A Productive Conversation

By Mike VardyBusiness Careers Management

A Productive Conversation episodes

May 29, 2017 The Daily Plan Bar with Mike Rohde
For this episode, I went out and pursued hard so I can chat with Sketchnote creator, Mike Rohde. Mike is a sketchnoter, designer, illustrator, self-professed techy, author and speaker who is fond of simple yet impactful design solutions. A sample of such is the Daily Plan Bar which he created to make task management more manageable.
Our discussion involves the origins of the Daily Plan Bar, how he came up with it and the other systems he uses to manage his work tasks and his home life.
Specific points we’ve chatted about are:
How his intention to get the most of his day, avoid distractions and just get away from the computer prompted him to maximize analog tools and create the Daily Plan bar.
Whose systems influenced and were integrated to create Mike’s Daily Plan Bar.
How he incorporates digital with analog, with his outlook calendar playing the master role from which he extracts the details of his daily plan bar.
Dealing with too many tasks, prioritizing which ones to do in the day, how Mike reminds himself of what needs to be done or focus on.
How to make a Weekly Plan Bar that integrated with the Daily Plan Bar, and how this allowed him to prioritize his tasks and see the week at a glance.
Situations when a weekly plan may not be as helpful nor practical to maintain.
How Bruce Lee’s principles based on martial arts may be applied to productivity and life.
The length of testing Mike has done before he released the Daily Plan Bar for public consumption.
What products Mike uses and how he recommends to do and utilize the Daily Plan Bar effectively.
Mike’s simpler task-management and journaling practices for home and personal purposes.
His stand on the analog-digital debate, the apps he uses, and how he prefers to do his task management.
The World Sketchnote Day and how to be a part of it.
Relevant Links
The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde | Amazon
The Sketchnote Workbook by Mike Rohde | Amazon
Everyday Sketchnoting with Mike Rohde | The Mikes on Mic
The Daily Plan Bar by Rohdesign | Medium
Planner Hack
The Dash/Plus System | Patrick Rhone
The Best Kind of Paper Pushing | The Productivityist Podcast
The Staying Power of Sketchnotes with Deborah LeFrank |The Productivityist Podcast
Weekly Plan Bars | Matthew Lang
Tools for Thinkers | Baron Fig
Hobonichi Techo 2017
Mike Rohde's Books on Sketchnoting | Designer Mike Rohde
Mike Rohde (@rohdesign) | Twitter
Mike Rohde (@rohdesign) | Instagram
A Showcase of Sketchnotes | Sketchnote Army
Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going.
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31 min
May 29, 2017 The Daily Plan Bar with Mike Rohde
For this episode, I went out and pursued hard so I can chat with Sketchnote creator, Mike Rohde. Mike is a sketchnoter, designer, illustrator, self-professed techy, author and speaker who is fond of simple yet impactful design solutions. A sample of such is the Daily Plan Bar which he created to make task management more manageable.
30 min
May 22, 2017 Being with Toku McCree
It was a real treat chatting with this episode's guest Toku McCree. Toku is a coach, teacher and the guy behind Unexecutive.com and Samurai Coaching Dojo.
His background working with rock stars and living in a Zen monastery certainly gives off a vibe that he’s less traditional than the usual, and he uses these experience to teach entrepreneurs and leaders an out-of-the-box mindset to redefine success not as the destination but as a part of the journey to an amazing life.
Our conversation focused on the the idea that obsessing over tactics could actually be ruining your business, and even your life. Some of the points Toku and I covered in our discussion includes:
An obsession with productivity and strategy that he's noticed working with entrepreneurs, leaders, and CEOs.
The point in an individual's growth when the focus shifts from what you’re doing to what you’re being, and how this can change everything in your life, thus creating a kind of efficiency with less friction.
How he had 30 jobs before he was 30 years old, and how a cycle of getting hired, learning, getting bored and leaving a job led to a realization that he remains dissatisfied.
Meeting someone in a party which eventually led him to live in a monastery for two and a half years, where he learned about happiness and fulfillment.
Questions to ask yourself to enable you to run your business, or life, with greater efficiency, and without being tied to a rigid process, system, tactic or tool.
How vulnerability is actually a strength than can create possibilities, and enable one to be more effective in dealing with relationships, teams, and business.
Why is it important for a successful person who may be so used to relating to the world in a place of strength to show and experience vulnerability.
How putting tactics in place with perfection as the goal is likened to running a tank with no weaknesses, and why this is not an ideal mentality.
The significance of practicing presence by stepping back and relaxing to generate insights towards improving your business and life.
Relevant Links:
Unexective.com
Samurai Coaching Dojo | An accelerator to practice the art of deep coaching.
Picking role models that matter | Toku McCree | TEDxZurichWomen - YouTube
Toku McCree (@unexecutive) | Twitter
Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going.
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
May 22, 2017 Being with Toku McCree
It has been a real treat with this episode's guest Toku McCree. Toku is a coach, teacher and the guy behind Unexecutive.com and Samurai Coaching Dojo.
25 min
May 15, 2017 Speaking with Passion with Corey Poirier
My guest on this episode is fellow Canadian Corey Poirier. Corey is a keynote speaker, sales professional, entrepreneur, and the host of Conversations with Passion Radio Show where he has interviewed over 4,000 "super-achievers."
A passionate speaker who wants to share with people his craft, Corey is behind the Passion Cure and The Speaking Program. It is through these avenues that he reaches out to people, coach those who are interested in developing their communication skills, and feature those who have been successful in their life’s passions.
Corey and I had a similar path in our lives that took us to what we’re doing now, and that is just one of the things we chatted about in this episode. Other areas we touched on are:
His journey starting with a career in sales, then shifting to stand-up comedy before finally transitioning into his passion for public speaking.
Our similar background in performance arts, and things that we didn’t enjoy as much in that field.
How people’s feedback propelled him into diving into passion as a speaker.
What people fear when it comes to communicating and public speaking, and how to get comfortable on stage.
The importance of tackling tasks and goals in small chunks that are easily achievable – whether in public speaking or productivity – until you’re ready to take on the big one.
How having a buddy to practice whatever it is that you’re passionate about or want to conquer gives you higher chances of success.
The structure of The Speaking Program.
Questions to ask oneself to help find your true passion, and how to take that first ‘baby step’ towards living that passion.
A productivity reminder to ensure that pursuing your passion is not interrupted – and becomes successful.
Relevant Links:
That Speaker Guy | Corey Poirier
‎Corey Poirier
How People Crush Fears and Expand Comfort Zones | Corey Poirier | TEDxCanmore - YouTube
Toastmasters International
The Speaking Program
The Passion Cure brings you the Conversations With PASSION! Radio Show
Corey Poirier (@thatspeakerguy) | Twitter
Weeding Your Life with Corey Poirier | Productivityist
Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going.
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
33 min
May 15, 2017 Speaking with Passion with Corey Poirier
My guest on this episode is fellow Canadian Corey Poirier. Corey is a keynote speaker, sales professional, entrepreneur, and the host of Conversations with Passion Radio Show where he has interviewed over 4,000 Super-Achievers. He has been featured in TV specials on Eastlink TV and TeleTelevision and is also a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine.
32 min
May 08, 2017 The Magic of Manifestation with Jen Mazer
Do you want to live in an apartment with a jacuzzi in Manhattan – for free? Jen Mazer did that for 10 years (and so much more) – all through the power of manifestation.
Jen Mazer (a.k.a. the Queen of Manifestation) is a transformational speaker and coach, teaching people how to manifest their dreams and goals while making an impact on the world. She is the creator of the board game Sparked, and is also the author of the book Manifesting Made Easy: How to Harness the Law of Attraction to Get What You Really Want.
Manifesting gave Jen the chance to experience some of the most outrageous adventures – like attending a cocktail party hosted by Martin Scorsese, getting published in the New York Times, and even paying off debt. Jen's the guest on this episode and she’ll share the power of manifestation in her life and how it can do the same for you.
We chatted about her background, the law of attraction, resistance, and even touched a bit on quantum physics. Here’s a rundown of what we covered during our conversation:
How she started in this niche and how her friends came up with the moniker "Queen of Manifestation".
The skepticism and misconception that manifesting is solely about visualization and meditation, how productivity and action factors in, and why she isn’t a proponent of working too hard.
Her metaphor on how placing an order of the food you want in a restaurant is what manifesting is like to your life.
The importance of trusting your dreams as it could be foreshadowing what the universe wants for you, despite the limitations like not having time, experience, money.
The idea of seeing resistance as proof of movement and change, and obstacles as opportunities to experience new things.
The law of polarity, fostering awareness through what you want and don’t want, and reframing your intentions by positioning them so that they are positive and open to possibilities.
Reframing task management from “have to”, to “need to” to “get to” to make each task more impactful.
How her book breaks down manifesting concepts and techniques allowing anyone employ them, and the power of positivity and feeling positive inside before it even manifests.
What sparked the creation of the board game she co-created with her friend and how it is able to promote happiness, gratitude, inspiration and love
Simple and easy ways to start manifesting, and a story of how an affirmation she wrote years ago manifested in her life.
Relevant Links
Queen of Manifestation
Manifesting Made Easy
Strategies for Getting Clear on Your Vision | Queen of Manifestation
How to Deal with Resistance | Queen of Manifestation
Manifesting Made Easy by Jane Mazer | Amazon
Sparked: The game with inspiration, heart & hilarity
Queen of Manifestation | Facebook
Jen Mazer (@JenMazer) | Twitter
Jen Mazer (@jenmazer) | Instagram
Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going.
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 min
May 08, 2017 The Magic of Manifestation with Jen Mazer
Do you want to live in an apartment with a jacuzzi in Manhattan – for free? Jen Mazer did that for 10 years, and so much more – all through the power of manifestation. Jen Mazer a.k.a. the Queen of Manifestation is a transformational speaker and coach, teaching people how to manifest their dreams and goals while making an impact on the world. She is the creator if the board game Sparked, and is also the author of Manifesting Made Easy: How to Harness the Law of Attraction to Get What You Really Want.
28 min
May 01, 2017 The Problem with Productivity with Adam Quiney
Despite the two of us being based in Victoria, and within the same circle, I have only been able to touch base with Adam Quiney pretty recently. He is the kind of guy that I can talk to for hours, no beer needed.
In his words, he is an “obsessive perfectionist and high performer” who used to work as a project manager and lawyer. He is currently working as an executive coach where he teaches people how to live a life without compromise while creating the impact they want to.
On this episode, we talked about the problem with productivity, fostering relationships, books, among others. Some of the areas we also touched on includes:
How personal transformations involve self-awareness, feelings of disconnection or a pain point as the trigger.
The idea of the noble sacrifice brought about by caring too much or wanting to make a difference which can create disappointment, anxiety or heartbreak.
The 'narrative' we were made to believe that building relationships take time contradicting the concept of efficiency, and how to practice deepening intimacy congruent to productivity.
How the pursuit of productivity becomes a hindrance to our lives through too much dependence, and an anecdote on how this fixation can even ruin our relationships.
Steps on fixing this challenge by slowing down, gaining awareness on what efficiency is costing us, and facing the fear of what will happen if we’re not efficient.
A story highlighting the importance of taking ownership, and the role the ego plays in this conundrum.
His top picks when it comes to books which helped him understand human nature, and in turn help others.
The importance of balancing one’s boundaries and why he likened traversing life to riding a bike.
His insights on the work-life balance vs. work-life integration debacle, and what he thinks is a more plausible concept to aim for.

Relevant Links:
Evergrowth Coaching
Adam Quiney (@evergrowthadam) | Twitter
Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday | Amazon
Shambala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chogyam Trungpa
The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida | Amazon
Books by Neal Stephenson | Amazon
Books by Michael Singer | Amazon
Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, remember to stop guessing...and start going.
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 min
May 01, 2017 The Problem with Productivity with Adam Quiney
Despite the two of us being based in Victoria, and within the same circle, I have only been able to touch base with Adam Quiney pretty recently. He is the kind of guy that I can talk to for hours, no beer needed. In his words, he is an “obsessive perfectionist and high performer” who used to work as a project manager and lawyer. He is currently working as an executive coach where he teaches people how to live a life without compromise while creating the impact they want to.
28 min

About A Productive Conversation

From the publisher's feed

Hosted by productivity strategist Mike Vardy, A Productive Conversation offers insightful discussions on how to craft a life that aligns with your intentions. Each episode dives into the art of time devotion, productiveness, and refining your approach to daily living. Mike invites guests who are thinkers, doers, and creators to share their strategies for working smarter and living more intentionally. From practical tips to deep dives on mindset shifts, this podcast will help you reframe your relationship with time and find balance in a busy world.