Chris Bailey turned down lucrative job offers to pursue a lifelong dream—to spend a year performing a deep dive experiment into the pursuit of productivity, a subject he had been enamored with since he was a teenager. Erik and Chris talked about his first book The Productivity Project during the last episode he appeared on. Chris is back to talk about his new book Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction.
In this conversation Chris talks with Erik about:

Hyperfocus

Scatterfocus

Attention Residue

Mental RAM

Boredom


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Chris Bailey on Hyperfocus, Mental RAM and Boredom

For more than a decade, Erik Fisher has sat down with productivity experts, authors, and creatives as they share their insights on how to implement productivity strategies in both your professional and personal life. Our goal is to help you gain perspective, practical knowledge, and productivity insights for living a whole life that goes Beyond The To Do List.

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This week it was my pleasure to welcome Dr. Barry Kudrowitz to the show for a chat about his great book, Sparking Creativity: How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation and Design. Dr. Kudrowitz is a professor of product design and department head in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. There, he founded and directed the product design program from 2011-2021. Barry received his PhD from the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), studying humor, creativity, and idea generation. He is interested in how creativity is perceived, evaluated, and learned. In addition, Barry has years of experience working with the toy industry and has taught toy design for over a decade.
In this episode, we delve into how changing our mindset can transform mundane chores into enjoyable activities, explore why traditional icebreakers often fail, and discuss the vital role of creativity in every aspect of our lives. Barry will share practical examples of how educators and professionals have successfully implemented these concepts to create more engaging environments. Prepare to rethink how you approach work, creativity, and play with insights that blend academic rigor with real-world practicality. 
Related Episodes:
Creativity Podcast Playlist 
Sparking Creativity: How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation and Design
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Connect with Barry:
Website
Book
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Dr. Barry Kudrowitz on How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation

This week I’m excited to share my conversation with Matt Abrahams. Matt is a passionate, and innovative educator, podcaster, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business he has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered Nobel Prize, TED, and World Economic Forum presentations. Matt is also the founder and principal at TFTS Communications LLC, a presentation and communication skills company based in Silicon Valley that helps people improve their presentation skills. 
In this episode, we'll dive into Matt's six-step methodology to mastering the art of impromptu speaking, which he outlines in his latest book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot. Whether you're fielding cold calls or engaging in "small talk", Matt's techniques will teach you to manage anxiety, focus on your audience, and see every speaking situation as an opportunity, not a threat. We also explore the importance of structure in your communication, akin to chefs following a recipe, and how to give feedback that resonates and fosters growth. With Matt's unique blend of experience and insights, get ready to learn how you can transform your communication skills, think on your feet, and express your ideas more effectively, all of which can deepen relationships and expand your ideas.
Related Episodes on My New Spotify Playlist:
Connect with Matt:
Website
Podcast
LinkedIn
Connect with Erik:
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Matt Abrahams on How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

This week I’m excited to welcome Michael Easter for a conversation about a pair of his books, Scarcity Brain, Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough and The Comfort Crisis, Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self. Michael is the founder of the 2% with Michael Easter newsletter and the New York Times bestselling author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain. an author and a professor at UNLV. He writes and speaks on how humans can leverage modern science and evolutionary wisdom to perform better and live healthier lives. His work has been implemented by professional sports teams, elite military units, Fortune 500 companies, and leading universities.
In this episode, we delve into the profound realizations that Michael made about the role of discomfort in our lives, stemming from overcoming his own battle with alcoholism and spending 33 transformative days in the Arctic. We'll discuss how our modern world's technological conveniences and constant search for comfort have led to sedentary lifestyles and excessive digital consumption, which Michael refers to as the "scarcity brain." Hear about the dangers of the scarcity loop driven by the endless cycle of wanting more, and explore with us the practical steps we can take towards building a healthier mindset and lifestyle, and why sometimes the path towards improvement involves leaning into discomfort. Michael will also share insights on his "2%" newsletter and how small, intentional actions can have a significant impact on our lives. 
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Connect with Michael:
Website
Newsletter
Books 
Clear Space App
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Connect with Erik:
LinkedIn 
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Instagram 
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Michael Easter on How Comfort and Over Abundance are Stifling Our Progress and Productivity

This week I’m excited to welcome Karl Hebenstreit for a chat about his book, The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram. Karl is a certified executive coach, leadership and organization development consultant, author, and international speaker. His 25+ year career spans the areas of HR and OD in biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and more. Karl holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University. 
Together, we'll explore how the Enneagram provides a deeper, more nuanced look into our psyches compared to other personality frameworks like Myers-Briggs or DISC, and why knowing your Enneagram subtype can revolutionize communication and collaboration within your team. We'll delve into the synergy between your instinctual behaviors and core type, uncover how the Enneagram's focus on motivation helps us navigate workplace dynamics, and highlight the practical benefits of this wisdom for everyday interactions. This is a great episode for anyone eager to learn more about implementing Enneagram principles in their professional lives but are not clear on where to start.
Related Episodes:
Ian Morgan Cron on The Enneagram 101
Ian Morgan Cron on Overcoming the Productivity Hangups of Each Enneagram Type
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Connect with Karl:
Website
Book
LinkedIn
Karl’s Kids Book on The Enneagram 
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Connect with Erik:
LinkedIn 
Facebook 
Instagram 
______________________________________
This Podcast is Powered By:
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Karl Hebenstreit on Applying the Enneagram to Your Business and Interoffice Communication

Introducing Etiquette 2 | Travis and Teresa McElroy from Remotely Curious. Follow the show: Remotely CuriousOn today’s episode, We’ll have a fun conversation with Teresa and Travis McElroy, humorists and hosts of the podcast Shmanners, about how to treat others with respect, come across the way you want to, and avoid embarrassing gaffes.
DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

Chris Bailey on Hyperfocus, Mental RAM and Boredom

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