In my book Effortless, I asked an important question. What could happen in your life if the easy but pointless things became harder and the essential things became easier? This is episode three of four about my adventures at the University of Cambridge. At the end of this episode, you'll be able to replace one bad habit with a good one by making the bad one harder and the good one easier.

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184. Cambridge Series – Cycling

Design a life that really matters. I’m your host, Greg McKeown, author of New York Times bestsellers "Effortless" and "Essentialism" and I’m on mission to help you advocate and negotiate your way to remarkable results without burning out. Come with me on this journey every Tuesday and Thursday as we examine the most essential areas of our lives. Learn more about my books and courses at https://GregMcKeown.com.

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Dr. Josh Axe is a certified doctor of natural medicine and a clinical nutritionist. He is passionate about helping people use food, lifestyle, and mindset to heal and prevent illness. Dr. Axe graduated from Johns Hopkins University and earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. He founded a functional medicine center in Nashville, which grew to become one of the most renowned clinics in the world. Dr. Axe is the founder of the website draxe.com, one of the top natural health websites globally. He also hosts a fast-growing show and podcast, "The Dr. Axe Show," where he covers topics related to health, mindset, personal growth, and spiritual growth. Dr. Axe has interviewed notable guests such as Carrie Underwood, Dave Ramsey, and Jamie Kern Lima. He recently authored a book titled "Think This, Not That," which explores mindsets that can lead to breakthroughs in life.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Greg interviews Josh Axe about the power of mindsets and mind shifts in achieving personal growth and making a significant impact in the world. Josh shares two personal stories of mind shifts that transformed his life—one involving a life-threatening medical condition and another related to his academic abilities. He emphasizes the importance of adopting growth mindsets and seeking inspiration from individuals who have achieved greatness in various fields. The conversation delves into the role of limiting beliefs, the impact of the medical profession's fixed mindset, and the need to challenge societal narratives. Josh also discusses the significance of character development and the pursuit of one's unique gifts and talents to maximize personal growth and make a positive difference in the world.
Key Takeaways:

Mindsets and mind shifts are crucial for personal growth and making quantum leaps in life.

Limiting beliefs can hinder individuals from fulfilling their potential and achieving their goals.

Seeking inspiration from individuals who have achieved greatness can help shape positive mindsets.

Combining character development with the pursuit of one's unique gifts and talents leads to maximum personal growth and impact.

Creating space for silence and reflection is essential for hearing one's conscience and calling.

Notable Quotes:

"If we sit here and believe that we can only get as good as what others tell us, we won't experience breakthroughs or miracles." - Dr. Josh Axe

"We constantly have people in our lives telling us we're not smart enough, not good enough, not worthy. If we believe it, it can put a cap on our potential." - Dr. Josh Axe

"The people who do the most in this life are the ones who think most about the next life." - Dr. Josh Axe

"Busyness and noise can drown out our conscience and calling. Creating space for silence and reflection is crucial." - Dr. Josh Axe

Resources:

Website: draxe.com


Book: "Think This, Not That" by Dr. Josh Axe


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295. The Power of Mindset with Dr. Josh Axe (Part 1)

About the Guest:
Laura Martin is the Executive Productivity Advisor at Google and the author of the book, Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing. She started her career at Google, where she taught people how to manage their inbox effectively. This passion grew into a full-time role, and she now works with executives one-on-one and runs the productivity program at Google. Laura is the author of the book.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, I interview Laura Mae Martin, a productivity expert and author, about the importance of setting boundaries with technology and creating systems to enhance productivity. Laura shares her personal experience of implementing a tech-free evening once a week and the positive impact it has had on her overall well-being. She also discusses the various systems she has put in place to minimize distractions and maximize focus, such as setting up email labels and notifications, using wearable devices, and customizing her digital environment. The conversation delves into the challenges of technology addiction and the need for intentional use of devices to align with personal priorities.
Key Takeaways:

Implementing a tech-free evening once a week can provide a much-needed break from constant connectivity and allow for quality time with loved ones.

Creating systems and setting boundaries with technology can help minimize distractions and increase focus on essential tasks.

Customizing email labels and notifications can help prioritize important messages and reduce the overwhelm of a cluttered inbox.

Using wearable devices can provide a way to stay connected without getting caught up in the distractions of a smartphone.

Taking control of personal intention and being intentional about technology use can empower individuals to make conscious choices and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Notable Quotes:

"Your intention is your only power that you carry. If you are applying intention to the way you use that device, to the way that you use your time, all of those things become your control." - Laura Martin

"No tool is going to solve all your problems. People are looking for the hottest new productivity tool. No device is going to be your biggest problem. It's always about how you are using your own intention, your own systems within all of those things, that makes the biggest difference in your overall well-being and your productivity." - Laura Martin

Resources:

Laura Martin's website

Laura Martin on LinkedIn


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294. Mastering Personal Productivity: Lessons from an Executive Advisor at Google with Laura Martin (Part 2)

About the Guest:
Laura Martin is the Executive Productivity Advisor at Google and the author of the book, Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing. She started her career at Google, where she taught people how to manage their inbox effectively. This passion grew into a full-time role, and she now works with executives one-on-one and runs the productivity program at Google. Laura is the author of the book.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Greg McKeown interviews Laura Martin, a productivity expert at Google. They discuss the importance of aligning your current self with your future self and making decisions that your future self will thank you for. Laura shares practical tips on how to apply this concept in your daily life, such as reviewing your schedule and making adjustments to prioritize what truly matters. They also delve into the power of defining your top three priorities and aligning your calendar with those priorities. Laura shares insights from her work with executives, including the CEO of Warner Music Group, who successfully implemented this system. The episode concludes with a discussion on the courage to be rubbish and the importance of making strategic trade-offs to focus on what truly matters.
Key Takeaways:

Aligning your current self with your future self is crucial for living a fulfilling life. Ask yourself, "What will future me wish I had done right now?" to make decisions that prioritize what truly matters.

Defining your top three priorities and aligning your calendar with those priorities helps you focus on what truly matters. Communicate these priorities to your team and delegate tasks accordingly.

Use the rule of three to remember and prioritize information. Our brains seek patterns and grouping things in threes helps with memory and focus.

Saying no is essential to protect your time and energy. Ask yourself, "What is the worst thing that would happen if I never do this?" and consider if there are alternative ways to accomplish the task or if it can be half-done and moved on from.

Embrace the courage to be rubbish and make strategic trade-offs. Not everything needs to be perfect or optimized. Focus on what truly matters and let go of non-essential tasks.

Notable Quotes:

"What will future me wish I had done right now?" - Laura Martin

"Don't tell me your priorities, show me your calendar." - Laura Martin

Resources:

Laura Martin's website

Laura Martin on LinkedIn


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293. Mastering Personal Productivity: Lessons from an Executive Advisor at Google with Laura Martin (Part 1)

Join me as I continue my enriching dialogue with Emmy Award-winning creator Topaz Adizes. Together, we explore the profound art of meaningful conversation through the lens of Topaz's compelling questions from his card game and book. Discover how to craft questions that not only initiate dialogue but also create a narrative journey, leading to intimacy and understanding in our most significant relationships.
Hone your conversational skills with us as we examine the subtleties of question formulation. I share strategies for asking more impactful questions and offer a framework that can transform the way you approach dialogues. The episode culminates with a heartfelt invitation to reflect on the essence of love and connection by considering the profound questions posed in Topaz's "12 Questions for Love." Tune in to this thought-provoking episode and equip yourself with the tools for fostering deeper relationships and conversations that truly matter.

Visit Topaz's website.
Buy Topaz's book and card game.
Follow Topaz on LinkedIn.
Follow Skin Deep on YouTube and Instagram.

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292. Crafting Authentic Connections with Topaz Adizes (Part 2)

Join me and the visionary Topaz Adizes, as we explore the profound influence of intentionality in crafting sacred spaces within our lives. Topaz, an Emmy award-winning expert in experience design, shares his insights on how the spaces we inhabit and the questions we pose can shape our relationships and deepen our connections. Together, we uncover the essence of creating meaningful interactions, emphasizing the necessity of being present and mindful with those who matter most. 
In our enlightening discussion, we illuminate the space between individuals through the art of asking transformative questions. By sharing the methodology behind curating these questions, we invite listeners to grasp the power of shared understanding and the lasting change it can bring to our relationships. Tune in to this heartening dialogue, and be inspired to take immediate action, applying the insights gained to enrich your life and the lives of those around you.

Visit Topaz's website.
Follow Topaz on LinkedIn.
Follow Skin Deep on YouTube and Instagram.

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Join The Essentialism Academy.
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184. Cambridge Series – Cycling

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