A Productive Conversation

On this solo episode of the podcast, I’m doing something a little different: I’m hosting a guest. Jeff Sheldon joins me on the program to talk about simplicity, productivity, and the story behind Analog.

Jeff Sheldon is the founder and designer of Ugmonk, a brand focused on creating and curating thoughtfully designed products. Jeff launched Ugmonk in 2008 as a creative outlet to design products that he wanted to wear and use. Now over a decade later, Ugmonk continues to expand its collection of well-designed objects and clothing and attract a passionate following from around the globe.

Jeff and I spend a lot of time talking about his Analog venture – which is something I’ve been experimenting with for several weeks as of this recording. We also talk about design, simplicity, the importance of flexibility, and much more. I’ve been a big fan of Jeff’s work for some time and I’m glad I am able to share our conversation with you on this episode.

Talking Points

Jeff explains what he does… and what Ugmonk is

Did Jeff expect the Kickstarter campaign for Analog to blow up like this?

What made Jeff think that this product was useful for you… and that he should share it with the world?

Jeff talks about the Analog “card signals”

Jeff talks about his design study background and process

Quote

“It makes you prioritize… okay, I no longer can keep adding to my list because the hours in the day will run out before you can get to all them.”

Helpful Links

Analog

Lore

Episode 83: Overnight Success with Aaron Mahnke

Episode 213: The Bullet Journal Method with Ryder Carroll

Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen

Episode 73: Deep Work with Cal Newport

Dropbox Paper

Dieter Rams’ 10 Principles of Good Design

Ugmonk

Jeff Sheldon on Twitter | @ugmonk

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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My guest this time around is Jill McAbe. Jill is a business coach, high-performance expert and Amazon best-selling author of It’s Go Time: The ALL-IN System For Unstoppable Success in Business and Life.

After seven gruelling years as celebrated restaurateur, 10+ years as a growth consultant to entrepreneurs, and a car accident that nearly took her life, Jill realized she couldn’t spend another minute on a business that wasn’t perfect for her in every way. At 48, Jill turned her business development skills on herself to build a business aligned with her purpose and that fits her life. She now teaches people like herself (misfits who sell their talent and crave lifestyle freedom) how they can do the same. Jill is a Top Teacher on the global career-skills platform, Skillshare. Her official residence is in Toronto, Canada; however, her dream business allows her to work from anywhere.

Jill and I spend time talking about what “go time” is, her insights on willpower (and whether or not they align with mine), and much more. It’s always a pleasure to talk with a fellow Canadian, and speaking with Jill was no exception. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did.

Talking Points

What led Jill to think that this book needed to be out in the world?

Jill shares some tips to help you go from feeling uncertainty to feeling unstoppable

These are Jill’s thoughts on willpower

What is something someone can do either mentally or systematically to prepare themselves for challenges and uncharted terrain?

Quote

“Your subconscious loves repetition.“

Helpful Links

JillMcAbe.com

Episode 201: Willpower Doesn’t Work with Benjamin Hardy

It’s Go Time: The All-In System for Unstoppable Success in Business and Life

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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I took a Clarity Day this week.

Not sure what a Clarity Day is? I explain its value on this episode… as well as how I know it’s going to help me with my productivity and prioritization moving forward.

Want to take a Clarity Day for yourself? Here’s how.

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

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On this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Levi. Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur, published author, and podcaster born and raised in Silicon Valley.

Jonathan is the face of such products and brands as the award-winning SuperHuman Academy Podcast; the bestselling “Become a SuperLearner” series; and, most recently, his new venture, SuperHuman Academy. Jonathan’s media products have been enjoyed by over 250,000 people in 205 countries and territories.

During our conversation, we talk about the perils of overdoing optimization, how to avoid information overload, why planning matters, and Jonathan’s exploits into speed reading. There’s a lot to unpack in this episode… I hope you enjoy it.

Talking Points

Jonathan tells us a bit about himself and his origin story.

How does Jonathan turn off the desire to want to optimize everything all the time?

Jonathan talks about the filtration aspect of information overload

This is what Jonathan thinks about planning and plans

Jonathan and I talk about “speed reading”

Quote

“I really look to things that have sustained the test of time.”

Helpful Links

Episode 256: Understanding Ultralearning with Scott H. Young

The Science of Speed Reading

The Only Skill that Matters: The Proven Methodology to Read Faster, Remember More, and Become a SuperLearner

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three big days that happen over a three-week period are incredibly meaningful to me: World Productivity Day, Father’s Day, and my birthday. I share my thoughts on all of them in this episode.

Relevant Links

World Productivity Day

How to Be Productive in These Strange Times with Mike Vardy

How to Fix Your 2020 Vision Board

Why You Need A Clarity Day (And How To Make It Happen)

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the podcast delves into the concept of curation with the author of Curating Your Life, guest Gail Golden.

Gail Golden, MBA, Ph.D., is the Principal of Gail Golden Consulting, LLC. As a psychologist and consultant for over twenty-five years, she has developed deep expertise in helping businesses to build better leaders. Her experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, and consultant to senior leaders of both Fortune 1000 and non-profit organizations informs her approach to executive selection and development.

We focus on the idea of curation – something we are both keen on – and also discuss mediocrity, her thoughts on managing time, her views on comfort, and more.

Talking Points

How does curating your life allow you to have more balance?

Gail offers her take on mediocrity

How do you know when it is time to re-evaluate and change what your priority is?

Gail talks about her views on wanting to escape the comfort zone

What is one simple action someone can take to start this process after they pick up the book?

Quote

“Don’t manage your time, manage your energy.“

Helpful Links

Gail Golden Consulting

Curating Your Life

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

KC Procter returns to the podcast to share three more things. Check out his original appearance on Episode 206 of the podcast.

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest for this episode of the program is digital strategist, renowned speaker, and good friend Bosco Anthony. When we decided to have this conversation initially, we had a different set of topics in mind. But based on the current climate of the world when we recorded this episode – early June 2020 – the discussion went in a different direction.

Bosco Anthony is an International Speaker, Storyteller and Digital Strategist with a background in corporate leadership and business operations. His experience in the corporate sector provides wisdom on operational maturity, business growth, digital strategy, performance efficiencies, and design thinking ideology. Bosco spends much time on research trends and is an idea rebel at heart. Bosco is recognized for his executive mentorship, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for operational maturity. Bosco thrives in a collaborative playground and is known for being an influence to the business and digital community having spoken at TEDx Stanley Park on fuelling life with purpose and alignment. Having roots in Tanzania, East Africa Bosco spent much of his adult life in Vancouver, Canada. He now calls Brisbane, Australia home.

I’ve known Bosco for years and have seen him speak on many occasions. He knows his stuff and having him on the podcast has been a long time coming. But there’s more to Bosco than I’d known before having this discussion with him.

During our discussion, Bosco and I went beyond the topic of productivity. We focused primarily on the subject of racism and uncertainty. We also spent some time talking about being a night owl, whether or not the return of sports will serve as a distraction from both the minutia and the important issues of the day, and how to deal with uncertainty in a time filled with it. I’m glad we took the time to shift gears and take our conversation down this path. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Talking Points

Bosco speaks on how he feels about today's on going events and protests

I ask Bosco if he thinks that when sports come back that it will create a distraction that shifts attention away from the Black Lives Matter movement

How does uncertainty and unfolding uncertain elements in the world affect Bosco’s productivity?

Bosco offers some simple steps you can take when you are in trying times and don’t feel like you can keep moving forward

Quote

“When you’re not biased to one perspective it allows you to absorb more information at a quicker, rapid pace.“

Helpful Links

BoscoAnthony.com

Why Time Flies: A Mostly Scientific Investigation

The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.

High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way

The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time

1619 | The NY Times Podcast Series

The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest

The Productivityist Podcast Pick of The Week: Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judy Machado-Duque returns to the podcast to share three more things. Check out his original appearance on Episode 205 of the podcast.

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phil Simon joins me on this episode to talk about his book, Slack for Dummies. If you’ve ever wanted to get more out of Slack then you’ll get a lot out of this conversation.

Phil is a sought-after speaker and recognized authority on technology, trends, communication, and management. He advises companies on how to optimize their use of technology has written nine books, most recently Slack For Dummies. His contributions have appeared in Harvard Business Review, CNN,& Inc., The New York Times, Wired, NBC, CNBC, Wired, The Huffington Post, FoxNews, abcnews.com, forbes.com, BusinessWeek, and many other high-profile media outlets.

Whenever Phil and I have the opportunity to connect, we have a great discussion. This episode is no exception. We spend plenty of time “talking Slack,” including why Phil decided to write an entire book about it, the most creative use cases he discovered while writing the book, and more. If you’ve been dipping your toe into Slack, then this episode will help you warm up to the idea of not only using Slack… but really making it sing for you.

Talking Points

What was Phil’s reasoning for diving into Slack?

These are some of the good things to know when first Getting into Slack

Phil talks about how he makes sure Slack doesn’t go off the rails and become something it wasn’t made for

What was it like when Phil realized how useful Slack is?

Phil explains one of the most creative ways he has seen Slack used

If you’re familiar with Slack and you want to take things to the next level, this is one action you can take

Quote

“Once you go Slack, you don’t go back.“

Helpful Links

PhilSimon.com

Asana

Gary Gulman

How I Built This with Guy Raz | Slack & Flickr: Stewart Butterfield

Slack for Dummies

The Productivityist Podcast Pick of The Week: How I Built This with Guy Raz

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices