Mike Vardy's Blog, page 43

On Making Mistakes

Photo by Daniela Holzer on Unsplash

“Often, it takes some calamity to make us live in the present. Then, suddenly, we wake up and see all the mistakes we have made.” 

—  Bill Watterson

My son likes reading Calvin and Hobbes books. Every time my wife finds him a new one at the library, she borrows it straight away. I’m not a huge fan of the strip.

But I really do like that quote.

Going The Wrong Way

I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my time. Here’s just one example.

I realized on my last trip that it was a mistake to book early morning flights to and from Austin. But before that, I vowed never to book early morning flights ever again. I made the mistake of booking those early flights and not living up to that vow. I doubled down on making mistakes, so to speak.

But I did it once again. I’ve made the mistake of, as Rich Litwin would say, “over obligating and under committing.”

Yet there was one mistake that caught my attention in the last few months — one I didn’t make but affected me in a manner of speaking.

I’ve been a fan of The Houston Astros for nearly 30 years. And the Astros admittedly cheated during their championship season of 2017 (at the very least).

I dug deeper into everything that surrounded this news. This included reading an article in The Athletic that revealed how toxic the environment was in the Astros’s front office. It underscored some things for me — things that can either cause mistakes or be elevated by them: a lack of integrity and character.

Interestingly, it was the mistake the Astros made that compelled me to look at my own mistakes. I wanted to see if I could demonstrate more integrity and character every single day.

Essentially, I woke up.

Correcting Course

This degree of introspection started at that moment. I started to make progress, primarily through reflection and journaling. Every subsequent was a better week because of that. And it’ll only get better from here.

I’ve gotten rid of my Astros stuff. My fandom is now a spectre that I’ll come across occasionally in old social media posts (and perhaps in other places I can’t recall right now). I’m no longer a Houston Astros fan. I’ve decided to follow the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. The former is my childhood team and the latter is the team that plays closest to my hometown. It feels good to make that change, as small as it may seem.

Make no mistake, the small things we decide to pay attention to can have a bigger impact than we imagine.

The post On Making Mistakes appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 291: How I Built My Business

On this episode of the podcast I fly solo! I talk about why I’ve added a second episode to the podcast each week and present (nearly) all of the story of how I’ve built my business as per a request from a podcast listener.

While I’ve shared my story in bits in pieces both on this podcast and elsewhere, listener Jeffrey Fate wanted me to try to share how I’ve built my business in one fell swoop somewhere. I asked him if he’d like that somewhere to be a single episode of The Productivityist Podcast, and he loved the idea!

So I share my long and winding journey from Costco to today, with all (or most of) of the “built my business” highlights and waypoints along the way. I also discuss why I’ve decided to double the amount of episodes I produce per week and what that means for the future of this podcast.

Helpful Links



Jeffrey Fate and Me: The Twitter Thread that Led to This Episode’s TopicEffing The Dog: The Podcast | Episode 3 from 2008 (Effing is short for Efforting)The posts I’ve written for GTD TimesMy posts at WorkAwesomeArticles I’ve authored for Cult of MacMy posts at The Next WebCheck out what I’ve written for LifehackMy posts at LifehackerWhat The — Happened to Lifehacker?Time to Say Goodbye | My Lifehack Farewell PostSystem.ly (from Greg Hickman)The Daily Driver: Get my FREE daily paper planning tool

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 291: How I Built My Business appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 290: Creative Menopause with Chase Reeves [Recorded LIVE at The BIG Ready]

On this special episode I’m joined by Chase Reeves LIVE at The BIG Ready to talk about many things, including something Chase calls “creative menopause.” Chase co-founded Fizzle.co — the first education platform designed for modern indie entrepreneurship — as well as the Chase Reeves YouTube channel, where he makes 60 minute reviews of backpacks that somehow people love watching.

This episode is brought to you 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 brought to you by the  University of California Irvine Division of Continuing Education . Established in 1962, UCI offers education for adult learners in Orange County. But thanks to technology, their courses and certification programs in various fields are now available worldwide and online for just about anyone who’s interested. You can get 15% off of one (1) course by visiting  http://ce.uci.edu/productivityist  then enter the promo code  timecrafting . Make sure you take advantage of this limited time offer as it is only valid until July 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm. (Please note that this discount is for almost all of the certificate programs. The exceptions only include coding boot camps, international programs, teacher credentialing programs, and test prep courses.)

When I asked Chase to join us at The BIG Ready I knew that having him record a live edition of this podcast was the way I wanted him to present. Chase has a natural gregariousness that simply fit this model, especially in front of a live studio audience (of sorts).

We talked about productivity, his journey from Fizzle to creating a YouTube channel where he shares his insights and ideas on bags of all shapes and sizes, creativity, and much more. It’s an engaging, entertaining, and endearing conversation that I’m certain you’ll get a kick out of. You may even learn a thing or two!

Talking Points



Why did you choose the word Fizzle for your business? (2:37)Chase talks about if he taps into or uses willpower at all in his life and work (6:58)What was so promising to Chase about switching to do YouTube and bag reviews? (12:58)How important is sitting with questions for Chase? (16:00)Chase touches on letting go of things and how that can lead to moving on and making new things (26:13)This is what the word BIG means to Chase (31:19)How important is patience when it comes to work and knowing when to stop? (37:48)

“We’re constantly stepping in without certainty.“

– Chase Reeves

Helpful Links



Corbett BarrFizzle.coThe Fizzle Show #338: The Best Productivity Routines with Mike Vardy and Chase ReevesThe Productivityist Podcast #164: Faster Than Normal with Peter ShankmanThe Diagram of SuccessTwyla TharpAlan WattsThe Productivityist Podcast #54: Voice Lessons with Todd HenrySeth GodinChase’s YouTube ChannelThe Productivityist Podcast Pick of The Week: The Knowledge Project

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 290: Creative Menopause with Chase Reeves [Recorded LIVE at The BIG Ready] appeared first on Productivityist.

You Could Use An MVP Day

Whenever I’m feeling drained, sick, or otherwise low on energy I don’t just use energy as a filter for the tasks I’m going to work on. I also use my criteria for an MVP Day as a way to get the right things done.

An MVP Day is a day where you focused on what you need to do to achieve minimum viable productivity for the day. Those tasks are usually 3 to 5 items that if you get done then you’ll feel somewhat productive.

I have 5 types of tasks, which spell the word WAVES: Write, Audio, Video, Exercise, Study.

If I do all 5 of those tasks, then I hit my target for my minimum viable productive day.

Maybe give setting up criteria for your own MVP Day. It’ll give you a productivity benchmark to shoot for every single day, no matter what the day throws at you.

The post You Could Use An MVP Day appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 289: The Vision Driven Leader with Michael Hyatt

Michael Hyatt returns to the show for this excellent episode of the program. Michael is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Michael Hyatt & Company. He is also the author of several New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling books, including Platform, Living Forward, Your Best Year Ever, Free to Focus, and his newest book The Vision-Driven Leader.

This episode is brought to you by  SaneBox . SaneBox is the easiest way to automatically organize your inbox and keep it that way forever. SaneBox sorts your emails for you, keeping ​unimportant email out of your inbox, so you can focus on what matters. See how SaneBox can help you reclaim your time and attention with a free trial. Visit  sanebox.com/timecrafting  today to start your free trial and get a $25 credit.

This episode is brought to you by the  University of California Irvine Division of Continuing Education . Established in 1962, UCI offers education for adult learners in Orange County. But thanks to technology, their courses and certification programs in various fields are now available worldwide and online for just about anyone who’s interested. You can get 15% off of one (1) course by visiting  http://ce.uci.edu/productivityist  then enter the promo code  timecrafting . Make sure you take advantage of this limited time offer as it is only valid until July 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm. (Please note that this discount is for almost all of the certificate programs. The exceptions only include coding boot camps, international programs, teacher credentialing programs, and test prep courses.)

Michael has scaled multiple companies over the years, including a $250M publishing company with 700+ employees and his own leadership development company that has grown over 60% year over year for the past 4 years. Under his leadership, Michael Hyatt & Company has been featured in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for three years in a row. He enjoys The Double Win with his wife of 40+ years, five daughters, and nine grandchildren. 

I spoke with Michael about the journey he took to get to this book, what it takes to become a vision driven leader, the importance of having a vision, and much more. As always, it’s fantastic to speak with Michael about his work – he’s someone who truly embodies everything that he delivers to the world – and I know you’ll get plenty out of this discussion.

Talking Points



Michael talks about why he wrote this book now and if it was a progression of his past books or if now was just the right time (0:50)What does vision mean to Michael? (1:42)We discuss the difference between a manager and leader (5:03)Michael shares whether or not you must use the steps to become a vision driven leader in order… or if that is not all that important (7:38)What can you do to help a leader who has so many ideas and visions execute those ideas and visions? (10:03)Michael talks about what he would do if someone isn’t really understanding (or interested) in “The Vision Script” that a vision driven leader attempts to bring to life (17:43)This is the person that Michael considers to be a vision driven leader that he looks up to (22:40)We talk further about the term “vision zag” (25:02)What are some things people can take away from the book that they can use if they are not running a company but simply want to run their lives better?(27:40)This is the first step to becoming a vision driven leader (29:25)

“Leadership by its very definition means that you’re heading towards a destination and if you’re not clear on the destination you really aren’t gonna be leading people anywhere.“

– Michael Hyatt

Helpful Links



The Productivityist Podcast #239: Free to Focus with Michael HyattLiving Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You WantA Special Offer from Michael Hyatt for You (Bonuses available until 2020/04/04)The Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: That Creative Life

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 289: The Vision Driven Leader with Michael Hyatt appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 288: How to Be Awesome at Your Job with Pete Mockaitis

On this episode I’m joined by Pete Mockaitis. Pete is, among plenty of other things, the founder of How to Be Awesome at Your Job and he hosts the popular podcast of the same name.

This episode is also brought to you by  Bambee . When running a business, Human Resources issues can kill you. There’s so much to wrap your head around and hiring an HR Manager is going to cost you  – they command an average of seventy-thousand dollars a year! That’s where Bambee comes in. Created specifically for small business, Bambee provides you with a dedicated HR Manager that can craft your HR policy, and maintain your compliance, all for just one low monthly fee. You don’t need to deal with HR issues – let Bambee do that for you. Go to  bambee.com/timecrafting  now to schedule your FREE HR audit. You’ll be glad you did.

This episode is brought to you by the  University of California Irvine Division of Continuing Education . Established in 1962, UCI offers education for adult learners in Orange County. But thanks to technology, their courses and certification programs in various fields are now available worldwide and online for just about anyone who’s interested. You can get 15% off of one (1) course by visiting  http://ce.uci.edu/productivityist  then enter the promo code  timecrafting . Make sure you take advantage of this limited time offer as it is only valid until July 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm. (Please note that this discount is for almost all of the certificate programs. The exceptions only include coding boot camps, international programs, teacher credentialing programs, and test prep courses.)

Pete is an award-winning trainer who has served clients in over 50 countries. His work has enhanced Fortune 100 corporations, high-growth startups, and major nonprofits. He’s conducted one-on-one critical thinking coaching sessions for over 700 thinkers from every Ivy League university and numerous world-class organizations such as Apple, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey & Company, and the United Nations. 

There’s a lot to unpack in this episode – and it’s one that could have gone on much longer than it did. Pete and I talk about prioritization, effectiveness and how to measure it, experimenting with different tactics and tools, and more. I’m sure you’ll get a lot out of this conversation. I know I did!

Talking Points



Pete shares the reasons for starting his podcast (0:59)This is how Pete makes it a priority to get his podcast episodes ready for production (4:25)What are some of the tactics that Pete has put in place to make sure that stays a priority? (7:10)Pete offers up a tool that he’s found that helps him prioritize – a tool that he didn’t think would work (8:35)When it comes to The ONE Thing, Pete shares how you can break the bias of giving a credible answer to what your “one thing” is (11:52)Here is one of the things that Pete has tried that didn’t work for him as well as he’d imagined (19:08)What is The Effectiveness Ratio? (22:08)How important is it to let go of things? (24:51)Pete and I discuss why the thinks people are drawn to certain words, along with the expectations that come with those words and terms (28:19)

“The critical stuff isn’t just a smidge more important but it has sixteen times the impact.“

– Pete Mockaitis

Helpful Links



How to Be Awesome at Your Job #80: Finding and Doing the One Thing with Jay PapasanThe ONE ThingPocket BiasesWhy I Stopped Doing GTD: Part 1Why I Stopped Doing GTD: Part 2Why I Stopped Doing GTD: Part 3Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David AllenUnderstanding the Pareto Principle (The 80/20 Rule)Breakthrough AdvertisingWarren Buffett’s “2 List” Strategy: How to Maximize Your Focus and Master Your PrioritiesI Will Teach You to Be RichPete’s WebsiteGetting started with the How to Be Awesome at Your Job podcastThe Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: Imaginary Worlds

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 288: How to Be Awesome at Your Job with Pete Mockaitis appeared first on Productivityist.

How to Be Prudent and Productive

In uncertain times when chaos appears to be the only thing in sight, do your best not to panic.

Instead, be prudent.

Saint Thomas Aquinas said this:

“Prudence is right reason in action.”

That’s why being productive with prudence in mind is something you want to practice as often as possible.

Panicked productivity leads to a drop in quality. When you’re doing for the sake of doing rather than doing the right things it does little to ease overwhelm.

Prudent productivity may move slower, but it’s more deliberate. You’re going to do more of the right things at the right time. You’ll make fewer mistakes. You’ll feel like you have more control.

Here are three ways you can start practicing more prudent productivity practices:

1. Use forward-thinking

In uncertain times you need to have as many certainties at top of mind. When you think ahead you can put yourself in a better position to understand what’s best to do right now.

For example, let’s say that there are only certain things you can do from your place of work. It’s possible that you won’t have access to that location as often as you would like. A wise thing to do is create a filter in your to-do list that allows you to see all the tasks you can only do at your workplace location. In my TimeCrafting methodology, you would use the resource-based mode of “workplace” (or something similar) and ask that mode to filter all tasks that can only be done at your place of work. Then instead of looking at your to-do list through the lens of a due date or by the projects you’re working on, you can view the tasks you can only do while in workplace mode.

It’s ideal to have more than one way to look at your to-do list. By using different modes as filters, you can give yourself one of those ways and do more of your tasks in the right place at the right time.

2. Get your team on the same page

Do you run a team that is shifting to offsite work out of necessity or desire? Then it would be prudent for you to create alignment across the team so that there are some common elements to your remote workflow.

This could come in the form of using the same project management or to-do list app. Better still, you could create some cohesiveness among your team members.

How could you do this?

Try creating a set of ground rules that apply to how you use this app. You can do this through commonplace tags or labels that are to be used across the team as a whole, for example. You could create a series of guidelines that allow for objectives to be met and yet enable your team members to use the tool somewhat subjectively as well. (If you need help with this sort of thing, it’s one of the things I do. I help businesses that are working to adopt a remote working scenario — or are trying to adapt to it quickly. You can connect with me via my Contact page and ask about my coaching offerings there.)

3. Slow down

You cannot tap into prudence if you’re moving too fast. Doing things too quickly can lead to reckless action, which is not at all what you’re looking for here.

Here’s a tip: when you’re stuck trying to figure out what to do, instead of rushing in take twenty seconds to just wait. Think about the day and review your list in a reasoned manner. If you’ve started theming your time or using modes as a way to filter your tasks then tap into those elements. Twenty seconds can feel like an eternity when you’re letting it happen or focusing on a single task (like washing your hands). Take that short break now and it will save you from having to course-correct later.

You can apply these tactics anytime you want to be productive with prudence as your guide. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty or just the sheer amount of things you need and want to do, using any or all of what I’ve shared can help you do the most productive thing you can do: put right reason into action.

Photo by Victor Garcia on Unsplash

The post How to Be Prudent and Productive appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 287: Where The Action Is with J. Elise Keith

On this episode of the podcast I’m joined by J. Elise Keith, co-founder of Lucid Meetings and author of Where The Action Is: The Meetings That Make or Break Your Organization. We dive into an area of our work lives that can have a direct impact on our overall productivity both individually and organizationally. That area is… meetings.

This episode is brought to you by  LinkedIn Jobs . The perfect hire can have an impact on your business for years to come.  So when you need to find that next person to help grow your business, LinkedIn Jobs will match the right talent with your open role… fast. 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. Find the right person for your business today with LinkedIn Jobs.

This episode is brought to you by  SaneBox . SaneBox is the easiest way to automatically organize your inbox and keep it that way forever. SaneBox sorts your emails for you, keeping ​unimportant email out of your inbox, so you can focus on what matters. See how SaneBox can help you reclaim your time and attention with a free trial. Visit  sanebox.com/timecrafting  today to start your free trial and get a $25 credit.

This episode is brought to you by the  University of California Irvine Division of Continuing Education . Established in 1962, UCI offers education for adult learners in Orange County. But thanks to technology, their courses and certification programs in various fields are now available worldwide and online for just about anyone who’s interested. You can get 15% off of one (1) course by visiting  http://ce.uci.edu/productivityist  then enter the promo code  timecrafting . Make sure you take advantage of this limited time offer as it is only valid until July 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm. (Please note that this discount is for almost all of the certificate programs. The exceptions only include coding boot camps, international programs, teacher credentialing programs, and test prep courses.)

This episode is brought to you by  Zapier . When you’re running your own business your to-do list is never-ending. You know you could automate many of the tasks you do, but you don’t know-how. That’s where Zapier comes in. And right now through the end of the month, you can try Zapier free by going to our special link. Just visit  http://zapier.com/timecrafting  and get a 14-day free trial of Zapier – and tell them The Productivityist Podcast sent you!

Meetings can be a real productivity killer. But they don’t need to be. I was grateful to have the opportunity to talk with Elise about her comprehensive book – which is a “must read” if you’re looking to make better meetings happen. We talked about designing meetings that matter, how to break the bias that meetings aren’t productive, and much more. Meetings are going to happen, so why not make them happen in a way that works? This discussion is just the thing to help you turn your meetings from interruptions to productivity to instrumental for purposeful productivity. Enjoy!

Talking Points



This is what Elise has to say to people who are hesitant when going into meetings because of their aversion to them (1:27)We talk about words or phrases you can use instead of the word “meeting” (3:54)What are the 16 different types of meetings and how did they make their way into the book? (6:51)How does someone get started using these different types of meetings without being overwhelmed with such a drastic change in culture? (12:31)Elise shares with me her thoughts on “holacracy” and whether or not she’s explored that in conjunction with her work (22:06)We discuss the five focus areas that Elise brings up in the book that will help you make your meetings better (23:38)This is one of the key takeaways Elise would love for you to have when reading her book (28:25)What’s one thing someone can takeaway from this podcast to make their meetings more productive? (29:32)

“Every time we put a meeting on the calendar in this company or in this team, we’re going to include in the calendar why we’re meeting and what we expect to get out of it at the end.“

– J. Elise Keith

Helpful Links



Where The Action IsLucid MeetingsResources for Having Great MeetingsHolacracy

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 287: Where The Action Is with J. Elise Keith appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 286: Doing Project 333 with Courtney Carver

I’m excited that my friend Courtney Carver returns for this episode of the program. We focus our conversation around her book Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really is So Much More, which is a project I’ve undertaken and am still committed to several years later!

This episode is brought to you 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 brought to you by  SaneBox . SaneBox is the easiest way to automatically organize your inbox and keep it that way forever. SaneBox sorts your emails for you, keeping ​unimportant email out of your inbox, so you can focus on what matters. See how SaneBox can help you reclaim your time and attention with a free trial. Visit  sanebox.com/timecrafting  today to start your free trial and get a $25 credit.

This episode is brought to you by the  University of California Irvine Division of Continuing Education . Established in 1962, UCI offers education for adult learners in Orange County. But thanks to technology, their courses and certification programs in various fields are now available worldwide and online for just about anyone who’s interested. You can get 15% off of one (1) course by visiting  http://ce.uci.edu/productivityist  then enter the promo code  timecrafting . Make sure you take advantage of this limited time offer as it is only valid until July 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm. (Please note that this discount is for almost all of the certificate programs. The exceptions only include coding boot camps, international programs, teacher credentialing programs, and test prep courses.)

Courtney is always a delight to chat with and this episode is no exception. We delve into the core elements of Project 333, some of the things that can hold people back from taking on this challenge, how the challenge affects more than just what’s taking up space in your closet, and more. I hope after listening to this episode that you’ll pick up Courtney’s book and give Project 333 a try. It’s been working for me and I know it can work for you.

Talking Points



What is Project 333? (1:14)While it appears geared towards women, is this something men can do as well? (3:02)These are some of the benefits that Project 333 offers beyond having just a clean closet (3:39)Courtney talks about decision fatigue (4:28)What are some of the ways you can “hack” Project 333, if any? (6:05)Courtney shares an unexpected Project 333 success story (7:42)What do you do when you’ve added something new and have gone above the limit? (11:16)We discuss how receiving gifts plays a role in this project (20:15)How can someone keep the momentum of Project 333 going? (23:14)What factors does the weather play in Project 333? (26:08)Courtney discusses what to do when you’re sentimental about certain clothing items (27:54)These are some tips that Courtney uses to help someone break through the bias that they can’t do Project 333 (31:18)

“We’re spending our resources, our time, attention, and energy on things that we don’t care about.“

– Courtney Carver

Helpful Links



Be More With LessThe Productivityist Podcast #91: The More of Less with Joshua BeckerWeed Out the Clothes You Don’t Wear with a Simple Hanger TrickEverything You Need to Know About Project 333Check out Courtney’s Instagram!The Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: Naval

The Productivityist Podcast theme song is Nothing at All by Fictions (courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

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 286: Doing Project 333 with Courtney Carver appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 285: How to Start Ugly with Chris Krimitsos

I’m happy to welcome to Chris Krimitsos as the guest for this episode. Chris is a father, husband, community builder and ever-evolving innovator. He loves people and their stories and has leveraged his gifts of connecting others to build communities around entrepreneurship, podcasting, and multimedia.

This episode is brought to you by the  University of California Irvine Division of Continuing Education . Established in 1962, UCI offers education for adult learners in Orange County. But thanks to technology, their courses and certification programs in various fields are now available worldwide and online for just about anyone who’s interested. You can get 15% off of one (1) course by visiting  http://ce.uci.edu/productivityist  then enter the promo code  timecrafting . Make sure you take advantage of this limited time offer as it is only valid until July 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm. (Please note that this discount is for almost all of the certificate programs. The exceptions only include coding boot camps, international programs, teacher credentialing programs, and test prep courses.)

Chris was profoundly affected at 16 years of age when he watched his father lose a restaurant he had bought with sweat equity and eventually put the keys in for the last time giving it back to the bank. He vowed then that he would make it his mission to help business owners the world over to avoid that terrible fate. His book, Start Ugly: A Timeless Tale About Innovation & Change is an extension of that promise and a story that can be understood by all who read it.

Talking Points



Chris shares the premise of Start Ugly and why it’s been such a powerful thing for himWhy did Chris decide to write the book as a parable of sorts?Does starting ugly help with the ability to deal with change? If so, how?This is the single step of the seven Chris shares in the book that he believes is a barrier for most peopleChris and I discuss the role that comfort plays when starting something uglyWhat does Chris have to say to people who are worried about the risk factor and forging a path that seems uncertain?How has Chris taken his family and personal obligations in mind when starting something ugly?This is what Chris sees down the line for the podcasting communityChris and I talk about how he is able to handle all of his obligations… of which there are plenty!We talk about the importantafce of being nimbleWhat are some of the other biases that Chris has come across and realized that the book may have helped break?

“The way you’re going to start is never going to be as perfect as where you’re going to end up, so it’s always going to be an ugly start.“

– Chris Krimitsos

Helpful Links



Chris KrimitsosThe One Minute ManagerThe Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business IdeaThe Productivityist Podcast #222: How to Fight a Hydra with Josh KaufmanWho Moved My Cheese?: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your LifePodFestAdam CurryRODECaster Pro Podcast Production StudioStart Ugly: A Timeless Tale About Innovation & ChangeThe Productivityist Podcast Pick of the Week: The Good Life Project

The Productivityist Podcast theme song is Nothing at All by Fictions (courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

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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