Asian Efficiency

Asian Efficiency

Download on the App Store

Asian Efficiency episodes

  • A Decade of Gratitude

    This week marks a special moment—it’s Thanksgiving, and 10 years of The Productivity Show. In today’s short episode, I just want to say thank you. I’ll share a few reflections from the past decade and what I’m most excited about going forward. Consider this your personal thank-you note for being part of our journey.

    Life insurance is never cheaper than it is today. Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than fifty percent at selectquote.com/tps.

    Links:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    • SelectQuote
    • 25X Productivity Coaching
    • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

      9 min
    • Productivity Tips for Managers (TPS588)

      Managers and team leaders, this episode is for you! We’re diving deep into actionable strategies to boost your productivity and empower your teams. Learn how to master communication, build high-performing teams, leverage automation, and optimize your personal workflow. We’ll share practical tips and real-world examples to help you get the important things done without sacrificing what matters most. Tune in for insights that will transform your leadership.

      Life insurance is never cheaper than it is today. Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than fifty percent at selectquote.com/tps.

      Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll.

      Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

      Visit asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

      Cheat Sheet:

      Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

      • Top 3 Productivity Resources[02:53]
      • How to stop living in your inbox and start using email like a high-leverage manager instead of a help desk. [07:42]
      • A simple meeting shift that frees up focus time and makes your team like meetings more (yes, really). [22:29]
      • How AI note-takers let you “be” in two meetings at once — without burning out or missing crucial details. [24:39]
      • The underrated behaviors that quietly turn a group of individuals into a high-performing team. [33:19]
      • A low-friction way to build real accountability on your team without turning into a micromanager. [39:53]
      • The personal habits great managers use behind the scenes to stay sharp, organized, and credible. [44:06]
      • Links:
        • SelectQuote
        • Gusto
        • DripDrop
        • 25X Productivity Coaching
        • The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More, and Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier
        • Sunsama
        • Wisdom Takes Work: Learn. Apply. Repeat. by Ryan Holiday
        • Otter.ai
        • Lindy
        • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
        • Productivity Academy
        • The Productivity Show on Youtube
        • The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
        • Become a member of TPS+
        • Take the Productivity Quiz
        • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

          48 min
        • The Tiny 20% That Changes Everything: The Hidden Lever Behind Real Productivity

          How is it possible that a small fraction of your tasks is responsible for almost all of your progress? Most people drown in endless to-dos, believing productivity comes from doing more. But the truth is far more straightforward, and far more liberating. In this encore episode, we unpack the 20% of actions that quietly drive 80% of your results, and why identifying them can instantly change how you work.

          Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps.

          Links:

          Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

          • Notion Agent
          • 25X Productivity Coaching
          • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

            10 min
          • The 3-Step Q4 Blueprint to Actually Hit Your Goals (TPS587)

            Have you noticed how the final quarter of the year has a way of sneaking up on you? Either motivating you to sprint or reminding you of everything you didn’t get done? Q4 is a powerful reset point, and with the right approach, it can become the most satisfying, high-momentum stretch of your entire year.

            That’s why we’re sharing a simple but surprisingly effective 3-step framework to help you review what’s happened, uncover new opportunities, and set yourself up for a strong, confident finish.

            Whether your year’s been smooth, messy, or somewhere in between, this encore episode gives you a practical roadmap for turning the final weeks into meaningful progress. You’ll learn how to cut through overwhelm, identify what truly matters, and execute with clarity, so you enter the holidays feeling accomplished instead of stressed or disappointed. If you’re ready to close out the year on your terms, this is your blueprint.

            Visit Indeed.com/tps to start hiring now.

            Masterclass.com/TPS for an additional 15% off any annual membership.

            Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps.

            Visit asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

            Cheat Sheet:

            Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

            • Top 3 Productivity Resources [02:25]
            • The simple reflection process that reveals what really happened last quarter [03:48]
            • How to spot hidden opportunities you may have overlooked all year [18:28]
            • Why the “best” workout time might not be what you expect [28:23]
            • A small reading habit shift that removes all friction [31:46]
            • Tweaks that turn everyday routines into smoother systems [35:06]
            • The behind-the-scenes change that made our content process way easier [38:47]
            • The execution mindset that makes big goals actually achievable [43:56]
            • Quick tips and go-to resources to power up your productivity [53:26]
            • Links:
              • Indeed
              • Masterclass
              • Notion Agent
              • 25X Productivity Coaching
              • Leatherman Style PS Keychain Multitool
              • Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career
              • The Summer Juggle — Can You Be Productive When The Kids Are On Summer Break? (TPS251)
              • Here’s A Quick Way To Stay On Track With Your Goals All Year (TPS254)
              • 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans
              • Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…and Why the Rest Don’t (Rockefeller Habits 2.0)
              • Fall; or, Dodge in Hell: A Novel
              • Become Productive Again: 6 Ways To Get Back On Track (TPS255)
              • 12 Week Year
              • Fatigue, Procrastination and Being Unproductive…These Are Some of the Penalties of Ignoring This One Thing (TPS237)
              • Productivity Academy
              • The Productivity Show on Youtube
              • The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
              • Become a member of TPS+
              • Take the Productivity Quiz
              • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

                56 min
              • The Flexible Path to Happiness and Productivity

                When life keeps changing, should your productivity system stay the same? In this encore episode, we share how rigid routines can start to hold you back once your priorities evolve — whether that’s starting a new job, building a relationship, or entering a completely new season of life.

                Discover how to plan with flexibility, stay anchored to your long-term vision, and truly enjoy the passage of time — even when everything around you is shifting. If you’ve ever felt that your old productivity methods no longer fit your new reality, this episode will help you recalibrate, refocus, and find flow again.

                Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps.

                Links:

                Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

                • Notion
                • 25X Productivity Coaching
                • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

                  9 min
                • Build a Second Brain: Tiago Forte’s Playbook for Clarity and Productivity (TPS586)

                  How much valuable knowledge slips through the cracks of your busy day? What are the ideas you jot down, forget, and never act on? Tiago Forte believes the key to unlocking your full potential isn’t doing more, it’s organizing what you already know. As the creator of the “Building a Second Brain” method, Tiago has helped thousands of people transform digital chaos into clarity.

                  In this encore episode, Tiago joins Thanh to share how you can capture, organize, and leverage information so your mind stays focused on creativity and decision-making. From his philosophy on weekly reviews to his favorite tools and mindset shifts, this conversation is packed with practical ways to stop juggling ideas and start executing with calm, confident focus.

                  Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/tps.

                  Visit Indeed.com/tps to start hiring now.

                  Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

                  Visit www.asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

                  Cheat Sheet:

                  Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

                  • Top 3 Productivity Resources [01:33].
                  • What it really means to build a second brain and why it matters [04:29].
                  • How Forte Labs began—and the moment Tiago realized productivity could be taught differently [04:55].
                  • Why managing knowledge may be the most underrated productivity skill of all [06:39].
                  • The simple four-part PARA system that can organize your entire digital life [13:15].
                  • How sharing what you know multiplies your learning and impact [18:15].
                  • Real stories of how knowledge management changes the way people work [19:19].
                  • One small, practical action you can take today to start your second brain [26:38].
                  • How to sort your ideas, notes, and projects without overthinking it [27:45].
                  • The best place to begin if you’re new to personal knowledge management [34:46].
                  • How Tiago’s system connects—and differs—from David Allen’s GTD [36:52].
                  • A peek into Tiago’s own daily and weekly productivity habits [40:18].
                  • Why the weekly review might be the single habit that holds it all together [40:51].
                  • Where to explore more about Building a Second Brain and join the movement [49:10].
                  • Links:
                    • Shopify
                    • Indeed
                    • DripDrop
                    • 25X Productivity Coaching
                    • Hours Tracker
                    • Breaking Smart Newsletter
                    • GorillaPod
                    • The PARA Method: A Universal System for Organizing Digital Information
                    • The One-Touch Guide to Doing a Weekly Review: How I Go From Chaos to Clarity in 30 Minutes
                    • Productivity Academy
                    • The Productivity Show on Youtube
                    • The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
                    • Become a member of TPS+
                    • Take the Productivity Quiz
                    • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

                      51 min
                    • Reset Your Day: Simple Strategies to Beat Overwhelm

                      Feeling overwhelmed? Discover how ‘reset days’ can transform your productivity. Learn Thanh’s practical strategies, including brain dumps for clarity, guided meditation for mental calm, and setting hard stops to prevent burnout. Reclaim control and get back on track with these actionable tips.

                      Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll.

                      Links:

                      Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

                      • Gusto
                      • 25X Productivity Coaching
                      • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

                        9 min
                      • Apps & Tools We Can’t Live Without (TPS585)

                        Discover the essential apps and tools that truly boost productivity without adding digital clutter.

                        In this episode, we share our must-have software and hardware, from text expanders and note-taking systems like Notion and Apple Notes, to the latest AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, and even quality equipment. Learn how to choose wisely, integrate effectively, and simplify your workflow to get more done.

                        Masterclass.com/TPS for an additional 15% off any annual membership.

                        Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll.

                        Visit www.asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

                        You can find links to everything that we share in the show notes at theproductivityshow.com/.

                        Cheat Sheet:

                        Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

                        • Top 3 Productivity Resources [02:19]
                        • The simple rule we use to pick tools (and skip the shiny ones) [05:50]
                        • Thanh has switched his task management app after a decade+ — why it finally stuck [11:57]
                        • Beyond email & calendars: the integration that changes everything [12:50]
                        • “Do I need to code?” The real bar to building AI agents [17:02]
                        • A quick test to make an app stick—before you invest time [19:09]
                        • One tweak that kills repetitive typing and speeds up workflows [24:42]
                        • Voice-first shortcut magic that beats plain text expansion [27:03]
                        • Notes that grow with you—where we landed for PKM (for now) [30:05]
                        • We don’t use just one AI—here’s when each shines [36:22]
                        • Physical desk upgrades that save clicks—and sanity [40:59]
                        • Links:
                          • Masterclass
                          • Gusto
                          • 25X Productivity Coaching
                          • Logitech MX Master 4 Ergonomic Wireless Mouse
                          • Magnetic Airpod Pro Strap
                          • The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future
                          • Todoist
                          • Notion
                          • Alfred
                          • Autohotkey
                          • Boost Your Productivity Using Just Your Voice (TPS569)
                          • Wispr Flow
                          • Obsidian
                          • Lindy
                          • ChatGPT
                          • Claude
                          • Descript
                          • MacWhisper
                          • CalDigit TS4 – Thunderbolt Dock
                          • UGREEN Headphone Extension Cable 3.5mm
                          • Productivity Academy
                          • The Productivity Show on Youtube
                          • The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
                          • Become a member of TPS+
                          • Take the Productivity Quiz
                          • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

                            49 min
                          • Beyond Basics: Advanced TEA Framework Strategies

                            Ready to level up your productivity? This Wisdom Wednesday, we’re diving deep into advanced strategies for the TEA Framework—Time, Energy, and Attention. Discover how to use theme-based focus, align tasks with your natural energy, and leverage constraints to eliminate busywork. Learn how continuous review can transform your productivity, helping you get more done without sacrificing what matters.

                            Life insurance is never cheaper than it is today. Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than fifty percent at selectquote.com/tps.

                            Visit www.asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

                            Links:

                            Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

                            • SelectQuote
                            • 25X Productivity Coaching
                            • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

                              9 min
                            • Aligned to Thrive: How Your Posture Can Supercharge Your Productivity and Eliminate Pain w/ Rick Mathes (TPS584)

                              Ever notice how sitting a little taller instantly makes you feel more alert and confident? There’s real science behind that. Your posture isn’t just about how you look — it directly affects your energy, focus, and productivity. When your body is misaligned, it’s not just your back that suffers; your brain does too.

                              In this encore episode, Thanh sits down with Rick Mathes, clinic director of Align Pain Solutions, to reveal how fixing your body’s position can transform how you work and feel. You’ll learn why posture is the foundation of true productivity, how small daily adjustments can eliminate pain, and why the key to getting more done might start with how you sit.

                              Life insurance is never cheaper than it is today. Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than fifty percent at selectquote.com/tps.

                              Masterclass.com/TPS for an additional 15% off any annual membership.

                              Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps.

                              You can find links to everything that we share in the show notes at theproductivityshow.com/.

                              Cheat Sheet:

                              Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

                              • Top 3 Productivity Resources [01:49]
                              • A near-fatal car crash that changed everything—and led to a new mission. [02:58]
                              • Why your body might be the hidden driver behind your productivity. [08:30]
                              • The surprising truth about pain—and what it’s really trying to tell you. [13:52]
                              • How your body secretly compensates for imbalance (and why that matters). [23:19]
                              • The modern epidemic that’s wrecking posture and causing chronic pain. [24:16]
                              • The key to unlocking effortless movement and lasting energy. [26:24]
                              • Inside Rick’s daily routine—where productivity meets purpose. [31:52]
                              • The morning practice that resets focus and gratitude in minutes. [37:36]
                              • Why “cleaning the garage” isn’t a task—and what GTD got right about that. [39:01]
                              • How to bounce back from burnout and build breathing room into your week. [43:00]
                              • Links:
                                • SelectQuote
                                • Masterclass
                                • Notion Agent
                                • 25X Productivity Coaching
                                • Align Pain Solutions
                                • Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
                                • Omnifocus
                                • Pain Free: A Revolutionary Method for Stopping Chronic Pain
                                • The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal
                                • Align Pain Solutions Youtube Channel
                                • Headspace
                                • Calm
                                • Airmail
                                • Fantastical
                                • Productive Workouts and Recover Like a World-Class Athlete w/ Garrett Salpeter (TPS223)
                                • Egoscue
                                • Productivity Academy
                                • The Productivity Show on Youtube
                                • The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
                                • Become a member of TPS+
                                • Take the Productivity Quiz
                                • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

                                  53 min

                                About Asian Efficiency

                                From the publisher's feed

                                Asian Efficiency is the leading website on time management and productivity. Learn how to be efficient, get things done (GTD), and stay motivated.