How I Work

**BEST OF 2021**

Do you want to improve your writing?

Writing is one of the fundamental ways we persuade people to take up our ideas, meet with us, or buy the thing we are selling. 

Want a snappier headline or to make sure you are communicating to the right audience. Want to find those pesky grammatical errors before you send your email? What if you see a nice font you like, but don’t know how to find out which one it is?

Text analyser Hemingway, writing assistant Grammarly, headline improver CoSchedule and font finder MyFonts are four writing tools I couldn’t work without. 

Become a better writer with these four easy-to-use writing tools: 

Hemingway App

Grammarly

CoSchedule (Headline Analyser)

MyFonts

Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**

Gretchen Rubin has dedicated the last ten years to researching and exploring how to be happier.

And she’s discovered just how debilitating distraction can be - for both productivity and joy. 

Gretchen has self-tested every habit under the sun, and shares which practices to incorporate into your workflow to bolster that joy… and crucially, gives insight into which ones don’t work for her.

She also shares how we can help our kids create better habits. 

She’s also created her own Twelve Commandments to help guide her in staying authentically Gretchen.

Gretchen’s the host of popular weekly podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and the author of several books including The Happiness Project, Outer Order Inner Calm, The Four Tendencies, and Happier at Home. 

Connect with Gretchen on Twitter, Linkedin or through her website 

Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Production Support from Deadset Studios

Episode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam Riordan

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**

I place a huge value on my health. It’s my number one priority. 

If you’re not healthy, chances are you’re less productive.

Using these tools helps me incorporate physical activity into my day, understand my health patterns so I know where I can make improvements, and trains my brain. 

I use the Apple Smart Rope to count reps when I’m skipping. The rope connects to an app on my phone and lets me know when I have reached my goal. 

Smart Rope: https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/HL6M2ZM/A/tangram-factory-smart-rope-led-jump-rope-medium

I use the Whoop band to optimize the way I recover, train, and sleep. It features daily reporting on mobile and desktop apps.  

Whoop: https://www.whoop.com/

I use the Apple Watch with pedometer++ app to count my steps throughout the day: 

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/pedometer/id712286167

I can now walk and work on my computer with the Walkingpad Pro Treadmill and Ergodesk Automatic Standing Desk (1500mm): 

https://www.lifespanfitness.com.au/products/walkingpad%E2%84%A2-pro-treadmill-with-ergodesk-automatic-standing-desk-1500mm

I love being mentally active with these great puzzles from Magic Puzzle: 

https://www.magicpuzzlecompany.com/ 

Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**

Hear me out - what if you stopped trying so hard to be productive? Most of us only get a total of four thousand weeks on this earth. Do you really want to spend them answering emails?

Oliver Burkeman is a “recovering productivity geek” and he wants you to make peace with the reality that you'll never get everything done. He says once you’ve accepted that hard truth, you’ll finally be free to focus on what’s truly important.

Oliver Burkeman is a journalist and the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking and the forthcoming Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. 

He shares why it’s valuable to recognise and wrestle with your limitations head-on, why it’s worth keeping a “Done List,” and gives you permission to decline to clear the decks. 

Connect with Oliver on Twitter or via his website. 

Get a copy of Oliver’s book 4000 weeks.

Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Production Support from Deadset Studios

Episode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam Riordan

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**

‘Should’ is one of the most problematic words when it comes to self-talk. I should go to the gym. I should accept this event invitation. I should call this friend and see how she's going, I should spend less time on social media.

Shoulds are very unhelpful. They have the double whammy of making us feel guilty AND they don’t actually help us change our behaviour.

I’m going to give you two alternative words or phrases to replace the shoulds in your life.This will help you make better choices and also create positive changes in your life. 

Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**

Do you hate email? Are you sick of being a slave to your inbox? Are you like the “average” knowledge worker and check your email or chat messages every six minutes? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I think you will love today’s show.

Cal Newport is a Computer Science Professor at Georgetown University and also the bestselling author of Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and most recently, A World Without Email. And Cal has been thinking a lot about how to overcome what he calls the “hyperactive hive mind”.

In this chat, we talk about practical strategies to dramatically reduce the amount of unscheduled communication (i.e. email) you receive, both as an individual, but also as an entire organisation.

Connect with Cal at calnewport.com

Grab a copy of A World Without Email

Listen to the Deep Questions podcast

Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Production Support from Deadset Studios

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**

How are you coping with this whole global pandemic thing? I feel like I'm more reliant on my devices than ever before - it's like a window to the outside world. But I have a feeling that checking ABC news 10 times a day isn't very good for my mental health. So in today's show, I have an alternative to share.

Try out Amantha's favourite calendar software here: usemotion.io

Check out Lisa Leong's ABC podcast This Working Life.

Connect with Lisa Leong on Linkedin

Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Production Support from Deadset Studios

Episode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam Riordan

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even after a long day at work, or at the end of a tough week, when you pop the TV on and hear that familiar “BA-DUNK” as the big red N flashes onto your screen… do you feel a little guilty? 

Even when I know I don’t need to be working, it’s hard to shake the feeling that TV somehow isn’t as ‘worthwhile’ as other activities - like reading, for example. But media executive Chris Oliver-Taylor disagrees. It’s the age of prestige TV, and the format has been elevated to an art form. 

But what do you watch when watching TV is your job? How do you switch off the analytical side of your brain and just tune out to WandaVision with your daughter? 

And how do you decide what to watch when you kind of need to watch everything? 

Chris is currently the Asia Pacific CEO at Fremantle, and will be heading to Netflix as its Australia & New Zealand Head of Physical Production in 2022. He shares how he chooses what to watch, and how he designs the rest of his schedule. He teaches you how to categorise meetings, how to network effectively, and why you should wear a suit. 

Connect with Chris on Linkedin 

For recommendations: TV Tonight

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Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Episode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam Riordan

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the year 2000, and Steve Jobs wants Apple computers to be able to burn DVDs, but there’s a problem. A big problem. 

At the time, DVD burners cost tens of thousands of dollars, and they’re incredibly difficult to use. Neither of those features fit the Apple MO. Jobs’ solution was revolutionary, but not just for the world of computing, or even the world of business. 

Author Greg McKeown uses the lesson in this illustrative anecdote to radically simplify his work and his life, and it all starts with “zero”. 

You can find the full interview here: Work less, achieve more, with Greg McKeown

Connect with Greg on Twitter or Linkedin, and find Effortless here

***

Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co 

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I was in my early twenties, I won an award for a scriptwriting competition run by the Fellowship of Australian Writers, and involved in that process was one of my favourite playwrights - David Williamson. 

I wrote David a fan letter, and to my great surprise, he replied! That was my first taste of how deeply David respects his audience, and our interview was no different. 

As the most produced playwright in Australian Theatre’s history, David is extremely productive. Part of this, he says, is just plain old love of the game. Since the very first time he heard actors saying his words out loud, he was completely hooked. 

And as a professional playwright, the structure of the theatre industry has contributed to his prolific output: when the production company lists your next play in their program, your fate is sealed, and there’s no time to fall prey to writer’s block. 

David shares his writing process, from the initial idea all the way through to rehearsals with the cast, as well as how he stays positive in the face of criticism, and why his writer wife Kristin’s role as his first reader is so valuable to his work. 

David’s book: Home Truths

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Connect with me on the socials:

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram 

If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at [email protected]

CREDITS

Produced by Inventium

Host: Amantha Imber

Episode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam Riordan

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.