Mike Vardy's Blog, page 34

Episode 357: Your Data-Driven Diet with Angelo Poli

International expert in the field of body transformations, Angelo Poli shares the practical diet strategy that will give you the results you want.

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 NuCalm . It’s the only stress management system of its kind, clinically proven in over 1 million sessions to improve your sleep, reduce your stress and boost your recovery without drugs and side effects. It’s imperative to your health and happiness to be able to manage stress and not be managed by it. This is why it’s part of my daily routine, and their programmes leave me feeling recharged and energised. As a listener, check out the exclusive link TimeCraftingNuCalm.com and get 50% off your 30-day subscription of NuCalm and their money-back guarantee.

Angelo Poli is the Founder of MetPro, the world’s first algorithm based weight loss engine, which is fueled by the data you feed into it every day. He’s worked with the likes of NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, among other elite athletes, celebrities, to physique models, entrepreneurs, and politicians. He’s also a speaker and a serial entrepreneur.

When I did MetPro’s program, I got the best results. What really stood out to me was the impact of keeping things simple. Tune in as we discuss how to be consistent, why our metabolism is so misunderstood, letting go of any resistance to exercise, and why I keep an old soda can in my room.

Talking PointsThe psychology behind advanced food preparation (5:58)Being strategic with your diet and fitness (14:18)Understanding what’s right for your body (26:33)The power of having faith in yourself results (34:35)MetPro’s new methodology to track, analyze and perform (37:51)

“Progress is the greatest human motivator.”

– Angelo Poli

Helpful LinksEpisode 249: The Magic of Metabolic Profiling with Angelo PoliEpisode 116: The Power of When with Dr Michael BreusEpisode 354: How To Decide with Annie DukeEpisode 266: Becoming Indistractable with Nir EyalMetPro.co/timecrafting

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 357: Your Data-Driven Diet with Angelo Poli appeared first on Productivityist.

How to Manage Yourself When Making the Move to Self-Employment

For most people, the very thought of leaving a full-time permanent job and making the move to self-employment can make them feel anxious. That can often be the reason why it’s so difficult to follow through with those thoughts and sever the ties with their current employer.

I know this feeling all too well. I made the move to full time self-employment back in 2010 and I had those some feelings when making the move.

The whole success of future business plans and dreams may depend on you taking the plunge. However, it’s best not to make any hasty decisions until you have put a plan in place to manage yourself. This may seem strange, but you are about to make the move from being managed to managing yourself. This will mean you are solely responsible for your productivity, time, and success.

You need to take some time to plan and organize your transition well, so you can make the move and quit your job at the right time. Your business project may take time to get moving. This is one of the many reasons why some people choose to reduce their working hours gradually until they can make them move completely.

Let’s have a look at some of the basics you should look at when it comes to managing yourself when leaning into self-employment.

Change Your Mindset

Many people make the move to self-employment to get away from the dissatisfaction and stress of their current job. It can be really difficult to plan for the future when all you can think about is how to cope and stick it out until the time is right. Although it can be easier said than done, try thinking about your full-time employment differently, see it as a stepping stone to get you to where you want to be.

Rather than thinking about all the negatives of your current working situation, try to use each and every resource to your benefit. These are some of the things you must think about:

Treating your salary as just an income stream will ultimately help you to do the job that you loveUse any training, work hours, and tasks to improve the skills that you are going to need moving forwardMake as many connections as you can if you will work in the same industry or even a similar industry

By making this sort of change, and focusing on what you have to gain from your current work situation, you will be able to use it as part of a comprehensive strategy to move. It will make it less of a nightmare when you do make the move.

If you feel as though you need more time to build the foundations of your future business then you may want to consider switching to a part-time position, taking some leave, or using some unpaid leave as a way to spend a little extra time on your new venture. It’s extremely common for people who are leaving full-time employment to make the move to part-time as a step in the right direction.

Build Your Finances 

Navigating your way through the entrepreneurial waters can be challenging, especially when you first start. This means it is important for you to get prepared. Of course, starting slow can help you to navigate and become successful, but there are other things you need to consider too. You ideally need to make sure you have enough running costs of the business to run for 6 months as well as making sure you have enough to pay for living expenses. Remember, you will no longer have a monthly income in your bank account, and your finances rely solely on your success from being self-employed.

Some tips that could help include: 

Track all of your lifestyle expenses and analyze your spending habits, truthfullyDraw up a realistic budget and identify where and how you can lower your lifestyle costs so they are at the absolute lowest during your start-up period. Make sure you get rid of unnecessary expenses and cut back on others, such as eating out or your weekly shopping budgetEliminate any money wasters such as unused subscriptions 

If you can reduce or get rid of your debts like credit cards while you are still in employment.

Think about any expenses that you may need to pay out including social security, health insurance, self-employment taxes, include these in your plan.

Make sure you use the right tools for things such as invoices. Getting this right could be the difference between a healthy cash flow and a cash flow that is constantly playing catch up.

Use a separate business bank account. When you fully make the move to self-employment, it’s best to work using a business bank account. Instead of mixing up your finances. All you need to do is effectively pay yourself a wage from your self-employed bank to cover your living expenses.

Try to be money-savvy and cut back on costs where you can. Using tools such as Facebook and Instagram for marketing can help you to save on running costs.

Research Thoroughly And Run Tests

Whatever your idea for your business is, you need to make sure you research it thoroughly. Especially before you make the decision to move to it full-time. It is imperative that you make sure the product or service you are providing is viable and will solve a particular problem for a certain group of people. You should ask yourself things such as:

Who will my customers be?How can I reach them?Who will be my competition?How can I be different and better?How much do I need to start?What are my expected earnings?How will I manage my workflow and cash flow?Where will I work from?

These questions should help you to think about how you can specialize in your particular service, or find a way to make your product more attractive than that of your competitors. It’s even better if you can spot a gap in the market that you can fill.

Research has found that 64% of customers are loyal to a brand that they have chosen because they share similar values with them. It is never too early to start thinking about your values and finding ways to make this connection with your customers. You could even use market research and surveys as a way to find out what is important for your customers, and what they feel could be improved on in the current markets.

If you already have a well-developed idea or business plan, you need to make sure you talk it through and test it out. Getting honest opinions from colleagues, family, and friends, as well as feedback from any existing clients can be a great way to make any improvements or changes before you commit to it full-time.

Learn How To Properly Manage Your Time

When you are thinking about making the move to self-employment, one of the first skills needed to make sure you have locked down is how to manage your time. You no longer have an employer telling you when tasks need to be completed and on what day. If you can practice doing this part-time before you make the move you should be able to easily transfer your skills to full-time. However, if you are going straight from employment to self-employment you may want to think about drawing yourself a tight schedule to start with, and only change it once you are confident you can manage your time well. You certainly don’t want to leave your 9 to 5 and find yourself still working at midnight because you just can’t manage your time. 

You’re probably aware that you’ll need to cut back on binge-watching your favourite shows, reduce your time spent on social media, and stay away from other distractions, especially if working from home. You also need to be aware of hidden time consumers such as an ineffective meeting or getting stuck in your inbox for hours. 

One of the most effective ways you can get into time management is to track your time using a timesheet and calculator At least for a few weeks, and definitely when you have a target to meet or an objective in sight. It’s also good to be aware of your personal productive hours. Everyone has them. They could be first thing in the morning, in the evening, or just after lunch, everyone can be different. That’s why teams of people are an effective way of working. But, you are your whole team so take note of when you are most productive and complete your more complex work then.

Leaping to self-employment can be challenging, however, if it is planned and organized well, your transition can be a smooth one. Surveys show us that the self-employed people are happier than those who are still working from 9 to 5. This is because they have better life-work balance, much more freedom, and can plan their work themselves.

As you can see there is a fair bit to consider when it comes to moving into self-employment, but if you give yourself a chance, some time, and focus on your self-management, you will succeed.

The post How to Manage Yourself When Making the Move to Self-Employment appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 356: Get Out of Your Head with Ian Reed Kesler

With so many moving pieces as a creative freelancer, learn what actor Ian Reed Kesler does to keep focused on his projects.

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.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Uber for Business. You trust Uber as a way to request rides and order meals from restaurants you love, but did you know about Uber’s platform designed specifically for businesses? With their voucher system, you’re able to cover the cost of rides and meals for staff or customers – straight to their personal Uber accounts. Your business has total control over who gets them, when they expire, and what portion of the ride or meal you want to cover. Vouchers are shared via email or text, and can be redeemed with a single tap. As a listener of the show, get $50 voucher credit when you spend your first $200 with vouchers. Simply go to Uber.com/ProductivityPod to redeem your voucher today!

Today’s guest, Ian Reed Kesler, is an actor and director best known for Sydney to the Max, Suits and 500 Days of Summer. From a serendipitous conversation on Twitter, I managed to get Ian on the show so I’m super excited to learn how he stays productive as a creative.

What’s clear from this interview is that having a creative mind requires you to be able to turn on and off quickly. And that’s not always easy if you’re on set for 16 hours straight. Join our conversation as we discuss easy wins, systems for lazy people, and keeping organized so you can do more of what you love – as well as my IDMb profile. Whether you’re in the creative field or not, there’s something in this for everyone.

Talking PointsThe role of productivity for actors (4:19)The two kinds of creative freelancers (13:21)Running a creative company (20:05)How productivity is evolving (30:11)Analogue vs digital for ideas and tasks (35:37)Ian’s go-to morning and evening routines (38:48)

“Putting everything in its place is what enables me to do what I love.”

– Ian Reed Kesler

Helpful LinksLiterally! With Rob LoweTodoistThe Antidote | AmazonAtomic Habits | AmazonTiny Habits | AmazonRoamCraftMuseSydney to the Max

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 356: Get Out of Your Head with Ian Reed Kesler appeared first on Productivityist.

2 Productive Ways to Earn Some Innovative Money Online

Everyone now and again thinks of the possibilities that the online world provides for us. It’s difficult to pinpoint one single opportunity as there are so many we can use to make a decent income. Starting your online career could be confusing – and yet rewarding – if you find the right means of doing so.

While 9 to 5 office jobs will remain part of our world for many years to come, for some individuals it’s just not the way they want to go. Finding an alternative online way of earning money could mean that you make your own hours and work from where you’re comfortable. In an era where we can do limitless things online, there are ways of finding a secure means of income. Let’s look at two options that I’ve used – beyond my work here at Productivityist – to earn some innovative money online and apply that income in a way that’ll help you fulfill your dreams. 

Start an Investment Career

Many people have ultimately turned to this and had great success. While I’m still very early in my investing journey, I’m paying more attention to earning income from investments. Online investing has come a long way from where it started and for those who do it right, it’s more profitable than ever before.

Cryptocurrency is becoming more prevalent in our world and investing in it – both with your money and your attention – is a wise move. The trick is finding a reliable and trustworthy online partner when doing things like following thought leaders in the space or investing in Ethereum.

Opening your account with an accredited company could be the difference between triumph and tragedy. Ensure you register with a trading platform that offers a simple and transparent way for individuals to invest in cryptocurrencies worldwide. This will enhance your chances of becoming a successful trader of cryptocurrency and offer an opportunity to do that all day, every day as well as earning a decent living from it. The key when you register your wallet is that you start investing the right way. 

Begin Affiliate Marketing 

This is for individuals who have a decent social media presence, a blog, or just a website with a lot of foot traffic. The first step should be to find an affiliate program that offers quality sought after products that you know people will buy.

Join an affiliate program and choose the offers that you think are most viable like I’ve done. You’ll obtain a unique affiliate link for each offer you display on whichever platform you choose. Make sure your foot traffic notices the link and you’ll be on your way. For every person making a purchase using your link, you will receive a commission. This could be an easy task for you to undertake if you have the right platform with enough following and the ability to purchase products. Like with cryptocurrency, learning more about affiliate marketing can be quite the lesson. Affiliate marketing involves various factors such as location, following, and more. 

Earning money online is no longer an impossible means of earning a living. It has become a reality – I’ve seen that reality play out myself through my own investing in the aforementioned areas. The key is educating yourself with the knowledge you’ll need to succeed in those areas. Doing that will make a remarkable difference in your life. And if you start learning today then you can start to earn some money with what you’ve learned tomorrow.

The post 2 Productive Ways to Earn Some Innovative Money Online appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 355: Productive Conversations with Therese Huston

Feedback is essential for us to move forward. But how do we use it effectively? Today’s guest, Therese Huston, gives you the practical tools that you can use today.

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.

I want to give you a gift as a loyal listener to the show… The Gift of Time. It’s an ebook I’ve written for you, as I wanted to share my thoughts behind the true value of time. Broken up into 3 parts, I can’t wait to share this with you. You can access this from any of your devices, as well as an audiobook version. Simply visit Productivityist.com/FreeBook and get the Gift of Time for FREE today.

I’m excited to be hosting this year’s The BIG Ready virtually on February 2nd 2021, and I’d love you to be a part of it! Learn from experts LIVE how to significantly scale back the endless emails, bottomless to-do lists, and constant overwhelm from simply having too much to do. Hear from four inspiring keynote speakers, engage with four unique workshops, and participate with twelve of our panel discussion members. There will be 20+ speakers, including former podcast guests Chris Bailey, Srinivas Rao, Laura Vanderkam, Dave Delaney and much more. Tickets are from $99 for the full day, including access to the recorded version too. What’s more, the first 100 people that sign up will get a special swag bag through the post. Simply visit TheBIGReady.com to get your ticket.

Today’s episode is brought to you by MetPro. Do you want to improve your health, but not sure where to start? According to MetPro, the key to seeing results is to master your metabolism. Armed with hard science, MetPro is your health concierge, delivering one-on-one coaching and personalized nutrition and fitness regimens. Get one month FREE when you sign up today. Head to MetPro.co/timecrafting to take advantage of this opportunity.

Therese Huston’s mission is to help conscientious, growth-minded professionals bring out their best at work. She’s a cognitive scientist at Seattle University, as well as a speaker and author of Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower. Her expertise lies in helping you say what needs to be said, and – even more importantly – say it in a way that can be heard.

Tune in as we discuss the three different types of feedback, the common biases to watch out for, and you can best coach yourself. Enjoy this episode packed with Therese’s strategies!

Talking PointsHow effective feedback boosts your productivity (1:19)Three different types of feedback (9:02)Ways to avoid falling into your biases (11:59)Setting clear intentions (32:40)Having constructive feedback with yourself (35:54)

“Unconscious bias is leaning towards some people and away from others.”

– Therese Huston

Helpful LinksThereseHuston.comLet’s Talk | AmazonThanks for the Feedback | AmazonPocket BiasesGrowth Mindset | Amazon

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 355: Productive Conversations with Therese Huston appeared first on Productivityist.

4 Things That are Stopping You from Achieving Better Home Productivity

Are you struggling to remain productive at home? This can be a problem whether you are trying to run a home business or you are just working on your passions in your spare time. To improve home productivity levels, you need to focus on the common key issues that are distracting you. Here are some of the biggest ones to keep in mind. 

Technology

First, you should think about issues that technology can cause you. Technology can keep you up at night and this is always going to make you less productive because you won’t have the energy to concentrate. To deal with this, you should think about limiting the amount of tech in your bedroom, particularly after a certain time in the evening.

Instead of using your phone as an alarm clock, get an actual alarm clock. Get the television out of the bedroom as well. Make an effort to read only paper-based books in the bedroom. Making these small changes can make a big difference.

Clutter 

Next, you should think about the clutter in your home. Research shows that issues with clutter can actually stop you from focusing. This piece from The New York Times breaks down the weight that clutter can have and how it can lead to procrastination. Believe it or not, this can be a massive distraction.

The good news is that it’s easy to clean up the clutter in your home. You can start by simply investing in some storage containers. These will ensure that accessories and other items are out of sight and – as a result – out of mind. You should also think about embracing an aura of minimal design. You can do this by focusing on limiting items, furniture, and accessories in each room of your home. 

Chores 

Chores can definitely stop you being productive throughout the day. There are a lot of chores that will eat up your time. For instance, you may spend a lot of your day trying to keep your home clean and tidy. If you think that this is the problem, then you should consider making some changes to your home that will make chores a lot easier. These changes can be large and small. 

For instance, you might want to think about changing the flooring of your home. Wood flooring will be the best choice if you want to ensure that you don’t have to spend hours vacuuming and cleaning your floors. It’s also great if there are any marks or stains. Instead of needing intense cleaning methods, you can just wipe away any marks that appear. Once our household went with flooring throughout our home, the time to upkeep our home dropped. It’s a really good place to start.

Kids 

Finally, you might find that it’s the little ones running around that are stopping you from achieving better home productivity. Kids constantly want to play and if you don’t keep them entertained then they’ll likely continue distracting you until you do. And if you are working from home, then kids won’t usually understand that you are actually busy. (I speak from personal experience on that front.) So, how do you deal with this? 

Well, first, you need to ensure that you work towards a balanced approach to time management. It’s important that you allocate time for work and time to spend with your kids throughout the day. That way, you can make sure that you don’t get distracted by one when you’re trying to do the other. And you definitely don’t want to forsake your kids for work… that’s not the way to go as a parent.

Technology can also be your friend when it comes to kids. There are plenty of apps that will keep your kids entertained for hours when you’re trying to work. But – and here’s the thing – be sure to turn off microtransactions so that you don’t get a ridiculous credit card bill and set a time for how long they can use screens. You can easily set a screen time benchmark with both Apple and Microsoft products and then adjust accordingly. We’ve done that with our kids and it allows everyone to have a balance between time on screens and time off of them.

I’ve been working from home for over a decade and there are always challenges that come with that convenience. Take the time to not only recognize what presents these challenges but how to reduce their effects. That’s going to help you make forward progress instead of dealing with stalled home productivity.

The post 4 Things That are Stopping You from Achieving Better Home Productivity appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 354: How To Decide with Annie Duke

I’m joined by decision-making expert Annie Duke to unpack what you can do to achieve your long-term goals.

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.

Today’s episode is brought to you by MetPro. Do you want to improve your health, but not sure where to start? According to MetPro, the key to seeing results is to master your metabolism. Armed with hard science, MetPro is your health concierge, delivering one-on-one coaching and personalized nutrition and fitness regimens. Get one month FREE when you sign up today. Head to MetPro.co/timecrafting to take advantage of this opportunity.

This episode is brought to you by The New Yorker. In print and online, The New Yorker stands apart for its commitment to truth and accuracy, quality writing, and compelling reporting and storytelling. I love reading their time and productivity thought pieces. And there’s something for everyone: politics, news, international affairs, climate change and the environment, popular culture, the arts, fiction, food, humor and cartoons. It’s the daily digital destination for news and cultural coverage, publishing 10 to 15 exclusive site-only stories every day. You can also read from the online archive dating all the way back to 1925! For a limited time get 12 weeks of The New Yorker for just $6 – saving you 50%. Plus, listeners of my show will receive an exclusive tote bag for free. Go to and use the promo code TIMECRAFTING at the checkout.

Annie Duke is an American former professional poker player and author in behavioral decision science and decision education. She holds a World Series of Poker gold bracelet from 2004 and used to be the leading money winner among women in WSOP history. Annie is also the co-founder of The Alliance for Decision Education, a non-profit whose mission is to improve lives by empowering students through decision skills education.

Join the conversation as dive into her latest book How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices. We also discuss ‘resulting’, reflecting on your own biases, information warfare– and the most beautiful play in super bowl history.

Talking PointsHer experience of writing a How-To book (4:39)The fundamentals of ‘resulting’ (11:31)Learning from real-life examples, chunking and mental models (33:50)Availability bias and process influencing (35:29)What happens when you hear things for third time (39:27)

“Get on the right time horizon.”

– Annie Duke

Helpful LinksHow to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices | AmazonBeing Tony RobbinsLynn HasherDaniel DaleAnnieDuke.com Annie’s Twitter

 

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 354: How To Decide with Annie Duke appeared first on Productivityist.

6 Simple Routine Game Changers to Make Your Week More Productive

If you are eager to make your days more productive and take back control of your time, the chances are that you need some more structure in your life. People tend to shy away from routine because they equate it with tedium and boredom. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Developing a structure doesn’t mean that you have to succumb to monotony and live in a rigid way. You can still enjoy those moments of spontaneity, but you can feel more in control of your time.

Routines give us structure and allow us to see the impact of our actions. It doesn’t matter whether you are trying to seek a new promotion, planning your annual summer vacation, or starting your own business, structure and routine will help you move forward rather than get stuck in a rut.

Many people crave to-do lists and allow these pieces of paper (or apps) detailing chores and tasks to rule their lives. While a to-do list has its place, you need to think broader and develop integral routines to your everyday existence. Routines are essentially habits stacked one on top of each other – and they should be treated differently than tasks on a to-do list because of that.

If you want to take your routines to the next level, here are 6 simple routine game changers that you can introduce to your life.

Build a Meditation Routine

When you wake up in the morning to your alarm, don’t be tempted to reach for your smartphone to check emails, scroll through Facebook, or catch up on the news. This immediately puts you in a stressful frame of mind. Think about being more reflective as you emerge from your slumber. Before you even make a move out of bed, take some deep breaths and focus on the environment around you. This can help ground you and make you feel more positive about the day ahead. 

Ensure that you have some form of mat (yoga or pilates) and once you have showered and had breakfast, you need to unroll it and get meditating – with or without soothing music to help with the process. It’s even a good idea to have the mat already rolled out so that you’re removing some of the friction that can keep you from adopting this practice.

You don’t need to be worried about spending two hours every morning doing yoga. However, you do need to dedicate twenty minutes or so to grounding your anxieties and giving your focus. Yoga is a great form of exercise that strengthens your core and allows you to feel more at peace. You will move your body into a range of postures as well as sit in the cross legged yoga pose. It is this pose coupled with breathing exercises that will get you into a meditative state. Do this as part of your morning routine for a couple of weeks and you will be surprised at how much your mood lifts and how much more productive you feel.

Read Something Inspiring

If you are one of those individuals who lack the motivation to do the chores, to put the trash out, or work towards taking your job status to greater heights, then consider inspiring yourself. Think about heading online and source some quotes related to wisdom. These little snippets of philosophy can help you see things from a different viewpoint. Sometimes inspirational words can give you a new perspective on something that you have been struggling with. For example, if you have been struggling with rejection after job interviews and you are feeling dejected, a simple little quote from an American poet might be enough to spur you on.

You might want to go one step further and go old school with a quotation bible that can motivate. Make it part of your daily routine to read a couple of these quotes and retain the words so that you can call upon them if you are struggling with something during the day.

Make Doing Exercise Routine

There’s no excuse not to be active during the day. Your routine should involve some form of exercise every day. You can be flexible as to when to find the time to head to the gym, venture outside for a run, or go on a bike ride, but it is crucial for both your physical health and mental well-being. Exercise gives us time to switch off and focus on something completely different. You can clear your mind of all stresses and worries in an effort to lift some weights, complete a 5K, or have some fun at a Zumba class.

Being active means you can remain trim and prevent weight-related health issues from developing. You might not be much of a gym-goer but that’s okay – there are plenty of ways you can be active without hitting a jammed spin class. Instead, think about getting into your garden to do some weeding or head to the park to play with your kids.

Being outside can be inspiring in and of itself. Being surrounded by nature at some point every day can help to regulate your circadian rhythm. This means that you can enjoy better quality sleep every night when your head hits the pillow. If you’re feeling a little slow and sluggish, thirty minutes a day in natural light outdoors can help stimulate the production of dopamine and endorphins. These hormones negate the effect of your stress hormone, cortisol. Being surrounded by greenery and open space can lower your stress levels, ward off feelings of anxiety, and can help boost your mood, making you feel more positive to tackle any of life’s challenges head on.

Clean the House

While you might not want to do a mammoth spring cleaning every day, it’s vital that you have a routine for your chores. Let the cleanliness and tidiness of your home slip and you risk living in an unsuitable environment. This can make you feel stressed – and a cluttered house will often lead to a cluttered mind. Ensure that you develop a schedule so that you can spend twenty minutes a day tidying up your home. One day you can vacuum, two days a week might require some laundry work, and another day you may be cleaning the bathroom. Keep a regular routine and you’ll feel comforted by the familiar structure of your chores. You may even come to enjoy your time cleaning your home!

Don’t neglect the exterior of your home, either. Ensure that you have a well-manicured garden, a clear driveway, and a tidy outdoor area to enjoy in the summer months during your free time. You might even want to go one step further with your productivity to grow your own vegetables and plant your own flowers.

Take Photos

Every day, ensure that you take one photo to sum up your mood and feelings about that twenty-four hour period. This is a great way to document your emotions and sum up what you have achieved. By having a pictorial record, you can look back at your visual memories and take comfort in seeing how productive you’ve been. A routine that is documented means that you can see its impact in a tangible way. You might take a selfie of yourself after having completed a bike ride. You might take a photo of your newly-mowed lawn. You might take a photo of a job application that you’ve filled out. Whatever it is, make the image demonstrate just how successful you have been that day. This will boost your mood and keep you motivated to be just as productive tomorrow.

Plan Meals

If you are keen to be more productive with your health, you need a meal planner. This doesn’t mean succumbing to an unhealthy detox or an unsavoury diet. By simply planning your meals out for a week, you can take more control over what you put into your body. It has been proven that the healthiest among us don’t plan meals recklessly. Instead, they are carefully planned. You need to ensure that you are hitting your nutritional requirements, which means you need to be buying fruit and vegetables – not to mention cooking from scratch to hone your gastronomic skills. Seriously, do your best to plan out your meals (and your snacks). 

Having a meal structure is also beneficial if you are working to a budget. Budgeting can be made easier if you know how much you are spending each week on food and drink. Another couple pieces of advice: Do your grocery shopping at the same time each week and mix up your meals to ensure that you don’t get bored.

Routines don’t need to bring boredom and monotony to your life. Instead, routines can make you more productive, can lift your mood, and provide you with a familiar comfort. When you adopt any or all of these 6 simple routine game changers, you will certainly enjoy a more productive lifestyle.

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Episode 353: Thinking Time with Natalie Sisson

Four years since I last spoke with entrepreneur Natalie Sisson, a lot has changed. Join me as we explore her growth journey.

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.

Today’s episode is brought to you by MetPro. Do you want to improve your health, but not sure where to start? According to MetPro, the key to seeing results is to master your metabolism. Armed with hard science, MetPro is your health concierge, delivering one-on-one coaching and personalized nutrition and fitness regimens. Get one month FREE when you sign up today. Head to MetPro.co/timecrafting to take advantage of this opportunity.

Today’s episode is sponsored by ExpressVPN . It’s an app that reroutes your internet connection through their secure servers so your ISP can’t see the sites you visit. It’s a must for protecting your online data and activity, which is why I never go online without using ExpressVPN. It keeps all of your information secure by encrypting 100% of your data with the most powerful encryption available. I love that I can use it across all my devices – phones, computers, even my SmartTV! So there’s no excuse for you to not be using it. Check out ExpressVPN.com/TimeCrafting and you can get an extra 3 months FREE on a one-year package.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Uber for Business. You trust Uber as a way to request rides and order meals from restaurants you love, but did you know about Uber’s platform designed specifically for businesses? With their voucher system, you’re able to cover the cost of rides and meals for staff or customers – straight to their personal Uber accounts. Your business has total control over who gets them, when they expire, and what portion of the ride or meal you want to cover. Vouchers are shared via email or text, and can be redeemed with a single tap. As a listener of the show, get $50 voucher credit when you spend your first $200 with vouchers. Simply go to Uber.com/ProductivityPod to redeem your voucher today!

Natalie is a New Zealand entrepreneur, author, speaker, lover of handstands and triathlete. It’s taken a lot of incremental micro steps for Natalie to pivot from her Suitcase Entrepreneur identity to the Natalise Sisson she is today. Since late 2018 she has been focused on helping everyday people in jobs, freelance careers and with their own business to monetize their sweet spot and get paid to be them.

Join today’s conversation as we talk about vision planning, audiobooks, and when it’s time to unlearn systems, tools and habits that aren’t serving you anymore. I was fascinated by Natalie’s investment in her personal growth and how she embraces the beginner’s mindset.

Talking PointsNatalie’s process of changing her business identity (1:36)How to get unstuck from the fear of growth (3:17)What Natalie has let go (7:50)The creative challenge from her latest writing project (24:11)What productivity means to Natalie today (28:09)Advice to entrepreneurs to do more of what they love (31:09)

“Unlearning and relearning leads to growth.”

– Natalie Sisson

Helpful LinksFinConEpisode 91: The More of Less with Joshua BeckerThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People | AmazonMasterclass: GardeningThe Suitcase Entrepreneur | AmazonThe Freedom Plan | AmazonThe $10k ClubUntapped PodcastNatalieSisson.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.)

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How To Be a Productive Student

One of the things that distinguishes a stellar student from the crowd is excellent time management skills. However, getting to that level is not an easy task for many students. As a university student, you’ll likely have to juggle a lot of things. From keeping up with your lectures to finding time for personal studies and maintaining a social life, the demands on your time are many and varied.

Fortunately, I’ve got a few tips that can help you become more productive and attain balance. Here are four things you can do to be a productive student.

Track Your Time

If you want to become better at time management, you have to know how you spend it. This will help you identify your time-wasters so that you can eliminate them. Additionally, doing this will give you a reasonably accurate idea of how long it takes you to complete specific tasks.

You can use a time management app to track your time (and tasks that take up your time), although checking the time regularly and tracking that can also do the trick. Write down how much time each of your activities take for 24 hours. Once you know how you are spending your time, you can create a schedule that allows you to achieve your goals.

For instance, consider assigning blocks of time (or apply the elements of Time Theming) for classes, personal studies, and exercise. You could also set apart time for socializing and resting. Anything else can fit into the free time you have. With such an approach, you will focus on the things that matter and still have time for everything else.

Sharpen The Saw

Have you heard the analogy about sharpening the saw? In a nutshell, it argues that you would be better off spending most of your time sharpening your saw so you can cut down a tree in a moment, rather than laboring heavily for hours to cut the tree with a dull blade. This analogy applies perfectly to student life.

Numerous studies show that the brain understands and remembers concepts better if it is well-rested. This means that rest should be a top priority for students. Don’t succumb to the ill-advised pressure of studying for hours on end without taking a break. You will only increase your stress levels and curtail your ability to learn.

Instead, aim to have at least 8 hours of sleep each night. When you are studying alone, take frequent breaks and engage in a different activity.

You may think that getting rest is a waste of time, but the brain actually synthesizes information when you are not consciously studying. This is why regular rest will make you a better learner.

Work with Deadlines

Deadlines are excellent tools that will help you go beyond your comfort zone. Always have personal deadlines that are stricter than the instructors’ because that will ensure that you turn in quality work with time to spare.

Deadlines work particularly well for those pursuing online university study. With online learning, disciplining yourself falls squarely on your shoulders. And the best way to ensure that you remain focused is to create and adhere to deadlines.

Here’s something I remind the people I work with as coaching clients that struggle with this: Stop worrying about due dates and make every day a “do” date. The deadline is the end of the line so you need to make measured progress on tasks with deadlines consistently leading up to that due date.

Conclusion

University education can be demanding and arduous. However, you can attain balance by working on enhancing your time management abilities. Follow the tips I’ve shared above for starters and you’ll be well on your way to becoming more productive and leading a more fulfilling life.

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