A Productive Conversation

On today’s episode, I spent time with Don Yaeger. Don is an award-winning keynote speaker, business leadership coach, eleven-time New York Times best-selling author, and longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated. He has fashioned a career as one of America’s most provocative thought leaders. As a speaker, he has worked with audiences as diverse as Fortune 500 companies and cancer survivor groups, where he shares his personal story.

Don Yaeger is primarily sought to discuss lessons on achieving greatness, learned from first-hand experiences with some of the greatest sports legends in the world. He is also often retained by companies and organizations to coach their leaders, management teams, and employees on building a culture of greatness by studying great teams in sports and discerning the business lessons we can learn from them. 

Additionally, as an Executive Coach, Don has worked with a range of leaders from the president of the largest bank in the Caribbean to CEOs of financial services companies to technology executives. His coaching model is based on years of experience and study with those who have inspired championship-level teams. 

Throughout his writing career, he has developed a reputation as a world-class storyteller and has been invited as a guest to almost every major talk show – from The Oprah Winfrey Show to Nightline, from CNN to Good Morning America.

Talking Points

On areas that Don wanted to dive more into with his work

On projects where Don had the “Aha!” moment

On sports in general

How to handle adversities

The importance of having structures and framework

On Don’s process when crafting a book

The people that Don look up to

On Don’s daily routine

Lessons that Don wanted to pass on to his kids

On establishing good habits and breaking bad habits

On sport metaphors or sports analogies

Three books that Don would recommend people

Quote

“Most of us do our jobs and we don’t think about how the access or the opportunity created for us could be part of our own personal development and I made it part of mine early. And I started asking that question. And the question I choose is ‘If you could name for me one habit, one thing you’ve done consistently, that allowed you to go places your competitors couldn’t go, what would that habit be?’ and I just kept a list of the answers these great winners has given me.”

Relevant Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

Instagram

Book: A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring

This episode lets us know how to achieve success without sacrificing principles and how to build one of the most productive and rewarding relationships available to any athlete, businessperson, teacher, or parent-that of mentor and protégé.

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

On today’s episode, I spent time with Humble the Poet. Kanwer Singh aka Humble The Poet is a Toronto-bred MC/Spoken word artist with an aura that embodies the diversity and resiliency of one of the world’s most unique cities. With tattoos, beard, head wrap, and a silly smile, Humble commands attention. He stimulates audiences with ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and go against the grain, with dynamic live sets that shake conventions and minds at the same time.

Humble sees life with unique clarity. In his book, Unlearn: 101 Simple Truths for a Better Life, he opens our eyes to our own lives, helping us to recognize the possibilities that await us and the challenges that prevent us from realizing our dreams. With his characteristic honesty and forthrightness, he helps us shed the problematic lessons we’ve learned throughout our lives that limit us, from sabotaging habits, to fixed mindsets, to past regrets, and relearn new, unconventional ways of moving through life. Profound in its simplicity, Unlearn is the perfect invitation to a new beginning and to pursue a life of fulfillment.

Talking Points

A little bit more about Humble the Poet

What does “Unlearn” the book mean for Humble the Poet

How important is the virtue of patience

On process vs. progress

Main lessons that people talk about from the book, Unlearn

On the idea of journaling

On his daily routine – morning or night person

On his next plan and goal

What is the takeaway from his book, Unlearn

Where can people get stuff from Humble the Poet?

Quote

“Give a damn about yourself then give a damn about those you care about and then see if there are any more damns left to give.”

Relevant Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Snapchat

YouTube

Book: Unlearn

This episode made us realize that the hurdles or challenges that we experience is part of life and there are ways that we can follow to improve ourselves and our lives.

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

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

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

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

On today’s episode, I spent time with Michael Hyatt. Michael Hyatt is the founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, a leadership development firm specializing in transformative live events, workshops, and digital and physical planning tools. In his newest book, Free to Focus, Michael reveals to readers nine proven ways to win at work so they are finally free to succeed at the rest of life. Michael has been married to his wife, Gail, for forty years. They have five daughters, three sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren. They live just outside Nashville, Tennessee.

Michael Hyatt focus on how everyone gets 168 hours a week, but it never feels like enough. Work gobbles up the lion’s share. Most people think productivity is about finding or saving time. But it’s not. It’s about making our time work for us. In his book, Free to Focus, it reveals to readers nine proven ways to win at work so they are finally free to succeed at the rest of life–their health, relationships, hobbies, and more. He helps readers redefine their goals, evaluate what’s working, cut out the nonessentials, focus on the most important tasks, manage their time and energy, and build momentum for a lifetime of success.

Talking Points

On Michael’s new book, Free to Focus

On Michael’s definition and background on productivity

On the idea of hitting the reset button

Scheduling every hour of the day vs. leaving white space in your calendar

On making time for others

On how to not forget things

The idea of the intersection between passion and proficiency

How to say “no” with grace

Tips for delegation, scaling yourself and getting an assistant

How the book Free to Focus came to be

On planning and mapping your week

What is a backstage and frontstage work

Ideas on how to beat distractions

On productivity being a personal thing

How does it feel to be Michael Hyatt the leader?

What does journaling look like for a Michael Hyatt?

Parting advice to the listeners

Quote

“We have got to ask ourselves, what is it that we are trying to achieve through productivity? The first part of the book is all under the umbrella of STOP. We have got to stop and ask ourselves why are we on this hamster wheel? What is it that we are trying to accomplish? And where is it leading?”

Relevant Links

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Blog

Book: Free to Focus

This episode made us realize that many professionals are working as much as 70 hours a week thinking that they are productive but productivity is about making our time work for us. Just imagine having free time again. It’s not a pipe dream. I hope you will learn as much as I did.

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

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

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

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

On today’s podcast episode, I spend time with Austin Kleon. Austin is the New York Times bestselling author of three illustrated books: Steal Like An Artist, Newspaper Blackout, and Show Your Work! His next book is Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad. His books have over a million copies in print and has been translated into over two dozen languages. He speaks about creativity in the digital age for organizations such as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist. In previous lives, he worked as a librarian, a web designer, and an advertising copywriter.

Austin Kleon knows that the creative life is not a linear journey to a finish line, it’s a loop so one needs to find a daily routine, because today is the only day that matters. In his book, Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad, Austin celebrates getting outdoors and taking a walk. Pay attention, and especially pay attention to what you pay attention to. Worry less about getting things done, and more about the worth of what you’re doing. Instead of focusing on making your mark, work to leave things better than you found them.

Talking Points

About Austin’s book: Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad

On the importance of having a daily routine

On the idea of having a place to do creative work

How to combat the speed of life

On the idea of having boundaries

Building flexibility on your creative side

The idea of paying attention more than the passage of time

On the importance of having a journal

On using materials for his books that is not on the “modern moment”

How do you fool around with time?

Quote

“Time is the thing you get and you don’t know how much time you get. I think time is exactly what we are up against and it is exactly the real currency that we get to spend in this life. To not waste it and if your gonna waste it, to waste it deliciously. To waste it in the best way you can is the best thing you can do.” 

Relevant Links

Austin Kleon

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Tumbler

Book: Keep Going

Book: Show Your Work!

Book: Steal Like An Artist

Journal: Steal Like An Artist

Book: Newspaper Blackout

This episode teaches us that creative work is hard and how hard it is to keep going. We just need encouragement whether we are burned out, starting out, starting over, or wildly successful in the creative side. I hope you will learn as much as I did.

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

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

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

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

On today’s podcast episode, I spend time with Kevin Kruse once again. Kevin is the Founder and CEO of LEADx (leadx.org), an AI startup that created “Coach Amanda”, the world’s first executive coach built with IBM Watson. LEADx has the mission to spark the next 100 million leaders around the world. Kruse is also a New York Times bestselling author, host of the LEADx Leadership Podcast, and previous winner of Inc 500 awards for fast growth and Best Place to Work awards for company culture.

Kevin Kruse knows two things about leadership that most people do not believe. First, leadership is a superpower. Second, almost everything we’ve been taught about leadership is wrong. In Great Leaders Have No Rules, New York Times bestselling author and successful entrepreneur Kevin Kruse debunks popular wisdom with ten contrarian principles for better, faster, easier leadership.

Talking Points

On great leaders having no rules

Leading your time vs. managing your time

On the “open door policy” as a productivity killer

How to open up your calendar

Instead of putting rules, what should a leader do instead?

Defining extreme productivity

On the 15-secrets mentioned on the last book

On the idea of slowing down and adopting what successful leaders do

Quote

“We all have the same 1,440 minutes a day. You are not gonna make more time. So, it is really leading your energy, leading your schedule, and leading your minutes.”

Relevant Links

Kevin Kruse – Website

Kevin Kruse – Twitter

Kevin Kruse – Facebook

Kevin Kruse – LinkedIn

Kevin Kruse – YouTube

Kevin Kruse – Blog

Great Leaders Have No Rules by Kevin Kruse

This episode teaches us the lesson that we are in charge of our time. How we spend our time will makes us great leaders. I hope you will learn as much as I did.

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

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

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

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

On today’s podcast episode, I spend time with Clayton Morris. Clayton Morris is a former FOX News Anchor who left the #1 cable news show in the world after achieving financial freedom through his real estate company, Morris Invest. He now devotes himself to helping others buy their first rental property, build passive income, and achieve financial freedom.

Anything, both good and bad can happen to anyone at anytime. In this episode, Clayton and I discussed the importance of building passive income and achieving financial freedom. From being a FOX News Anchor and after some epic failures he’s learned how to build a meaningful life with work-life balance.

Talking Points

How to be a bulldog with your productivity?

On work environment

On books and reading

Ryan Holiday’s “one shelf idea”

On creating or finding things to remind you of why you are doing what you are doing

Making a shift from being an anchorman

On creating a financial parachute or soft landing spot

On 401K and retirement

Diving in the world of real estate investing

On fame, fortune and freedom

On prioritization

The 3 steps: be, do and have

Quote

“If I’m going after a big goal, I like to strike while the iron is hot. And that means for me (is) becoming a bulldog. Removing all the excess. All of the things that are not in alinement with hitting that goal.”

Relevant LInks

Clayton Morris – Website

Clayton Morris – Twitter

Clayton Morris – YouTube

This episode reminds us yet again of the importance of creating financial freedom for yourself and for your family. I hope you will learn as much as I did.

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

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

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

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

This time around on the podcast, I spend time with John Lamerton. John is a self-described “lazy entrepreneur” and investor. He balances running an ambitious lifestyle business with raising two young children. A former “hustler”, he now earns more money “working” 20 to 25 hours a week than he used to pulling all nighters and “grinding” for 100+ hours per week.

Most of us have this notion that working hard means working long hours. On this episode, we discussed John’s book which is For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow. We also discussed how to work smart by only working 20-25 hours a week and achieving success for your business instead of “hustling” for 100 hours work week. John now mentors his fellow ambitious business owners and teaching them how to design their businesses around his style.

Talking Points

Introducing John Lamerton’s For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow book

What is the definition of a small business?

On copying Richard Branson

Funnelling your business to thrive

Light-bulb moment for the business

The five magic ingredients for success

On high intensity interval training – HIIT

How the essay, 1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly helped in the business

Quote

“The final magic ingredient is action and that is the key thing that I see most people are failing to do. A lot of people they are not taking enough action. But on the flip-side, there are many many people who take lots of action but it’s the wrong action and they are going 100 miles per hour in the wrong direction.” 

Relevant Links

Big Ideas… For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow

John Lamerton – LinkedIn

John Lambert – Facebook

This episode reminds us yet again the power of working smart instead of working hard. It is quality over quantity. I hope you will learn as much as I did.

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

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

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

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

I haven’t talked to Carl Honoré for some time so it was a real treat when he joined me on this episode of The Productivityist Podcast. Carl is the author of such books as “In Praise of Slow” and “The Slow Fix”, and his TEDx Talk on slowness has been viewed 2.7 million times. His latest book “Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives”, tackles aging and the stigma around it.

While most of society either tries to reverse time or fears growing old, Carl and I embrace the concept of aging. On this episode, we discuss how the idea of aging is evolving, why slowing down is good, and why retirement age is the perfect time to work towards creative pursuits and self-improvement in this “Golden Age of Aging”.

Talking Points

A decades’ worth of catching up with Carl

Carl’s hockey game epiphany about aging and the cult of youth

Moving away from the life path straitjacket and towards defining one’s life via values and tastes

Riding the gray wave: A take on aging, retirement, and focusing on what matters

Embracing technology, continuous learning, and busting myths that come with aging

Counterintuitive ways of living bolder towards happiness and well-being

Watch your words: How language can impact how we live our lives

The play on words on the book title Bolder and what it aims to accomplish

Quote

“What’s happening now culturally is we’re throwing all those pieces up in the air and they’re coming back down again in a way that gives people the freedom, permission, space, and right to define what their life is going to look like at every stage.” 

Relevant Links

Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives | Amazon

Steve Dotto | The Productivityist Podcast

Carl Honoré

This episode offers a refreshing take on aging and serves to make each one of us a little bit more optimistic about what it can bring. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

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

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

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

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

On today’s episode, I spent time again with Marc and Angel Chernoff. Marc and Angel Chernoff are New York Times bestselling authors, professional coaches, full-time students of life, admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Through their blog, books, course and coaching, they’ve spent the past decade writing about and teaching proven strategies for finding lasting happiness, success, love, and peace.

Lauren and I talked about introspection, fears, making and keeping promises (and Hugh Jackman!). She practically gave me a coaching session on this episode and this conversation ought to prepare you the next time you have a setback.

Talking Points

Getting on our own way: An anecdote on taking on too much

Overcoming the new human experience filled with what’s wrong and fear

The relativity of success

Working on spiritual, emotional, and physical integrity

Beginning at the end and small things that bring macro results

I am doing the right thing: Stop asking and start doing and being

Setting up consequences to keep promises and be productive

Making your dark side work for the good guys

Keeping your promises as a way of challenging fear

Quote

“When you have a big enough dream and you pick the five most important things for you to accomplish but you believe in the whole, there’s magic that will happen so other things happen while you are doing the five things.”

Relevant Links

Maybe It’s You: Cut the Crap. Face Your Fears. Love Your Life. | Amazon

Laughing Man Coffee

InnerU

Lauren Zander Website

Lauren Zander Facebook

Lauren Zander Twitter

Lauren Zander Instagram

This episode will help you face your fears, get through the setbacks, and set your goals. A lot of what we touched on just scratches the surface and if you want more from Lauren, check out her website and her book. 

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

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

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

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

Dale Halaway is the guest on this episode of the podcast. He has been influencing the lives and careers of thousands for almost forty years and is a leader in the movement for awakening and change.

Dale and I talked about a whole bunch of topics that can really help with our personal development: ego, resistance, change, letting go of things that no longer serve us, and this thing called “transcovery” – to be honest, I wish we had more time to talk!

Talking Points

Dale’s beginnings, his career fast track, and the opportunities that followed

Overcoming his speech impediment and the role of ego in letting go and change

The Transcovery Process: Its spontaneous development and his eureka moment

Recognizing and handling change when it comes knocking on our door

Unconscious Resistance: Its roots and manifestations

How our body can reveal our fears and resistance

Slowing down to open up the greater version of ourselves and get what we deserve

Deep-seated control issues that hinder productivity

The benefits of adopting the practice of daily journaling

Exclusive freebies and bonus materials for Productivityist listeners

Quote

“When change comes knocking on your door, the first thing you want to do is that you want to be able to break that down to what does that ultimately mean… There’s going to be a process that could go on for days, weeks, even months, before you complete that process and come out of the other side where not only have you changed something within yourself but others around you will notice the change.”

Relevant Links

Being Called to Change: Let Go of All That No Longer Serves You and Grow Into Your Full Potential | Amazon

Being Called To Change

Dale Halaway

Dale Halaway on Facebook

Dale Halaway on Linkedin

@dalehalaway on Instagram

This episode largely deals with one question: How can you get comfortable with this ever-accelerating pace of change? Big thanks to Dale for chatting with me and if you want to learn more about him, check out his book Being Called to Change: Let Go of All That No Longer Serves You and Grow Into Your Full Potential.

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