Focused

By RelayBusiness Careers

Focused episodes

February 27, 2024198: Revisiting Journaling
David & Mike revisit the topic of journaling for personal growth and share how their workflows have evolved.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Thanks by Robert Emmons Mac Power Users #726: Journaling Update: Apple’s New App, Day One Updates & More Day One Journal App Obsidian QuickAdd for Obsidian How to Create a Life Progress Bar in Obsidian Using Template Variables | YouTube Obsidian University Starter Vault Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith Using Shortcuts for Daily Questions Journaling in Obsidian | YouTube Mike's Daily Note template Mike's Daily Questions Dashboard Mike's Habit Tracking Dashboard Bullet Journal The Five Minute Journal Bullet Journal Basics | YouTube The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Apple Vision Pro ESR MagSafe 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Stand Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono Personal Kanban by Jim Benson & Tonianne DeMaria Post-it Super Sticky Full Stick Notes
1 hr 34 min
February 13, 2024197: Feel Good Productivity
David & Mike consider the role of happiness & joy in meaningful productivity.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Nom Nom: Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Focused #196: Focus & The Reading Life, with Maryanne Wolf The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler The Rook by Daniel O'Malley PodHighlighter David's PodHighlighter video Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Bookworm #188: Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Mike's Notes for Feel Good Productivity Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans The Deep Life #284: Feel-Good Productivity (w/ Ali Abdaal)
1 hr 27 min
January 30, 2024196: Focus & The Reading Life, with Maryanne Wolf
Cognitive neuroscientist and reading warrior Dr. Maryanne Wolf joins us to talk about the science of reading and how what we read changes our brains.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Harvard Business Review: The leading destination for smart management thinking. Subscriptions start at just $10/month with code FOCUSED.
Guest Starring:
Maryanne Wolf
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Proust and the Squid by Maryanne Wolf Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler Tales of Literacy for the 21st Century by Maryanne Wolf How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler Maryanne Wolf
1 hr 19 min
January 16, 2024195: The Productivity Field Guide
After several years in production, the Productivity Field Guide is here! Mike interviews David about what's in it, how much went into it, and why it's so important to David.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mike's Practical PKM cohort Productivity Field Guide (Standard Edition) Productivity Field Guide (Plus Edition)
1 hr 10 min
January 02, 2024194: I'd Like to Take a Mulligan
David & Mike reflect on everything that happened in 2023 and share their intentions for 2024.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Nom Nom: Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off.
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Focused #193: The Problem with Mise en Place, with Justin Khanna The Theme System MIke's Obsidian Quotebook video Mike's Obsidian University Starter Vault Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain by Maryanne Wolf Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World by Maryanne Wolf Traveler's Notebook Drop + biip MT3 Extended 2048 Dark Keycap Set
1 hr 5 min
December 19, 2023193: The Problem with Mise en Place, with Justin Khanna
Chef, creator, and entrepreneur Justin Khanna joins us to share focus lessons from the culinary world.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.
Guest Starring:
Justin Khanna
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Justin Khanna | YouTube Repertoire Le Repertoire De La Cuisine by Louis Saulnier Total Station Domination Work Clean by Dan Charnas Essentialism by Greg McKeown Range by David Epstein $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi Same as Ever by Morgan Housel Letters on Ethics: To Lucilius, Seneca, Graver, Long Justin Khanna Pro Chef Breaks Down The Bear from Hulu | YouTube
1 hr 18 min
December 05, 2023192: Flow State
David & Mike consider the benefits of the flow state and what we can do to achieve it more consistently.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Ugmonk Analog The Light Phone How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD by Jesse J. Anderson LensUltra DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer Adler
1 hr 9 min
November 21, 2023191: Multi-Scale Planning
David & Mike unpack the concept of multi-scale planning and share how they are both using it to live in alignment with their vision and values.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Electric: Unbury yourself from IT tasks. Get a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones when you schedule a meeting.
Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.
Whisper Memos: Record a voice memo, receive it as email. Try it now.
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Ep. 272: The Essential Tools (w/ David Epstein) - The Deep Life by Cal Newport The Focused NeuYear Calendar Discbound Heirloom Journal (Brown) – Ugmonk Ugmonk Analog How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Totebook – Studio Neat 1911 King of Pen Ebonite Naginata-Togi Fountain Pen | Sailor Nakaya Dorsal Fin Fountain Pen Hidden Potential by Adam Grant Same as Ever by Morgan Housel
1 hr 26 min
November 07, 2023190: Overdosing on Gratitude, with Karl Staib
Process Consultant Karl Staib joins us to talk about process design, delegation, and the power of gratitude.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Harvard Business Review: The leading destination for smart management thinking. Subscriptions start at just $10/month with code FOCUSED.
Guest Starring:
Karl Staib
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mike's LifeTheme Cohort How to Master the Art of Continuous Improvement | James Clear Bring Gratitude by Karl Staib The 24-Hour Rule by Adrienne Bellehumeur This Is Personal by Brennan Dunn On The Tranquility Of The Mind by Seneca The Dig to Fly Podcast SOP Quickstart Guide
1 hr 19 min
October 24, 2023189: Focus & AI
David & Mike consider how various AI tools can help protect our focus and share what they're using to boost their productivity & creativity.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Electric: Unbury yourself from IT tasks. Get a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones when you schedule a meeting.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Focused Calendar | NeuYear.net Focused #188: Q4 Planning & The PKM Stack Focused #110: Focus with Michael Hyatt A Few Apps & Tips for Using ChatGPT to Boost Your Creativity and Productivity | The Sweet Setup MacGPT MacWhisper Mac Power Users #711: Getting Some Wisdom with Merlin Mann Grammarly SaneBox ChatGPT Otter.ai Monica | Your ChatGPT Powered AI Assistant Midjourney Adobe Firefly Raycast Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish On Quality by Robert Pirsig Bookworm #181: On Quality by Robert Pirsig Master of Change by Brad Stulberg Book Review: Master of Change by Brad Stulberg | YouTube By Hand and Eye by Jim Tolpin & George R. Walker
1 hr 35 min

About Focused

From the publisher's feed

David Sparks and Mike Schmitz are not nearly as productive as they’d like to be. Join these fellow travelers (and a bunch of special guests) as they share the best ways to get focused, and talk…