Ray Edwards Show

I recently wrote here on the blog about some new productivity "tweaks" with which I have been experimenting. Today's podcast is a report on the results.

In this week's podcast episode:

• A "field report" on my latest productivity experiments.
• An alternative to mindmaps.
• How to get free of those "guilty feelings".
• Stu McLaren on hiring the right people.

Tip Of The Week

Not into mind mapping, but wish there was an easy way to outline your ideas? You have got to try Workflowy. It was made for the purpose.

Spiritual Foundations

Are you plagued by feelings of guilt, about regrets over what you should have done in a certain situation? Don't be…

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2

When Jesus came and paid the price for sin, that included all of our sins. Past, present, and future. That means is far as he is concerned, we have nothing to regret. A "guilty conscience" is not the work of our father in heaven, but is the work of the enemy-the devil. See Hebrews 9:14.

Lifestyle Business

Stu McLaren has wisdom to share on the subject of hiring-and on not being cheap.

Feature Segment: Results of My Productivity Experiments

Recently, I wrote on my blog a post about a new plan for improved productivity in 2013. I thought it might be useful to share the results so far. Works and all.

Here are the plans I wrote about, and a report on my observations

Productivity Philosophy.  If you are not familiar with the GTD philosophy, I encourage you to read David Allen's seminal work on stress-free productivity. A great augmentation to the GTD material is one of my favorite new podcasts and websites, Erik Fisher's "Beyond the To-Do List". At this point, I would give myself a "brown belt" when it comes to GTD. My biggest challenge is keeping my inboxes to zero, and limiting those inboxes to the smallest number possible.

Planning. In keeping with my adherence to GTD, my planning is fairly simple. I have a weekly review session on Fridays, during which I collect all the inputs that have accumulated over the past week, and one by one clear them from my inbox.  So far I've done a pretty good job of keeping on top of my weekly reviews. I'd say I am at about 90% on this one.

Disciplined Tracking.  For business activities, I am developing a dashboard for my company in Excel to keep track of key metrics. Frankly, I've gotten so caught up in looking for the perfect dashboard, I haven't really started using one yet. That will change within the next three days, as I am forcing myself to pick some kind of tracking system. Even if it is  3 x 5 cards.

Productivity Tools. In the past, I have been a "tool junkie". I have actually managed to not look at any new productivity tools since the beginning of the year. That may not sound like a big deal to you, but it's a big deal to me.

Boundaries. This year, I am resolved to stick to my regimen of only answering email once a day, and the same for phone calls. I also intend to be "off the grid" three days a week for both email and phone calls. Still my biggest challenge. My name is Ray Edwards, and I am a recovering "yes man".

Guarding My Heart and Mind. Toxic thoughts and emotions destroy us. Toxic thinking limits our potential for accomplishment. Toxic emotions limit our potential for happiness and fulfillment. In the new year, I will not allow negative thinking, language, images, or emotions to pierce the boundary of my sight or hearing. While I have improved in this area, I still have work today. Have watched a couple of things on television that, in retrospect, were a bit dark and cynical and viewpoint. It isn't possible to watch things like this and walk away unaffected.

Task Batching. I perform best when I batch similar tasks together and do them all at once. This is going pretty well for me, because it is exit become a habit of mine over the last few years.

Focus Blocks. "Focus blocks" are clearly defined blocks of time that I use to focus on one single task.  I can tell you this. It seems that making a declaration about a new habit is a surefire way to become a lightning rod for challenges and resistance to that habit.

Digital Fasting. I am a digital junkie. I love Facebook, Twitter, Google+, email, RSS feeds… you get the idea. That's why it's important to me to completely unplug frequently. My goal is to be completely free of email, voice mail, and Internet consumption… 100% free… at least one day a week. I have done pretty well, but frankly no where near 100%. This Sunday, I'm shooting for 100%.

Sabbath. One day each week, my intention is to be at complete rest. Same answer as the previous section.

The Positive No. I mentioned earlier that it is difficult for me to say "no" to people. This year, my default response to every request made of me will be, at least initially, "no". I had a few chances to practice this, but I still wouldn't counted as one of my core disciplines. Yet.

Income Producing Activity Hours. I have identified the activities which are most likely to result in producing revenue for my company: speaking, writing, marketing and advertising, and creating new material or trainings. There are a few other income-producing activities, such as networking, sales calls, and developing JV relationships. I am creating carefully protected and intricately planned "focus blocks" for these activities. These are among the first activities to be scheduled in my calendar. This one has worked out surprisingly well so far.

Writing Time. This is in my top tier of income producing activities. It is also in my top tier of spiritually fulfilling activities. Therefore, this is one of my very highest priorities, and will be one of my most protected assets in the new year.

30 Day Challenges. I love new ideas, and I love trying them out. So much so, that I have tended, in the past, to try out many different ideas in a single week. Therefore, in the new year, each month I plan to adopt one "30 Day Challenge". A single new habit, activity, or discipline. I will post each month's 30 day challenge publicly, and at the end of the 30 days report on my experience. . Hardest one of all for me to keep. My Challenge this month was to journal daily. We're on day 16 of the month, and I've written in my journal four days

My plan going forward is to become more disciplined about my new habits, and not to simply give up. That's the mistake I think most people make when it comes to resolutions, or adopting any new discipline.

Special Announcements

1. I'm attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. It is nearly sold out. The purpose of the conference: to help you "get noticed in a noisy world." It's being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I'm also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat Flynn, John Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there's not a single speaker I'm not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
2. I was written up by Eric T Wagner on Forbes.com this week. You can check out the article here.

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679

What Are you doing to be more productive in the new year? And how are your New Year's resolutions coming along? Share your ideas and tactics below in the comments.

 

I recently wrote here on the blog about some new productivity “tweaks” with which I have been experimenting. Today's podcast is a report on the results. In this week's podcast episode: A “field report” on my latest productivity experiments. An alternative to mindmaps. How to get free of those “guilty feelings”. Stu McLaren on hiring […]

Ever have a day where you feel like you just didn't get anything done? Now imagine getting entire day's work done in two hours. Sound impossible? You won't feel that way after you listen to today's podcast.

In this week's podcast episode:

• How to do a days work in two hours.
• A counterintuitive marketing book recommendation.
• How (and why) it's possible to achieve effortless success.
• Stu McLaren on the importance of being intentional.

And a few surprises, too…

Tip Of The Week

This week I have a rather counterintuitive book recommendation. One of the best marketing books I've ever read (twice now) is Rick Warren's The Purpose-Driven Church.

Spiritual Foundations

As new creations in Christ, we are supposed to be "at rest". Our life is not supposed to be about striving and working hard, but about receiving. Yes, I am saying that God will do a lot more for us than we could ever do for ourselves. And that he actually wants it to be that way.

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest…
Hebrews 4:9-11

This is a promise from God, and it echoes the Old Testament story of the promised land. In ancient Israel, there was an actual land that the people were given as a promise from God.This land was, in God's own words, to include houses that had already been built, vineyards that had already been planted, and wells that had already been dug. Everything was already done for the children of Israel. As believers under the provisions of the new covenant, our "promised land" is to simply rest in what Christ accomplished for us at the cross. In the passage from Hebrews, we learned that God desires that we would enjoy His rest. That we would be blessed, provided for, and healed as we receive from him. Through no efforts of our own.

Lifestyle Business

Stu McLaren shares his thoughts on the importance of being intentional.

Feature Segment: How to Get a Day's Work Done In 2 Hours

Here's the overall checklist for doing a days work in two hours. There are 3 phases to this method: Plan, Prepare, Perform. For a detailed explanation… listen to the podcast!

Plan

• Make your "List of Three", "Fantastic Five", and your "Weird Time List".

Prepare

• Wake up one hour earlier.
• Have a quiet time.

Perform

• Work on your "List of Three" before you do anything else.
• Use the "F.I.T." Method.
• Take a 10 minute break, and move immediately to the "Fantastic Five".
• Now take a 30 minute break, and go about your day as usual. Relax.
• Use your "Weird Time List" to "grout your day".

Special Announcements

1. I'm attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. It is nearly sold out. The purpose of the conference: to help you "get noticed in a noisy world." It's being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I'm also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat Flynn, John Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there's not a single speaker I'm not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
2. Our exclusive Las Vegas workshop is more than half-full. If you're interested in participating, you will need to contact my office immediately.
3. Tomorrow I will make a special announcement about a brand-new event.

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679

What tips can you offer that would help get an entire day's work done in just two hours? Share your ideas and tactics below in the comments.

 

Ever have a day where you feel like you just didn't get anything done? Now imagine getting entire day's work done in two hours. Sound impossible? You won't feel that way after you listen to today's podcast. In this week's podcast episode: How to do a days work in two hours. A counterintuitive marketing book […]

Today I want to share five weird tactics that, when used correctly, almost guarantee more success.

In this week's podcast episode:

• The five weird tactics.
• The power of the uncommon conversation.
• My first book recommendation of the new year.

That's all coming up…

Tip Of The Week

For refreshing, unusual, and inspiring look at the writing life I recommend Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

Spiritual Foundations

Speaking plainly is a shocking and radical way of communicating.

Jesus said you should "let your yes mean yes, and your no me no."  Speaking the truth so plainly is disarming and incredibly persuasive. Try it.

Feature Segment: 5 Weird Tactics Make The New Year Your Best Year Ever

1. Do less.
2. Say no.
3. Stop multitasking.
4. Stop setting goals.
5. Pray

Special Announcements

1. I'm attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. If you do business online, you MUST attend this conference that helps you "get noticed in a noisy world." It's being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I'm also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat Flynn, John Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there's not a single speaker I'm not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
2. Our exclusive Las Vegas workshop is more than half-full. If you're interested in participating, you will need to contact my office immediately.
3. Next week I will make a special announcement about a brand-new event.

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher by clicking the logo:

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679

Today I want to share five weird tactics that, when used correctly, almost guarantee more success. In this week's podcast episode: The five weird tactics. The power of the uncommon conversation. My first book recommendation of the new year. That’s all coming up… Tip Of The Week For refreshing, unusual, and inspiring look at the […]

If your business is struggling right now, or you need more cash flow, you might think it's ridiculous for me to say there's something better than new customers. But there is, and that's what we'll cover in this week's interview with Jim Palmer.

In this weeks podcast episode:

• Jim Palmer shows us explains what is better than new customers.
• Stu McLaren: "You should start spying on people".
• How to achieve effortless success.

That's all coming up…

Tip Of The Week

I have long been recommended to you a program called Evernote. Recently, a new version of this software has been released. They have succeeded in making a great thing even better. The main features of Evernote that I like:

• Capture anything – save your ideas, things you like, things you hear, and things you see.
• Access it anywhere -Evernote works with nearly every computer, phone and mobile device out there.
• Find things fast. Search by keyword, tag or even printed and handwritten text inside images.

Lifestyle Business With Stu McLaren

Stu McLaren explains why he has been spying on people.

Spiritual Foundations

God's plan for you and your business is not that you work so hard that you make yourself sick, destroy your mental health, and wreck your family. His kind of success is effortless, and he has already done the work when he died on the cross:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:2–3

This doesn't mean that you simply sit on the couch and wait for things to fall into your lap. It does mean that as you work, you can be relaxed and free from anxiety and fear. He has already provided every blessing you need in life. So how do you get those blessings? It's simple: believe, and rest on the Lord's promises.

You might pray something like this: "Lord, I rest in the work that you have done on my behalf, and I thank you that you are already making good things happen for me. So I will stop all my stressing, struggling, and attempts to control circumstances in order to get what I want. I'm simply receiving what you've already provided."

Feature Segment: Interview With Jim Palmer

There is something that is better than new customers-and you might be surprised to discover what it is. That's just one of the nuggets we will reveal in this interview with Jim Palmer. Listen to the podcast audio for the entire interview. And be prepared to take notes!

Listener Questions

Only one listener question this week, this one from Todd Liles of Service Excellence Training. Todd wants to know how he can get his podcast listed in iTunes.

Special Announcements

1. I'm attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. If you do business online, you MUST attend this conference that helps you "get noticed in a noisy world." It's being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I'm also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat Flynn, John Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there's not a single speaker I'm not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
2. Our exclusive Las Vegas workshop is more than half-full. If you're interested in participating, you will need to contact my office immediately.
3. My next podcast will be on the topic of "How to Make the New Year Your Best Year Ever". If you have a question about that, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a good way for you to promote your own website, because I will be happy to link to your site in return for you asking a question.

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher by clicking the logo:

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679

If your business is struggling right now, or you need more cash flow, you might think it's ridiculous for me to say there's something better than new customers. But there is, and that's what we'll cover in this week's interview with Jim Palmer. In this weeks podcast episode: Jim Palmer shows us explains what is […]

When it seems the economy around you is in turmoil and chaos, is it still possible to thrive? If so, how do you do that?

In this weeks podcast episode we will cover:

• The results of "asking the listeners". Changes you can expect in the podcast.
• Stu McLaren: "Doing the work up front".
• Is God the source of evil?
• Plus, "How to Thrive In a Turbulent Economy"

That's all coming up on today's episode…

Tip Of The Week

A couple of episodes ago, I advised you to ask your customers what they really want. I proposed using a survey-which is exactly what I did. Here are the results of my survey about how you think I could improve this show. The suggestions were:

• Add more listener participation and questions.
• Change the ending music to match the beginning music.
• Share  concrete copywriting tactics.
• Get more specific about dollars.
• Make the show tighter.

Those are the top suggestions we are implementing, starting with this episode. I hope you like what you hear.

Lifestyle Business With Stu McLaren

Stu McLaren explains why it's worth doing the work up front, and doing it well.

Spiritual Foundations

Recently, I inadvertently started a bit of a tiff on Facebook. I posted the following:

If you think you are sick because God has some purpose in it… reconsider. Sickness does not come from God. According to John 10:10, evil is the work of the enemy, who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy". Jesus, on the other hand, comes so that we "may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). He also came to "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).

It's simple. God is good. The enemy is bad. Good things come from God, and evil things do not. It's helpful if we keep the difference in mind – it'll help us not attribute the work of the enemy to God!

The reason this is important, is because when Jesus rose from the grave and conquered sin and death, he ushered in a new and better covenant for all of us who follow him. We no longer live under fear of punishment, for Jesus has taken the punishment on our behalf. He has covered us in his grace-literally, "unmerited favor."

God does not send evil into your life-not to teach you a lesson, not to improve your character, and certainly not to punish you. If you follow Jesus, you believe in him, you confessed to measure Lord and Savior… you are unpunishable.

Feature Segment: How to Thrive In a Turbulent Economy

Yes, there is chaos in the marketplace. The economy can be described as turbulent.  But that doesn't matter. There is no reason for you, my entrepreneurial friend, to fear the storm. Bedrock principles will keep you on course. Here are seven keys to thriving even in a turbulent economy…

1. Faith. You will receive what you believe. Carefully guard where you are placing your faith. It makes a difference.
2. Foundations. Most people crumble when their core values are challenged-because they never made those values a conscious decision.  Most of us simply inherit our values and beliefs from our family and friends. Make yours a choice. Don't just know what you believe, know why you believe it.
3. Family. After your connection to your Creator, the most important link to your ultimate success is your family. Even if you have no family, as it is traditionally understood. I explain what to do if you don't have any family living, or none that you are connected with, in the podcast audio. So make sure you listen to the show itself.
4. Friends. How you relate to friends-even how you define that word-is of vital importance to how effective you will be in the world. Especially in the world of business.
5. Focus. What you focus on expands. If your constant focus is on the negativity and the chaos of the environment around you, expect to see more of the same. Take responsibility for what goes on inside your head.
6. Finances. Business is a game won (or lost) by the numbers. The rules are simple: make money, save money, spend as little as possible.
7. Fun. Make it a goal to be more joyful than all of your companions. Joy is magnetic, and draws people to you. It has the added benefit of drawing cheerful people to you, helping eliminate the "Eeyore Factor" from your life.

Listener Questions

1. Martin Hurley
2. Jeff Davis
3. Beaumont Miles
4. Jim Siverts

Special Announcements

1. I'm attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. If you do business online, you MUST attend this conference that helps you "get noticed in a noisy world." It's being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I'm also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat Flynn, John Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there's not a single speaker I'm not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
2. Our exclusive Las Vegas workshop is more than half-full. If you're interested in participating, you will need to contact my office immediately.
3. My next podcast will be on the topic of "How to Make the New Year Your Best Year Ever". If you have a question about that, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a good way for you to promote your own website, because I will be happy to link to your site in return for you asking a question.

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher by clicking the logo:

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679

When it seems the economy around you is in turmoil and chaos, is it still possible to thrive? If so, how do you do that? In this weeks podcast episode we will cover: The results of “asking the listeners”. Changes you can expect in the podcast. Stu McLaren: “Doing the work up front”. Is God […]