The oldest part of our brain is our fear factory. If we nurture it then we can manage our fear and anxiety. Learn why it is not our enemy. It is a machine that has helped us survive for 40,000 years.

This episode draws on the work of Professor Steve Peters and his book, The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness

A clear sense of identity helps us to navigate our lives. But what if we don't know who we are? Or perhaps you don't like who you think you are?

In this two-minute episode, Jey offers a simple experiment to establish who you are. Or at the very least, who you might be.

This episode is inspired by the work of Professor Steve Peters, from his book, The Chimp Paradox: The Acclaimed Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness

Learn how to create a compelling vision to propel you towards where you want your life to go. Learn why goals cannot motivate you. But how a vision based on your core values can.

For the vision creation exercise, you will need a list of values. Below are fifty. Visit productivityheaven.com for a larger list.

Values:

Authenticity

Achievement

Adventure

Authority

Autonomy

Balance

Beauty

Boldness

Compassion

Challenge

Citizenship

Community

Competency

Confidence

Contribution

Creativity

Curiosity

Determination

Fairness

Faith

Fame

Friendships

Fun

Growth

Happiness

Honesty

Humor

Influence

Inner Harmony

Justice

Kindness

Knowledge

Leadership

Learning

Love

Loyalty

Meaningful Work

Openness

Optimism

Peace

Pleasure

Popularity

Recognition

Religion

Reputation

Respect

Responsibility

Security

Self-Respect

Service

Spirituality

Stability

Success

Status

Trustworthiness

Wealth

Wisdom

Tom Franey is a diplomat with the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

In this episode, Tom shares productivity tips learned while working in Afghanistan and his experience working in New York at the United Nations.

He compares and contrasts living in half a shipping container, while in Kabul, to his experience living in Manhattan.

We explore networking in those two very different places. And how trust and authenticity are crucial no matter where you are in the world.

Please note that the views that Tom shares are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of the British Government.

Glossary:

CSSF - The CSSF is a UK government fund which supports and delivers activity to tackle instability and to prevent conflicts.

Desk Officer - A desk officer leads the UK's relationship with a specific country or acts as the lead on a thematic issues such as human rights, counter-terrorism or climate change.

G77 - a coalition of 135 developing countries, designed to promote its members collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. There were 77 founding members of the organization, but by November 2019 the organization had since expanded to 135 member countries (including China). Since China participates in the G77 but does not consider itself to be a member, all official statements are issued in the name of The Group of 77 and China.

General Assembly (UNGA) - All 193 Member States of the United Nations are represented in the United Nations General Assembly - one of the six main organs of the UN - to discuss and work together on a wide array of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations, such as development, peace and security, international law, etc.

Every year in September, all the Members meet in this unique forum at Headquarters in New York for the General Assembly session.

Language - parts of an agreement, resolution, statement or legal text. 

Programmes - projects that complement traditional diplomatic activity, respond effectively to changing international situations, and maximise funding from international partners, to the UK, and the private sector.

Red Lines - policy that is unacceptable.

Rotation - the duration of an officer's posting to a country. 

Rule of Law - governs the relationship between the branches of the state. Its implementation ensures that none of those branches – executive, legislature or judiciary – is above the law, and that each must respect and ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Rani Bains is a business psychologist, leadership consultant and executive coach dedicated to helping people flourish. Her current work is helping leaders navigate turbulent times.

This episode explores her work on the characteristic qualities of 3-5% of the highest performing individuals. What is the difference that makes the difference?

We discuss her work with Martin Seligman, the father of the positive psychology movement, to establish the three most potent pillars of happiness. And the book that she co-authored as a result of that work: Meaning Inc.

Rani shares how we can overcome the anxiety that many of us experience to be the person we really are.

We talk about the God-spot in our minds and why relationships, especially with your boss, are critical to your mission and well-being. And so much more!

Links:

Rani Bains at Linkedin (linkedin.com/in/rani-bains-85062b14a)

Global Future Partners (https://globalfuturepartners.com/)

IMA Foundation (http://www.imafoundation.com/)

Martin Seligman (https://positivepsychology.com/who-is-martin-seligman/)

Meaning Inc: The blueprint for business success in the 21st century

New Year resolutions don't work for two reasons. First, we misdesign them. Second, goals are not enough - we also need a compelling vision of our future, convincing reasons why we want that future and a set of rituals or habits that will get us there.

But well-designed goals are a good start. Join Jey Jeyendran to explore how to design goals that just might work for you this time!

In this second episode of the Productivity Games series, Jey Jeyendran shares how to tackle your email and inbox message stream by using simple games to turn work into play.

Today he shares how to use a word of the day to make drafting emails, messages or any written communication fun. And we explore how increasing your vocabulary gives you a competitive edge.

As well as the simple Word of the Day game, we explore the super black belt version of the game. So have fun and let's get it done.

Links to Word of the Day Sites:

1. Merriam Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/calendar)

2. Collins (https://www.collinsdictionary.com/word-of-the-day)

3. Dictionary.com (https://www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-the-day/)

This is the first episode of a series, Jey Jeyendran shares how to turn your email or messenger inbox into a board game.

First episode: Inbox Tennis.

Don't dread your inbox. Instead turn it into the Center Court of Wimbledon and treat emails like tennis balls. Be the champion you are and get work done at the same time.

Game on.

Imagine you are about to go on holiday or be absent from your work. You have a near-infinite list of stuff to do. What do you do first? How do you prioritize? And how do you prevent becoming distracted by the new stuff that is still coming in while you are frantically getting things done before you go?

Checklists are the simplest way to solve this problem. Learn how to use checklists to narrow your focus and simplify your thinking. Especially when you are under intense pressure.

Learn how to think of your checklist not just as a list of things to do but as a guide to what not to do. Listen to this 4 minute guide to using checklists and prepare for being away. Put you attention, energy and time to the stuff that matters so you can enjoy your break.

In the final part of the series on the Getting Things Done (GTD) productivity system, Jey Jeyendran will explore what mastery of GTD looks like.

We'll go through principles to help you know what to do first. We'll understand how to reduce anxiety about your priorities. And how taking care of the little things clears space to take care of the big stuff.

This series is not endorsed by the David Allen company. If you need more depth on this subject, then check out David Allen's website at https://gettingthingsdone.com/.

And also check out the original book and audiobook Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-free Productivity, by David Allen.

You can find a list of official coaches and trainers here: https://gettingthingsdone.com/training-coaching/

Productivity Heaven receives no compensation for this series. Our reward is your success. So please, have fun and let's get our work done.