Productive AF Podcast

Flipping the Script on Productivity: The Ally Framework for Inclusive Leadership In episode nine of the Productive AF podcast, host Jen introduces a transformative approach to productivity, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and inclusive leadership. She shares her experience of overcoming the hustle culture mindset and the value of ruthless prioritization. Featuring an exclusive interview with Natalie Beard, the episode explores the 'Ally Framework' for inclusive leadership, which includes acknowledging differences, listening deeply, learning continuously, and yielding space. Jen discusses strategies for implementing this framework in various settings and highlights its benefits for productivity and business results. The episode also covers practical steps and tools for fostering inclusive environments, enhancing decision-making, and boosting team engagement. 00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Productivity 00:50 Mindset Shift: Resilience Over Routines 01:42 Exclusive Interview: Insights from Natalie Beard 03:25 The Ally Framework: Inclusive Leadership 03:52 Breaking Down the Ally Framework 07:33 Practical Applications of the Ally Framework 10:34 The Business Case for Inclusive Leadership 13:30 Reflecting on Inclusive Leadership 16:41 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of the Productive AF podcast, host Jenn Fast dives deep into the theme of bold career pivots, financial empowerment, and embracing authenticity, especially for women undergoing significant life transitions. The guest, Natalie Beard, shares her extraordinary journey from leading cytology lab teams to ventures in retirement planning and financial coaching. Natalie emphasizes the importance of reinvention, self-discovery, and financial literacy. She discusses her experiences with burnout, 'ego death,' personal rebirth, and the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way. This conversation is filled with practical advice on managing finances, embracing risks, and breaking free from societal expectations. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, considering a new career, or looking to reclaim your voice, this episode offers inspiring and actionable insights to help you build a life uniquely yours.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Guest

01:26 Natalie's Background in Medical Field

02:22 Transition to Entrepreneurship and Financial Coaching

06:40 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Authenticity

10:00 Financial Advice for Women in Transition

18:14 Personal Growth and Ego Death

29:34 Rediscovering Joy and Mentorship

30:17 The Power of ERGs and Inclusivity

32:43 Understanding Code Switching

35:51 Embracing Authenticity and Risk Taking

39:05 Navigating Transitions and Seeking Help

49:15 Managing Stress and Productivity Hacks

55:54 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Navigating Career Uncertainty with Confidence: Practical Tips and Support

In Episode 7 of the Productive AF Podcast, the focus is on providing practical support and hope for those facing career uncertainty and significant life changes. The episode offers valuable resources, including a framework for effective virtual business networking and strategies for building self-confidence. Listeners are encouraged to share their stories and tips, participate in actionable challenges, and explore curated tools to boost their professional presence and self-assurance. The host also highlights upcoming podcast guests and newsletter contributors who bring unique insights and inspiration to the community.

00:00 Introduction: Facing Career Uncertainty

00:57 Mindset Shift: Navigating Layoffs and Giving Back

02:33 Framework in Focus: 5 Tips for Effective Business Networking

04:48 Bonus Framework: 7 Strategies for Building Self-Confidence

06:21 Action Step: Productive AF Networking & Confidence Challenge

07:33 Real AF Wins: Leveraging Your Network

08:37 Tools & Resources for Your Journey

09:19 The Look Ahead: Upcoming Content and Community Engagement

For too many organizations, Pride Month is a box to check, not a catalyst for change. As June closes, let’s talk about what real allyship looks like—because inclusion isn’t a seasonal accessory.

For organizations aiming to outperform, Pride Month is more than a calendar event—it’s a litmus test for your culture. The ROI of inclusion is real: higher retention, greater innovation, and a workforce that brings their best ideas forward every day.

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And for many of us, inclusion is personal. When my oldest daughter came out, my first instinct was to build a fortress of safety at home. But as she navigated her first job search—researching companies not just for pay, but for inclusion—I realized that true belonging can’t be limited to our living rooms. It must be built into every workplace.

A Personal Turning Point

Transitions are hard by nature - some harder than others. For my transgender teenager, evolving into the person you were always supposed to be in front of your family and peers while everyone was emerging from a pandemic was particularly complicated. As her parent, there were many turning points in our journey together.

One especially memorable moment was when she applied for her first job after changing her identity. As her parent, it was my job to support and guide, but I also understood the importance of letting her lead.

I can remember her researching each potential employer, including their willingness to hire and train at entry level, and especially their policies regarding inclusion and how they support LGBTQIA+ employees. She was mature enough to know that her best chances of success lay in choosing a place where she will feel as if she belongs. At bare minimum, she knew that she certainly could never work where policies set up a situation in which being her authentic self would be used against her in any way.

When my daughter asked me to drive her to an interview with the local Fred Meyer, I was both excited for her and anxious about what she was about to experience. In her research, she found that the store had inclusive policies and would respect her identity, but as we all know, how policies are enforced, and in what spirit, can be a very different story.

I remember sitting in the car, waiting for her interview to end, saying silent prayers that her first job interview would not give her a first experience of discrimination or bias. My fear was that she would be too intimidated or disappointed to keep trying.

You can imagine how it felt to see her emerge from the store with a silly grin on her face, waving a folder of new hire paperwork! I was overwhelmed with relief, pride, and gratitude to this company for not letting either of us down. Not only did they give my teen her first job, but they made her feel welcome and celebrated, not just tolerated.

That moment taught me that inclusion isn’t just a corporate value—it’s a daily practice.

There is no easy or quick formula to making inclusion a part of a corporate culture. It requires the right kind of leadership with a certain level of vulnerability - listening without judgment, advocating for policies that matter, and being willing to admit what you don’t know. It’s also recognizing that every employee’s story is unique, and that true allyship means meeting people where they are.

Professional Applications

I’ve worked to bring these lessons into my own career and teach others how to apply them successfully. Whether it’s updating benefits to recognize diverse families, creating space for open conversations, or simply checking in with colleagues, I’ve learned that the most meaningful changes often start with vulnerability, empathy and curiosity.

I now lead Belonging Programs as part of a People and Culture team, and it has become the most satisfying work of my life. I'm learning how to be a better ally, a better parent, and to advocate for those who need additional support all year long. That support can take many forms besides policy. It can look like employee resource groups, educational and fun programming, helping people make connections, and applying frameworks that provide structure and consistency to inclusion efforts.

If you’re not sure where to start, try this:

* Audit your benefits for inclusivity

* Create regular forums for open dialogue

* Normalize pronoun sharing in meetings, email signatures, and in the corporate directory

* Sponsor ERGs and mentorship programs

Small steps, repeated daily, become culture. Culture carries into your home.

It has been a privilege for me to watch my daughters grow and thrive, even in a challenging and changing world. This has been encouragement to keep pushing for improvements to corporate culture and policies that foster inclusion, and to continue to share what I've learned.

What's Next

At the risk of restating the obvious, I want to continue to make inclusion and support of our LGBTQIA+ colleagues a yearlong conversation, not just a Pride Month performance. In that spirit, I've planned a series of additional articles and resources to keep the discourse moving forward.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll share practical tools and stories on topics like:

* The Ally Leader Framework: A.L.L.Y. (Acknowledge, Listen, Learn, Yield Space)—a blueprint for daily action

* Navigating Difficult Conversations as an Ally—scripts and strategies that work

* Inclusive Leadership Starter Kit—a free download to jumpstart your efforts

…and more.

Join the Conversation

Which of these topics would help you most? Hit reply and let me know. If you have a story or tip to share, I’d love to feature your experience (with your permission) in an upcoming newsletter or podcast. Let’s build these resources together—because inclusion is a team sport.

Until next time, progress over perfection, always. Let’s do the real work—together.

Jennifer

#InclusiveLeadership #LGBTQIA #Mentorship #Allyship #HR

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TL;DR

* Spoiler: Hustle culture is overrated.

* Big Idea: Strategic "unproductivity" is the secret weapon of high performers.

* Action Step: Try my “Do-Less-But-Better” challenge this week (details below).

Let’s Get Real: The Productivity Guilt Spiral

If you’ve ever opened your calendar, groaned at the color-coded chaos, and thought, “How is it only Tuesday?”—welcome to the club. Last week, I debunked the myth of work-life balance; this week, I want to tackle its equally sneaky cousin: the Productivity Paradox.

Here’s the trap: We believe the more we do, the more we achieve. But if you’re anything like me—a recovering overachiever with a penchant for 37-item to-do lists—you know that more “doing” often means more burnout, less joy, and (ironically) less actual progress.

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The Paradox, Explained

Let’s borrow a page from my MBA playbook: the Law of Diminishing Returns. In plain English: After a certain point, each extra hour or task delivers less value than the one before. You can grind through a 12-hour day, but by hour ten, you’re probably just doomscrolling LinkedIn and pretending it’s “networking.”

What’s wild is that the most successful people I know (clients, execs, creators, and frazzled parents) aren’t doing more—they’re doing less, but with ruthless intention. They protect their best energy for what actually matters, and they let the rest go.

The “Do-Less-But-Better” Framework

Let’s make this concrete. Here’s how I’m applying the “Do-Less-But-Better” approach in my own life and business:

1. Ruthless Prioritization

* Each Sunday, I pick my top three outcomes for the week (not tasks—outcomes).

* Everything else becomes “nice to have,” not “must do.”

2. Time Blocking for Focus

* I schedule 60-90-minute deep work blocks for my most important project (usually my day-job goals, content, sometimes just meal planning — no shame).

* I defend these blocks like a mama bear with a double espresso.

3. Strategic Unproductivity

* I build in “buffer” time for thinking, walking, or staring out the window.

* This is not laziness. This is when my best ideas (and recipes) show up, and negates context-switching.

4. Radical Acceptance

* Some weeks, the only thing I “produce” is a decent dinner and a clean inbox. That’s enough.

Your Challenge: The “Do-Less-But-Better” Week

Want to try it with me? Here’s your challenge:

* Pick three outcomes for the week. Write them down—physically, digitally, tattoo them on your forearm (okay, maybe not).

* Block out time each day for just one of those outcomes. Treat it as sacred.

* Say no to one thing that doesn’t serve your top three. Yes, even if it’s “just a quick call.”

* Share your results—reply, comment or tag me with what you learned (and how it felt to do less).

Audience Question of the Week

"Jenn, how do I know if I’m being lazy or just strategically unproductive?"

Great question. Here’s my take: If you’re avoiding work out of fear or procrastination, that’s avoidance. If you’re intentionally choosing to rest, reflect, or recharge so you can focus on what matters, that’s strategy. The difference is intention.

Quick Win: My Favorite “Unproductive” Ritual

I end every Friday with a “shutdown” walk—no phone, no podcasts, just me and my thoughts. It’s the least productive hour of my week, and also, arguably, the most valuable.

Real Life in Action—Practicing What I Preach

Before we close for the week, I want to let you in on something personal: I’m about to take my own advice, unapologetically.

For the next two weeks, I’ll be stepping away from the daily grind—and yes, even from this newsletter—to go on an adventure-travel vacation with my teen daughter to Costa Rica. We’re prioritizing memories over meetings, presence over productivity hacks, and real connection over relentless hustle. In other words: I’m living the “Do-Less-But-Better” mantra, not just preaching it.

I’m looking forward to unplugging from most of my tech, finally breaking in my new passport, and challenging myself with new (and not-so-new) experiences like: white water river rafting, horseback riding, ziplining, bike ride around a volcano, night jungle walk, visiting a chocolate farm, and hopefully a little sitting-by-the-pool and beach time.

It’s not every day that a 14-year-old actually wants to spend time with her mother, and it may not last, so this time away and together means the world to me.

If you notice Productive AF landing in your inbox a little less frequently, now you know why. This is intentional, and it’s a direct reflection of the boundary-setting and prioritization I encourage every week. I’ll be back, recharged and full of new stories (and probably a few travel mishaps) to share—ready to dive back into helping you build a life and business that works for you.

In the meantime, I encourage you to find your own moments of strategic unproductivity. Take a walk. Close your laptop. Or, like me, say yes to an adventure that can’t be rescheduled.

Stay Productive AF (on your own terms),

Jennifer

P.S. 🌟 Stay Connected While I’m Away! 🌟

I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes moments, travel insights, and honest reflections from my adventure with my daughter on Instagram and all the other social networks over the next two weeks.

I’d love to hear from you, too:

If you’re taking your own break, testing the “Do-Less-But-Better” challenge, or embarking on a summer adventure, hit reply or tag me in your posts. Share your stories, wins, or even your struggles—I’ll be checking in when I can, and may feature a few of your experiences in a future newsletter.

Let’s keep each other inspired, even while we’re unplugged!

P.P.S. If you found this helpful, forward it to a friend or subscribe for more. Your support keeps this solo creator caffeinated and inspired.

Thanks for reading Productive AF! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Let’s get real: If you’ve ever been told you just need “better work-life balance” or “more time for self-care,” you probably rolled your eyes as hard as I did. (If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to “just delegate,” I could buy a robot to do my laundry and maybe even answer my DMs.)

Here’s the truth nobody tells you: For most of us, balance isn’t a static state. It’s a moving target, and sometimes it’s just about not dropping the same ball two days in a row.

Why “Balance” Is Overrated (and What to Aim For Instead)

According to the World Health Organization, burnout is now classified as an occupational phenomenon, and nearly 77% of professionals have experienced burnout at their current job.

That may be why the productivity world loves to sell us the fantasy of “work-life balance.” It’s the unicorn everyone’s chasing—an idyllic state where your to-do list is tamed, your calendar is color-coded, and you’re sipping a green juice in a sun-drenched kitchen before 8 a.m. (If that’s you, congrats! For the rest of us, the closest we get is a half-cold coffee, although my calendar is color-coded.) And if you can’t reach that ideal, you have permission to ditch the guilt and be a human being.

Here’s the problem: “Balance” implies that every area of your life—work, side hustle, health, relationships, self-care—should get equal attention, every day, all the time. That’s simply not realistic, especially for those of us running multiple hustles, working full-time, perhaps parenting, and trying to have a life outside of calendars and emails. In fact, chasing perfect balance is a recipe for burnout and, ironically, feeling less accomplished.

Instead, let’s talk about building a system that flexes with your real, messy schedule. Here are 10 ways in which I’ve been making it work (most days):

1. Prioritize Like a Pro (a.k.a. Ruthless AF)

Research published in the Harvard Business Review found that high performers spend 40% more time on their top priorities than their peers.

* Not everything matters equally all the time. Each week, I pick 1 or 2 “must-do” tasks for each of my major goals for the year. Everything else? Nice-to-have. If it doesn’t move the needle and my day goes South, it gets bumped.

* Pro tip: Use a framework or tool like the Eisenhower Matrix (which helps you decide between urgent vs. important) or just a sticky note—whatever you’ll actually check.

2. Batch, Batch, Batch

The American Psychological Association reports that multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40%, largely due to the cognitive cost of context switching. That’s why batching is a non-negotiable for me.

* I batch everything from cooking to executive assistant tasks, program management, mentoring, content creation, and personal business into focused sprints. (Yes, sometimes this means filming three videos in the same shirt. #NoShame)

* Find your low-energy admin slot and your high-energy creative window, and guard them like a dragon guards gold.

3. Automate the Boring Stuff

Zapier’s 2023 Automation Report found that 90% of knowledge workers say automation has improved their lives, and 88% say it allows them to focus on more interesting work. So if you’re still avoiding using AI or other automation tools, it’s time we talk.

* Allow technology to help you do the repetitive stuff that is sucking up your time and attention. The few minutes it takes you to set up a workflow is time well-invested.

* Templates aren’t cheating—they’re strategic. I use Canva for almost everything visual, and it saves my sanity. Plus I’m developing my own templates for productivity techniques I use (or recommend to others) over and over.

4. Protect Your “No”

* Every “yes” is a “no” to something else. I’ve learned there’s an opportunity cost to giving away my time, and to say no to things that don’t align with my goals (like taking on tasks outside my domain, or over-engineered productivity apps).

* Boundaries = productivity superpower. Try it.

5. Celebrate the Small Wins

Research by Teresa Amabile (Harvard) shows that recognizing small wins daily boosts motivation and overall performance.

* Did you finally launch that newsletter you’ve been putting off? Finally respond to three emails? Awesome!

* Progress > perfection, every time.

6. Intentional Imbalance

According to a 2023 LinkedIn Global Talent Trends report, 63% of professionals say that “work-life balance” is a top priority, but only 31% feel they actually achieve it.

* Life and business move in seasons. Some weeks, one of your goals or projects will get the spotlight, in other weeks it will shift to something else.

* The real skill is in knowing what needs your focus now, and being okay with letting other things simmer on the back burner.

* Intentional imbalance means you’re choosing your priorities on purpose, not out of guilt or obligation.

7. Progress Over Perfection

* Forget about hitting every single goal every single day. Instead, track your momentum.

* Did you make meaningful progress on your top priorities this week? Did you move the needle—even a little? That’s a win.

* The most productive people aren’t the ones who do it all; they’re the ones who do what matters most, consistently.

8. Flexible Systems, Not Rigid Schedules

A 2024 Gallup poll found that employees with flexible work systems report 29% higher engagement and 53% greater well-being than those with rigid schedules.

* Color-coded calendars and bullet journals are great—if they work for you. (I use one, but not the other.) But if you find yourself spending more time organizing your planner than actually getting the work done, it’s time to simplify.

* Build systems that flex with your life and leave space for the unexpected (because life will always throw you curveballs).

9. Alignment Over Aesthetics

* It’s tempting to compare your behind-the-scenes chaos to someone else’s Instagram-perfect productivity setup. But aesthetics don’t pay the bills or move your goals forward—alignment does.

* Focus on actions and habits that align with your goals, not just what looks impressive on social media.

10. Self-Compassion as a Productivity Tool

Studies from Stanford University indicate that self-compassion is strongly linked to resilience, lower stress, and sustained productivity, especially in high-pressure environments.

* Here’s an advanced move: Drop the guilt.

* Didn’t check off every item on your list today? Never been to Inbox Zero? That’s not failure—it’s reality.

* Give yourself permission to be human. Sustainable productivity is about resilience, not rigidity.

Real Talk: My Week in Numbers

If you’ve never done a real and honest audit of your time, this is your sign. After making some adjustments to accommodate making progress on all my goals, I landed on:

* 56 hours: Sleep

* 40 hours: Day job

* 8-10 hours: Spending time with my teenager

* 8-10 hours: Content creation (split between over 15 different social media accounts, and, let’s be honest, doom-scrolling for “research”)

* 3-4 hours: Commuting

* 3 hours: Exercise (30-minutes a day, 6 days a week)

* 30 mins - 1 hour: Planning and reviewing what’s actually working, usually on Sundays

Is it glamorous? Nope. Is it sustainable? Most days. Is it making progress toward my ultimate dreams? You bet. (Extra points if you noticed where I spend the most time, and where I don’t. This is by design, not by chance.)

Your Turn: What’s Your Biggest Productivity Blocker?

Reply and let me know: What’s your number one productivity struggle right now? I’ll feature the most common blockers (anonymously, of course) in the next edition—plus my best hacks for overcoming them.

Stay Productive (and a little bit AF),

Jenn Fast

P.S. Want more real-world tips, templates, and a peek behind the scenes? Subscribe to this newsletter, follow me on all the socials, and don’t forget to forward this to a friend who needs a productivity pick-me-up.

Ever found yourself staring at a to-do list, paralyzed by indecision while your coffee goes cold? You’re not alone. Every day, we make thousands of decisions—some tiny, some life-changing—and our brains are working overtime to keep up. But what if you could tap into the latest neuroscience to make decisions not just faster, but with more confidence and less regret? This week, we’re diving into what actually happens in your brain when you’re weighing options, why you sometimes freeze up (analysis paralysis), and how you can rewire your mind for productivity gold. Spoiler: It’s not about being born decisive—it’s about leveraging your brain’s natural wiring. Ready for a neural upgrade?

Why Decision-Making Feels So Hard (and What Your Brain Has to Say About It)

Let’s bust a myth: Decision fatigue is real, and it’s not just because you’re “bad at adulting.” Neuroscientists have shown that your prefrontal cortex—the brain’s executive command center—gets overloaded when you face too many choices. Every decision, from “What’s for breakfast?” to “Should I launch that new side project?” chips away at your daily mental energy.

But here’s the good news: your brain uses shortcuts (heuristics) to help you decide quickly and efficiently. The trick is to know when these shortcuts are helping—and when they’re leading you astray (overthinking or defaulting to the easiest option).

The Productive AF Playbook for Better Decisions

1. Minimize Low-Value Choices - Steve Jobs wore the same thing every day for a reason. Reduce “micro-decisions” (like what to eat or wear) by building routines or prepping in advance. Reduce decision fatigue to save your brainpower for what actually matters.

2. Leverage the Power of Pause - Research shows that a brief pause before deciding helps your brain shift from impulse to logic. Next time you feel pressured, take a deep breath. Give your prefrontal cortex a second to weigh in.

3. Reframe the Stakes - Your amygdala (the brain’s fear center) loves to sound the alarm when faced with uncertainty. Calm it down: ask yourself, “Is this really a make-or-break decision, or just one step on a longer journey?” Most choices are reversible. Give yourself permission to experiment.

4. Set a Decision Deadline - Unlimited time doesn’t mean better decisions. Set a timer—15 minutes for small stuff, a day for bigger calls—and commit to moving forward. Sometimes you need to “sleep on it,” but don't “sleep” for days or weeks on a decision.

5. Use the "Two-Way Door" Test - Is this a one-way door (hard to reverse) or a two-way door (easy to change later)? If it’s a two-way door, decide quickly and adjust as you go. Reserve your deep thinking for the rare, high-impact “one-way” calls.

Actionable Next Steps

* Decision Audit: For the next 24 hours, jot down every decision you make—big or small. At the end of the day, highlight which ones could be automated, delegated, or skipped entirely. (You’ll be amazed!)

* Create a “Default” List: Build a list of go-to meals, outfits, and workflows. The more decisions you make on autopilot, the more energy you’ll have for the big stuff.

* Practice the Pause: Before your next choice, pause for 10 seconds. Notice how you feel. Does the urgency drop? Does clarity increase? This tiny habit is a game-changer.

Recommended Resources

* Book: “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman

* Podcast: “Hidden Brain” (NPR), especially episodes on decision-making and cognitive biases

* Article: “The Neuroscience of Decision-Making” (Scientific American)

* App: “Decide Now!” – for quick, low-stakes choices

Let’s Crowdsource Some Wisdom!

What’s the toughest decision you’re facing right now? Did this episode help you see it differently? Hit reply or comment below, and let’s talk it out—you might just inspire someone else.

If you found this edition helpful, please forward it to a friend or share it on your favorite social platform. Your support helps Productive AF grow—and helps more people make decisions with confidence.

If you’re new here, subscribe for more science-backed productivity tips, real-life stories, and actionable advice every week.

Stay Productive AF,

Jenn Fast

Most productivity “systems” are like those fancy kitchen gadgets you buy in a moment of inspiration (or social media influence)—used twice, then banished to the back of the drawer. If you’ve ever tried a bullet journal (this was a fail for me!), a color-coded Google Calendar (I still use this every day!), or a complicated app (let’s not even talk about this one) and still felt like you were spinning your wheels, you’re not alone. The truth? Productivity isn’t about finding the perfect tool. It’s about building a system that fits your life, your brain, and your actual schedule (not the fantasy version).

Think about it: Which fitness program is best for you? The one you will actually do consistently. Which diet is right for you? The one you will actually stick to. Should I get a gym membership? Only if you’re going to use it. This edition is your no-nonsense guide to creating a personal productivity system that you’ll actually use—one that flexes with your real life and helps you get sh*t done (without losing your mind).

Why Most Productivity Systems Fail (and How to Avoid the Trap)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever fallen for a system that promised to “change your life in 30 days.” 🙋 (I’ve even paid good money for these!) The problem isn’t you—it’s the one-size-fits-all approach. Productivity is personal. What works for your favorite influencer might drive you bananas. The key is to design a system around your habits, responsibilities, and energy levels. Here’s what most people get wrong:

* Overcomplicating things (hello, 17-step morning routine)

* Copy-pasting someone else’s method without adapting it

* Ignoring your own natural rhythms (are you a night owl pretending to be an early bird?)

* Forgetting to review and tweak the system as your life changes

Step 1: Audit Your Reality

Before you build anything, you need a clear-eyed look at how you actually spend your time. For one week, jot down your daily activities—work, family, content creation, doom-scrolling, all of it. Don’t judge, just observe.

Pro tip: Use your phone’s screen time report and your calendar history for a reality check. Don’t forget to consider all the different calendars you use, and all the different screens or devices.

Step 2: Identify Your Non-Negotiables

What has to happen each week, no matter what? For me, that’s managing my full-time job and a side-gig, meetings and appointments, spending time with my daughter, getting in some exercise, and, yes, feeding myself something other than protein bars. These are your anchors. Everything else is built around them.

Step 3: Choose (and Limit) Your Tools

Pick ONE calendar, ONE task manager, and ONE place for notes. I know, the lure of shiny new apps is strong, but trust me—simplicity is your friend. I personally use:

* Google Calendar for scheduling personal stuff

* Outlook for work stuff

* I track tasks in those same calendars (ask me for my system on that!)

* And I combine it all with the reMarkable Paper Pro tablet for everything I used to do on paper (planner, infinite notebook, writing, reading, filing, etc.) and as a highly effective focus tool.

Remember: The best tool is the one you’ll actually use.

Step 4: Set Up Simple Routines

Routines aren’t just for morning people. Even a 5-minute daily check-in can keep you on track. Try this:

* Weekly Review: Sunday night, glance at your week ahead. What’s coming up? What needs prep?

* Daily Top 3: Each morning, pick your 3 must-do tasks and do them first. If everything else falls apart, these are your wins.

* Evening Reset: Tidy up your workspace and brain—close tabs, jot down lingering thoughts, prep for tomorrow.

Step 5: Make It Visual (and Fun)

Productivity shouldn’t feel like punishment. Use color-coding, stickers, or a digital dashboard that brings you joy. I’m not above rewarding myself with a fancy coffee (or a nap) for sticking to my plan.

Step 6: Embrace Imperfection & Iterate

Spoiler: You will fall off the wagon sometimes. Life happens. The magic is in getting back on, tweaking what didn’t work, and celebrating small wins. Your system should evolve with you—not the other way around.

Real Talk: My Personal System in Action

Here’s how I personally stay Productive AF:

* Google/Outlook Calendar: Non-negotiables, deadlines, meetings, appointments, and task time blocks

* Weekly Planning Session: 20 minutes on Sunday evening or Monday morning with a warm beverage and noise-cancelling headphones

* Flexible To-Do List: I keep it digital and on my calendars (using color coding and formatting), but I pair that with my reMarkable Paper Pro to force me to focus on the most important activities that will drive my goals forward today

* Templates: Canva for content and visuals and reMarkable is full of productivity templates. Plus, I am in the process of designing my own productivity templates - stay tuned! Because consistency is queen (or king).

* Backups: iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive, so I never lose my stuff

Is it perfect? Not even close. But it’s mine, it’s constantly evolving — and it works (most days).

Your Turn: Build Your Own System

Ready to build a productivity system that actually sticks? Start with the steps above. Tweak, test, and make it yours. And don’t forget—progress beats perfection every time.

Do you need a deeper dive on any of the tools I mentioned? Let me know and we’ll focus a future newsletter on those. What’s your biggest productivity struggle? What has worked for you? Hit reply and let me know—I love reading your stories, and your feedback shapes future editions.

Stay Productive (and a little bit AF),

Jenn Fast

P.S. Want more tips, templates, and behind-the-scenes chaos? Make sure you’re following Productive AF on your social media of choice, and my podcast on Substack. And if you found this helpful, forward it to a friend who needs a productivity pick-me-up!

Welcome back to Productive AF!

Ever feel like your brain is a browser with 37 tabs open, and none of them are loading? Yeah, same. But here’s the thing—real productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing better. Let’s talk about Deep Work—your ultimate productivity superpower to crush distractions and make meaningful progress.

Welcome to the podcast version of the first official edition of the Productive AF Newsletter! If you’re listening, chances are you want to be more efficient, make better decisions, and truly maximize your impact. The good news? Productivity isn’t just about cramming more tasks into your day—it’s about leveraging time, information, and organization strategically to create meaningful results.

I’m Jenn Fast. For my entire three-decade career, I have been learning from very successful people - observing, analyzing, asking questions, and absorbing all I can about what traits, habits, skills, and behaviors contribute to success.

I have been able to leverage all that experience to turn myself into a highly-organized, highly-productive, high-functioning, and high-impact person while maintaining a balance between work, home, family, self-care, and passion projects. Now I share my learnings to help others optimize time, information, organizational skills, and impact.

Today our topic is an introduction to how we can unlock peak productivity.

So, let’s kick things off with a foundational concept: Leverage vs. Hustle.

Leverage vs. Hustle—What’s Your Play?

For years, productivity has been glorified as hustle culture—doing more, sleeping less, and measuring success by the number of hours worked. I know I’ve personally drunk that kool-aid, and it has led me to poor health, to damaged relationships, to stress out and burn out. But let’s be real—time is finite. The real game-changer isn’t working harder; it’s working smarter. I know that’s a cliche, but it is repeated over and over because it is a key concept to start to optimize all your efforts.

Here’s how to start to shift our mindset:

✅ Leverage Time: Instead of adding more tasks, structure your day around high-impact activities—the ones that actually move the needle. Of course, knowing what to prioritize requires an understanding of your personal core values, your goals, and having a plan on how to reach those. How to do all of that could probably fill several episodes, so let me know if you’re interested in diving deeper. In the meantime, you can use tools like time-blocking or batching to minimize distractions.

✅ Leverage Information: The internet is overflowing with insights - you are bombarded with information everywhere you go. We carry it with us on our phones, have unlimited access on our tablets and computers, and can listen to it over radios and podcasts. But productivity comes from knowing which information to act on. This starts by being intentional about what information you allow into your life. Curate your sources, implement some form of structured note-taking, and extract actionable takeaways. You’re more likely to actually use information if you have a system in place to capture it, store it, organize it, and retrieve it when you need it. Which leads us to our next key to shift our mindset.

✅ Leverage Organization: Productivity thrives on systems, not chaos. Set up workflows that reduce mental fatigue and decision fatigue—automations, checklists, and having clear priorities eliminate decision overload. Let me know if you’re interested in exploring different systems to help with this.

So to summarize: Hustle burns you out. Leverage builds success.

As you absorb all of this and begin to build out your systems for leveraging time, information and organization, here’s a quick hack that you can implement right away.

Quick Productivity Hack: The “Two-Minute Rule”

If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This prevents small things from piling up and turning into overwhelming to-do lists. This is also a great way to build momentum to tackle bigger tasks.

What’s Coming Next?

In upcoming episodes, we’ll cover: 🔹 How to maximize deep work without distraction 🔹 Building personal productivity systems that actually stick 🔹 The neuroscience behind effective decision-making.

If this was helpful, please share with someone who could use help and inspiration in order to maximize their impact.

Want to dive deeper on anything mentioned today? Or do you want to see specific topics covered? Drop a comment with your biggest productivity challenges!

Are you already a thought leader in any of the concepts we reviewed today? I’d love to collaborate on future podcasts. Please reach out.

Thanks for joining Productive AF! I hope you’ll subscribe so you never miss an episode. In the meantime: Focus. Achieve. Repeat!