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

This episode is being released earlier than usual because it's a special one. Why? Because Mike talks about his "big work" - the thing he's been actively working on for well over a year (and likely subconsciously for five or so). It's called The NOW Year Formula, and he talks about what it is, how it works, and how by adopting it as your productivity approach can help you have more of what you want in life. Relevant Links http://beyondproductivity.com/ (Beyond Productivity - A Live Streaming Workshop) Use PRODPODCAST to get $10 off a Virtual Ticket (that includes a replay of the workshop to view at your leisure) http://friends.creativelive.com/aff_c?offer_id=24&aff_id=71&url_id=227 (Time Management 101 - creativeLIVE) http://productivityist.com/need-take-personal-productivity-personally/ (Why You Need To Take Productivity Personally - Productivityist) https://gumroad.com/l/Productivityistworkbook (The Productivityist Workbook) http://eepurl.com/bhvbqb (Productivity Zones (And How I Built Them Into My

In this episode, Mike talks with Dave Caolo of the podcast Home Work and the website Apple World Today about his newest hobby: tabletop gaming. They discuss the benefits of gaming in terms of helping with productivity and planning as well as offer some suggestions of games to check out. Relevant Links http://5by5.tv/homework (Home Work) http://www.appleworld.today/ (Apple World Today) https://unclutterer.com/author/david-caolo/ (Dave on Unclutterer) https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/9714/antoine-bauza (Antoine Bauza | Board Game Designer | BoardGameGeek) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7atuZxmT956cWFGxqSyRdn6GWhBxiAwE (Wil Wheaton's Tabletop on YouTube) http://amzn.to/1LfRMKD (Hey! That's My Fish!) http://amzn.to/1dgNeZi (Castle Panic) http://amzn.to/1cMiiPz (Pandemic) http://amzn.to/1JVVo3d (Forbidden Desert) http://amzn.to/1Fqey1x (Forbidden Island) http://amzn.to/1dgNuHK (Concept) https://cardsagainsthumanity.com/ (Cards Against Humanity) http://amzn.to/1EYUShq (Settlers of Catan) http://

In this episode, Mike discusses how he dealt with a major workflow change over the past 10 days as a result of his wife going on holiday and him acting as the lone parent during that time. He'll share my successes, his failures, and what you can do to help make any kind of irregularity in your workflow feel less taxing on you. Relevant Links https://blog.todoist.com/2015/04/30/5-powerful-techniques-achieve-work-life-balance/ (Can You Have It All? 5 Powerful Techniques to Achieve Work-Life Balance - Todoist Blog) http://productivityist.com/3-things-children-teach/ (3 Things That Children Can't Help But Teach You - Productivityist) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDrtfsfdg8k (Don't Fight Your Body Clock in the Name of Productivity - Mike Vardy on YouTube) http://productivityist.com/triggers-how-to-start-moving/ (Triggers: How to Start Moving - Productivityist) http://www.workshifting.com/2014/08/themed-schedule-can-help-stay-task.html (How a Themed Schedule Can Help You Stay on Task - Workshifting) http://produ

As the host of the Beyond The To Do List podcast, Erik Fisher has interviewed many of the top names in productivity, task, and time management, and now Mike is putting him on the other side of the mic. They talk about habits, productivity approaches, and a lot more. Relevant Links http://beyondthetodolist.com/ (Beyond The To Do List) http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/ (Social Media Marketing World) http://bit.ly/productivityistweekly/ (The Productivityist Weekly Newsletter) http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0143126563/ref=dp_ob_title_bk (Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385348614/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385348614&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=XORYHAHA7LGVSL3X (Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin) http://minutehack.com/opinions/its-okay-to-be-a-night-owl (Minutehack: How

On this episode of the podcast, Mike speaks with Jim Woods, author, and creator of the "Write Publish Share" course. They talk about the writing process, habits, and the relationship between productivity and getting writing done. Relevant Links https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1423259&c=ib&aff=106414&cl=264063 (Write Publish Share | Jim Woods) http://jimwoodswrites.com/ (Jim Woods' Website) http://literatureandlatte.com/ (Scrivener Writing Software | Mac OS X & Windows) http://lcmike.jarono.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=podcast36/ (Learn Scrivener Fast Course | Joe Michael) http://www.stevenpressfield.com/2013/07/the-foolscap-method-2/ (The Foolscap Method | Steven Pressfield) http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-write-a-book-fast-first-draft/ (How to Write a Book – The Secret to a Super Fast First Draft | Smart Passive Income TV with Pat Flynn) https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/33 (How to Deliver a "Do Over" with Jon Acuff | The Productivityist Podcast) http://productivityist.com/pomo

Michael Schechter, Mike's good friend, and former podcasting partner drops by the show for the first time on his own. The two of them talk about old times, what Schechter has been up to since they stopped producing Workflowing at 5by5, and the challenges behind closing one chapter in your life so you can make greater strides going forward. Relevant Links https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/26 (The Productivityist Podcast: Everything Is A To Do with Michael Schechter & Patrick Rhone) http://5by5.tv/workflowing (Workflowing at 5by5) http://bettermess.com/ (A Better Mess with Michael Schechter) http://bettermess.com/omnilaunch/ (Speeding Up OmniFocus on iOS with Launch Center Pro) http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=df5920e236c7d03f1dd49fa78&id=87b0fb3919 (The Productivityist Newsletter: Why Reminders Apps Can Level Up Your Productivity) https://twitter.com/mschechter (Michael Schechter (@MSchechter) on Twitter) Want to send us an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email us at info

In this edition of The Productivityist Podcast Mike and Travis Collier have a friendly - and short - conversation. Travis is the author of "SCALE: Refuse to Settle, Recognize what Matters, Redefine Success" and the two friends talk about how they met (and how it caught both of them and Mike's former podcast colleague Michael Schechter off guard), and what the power of SCALE can do for you. Relevant Links http://productivityist.com/a-look-back-at-the-2013-world-domination-summit/ (A Look Back at The 2013 World Domination Summit (How Mike & Travis Met For The First Time)) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VREX0EQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00VREX0EQ&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=TNDQW66GWR4IYOWT (SCALE: Refuse to Settle Recognize What Matters Redefine Success by Travis Collier) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062315005/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062315005&linkCode=as2&

Ever want a do-over with your career? Well, the guest on this episode can help you with that. Jon Acuff is a celebrated (and New York Times best-selling) author whose latest effort, Do Over, can help you figure out how to rescue Mondays, reinvent your work, and avoid getting stuck. In this lively (and efficient) discussion, Jon talks with Mike about Do Over...and they occasionally crack jokes while doing so. Relevant Links http://acuff.me/ (Acuff.me) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591847613/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1591847613&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=ORS33IW6MXOMYERY (Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck) http://www.neuyear.net/products/2015-do-over-year (NeuYear.net — 2015 DO OVER YEAR) http://www.neuyear.net/products/the-now-year (NeuYear.net — 2015 - THE NOW YEAR) http://acuff.me/career-savings-account/ (The Awesome Career Audit) http://acuff.me/do-over/ (DoOver.me) http://worlddominationsummit.co

The guest on this episode is someone who looks at time management a lot like the podcast host, Mike Vardy does. Rory Vaden is the author of "Take The Stairs: 7 Steps To Achieving True Success" and "Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time." He is an accomplished speaker and entrepreneur and consults individuals and businesses on productivity. In this discussion, Mike and Rory talk about results management, the calendar, and a slew of other productivity-related subjects. Relevant Links http://roryvaden.com/ (Rory Vaden's Website) http://beyondthetodolist.com/procrastinate-on-porpose-roryvaden-on-discipline-procrastination-priority-dilution-bttdl087/ (Beyond the To Do List 87 - Rory Vaden) http://procrastinateonpurpose.com/ (Sign up for Procrastinate on Purpose training) https://twitter.com/rory_vaden (Rory Vaden (@rory_vaden) on Twitter) Want to send us an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email us at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen o

Dr. James Hamblin, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and the host of "If Our Bodies Could Talk" joins Mike in the show as they talk about the things we can do to help ourselves and our bodies be more effective and efficient and the things we sometimes do that make them function at less than optimum levels. Relevant Links http://www.jameshamblin.com/ (James Hamblin's Website) http://www.theatlantic.com/video/series/if-our-bodies-could-talk/ (If Our Bodies Could Talk - The Atlantic) http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/373027/singletasking-is-the-new-multitasking/ (Single-Tasking Is the New Multitasking - The Atlantic) http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/360855/sad-desk-lunch/ (Sad Desk Lunch: Is This How You Want to Die? - The Atlantic) http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/375660/email-is-ruining-us-a-simple-solution/ (Email Is Ruining Us: A Brilliant Solution - The Atlantic) http://www.putsomecoolinyouremail.com/ (Put Some Cool In Your Email) http://www.theatlantic.com/james-hamblin/ (James Hamblin — The A

In this episode, Mike Vardy talks with David Allen, author of Getting Things Done. They discuss the pull of email, how to wrap your head around working by context, and what's different in the 2015 edition of Getting Things Done. Relevant Links https://gettingthingsdone.com/store/product.php?productid=17035 (Getting Things Done, Revised Edition for 2015) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9082205807/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=9082205807&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=JQNKDQ2MV6363HC2 (BrainChains by Dr Theo Compernolle MD.PhD) https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-wise/201209/why-were-all-addicted-texts-twitter-and-google (Why We're All Addicted to Texts, Twitter and Google | Psychology Today) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143122231/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0143122231&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=J6ESEMNB2WNWJN3D (Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Huma

In this episode, Mike Vardy sits down with Phil Simon, author of "Message Not Received." They talk about the problem with email, why clarity is often lost in communication, and what we can do to make sure we have a far better chance of being heard when we send out messages to colleagues and cohorts. Relevant Links http://amzn.to/1FPu30f (Message Not Received by Phil Simon) http://www.philsimon.com/tag/message-not-received/ (Phil Simon's Website) http://www.informationdiet.com/ (The Information Diet by Clay Johnson) http://www.hipchat.com/ (HipChat) http://www.smartsheet.com/ (Smartsheet) http://blog.todoist.com/2015/03/02/interview-phil-simon-message-not-received/ (An Interview with Phil Simon, Author of Message Not Received | Todoist Blog) https://twitter.com/philsimon (Phil Simon (@philsimon) | Twitter) Want to send us an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email us at [info@productivityist.com][8] and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&

On this episode of the podcast, Mike Vardy and Lee Garrett take a look at one of the biggest productivity drains on the planet: meetings. They discuss why they don't usually work as currently designed and what you can do to make them more effective and more productive. (The way this episode was assembled was inspired by the work of Myke Hurley over at Relay.fm. We simply fell in love with his http://www.relay.fm/inquisitive/27 ("Behind The App" series on Inquisitive) and decided to try to take things to the next level with our show. Thanks, Myke. Great work.) This episode of the podcast is sponsored by http://worklife.com/ (WorkLife). Formerly known as Meeting Hero, WorkLife is an online tool that helps teams have more productive meetings. By providing teams one shared system for all their meetings, WorkLife helps ensure everyone stays on the same page and nothing slips through the cracks. You can put WorkLife through the paces by visiting http://worklife.com/ (WorkLife.com). Relevant Links http://business.fi

Brett Terpstra is one of the smartest guys on the Internet, and in this episode, Mike and Brett talk about work habits, workflows, and how moods and modes each help them deliver their work on a consistent basis. Relevant Links http://brettterpstra.com/ (Brett's Website: BrettTerpstra.com) http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html (Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule | Paul Graham) http://amzn.to/1EWP4ck (Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/77516971/the-week-dominator-a-beautiful-canvas-to-tackle-go (The Week Dominator | NeuYear) http://www.relay.fm/penaddict/140 (The Pen Addict #140: All Follow Up Extravaganza) http://twitter.com/ttscoff (Brett Terpstra on Twitter) Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email him at [info@productivityist.com][8] and he'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.) Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! [Click her

I’m not a fan of the term “have to" do. When someone tells me that I have to do something, I get my back up. I know there’s no maliciousness attached to the term “have to” but the phrase repels me all the same. Now if you were to say that I “need to” do something, that’s different. There is something about the way that term resonates with me that adds some level of connection that “have to” doesn’t. In fact, “have to” disconnects me from the task far more than “need to” does. “Need to" indicates to me that it’s something that will benefit me by doing. “Have to” indicates to me that it’s something that will not benefit me by doing (at least on the surface) but still needs doing. This week on the podcast Michael Schechter joins me and four-time guest Patrick Rhone to have a candid discussion about the things you have to do versus the things that you want to do, among other things. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode,

This week on The Productivityist Podcast, I spent some time chatting with (and learning from) Joel Boggess and Dr. Pei, the creators of a slew of podcasts including their latest, the ReLaunch Show. I decided to have some bonafide podcast experts on the program as my own podcast has just hit the six month mark of its existence and I wanted to find out what I could do to take things to the next level. Joel and Dr. Pei did not disappoint. You can listen to this week’s episode, where we talk about podcasting strategies, podcasting productivity, and whether or not we sit or we stand while we record our podcast episodes below. As I mentioned, having Joel and Dr. Pei on the show wasn’t just so I could have guests to interview. I really want to take The Productivityist Podcast to greater heights going forward, and I’ve started to map out what looks like. If you’re a Patreon supporter of the podcast, then you’ll hear all about my plans for the program starting this weekend as patrons receive weekly content that falls

I’ve been spending a lot more time reading over the past few years. I’m enjoying it a lot more that I’m making an effort as well. I actually found reading a lot like exercise for a long time, struggling to get going with it and adopting it as a habit. Fiction was especially difficult to get back into because my brain seemed to fight it off more. Why? Probably because it felt that I wouldn’t learn from fiction nearly as much as non-fiction. That’s not true, either. Some of the fiction books I’ve read I’ve learned a lot from. Peaceful Warrior would be one of those and I’m now diving into The Alchemist for the first time to see if it can teach me anything as well. I’m making time to read more and finding ways to create more time for reading as well. With Blinkist leading the charge (allowing me to digest a book in a single session on the FitDesk) and Audible providing me with another way to “read” more, I know that I’m not going to be able to read more – I’m going to be able to read better. I talk about my readi

This week Patrick Rhone makes his third appearances on The Productivityist Podcast. I always enjoy chatting with Patrick because even when we don't see eye to eye on a topic, we always manage to find common ground on several others. This time around we talk about our disinterest in new year's resolutions and what we prefer to focus on instead. We also touch on how time and money can be treated in ways that are eerily similar and we finally get around to what we wanted to discuss – the importance of saying 'no' even when you're people pleasers like we are. There's lots of great stuff in this week's episode of The Productivityist Podcast, so give it a listen in the player below. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or RSS. And if you want to offer some form of monetary support to the show, head over to The Productivityist Podcast Patreon page to see what perks await those who offer patronage. I've recently made some changes to the way the podcast looks in iTunes which should help with disc

This week on the podcast, I spend time with Justin Levy. I've known Justin for a few years now (although we only first met in person last year), and the story that has unfolded for him in the past few months has been very inspiring. Justin, who works for Citrix as Head of Global Social Media, is a young and active guy. In the late summer of 2014, he suffered a seizure. Then it gets even more unreal. "Once at the hospital I had another seizure. After conducting a MRI they found that I had a brain tumor sitting near the motor skills strip and in front of the speech pathways. It would be a few days before they realized that I had dislocated and fractured shoulders." Justin's been chronicling his recovery progress at his blog, Built Unstoppable. It reveals his story and everything that has occurred during this turbulent time. After you're done listening to our conversation, you should check out the blog. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If yo

Francis Wade is the guest on this week’s episode of The Productivityist Podcast. I worked with Francis back in my Lifehack days (he was a regular contributor) and I love how passionate he is about helping others get more out of the time that they have. His new book, Perfect Time-Based Productivity, is a great read. During this episode, we talk about the difference between time management and time demands, the importance of looking inward when trying to improve your productivity, and what to do when you fall off the wagon with your resolutions for the year. If you want to get more out of your time - and get a special offer from Francis - then take the time to listen to the episode below. Or you can subscribe via iTunes here or RSS here. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our