Mike Vardy's Blog, page 29

Money Management Tips that will Help you to Live A Way More Productive Life

If there is one thing that is almost guaranteed to raise your stress levels, it is worrying about money. It doesn’t matter whether you are under pressure to get your mortgage paid or whether you are finding it hard to get the money you need for an upcoming holiday because it’s very normal for you to worry about your personal finances. Concerns over money can have a negative impact on your life and it can also limit your choices too. If you want to help yourself with your money worries, then this is the guide for you.

Claim Back your Tax Allowance

If you are self-employed then you may be eligible for a huge range of tax benefits. You might not be aware of them either. Believe it or not, anything that you pay for that is necessary for your job can be claimed back. Travel expenses, clothing, equipment for work and more are all eligible. If you work from home, then you can even claim the cost of your electricity and your utility bills. Things like this can help you to manage your money much more productively.

Keep a Record

One way to make sure that you are making the most out of your earnings would be for you to try and keep a record of everything that you spend. By doing this, you can then gain a solid understanding of your money. This will put you in very good stead when it comes to your outgoings, and it will also help you when it comes to future investments too. Any money you do spend will go as far as possible and this will really help you out. If you find that you continually overspend then consider investing in some envelopes. When you have a set number, you can label each one with shopping, fuel and even clothing. Put a set amount of money in each one, and then don’t go over. This is a brilliant way for you to make sure that you are never overspending.

Savings Accounts

When you have a grip on your savings, you then need to make sure that you have a savings account. You need one that suits your needs as an individual. At the end of the day, we live in a very competitive field and high street banks are now offering all kinds of deals. They are all suited to bringing you the best possible solution for your money. If you put your money in an account, then you will see it inflate over time and you may even be able to get perks such as air miles.

Put your Savings to Work

If you have a lump sum for the future, then it is vital that you put it to good use. You can invest it in bonds, which give you a small but very steady amount of interest or you can use it to trade in stocks. The risks are higher with investments like this, but they do give you the chance to really capitalize on the lump sum you have.

The post Money Management Tips that will Help you to Live A Way More Productive Life appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 388: Mike Michalowicz talks about Getting Different

Most things have been done before – it’s about adding your ‘flavor’. Business expert Mike Michalowicz reinvents the way marketing is done through a radically simple marketing system.

This episode is sponsored by Sovereignty. Sovereignty creates game-changing supplements to take your workouts to the next level, make your endless to-do list feel like a cakewalk, and falling asleep and staying easier than counting sheep. Feel unmotivated or lacking focus? Have the best day, every day, with PURPOSE+ – a blend of CBD, CBG (a mood-enhancing hemp-derived ingredient), 7 clinically studied ingredients with the world’s best adaptogens to deliver results you can feel almost immediately. Visit https://sovereignty.co/ and use the code timecrafting for 20% off your purchase.

This episode is sponsored by Füm. It is a non-electronic natural inhaler made to receive the benefits of essential oils, and has no vapour, leaving the plant’s beneficial properties in its natural state. Pure essential oils carry the beneficial properties of some of the world’s best super plants. Find out what benefits you can get by taking their free quiz on their website BreatheFum.com. As a listener to the show, get 10% off your order today by using the code timecrafting at www.breathefum.com.

This episode is sponsored by UCI Division of Continuing Education. With over 80 career-focused programs – ranging from business, education, tech, engineering and so much more, there is something for everybody. What is more, enrollment is open to all. Stand out from the work that you do and gain the practical skills you need today by enrolling on to one of their courses today. Visit ce.uci/edu/LearnNow.

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 PointsWhat inspired Mike to write ‘Get Different’The attitude of experimenting vs planningHow to specify your audienceBeing ‘different enough’Seeking inspiration from other industriesLearn how to instantly analyze your marketing campaigns

“The creation of new is an improvement of old.“

– Mike Michalowicz

Helpful LinksGoGetDifferent.com‘Clockwork’ by Mike MichalowiczClickup

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 388: Mike Michalowicz talks about Getting Different appeared first on Productivityist.

You’ve Been Running Your Home Business the Wrong Way: Here Are Tips To Change the Game

By now, you may have realized that your home-based business is not exactly living up to expectations. You might be wondering why this is and what you can do about it. Well, the truth is that there are several reasons for this, and if you’re willing to take on some changes, then it’s possible to turn things around.

Invest in a Virtual Address 

Investing in virtual addresses for home-based business is beneficial for your business.  When you invest in this, you can get rid of the bills and expenses of having a home office.  This also works when you share space with other businesses, such as an office building or retail storefront.

When you run a business from home, it is crucial to get your virtual address. This will ensure that you can track all correspondence and packages regardless of where the company takes you.  

Besides, a virtual address provides an alternative mailing address for businesses without permanent premises or registered offices.

Switch the Environment Once in a While

Try switching up your location for a day or two. Go to the local library, coffee shop, co-working space, or other sites where you can focus on working without distractions. This change of scenery will give your brain an extra boost of energy and creativity even when tired to work more productively.

Protect Your Time 

If you are thinking about keeping up with your home business, then the chances are that there is one thing in the back of your mind: protecting your time. While this may seem like a reasonable request to make at first glance, it might not be all that easy if you don’t know what to do or expect when running an online business.

Create a calendar with your time protection plan, this will ensure no confusion between work and play. 

You can even consider blocking off certain hours from clients so that they understand the boundaries of when it’s okay to contact you. However, remember that this can quickly turn into a problem if you don’t manage it well.

Be Disciplined 

This is the most important thing when you want to make your business work. First, you’ve got to have discipline in what you do and when. Second, you need to know that the only way to succeed is through hard work, so spending a few hours each day on your business will bring results sooner than you think. 

Working from home is excellent, but that means that you need to take your discipline up a notch and work on your business rather than watching tv.

Keep Up With Marketing and Advertising

If marketing is not your thing, then find someone to handle that for you. Also, consider outsourcing some of this work if you are good with it but don’t have the time or resources. Don’t forget about advertising, though.

Even if you are doing social media well and getting great results from Google Adwords campaigns, other ways to market yourself can help you reach a larger audience. Pinterest, for instance, is on the rise and offers new opportunities to get your website out there.

Leverage Technology 

Technology is changing the game for how people work. A recent article from the Harvard Business Review suggests that you can use technology at work to become more productive and successful.

Technology is something entrepreneurs should leverage in their home business. Never before has technology been able to help entrepreneurs quite as it can today. Leveraging technology will not only make you more productive but also help your business run smoothly.

Delegate Tasks 

You should never try to do everything yourself, especially if you are doing this as a home business. You need to be able to delegate tasks so that you can focus on the work at hand and not let small things get in your way. If someone else could easily take care of the tasks for you, then it simply makes sense to delegate the task.

You don’t want tasks to take away from your success in any way. Instead, you want to be able to handle your business tasks in a way that will get you the best outcome at all times, and this simply means delegating some.

Conclusion

You’ve been running your home business the wrong way. It’s time to make a change to get ahead of your competitors and grow exponentially. Implementing these tips will help you take control of your small business, increase sales, and be more successful overall.

The post You’ve Been Running Your Home Business the Wrong Way: Here Are Tips To Change the Game appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 387: Stephen Warley talks about Self-Awareness, Reflecting and Life Skills

True productivity comes from slow down. In this conversation with Stephen Warley, we explore the importance of self-awareness and putting aside time to reflect.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers you access to your own licensed professional therapist – all from the comfort of wherever you are. You can arrange weekly video chats or phone calls, text with your carefully curated counsellor, and do so at an affordable price. And anything you share is confidential. I’ve been using BetterHelp for a while and I am highly impressed. It’s been a huge help for me and I know it can be the same for you. Start living a happier life today with BetterHelp. As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/timecrafting. Give BetterHelp a try today.

This episode is sponsored by Sovereignty. Sovereignty creates game-changing supplements to take your workouts to the next level, make your endless to-do list feel like a cakewalk, and falling asleep and staying easier than counting sheep. Feel unmotivated or lacking focus? Have the best day, every day, with PURPOSE+ – a blend of CBD, CBG (a mood-enhancing hemp-derived ingredient), 7 clinically studied ingredients with the world’s best adaptogens to deliver results you can feel almost immediately. Visit https://sovereignty.co/ and use the code timecrafting for 20% off your purchase.

This episode is sponsored by TextExpander . With TextExpander, you can unlock your productivity with its many features. With TextExpander you can make everything you write repetitively available everywhere you type: text documents, spreadsheets, web forms, and more. Unlock your productivity with TextExpander. Visit TextExpander.com/podcast for 20% off your first year.

This episode is sponsored by Sit Down, Startup, a new weekly podcast from Zendesk. Getting your business off the ground is hard. Find out why customer experience is at the heart of success. The startup’s team chats with Zendesk leaders, founders, and CEOs in a coffee-shop style conversation about starting up when the world is upside down. Catch weekly fresh new episodes on Apple, Google, and Spotify. Head over to Sit Down, Startup here.

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 PointsHow to cultivate self-awareness Stephen’s workshop at the BIG Ready 2021Scheduling time for reflection and meditationFinding activities to stimulate mindfulnessBuilding habits before toolsCreating a retreat for yourself

“Are your habits taking you where you want to go?“

– Stephen Warley

Helpful LinksLife Skills That Matter PodcastThe BIG ReadyLifeSkillsThatMatter.com/GetStarted

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 387: Stephen Warley talks about Self-Awareness, Reflecting and Life Skills appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 386: Jeff Brown talks about Reading To Lead

Jeff Brown joins the show to share what the most successful leaders have in common: reading. Find out how it unlocks limitless creativity and influence.

This episode is sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs . When your business is ready to make that next hire, LinkedIn Jobs can help by matching your role with qualified candidates so that you can find the right person quickly. You can pay what you want and get the first $50 off. Just visit linkedin.com/timecrafting to get fifty dollars off your first job post. Terms and conditions apply.

This episode is sponsored by Sit Down, Startup, a new weekly podcast from Zendesk. Getting your business off the ground is hard. Find out why customer experience is at the heart of success. The startup’s team chats with Zendesk leaders, founders, and CEOs in a coffee-shop style conversation about starting up when the world is upside down. Catch weekly fresh new episodes on Apple, Google, and Spotify. Head over to Sit Down, Startup here.

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 PointsJeff’s relationship with reading (02:04)The co-authoring experience (07:33)Reading books digitally versus physically (14:30)When to keep or let go of books (17:58)The books Jeff re-reads the most (21:15)Interesting findings from writing the book (27:24)A process for skim reading (31:04)The benefits of having a book club (37:38)

“We are all lifelong learners.“

– Jeff Brown

Helpful Links

‘Read To Lead’ by Jeff Brown and Jesse WisnewskiEpisode 343: Consistency Over Authenticity with Seth Godin‘Purple Cow’ by Seth GodinHow to Be a Better Reader – YouTubeEpisode 360: A World Without Email with Cal NewportEpisode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal NewportEpisode 73: Deep Work with Cal Newport‘Digital Minimalism’ by Cal Newport‘Punch Failure in the Face’ by David Knapp-Fisher‘Anything You Want’ by Derek Sivers‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’ by Patrick M. Lencioni‘Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day’ by Todd HenryEpisode 340: Your Motivation Code with Todd HenryEpisode 54: Voice Lessons with Todd Henry‘Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smart’ by Liz Wiseman‘How to Take Smart Notes’ by Sönke Ahrens‘Getting Things Done’ by David AllenEpisode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen‘Greenlights’ by Matthew McConaughey‘The Greatest Salesman in the World’ by Og MandinoReadToLeadBook.comRead To Lead Podcast

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 386: Jeff Brown talks about Reading To Lead appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 385: Adii Pienaar talks about Measuring Life Profitability

You don’t need to sacrifice your life to run a business – you can have both. Adii Pienaar shares how to measure your Life Profitability to live an extraordinary life.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers you access to your own licensed professional therapist – all from the comfort of wherever you are. You can arrange weekly video chats or phone calls, text with your carefully curated counsellor, and do so at an affordable price. And anything you share is confidential. I’ve been using BetterHelp for a while and I am highly impressed. It’s been a huge help for me and I know it can be the same for you. Start living a happier life today with BetterHelp. As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/timecrafting. Give BetterHelp a try today.

This episode is sponsored by Sit Down, Startup, a new weekly podcast from Zendesk. Getting your business off the ground is hard. Find out why customer experience is at the heart of success. The startup’s team chats with Zendesk leaders, founders, and CEOs in a coffee-shop style conversation about starting up when the world is upside down. Catch weekly fresh new episodes on Apple, Google, and Spotify. Head over to Sit Down, Startup here.

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 PointsBeing a seeker (01:28)The pros and cons of ambition (05:26)Why we shouldn’t strive for ‘work-life balance’ (08:35)Measuring qualitative goals (12:17)How to maintain and sustain your life profitability (16:50)How journaling has helped Adii (28:46)Breaking old patterns (33:38)

“Seek the newer versions of your truths.“

– Adii Pienaar

Helpful Links‘Life Profitability’ by Adii Pienaar ‘Motion’ by Adii Pienaar The Toxicity of Relentless Ambition‘When Breath Becomes Air’ by Paul KalanithiEpisode 226: How to Build a Company of One with Paul Jarvis‘Siddhartha’ by Hermann Hesse‘The Values Factor’ by Dr. John DeMartini13 Questions with Dr John DemartiniAdii.me

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 385: Adii Pienaar talks about Measuring Life Profitability appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 384: Yvonne Heimann talks about ClickUp, Project Management and Patience

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.

This episode is sponsored by Canva Pro. It’s the easy-to-use design platform that has everything you need to design like a pro. It has all you need in one place, including a collection of over 75 million premium photos, videos, audio and graphics. As a Canva Pro subscriber, I love so many of their features including the brand kit, which makes it really easy to collaborate with my team. Claim your FREE 45 day extended trial by signing up via Canva.me/timecrafting.

This episode is sponsored by Sit Down, Startup, a new weekly podcast from Zendesk. Getting your business off the ground is hard. Find out why customer experience is at the heart of success. The startup’s team chats with Zendesk leaders, founders, and CEOs in a coffee-shop style conversation about starting up when the world is upside down. Catch weekly fresh new episodes on Apple, Google, and Spotify. Head over to Sit Down, Startup here.

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 PointsBe clear on your ‘Why’ and ‘What’ (03:48)Being a woman in the productivity industry (06:40)How to find common values within your workflow (09:12)Having patience with setting up your process (11:31)Defining productivity across the US vs European culture (19:01)Journaling and daily routines (28:50)Tips on moving to a different project management tool (30:53)Having a bigger picture with your process (34:33)

“Look at the bigger picture, then drill down.“

– Yvonne Heimann

Helpful LinksAsk Yvi YouTubeAsk Yvi Facebook GroupAskYvi.com

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 384: Yvonne Heimann talks about ClickUp, Project Management and Patience appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 383: Vernon Foster II talks about the Soul Manual

It’s time to take a pause. Athlete, author, podcaster and mentor Vernon Foster II shares his steps to mindful living.

This episode is sponsored by TextExpander . With TextExpander, you can unlock your productivity with its many features. With TextExpander you can make everything you write repetitively available everywhere you type: text documents, spreadsheets, web forms, and more. Unlock your productivity with TextExpander. Visit TextExpander.com/podcast for 20% off your first year.

This episode is sponsored by Sit Down, Startup, a new weekly podcast from Zendesk. Getting your business off the ground is hard. Find out why customer experience is at the heart of success. The startup’s team chats with Zendesk leaders, founders, and CEOs in a coffee-shop style conversation about starting up when the world is upside down. Catch weekly fresh new episodes on Apple, Google, and Spotify. Head over to Sit Down, Startup here.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers you access to your own licensed professional therapist – all from the comfort of wherever you are. You can arrange weekly video chats or phone calls, text with your carefully curated counsellor, and do so at an affordable price. And anything you share is confidential. I’ve been using BetterHelp for a while and I am highly impressed. It’s been a huge help for me and I know it can be the same for you. Start living a happier life today with BetterHelp. As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/timecrafting. Give BetterHelp a try today.

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 PointsThe Law of Letting Go (03:23)Limiting identities (05:39)The art of embracing experiences (07:19)Removing judgement (09:55)The Law of Abundance (20:13)The impact of releasing ‘The 7 Laws of Mindful Living: A Soul Manual’ (24:27)Overcoming overwhelm with where to start (29:32)

“Craft the narrative that supports who you want to become.“

– Vernon Foster II

Helpful LinksCamp YES!Episode 187: More Fun in Done with Marli WilliamsEpisode 361: Being a Multipotentialite with Vanessa TharpThe BIG ReadyWorld DominationMaxFunConThink Better, Live Better‘Jewball’ by Neal PollackMarli’s InstagramMarli’s FacebookMarliWilliams.com

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 383: Vernon Foster II talks about the Soul Manual appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 382: Marli Williams talks about Retreats, Transformation and Epic Events

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.

This episode is sponsored by Sovereignty. Sovereignty creates game-changing supplements to take your workouts to the next level, make your endless to-do list feel like a cakewalk, and falling asleep and staying easier than counting sheep. Feel unmotivated or lacking focus? Have the best day, every day, with PURPOSE+ – a blend of CBD, CBG (a mood-enhancing hemp-derived ingredient), 7 clinically studied ingredients with the world’s best adaptogens to deliver results you can feel almost immediately. Visit https://sovereignty.co/ and use the code timecrafting for 20% off your purchase.

This episode is sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs . When your business is ready to make that next hire, LinkedIn Jobs can help by matching your role with qualified candidates so that you can find the right person quickly. You can pay what you want and get the first $50 off. Just visit linkedin.com/timecrafting to get fifty dollars off your first job post. Terms and conditions apply.

The episode is sponsored by Streak. It’s a CRM designed to help you stay on top of each part of your email process, without ever leaving Gmail. Streak gives you the tools for tracking, mail merges and snippets, to save you time and scale up your email efficiency. What’s more, you can set up pipelines right inside your inbox to start tracking your email process – in just a few minutes. Go to streak.com/timecrafting to get 20% off your first year with the Pro plan, their most popular option.

This episode is sponsored by Sit Down, Startup, a new weekly podcast from Zendesk. Getting your business off the ground is hard. Find out why customer experience is at the heart of success. The startup’s team chats with Zendesk leaders, founders, and CEOs in a coffee-shop style conversation about starting up when the world is upside down. Catch weekly fresh new episodes on Apple, Google, and Spotify. Head over to Sit Down, Startup here.

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 PointsThe tipping point for taking a retreat (04:00)Retreats vs conferences (07:16)What makes a retreat stand out from the rest (10:46)Co-creating experiences (21:01)Manufacturing transformational experiences online (24:23)

“Pay attention to what captures your attention.“

– Marli Williams

Helpful LinksCamp YES!Episode 187: More Fun in Done with Marli WilliamsEpisode 361: Being a Multipotentialite with Vanessa TharpThe BIG ReadyWorld DominationMaxFunConThink Better, Live Better‘Jewball’ by Neal PollackMarli’s InstagramMarli’s FacebookMarliWilliams.com

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 382: Marli Williams talks about Retreats, Transformation and Epic Events appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 381: Mike Sturm talks about the Wabi-sabi Way

Buddhism and Taoism expert Mike Sturm joins the show to uncover how to develop a deep personal relationship with yourself – the Wabi-Sabi way.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers you access to your own licensed professional therapist – all from the comfort of wherever you are. You can arrange weekly video chats or phone calls, text with your carefully curated counsellor, and do so at an affordable price. And anything you share is confidential. I’ve been using BetterHelp for a while and I am highly impressed. It’s been a huge help for me and I know it can be the same for you. Start living a happier life today with BetterHelp. As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/timecrafting. Give BetterHelp a try today.

This episode is sponsored by Sit Down, Startup, a new weekly podcast from Zendesk. Getting your business off the ground is hard. Find out why customer experience is at the heart of success. The startup’s team chats with Zendesk leaders, founders, and CEOs in a coffee-shop style conversation about starting up when the world is upside down. Catch weekly fresh new episodes on Apple, Google, and Spotify. Head over to Sit Down, Startup here.

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 PointsWhat is Wabi-sabi? (02:06)The Western challenges with meditation and stillness (11:07)The notion of time (17:41)Ease vs. easy (24:27)Where to get started with the Wabi-sabi mindset (27:45)The practice of impermanence (34:00)Simple steps to live the Wabi-sabi way (41:42)

“Accepting where you’ve been is the only way of getting to where you want to go.“

– Mike Sturm

Helpful Links‘The Wabi-sabi Way’ by Mike SturmMuse Headband“The Dexterous Butcher” by Chuang Tzu‘The Seven Day Circle’ by Eviatar ZerubavelEpisode 354: How To Decide with Annie Duke‘How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices’ by Annie DukeEpisode 243: The Art of Noticing with Rob WalkerEpisode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen Episode 360: A World Without Email with Cal NewportEpisode 286: Doing Project 333 with Courtney CarverCaptain America video essay‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’ by by Alex Haley and Malcolm XMike’s MediumMike’s TwitterMikeSturm.net

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 381: Mike Sturm talks about the Wabi-sabi Way appeared first on Productivityist.