and the bestselling author of Thinking in Bets. Her new book How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices. In this episode Annie talks about how to make better decisions, identifying and dismantling hidden biases, and making better choices.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+yVZeEIiO ]]> Erik Fisher Annie Duke is a decision strategist, poker champion, and the bestselling author of Thinking in Bets (https://amzn.to/3cAmsN1). Her new book How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices (https://amzn.to/3nUZkLm). In this episode Annie talks about how to make better decisions, identifying and dismantling hidden biases, and making better choices. This episode is brought to you by: * Vital Choice - Use code BEYOND10 to 10% off one order (http://vitalchoice.com) * The Great Courses Plus - Get Unlimted Access Free for 1 Month! (http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond) * Textexpander - Get 20% off 1 year! (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t extexpander-Nov-2020) <p>Annie Duke is a decision strategist, poker champion, and the bestselling author of <a href="https://amzn.to/3cAmsN1" rel="nofollow">Thinking in Bets</a>. Her new book <a href="https://amzn.to/3nUZkLm" rel="nofollow">How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices</a>. In this episode Annie talks about how to make better decisions, identifying and dismantling hidden biases, and making better choices.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://vitalchoice.com" rel="nofollow">Vital Choice - Use code BEYOND10 to 10% off one order</a></li> <li><a href="http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">The Great Courses Plus - Get Unlimted Access Free for 1 Month!</a></li> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t%20extexpander-Nov-2020" rel="nofollow">Textexpander - Get 20% off 1 year!</a></li> </ul> Tue, 02 Feb 2021 06:00:00 GMT bb18ff8f-8b32-4e9c-af00-f7c1403e9ffe Erik Fisher 2021-02-02T06:00:00Z Productive Living: Avoiding Career Burnout, with Errin Weisman, DO – TPW331 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-living-avoiding-career-burnout-with-errin-weisman-do-tpw331/ Have you experienced burnout in your profession or career? This week's episode, the first in our new Productive Living series, features my conversation with physician and life coach Errin Weisman about how we can avoid and recover from career burnout. 


Launching our new Productive Living series with a conversation about career burnout

Today I’m excited to launch our new-for-2021 Productive Living series. As I mentioned in last week’s episode, this’ll be a recurring series in which I talk with women with special expertise or insight or experience in various areas that are important to us as women wanting to make a life that matters. We'll talk about topics relevant to health, relationships, money, mindset and self-care, homemaking and home management, and creativity and fun. This week we’ll be looking at the other topical area: career, as I share with you my conversation with physician and life coach Errin Weisman. 

Overcoming burnout and finding purpose and joy

Errin Weisman, DO, is a life coach, speaker, and fierce advocate for wellness in medicine. She faced professional burnout early in her career and speaks openly about her story in order to help others, particularly female physicians and working moms, know they are not alone. Dr. Weisman wholeheartedly believes that in order to be a healer, you must first fill your own cup. She lives and practices in rural Southwestern Indiana and loves her roles as a farmer's wife, athlete, and mother of three.  

As a female physician who almost gave up medicine, Errin found herself in the pit of burnout in 2014. From the outside, it seemed like she had it all--a successful career, children, a new home--but internally she was numb. And she was ready to do whatever it took to feel better. She thought she had done everything right, so why did she feels so bad? She wondered if something was wrong with her. As she began her journey to wellness, she realized she wasn't the only one feeling this way and decided she wanted to help others.

Initially, Errin was hesitant to see a mental health professional, although she knew it may help. One day she was looking up ways to spruce up her resume to possibly switch career fields when she came across an entrepreneurial coaching opportunity, offered by a fellow physician. After participating in this program and working through many issues, Errin realized how helpful this journey would be to other women too. From there, Errin acquired her own coaching training and started her business.

Symptoms of burnout in professional women

Even though everyone's experience is different, there are some common threads to burnout that Errin has noticed, especially in Alpha females. At an early age, a lot of us were told we could be anything we wanted and have it all. What we weren't told was that we can't have it all at the same time.

We also might not have realized that the goals we have when we're young might not be the same goals we have when we're older. Things may change and look a bit different as you grow up and that's okay. Give yourself permission to reconsider your goals and objectives.

Ways to recognize burnout in yourself and others

There are some tell-tale signs of burnout such as feeling exhausted or cynical, but Errin also says that feeling trapped, helpless, frustrated, or anxious can be a sign as well.

She also describes something she sees a lot called the "Walking Zombie Syndrome", which could be when someone has no life in their eyes.

Or they may post about the "Sunday Scaries" on their social media. Since the Covid-19 pandemic of last year, Errin states that she has overheard people say that they hope they get quarantined, if only just for a break. Obviously, this could also a sign of burnout.

Errin says that perfectionism,]]> Laura McClellan 331 Productive Living: Avoiding Career Burnout, with Errin Weisman, DO clean 56:00 Have you experienced burnout in your profession or career? This week's episode, the first in our new Productive Living series, features my conversation with physician and life coach Errin Weisman about how we can avoid and recover from career burnout.  Wed, 27 Jan 2021 09:35:17 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9521 2021-01-27T09:35:17Z Allison Fallon on the Power of Writing for Clarity, Confidence and Purpose https://beyondthetodolist.com/361 361 Allison Fallon on the Power of Writing for Clarity, Confidence and Purpose full Erik Fisher Allison Fallon on developing the simple habit of writing for clarity, confidence and purpose. 45:45 no Allison Fallon is an award winning author, sought after public speaker, and nationally recognized writing coach. She has coached hundreds of thousands of writers - from NYT Bestselling authors to total beginners to help them finally get their books written and on shelves. Grab the first chapter free here.

Her most recent book The Power of Writing Things Down walks anyone - even those who swear they aren't "real" writers - through a simple daily practice they can use to reduce anxiety, curb depression, improve their confidence and gain clarity in their life.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+HYiELWe_ ]]> Erik Fisher Allison Fallon (https://amzn.to/39o0wTk) is an award winning author, sought after public speaker, and nationally recognized writing coach. She has coached hundreds of thousands of writers (https://findyourvoice.com) - from NYT Bestselling authors to total beginners to help them finally get their books written and on shelves. Grab the first chapter free here (http://thepowerofwritingitdown.com). Her most recent book The Power of Writing Things Down (https://amzn.to/39o0wTk) walks anyone - even those who swear they aren't "real" writers - through a simple daily practice they can use to reduce anxiety, curb depression, improve their confidence and gain clarity in their life. This episode is brought to you by: * The Great Courses - Get one month Unlimited FREE (http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/39o0wTk" rel="nofollow">Allison Fallon</a> is an award winning author, sought after public speaker, and nationally recognized writing coach. She has<a href="https://findyourvoice.com" rel="nofollow"> coached hundreds of thousands of writers</a> - from NYT Bestselling authors to total beginners to help them finally get their books written and on shelves. <a href="http://thepowerofwritingitdown.com" rel="nofollow">Grab the first chapter free here</a>. </p> <p>Her most recent book <a href="https://amzn.to/39o0wTk" rel="nofollow">The Power of Writing Things Down</a> walks anyone - even those who swear they aren&#39;t &#34;real&#34; writers - through a simple daily practice they can use to reduce anxiety, curb depression, improve their confidence and gain clarity in their life.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">The Great Courses - Get one month Unlimited FREE</a></li> </ul> Tue, 26 Jan 2021 06:00:00 GMT 730ecec6-8c2a-4ed8-bc5d-7bc4671cb632 Erik Fisher 2021-01-26T06:00:00Z Soul – AYJW112 https://areyoujustwatching.com/soul-ayjw112/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/soul-ayjw112/feed/ 0 The Pixar movie Soul uses a godless philosophy to chase the spark of living from before birth through death and onto the path to the Great Beyond. The Pixar movie Soul uses a godless philosophy to chase the spark of living from before birth through death and onto the path to the Great Beyond. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 clean 1:08:24 The Pixar movie Soul uses a godless philosophy to chase the spark of living from before birth through death and onto the path to the Great Beyond. Podcast Rated PG abortion afterlife death gender jazz meaning of life personality purpose soul spark Mon, 25 Jan 2021 02:33:05 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/soul-ayjw112/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6318 2021-01-25T02:33:05Z Multifaceted Productivity – TPW 330 https://theproductivewoman.com/multifaceted-productivity-tpw-330/ This week I introduce a new recurring series featuring conversations with women who have expertise, insights, or experience in areas that are important elements of productive living.


Multifaceted productivity and making a life that matters

In thinking about this, I decided I wanted to start a new series this year (which I mentioned a couple of weeks ago). In this recurring "Productive Living" series, I'll talk to women with expertise or insights in various areas that are important to us in making a life that matters. This series will feature conversations with women in several key areas, which I wanted to introduce this week.

1. Health - The healthier we are, physically and mentally, the better we’re able to pursue productivity in the other areas of our life. Yet it’s often one of the last things we pay attention to when our lives are full. 


* Fitness
* Diet/nutrition
* Healthcare issues


2. Relationships - We as women are relational beings. So much of what we think about is in relation to the people in our lives, which is why I think it's important to focus on. Because in order to make a life that matters, we need to focus on our relationships.


* Marriage
* Parenting
* Friends
* Community


3. Money - Many of us have a complicated relationship with money. For example, one study I read about found that of the study participants, more women find investment stressful, while more men find it exciting. [from 5 Myths We Believe About Women & Money - study report: ISU professor studies gender differences in investment behavior].


* Earning
* Saving
* Investing
* Budgeting
* Preparing for emergencies/retirement


4. Career - This is a big part of our lives, both in terms of time and attention invested. In some cases we spend years studying for a career or profession or take big leaps to start a business, and at certain times of our life we might spend more time at work than with our family. 


* Choosing a career
* Professional development
* Business development
* Leadership
* Mentorship
* Working with bosses, co-workers, employees


5. Mindset and Self-care - I feel like this is an area that often gets overlooked, but it’s key to our productivity, both in the sense of getting things accomplished and of generally making a life that matters as we define it. 


* Mind management
* Mental health
* Self-care routines & habits
* Making time for self-care


6. Home - Whether it’s your full-time job or something done in addition to another job or business, whether you do it all yourself or direct a staff of housekeepers and cooks, making a house (or apartment or RV or hut) into a home, maintaining it, etc., is part of our productive lives. As Joshua Becker talks about in The Minimalist Home (Laura McClellan 330 Multifaceted Productivity clean 25:45 This week I introduce a new recurring series featuring conversations with women who have expertise, insights, or experience in areas that are important elements of productive living. Wed, 20 Jan 2021 09:25:33 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9504 2021-01-20T09:25:33Z Jon Acuff on Finishing, Fighting Perfectionism and Completing Your Goals https://beyondthetodolist.com/360 360 Jon Acuff on Finishing, Fighting Perfectionism and Completing Your Goals full Erik Fisher NY Times Bestselling Author Jon Acuff talks about his book Finish, fighting perfectionism, and completing goals. 39:59 no Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author. In this conversation Jon talks with Erik about his book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done about completing goals. Jon also has a new podcast called 'All It Takes Is A Goal'.

This episode is brought to you by:
Mint Mobile
Brain.fm

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+g5qz8zdM ]]> Erik Fisher Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author. In this conversation Jon talks with Erik about his book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done (http://amzn.to/2uQOWKv) about completing goals. Jon also has a new podcast called 'All It Takes Is A Goal (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-it-takes-is-a-goal/id1547078080)'. This episode is brought to you by: Mint Mobile (http://mintmobile.com/todo) Brain.fm (http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm) <p>Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author. In this conversation Jon talks with Erik about his book <a href="http://amzn.to/2uQOWKv" rel="nofollow">Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done</a> about completing goals. Jon also has a new podcast called &#39;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-it-takes-is-a-goal/id1547078080" rel="nofollow">All It Takes Is A Goal</a>&#39;. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="http://mintmobile.com/todo" rel="nofollow">Mint Mobile</a><br> <a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm" rel="nofollow">Brain.fm</a></p> Tue, 19 Jan 2021 06:00:00 GMT 972069ad-0a9a-47c1-81ed-db6db680301e Erik Fisher 2021-01-19T06:00:00Z Creating a Balanced Life, with Whitnee Hawthorne – TPW329 https://theproductivewoman.com/creating-a-balanced-life-with-whitnee-hawthorne-tpw329/ Busy mom, podcaster, and Fortune 500 executive Whitnee Hawthorne and I talk about how she balances her professional life with her commitment to her family and her passion for helping other working moms. The Savvy Working Mom. In this week's episode, Whitnee and I talk about how she balances her professional life with her family and passion for helping other working moms.



Finding joy and balance in your daily life

Whitnee Hawthorne is a speaker, an author, a Fortune 500 executive, a mom, and a podcaster with a passion for supporting and encouraging working moms. She is also the founder of the Savvy Working Mom, a platform dedicated to helping working mothers be the woman they want to be. She loves travel, hiking, watching movies, and creating. Whitnee lives in Utah with her husband, two young sons, and their family dog. 

Whitney started The Savvy Working Mom when her first son was a baby. Around that time she realized how little support there was for working mothers. Whitnee was struggling with how to balance motherhood with her passions and her career, and make it all work together. Whitnee began speaking with other mom's who were dealing with the same challenges and then developed The Savvy Working Mom. The platform focuses on time management, productivity, relieving stress and guilt, and finding more joy in your life.

A typical day

Whitnee has two young sons (8 months and a toddler), one of whom she is breastfeeding, so her days vary greatly. However, on a typical day her youngest son will wake up quite early, so she will breastfeed him right away so she can focus on the rest of her morning.

Whitnee has a morning ritual where she will hydrate herself, do some stretches, and then 15 minutes of yoga. By the time she is done, her older son is awake and she can focus on him. Whitnee will make him breakfast, then they will read a book together and enjoy some cuddle time.

Whitnee's husband is usually awake by then, so she will hop in the shower and get ready for her day. Then either Whitnee or her husband will get the kids to school and then they both head to work.

Because Whitnee lives in a different time zone from where her company is based, what time she starts her workday can vary, sometimes starting as early as 7:00 am. However, her day usually ends between 5:00-6:00 pm. She will head home and if possible, will pick the kids up from school with her husband. They will then spend the evening having dinner, bath time, and play. After the kids are in bed, Whitnee will work on The Savvy Working Mom.

Whitnee feels like her days are really full but she deliberately tries to not do too much so she can focus on her family, even though she thrives on a full schedule.



Biggest productivity challenges

One of the biggest challenges Whitnee faces is dealing with the unpredictable nature of everyday things. The challenges of the year 2020 in general did not help matters, but having a newborn can also be challenging, along with relocating and running a quickly growing side business.

Whitnee tries to not be too hard on herself about the things she can't control and how much she is able to accomplish in a day. Life happens, no matter how much planning is done. She tries to focus on her mindset and take time throughout each day to do a reset so she can stay on track.

She also uses lists to keep track of what needs to be done each day, both at work and at home. She prioritizes tasks on her list based on what she thinks she will be able to get done on that day.

When it comes to balancing motherhood with her career, family, and other passions, Whitnee likes to reflect on this quote by author Nora Roberts:

]]> Laura McClellan 329 Creating a Balanced Life, with Whitnee Hawthorne clean 38:38 Busy mom, podcaster, and Fortune 500 executive Whitnee Hawthorne and I talk about how she balances her professional life with her commitment to her family and her passion for helping other working moms. Wed, 13 Jan 2021 09:44:41 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9487 2021-01-13T09:44:41Z Dr. Samantha Brody on Overcoming Overwhelm https://beyondthetodolist.com/359 359 Dr. Samantha Brody on Overcoming Overwhelm full Erik Fisher Dr. Samantha Brody talks about overcoming overwhelm, dismantling stress and achieving greater resilience. 36:02 no For decades, Dr. Samantha has helped people to transform their lives with her innovative approach. Now you can use the same tested tools and guidance to experience the freedom of better health, greater resilience, and peace of mind. Samantha's new book is Overcoming Overwhelm: Dismantle Your Stress from the Inside Out. In this episode she and Erik talk about overcoming overwhelm, dismantling stress and achieving greater resilience.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+2gH5DTN_ ]]> Erik Fisher For decades, Dr. Samantha has helped people to transform their lives with her innovative approach. Now you can use the same tested tools and guidance to experience the freedom of better health, greater resilience, and peace of mind. Samantha's new book is Overcoming Overwhelm: Dismantle Your Stress from the Inside Out (https://amzn.to/2Lu8wsK). In this episode she and Erik talk about overcoming overwhelm, dismantling stress and achieving greater resilience. This episode is brought to you by: * ExpressVPN (http://expressvpn.com/todo) * Brain.fm (http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm) <p>For decades, Dr. Samantha has helped people to transform their lives with her innovative approach. Now you can use the same tested tools and guidance to experience the freedom of better health, greater resilience, and peace of mind. Samantha&#39;s new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/2Lu8wsK" rel="nofollow">Overcoming Overwhelm: Dismantle Your Stress from the Inside Out</a>. In this episode she and Erik talk about overcoming overwhelm, dismantling stress and achieving greater resilience.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://expressvpn.com/todo" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN</a></li> <li><a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm" rel="nofollow">Brain.fm</a></li> </ul> Tue, 12 Jan 2021 06:00:00 GMT 34e6f26f-9085-4ab7-93c0-a00ac0ddf804 Erik Fisher 2021-01-12T06:00:00Z Ideas For a Productive New Year – TPW328 https://theproductivewoman.com/ideas-for-a-productive-new-year-tpw328/ Turning the calendar to a new year doesn’t actually have any meaning in and of itself, but it can be a great time to do a reset and take a few actions that will set you up for improved productivity in the weeks and months to come. 


Starting the New Year strong

In light of the new year ahead of us, I thought that I would share some things we can do right now, as well as some habits to consider cultivating, that can help us have the most productive year ever. Turning the calendar from one month to the next, or from one year to the next, doesn’t actually have any meaning in and of itself, but it can be a great time to do a reset and take a few actions that will set you up for improved productivity in the weeks and months to come. 

5 actions to take as the year begins

Here are five things I encourage  you to begin doing right away, maybe even this week:

1. Change your passwords 

It's important to have a strong and unique password for each account. Don't use one password for everything.

According to the FBI early last year, they recommend using passphrases (longer is better--a longer phrase that you can remember but will be hard for hackers to figure out), ”combining multiple words into a long string of at least 15 characters” [from FBI recommends passphrases over password complexity]


“Your email password needs to be particularly strong, as hackers can use your email to change the passwords for other accounts linked to your email address.” [from 9 Tips to Create a Strong Password That You’ll Never Forget]


Make it easier to use secure passwords by using a password manager such as LastPass, 1Password, or Dashlane.

2. Schedule your annual medical, dental, and eye care appointments 

Get them on the calendar now. Scheduling them well in advance means it’s more likely you can get an appointment at a time that’s convenient for you.

Note, though: Several sources I read cite studies and experts who question the value of an annual physical exam for healthy adults with no symptoms, citing expense and little evidence that annual exams result in better health or longer lives. Talk with your doctor about the right schedule for you.

3. Pay attention to paper

Set up folders or binders for important papers with categories such as medical, business receipts, school papers, and information for filing taxes. Go ahead and get started on setting your system up and gather everything that is needed. Putting all these papers into specific folders or binders can help keep you organized and on track. (Check out Lisa Woodruff’s book, The Paper Solution,]]> Laura McClellan 328 Ideas for a Productive New Year clean 38:06 Turning the calendar to a new year doesn’t actually have any meaning in and of itself, but it can be a great time to do a reset and take a few actions that will set you up for improved productivity in the weeks and months to come.  Wed, 06 Jan 2021 09:21:41 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9469 2021-01-06T09:21:41Z Cait Flanders on Opting Out of Expectations and Living With Intentionality https://beyondthetodolist.com/358 358 Cait Flanders on Opting Out of Expectations and Living With Intentionality full Erik Fisher Cait Flanders, author of the bestselling The Year of Less talks about how to opt-out of expectations and live a more intentional life. 52:18 no Cait Flanders is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Year of Less. Her new book is Adventures in Opting Out: A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life. In this conversation Cait and Erik talk about how to opt-out of expectations and live a more intentional life.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+miLh2sWG ]]> Erik Fisher Cait Flanders (https://caitflanders.com) is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Year of Less (https://amzn.to/2MqIc2T). Her new book is Adventures in Opting Out: A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life (https://amzn.to/395SeOC). In this conversation Cait and Erik talk about how to opt-out of expectations and live a more intentional life. This episode is brought to you by: * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t extexpander-Nov-2020) * Brain.fm (http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm) <p><a href="https://caitflanders.com" rel="nofollow">Cait Flanders</a> is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller, <a href="https://amzn.to/2MqIc2T" rel="nofollow">The Year of Less</a>. Her new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/395SeOC" rel="nofollow">Adventures in Opting Out: A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life</a>. In this conversation Cait and Erik talk about how to opt-out of expectations and live a more intentional life. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t%20extexpander-Nov-2020" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> <li><a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm" rel="nofollow">Brain.fm</a></li> </ul> Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:00:00 GMT 13eb9f3d-a4a3-40be-9b48-7002c9a68232 Erik Fisher 2021-01-05T14:00:00Z Thank You – TPW327 https://theproductivewoman.com/thank-you-tpw327/ As we wrap up this unusual year, I wanted to take just a few minutes to say thank you--and to leave you with some quotes that inspire me to dream big and accomplish my goals.


Thank you--and a farewell to the year

I wanted to leave you with some quotes that not only make me think but also encourage and inspire me. These quotes all spoke to me pretty strongly and I hope you are inspired by them as well.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." ~ C.S. Lewis

Reading this quote was such a good reminder to me that you are never too old (or too young) to have dreams and to set and achieve goals. Now is the perfect time to dream a new dream.

"Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction." ~ Germany Kent 

Last week we talked about how it's up to us to take action and accomplish the things that are important to us. We have the power to take our lives in a new direction if that is what is right for us. If where you are today is not where you want to be, only you can change that by the actions you take and the thoughts you think.

"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ~ Carl Bard

Remember that there may be things you regret, but you can't go back and redo them. Your past is what your past is. But we can start in this moment to make a new beginning. Start with today and make a new ending.

Thank you to the Productive Woman Community

Thank you for being a part of this community--for listening, for writing to me, for joining me in The Productive Woman Community Facebook group and being part of the conversation there. I am grateful to you. Best wishes to you for a happy and productive new year.

What do you think? Questions? Comments?

What are your hopes and dreams and what do you want your future to look like? Please share your questions or thoughts in the comments section below this post or on The Productive Woman’s Facebook page, or send me an email. 

Resources and Links


Germany Kent is an American print and broadcast journalist. Kent is also regarded as a social media etiquette expert. Kent has authored ten nonfiction books including The Hope Handbook Series, best-selling written work The Hope Handbook, and the critically acclaimed book You Are What You Tweet, a national bestseller. [from Wikipedia] 
C.S. Lewis, in full Clive Staples Lewis, (born November 29, 1898, Belfast, Ireland [now in Northern Ireland]—died November 22, 1963, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England), Irish-born scholar, novelist, and author of about 40 books, many of them on Christian apologetics, including The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity. His works of greatest lasting fame may be the Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven children’s books that have become classics of fantasy literature.]]> Laura McClellan 327 Thank You! clean 9:17 As we wrap up this unusual year, I wanted to take just a few minutes to say thank you--and to leave you with some quotes that inspire me to dream big and accomplish my goals. Wed, 30 Dec 2020 09:51:14 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9454 2020-12-30T09:51:14Z David Smith and Brad Johnson on How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace https://beyondthetodolist.com/357 357 David Smith and Brad Johnson on How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace full Erik Fisher David Smith and Brad Johnson share from their new book, Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace 44:42 no David G. Smith and W. Brad Johnson are gender-in-the-workplace experts. Their new book is Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace. In this conversation they talk about:

  • How men can partner with their female colleagues to advance women's leadership and equality
  • Overcoming unconscious biases
  • Creating productive and respectful working relationships with women

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+m9bmfmcV ]]> Erik Fisher David G. Smith and W. Brad Johnson (http://workplaceallies.com) are gender-in-the-workplace experts. Their new book is Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace (https://amzn.to/2WZC1F8). In this conversation they talk about: * How men can partner with their female colleagues to advance women's leadership and equality * Overcoming unconscious biases * Creating productive and respectful working relationships with women This episode is brought to you by: * Setapp (https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon dthetodolist) * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="http://workplaceallies.com" rel="nofollow">David G. Smith and W. Brad Johnson</a> are gender-in-the-workplace experts. Their new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/2WZC1F8" rel="nofollow">Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace</a>. In this conversation they talk about:</p> <ul> <li>How men can partner with their female colleagues to advance women&#39;s leadership and equality</li> <li>Overcoming unconscious biases</li> <li>Creating productive and respectful working relationships with women</li> </ul> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon%20dthetodolist" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> <li><a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 29 Dec 2020 06:00:00 GMT 872e35cf-aa64-4e49-8ad3-b91e357ba47f Erik Fisher 2020-12-29T06:00:00Z This Time Next Year – TPW326 https://theproductivewoman.com/this-time-next-year-tpw326/ This year has been challenging, to say the least. As the year wraps up, let's take time to look towards the future and think about where we'd like to be this time next year. What steps can we take now to get us where we want to be?


Getting from where you are to where you want to be

When I think back over this year, there are four elements I am using to think about what I want to accomplish in the next year.

1. Remember - remind yourself of what has happened this year in your life


* Make a list of the highlights of this year
* What are the best things that happened (even though it's been a tough year)
* Make a list of your accomplishments, big or small
* Think about lessons you learned (we talked about that last week in episode 325)


2. Dream - where do you want to be this time next year? What would you like to be able to list as highlights and accomplishments? Envision what you want. Picture yourself this time next year, looking back...


* How do you feel?
* Who are you with?
* What are you celebrating?
* What memories are you savoring?


Dream in all areas of your life (business/professional, health (physical and mental), and relationships). Remember we can’t predict the best things--they often surprise us. Remember to always leave room for the unexpected joys. But this is an exercise in letting your imagination go, so don’t limit yourself!

3. Evaluate -what you've been doing and what you want to do.


* What do you want to keep doing?

* Me: work out regularly; getting on the treadmill almost every day


* What do you want to start doing?

* Me: reach out regularly to old friends and new, sending cards or scheduling calls.


* What do you want to stop doing?

* Me: limiting myself by my own doubts




4. Plan - with the picture in your mind of where you want to be next year, think about this question: "How do I get from here to there? What needs to change, and what do I need to do to change it?"


* Focus on your actions, such as the things you can do. You might not be able to change your circumstances, but you can change your actions, your mindset, and your thoughts.
* Remember that our habits matter most--what we do regularly makes a much bigger difference than what we do occasionally. Choose one new habit to focus for the first quarter of the new year, one that’ll make a big difference. 

* When will you do it? (How often? What days? Time of day”)
* What current habit will you tie it to?


* Choose the most important thing you want to do by this time next year, then reverse engineer and break it down.

* If I want to be settled in a new job by this time next year, when do I want to start that job? When do I have to start the job search? What resources do I need?
* If I want to have written a book, what day to I want to finish it? When do I need to start? How many words or pages a day would I need to write?
* If I want to be at my ideal weight, when do I need to start, how much do I need to lose (or gain) each month, and what do I need to do to make that happen?
* If I want to spend next year’s holidays in a ski resort or on the beach, when do I need to book the reservations? How much money do I need to save each month/week?


* Identify the obstacles (Time? Money? Other people? Fear? Lack of confidence?) and brainstorm actions you can take to overcome them when they arriv...]]> Laura McClellan 326 This Time Next Year clean 37:25 This year has been challenging, to say the least. As the year wraps up, let's take time to look towards the future and think about where we'd like to be this time next year. What steps can we take now to get us where we want to be? Wed, 23 Dec 2020 09:24:42 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9440 2020-12-23T09:24:42Z Mulan (2020) – AYJW111 https://areyoujustwatching.com/mulan-2020-ayjw111/ https://areyoujustwatching.com/mulan-2020-ayjw111/feed/ 0 Loyal, brave, true, devotion to family . . . and gender roles, deceit, and the energy of life in Disney's live-action Mulan! Loyal, brave, true, devotion to family . . . and gender roles, deceit, and the energy of life in Disney's live-action Mulan! Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 clean 1:09:59 Loyal, brave, true, devotion to family . . . and gender roles, deceit, and the energy of life in Disney's live-action Mulan! Podcast Rated PG-13 Brave chi devotion to family Disney exile honor kung fu legend live action loyal martial arts mulan remake sacrifice the Force true truth witch Wed, 23 Dec 2020 03:32:58 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/mulan-2020-ayjw111/#respond https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6294 2020-12-23T03:32:58Z David Shar on Identifying, Preventing and Dealing with Burnout https://beyondthetodolist.com/356 356 David Shar on Identifying, Preventing and Dealing with Burnout full Erik Fisher David Shar talks about identifying the signs of burnout, ways to prevent it, and dealing with burnout when you have it. 48:52 no David Shar is a keynote speaker, consultant, and trainer specializing in helping organizations improve their leadership and culture, combat burnout, and design meaningful work.

In this conversation David talks with Erik about identifying the signs of burnout, ways to prevent it, and dealing with burnout when you have it. Make sure to check out David's Burnout-Proof Culture Model.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+zrsMaO7z ]]> Erik Fisher David Shar (https://www.illuminatepmc.com) is a keynote speaker, consultant, and trainer specializing in helping organizations improve their leadership and culture, combat burnout, and design meaningful work. In this conversation David talks with Erik about identifying the signs of burnout, ways to prevent it, and dealing with burnout when you have it. Make sure to check out David's Burnout-Proof Culture Model (http://zc.vg/d2taz). This episode is brought to you by: * ExpressVPN (http://expressvpn.com/todo) * Setapp (https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon dthetodolist) <p><a href="https://www.illuminatepmc.com" rel="nofollow">David Shar</a> is a keynote speaker, consultant, and trainer specializing in helping organizations improve their leadership and culture, combat burnout, and design meaningful work.</p> <p>In this conversation David talks with Erik about identifying the signs of burnout, ways to prevent it, and dealing with burnout when you have it. Make sure to check out David&#39;s <a href="http://zc.vg/d2taz" rel="nofollow">Burnout-Proof Culture Model</a>.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://expressvpn.com/todo" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN</a></li> <li><a href="https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon%20dthetodolist" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 22 Dec 2020 06:00:00 GMT d1a1aa6f-2692-4fe9-be74-9c29d0e43197 Erik Fisher 2020-12-22T06:00:00Z Lessons from an Unusual Year – TPW325 https://theproductivewoman.com/lessons-from-an-unusual-year-tpw325/ This unusual year has shaken us as individuals and as a society. A lot of us have had to rethink our priorities, even our identity. The upheaval and challenges have brought to the forefront of my mind some personal qualities I think are important if we...


Important characteristics for meaningful productivity

1. Kindness - the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. 

There has been so much conflict this year--disagreements at all levels of society; locally, nationally, and globally. Disagreements over the pandemic and how to handle it, social justice issues, election disagreements, and natural disaster crises and how to best take care of people. I've noticed lots of finger-pointing, blaming, and condemnation. It seems we’ve lost the ability to disagree without condemning the ones we disagree with as stupid or evil or both. 

Maybe it’s normal in times of crisis to look for someone to blame or to defend our position by dismissing those who disagree. But we can get lost in the anger and blaming and condemnation and suffer because of it, both individually and as a society. If we are fighting with each other, we lose the chance to work together to find solutions. I think we need kindness now more than ever. 

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” ~ Lao Tzu

“I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way.” ~ Lady Gaga

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” ~ Henry James

2. Self-care - kindness to yourself. Being friendly, generous, and considerate of yourself.

One writer notes:

“When you're stressed, it can be all too easy to neglect your own needs. Losing your appetite, ignoring exercise, and not getting enough sleep are all common reactions to a crisis situation. Instead, focus on building your self-nurturance skills, even when you're troubled.”

When you’re under stress, it's even more important to take care of your body, mind, and spirit. Get adequate rest, eat healthy food (and a treat now and then!), and get regular exercise, even if it's just a 30-minute walk each day. Guard your heart--being mindful of what you read/watch/listen to matters. Finally, find what brings joy and make space in your life for that.

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” ~ Jean Shinoda BolenM.D. (a psychiatrist, Jungian analyst, and author)

3. Mind management.

Personally, when something unexpected or unpleasant occurs, my mind goes down the most negative path and I have to work really hard to manage my catastrophic thinking, and continuously remind myself to do so. As I have in the past, I'd like to recommend Brooke Castillo's Laura McClellan 325 Lessons from an Unusual Year clean 39:43 This unusual year has shaken us as individuals and as a society. A lot of us have had to rethink our priorities, even our identity. The upheaval and challenges have brought to the forefront of my mind some personal qualities I think are important if we want to be productive and make a life that matters. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:54:01 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9422 2020-12-16T09:54:01Z Melissa Steginus on Mindfulness, Intention and Attention https://beyondthetodolist.com/355 355 Melissa Steginus on Mindfulness, Intention and Attention full Erik Fisher Melissa Steginus talks about the importance of mindfulness and getting started daily mindfulness practices. 49:22 no Melissa Steginus is a mindfulness teacher and productivity coach helping people structure their work and lives to be intentional, empowering, and fulfilling. With a background in social work and over a decade of experience as a counsellor, coach, yoga instructor, and world traveller, Melissa has helped thousands of people transform their personal and professional lives. Her new book is 'Everyday Mindfulness: 108 Simple Practices to Empower Yourself and Transform Your Life'.

In this conversation Melissa and Erik discuss the importance of mindfulness and getting started daily mindfulness practices.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+S2EGiSh6 ]]> Erik Fisher Melissa Steginus (https://melissasteginus.com) is a mindfulness teacher and productivity coach helping people structure their work and lives to be intentional, empowering, and fulfilling. With a background in social work and over a decade of experience as a counsellor, coach, yoga instructor, and world traveller, Melissa has helped thousands of people transform their personal and professional lives. Her new book is 'Everyday Mindfulness: 108 Simple Practices to Empower Yourself and Transform Your Life (https://amzn.to/3nkytJ7)'. In this conversation Melissa and Erik discuss the importance of mindfulness and getting started daily mindfulness practices. This episode is brought to you by: * Fight Camp (http://joinfightcamp.com/beyond) * NuCalm (http://beyondnucalm.com) <p><a href="https://melissasteginus.com" rel="nofollow">Melissa Steginus</a> is a mindfulness teacher and productivity coach helping people structure their work and lives to be intentional, empowering, and fulfilling. With a background in social work and over a decade of experience as a counsellor, coach, yoga instructor, and world traveller, Melissa has helped thousands of people transform their personal and professional lives. Her new book is &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/3nkytJ7" rel="nofollow">Everyday Mindfulness: 108 Simple Practices to Empower Yourself and Transform Your Life</a>&#39;. </p> <p>In this conversation Melissa and Erik discuss the importance of mindfulness and getting started daily mindfulness practices.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://joinfightcamp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Fight Camp</a></li> <li><a href="http://beyondnucalm.com" rel="nofollow">NuCalm</a></li> </ul> Tue, 15 Dec 2020 06:00:00 GMT cf55d3c0-a747-4caa-8ed8-283514b73ede Erik Fisher 2020-12-15T06:00:00Z Productive Reading: The Minimalist Home – TPW324 https://theproductivewoman.com/productive-reading-the-minimalist-home-tpw324/ This week we continue our Productive Reading Series, talking about my key takeaways from Joshua Becker's excellent book, The Minimalist Home. The Minimalist Home, by Joshua Becker.



Living the minimalist lifestyle in your home

This week we are continuing our Productive Reading recurring series. In Episode 133, we talked about lessons from Gary Keller’s The ONE Thing. In Episode 147, we talked about lessons learned from The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg. In Episode 166, we discussed 3 books written by Brené Brown, in Episode 182, Soulful Simplicity, by Courtney Carver, Episode 211, The Free-Time Formula by Jeff Sanders, Episode 230, Atomic Habits, by James Clear, Episode 250, Free to Focus, by Michael Hyatt, and Episode 271, Attention Management, by Maura Nevel Thomas. This time we’re talking about another book with a little bit different focus, as I’m sharing some of my most important takeaways from The Minimalist Home, by Joshua Becker. (Unless otherwise noted, each quote below comes from the book.)

Who is Joshua Becker?

From the back cover copy:

“Joshua Becker is the founder and editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website that inspires over one million readers each month to find more life by owning less. He is also the cofounder of the popular online magazine Simplify and the best-selling author of several books, including The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own. Joshua is a contributing writer to Forbes and has made media appearances in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and the CBS Evening News. Joshua and his young family live in Peoria, Arizona. He and his wife, Kim, are the founders of the Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization that helps orphans around the world.”

Why did I read this book?

I’ve been on a journey over the past couple of years to make more space in my life by reducing the amount of stuff I own, so when I saw this book the title appealed to me. We as a society, especially in the U.S., have become so consumer-oriented, so obsessed with stuff, at a tremendous cost in dollars, time, and peace.  A few statistics quoted in the book give food for thought: 


* “Americans spend $1.2 trillion annually on nonessential goods.”
* “The United States has more than fifty thousand storage facilities--more than the number of Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Subway restaurants combined.”
* “The home organization industry--benefitting from our desperation to try to manage all our stuff--earned retail sales of $16 billion in 2016 and is growing at 4 percent per year.”
* “Over the course of an average lifetime, because of all the clutter we live in, we will spend 3,680 hours, or 153 days,]]> Laura McClellan 324 Productive Reading: The Minimalist Home, by Joshua Becker clean 44:41 This week we continue our Productive Reading Series, talking about my key takeaways from Joshua Becker's excellent book, The Minimalist Home. Wed, 09 Dec 2020 09:41:19 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9405 2020-12-09T09:41:19Z John Jantsch on Resilience, Perseverance and Perspective https://beyondthetodolist.com/354 354 John Jantsch on Resilience, Perseverance and Perspective full Erik Fisher John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing talks about resilience, perseverance, and perspective. 45:32 no John Jantsch is a marketing consultant, speaker and best selling author Duct Tape Marketing, Duct Tape Selling, The Commitment Engine, The Referral Engine and SEO for Growth. He is the creator of the Duct Tape Marketing System and Duct Tape Marketing Consulting Network that trains and licenses small business marketing consultants around the world.

John Returns to the show this time to talk about specific entries in the month of August from the book centered around resilience, perseverance, and perspective.

John's new book is 'The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur: 366 Daily Meditations to Feed Your Soul and Grow Your Business'.

This episode is brought to you by:
Setapp
Betterhelp

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+NV13zYkj ]]> Erik Fisher John Jantsch (https://amzn.to/2RM90uY) is a marketing consultant, speaker and best selling author Duct Tape Marketing, Duct Tape Selling, The Commitment Engine, The Referral Engine and SEO for Growth. He is the creator of the Duct Tape Marketing System and Duct Tape Marketing Consulting Network that trains and licenses small business marketing consultants around the world. John Returns to the show this time to talk about specific entries in the month of August from the book centered around resilience, perseverance, and perspective. John's new book is 'The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur: 366 Daily Meditations to Feed Your Soul and Grow Your Business (https://amzn.to/2RM90uY)'. This episode is brought to you by: Setapp (https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon dthetodolist) Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/2RM90uY" rel="nofollow">John Jantsch</a> is a marketing consultant, speaker and best selling author Duct Tape Marketing, Duct Tape Selling, The Commitment Engine, The Referral Engine and SEO for Growth. He is the creator of the Duct Tape Marketing System and Duct Tape Marketing Consulting Network that trains and licenses small business marketing consultants around the world.</p> <p>John Returns to the show this time to talk about specific entries in the month of August from the book centered around resilience, perseverance, and perspective.</p> <p>John&#39;s new book is &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/2RM90uY" rel="nofollow">The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur: 366 Daily Meditations to Feed Your Soul and Grow Your Business</a>&#39;. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon%20dthetodolist" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a><br> <a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></p> Tue, 08 Dec 2020 06:00:00 GMT c26bffa5-dffe-4353-885c-af9ccbd794ed Erik Fisher 2020-12-08T06:00:00Z Discovering Your Potential, with Margaret Alabi – TPW323 https://theproductivewoman.com/discovering-your-potential-with-margaret-alabi-tpw323/ Margaret Alabi is a busy Pharmacist by day but spends her free time coaching others to reach their full potential as leaders through The Pivot Consulting Group, the agency she co-founded. This episode features my conversation with Margaret about how sh...
Growing into your potential via sustainable productivity

Margaret Alabi is an industry pharmacist and leadership coach who serves as the CEO and co-founder of The Pivot Consulting Group (TPCG). In addition to coaching, speaking, and training for TPCG, she currently serves as the Director for US Immunology Patient Advocacy at UCB Inc where she partners with patient advocates and her colleagues to create innovative healthcare solutions that improve the lives of patients living with severe conditions. Margaret hails from Atlanta, Georgia, where she enjoys singing, roller skating, and posing with her standard poodle puppies, Belle and Beau!

Margaret says that although she is a pharmacist by training, she's never actually dispensed any medications. She learned early in life what she valued and knew what her strengths were, which is what brought her into the industry. Margaret wanted to focus on her strengths and learn to be productive on a different level. In this kind of industry, she has encountered some stumbling blocks along the way but has no regrets.

A typical day

For Margaret's average day, one half of it is typical and the other half is unpredictable. She said this is good, though, because she's learned to be malleable and flexible.

With that being said, Margaret starts her day at about 5:00 in the morning and immediately does a 30-minute meditation. This meditation time is essential to give her mind some "mental space and flexibility" right at the start of the day, rather than crowding her mind with things she has to do.

While meditating, she likes to focus on the type of day she wants to have. What emotions does she want to feel (or not feel)? What does she want to accomplish?

After her meditation, she gets on her Peloton bike for a 60-75 minute ride. Margaret says that without this vigorous workout, she does not have the stamina to make it through her day. In addition to the much-needed energy the ride provides, completing a strenuous workout also gives Margaret a huge sense of accomplishment that kicks off her day right.

Her workout completed, Margaret gets dressed and begins her workday in her living room. She is now working from home like most of us. Margaret spends the majority of the workday in front of her computer but blocks out two one-hour periods of time, at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm, where she will step away from work to play with her dogs, take a walk, or simply be away from her workspace. She doesn't take a typical lunch because she tends to snack throughout the day. Having dedicated time away from her work throughout the day has really helped her to cope with sheltering in place.

Due to the nature of Margaret's job, she doesn't have a specific time that she stops working. However, she tries to balance her job with other things she may be doing in the evening, such as spending time with family, coaching her clients, or watching a favorite television show. She is currently enjoying The Undoing on HBO Max.

Biggest productivity challenges

When it comes to managing her life, Margaret's biggest challenge centers around knowing when to ask for help. She is a "recovering Type A" personality and doesn't always know when to release control. She has learned to trust others to help her along the way instead of trying to do it all herself.]]> Laura McClellan 323 Discovering Your Potential, with Margaret Alabi clean 49:50 Margaret Alabi is a busy Pharmacist by day but spends her free time coaching others to reach their full potential as leaders through The Pivot Consulting Group, the agency she co-founded. This episode features my conversation with Margaret about how she implements tools for sustainable productivity to balance her professional life with her passion for helping others grow. Wed, 02 Dec 2020 09:52:58 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9381 2020-12-02T09:52:58Z Holiday Gift Suggestions 2020 https://beyondthetodolist.com/353 353 Holiday Gift Suggestions 2020 full Erik Fisher Erik runs through his top suggestions for holiday gifts to give or ask for in 2020. 27:00 no In this episode, Erik runs through his top suggestions for holiday gifts to give or ask for in 2020.

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+IByXTv2i ]]> Erik Fisher In this episode, Erik runs through his top suggestions for holiday gifts to give or ask for in 2020. Kiwi Co - Promo code: beyond (http://kiwico.com) Fight Camp (http://joinfightcamp.com/beyond) Setapp (https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon dthetodolist) Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t extexpander-Nov-2020) X-Stand - Portable Standing Desk (http://etsy.me/2HlXKTw) Ember Mug (https://amzn.to/36riind) Oculus Quest 2 (https://amzn.to/2Vo14RC) Swanwick (https://amzn.to/3lrRLdJ) Muse (https://mbsy.co/3bDtfz) Brainfm (http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm) AirPods (https://amzn.to/3mrP4KD) Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones (https://amzn.to/2VnLsgO) Top 5 Productivity Books (https://beyondthetodolist.com/347) <p>In this episode, Erik runs through his top suggestions for holiday gifts to give or ask for in 2020. </p> <ul> <li><a href="http://kiwico.com" rel="nofollow">Kiwi Co - Promo code: beyond</a></li> <li><a href="http://joinfightcamp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Fight Camp</a></li> <li><a href="https://setapp.com/?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyon%20dthetodolist" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t%20extexpander-Nov-2020" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> <li><a href="http://etsy.me/2HlXKTw" rel="nofollow">X-Stand - Portable Standing Desk </a></li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/36riind" rel="nofollow">Ember Mug</a></li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/2Vo14RC" rel="nofollow">Oculus Quest 2</a></li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3lrRLdJ" rel="nofollow">Swanwick</a></li> <li><a href="https://mbsy.co/3bDtfz" rel="nofollow">Muse</a></li> <li><a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm" rel="nofollow">Brainfm</a></li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3mrP4KD" rel="nofollow">AirPods</a></li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/2VnLsgO" rel="nofollow">Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/347" rel="nofollow">Top 5 Productivity Books</a></li> </ul> Tue, 01 Dec 2020 06:00:00 GMT c08368fe-2a17-4ce0-88fc-c1254144e9d3 Erik Fisher 2020-12-01T06:00:00Z Giving Thanks – TPW322 https://theproductivewoman.com/giving-thanks-tpw322/ Giving thanks and feeling grateful matter to our mental and physical health, to our relationships--and to our productivity. Especially in light of the challenges we've all faced this year, the Thanksgiving holiday is a good reminder of how important it...


Give thanks every day, not just on Thanksgiving

Giving thanks and feeling grateful each day is important. And it's good for us. Our mental and physical health benefits from us being thankful for all that we have. During these challenging times, if you start to feel sad or frustrated, remember that you can turn your day around simply by choosing to be grateful.

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."
~ William Arthur Ward, writer 


5 ways being thankful is good for you (per studies cited in 5 Reasons Giving Thanks is Good for You):


* Counting blessings boosts your health. Research showed that grateful people had less depression and stress, lower blood pressure, more energy, and greater optimism. 
* Slow down the aging clock.  Studies have shown that in older adults, a daily practice of gratitude even slowed down some of the effects of neurodegeneration that often occurs as we age. 
* Put the brakes on stress. Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone,” and when our bodies produce too much, it can deplete the immune system and raise blood sugar levels. A study conducted at the Institute of HeartMath Research Center in California found that positive emotions like appreciation significantly lowered levels of cortisol. 
* Being thankful helps you bond. Research (by U.S. psychologists Sara Algoe and Baldwin Way) indicates that gratitude can also lead to better relationships. The explanation may be connected to increased production of oxytocin, sometimes called the “bonding hormone” because it fosters calm and security in relationships. 
* Gratefulness = good for the heart and waistline? According to (some) research, people with high blood pressure who actively express thankfulness “can achieve up to a 10 percent reduction in systolic blood pressure and decrease their dietary fat intake by up to 20 percent.” 


We’ve talked in the past about the positive effects gratitude can have on our life, our health, and more. Check out TPW167 (Gratitude & Productivity); TPW270 (Gratitude); and TPW311 (our conversation with Autumn McKay about Practicing Gratitude) 

Some thoughts others have had about the importance of giving thanks:

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." ~ Oprah Winfrey 

"We would worry less if we praised more.]]> Laura McClellan 322 Giving Thanks clean 33:12 Giving thanks and feeling grateful matter to our mental and physical health, to our relationships--and to our productivity. Especially in light of the challenges we've all faced this year, the Thanksgiving holiday is a good reminder of how important it is to give thanks every day. Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:51:52 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9371 2020-11-25T09:51:52Z Greg Audino on Control, Ownership, and Mindset https://beyondthetodolist.com/352 352 Greg Audino on Control, Ownership, and Mindset full Erik Fisher Greg Audino of Optimal Living Daily talks with Erik about the concept of control, ownership, agency, and mindset. 48:31 no Greg Audino is the host of the Optimal Living Advice podcast.

In this conversation Greg talks with Erik about the concept of control, ownership, agency and mindset.

This episode is brough to you by:
NuCalm
KiwiCo Use code 'beyond' to get 50% off your first month and free shipping!

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+c9LUVNdo ]]> Erik Fisher Greg Audino (https://gregaudino.com) is the host of the Optimal Living Advice podcast. In this conversation Greg talks with Erik about the concept of control, ownership, agency and mindset. This episode is brough to you by: NuCalm (http://beyondnucalm.com) KiwiCo (http://kiwico.com/) Use code 'beyond' to get 50% off your first month and free shipping! <p><a href="https://gregaudino.com" rel="nofollow">Greg Audino</a> is the host of the Optimal Living Advice podcast. </p> <p>In this conversation Greg talks with Erik about the concept of control, ownership, agency and mindset.</p> <p>This episode is brough to you by:<br> <a href="http://beyondnucalm.com" rel="nofollow">NuCalm</a><br> <a href="http://kiwico.com/" rel="nofollow">KiwiCo</a> Use code &#39;beyond&#39; to get 50% off your first month and free shipping!</p> Tue, 24 Nov 2020 06:00:00 GMT b3b28f28-3532-4210-b24e-6a745d1d5646 Erik Fisher 2020-11-24T06:00:00Z X-Men: Apocalypse, Part 2 – AYJW110 https://areyoujustwatching.com/x-men-apocalypse-part-2-ayjw110/ Persecution, faith, and the struggle to evolve in X-Men: Apocalypse. Persecution, faith, and the struggle to evolve in X-Men: Apocalypse. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:04:42 Persecution, faith, and the struggle to evolve in X-Men: Apocalypse. Tue, 24 Nov 2020 01:19:09 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6279 2020-11-24T01:19:09Z Getting and Staying Motivated – TPW321 https://theproductivewoman.com/getting-and-staying-motivated-tpw321/ Motivation is what drives us to act and keep acting. But internal and external obstacles can sap our motivation and keep us from accomplishing goals. How can we get--and keep--ourselves motivated to keep moving forward?


Motivation and productivity

What is motivation? 

When doing my research for this topic, I first looked up the word motivation in the dictionary.


* Noun  the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. "escape can be a strong motivation for travel" [this addresses the question of why you’re doing what you’re doing] 
* the general desire or willingness of someone to do something. [this addresses the question of how much you want to do the thing you’re doing] "keep staff up to date and maintain interest and motivation" 


Another definition states: “motivation is a condition inside us that desires a change, either in the self or the environment” [from What Is Motivation? A Psychologist Explains] Motivation comes when our current situation, internal or environmental, is uncomfortable enough that we are motivated to do something to change it. This can apply to our health, our relationships, our jobs, or our goals.

Two basic sources of motivation


* Extrinsic (comes from outside): examples would be a trophy, job promotion, or attention from other people.
* Intrinsic (come from inside): this is something we do from the satisfaction of doing it, not from validation from the outside.


One writer explains that motivation has 3 components: activation, persistence, and intensity. As the article put it:


* Activation involves the decision to initiate a behavior. 
* Persistence is the continued effort toward a goal even though obstacles may exist.  
* Intensity can be seen in the concentration and vigor that goes into pursuing a goal. 


These three components can apply to any action, such as the pursuit of a goal, completion of a task or project, development of a habit, or change of a behavior.

Why is it important? 

Motivation is important because it's what drives us to act and keep acting.

“simply having the desire to accomplish something is not enough. Achieving such a goal requires the ability to persist through obstacles and endurance to keep going in spite of difficulties.” [from What Is Motivation?]

What interferes with motivation? 

Health--even people with health challenges can be highly motivated to take action in pursuit of their goals, but it makes it harder. And, poor health can interfere with our motivation. Choosing to follow a healthy diet can help us maintain the energy and general sense of well-being that can help us press on.

Fatigue--this is also tied to our health. If we don’t eat well, get enough rest, drink enough water, and generally care for our bodies, it’s hard to find motivation to do anything. One note for women: persistent fatigue might have physiological causes (e.g., for me, hypothyroidism). Schedule a check-up with your healthcare provider just to make sure it’s not something that needs medical attention.

Emotions--when we are experiencing strong emotions (especially strong negative emotions,]]> Laura McClellan 321 Getting and Staying Motivated clean 46:02 Motivation is what drives us to act and keep acting. But internal and external obstacles can sap our motivation and keep us from accomplishing goals. How can we get--and keep--ourselves motivated to keep moving forward? Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:41:54 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9354 2020-11-18T09:41:54Z Firdaus Kharas on Creativity as a Key to a Remarkable Life https://beyondthetodolist.com/351 351 Firdaus Kharas on Creativity as a Key to a Remarkable Life full Erik Fisher Firdaus Kharas talks about what creativity is and is not, how to tap into it, how to use it through focus and distraction, and how to lead a creative life. 46:00 no Firdaus Kharas is an Author, Speaker and Founder of Chocolate Moose Media. His new book is 'Creativity: The Key to a Remarkable Life'. In this conversation, Firdaus talks with Erik about what creativity is and is not, how to tap into it, how to use it through focus and distraction, and how to lead a creative life.

This episode is brought to you by:
ExpressVPN
Athletic Greens
Betterhelp

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+6lHYW1k5 ]]> Erik Fisher Firdaus Kharas (http://chocmoose.com) is an Author, Speaker and Founder of Chocolate Moose Media. His new book is 'Creativity: The Key to a Remarkable Life (https://amzn.to/32Wd3K7)'. In this conversation, Firdaus talks with Erik about what creativity is and is not, how to tap into it, how to use it through focus and distraction, and how to lead a creative life. This episode is brought to you by: ExpressVPN (http://expressvpn.com/todo) Athletic Greens (http://athleticgreens.com/beyond) Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="http://chocmoose.com" rel="nofollow">Firdaus Kharas</a> is an Author, Speaker and Founder of Chocolate Moose Media. His new book is &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/32Wd3K7" rel="nofollow">Creativity: The Key to a Remarkable Life</a>&#39;. In this conversation, Firdaus talks with Erik about what creativity is and is not, how to tap into it, how to use it through focus and distraction, and how to lead a creative life. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="http://expressvpn.com/todo" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN</a><br> <a href="http://athleticgreens.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Athletic Greens</a><br> <a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></p> Tue, 17 Nov 2020 06:00:00 GMT e36068e6-b479-42f0-9247-d6f8e0a0e4c6 Erik Fisher 2020-11-17T06:00:00Z Prioritizing Your Time, with Elizabeth Hill – TPW320 https://theproductivewoman.com/prioritizing-your-time-with-elizabeth-hill-tpw320/ Elizabeth Hill is a busy mom, business owner, and lawyer who is trying to make the best use of her time, while also being careful to make time for herself. This week we discuss her multiple roles and her tips for starting a small business.
 



 

Focusing on your mindset for maximum productivity

Elizabeth Hill is an entrepreneur, attorney, former counselor, and mother of four. In addition, Elizabeth recently launched the Legit Endeavors Podcast, focused on small businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow their business. Elizabeth is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs and small business owners level up their business by making sure it is done in a legit way. The Legit Endeavors Podcast focuses on small business strategies, as well as making sure that the common legal pitfalls are addressed and avoided. 

In addition to recently launching Legit Endeavors, Elizabeth owns her own solo practitioner law firm, as well as a winery, bistro, and vineyard, Burklee Hill Vineyards. Elizabeth enjoys public speaking on various matters, including small business and entrepreneurial issues, women's empowerment, and wine.

She tackled law school as a non-traditional student, starting her law education at age 33, after finding herself as a single mom with three young children. Tackling law school while raising her children taught Elizabeth valuable productivity skills, which have carried over into her career and different business ventures. Elizabeth enjoys being involved in her local community in the Texas panhandle and spending time with family. 

A typical day

Elizabeth's days vary greatly throughout the week but typically they start with her getting up and getting herself ready. She then makes sure her two youngest children are up and getting ready for their day as well. After everyone is dressed and ready to go, she takes the children to school and heads to her law office to begin the day.

Elizabeth considers her career as a lawyer to be her "day job", but she does have days where she will go to the vineyard for a half or full day, depending on what may be going on. Elizabeth spends her days working on cases with several businesses or working towards an ever-present deadline.

After she is done with her day, she might have meetings, staffing interviews at the vineyard, a child's volleyball game to attend, or other activity.

On the weekends, Elizabeth likes to go to the winery and help work the floor so she can get to know the customers on a personal basis and help the staff out. Whenever possible, she will also squeeze in a podcast interview or blog post.

In the evenings, after her youngest child has gone to bed, Elizabeth tries to do some mindset work because it helps her to focus on what is most important to get done, whether that be for her law practice, podcast and blog, or winery. She finds that even if she has her days perfectly scheduled and a focused to-do list, her mindset is what really makes all the difference. She also journals and writes down affirmations in the present tense of what she wants to accomplish. She has used affirmations in the past to develop skills and improve her productivity. Elizabeth likes to take her journal to work each day so she can review her goals throughout the day.

Biggest productivity challenges

Elizabeth's biggest challenge is dealing with unexpected events that detour her from her plans. For instance, when she needs to pick up a sick child in the middle of the day or if something comes up at her bistro.

]]> Laura McClellan 320 Prioritizing Your Time, with Elizabeth Hill clean 51:52 Elizabeth Hill is a busy mom, business owner, and lawyer who is trying to make the best use of her time, while also being careful to make time for herself. This week we discuss her multiple roles and her tips for starting a small business. Wed, 11 Nov 2020 09:16:33 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9334 2020-11-11T09:16:33Z Edward Hess on Hyper-Learning and Adapting to Change in the Workplace https://beyondthetodolist.com/350 350 Edward Hess on Hyper-Learning and Adapting to Change in the Workplace full Erik Fisher Edward Hess talks about how humans can stay relevant In the workplace using hyper-learning to excel cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally in ways that technology can't. 48:28 no Ed Hess is a Professor of Business Administration, Batten Fellow and Batten Executive-in-Residence at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia. He is the author of 13 books and over 150 practitioner articles and over 60 Darden cases, etc. dealing with growth, innovation and learning cultures, systems and processes. The common themes of his work is high individual and organizational performance.

In this conversation Ed talks with Erik about his new book: Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change and how humans can stay relevant In the workplace using hyper-learning to excel cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally in ways that technology can't.

This episode is brought to you by:
Fightcamp
Kiwico - Get 50% off your first month and free shippoping with promo code 'Beyond'
Betterhelp

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+PYQWmxfe ]]> Erik Fisher Ed Hess (https://www.edhess.org) is a Professor of Business Administration, Batten Fellow and Batten Executive-in-Residence at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia. He is the author of 13 books and over 150 practitioner articles and over 60 Darden cases, etc. dealing with growth, innovation and learning cultures, systems and processes. The common themes of his work is high individual and organizational performance. In this conversation Ed talks with Erik about his new book: Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change (https://amzn.to/2UmWdiZ) and how humans can stay relevant In the workplace using hyper-learning to excel cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally in ways that technology can't. This episode is brought to you by: Fightcamp (http://fightcamp.com/beyond) Kiwico - Get 50% off your first month and free shippoping with promo code 'Beyond' (http://kiwico.com) Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://www.edhess.org" rel="nofollow">Ed Hess</a> is a Professor of Business Administration, Batten Fellow and Batten Executive-in-Residence at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia. He is the author of 13 books and over 150 practitioner articles and over 60 Darden cases, etc. dealing with growth, innovation and learning cultures, systems and processes. The common themes of his work is high individual and organizational performance. </p> <p>In this conversation Ed talks with Erik about his new book: <a href="https://amzn.to/2UmWdiZ" rel="nofollow">Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change</a> and how humans can stay relevant In the workplace using hyper-learning to excel cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally in ways that technology can&#39;t.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="http://fightcamp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Fightcamp</a><br> <a href="http://kiwico.com" rel="nofollow">Kiwico - Get 50% off your first month and free shippoping with promo code &#39;Beyond&#39;</a><br> <a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></p> Tue, 10 Nov 2020 06:00:00 GMT 43194be5-b6d2-4dbd-8d27-42b75cf61a44 Erik Fisher 2020-11-10T06:00:00Z Holiday Prep – TPW319 https://theproductivewoman.com/holiday-prep-tpw319/ Our 2020 holiday celebrations and gatherings may look different from years past. This week we discuss some things we can do now to prepare for a joyous and safe holiday season.


Preparing for the holidays now can save you valuable time

The holidays can be a stressful time of year for people, even in the best of times, but especially so this year with all that has been going on.  The pandemic has changed what our family get-togethers may look like but we can still have a good holiday season while being safe and healthy.

We've talked about holiday prep in the past, in episodes TPW159  in 2017. In that episode, we went into details of things we can do to prepare, so it's a good episode to review for ideas. In addition, here are a few steps to consider taking now to prepare for this year's holidays.

Prepare your home

Do some purging and de-cluttering of your home. Really focus on getting rid of the things that take up space and don't serve you anymore. If in your family it's traditional to give lots of gifts, you want to make space for those things. If you have children, take this time to go through their clothes and toys, dispose of (or recycle) things that are broken, and donate those things that are in good condition. (See if there are some shelters in your community that would like some of these items.) Use this time before the holidays to make space and clear out clutter in your home. Clear space makes for a clear mind.

Get some deep cleaning done. Do some cleaning of your baseboards, floors, bathrooms, etc. In anticipation of all of the cooking and baking you'll be doing for the holidays, take this time to do a good cleaning of your refrigerator and freezer. Throw out expired and old food, use up leftovers, deep clean the shelves and drawers, and defrost the freezer.

Do some decorating. Even if nobody’s coming to visit this year, decorate to lift your own spirits. I'll be putting up Christmas decorations starting December 1, even though I'm unsure of what our holiday will look like this year in terms of family gatherings. 

Prepare for gifting

Check your gift wrapping supplies inventory. We all have people in our lives we'd like to give gifts to. If we check our supplies now and stock up early, we don't have to worry about running out in the middle of wrapping.

Think about your gift list. Make a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to and evaluate what you have bought so far. Make sure you’re keeping within a budget you can live with. 

If you're ordering anything online, order SOON. Because of the pandemic, there have already been inventory shortages and delayed shipping times. This could get worse as we get closer to the holidays.

Wrap as you go. As you get gifts for different people, get them all wrapped and tagged as you go so nothing is put off until the last minute. For some folks, marathon gift-wrapping sessions are fun, but they can also be stressful.

Consider a few extra gifts for unexpected/spur-of-the-moment gifts. Think about people who you may want to encourage or bless with an unexpected present. Maybe a delivery person or service provider, maybe your child's teacher. Considering having a few extra things when a special person comes to mind so you'll have something on hand.

If you do a holiday letter, start writing it now. If you are someone who gives your friends and family a yearly update on your life through a letter, consider getting started on it now. With all that has happened this year and the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many have experienced,]]> Laura McClellan 319 Holiday Prep clean 33:46 Our 2020 holiday celebrations and gatherings may look different from years past. This week we discuss some things we can do now to prepare for a joyous and safe holiday season. Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:53:30 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9311 2020-11-04T09:53:30Z Bryan Falchuk on Building Better Relationships with The 50 75 100 Solution https://beyondthetodolist.com/349 349 Bryan Falchuk on Building Better Relationships with The 50 75 100 Solution full Erik Fisher Bryan Falchuk walks us through the path to build better relationships using the 50 75 100 Solution. 49:41 no Bryan Falchuk is a Certified Personal Trainer and Behavior Change Specialist who has coached many people to improve their lives. In his professional career, Bryan has been a management consultant and executive in the Financial Services sector for nearly 20 years, having lead large teams, managed significant budgets, and turned around struggling operations.

In this episode Bryan talks with Erik about the message of his book The 50 75 100 Solution: Build Better Relationships.

This is Bryan's 2nd appearance on the show. He previous appeared here.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+xkwM0pkN ]]> Erik Fisher Bryan Falchuk (https://amzn.to/38fq3xM) is a Certified Personal Trainer and Behavior Change Specialist who has coached many people to improve their lives. In his professional career, Bryan has been a management consultant and executive in the Financial Services sector for nearly 20 years, having lead large teams, managed significant budgets, and turned around struggling operations. In this episode Bryan talks with Erik about the message of his book The 50 75 100 Solution: Build Better Relationships (https://amzn.to/38fq3xM). This is Bryan's 2nd appearance on the show. He previous appeared here. (https://beyondthetodolist.com/205) This episode is brought to you by: * KiwiCo (http://kiwico.com) - Use code 'BEYOND' for 50% off your first month and free shipping! * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t extexpander-Nov-2020) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/38fq3xM" rel="nofollow">Bryan Falchuk</a> is a Certified Personal Trainer and Behavior Change Specialist who has coached many people to improve their lives. In his professional career, Bryan has been a management consultant and executive in the Financial Services sector for nearly 20 years, having lead large teams, managed significant budgets, and turned around struggling operations.</p> <p>In this episode Bryan talks with Erik about the message of his book <a href="https://amzn.to/38fq3xM" rel="nofollow">The 50 75 100 Solution: Build Better Relationships</a>. </p> <p>This is Bryan&#39;s 2nd appearance on the show. He previous <a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/205" rel="nofollow">appeared here.</a> </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://kiwico.com" rel="nofollow">KiwiCo</a> - Use code &#39;BEYOND&#39; for 50% off your first month and free shipping!</li> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t%20extexpander-Nov-2020" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> </ul> Tue, 03 Nov 2020 06:00:00 GMT 02d64667-8d55-4b55-92ff-f2b1cff23d22 Erik Fisher 2020-11-03T06:00:00Z Healthy Habits for Productive Living – TPW318 https://theproductivewoman.com/healthy-habits-for-productive-living-tpw318/ Being physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy leads to a more productive life. This week we consider a few healthy habits that can help.


Healthy habits make for productive lives

One key to being productive, both in the sense of getting things done and in the sense of making a life that matters, is being healthy enough, physically, mentally, and emotionally to do the things we want and need to do. Many of us live with illnesses or physical conditions that affect our health, and as we age our condition changes, so I am not suggesting that only the most physically fit and healthy can be truly productive. But regardless of our age or circumstances, I think we can agree that in order to maximize our health, we need to do what we can to be as healthy as possible.  

We’ve talked about habits before (TPW216 - Habits that Help; TPW226 - Habits to Consider for This Year; TPW114 - Mindset Matters: Productive Habits; and TPW082 - Developing Healthy Habits, with Bridgit Danner).

A habit is something you do regularly. It's defined in one dictionary as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” When we do something regularly enough that it becomes a habit, we do it almost without conscious thought. The great thing about habits is they eliminate the friction of decision-making. It’s easier to do what you habitually do, so it’s important to be intentional about the habits we develop. (Check out James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits - discussed in episode 230 -for help in purposefully developing habits that serve you.) 

In thinking and researching I came up with a short list of key habits that can help promote health and productivity. It's likely that none of these are new to you, but we can always benefit from being reminded to think about our habits--especially those habits that can contribute to a strong, healthy body and mind. Spending time in the next few weeks developing healthy habits can reap productivity benefits in the coming year. 

1. Drink plenty of water (more than you think you need) 

Water matters because it is a principal component of our bodies and makes up 50-75% of our body weight. We can go much longer without food than water. Every part of our body uses water to work properly.

This article from the Mayo Clinic goes into greater depth about why water is so important. A lack of water can lead to dehydration, which can drain our energy and make us feel tired. Because we naturally lose water every day, we need to replenish every day.

“The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is: 

About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men 
About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women 

These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages and food. About 20% of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks.” 

]]> Laura McClellan 318 Health Habits for Productive Living clean 50:37 Being physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy leads to a more productive life. This week we consider a few healthy habits that can help. Wed, 28 Oct 2020 08:23:15 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9290 2020-10-28T08:23:15Z X-Men: Apocalypse, Part 1 – AYJW109 https://areyoujustwatching.com/x-men-apocalypse-part-1-ayjw109/ "How you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations . . ."—Tim and Eve discuss Satan in relation to X:Men Apocalypse. "How you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations . . ."—Tim and Eve discuss Satan in relation to X:Men Apocalypse. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:00:25 "How you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations . . ."—Tim and Eve discuss Satan in relation to X:Men Apocalypse. Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:01:01 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6260 2020-10-28T00:01:01Z Ashley Whillans on Being Time Smart, How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life https://beyondthetodolist.com/348 348 Ashley Whillans on Being Time Smart, How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life full Erik Fisher Ashley Whillans talks about how we can reframe our decisions about time and money to make happier choices. 49:40 no Ashley Whillans Is an assistant professor at Harvard Business School and author of TIME SMART: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life.

In this conversation, Ashley talks about finding time, spending time, funding time, Happiness dollars and how we can reframe our decisions around time and money to make happier choices.

This episode is brought to you by:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+UY3Yfjs- ]]> Erik Fisher Ashley Whillans (https://amzn.to/2TxA9BU) Is an assistant professor at Harvard Business School and author of TIME SMART: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life (https://amzn.to/2TxA9BU). In this conversation, Ashley talks about finding time, spending time, funding time, Happiness dollars and how we can reframe our decisions around time and money to make happier choices. This episode is brought to you by: * Athletic Greens (http://athleticgreens.com/beyond) * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/2TxA9BU" rel="nofollow">Ashley Whillans</a> Is an assistant professor at Harvard Business School and author of <a href="https://amzn.to/2TxA9BU" rel="nofollow">TIME SMART: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life</a>.</p> <p>In this conversation, Ashley talks about finding time, spending time, funding time, Happiness dollars and how we can reframe our decisions around time and money to make happier choices.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://athleticgreens.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Athletic Greens</a></li> <li><a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 27 Oct 2020 05:00:00 GMT 95dcdca9-3c7e-4d59-b76c-b223d704b63b Erik Fisher 2020-10-27T05:00:00Z Searching for Balance, with Sarah Im – TPW317 https://theproductivewoman.com/searching-for-balance-with-sarah-im-tpw317/ Like many of us, mom and Realtor Sarah Im is searching for a workable balance between work and family. This week she and I talk about that search, and about raising children in a thoughtful and intentional way.


Searching for balance and building a productive life

Sarah Im is a mom of two young kids under five, a wife, and a Realtor serving Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs. She grew up in Chicago, Seattle, and Seoul, South Korea. After graduating from college in Korea, she moved to Tokyo, Japan for a year, after which she spent a year in Florence, Italy, and another year in New York City. She now lives in Glenside, PA with her family, but is planning a move to Souderton next year where her family is building a new house.

Currently, Sarah's main interests in life are her Christian faith, living well with ADHD, how to be an awesome Realtor, minimizing her possessions, Montessori education, making children’s clothing, and searching for the elusive balance between work and personal life. She says she tends to have a wandering soul, and she has aspirations to world-school her children, and would really like to order her family’s life to make that happen.

When it comes to her realtor work, Sarah says the Covid-19 pandemic has not negatively impacted the housing market. On the contrary, there has been a boom and a huge demand for homes for sale. Sarah says this a great time to sell and buy because the interest rates have never been lower. She also says that it is a good time to be a Realtor, but she is presented with the challenge of trying to balance her very busy job with also spending time with her husband and children.

A typical day

Since the pandemic started, Sarah's typical day has changed a lot. In the past, she would wake between 7:00 or 8:00, but now she is waking up earlier--between 4:00 and 5:00--when the house is quiet.

During those early morning hours, Sarah likes to sit down with a glass of water and listen to her favorite devotional, Solid Joy. by Pastor John Piper. She also subscribes to a service called Sendoutcards.com, which allows her to make a custom card to send to a friend or loved one. Sarah tries to send out one card a day.

Next, Sarah likes to plan her day. If she has appointments or meetings that day, she will get out her planner and review all that needs to get done. If she has no plans on that particular day, she will make a list of things she would like to do. If she is feeling a bit anxious or restless, she will take out her Morning Pages notebook and gets her thoughts out on paper, which helps her to feel less overwhelmed.

Around 7:00 a.m., Sarah's family starts to get up and around so she will make them breakfast. On the days they go to daycare, she will get them ready and have them dropped off by 9:00. On the days the kids are home, Sarah will do a bit of homeschooling with them using Montessori materials she purchased at the beginning of the pandemic. They also like to get outside and play in the park.

In the afternoon the kids nap for a while, which gives Sarah some time to work.

By about 5:30, if the kids are in school, she will pick them up and head home to have dinner. Sarah and her husband Sam then spend time with the kids, playing games, or listening to music and dancing.

Then it's time for baths and bed. Sarah and her husband have a system in place where they take turns getting the kids ready for bed. When it's Sarah's night to get the kids to bed, she will go to sleep when they do at 8:30 (this makes it easi...]]> Laura McClellan 317 Searching for Balance, with Sarah Im clean 56:05 Like many of us, mom and Realtor Sarah Im is searching for a workable balance between work and family. This week she and I talk about that search, and about raising children in a thoughtful and intentional way. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 08:04:30 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9271 2020-10-21T08:04:30Z Top 5 Personal Productivity Books https://beyondthetodolist.com/347 347 Top 5 Personal Productivity Books full Erik Fisher Erik counts down his top five personal productivity books and the reasons why each made the list. 18:05 no This week Erik counts down his top five personal productivity books!

The Top 5 Personal Productivity Books:

Honorable Mentions:

Reading Tools:

Deeper Listening:

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+nwUXs499 ]]> Erik Fisher This week Erik counts down his top five personal productivity books! The Top 5 Personal Productivity Books: * The Getting Things Done Workbook (https://amzn.to/3kkVo5A) - David Allen * Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less (https://amzn.to/3jn7qKi) - Michael Hyatt * Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life (https://amzn.to/2IOnwjv) - Nir Eyal * Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones (https://amzn.to/3mbwSEt) - James Clear * The Motivation Code: Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work (https://amzn.to/36kc5Kn) - Todd Henry Honorable Mentions: * The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery (https://amzn.to/3odVkXv) - Ian Morgan Cron * Now, Discover Your Strengths (https://amzn.to/2Hq0EGA) - Don Clifton Reading Tools: * Brain.fm (http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm) * Blinkist (http://blinkist.com/fisher) Deeper Listening: * David Allen on Developing the Skill of Outcome and Action Thinking (https://beyondthetodolist.com/335) * Michael Hyatt on Energy, Clarity and Focus (https://beyondthetodolist.com/190) * Michael Hyatt on Achieving the Freedom to Focus and Eliminating Distractions Through Digital Minimalism (https://beyondthetodolist.com/268) * Nir Eyal on Overcoming Internal and External Distractions (https://beyondthetodolist.com/321) * James Clear on Building Good Habits and Breaking Bad Ones (https://beyondthetodolist.com/320) * Todd Henry on Discovering the Hidden Forces of Motivation That Drive Your Best Work (https://beyondthetodolist.com/344) * Ian Morgan Cron on The Enneagram 101 (https://beyondthetodolist.com/333) * Ian Morgan Cron on Overcoming the Productivity Hangups of Each Enneagram Type (https://beyondthetodolist.com/334) <p>This week Erik counts down his top five personal productivity books!</p> <p>The Top 5 Personal Productivity Books:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3kkVo5A" rel="nofollow">The Getting Things Done Workbook</a> - David Allen</li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3jn7qKi" rel="nofollow">Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less</a> - Michael Hyatt</li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/2IOnwjv" rel="nofollow">Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life</a> - Nir Eyal</li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3mbwSEt" rel="nofollow">Atomic Habits: An Easy &#38; Proven Way to Build Good Habits &#38; Break Bad Ones</a> - James Clear</li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/36kc5Kn" rel="nofollow">The Motivation Code: Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work</a> - Todd Henry</li> </ul> <p>Honorable Mentions:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3odVkXv" rel="nofollow">The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery</a> - Ian Morgan Cron</li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/2Hq0EGA" rel="nofollow">Now, Discover Your Strengths</a> - Don Clifton</li> </ul> <p>Reading Tools:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm" rel="nofollow">Brain.fm</a></li> <li><a href="http://blinkist.com/fisher" rel="nofollow">Blinkist</a></li> </ul> <p>Deeper Listening:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/335" rel="nofollow">David Allen on Developing the Skill of Outcome and Action Thinking</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/190" rel="nofollow">Michael Hyatt on Energy, Clarity and Focus</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/268" rel="nofollow">Michael Hyatt on Achieving the Freedom to Focus and Eliminating Distractions Through Digital Minimalism</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/321" rel="nofollow">Nir Eyal on Overcoming Internal and External Distractions</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/320" rel="nofollow">James Clear on Building Good Habits and Breaking Bad Ones</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/344" rel="nofollow">Todd Henry on Discovering the Hidden Forces of Motivation That Drive Your Best Work</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/333" rel="nofollow">Ian Morgan Cron on The Enneagram 101</a></li> <li><a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/334" rel="nofollow">Ian Morgan Cron on Overcoming the Productivity Hangups of Each Enneagram Type</a></li> </ul> Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:00:00 GMT b20725be-443c-4509-8527-1362250a430d Erik Fisher 2020-10-20T05:00:00Z 6 Productive Things to Do Before the Year Ends – TPW316 https://theproductivewoman.com/6-productive-things-to-do-before-the-year-ends-tpw316/ This week we're looking at what can we do in the coming weeks to ensure our year ends on a productive note and to prepare for next year.


Productive things to do now that will kick off next year

We've now entered the final quarter of the year and we are less than three months away from the end of 2020. In this week's episode, we're talking about some things we can do in these last 3 months to make sure our year ends on a productive note and to prepare for next year.

1. Evaluate what you’ve learned from this most extraordinary year and what lessons you can take into the new year

Many have said that the events of this year have helped clarify what matters most to them, so how can you emphasize that in 2021? What has become more clear to you about what really matters?

What things have dropped off of your schedule this year? A lot of activities or events we would typically participate in have been postponed or completely canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thinking back over these events and activities, which ones are worthy of adding back into your schedule next year? Be intentional about which activities you add back in and make sure they bring value to your life.

For more ideas about using the last quarter of the year to look back and reflect over this year, check out TPW120 (Year-End Wrap-Up) and TPW170 (Taking Care of Future You).

2. Choose a goal for Q1 2021 that lights you up

Whether it's a professional or personal goal, what is something you want to pursue in the coming year? Have you been thinking about something for a while, or is it a totally new idea that's come about recently? Whatever this goal is, work towards accomplishing it during this last quarter.

Develop an action plan! Don't wait until after the first of the year--start now. Think about what obstacles you might run into and what your plan is to overcome them. What are some resources you might need or courses you might need to take? Is there anyone you need to talk to, or a space you need to set up in your home? Whatever these things may be, develop your action plan so you can start pursuing the goal that excites you now, rather than waiting.

For more ideas on setting (and achieving) meaningful goals, check out episodes TPW4 and TPW285 (both about Setting Goals that Matter), TPW223 (Resolutions and Goals), TPW6 (Overcoming Obstacles to Achieving Our Goals), and TPW5 (A Step by Step Process for Setting Goals).

3. Clear out the clutter-physically, digitally, and mentally

Remove apps you haven’t used this year (or the past 6 months) from your devices. Unsubscribe from email newsletters, podcasts, YouTube channels, etc., that you haven’t read, watched, or listened to for the last 3-6 months.

Spend an hour each week going through your home and office removing things that don’t serve you. We've talked about this recently in TPW277 (10 Things to Decl...]]> Laura McClellan 316 6 Productive Things to Do Before the Year Ends clean 34:53 This week we're looking at what can we do in the coming weeks to ensure our year ends on a productive note and to prepare for next year. Wed, 14 Oct 2020 08:23:59 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9256 2020-10-14T08:23:59Z Rob Hatch on Time, Attention, Information Overload and Focus https://beyondthetodolist.com/346 346 Rob Hatch on Time, Attention, Information Overload and Focus full Erik Fisher Rob Hatch of Owner Media talks about focusing your attention on what is important and making the decisions aligned with your goals so you can take action. 48:39 no Rob Hatch is the co-founder and President of Owner Media Group, providing strategies and skills for the modern business. He is also a highly sought after business coach and advisor serving executives and owners of organizations large and small.

Rob's new book is 'Attention!: The Power of Simple Decisions in a Distracted World'. In this conversation Rob talks with Erik about creating a flexible approach that gives you the space to focus your attention on what is important, the power to make decisions aligned with your goals, and the ability to take action.

This episode is brought to you by:
Brain.fm
Betterhelp

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+XUhWiGr3 ]]> Erik Fisher Rob Hatch (https://robhatch.com) is the co-founder and President of Owner Media Group, providing strategies and skills for the modern business. He is also a highly sought after business coach and advisor serving executives and owners of organizations large and small. Rob's new book is 'Attention!: The Power of Simple Decisions in a Distracted World (https://amzn.to/2GnwFyo)'. In this conversation Rob talks with Erik about creating a flexible approach that gives you the space to focus your attention on what is important, the power to make decisions aligned with your goals, and the ability to take action. This episode is brought to you by: Brain.fm (http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm) Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://robhatch.com" rel="nofollow">Rob Hatch</a> is the co-founder and President of Owner Media Group, providing strategies and skills for the modern business. He is also a highly sought after business coach and advisor serving executives and owners of organizations large and small.</p> <p>Rob&#39;s new book is &#39;<a href="https://amzn.to/2GnwFyo" rel="nofollow">Attention!: The Power of Simple Decisions in a Distracted World</a>&#39;. In this conversation Rob talks with Erik about creating a flexible approach that gives you the space to focus your attention on what is important, the power to make decisions aligned with your goals, and the ability to take action.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="http://beyondthetodolist.com/brainfm" rel="nofollow">Brain.fm</a><br> <a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></p> Tue, 13 Oct 2020 05:00:00 GMT 9e483103-ed80-44af-ab84-9242383a1c07 Erik Fisher 2020-10-13T05:00:00Z Favorite Productivity Tools and How I Use Them – TPW315 https://theproductivewoman.com/favorite-productivity-tools-and-how-i-use-them-tpw315/ I don’t believe productivity is dependent on particular tools or apps, but we are fortunate to live in an age when there are many resources available to make our lives and work simpler and more efficient. This week I'm sharing a few of my favorite prod...


Productivity tools I use and recommend for work and home

My most essential tools are my calendar and my task manager. I rely on them daily to stay productive. Many people like Google calendar, but I use Apple Calendar, which I access through an app called BusyCal. I use a separate calendar for personal life and for TPW related items. I share my personal calendar with my husband and he shares his with me.

I am a long time user of the task manager OmniFocus, which I use to keep track of projects and to-dos. I’ve tried some others, including Todoist, Things, and Nozbe. All of them are very good, but I keep coming back to OmniFocus because I've used it long enough to have it set up and customized to the way I work.

Aside from those two tools, which are my most used, I also want to talk about the tools I use for work, for my personal and home life, and what I use to be productive for podcasting and TPW.

Tools I use for productivity at work

The tools I use to manage my law practice reflect the fact that I spend about half my time drafting contracts of various types or reviewing contracts written by someone else, while the other half of my time is spent on the phone (or theses days on Zoom calls) with colleagues, opposing counsel, or clients getting our work done.

The tools I use to manage all this is my 27-inch iMac computer, which has lots of storage and a large, high-resolution screen, and is fast. I have a second 27-inch screen to the left of my main screen, which I keep positioned in a vertical orientation so I can look at multiple documents at the same time.  This set-up makes it easy to keep everything I need right in front of me.

Another tool I use every day is my iPad Pro (12-inch) and Apple Pencil. I use these two tools to review and mark up documents that have been sent to me by clients or other lawyers. I can easily open the documents on my iPad and when I turn my iPad to the veridical position, it's almost as big as a piece of paper. When I am finished reviewing, I can email the document back with my comments or share them in Dropbox.

Another tool I cannot function without (whether for work or in my personal life) is TextExpander. This is an app that lets you use "snippets" or abbreviations for a longer piece of text that you use frequently.]]> Laura McClellan 315 Favorite Productivity Tools and How I Use Them clean 43:23 I don’t believe productivity is dependent on particular tools or apps, but we are fortunate to live in an age when there are many resources available to make our lives and work simpler and more efficient. This week I'm sharing a few of my favorite productivity tools. Wed, 07 Oct 2020 08:16:15 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9230 2020-10-07T08:16:15Z Dave Delaney on Technology and Focus, Relationships and Networking https://beyondthetodolist.com/345 345 Dave Delaney on Technology and Focus, Relationships and Networking full Erik Fisher Dave Delaney talks about taking two months off social media to gain perspective, be more present, learn how to focus, and have greater relationships. 55:02 no Dave Delaney is a recognized leader, consultant and keynote speaker on digital marketing, social media strategy, and business networking. His book is New Business Networking and his Newsletter is The Nice Maker.

Dave recently took two months off social media. In this conversation, Dave and Erik talk about the lead up to that, the steps he took, and lessons learned.

This episode is brought to you by:
Athletic Greens
Woven
Textexpander

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+QUmN8zUe ]]> Erik Fisher Dave Delaney (https://www.davedelaney.me) is a recognized leader, consultant and keynote speaker on digital marketing, social media strategy, and business networking. His book is New Business Networking (https://amzn.to/3iB4iu4) and his Newsletter is The Nice Maker (https://www.davedelaney.me/nice-maker). Dave recently took two months off social media. In this conversation, Dave and Erik talk about the lead up to that, the steps he took, and lessons learned. This episode is brought to you by: Athletic Greens (http://athleticgreens.com/beyond) Woven (http://woven.com/podcast/beyond) Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t extexpander-Oct-2020) <p><a href="https://www.davedelaney.me" rel="nofollow">Dave Delaney</a> is a recognized leader, consultant and keynote speaker on digital marketing, social media strategy, and business networking. His book is <a href="https://amzn.to/3iB4iu4" rel="nofollow">New Business Networking</a> and his Newsletter is <a href="https://www.davedelaney.me/nice-maker" rel="nofollow">The Nice Maker</a>. </p> <p>Dave recently took two months off social media. In this conversation, Dave and Erik talk about the lead up to that, the steps he took, and lessons learned. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="http://athleticgreens.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Athletic Greens</a><br> <a href="http://woven.com/podcast/beyond" rel="nofollow">Woven</a><br> <a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t%20extexpander-Oct-2020" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></p> Tue, 06 Oct 2020 08:00:00 GMT b7b85be3-3ca6-4784-b04c-7591801b9281 Erik Fisher 2020-10-06T08:00:00Z Speaking with Confidence, with Mary Cheyne – TPW314 https://theproductivewoman.com/speaking-with-confidence-with-mary-cheyne-tpw314/ This week, Mary Cheyne and I talk about finding your voice, speaking with confidence, and how to bypass your inner critic. Even if you have no interest in speaking from a stage, Mary has some great tips for speaking confidently in any situation.


Speaking with confidence--and cultivating your environment for meaningful productivity

Mary Cheyne is a Transformational Public Speaking Trainer & Coach who has trained over 15,000 people in 30 cities internationally. She’s the 2009 World Champion of Public Speaking first runner-up, out of 25,000 contestants from 14 countries, and is also the author of the book "Present” Yourself in Public Speaking – Tell Your Inner Critic to SHUT UP! And the Real You to SPEAK UP! Mary holds a Karate Black Belt rank and plays the ukulele. Mary was born in Hong Kong but was raised in Australia. She moved to the United States in 2001 and currently lives in Boston.

Mary's first job out of college was as a computer programmer. She was shy and reserved, never eager to speak up in meetings. She was never open to sharing unless directly asked. Over time, she realized if she wanted to progress in her career, she would need to learn to speak up and speak well. She began researching public speaking and challenged herself to get outside of her comfort zone. That led her to enter speech contests and begin learning from mentors who had won public speaking contests. After 4 years, she got to the World Championship stage herself, which was a huge accomplishment and showed her what she was truly capable of. Now she teaches others who struggle with public speaking with confidence, helping them to grow by using the skills and experience she has acquired.



A typical day

A typical day for Mary is based around a daily routine, which provides her with meaningful productivity and energy management. Mary has run her own business for 5 years now and knows that a routine is essential to being successful.

She begins each day by waking up between 6:00 and 7:00, getting herself ready, and waking her 6-year old son. She gets him breakfast and then takes him to a child care center for the day.

Mary then spends the next couple of hours focusing on herself and getting her energy right. She'll go for a run or walk for about an hour, then return home for stretches and strength training. She will then do 30 minutes of meditation, where she will sit quietly and observe her breath and thoughts.

After meditating, which is an important part of her morning routine, she will then journal. She likes to begin by gratitude journaling by writing down 5 things she is grateful for. She then writes in her self-empowerment journal, giving herself positive affirmations and making personal declarations.

After her journaling session, she has some coffee and starts her day. At this point, it's about 10:30 in the morning. Her mind and energy are centered and she can focus on what's ahead.

After work is done for the day, Mary focuses on evening activities, which include her karate training three times a week,  or perhaps preparing for, or leading an event for her business. Even after a full day, Mary is naturally a night owl but understands how important rest and sleep are to success. She has found over time that if she doesn't get enough sleep, she is irritable and just doesn't function as well.

Your body is the hardware, your mind is the software, and the results you produce from all your hard work are like the printout. Even if your progress takes time and you aren't noticing a lot of change, stick with what you're doing. You're on the right path and change will happen over time.

Biggest productivity challenges

Mary's biggest challenge is recognizing that she can't...]]> Laura McClellan 314 Speaking with Confidence, with Mary Cheyne clean 56:08 This week, Mary Cheyne and I talk about finding your voice, speaking with confidence, and how to bypass your inner critic. Even if you have no interest in speaking from a stage, Mary has some great tips for speaking confidently in any situation. Wed, 30 Sep 2020 08:10:08 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9202 2020-09-30T08:10:08Z Todd Henry on Motivation and Discovering the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work https://beyondthetodolist.com/344 344 Todd Henry on Motivation and Discovering the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work full Erik Fisher Todd Henry of The Accidental Creative talks about his new book The Motivation Code and how to discover the hidden forces that will drive your best work. 49:06 no Todd Henry write books, podcasts and speaks internationally on creativity, leadership, productivity, and passion for work, and help people and teams generate brilliant ideas. Todd has been on the show three times previously.

In this conversation, Todd talks with Erik about his new book The Motivation Code: Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work

Help me improve the show for you by going to PodcastListenerSurvey.com!

This is episode is brought to you by:
Green Chef
Woven

]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+ORWkP6UY ]]> Erik Fisher Todd Henry (https://amzn.to/36kc5Kn) write books, podcasts and speaks internationally on creativity, leadership, productivity, and passion for work, and help people and teams generate brilliant ideas. Todd has been on the show three times previously. In this conversation, Todd talks with Erik about his new book The Motivation Code: Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work (https://amzn.to/36kc5Kn) Help me improve the show for you by going to PodcastListenerSurvey.com (http://PodcastListenerSurvey.com)! This is episode is brought to you by: Green Chef (http://greenchef.com/todo80) Woven (http://woven.com/podcast/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/36kc5Kn" rel="nofollow">Todd Henry</a> write books, podcasts and speaks internationally on creativity, leadership, productivity, and passion for work, and help people and teams generate brilliant ideas. Todd has been on the show three times previously. </p> <p>In this conversation, Todd talks with Erik about his new book <a href="https://amzn.to/36kc5Kn" rel="nofollow">The Motivation Code: Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work</a></p> <p>Help me improve the show for you by going to <a href="http://PodcastListenerSurvey.com" rel="nofollow">PodcastListenerSurvey.com</a>!</p> <p>This is episode is brought to you by:<br> <a href="http://greenchef.com/todo80" rel="nofollow">Green Chef</a><br> <a href="http://woven.com/podcast/beyond" rel="nofollow">Woven</a></p> Tue, 29 Sep 2020 05:00:00 GMT 901baa3b-b6fd-4b4e-a428-a19fa16368e5 Erik Fisher 2020-09-29T05:00:00Z AYJW108 – TENET https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw108-tenet/ “What happens, happened” and other mind-bending philosophical anachronisms brought to you courtesy of Christoper Nolan’s TENET “What happens, happened” and other mind-bending philosophical anachronisms brought to you courtesy of Christoper Nolan’s TENET Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:12:46 “What happens, happened” and other mind-bending philosophical anachronisms brought to you courtesy of Christoper Nolan’s TENET Sat, 26 Sep 2020 14:19:32 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6236 2020-09-26T14:19:32Z Preparing for Emergencies – TPW313 https://theproductivewoman.com/preparing-for-emergencies-tpw313/ No one likes to think about an emergency occurring, but it's important to be prepared. Since September is National Preparedness Month, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned about how to prepare for an emergency situation and ensure you and your... National Preparedness Month, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned about how to prepare for an emergency situation and ensure you and your family are safe.



How can we best prepare for emergencies?

Preparing for a possible emergency is not about panicking, but thinking ahead and investing a little time and money to help ensure that if difficult circumstances arise, you and those you care about will be ready. 

So what kind of emergency could occur? An emergency could be any event that might make it difficult or impossible for a period of time to get food and other supplies. For purposes of this episode, I'm not talking about evacuation but will link to some resources that give suggestions for preparing for that (e.g., having a go-bag, and what to keep in it). This episode will focus on preparing for an emergency or other situation that requires you to shelter at home and/or where you might not have access or funds to buy food and other supplies.

Some emergencies could include:


* another lockdown
* something weather-related, such as a hurricane or blizzard
* maybe even another national emergency
* a job loss, where you are going without income for a period of time
* an illness (yours or someone you're caring for)


These are all situations that could potentially happen, and something we should plan and prepare for.

Where do we begin?

One of the first places to start is to have enough food and other essentials on hand to sustain you for 2-4 weeks. There are people who prepare for even longer than that, having several months of food and essentials on hand. However, begin with 2-4 weeks and go from there. Depending on the size of your family, you may need more or less, so plan accordingly.

Start with the basics. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) suggest the following for a basic disaster supplies kit, stored in airtight plastic bags in a couple of easy-to-carry duffles or totes: 


Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation) 
Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food) 
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert 
Flashlight 
First aid kit 
Extra batteries 
Whistle (to signal for help) 
Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) 
Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place) 
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation) 
Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities) 
Manual can opener (for food) 
Local maps 
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery 
Download the Recommended Supplies List (PDF) here! 


Important note: There is a difference between preparedness and hoarding. Preparedness--having a reasonable stockpile--puts you in a position to help n...]]> Laura McClellan 313 Preparing for Emergencies clean 37:07 No one likes to think about an emergency occurring, but it's important to be prepared. Since September is National Preparedness Month, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned about how to prepare for an emergency situation and ensure you and your household are safe. Wed, 23 Sep 2020 08:33:03 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9175 2020-09-23T08:33:03Z Julie Morgenstern on Productivity in Parenting and Relationships https://beyondthetodolist.com/343 343 Julie Morgenstern on Productivity in Parenting and Relationships full Erik Fisher Julie Morgenstern talks shares simple strategies to stay truly present and focused, whether you’re playing with your kids enjoying a meal with your significant other, or getting ahead on that big proposal for work. 43:19 no Julie Morgenstern is a well known expert on organization and time management. The author of five best-selling books, Morgenstern has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, and helped thousands of people transform their homes, businesses, and attitudes about every kind of clutter. Her new book is called Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You.

In this conversation Julie and Erik talk about:

  • Simple strategies to stay truly present and focused, whether you’re playing with your kids, enjoying a meal with your significant other, or getting ahead on that big proposal for work.

  • Clever tips to make the most of in-between time―Just 5-15 minutes of your undivided attention has a huge impact on kids.

  • Permission to take personal time without feeling guilty, and the science and case studies that show how important self-care is and how to make time for it.

    • This episode is brought to you by:

    Mentioned in this episode:


    • Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You

    • Time to Parent Podcast

      • ]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+QAOALU6K ]]> Erik Fisher Julie Morgenstern (https://amzn.to/2QpV1XR) is a well known expert on organization and time management. The author of five best-selling books, Morgenstern has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, and helped thousands of people transform their homes, businesses, and attitudes about every kind of clutter. Her new book is called Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You. (https://amzn.to/2QpV1XR) In this conversation Julie and Erik talk about: <li>Simple strategies to stay truly present and focused, whether you’re playing with your kids, enjoying a meal with your significant other, or getting ahead on that big proposal for work.</li> <li>Clever tips to make the most of in-between time―Just 5-15 minutes of your undivided attention has a huge impact on kids.</li> <li>Permission to take personal time without feeling guilty, and the science and case studies that show how important self-care is and how to make time for it.</li> </ul> This episode is brought to you by: * Woven (http://woven.com/podcast/beyond) * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) Mentioned in this episode: <ul> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/2QpV1XR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.juliemorgenstern.com/podcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Time to Parent Podcast</a></li> <p><a href="https://amzn.to/2QpV1XR" rel="nofollow">Julie Morgenstern</a> is a well known expert on organization and time management. The author of five best-selling books, Morgenstern has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, and helped thousands of people transform their homes, businesses, and attitudes about every kind of clutter. Her new book is called <a href="https://amzn.to/2QpV1XR" rel="nofollow">Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You.</a></p> <p>In this conversation Julie and Erik talk about:<br> <li>Simple strategies to stay truly present and focused, whether you’re playing with your kids, enjoying a meal with your significant other, or getting ahead on that big proposal for work.</li><br> <li>Clever tips to make the most of in-between time―Just 5-15 minutes of your undivided attention has a huge impact on kids.</li><br> <li>Permission to take personal time without feeling guilty, and the science and case studies that show how important self-care is and how to make time for it.</li><br> </ul></p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://woven.com/podcast/beyond" rel="nofollow">Woven</a></li> <li><a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></li> </ul> <p>Mentioned in this episode:<br> <ul><br> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/2QpV1XR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.juliemorgenstern.com/podcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Time to Parent Podcast</a></li></p> Tue, 22 Sep 2020 07:00:00 GMT 33fb2b53-f568-4c65-a153-a744800b3341 Erik Fisher 2020-09-22T07:00:00Z That Project You’ve Been Avoiding – TPW312 https://theproductivewoman.com/that-project-youve-been-avoiding-tpw312/ Do you have a project you've been avoiding because you're overwhelmed, don't have time, or aren't sure how to get started, or a dream you haven't taken action on because you're afraid it's out of reach? This week we're talking about how to figure out w...


      How do we deal with those projects we've been avoiding?

      Many of us have projects we need or want to undertake but haven’t been doing anything about. It might be a work project, such as that big report we need to write, or a new system that needs to be implemented. It might be a personal project, such as getting our taxes done or organizing the family photos or writing a book. We procrastinate for many reasons, and we’ve talked about this in the past (see episode 286-11 Time Wasters to Eliminate) 

      It's a common thing, and always has been, to have plans, dreams, and goals that we never take action on. It’s been around so long that, according to writer Madeleine Dore:

      “Philosophers such as Plato and Socrates developed and debated a term for it: akrasia, which in part describes the experience of not following through on what you set out to do. . . . Aristotle suggested two different varieties of akrasia: the first occurring when we are distracted by pleasure — TV binges — and the second stemming from a lack of self-accountability.” 

      In her article, Ms. Dore points out that akrasia is not the same as procrastination. As she puts it, “Procrastination is the act of delaying something until eventually deciding to do it — albeit at the last minute — whereas akrasia is a deeper feeling that you "should" do something, without necessarily deciding to do it.” 

      Whether it’s procrastination on a discrete project or akrasia with respect to a long-deferred dream, there are steps we can take to get past it, get started, and get it done. 

      How to get started (and keep going) 

      First, figure out what’s holding you back.

      Be honest with yourself!

      Is it a fear of failure?

      A lack of confidence in your ability to do it?

      Overwhelm?

      Not sure where to start?

      Your days are too full and you can't find the time to do it?

      Do you really want to do it? (This applies more to a project you're procrastinating on, not a dream or goal.)

      What if you have to do it?

      What if you don't have to do it?

      What if it doesn't really have to be done at all? If you've waited this long, it may not be that important. Can you let it go, or let someone else do it instead?

      Next, brainstorm solutions to whatever’s holding you back (this is a place where an accountability partner or business buddy can help). 

      If fear of failure is holding you back

      First, “give yourself permission to fail. Assuming your life and livelihood aren’t on the line, failing is rarely as dramatic as we fear” (from What Stopping You from Getting Started (And What to Do About It).

      Remind yourself of past successes, regardless of whether they are similar to each other. Make a list of accomplishments and times when you did something you didn’t think you could do. 

      Imagine what success looks like. Visualization is a powerful tool. Picture what you want to do and visualize everything coming together just as it should, and what that would look like. Imagine every step of the way of getting to the point of succe...]]>       Laura McClellan 312 That Project You've Been Avoiding clean 42:44 Do you have a project you've been avoiding because you're overwhelmed, don't have time, or aren't sure how to get started, or a dream you haven't taken action on because you're afraid it's out of reach? This week we're talking about how to figure out what's holding us back and come up with strategies to get started. Wed, 16 Sep 2020 08:01:29 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9148 2020-09-16T08:01:29Z       Paul Casey on Time Management and Maximizing Every Minute https://beyondthetodolist.com/342 342 Paul Casey on Time Management and Maximizing Every Minute full Erik Fisher Paul Casey talks about time management, making better use of our calendars, and blocking out time. 36:30 no Paul Casey is the owner of Growing Forward Services, and has partnered with his corporate and individual clients to transform their vision, their habits, and their lives.

      In this conversation Paul talks with Erik about time management as an aspect of productivity, make better use of our calendars and blocking out time. Make sure to check out Paul's 'Control My Calendar Checklist'!

      This episode is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+djaOrKAW ]]> Erik Fisher Paul Casey is the owner of Growing Forward Services, and has partnered with his corporate and individual clients to transform their vision, their habits, and their lives. In this conversation Paul talks with Erik about time management as an aspect of productivity, make better use of our calendars and blocking out time. Make sure to check out Paul's 'Control My Calendar Checklist (https://takebackmycalendar.com)'! This episode is brought to you by: * Podcast Movement Virtual (https://virtual.podcastmovement.com/) - Use Code BEYOND for a great discount! * Woven (http://woven.com/podcast/beyond) <p>Paul Casey is the owner of Growing Forward Services, and has partnered with his corporate and individual clients to transform their vision, their habits, and their lives. </p> <p>In this conversation Paul talks with Erik about time management as an aspect of productivity, make better use of our calendars and blocking out time. Make sure to check out Paul&#39;s &#39;<a href="https://takebackmycalendar.com" rel="nofollow">Control My Calendar Checklist</a>&#39;!</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://virtual.podcastmovement.com/" rel="nofollow">Podcast Movement Virtual</a> - Use Code BEYOND for a great discount!</li> <li><a href="http://woven.com/podcast/beyond" rel="nofollow">Woven</a></li> </ul> Mon, 14 Sep 2020 05:00:00 GMT f3c9ef5d-ef76-4e84-ad60-2b25493f3595 Erik Fisher 2020-09-14T05:00:00Z       Practicing Gratitude, with Autumn McKay – TPW311 https://theproductivewoman.com/practicing-gratitude-with-autumn-mckay-tpw311/ Early childhood education profession, mom, and author Autumn McKay talks with me about mom guilt, practicing gratitude, and keeping kids engaged and happy during hectic times.


      Practicing gratitude -  and keeping your child(ren) engaged and learning

      Autumn McKay has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been certified to teach in several states, where she has taught both in the classroom and as an online teacher. After her first son was born, she wanted to be involved in helping him learn and grow, so she began to develop color lessons to help engage his developing mind. Autumn also wanted to help other moms dealing with hectic schedules and constant time restraints.

      These activities evolved into her first book, Toddler Lesson Plans: Learning Colors. She has continued to create many more books for preschoolers including Learning Numbers Workbook, Learning ABC’s Workbook: Print and Precursive, Learning Preschool Math Workbook, Learning Kindergarten Math Workbook, and Learning 1st Grade Math Workbook. 

      Autumn has a passion for helping moms be able to educate their children in a fun, low-prep way that she shares on BestMomIdeas.com.

      She lives with her husband and 3 children (ages 6, 4, and 3) in the state of Georgia, here in the U.S., where she enjoys spending time with her family and reading nonfiction books that help her think outside the box.

      A typical day

      A typical day for Autumn starts at 4:30 in the morning when she wakes up with her husband. He goes off to exercise while Autumn uses these early morning hours to work in the quiet without distractions.

      After a while, the children wake up and Autumn puts her work away so she can focus on them. She prepares their breakfasts and gets the two oldest children off to school. If the children are going to be learning from home that day, Autumn will have them begin their school assignments after breakfast while she provides an activity for her youngest child.

      They have lunch and playtime later on in the day and then take a nap from 1:00-3:00. Autumn uses this time to get a little more work done.

      After this time Autumn will get in a workout, make dinner, and then end the evening by spending time with her family.

      Because she gets up so early, Autumn goes to bed around 8:00 pm in order to ensure she is fully rested and can be productive the next day.

      Biggest productivity challenges

      One of Autumn's biggest challenges is coping with mom guilt. Any time she has a work task that needs to get done outside of her normal working hours, such as an email that needs to go out, she feels guilty for not focusing on her children, since that was her original goal in working from home. She deals with this by explaining to the children that she will only be attending to these work tasks for a specific amount of time, and then the rest of the time is for them to do whatever they would like. She finds that when she explains the situation to them and reminds them that this is unusual and a special circumstance, they don't feel put aside. However, it's beneficial for children to see that moms are human beings who have other interests and responsib...]]>       Laura McClellan 311 Practicing Gratitude, with Autumn McKay clean 41:54 Early childhood education profession, mom, and author Autumn McKay talks with me about mom guilt, practicing gratitude, and keeping kids engaged and happy during hectic times. Wed, 09 Sep 2020 08:33:55 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9128 2020-09-09T08:33:55Z       Andy Andrews on Having the Proper Focus, The Power of Thought and Being Truthful with Yourself https://beyondthetodolist.com/341 341 Andy Andrews on Having the Proper Focus, The Power of Thought and Being Truthful with Yourself full Erik Fisher Andy Andrews talks about the power of thought, having the proper focus, changing perspective, and being truthful with yourself. 32:37 no Andy Andrews is an author of over 20 books and sought after corporate speaker. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers How Do You Kill 11 Million People?, The Noticer, and The Traveler’s Gift, and is also an in-demand speaker for the world’s largest organizations.

      In this conversation, Andy talks about his New book Just Jones, the third book in The Noticer Trilogy. Andy and Erik talk about lessons from that book including the power of thought, having the proper focus, changing perspective, and being truthful with yourself

      This episode is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+hCXTjRY2 ]]> Erik Fisher Andy Andrews (https://amzn.to/3lHCfvz) is an author of over 20 books and sought after corporate speaker. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers How Do You Kill 11 Million People?, The Noticer, and The Traveler’s Gift, and is also an in-demand speaker for the world’s largest organizations. In this conversation, Andy talks about his New book Just Jones (https://amzn.to/3bKb1Qr), the third book in The Noticer Trilogy (https://amzn.to/3bKb1Qr). Andy and Erik talk about lessons from that book including the power of thought, having the proper focus, changing perspective, and being truthful with yourself This episode is brought to you by: * Athletic Greens (http://athleticgreens.com/beyond) * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3lHCfvz" rel="nofollow">Andy Andrews</a> is an author of over 20 books and sought after corporate speaker. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers How Do You Kill 11 Million People?, The Noticer, and The Traveler’s Gift, and is also an in-demand speaker for the world’s largest organizations.</p> <p>In this conversation, Andy talks about his New book <a href="https://amzn.to/3bKb1Qr" rel="nofollow">Just Jones</a>, the third book in <a href="https://amzn.to/3bKb1Qr" rel="nofollow">The Noticer Trilogy</a>. Andy and Erik talk about lessons from that book including the power of thought, having the proper focus, changing perspective, and being truthful with yourself</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://athleticgreens.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Athletic Greens</a></li> <li><a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 08 Sep 2020 08:00:00 GMT 0d54142e-1b62-4685-b627-3d537e21c8d6 Erik Fisher 2020-09-08T08:00:00Z       A Life Well Lived – TPW310 https://theproductivewoman.com/a-life-well-lived-tpw310/ Productivity is more than just crossing things off a to-do list. How would you define a life well lived? It’s easy to get absorbed in our days and lose sight of the bigger picture (those things that matter most) unless we intentionally make time and op...


      Living a well-lived life that matters

      If we sit down to think about how to live a life well lived, we might find our mind is blank. One way to think about it is to imagine you're at the end of your life, looking back. What would make you feel you lived your life well? What is the big picture?

      What does a life well lived look like to me? A life that reflects those things I truly value, the guiding principles of my life. These are the things that are easy to lose sight of when we are trying to work and take care of our home. But they are so important to remember!

      What defines a life well lived for you will be as individual as you are, but here are my thoughts on what it means to me:

      A life well lived is one that...


      * Reflects integrity. This word means honesty, uprightness, probity, rectitude, honor, honorableness, upstandingness, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, nobility, high-mindedness, right-mindedness, noble-mindedness, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity, truthfulness, or trustworthiness. In order for me to feel that I have made a life that matters, these things would need to be reflected in my words and actions on a day-to-day basis.
      * Reflects authenticity and being my true self. To me, this doesn’t mean simply accepting my less than admirable characteristics. Authenticity doesn’t preclude seeking to improve and do better; it just means not pretending to be someone you’re not, and risking being vulnerable enough to let others see you for who you are (here, Brené Brown talks about how essential vulnerability is to connection) 
      * Results in a legacy of contribution to the well being of others and the larger world. It's important to make a difference, which we talked about when discussing what a productive woman is, which is someone who orders her life in such a way as to maximize her positive impact on the world around her. We aren't here just to consume, but to contribute and create and leave the world and the people we interact with better by meeting us.
      * I put people ahead of things, so my life includes deep, lasting relationships. What matters most to me is those key relationships with my husband, my children and theirs, and my friends. Relationships need to be nurtured, which can be difficult if we are focused on our productivity and accomplishing goals. If we are not careful, we can lose sight of the importance of relationships.
      * Reflects faith in God and faithfulness to my understanding of his teachings. This may not be an element of a life well lived for everyone, but for me, it's a bedrock principle.


      How to incorporate these elements into your day-to-day life


      * Integrity. Let it guide your actions in how you interact with people and treat them, whether they are your family members, friends, or co-workers. Act with integrity even if no one is around to see it. Let integrity be an integral part of your character. 
      * Authenticity. Be willing to be vulnerable with others, showing your true self to the people you interact with. Be mindful of when you may be posturing or hiding out of a desire to protect yourself from judgment. 
      * Contribution. Look for ways to serve others and make their lives better. This doesn't have to be a big event or something that takes a lot of time. But rather, it can be little efforts,]]>       Laura McClellan 310 A Life Well Lived clean 44:52 Productivity is more than just crossing things off a to-do list. How would you define a life well lived? It’s easy to get absorbed in our days and lose sight of the bigger picture (those things that matter most) unless we intentionally make time and opportunities to remind ourselves why we’re doing the things we do. Wed, 02 Sep 2020 08:11:06 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9108 2020-09-02T08:11:06Z       Andy Andrews on Perspective https://beyondthetodolist.com/340 340 Andy Andrews on Perspective full Erik Fisher Andy Andrews talks about the power of perspective and the value of changing perspective. 33:17 no Andy Andrews is an author of over 20 books and sought after corporate speaker. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers How Do You Kill 11 Million People?, The Noticer, and The Traveler’s Gift, and is also an in-demand speaker for the world’s largest organizations.

      In this conversation, Andy talks about his book The Noticer Returns and the topic of perspective and how powerful changing perspective can be.

      This episode is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+FT01QmH- ]]> Erik Fisher Andy Andrews (https://amzn.to/3lHCfvz) is an author of over 20 books and sought after corporate speaker. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers How Do You Kill 11 Million People?, The Noticer, and The Traveler’s Gift, and is also an in-demand speaker for the world’s largest organizations. In this conversation, Andy talks about his book The Noticer Returns and the topic of perspective and how powerful changing perspective can be. This episode is brought to you by: * Podcast Movement (https://virtual.podcastmovement.com) - Use Code BEYOND for a great discount! * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t extexpander-Sep-2020) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3lHCfvz" rel="nofollow">Andy Andrews</a> is an author of over 20 books and sought after corporate speaker. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers How Do You Kill 11 Million People?, The Noticer, and The Traveler’s Gift, and is also an in-demand speaker for the world’s largest organizations.</p> <p>In this conversation, Andy talks about his book The Noticer Returns and the topic of perspective and how powerful changing perspective can be. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://virtual.podcastmovement.com" rel="nofollow">Podcast Movement</a> - Use Code BEYOND for a great discount!</li> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t%20extexpander-Sep-2020" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> </ul> Tue, 01 Sep 2020 05:00:00 GMT d1b15938-a4a2-4005-97ea-5d7f4f958f13 Erik Fisher 2020-09-01T05:00:00Z       Keep Calm and Carry On – TPW309 https://theproductivewoman.com/keep-calm-and-carry-on-tpw309/ "Keep calm" is easy to say but sometimes harder to do. The week we're looking at ways to cope productively with anxiety and stress during tough times. 


      Keep calm--getting things done without stress and anxiety  

      When the unexpected happens or when challenging circumstances occur, it’s easy to get anxious and stressed out. These days, with all that is going on, we may have extra responsibilities or larger workloads than usual, or decisions we need to make that we haven't had to make before. The anxiety that can result from stressful situations interferes with our productivity and can be harmful to our mental health. Learning to "keep calm and carry on" productively takes intentional practice.

      What is anxiety?

      It's important to distinguish anxiety from stress. Here are some resources that offer a good description of what anxiety is.

      “When we talk about stress, we are talking about the external factors that are causing our anxiety. . . . When we talk about anxiety, we are talking about a physical response. Anxiety is our natural fear response that occurs when we are confronted with danger.” (from Is Anxiety/Stress Affecting Your Productivity?)

      “Anxiety is emotional anticipation — it’s the thought of something going wrong in the future. Health professionals use the term ‘anxiety’ to describe a persistent fear or a chronic sense of worry, the sources of which seem unclear. . . . Anxiety is not an emotion but an experience— it harms our ability to be in control making us feel paralyzed. Anxiety clouds our judgment — it’s a disorienting experience when facing a threat we can’t understand. On the contrary, fear is an emotional response to a danger that we are aware of.” (from Why Anxiety is the Number One Productivity Killer) 

      According to several sources, the National Institutes of Health estimates that approximately 40 million adults in the U.S. alone are affected by anxiety.

      What causes anxiety?

      Anxiety can be caused by a variety of different factors and things going on in our lives. For instance, stress is one of the biggest causes. One writer warns us that “prolonged periods of stress can often turn into more persistent periods of anxiety.”  

      In Anxiety and Productivity, one counselor notes that “Anxiety is frequently a mixture of biological causes and environmental habits.” Laura McClellan 309 Keep Calm and Carry On clean 55:32 "Keep calm" is easy to say but sometimes harder to do. The week we're looking at ways to cope productively with anxiety and stress during tough times.  Wed, 26 Aug 2020 08:34:57 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9082 2020-08-26T08:34:57Z       Bruce Tulgan on The Art of Being Indispensable at Work https://beyondthetodolist.com/339 339 Bruce Tulgan on The Art of Being Indispensable at Work full Erik Fisher Bruce Tulgan talks about how to beat overcommitment, understand Influence, and when to say no, and how to say yes. 32:36 no Bruce Tulgan is a leading expert on young people in the workplace and one of the leading experts on leadership and management. Bruce is a best-selling author, an adviser to business leaders all over the world, and a sought-after keynote speaker and management trainer.

      His latest book is The Art of Being Indispensable at Work: Win Influence, Beat Overcommitment, and Get the Right Things Done. In this conversation Bruce talks about how to beat overcommitment, understand Influence and when to say no, and how to say yes.

      This episode is brought to you by:

      ]]> https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+u9rABHXZ ]]> Erik Fisher Bruce Tulgan (https://amzn.to/2FMhgY3) is a leading expert on young people in the workplace and one of the leading experts on leadership and management. Bruce is a best-selling author, an adviser to business leaders all over the world, and a sought-after keynote speaker and management trainer. His latest book is The Art of Being Indispensable at Work: Win Influence, Beat Overcommitment, and Get the Right Things Done (https://amzn.to/2FMhgY3). In this conversation Bruce talks about how to beat overcommitment, understand Influence and when to say no, and how to say yes. This episode is brought to you by: * Woven (http://woven.com/podcast/beyond) * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/2FMhgY3" rel="nofollow">Bruce Tulgan</a> is a leading expert on young people in the workplace and one of the leading experts on leadership and management. Bruce is a best-selling author, an adviser to business leaders all over the world, and a sought-after keynote speaker and management trainer.</p> <p>His latest book is <a href="https://amzn.to/2FMhgY3" rel="nofollow">The Art of Being Indispensable at Work: Win Influence, Beat Overcommitment, and Get the Right Things Done</a>. In this conversation Bruce talks about how to beat overcommitment, understand Influence and when to say no, and how to say yes.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://woven.com/podcast/beyond" rel="nofollow">Woven</a></li> <li><a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 25 Aug 2020 08:00:00 GMT 6dde0cc7-fa0c-4025-8e49-222b902d4fc9 Erik Fisher 2020-08-25T08:00:00Z AYJW107 – What We Didn’t Just Watch https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw107-what-we-didnt-just-watch/ With few movies to choose from once again, we’re giving you a glimpse into our own personal viewing habits and how we apply the principles that we teach. With few movies to choose from once again, we’re giving you a glimpse into our own personal viewing habits and how we apply the principles that we teach. Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 1:15:57 With few movies to choose from once again, we’re giving you a glimpse into our own personal viewing habits and how we apply the principles that we teach. Tue, 25 Aug 2020 02:04:22 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6198 2020-08-25T02:04:22Z The Paper Solution, with Lisa Woodruff – TPW308 https://theproductivewoman.com/the-paper-solution-with-lisa-woodruff-tpw308/ Professional organizer Lisa Woodruff returns to the podcast to talk with me about how we can increase our productivity and happiness by conquering paper clutter in our homes and offices using the system described in her excellent new book,


      The Paper Solution: eliminating paper clutter and taking control of our lives

      Getting our papers organized and under control may seem like such a mundane thing, but it can make a big difference in your life. Knowing that your important papers are organized and in one place will reduce your stress and anxiety level. And with how hectic this year has been, this is one thing you can control.

      Lisa Woodruff is a productivity and home organization expert who motivates and teaches busy women to take back control of their lives with functional systems that work. She's the founder and CEO of Organize 365® and is the host of the top-rated podcast by that same name, where she shares strategies for reducing the overwhelm, clearing the mental clutter, and living a productive and organized life. She has authored several Amazon bestselling books and is a sought-after trainer and speaker. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her family. She was our guest way back in January 2017 (TPW122), but since then she’s written a new book that offers solutions to a problem I think a lot of us face: paper clutter. 

      It began with the Sunday Basket system

      The Sunday Basket is a system Lisa developed over time that allows you to do away with to-do lists, rid your countertops of paper clutter, and get everything that's on your mind onto index cards. It's a way to free up each day from living in a reactive mode by instead proactively planning each Sunday and doing as much as you can in a 90-minute session. If you can't complete it all in 90 minutes, then it can be deferred to the next Sunday. Lisa has found that people who use the Sunday Basket system save, on average, 5 hours every week, within six weeks after they start using the system.

      The Paper Solution

      Lisa just published a book called The Paper Solution. She decided to write this book because she couldn't find any books on paper organization, either because the trend is to digitize everything or to rely on color-coded file cabinets, or because organizing paper is just plain hard. (I had the privilege of reading The Paper Solution ahead of its release and immediately asked Lisa to come back to TPW to talk to us about dealing with paper clutter. I highly recommend this book!)

      Lisa found that although the Sunday Basket system worked for people, they couldn't maintain the color-coded file cabinet system. When papers go into the file cabinets, they seldom come out. Lisa realized she needed to create categories of paper so people know which papers go into which categories, and then teach them a better to organize those.

      Lisa came up with the idea of using binders instead of file cabinets, so that the papers could be portable, and could be taken to lawyers' offices, your doctor's office,  or outside in case you need to quickly evacuate your home.

      Once we get papers out of the file cabinets and into binders, Lisa says, we realize how many of those papers we can actually get rid of. 

      How to reduce paper coming into our homes and workplaces

      We as a society have been talking about a paper-free workplace and home for decades,]]>       Laura McClellan 308 The Paper Solution, with Lisa Woodruff clean 50:19 Professional organizer Lisa Woodruff returns to the podcast to talk with me about how we can increase our productivity and happiness by conquering paper clutter in our homes and offices using the system described in her excellent new book, The Paper Solution. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:32:38 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9058 2020-08-19T08:32:38Z       Laura Vanderkam on How to Succeed at Remote Work https://beyondthetodolist.com/338 338 Laura Vanderkam on How to Succeed at Remote Work full Erik Fisher Laura Vanderkam draws from her 18 years of experience working remotely to share strategies for productivity, creativity, and health in the world of remote work. 49:26 no Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books, including Off the Clock, I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours. This is her 5th appearance on the show. Her new book is The New Corner Office: How the Most Successful People Work from Home.

      In this conversation Laura Vanderkam draws from her 18 years of experience working remotely to share strategies for productivity, creativity, and health in the world of remote work.

      This episode is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+PNF_mdM3 ]]> Erik Fisher Laura Vanderkam (https://amzn.to/3aEl497) is the author of several time management and productivity books, including Off the Clock, I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours. This is her 5th appearance on the show. Her new book is The New Corner Office: How the Most Successful People Work from Home (https://amzn.to/3aEl497). In this conversation Laura Vanderkam draws from her 18 years of experience working remotely to share strategies for productivity, creativity, and health in the world of remote work. This episode is brought to you by: * Podcast Movement Virtual (https://virtual.podcastmovement.com) Use code BEYOND for a great discount! * Woven (http://woven.com/podcast/beyond) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/3aEl497" rel="nofollow">Laura Vanderkam</a> is the author of several time management and productivity books, including Off the Clock, I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours. This is her 5th appearance on the show. Her new book is <a href="https://amzn.to/3aEl497" rel="nofollow">The New Corner Office: How the Most Successful People Work from Home</a>.</p> <p>In this conversation Laura Vanderkam draws from her 18 years of experience working remotely to share strategies for productivity, creativity, and health in the world of remote work. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://virtual.podcastmovement.com" rel="nofollow">Podcast Movement Virtual</a> Use code BEYOND for a great discount!</li> <li><a href="http://woven.com/podcast/beyond" rel="nofollow">Woven</a></li> </ul> Tue, 18 Aug 2020 08:00:00 GMT 62dbf677-f766-4fac-80e8-e2b4520d94ab Erik Fisher 2020-08-18T08:00:00Z       All or Nothing – TPW307 https://theproductivewoman.com/all-or-nothing-tpw307/ Having an overachieving "do it all, all the time" mindset can lead to burnout, discouragement, and missing out on what's really important. This week we're looking at ways to overcome the paralyzing, discouraging effects of perfectionism and move forwar...


      If we try to do it all (and perfectly), can it lead to us giving up and doing nothing at all?

      If you're anything like me, you have many interests, things you want to try, and goals for the future. But you also have responsibilities and obligations to your family, friends, employer, etc. It's easy to feel like you have to do everything and do it well, all of the time. This overachieving mindset is harmful, though, and can lead to discouragement, burnout, and missing out on what's really important.

      This week's episode was inspired by a recent message in The Productive Woman Facebook group. Rita's message really spoke to me and got me thinking.

      I am 55, with a full-time, high stress job in healthcare and I am trying to complete my doctorate in nursing. Every time I sit down to write my proposal I get chest pain. The anxiety is crushing me. . . . I haven't found relaxation techniques helpful, possibly since there is no time at all to relax. I drive about an hour and a half to work each day and although I am very productive during my travels and I feel good about that, I feel I have no real downtime. I do not expect to find any until this is over providing I can complete my degree finally. Last year I had to put the degree on hold as I could not complete the assignments due to my husband being ill, I am so scared I won't be able to finish and I really don't know what to do. And I want to excel at work too which is making it hard too. I sometimes wish I cared less.

      A lot of us can relate to Rita’s experience, trying to do all the things and wanting to do them well. We want to make a difference, live up to our potential, and leave a legacy.

      Some studies show that we do it because we think we have to in order to advance in the world.  There is nothing wrong with that, but sometimes our own expectations of doing it all lead to us doing nothing at all.

      We’ve talked about this before, in episodes 284 (Thoughts about Work-Life Balance) and 253 (When You Want to Do It All. It seemed like a good time to talk about it again, especially when so many of us are feeling additional pressures due to changes resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic. 

      What it means - trying to do it all and feeling like a failure if you can’t  

      Feeling like we have to do it all can sometimes come from external pressures. Maybe it's the expectations of others in your life. These people could be your boss, friends, parents, or spouse. Maybe you’ve trained them to have these expectations because you are so diligent, competent, and conscientious. 

      There are also lots of messages out there that women have to do more just to stay on par. Whether or not this message is true, it has been internalized by most of us, and it affects how we do our work in the world. If we think we have to do more, it becomes our reality. 

      Social media contributes too many images of other women’s perfect homes, perfect children, perfect careers, perfect hair, perfect lives. Of course, nobody’s life is perfect, but that’s the image fed to us, which increases the pressure: “If she can do it, I should be able to as well." We are standing on the outside looking in, seeing only those carefully curated images of perfection,]]>       Laura McClellan 307 All or Nothing clean 44:51 Having an overachieving "do it all, all the time" mindset can lead to burnout, discouragement, and missing out on what's really important. This week we're looking at ways to overcome the paralyzing, discouraging effects of perfectionism and move forward on the goals that matter most to us. Wed, 12 Aug 2020 09:10:20 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9032 2020-08-12T09:10:20Z       Cal Newport on Digital Minimalism https://beyondthetodolist.com/337 337 Cal Newport on Digital Minimalism full Erik Fisher Cal Newport talks about digital minimalism and using digital technology to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you. 47:39 no Cal Newport is the author of Deep Work and So Good They Can’t Ignore You. Cal’s latest book is Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. In this conversation, Cal and Erik talk about the premise of the book: Technology is intrinsically neither good nor bad. The key is using it to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you.

      This episode is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+-LWEBLY3 ]]> Erik Fisher Cal Newport is the author of Deep Work (https://amzn.to/2N6I3hm) and So Good They Can’t Ignore You (https://amzn.to/2EaHn83). Cal’s latest book is Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World (https://amzn.to/2Ee4yyh). In this conversation, Cal and Erik talk about the premise of the book: Technology is intrinsically neither good nor bad. The key is using it to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you. This episode is brought to you by: * Athletic Greens (http://athleticgreens.com/beyond) * Woven (http://woven.com/podcast/beyond) * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p>Cal Newport is the author of <a href="https://amzn.to/2N6I3hm" rel="nofollow">Deep Work</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/2EaHn83" rel="nofollow">So Good They Can’t Ignore You</a>. Cal’s latest book is <a href="https://amzn.to/2Ee4yyh" rel="nofollow">Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World</a>. In this conversation, Cal and Erik talk about the premise of the book: Technology is intrinsically neither good nor bad. The key is using it to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://athleticgreens.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Athletic Greens</a></li> <li><a href="http://woven.com/podcast/beyond" rel="nofollow">Woven</a></li> <li><a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></li> </ul> Wed, 12 Aug 2020 08:00:00 GMT 7d753586-a7b1-417d-ab03-1207fa0f2e75 Erik Fisher 2020-08-12T08:00:00Z       How to Have a Good Week – TPW306 https://theproductivewoman.com/how-to-have-a-good-week-tpw306/ This week we’re talking about how to have a good, productive week, and how to make kindness and gratitude a part of every day.


      A good week is largely within our control

      Lately, our weeks have been very different from what they have been in the past. No two days look the same and things are constantly changing. But it's still possible to plan, be productive, and have a good week, while fitting in some fun and relaxation. I've come up with ten things we can all do to make sure we have the best, most productive week. I'll bet you have some suggestions, too, and I'd love to hear them!

      Ten things we can do to ensure a good week

      1. Decide you're going to have a good week

      So much of our life experience is based on our thoughts and other things going on around us. We can choose to have a good week no matter what our circumstances might be. We can still enjoy our week and cope with whatever life throws at us-with good humor and a positive attitude.

      2. Know what a good week means to you

      It's impossible to hit a target you can't see. Therefore, you need to have a vision in your mind of what a good week would look like. Spend some time thinking about it. Is it a good week if you accomplish something big? Or if you get several things done on your to-do list? Maybe you've been able to work on a special project. Maybe daily workouts, quiet time, plenty of sleep, time with your loved one. Know yourself and what components made up a good week.

      3. Plan Ahead

      Spend a little time over the weekend preparing for the week ahead. This is not something that has to take a lot of time, but you should plan for a good week, and prepare your mental and physical space.

      A good week can mean we aren't rushing around or playing catch-up, and by planning ahead, we are more likely to have a smooth week. For example,


      * If you’re responsible for meals for yourself or others, maybe do some meal planning and any food prep that you can ahead of time.
      * If it’s going to be a busy week, put your outfits together ahead of time for yourself, your spouse, or the kids’. Lay out everything from your jewelry to your shoes so you're ready to go in the morning.
      * Spend a few minutes checking key areas of your house, such as the kitchen and bathroom, to restock everyday supplies--things like cotton balls, Kleenex, showering supplies, dish soap, etc. Make sure pet food is stocked up, your devices are charged, and your gas tank is full.


      By taking the time to check these things, you are taking the weight of them off your mind and you are more likely to have a better week.

      4. Be realistic

      As you think about the coming week, be honest about how much you can do in a day given the totality of your projects and responsibilities, your health, and your general circumstances.  Sometimes we can be overly ambitious and take on more than we can really handle.

      Also, these are strange times and what we can do in the course of a day or week may have been affected. It's fine to push ourselves, but we need to be creative and gives ourselves grace about how much we can accomplish.

      Leave white space on your calendar instead of scheduling meetings, calls, and appointments back to back. Give yourself time to take a break and a chance to breathe.

      Think about what matters most to you, and clear out anything you can to create the space and energy to enjoy what’s most important. 

      5. Guard your mind

      Be intentional about the inputs. What comes in our eyes and ears affects our thinking, which creates our emotions. For me, that means limiting the amount of news I watch and who I follow on social media. It’s important to me to know what’s going on in the world, but too much negativity sends my thoughts and emotions to a place I don’t want to...]]>       Laura McClellan 306 How to Have a Good Week clean 42:27 This week we’re talking about how to have a good, productive week, and how to make kindness and gratitude a part of every day. Wed, 05 Aug 2020 08:31:50 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=9005 2020-08-05T08:31:50Z       Brooke McAlary on Rhythms, Rituals and Routines https://beyondthetodolist.com/336 336 Brooke McAlary on Rhythms, Rituals and Routines full Erik Fisher Brooke McAlary of The Slow Your Home Podcast talks about creating Rhythms, Rituals, and Routines to slow down and have more simplicity in your life. 43:38 no Brooke McAlary of The Slow Your Home Podcast talks about creating Rhythms, Rituals and Routines to slow down and have more simplicity in your life. Her book is  Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life.

      This episode is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+uIgh9yJH ]]> Erik Fisher Brooke McAlary of The Slow Your Home Podcast talks about creating Rhythms, Rituals and Routines to slow down and have more simplicity in your life. Her book is  Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life (http://amzn.to/2xEjrXl). This episode is brought to you by: * Woven (http://woven.com/podcast/beyond) * Textexpander (https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t extexpander-Aug-2020) <p>Brooke McAlary of The Slow Your Home Podcast talks about creating Rhythms, Rituals and Routines to slow down and have more simplicity in your life. Her book is  <a href="http://amzn.to/2xEjrXl" rel="nofollow">Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life</a>.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://woven.com/podcast/beyond" rel="nofollow">Woven</a></li> <li><a href="https://textexpander.com/podcast?utm_source=beyond-the-to-do-list&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=t%20extexpander-Aug-2020" rel="nofollow">Textexpander</a></li> </ul> Tue, 04 Aug 2020 08:00:00 GMT a55725d2-3305-4b39-beef-0b186cbf0da2 Erik Fisher 2020-08-04T08:00:00Z       Intentional Priorities, with Elizabeth Benton – TPW305 https://theproductivewoman.com/intentional-priorities-with-elizabeth-benton-tpw305/ To achieve a goal, we have to keep saying yes to that priority when we want to say no. This week Elizabeth Benton and I talk about setting, and living by, intentional priorities.


      Setting intentional priorities to make your life that matters

      Elizabeth Benton is the owner of Primal Potential. Through her platform of podcasts, coaching, and live events, she has fueled her deepest struggles into a burning passion to help people create transformations and live more fulfilled lives. Elizabeth and her husband live in the northeastern United States with their dog and chickens. When she is not working, she enjoys reading and supporting her favorite football team.

      A life-changing decision

      Elizabeth has been in business for about six years. The decision to start a business came after years of pain and struggle. Elizabeth was depressed, deeply in debt, and obese. As a nutrition expert and educator who binged on junk food every time she put gas in her car, she felt like a fraud and a failure. Desperate to start her life, she decided to believe in her potential rather than her past.

      Elizabeth did this by making a mental shift and changing her perspective. She lost 150 pounds, paid off $130,000 in debt, and remains debt-free as a successful entrepreneur. From that point on, Elizabeth knew she wanted to help others who had been where she had been, stuck in the trying and wanting, but not seeing things through, and getting in their own way with excuses. Since starting Primal Potential, she has put out 800 podcast episodes and written her first book. Elizabeth's biggest passion is relationships with others and structuring her life around what matters most.

      Your mindset affects your life

      Elizabeth says that when it comes to making changes to our lives, most of us already know what to do. For example, we know that to lose weight, we need to exercise and eat right. The challenge we run in to, though, is that excuses, fears, and stories get in the way, causing us to change gears after a month and switch to a new plan or approach. We get stuck in a cycle of jumping from plan to plan but the same doubts, fears, stories, and excuses continue to follow us.

      Our mindset is what is preventing us from accomplishing our goals and making changes, and that is what we need to work on. We need to upgrade our mindset. Once we do this, everything gets easier.

      “We have to stop pretending that change is all about skill set. It’s not. It’s about mindset.” 

      A typical day

      Elizabeth says that on a typical day, she will wake up, put her shoes on, and drive down to the Cape Cod Canal for a 4-mile walk. She likes to get this done within 15-20 minutes of waking up.

      She will then come home, shower and dress, and get ready for her day. She will make herself a shake, walk to her home office (in a separate building on her property), and dive into her Primal Potential work.

      Elizabeth typically has 2 to 3 big projects she works on each day, which she prioritizes first, and then fits the smaller tasks in between those.

      In the mid-morning or early afternoon, she will head to the gym for a quick work out. After returning from the gym, Elizabeth will complete any leftover work tasks she may have. Before leaving work for the day, she makes sure she has a clear idea of her priorities and objectives for the following workday.

      Resources and tools Elizabeth recommends

      Due to all the roles Elizabeth fills as an entrepreneur, she uses a variety of simple but helpful tools to get her through her day. Her most used tool is Google calendar. Elizabeth uses this to schedule her whole day, including meetings and interviews, as well as exercise and personal time with her husband. Elizabeth's calendar is available to her whole team so they know when th...]]>       Laura McClellan 305 Intentional Priorities, with Elizabeth Benton clean 49:26 To achieve a goal, we have to keep saying yes to that priority when we want to say no. This week Elizabeth Benton and I talk about setting, and living by, intentional priorities. Wed, 29 Jul 2020 08:43:49 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=8974 2020-07-29T08:43:49Z       David Allen on Developing the Skill of Outcome and Action Thinking https://beyondthetodolist.com/335 335 David Allen on Developing the Skill of Outcome and Action Thinking full Erik Fisher David Allen of Getting Things Done on developing the skill of outcome and action thinking and overcoming the biggest objections to the GTD methodology. 43:33 no David Allen is the originator of GTD. GTD is the shorthand brand for “Getting Things Done“. GTD enables greater performance, capacity, and innovation. It alleviates the feeling of overwhelm—instilling focus, clarity, and confidence.

      In this conversation David talks about the new Getting Things Done Workbook, developing the skill of outcome and action thinking and overcoming the biggest objections to the GTD methodology.

      This episode is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+0hC2eMiJ ]]> Erik Fisher David Allen (https://amzn.to/2NMVoxT) is the originator of GTD. GTD is the shorthand brand for “Getting Things Done“. GTD enables greater performance, capacity, and innovation. It alleviates the feeling of overwhelm—instilling focus, clarity, and confidence. In this conversation David talks about the new Getting Things Done Workbook (https://amzn.to/2NMVoxT), developing the skill of outcome and action thinking and overcoming the biggest objections to the GTD methodology. This episode is brought to you by: * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) * Setapp (https://setapp.com?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyondthetodolist) <p><a href="https://amzn.to/2NMVoxT" rel="nofollow">David Allen</a> is the originator of GTD. GTD is the shorthand brand for “Getting Things Done“. GTD enables greater performance, capacity, and innovation. It alleviates the feeling of overwhelm—instilling focus, clarity, and confidence.</p> <p>In this conversation David talks about the new <a href="https://amzn.to/2NMVoxT" rel="nofollow">Getting Things Done Workbook</a>, developing the skill of outcome and action thinking and overcoming the biggest objections to the GTD methodology. </p> <p>This episode is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></li> <li><a href="https://setapp.com?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyondthetodolist" rel="nofollow">Setapp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 28 Jul 2020 05:00:00 GMT 715ea1f9-212c-44d1-8e58-6c1e98072a17 Erik Fisher 2020-07-28T05:00:00Z       Using Free Time Well – TPW304 https://theproductivewoman.com/using-free-time-well-tpw304/ When normal activities are suspended, whether during a pandemic or due to some other change in circumstances, we might find ourselves with unexpected free time. How can we use that free time in positive and productive ways?


      When times are strange, we can still use our free time in a positive way

      Since around March in the United States, life has been very different from normal. Even for those who are not ill, many of us have been staying home--some working from home and some not able to work at all. Many planned activities have been canceled. For many of us, the pace of life has slowed down and time that once was filled with activities we enjoyed is now unfilled.

      Slowing down a bit can be a good thing because it gives us the opportunity to evaluate how we are spending our time. However, with no end in sight to this "new normal", this can be difficult as well.

      During the crisis, individuals, depending on circumstances, may experience anger, anxiety, avoidance, boredom, confusion, decreased concentration, depression, detachment, emotional exhaustion, insomnia, isolation, grief, guilt, sadness or other symptoms,” says Michael Morgenstern, MD, who is board-certified in both neurology and sleep medicine by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. “The severity of these feelings, and our ability to cope with them so that they don’t interfere with our daily function, is important.” [from The Lasting Impact of COVID-19: How Will It Affect Our Mental Health?] 

      Ideas for how to spend your time

      Each of us has to find her own way to cope with the uncertainty, the changes, and the resulting anxiety. One way to turn it around is to use this time differently. Give yourself something to look forward to or direct your attention away from the uncertainty. Use this time in a positive way.

      Improve a professional skill


      * Take some online training covering subjects relevant to your career or another area of interest. If you are required to get a certain amount of continuing education credits each year anyway, this helps to satisfy that requirement and expand your knowledge. Whatever your job or profession may be, is there a skill you rely on that you can work on improving during your downtime? 


      Revive an old hobby or interest


      * What did you used to enjoy that you haven’t had time for? Needlework, gardening, painting, playing an instrument? Working on family scrapbooks or photo albums? Reading books? (Our local library is open during certain hours, but if you can’t go to the library (but have a library card), most libraries make e-books and audiobooks available for checkout via apps like Libby from OverDrive.) Maybe you enjoy writing? How about some poetry, fiction, articles, or a blog? You could start a blog to chronicle this experience and share any knowledge you may have. Or even just journaling. Imagine reading your journal 20 years from now and remembering this experience.


      Renew friendships


      * Find creative ways to reach out to friends. This is a great time to renew friendships that are important to us and reconnect with others. Right now, social media is probably not the best option to do this. There is a lot of negativity and anger on social media sites and it’s easy to misinterpret things that are said. Mental health experts have been encouraging us...]]>       Laura McClellan 304 Using Free Time Well clean 40:16 When normal activities are suspended, whether during a pandemic or due to some other change in circumstances, we might find ourselves with unexpected free time. How can we use that free time in positive and productive ways? Wed, 22 Jul 2020 09:22:40 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=8952 2020-07-22T09:22:40Z       AYJW106 – Independence Day, Part 2 https://areyoujustwatching.com/ayjw106-independence-day-part-2/ The characters of Independence Day must turn to God, heed warnings, and be prepared to do battle against a superior foe. Ah the spiritual parallels! The characters of Independence Day must turn to God, heed warnings, and be prepared to do battle against a superior foe. Ah the spiritual parallels! Eve Franklin, Tim Martin, Daniel J. Lewis, 481656 56:02 The characters of Independence Day must turn to God, heed warnings, and be prepared to do battle against a superior foe. Ah the spiritual parallels! Tue, 21 Jul 2020 14:12:04 GMT https://areyoujustwatching.com/?p=6187 2020-07-21T14:12:04Z Ian Morgan Cron on Overcoming the Productivity Hangups of Each Enneagram Type https://beyondthetodolist.com/334 334 Ian Morgan Cron on Overcoming the Productivity Hangups of Each Enneagram Type full Erik Fisher Ian Morgan Cron covers the productivity hangups of each Enneagram type and how to overcome them. 48:43 no Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, Enneagram teacher, nationally recognized speaker, psychotherapist, and Episcopal priest. In his book 'The Road Back to You', Ian presents an approachable and practical path to access the wisdom of the Enneagram. He also hosts the Typology Podcast.

      Ian covered the basics of the Enneagram in the last episode. In this conversation Ian covers the productivity hangups of each enneagram type and how to overcome them.

      This podcast is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+ur9xOFYA ]]> Erik Fisher Ian Morgan Cron (https://ianmorgancron.com) is a bestselling author, Enneagram teacher, nationally recognized speaker, psychotherapist, and Episcopal priest. In his book 'The Road Back to You (http://amzn.to/2vWB8k5)', Ian presents an approachable and practical path to access the wisdom of the Enneagram. He also hosts the Typology Podcast (https://www.typologypodcast.com). Ian covered the basics of the Enneagram in the last episode (https://beyondthetodolist.com/333). In this conversation Ian covers the productivity hangups of each enneagram type and how to overcome them. This podcast is brought to you by: * Athletic Greens (http://athleticgreens.com/beyond) * Miro (http://miro.com/beyond) * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://ianmorgancron.com" rel="nofollow">Ian Morgan Cron</a> is a bestselling author, Enneagram teacher, nationally recognized speaker, psychotherapist, and Episcopal priest. In his book &#39;<a href="http://amzn.to/2vWB8k5" rel="nofollow">The Road Back to You</a>&#39;, Ian presents an approachable and practical path to access the wisdom of the Enneagram. He also hosts the <a href="https://www.typologypodcast.com" rel="nofollow">Typology Podcast</a>. </p> <p>Ian covered the basics of the Enneagram in the <a href="https://beyondthetodolist.com/333" rel="nofollow">last episode</a>. In this conversation Ian covers the productivity hangups of each enneagram type and how to overcome them. </p> <p>This podcast is brought to you by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://athleticgreens.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Athletic Greens</a></li> <li><a href="http://miro.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Miro</a></li> <li><a href="http://betterhelp.com/beyond" rel="nofollow">Betterhelp</a></li> </ul> Tue, 21 Jul 2020 05:00:00 GMT c6513c63-fcd6-4481-b369-9f31c1063af0 Erik Fisher 2020-07-21T05:00:00Z       Mid-Year Reflection – TPW303 https://theproductivewoman.com/mid-year-reflection-tpw303/ 2020 has been an unusual year. How have the first six months of 2020 gone for you? What do you want the next 6 months to look like? Mid-year is a good time to pause, reflect, and regroup.


      A mid-year pause to reflect on an extraordinary year

      How are you feeling right now? Are things going well, or are you and your family struggling? Perhaps emotionally, physically, or financially?

      At this mid-year point, I thought it would be a good time to pause, reflect, and regroup. It’s something I do every year, and for me, it’s even more important now.

      We talked about this several years ago, in episode 95. As I said then, a mid-year review is my way of pausing to make sure I’m on the right track for the year (while there is still time to adjust my course) and heading in the direction of accomplishing the right things by year-end. During this mid-year review time I can:


      * Regain focus and awareness. Reviewing my goals helps me to evaluate where I am and where my intention is focused. It’s easy to get lost in just getting from one day to the next. Taking the time to do a mid-year review gives me the opportunity to refocus if I need to. 
      * Evaluate or re-evaluate my goals. Do my goals still make sense? Or do I need to adjust my goals and strategy?
      * Get back on track. If I’ve gotten sidetracked from my goals, I can look at everything again and focus on why I set those goals in the first place.


      The process for doing my mid-year review is pretty straight-forward. Again, please refer back to episode 95  for a little more detail.

      The first half of the year

      To start, begin by carving out a little time when you can think. Sit down with a pen and paper and take a look back, then a look forward.

      Thinking back over the first half of the year, January through June, what went well? That may seem like a hard question given the current events, but it's good to have a positive mindset. Take out your calendar or journal and look back over what you did, what events you attended, places you went. What do you feel good about and can celebrate? What worked?

      Even in the most trying times, we can find something that went well.

      On the other hand, what did you plan to do that didn't happen and why?

      With all that has happened this year, our reason for not accomplishing our goals can be attributed to the Coronavirus and quarantine measures. But think a little deeper than that. What about the Coronavirus prevented you from accomplishing a goal or working on a project? Maybe there is a deeper reason, like your ability to stay on task and focus due to all the world events going on at this time, health concerns, financial problems, etc. These worries can really affect your motivation and ability to accomplish things. 

      Being distracted by things going on around you doesn't mean there is something wrong with you.

      Think back over all you planned to do and ask yourself if you want to try that plan again. Is this goal still important? Is it still worth pursuing? It's okay to rethink and re-evaluate your goals. During the first half of this year, many of us have had a change in our priorities. This is a good time to lay a foundation for moving forward in a positive direction.

      The second half of the year

      After you finish looking back over the previous six months, it's now time to look forward.

      Think about how you want to feel for the next six months. Where do you want to be at the end of 2020? Remember,]]>       Laura McClellan 303 Mid-Year Reflection clean 32:45 2020 has been an unusual year. How have the first six months of 2020 gone for you? What do you want the next 6 months to look like? Mid-year is a good time to pause, reflect, and regroup. Wed, 15 Jul 2020 09:28:15 GMT https://theproductivewoman.com/?p=8925 2020-07-15T09:28:15Z       Ian Morgan Cron on The Enneagram 101 https://beyondthetodolist.com/333 333 Ian Morgan Cron on The Enneagram 101 full Erik Fisher Ian Morgan Cron gives an overview of what the Enneagram is and the key attributes of a healthy and unhealthy version of each of the 9 types. 40:40 no Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, Enneagram teacher, nationally recognized speaker, psychotherapist, and Episcopal priest. In his book 'The Road Back to You', Ian presents an approachable and practical path to access the wisdom of the Enneagram. He also hosts the Typology Podcast.

      In this conversation Ian Morgan Crongives gives an overview of what the Enneagram is and the key attributes of a healthy and unhealthy version of each of the 9 types.

      This podcast is brought to you by:

      ]]>       https://fireside.fm/player/v2/k63j75B3+RVuqwYMW ]]> Erik Fisher Ian Morgan Cron (https://ianmorgancron.com) is a bestselling author, Enneagram teacher, nationally recognized speaker, psychotherapist, and Episcopal priest. In his book 'The Road Back to You (http://amzn.to/2vWB8k5)', Ian presents an approachable and practical path to access the wisdom of the Enneagram. He also hosts the Typology Podcast (https://www.typologypodcast.com). In this conversation Ian Morgan Crongives gives an overview of what the Enneagram is and the key attributes of a healthy and unhealthy version of each of the 9 types. This podcast is brought to you by: * Setapp (https://setapp.com?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=beyondthetodolist) * Betterhelp (http://betterhelp.com/beyond) <p><a href="https://ianmorgancron