The Productivityist Podcast: Ideas And Tools For Personal Productivity | Time Management | Goals | Habits | Working Better

Pamela Slim is an author, community builder, consultant and former corporate director of training and development at Barclays Global Investors. Since 2005, Pam has advised thousands of entrepreneurs as well as companies serving the small business market such as Infusionsoft, Progressive Insurance and Prezi. In her latest book, The Widest Net, Pam explains how to build strong diverse relationships, identify and connect with new partners, expand markets and find new customers in places you may never have considered. It’s been a long time coming having Pam join the show. Join us as we discuss stress-testing a framework, the always/ never list, books tours – and unintended puns. Talking Points Putting together the Widest Net framework Pam’s variation of the customer avatar exercise Understanding your ecosystem The Accordion principle and setting boundaries Beginning a business with a mission statement Fostering the right business relationships Finding your ‘Peanut Butter and Jelly’ partners Quote "Runnin

Lisa Erickson is an energy worker, writer, and meditation teacher specializing in women’s energetics and sexual trauma healing. She has trained in multiple contemplative traditions and energy healing modalities, and is certified in mindfulness meditation instruction, kundalini activation, and trauma sensitivity. I found Lisa's new book ‘The Art and Science of Meditation’ as such a powerful resource. It guides you through ways to overcome common obstacles, easy-to-understand explanations of classic spiritual texts, guidance on choosing meditation teachers and retreats, and much more. In our conversation we explore how to build a sustainable meditation practice, how to find a style that suits you, the health benefits, walking habits – and doing nothing for 60 seconds.  Talking Points Why meditation is such a valuable practice Setting realistic goals and the power of micro-meditation The parallels with diet and nutrition The role of consistency when building new habits Mixing up your meditation styles Over

Endorsed in FORBES and INC Magazine and has authored eight books, Perry Marshall is one of the most expensive business strategists in the world. At London’s Royal Society he announced the world’s largest science research challenge: the $10 million Evolution 2.0 Prize. His reinvention of the Pareto Principle is published in Harvard Business Review, and his Google book laid the foundations for the $100 billion Pay Per Click industry. He has a degree in Engineering and lives with his family in Chicago. I found Perry’s latest book ‘Detox, Declutter, Dominate: How to Excel by Elimination’ truly fascinating (it reveals a lot in just 36 pages), so it was great to unpack some of his key insights. In this productive conversation we discuss the elimination mindset, freewriting, email response times, morning walks and written down bucket lists. Talking Points The breaking point that lead Perry to write his book ‘Detox, Declutter, Dominate’ The key to Renaissance Time How to get past “I don’t have time for XYZ” The t

A/J Jackson is an American filmmaker, musician, songwriter, record producer, and the lead singer for the band Saint Motel. From feeling too limited to one color choice with his own eyewear – A/J Jackson took the leap and created interchangeable tinted lenses. He’s now the founder of AVIEW, which helps you experience a new way of wearing glasses where you can swap out colors whenever you feel like it. Colors can affect your mood, productivity, and general sense of well being. I really enjoyed speaking with A/J Jackson and learning how he maintains his ‘creative muse’. In this episode we discuss how it went from making music to glasses, finding a team of experts to work with, color theory – and the 3D printer at his local library.  Talking Points Taking on new creative projects Color theory and its impact on mood and productivity  The meaning behind ‘rose-tinted glasses’ The power of changing your working environment Experimenting with hyper-scheduling On being a disciplined artist  Quote "By chunking

Mike Michalowicz is an American author, entrepreneur, and lecturer. He is currently an author of seven business books published by Penguin Random House, including ‘Profit First’ and ‘Clockwork’, and is the former host of the "Business Rescue" segment for MSNBC's Your Business. It’s an honor and a privilege to have Mike on the show as we get to explore how to truly succeed through marketing your business. We explore how to be in control of your leads, Mike’s ‘DAD’ methodology, being different ‘enough’, plain text emails – and fun houses. Talking Points What inspired Mike to write ‘Get Different’ The attitude of experimenting vs planning How to specify your audience Being ‘different enough’ Seeking inspiration from other industries Learn how to instantly analyze your marketing campaigns  Quote "The creation of new is an improvement of old." Helpful Links GoGetDifferent.com ‘Clockwork’ by Mike Michalowicz Clickup Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my rea

I’m excited to finally have my good friend Stephen Warley on the show today. He founded Life Skills That Matter in 2016, a platform that teaches individuals how to create a business that is in alignment with their values, needs and abilities. He is also the host of the Life Skills That Matter Podcast, where he has interviewed 500+ people who have made the transition from employment to working for themselves... and all the different ways they’ve done it. Tune in to this productive conversation as we discuss scheduling time for reflection, journaling, creating healthy habits, what Stephen does to slow down – and learning how to ski. Talking Points How to cultivate self-awareness  Stephen’s workshop at the BIG Ready 2021 Scheduling time for reflection and meditation Finding activities to stimulate mindfulness Building habits before tools Creating a retreat for yourself Quote "Are your habits taking you where you want to go?" Helpful Links Life Skills That Matter Podcast The BIG Ready LifeSkillsThatM

Jeff Brown was a reluctant reader at school, but he fell in love with it when he had to learn more about marketing in his career. Jeff is a podcaster, mentor, and speaker, with a mission to help people like you bridge the gap between intention and implementation. He does this primarily through public speaking, mastermind groups, membership platforms, courses, coaching, and consulting. I’m excited to learn more about his latest book, which co-authored with Jesse Wisnewski, ‘Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career’. In this productive conversation we explore book clubs, speed reading, being a co-author, the free library movement – and why there will always be a place for books. Be sure to check out the links for all the books we mentioned in this interview! Talking Points Jeff’s relationship with reading The co-authoring experience Reading books digitally versus physically When to keep or let go of books The books Jeff re-reads the most Interesting findings from

Today’s guest, Adii Pienaar, is not a fan of labels, but he’s a true life-first entrepreneur and avid writer. He also co-founded WooThemes in 2007, founded Conversio in 2014. His latest book, Life Profitability: The New Measure of Entrepreneurial Success distills a new perspective for becoming self-aware, recognising your values, and understanding your impact. I found it really impactful, so I couldn’t wait to bring Adii on to the show. Listen to this conversation as we take a step back and review how to live an enriched life AND run a successful business. We discuss the power of language, journaling, what ‘harmony’ means to Adii – and cultivating ‘breadcrumbs’ of writing.  Talking Points Being a seeker The pros and cons of ambition Why we shouldn’t strive for ‘work-life balance Measuring qualitative goals How to maintain and sustain your life profitability How journaling has helped Adii Breaking old patterns Quote "Seek the newer versions of your truths." Helpful Links ‘Life Profitability’ by Ad

It’s personal building the right process for your business. ClickUp expert and business coach Yvonne Heimann shares how choosing the right tool will shift your business. From having been a German pub owner to now being a Californian business coach, Yvonne Heimann “sees systems everywhere”. I discovered her work on YouTube when I wanted to move over from Asana to ClickUp – and she massively helped me with this transition. Yvonne helps digital entrepreneurs increase profits and reclaim lost time by teaching how to implement proven processes, systems, using project management tools like ClickUp. As you can tell from our conversation, Yvonne knows her stuff when it comes to simplifying systems and building processes. Listen to find out more about her ‘Daily Method of Operation’, building a successful YouTube channel, why ClickUp is her favorite tool, using visual flow charts – and what it was like being brought up near the Berlin wall.  Talking Points Be clear on your ‘Why’ and ‘What’ Being a woman in the product

It’s time to take a pause. Athlete, author, podcaster and mentor Vernon Foster II shares his steps to mindful living. What’s clear from my conversation with Vernon Foster II is that living a fulfilling life is a lifelong journey. There is no silver bullet or magic pill. Through Vernon’s own personal hardship, and working closely with others, he’s put together all that he has learnt in ‘The 7 Laws of Mindful Living: A Soul Manual’.  I first met Vernon a few years ago at the Podcast Movement, so I couldn’t wait to learn more about this latest book. Join our reflective discussion as we spoke about Vernon’s ‘laws’ of mindful living, the power of taking a break, overcoming limiting beliefs, how to not get caught up in the doing – and a potential 8th Law... Talking Points The Law of Letting Go Limiting identities The art of embracing experiences Removing judgment The Law of Abundance The impact of releasing ‘The 7 Laws of Mindful Living: A Soul Manual’ Overcoming overwhelm with where to start Quote "Craf

Master facilitator Marli Williams shares what you can get out of a retreat – and the real-life transformations you can expect from connecting with the right people.  Marli is a master facilitator of transformation who creates magic in beautiful epic places. She’s the founder and director of Camp YES! – a summer camp for women entrepreneurs, leaders and change-makers. She is also a wilderness guide, educator and mentor. Her mission is to create epic, transformational experiences.  Join our productive conversation as we discuss the power of taking a retreat, how to stay energized as a facilitator, being creative with virtual retreats, having informal hangout time – and sharing bourbon with Neal Pollack.   Talking Points The tipping point for taking a retreat Retreats vs conferences What makes a retreat stand out from the rest Co-creating experiences Manufacturing transformational experiences online Quote "Pay attention to what captures your attention." Helpful Links Camp YES! Episode 187: More Fun i

Buddhism and Taoism expert Mike Sturm joins the show to uncover how to develop a deep personal relationship with yourself – the Wabi-Sabi way. Mike Sturm has taught philosophy at college level for several years and researched Buddhism and Taoism extensively. He writes about self-improvement and productivity from the perspective of spirituality and first principles. In this reflective conversation, we focus in particular on ‘Wabi-Sabi’, an ancient Japanese philosophy that centres on appreciating​​ the beauty in imperfection and accepting the more natural cycle of life. Join us as we explore some of the key insights from his book The Wabi-sabi Way: Simple Principles to Bring Calm, Meaning & Authenticity to Your Daily Life. We discuss personal authenticity, reviewing habits, the power of validation and embracing imperfection – and Captain America.  Talking Points What is Wabi-sabi? The Western challenges with meditation and stillness The notion of time Ease vs. easy Where to get started with the Wabi-sabi

Small business expert and former photographer Jeffrey Shaw unpacks how live the best self-employed life. Jeffrey Shaw became one of the most preeminent portrait photographers in the United States. He decided to share his knowledge of business, branding, and marketing to support self-employed and small business owners as well as progressive-minded companies. I had a great time learning more about his strategies that have helped small businesses scale their big dreams. We unpack the insights from his latest book The Self-Employed Life: Business and Personal Development Strategies. We also explore personal development, redefining what we mean by ‘niche’, owning your area of expertise, and lessons from sea kayaking. Talking Points What’s needed to be successfully self-employed The ecosystem analogy The business model of multiples Daily habits for small business owners ‘The What’s Going Right’ journal Being clear with your meaning and marketability Quote “Set up your business for the capacity that is to c

From virtually no spending controls to ‘just take some’ vacation, Netflix’s innovation has stemmed from a simple set of rules. Erin Meyer uncovers how you can foster a culture of freedom and innovation. Erin Meyer is an author and professor at INSEAD Business School, based in Paris. She is most known for writing the book, The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business. Her work focuses on how the world’s most successful leaders navigate the complexities of cultural differences in a multicultural environment. Erin joins the show to share how we can all lead with a culture of innovation. In this conversation, I go through her latest book that she co-authored with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention. Tune in to learn more about what frameworks foster freedom, how a workplace can operate with no policies, and what you can learn from the ‘Keeper Test’. Talking Points The kind of ‘no rules ethos’ Netflix follows The impact of freedom an

Mike Kim joins the show as I rebrand the podcast into ‘A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy’. Find out how and why your brand evolves over time. I’m super excited to announce the rebrand of the Productivityist Podcast as ‘A Productive Conversation With Mike Vardy’, and in the spirit of this change I bring on brand and marketing strategist Mike Kim. Mike specializes in personal branding, product launch strategies, and copywriting. In his latest book, You Are The Brand, Mike shares his proven 8-step blueprint that has helped build the brands for some of today’s most influential thought leaders — as well as his own personal brand. I set out to find out from Mike how to best approach changing your brand. We discuss finding ways to express yourself, logging your progress, his successful (and failed) business pivots, and campfire moments. Enjoy my productive conversation with Mike Kim! Talking Point Losing control vs influence of your brand Why you should not rebrand at all once The PB3 framework to get bu

Former professional basketball player Dre Baldwin shares how you can build repeatable success through systems he learnt from his athletic career. After having played basketball professionally for nine years in eight different countries, Dre Baldwin is now a full-time entrepreneur, author of 27 books, and has done four TEDxTalks on topics ranging from mental toughness to discipline. I catch up with Dre to learn more about his work ethic and his latest book The Mirror of Motivation: the Self-Guide to Self-Discipline. In this interview we explore Dre’s mental tools, why he chronicles his journey, documenting your systems, what non-athletes can learn from professional basketball – and what I have in common with Dre’s dad. Talking Points The athlete’s mindset for non-athletes Journaling and chronicling your journey Systemizing success Establishing your foundations to be working from Building mental toughness and resilience The power of documentation Quote “Who do I need to be?” Helpful Links MirrorOfMoti

Approach your home with some mindfulness and find out how some simple cleaning routines can go a long way with cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk. From a messy kitchen to ‘junk’ drawers – ever find your home is not the nirvana that you would like it to be? Today I’m joined by Becky Rapinchuk, aka the Clean Mama, who is a cleaning expert, a wife and mom, a successful entrepreneur, and a former art teacher. I find out what it takes to create a home that’s effortlessly peaceful. We dive into her book Clean Mama’s Guide to a Peaceful Home: Effortless Systems and Joyful Rituals for a Calm, Cozy Home, and unpack some of her key insights. We explore the power of rituals, keeping your home clean alongside a busy family, and her seven peaceful home guidelines we all need to follow. Talking Points Why creating a peaceful home needs to be effortless Identify your pain point and happy tasks Maintaining a peaceful home as a family The Clean Home Reset Checklist The Seven Peaceful Home Guidelines Quote “I’d rather do

Ashley Whillans spends a lot of her time studying happiness, so she joins the show to share how you can best spend your time to boost your life satisfaction. Once again, I’m joined by a fellow Canadian! Today’s guest is Ashley Whillans, a Behavioral Scientist and Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School in Negotiations, Organizations, and Markets. She’s the author of ‘Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life’, which I can’t wait to unpack in this interview. In this conversation, Ashley provides a very holistic view on how to value our time. Find out more about the Day Reconstruction Method, qualitative time tracking, rough scheduling, and why so many of us avoid being (or feeling) idle. Talking Points What is ‘being time smart’? Our relationship with time tracking The idea of rough scheduling How to slow down more How Happiness Dollars can help you become more time smart The simple first step to becoming time smart Quote “You can make changes on an everyday basis to help you

Clarity Coach Jenna Britton is here to help you find more clarity, so you can take action with more purpose and intention. As a self-proclaimed “soulful storyteller”, Jenna Britton is a writer, coach and speaker. Finding Human Design was integral to helping Jenna find — and begin truly living — her life with clarity and ease. So in 2020, she began offering coaching sessions designed and aligned to help people like you understand how parts of your Human Design chart can clarify your purpose — what you’re here to do (and how you’re here to do it). As a fellow writer, I enjoyed discussing with Jenna about the writing process. Tune in to this episode as we unpack internal processing, looking back through old journals, the comedian’s mind, and goosebump moments. And this conversation is by no means just for writers – it will help give you direction if you feel stuck in any area. Talking Points What you get through clarity coaching Finding harmony with clarity and communication The value of journaling Writing

Everything is done so much better when we manage our energy levels. Through the Success-Energy Equation, Michelle Cederberg shares her tactics to help you fuel every area of your life. Certified Speaking Professional Michelle Cederberg has captivated audiences across the world with her messages about how to set worthwhile goals and get energized for success. As a coach, consultant and professional speaker, Michelle educates busy, driven professionals about purpose, productivity – and the pursuit of better. Tune in to this candid conversation as we uncover some key insights from Michelle’s book The Success-Energy Equation: How to Regain your Focus, Recharge your Life and Really Get Sh!t Done. We also discuss how to recognize when your thoughts are becoming unproductive, the “How might I…?” question, the power of repetition, and making plans (weather permitting). Talking Points Factor in energy into your equation Understanding your energy levels The Motivation Matrix The 4 Rs for managing negative self-tal