Here's something that's been on my mind a lot lately: We're constantly bombarded with tips and tricks on how to do more, more more, but what if all that productivity gibberish actually misses the mark?

In this episode, I share what I believe is more powerful than optimizing our productive output. In fact, when I think about the biggest leaps in my career, it's not a result of how many to do's of crossed off the list. It's actually been from one simple practice.

Enjoy!

Chase Jarvis and best-selling author David Epstein discuss human performance, creativity, and the pros and cons of specialization in a career.

David, a former sports journalist and the author of "The Sports Gene" and "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World," says that early specialization can be counterproductive and that having a wide variety of talents is necessary to succeed in a dynamic world that is continuously changing.

By "skill stacking", we can use the power of our own unique background and experiences to advance our careers. He underlines that we should view our profession as an 8-lane highway where we can pick up contacts and talents as we advance. In this way, we can take these skills and unleash them in other places.

Some highlights from the conversation:

• Demystifying the '10,000 hours to mastery' myth
• How some people excel and others don't, and why
• Understanding the differences between generalization and specialization
• What approach to take when pursuing a particular craft
• Why there's more than one way to succeed
• Bridging the generational divide between parents' expectations and our generation's reality

Enjoy!

A creative mindset is not only about managing downside risk; it's also critical to use your mind to go on the offensive.

How can you keep your mind open, happy, and positive? In this quick little episode, I share my 6 powerful mantras I've used to help me create a stable creative mindset.

Enjoy!

Julia is the best-selling author of over 40 books including "The Artist's Way," which has been translated into over 40 languages and sold over 5 million copies. She is a poet, songwriter, filmmaker and playwright and is commonly referred to as "The Godmother" or "High Priestess" of creativity.

In our conversation, Julia shares her insights and tools on how to be creative without being perfect. She talks about why she chose to write about the writing process, her new book "Write for Life," and her daily quota.

Julia also shares her thoughts on how to overcome perfectionism and find new freedom in daily creative practices. Discover the tricks and tools that have made her such a prolific artist and how you can apply them to your own work.

Highlights from our conversation:

• Learning how to dismantle the idea that everything has to be achieved at once
• 'Priming the pump' with daily practices like morning pages and the power it has to unlock your limitless potential as a creator
• Understanding the relationship between work, play, and overall success
• Getting out of your own way and allowing yourself to be creative

Enjoy!

In this week's episode, I delve into the importance of play and experimentation in a creative career. I discuss how personal work can lead to new opportunities and help you better understand your own interests and goals. I also offer some practical advice on how to balance commercial work with personal projects, and how to know when it's time to move on from a creative endeavor. This is a continuation of the Q&A show I did a few weeks ago, where I answered listener questions about creativity, career, and life. Tune in for some valuable insights and inspiration for your own creative journey.

Questions we dive into:

• What changes do you need in your support system as your business grows?
• What can a solopreneur do when they are feeling directionless and are not sure what to do next?
• What do you like to shoot for personal work to keep you motivated for commercial work?
• How do you know when it is time to transition away from a creative endeavor or project?

Enjoy!

Chase Jarvis and productivity expert Chris Bailey explore the power of calm in an anxious world in this thought-provoking podcast. From the impact of digital worlds on our anxiety levels to the dangers of overstimulation, Chris shares his personal journey through burnout and anxiety and offers practical strategies for finding peace and productivity. Chris, the bestselling author of "Hyperfocus" and "The Productivity Project," is a sought-after speaker on the subject of productivity, and has written extensively on the topic at Alifeofproductivity.com.

Some highlights from the conversation:

• The science of savoring and how it can help us become more present and enjoy life more.
• How busyness is a state of mind and how to overcome the mindset of constant activity.
• The role of dopamine in causing anxiety and how to find balance in our desire for it.
• The importance of self-care in overcoming anxiety and boosting productivity.
• How to recognize and overcome sub-clinical stress and anxiety.

Enjoy!

Are you someone with so many competing interests and ideas, you're not sure where to focus or how to build these passions into a single career? You're not alone.

This week I'm diving into two questions from the community. The first question explores this very popular question. I deconstruct how some of the top performers have built unconventional paths to shape their passions into successful careers.

The other is about how to transition from one thing to another. We dive into a very specific example, but the principles can be applied to almost anything.

Enjoy and Happy New Year!

If you've felt the stress of the last few years, you wouldn't be alone. Whether it's from work, school, family or financial issues, stress is a part of life for almost everyone.

Fortunately, Dr. Elissa Epel, Professor of Epidemiology and Psychology at the University of California in San Francisco, has some scientifically-proven advice for managing it better. In today's episode, she joins me to discuss the mental and physical effects of stress, and how the right approach can make all the difference in managing it.

Highlights from our conversation:

• Understanding stress, how it works, and its effects on our lives
• Differentiating between good and bad types of stress
• How to cope and live with stress
• Leveraging the connection between the body and the mind to build resilience
• Epel's unique 'prescription' to combating stress over seven days

Adrian Grenier is best known for his roles on HBO's Entourage and as a producer in the documentary Teenage Paparazzo. After concluding his years in the entertainment industry, Adrian decided to make a drastic change by leaving New York and going to Texas. In this episode, he shares his journey into self-discovery, how nature has allowed him to reconnect with himself and the world around him, and his new projects centered around promoting nature lifestyle content.

Highlights from the Show:

• Understanding the ego and why it isn't conducive to true happiness
• What breaking free from your ego looks like, and how it can be done
• Breaking free from the fast-paced and materialistic lifestyle of New York
• The benefits of being in nature and reconnecting with the environment

Enjoy!

Certainly I've made a career in awareness as a photographer — finding moments or, arguably, the beauty in things. But more important than that, I think awareness (not just of beauty but of things – but awareness in general, internal states, etc) is a powerful tool — one that gets us all out of your head, into the present moment, and more connected to the world around us.

In fact, when people are early in their career as 'creatives' I find that awareness is usually one of the biggest opportunities for growth.

In this episode, I share 6 tips + a few of my obvious favs) to hone your awareness and tune into this moment.

Enjoy!