Mike Vardy's Blog, page 54

Goat-ing Things Done with PJ Jonas

On this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by PJ Jonas of Goat Milk Stuff. PJ is a wife, homeschooling parent, farmer and also a business owner. She accomplishes a lot of things, so I was very excited to talk with her.

Some of the specifics of our discussion include:

The importance of structure in both family and business
Work-life balance and how PJ feels about it
Mentoring and teaching future leaders
Why you should get your product in front of people and ask for feedback

Relevant Links:

PJ Jonas Website
Goat Milk Stuff
Goat Milk Stuff on Instagram
Goat Milk Stuff on Facebook

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going!

If you’re interested in supporting the podcast and receiving exclusive content while doing so, you’ll want to check out the patrons-only version of The Productivityist Podcast on Patreon. Also, remember to leave The Productivityist Podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or on whatever platform you’re listening to. I read every single bit of feedback we receive. I want to make this show better and with your help I can do that.

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The Year of Less with Cait Flanders

On this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by my friend Cait Flanders. Cait is the author of The Year of Less, and we spend the majority of our conversation diving deep into how you can become more self-aware through setting rules.

Some of the specifics of our discussion include:

Why Cait did the Project 333 Challenge
Why it feels better to buy things you need versus things you want
How a book allowance encourages more reading
Personalizing rules to fit your life

I had a great time chatting with Cait. I hope you get as much out of the conversation as much as I I did.

Relevant Links

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders | Amazon 
The 30 Day Challenge by Cait Flanders
The Tim Ferriss Show With Terry Crews
The NOW Year Wall Calendar
Cait Flanders | Facebook
Cait Flanders | Twitter @angelacrocker
Cait Flanders | Instagram @caitflanders

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going!

If you’re interested in supporting the podcast and receiving exclusive content while doing so, you’ll want to check out the patrons-only version of The Productivityist Podcast on Patreon. Also, remember to leave The Productivityist Podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or on whatever platform you’re listening to. I read every single bit of feedback we receive. I want to make this show better and with your help I can do that.

The post The Year of Less with Cait Flanders appeared first on Productivityist.

The Four Tendencies with Gretchen Rubin

On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Gretchen Rubin, the author of several books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers, The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, and The Happiness Project. She has an enormous readership, both in print and online, and her books have sold almost three million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages. On her top-ranked, award-winning podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, she discusses good habits and happiness with her sister Elizabeth Craft. Fast Company named Gretchen Rubin to its list of Most Creative People in Business, and she’s a member of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100.

During the discussion we dive specifically into The Four Tendencies, looking into what tendency I am most likely aligned with (as well what my wife’s might be), how to embrace whichever of the tendencies you are so you can thrive, and so much more.

I hope you enjoy our conversation – I sure did!

Relevant Links

Gretchen Rubin Website
The Surprising Truth About Why Your To-Do List May Be Failing You | Gretchen Rubin
The 4 Tendencies That Explain Why You Struggle To Get Stuff Done (and What to Do About It) | Inc.
Signing Up for “NaNoWriMo” – National Novel Writing Month? Here’s Why It Works | Gretchen Rubin
Exciting: Scientific Research and Experiments Underway to Understand the Four Tendencies Better | Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin’s Quiz: The Four Tendencies
Gretchen Rubin (@gretchenrubin) | Instagram

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going!

If you’re interested in supporting the podcast and receiving exclusive content while doing so, you’ll want to check out the patrons-only version of The Productivityist Podcast on Patreon. Also, remember to leave The Productivityist Podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or on whatever platform you’re listening to. I read every single bit of feedback we receive. I want to make this show better and with your help I can do that.

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Declutter Your Data with Angela Crocker

On this episode of the podcast, I,m joined by my friend Angela Crocker. Angela is the author of The Content Planner and Declutter Your Data and we spend the majority of our conversation diving deep into digital decluttering strategies.

Some of the specifics of our discussion include the way you can declutter Your apps (which may not mean deleting them), how to streamline your digital calendar, redundancy and intention, dedicated devices, and more tactics. (We even share our thoughts on the role Inbox Zero plays in this.)

I had a great time chatting with Angela. I hope you get as much out of the conversation as much as I I did.

Relevant Links

Declutter Your Data by Angela Crocker | Amazon 
The Content Planner by Angela Crocker | Amazon
The More or Less with Joshua Becker | The Productivityist Podcast
Weed Out the Clothes You Don’t Wear with a Simple Hanger Trick | Lifehacker
The NOW Year Wall Calendar
Declutter Your Data | Angela Crocker 
Declutter Your Data with Angela Crocker | Facebook
Angela Crocker | Twitter @angelacrocker
Angela Crocker | Instagram @angelacrocker

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going!

If you’re interested in supporting the podcast and receiving exclusive content while doing so, you’ll want to check out the patrons-only version of The Productivityist Podcast on Patreon. Also, remember to leave The Productivityist Podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or on whatever platform you’re listening to. I read every single bit of feedback we receive. I want to make this show better and with your help I can do that.

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Soulful Simplicity with Courtney Carver

On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Courtney Carver, the person behind Be More with Less and author of Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More.

A passionate and energetic speaker, Courtney shares to communities the power of simplicity in improving health, building meaningful relationships, and creating more joy in life.

It goes without saying that we could all afford to be a little less stressed and more emotionally balanced. That’s why I’m sure you’ll find tons of value in this episode whatever you’ve got going on.

Relevant Links:

Courtney Carver Website
Be More with Less
Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More | Amazon
Project 333
Courtney Carver | Twitter

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going!

If you’re interested in supporting the podcast and receiving exclusive content while doing so, you’ll want to check out the patrons-only version of The Productivityist Podcast on Patreon. Also, remember to leave The Productivityist Podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or on whatever platform you’re listening to. I read every single bit of feedback we receive. I want to make this show better and with your help I can do that.

The post Soulful Simplicity with Courtney Carver appeared first on Productivityist.

Self-Care and Productivity

You know you’re a go-getter.

Whether you’re raising a family, running a business, traveling the world, or stepping into a new chapter in your life, you have a full schedule.

But where exactly does time for you fall into the mix? Yes, you’re the one doing these things – running around tackling your to-do list and conquering the world. But what’s keeping you going?

What’s Fueling You

Every go-getter needs fuel. That’s where self-care comes into play. Self-care helps you stay centered and grounded in who you are and what you want. (Or, when you don’t feel centered and grounded, self-care gives you awareness of that and redirects you to where you want to be.)

Self-care is self-investment, provided by you and for you.

And without it, things can get ugly.

Consequences of Self-neglect

Consider what happens during a game of tug-o-war. The rope that is under tension as it is being pulled in two different directions. If one side loses their grounding, the rope is thrown off-center and the other side wins.

Just like that rope, you too begin to experience wear when you experience stress, tension, or conflict. Through self-care, you can cope with this stress by lessening it (or properly managing it). This brings you back to equilibrium and prevents your rope from unraveling.

When You’re Just “Done”

Now think of what a rope might look like after a few rounds of tug-o-war. Without a healthy way to cope with stress, your rope can easily fray or unravel altogether.

This imagery represents burnout: a physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress. When things get to this point, the focus is no longer on grounding yourself but on reconnecting your rope.

You might try any (or all) of the following to rebuild connection: reaching out to trusted supports (i.e. friends, family, counseling professionals), writing and journaling, practicing healthy habits and hobbies,  yoga or guided meditation, going for long walks, and asking for and accepting help.

How do you re-center yourself when you feel pushed, pulled, or frayed?

When You Feel Stuck

Perhaps a less known function for self-care is its role in providing personal clarity. Tug-o-war aside, ask yourself how you determine what you want in life in relation to work, relationships, or otherwise.

If you’re anything like me, this process involves asking yourself a world of questions. Without tuning into yourself, what would this process look like? How would you decide which path to take?

If you feel disconnected from yourself, you’re more inclined to look outward, asking questions like…

What are others doing?

What should I do?

This is a bitter recipe for loss of self-identity. What you see on your path or at your fork in the road will be different from what someone else sees simply because your journey and personal ideals are different from theirs.

As a child, you learned through observation and imitation. As an adult, however, over-observing can lead to trouble. When you feel conflicted or out of touch with yourself, you naturally seek answers externally–perhaps instinctively returning to childhood observational learning.

I refer to external over-observation as the “Disastrous Should Mentality,” and this approach breeds unhealthy comparison, insecurity, and distraction (none of which are friends of productivity).

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt

The Disastrous Should Mentality deepens self-disconnect, heightens stress, and further frays your rope. When you fall into this mentality, self-care draws the focus back to your ideas, ideals, and process.

Productivity is about building effective systems to move you forward, and self-care is one of those systems. Practicing self-care builds awareness and self-connection so you’re moving in your right direction. Second, regular practice fuels you to keep moving in that direction by keeping you (and your rope) in tip-top shape.

Remember, self-care directly benefits you, but it doesn’t solely benefit you. Practicing healthy activities to combat stress, burnout, and personal conflict impacts not only your productivity but also your self-esteem, relationships, and physical and mental health.

How To Start Today

As with anything, the challenge lies not in the knowing but in the doing. Practicing self-care is a simple (but certainly not always easy) 3-step process. Spend a few minutes answering the following questions, and you can boost your productivity through practicing self-care.

1. Identify your needs.

Where are you currently investing your time and energy?

What areas of your life are lacking and need attention?

2. Find ways to meet your needs.

What can you do to invest your energy back into yourself?

How can you nurture those “lacking” areas of your life to create more balance?

3. Practice meeting your needs.

Explore activities that will help to meet your needs. (Yes, this means trying new things!)

Then practice these activities frequently and with intention.

If you have step one mastered but struggle with steps two or three, know that you’re not alone. Be patient with yourself and remember: self-care is a practice. Your practice is yours to define. I encourage you to start today by thinking of your personal definition. What does self-care look like to you? Share in the comments below!

 

 

 

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The Pursuit of Time and Money with Dr. Sharon Spano

Joining me this week on the podcast is Sharon Spano, radio host of WorkSmart Live and author of The Pursuit of Time and Money: Step Into Radical Abundance and Discover the Secret to a Meaningful Prosperous Life. A Certified Professional Integral Coach, Sharon empowers entrepreneurs to maximize their performance, improve employee engagement, and increase their bottom-line results.

Our discussion is packed with useful info about wisdom, adult development, and leadership so you don’t want to miss this one!

Relevant Links:

Sharon Spano – Maximizing Human Potential in Business and in Life 
The Pursuit of Time and Money: Step into Radical Abundance and Discover the Secret to a Meaningful Prosperous Life | Amazon
Sharon Spano | LinkedIn
Sharon Spano | Twitter

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going!

If you’re interested in supporting the podcast and receiving exclusive content while doing so, you’ll want to check out the patrons-only version of The Productivityist Podcast on Patreon. Also, remember to leave The Productivityist Podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or on whatever platform you’re listening to. I read every single bit of feedback we receive. I want to make this show better and with your help I can do that.

The post The Pursuit of Time and Money with Dr. Sharon Spano appeared first on Productivityist.

Staying Simple with Justin Shelby

On this episode of the podcast I speak with Justin Shelby, founder of Artichoke. Justin has held leadership positions in Fortune 500, growth stage, and startup companies in addition to have launched over 100 products in 16 countries. He has also previously founded 3 previous businesses, included two subscription-based operating businesses.

Justin and I talk about, why you need to foster awareness every step of the journey, the role of simplicity in his life (both at work and at home) and why it is crucial for group work, and his thoughts on automation and how it can work for and against you and larger groups. Then we dive into artificial intelligence and analog work methods – both of which can be a real rabbit hole!

Relevant Links:

Artichoke – All-in-One Business Tools for Solo Entrepreneurs
How We Use Slack | Productivityist
You can’t do it all no matter what you think | Artichoke
Artichoke (@getartichoke) | Twitter

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going!

If you’re interested in supporting the podcast and receiving exclusive content while doing so, you’ll want to check out the patrons-only version of The Productivityist Podcast on Patreon. Also, remember to leave The Productivityist Podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or on whatever platform you’re listening to. I read every single bit of feedback we receive. I want to make this show better and with your help I can do that.

The post Staying Simple with Justin Shelby appeared first on Productivityist.

Man Up with Bedros Keuilian

On this episode of the podcast I chat with Bedros Keullian. An immigrant from a communist country turned hugely successful entrepreneur. Bedros uses the stage, TV and social media platforms to share his personal Immigrant Edge and American Dream story to help inspire audiences worldwide to reach their fullest potential.

Some of the things we dive into during our discussion include how habits led to the rapid growth of his his journey to becoming a more effective leader, the difference between “employees” and “team members” and why that distinction matters, and what he means by the term “man up” (it’s not quite what you think).

Relevant Links

About Bedros Keuilian
Fit Body Boot Camp
The One Word Responsible for My — and Your — Success | Early to Rise
Bedros Keuilian’s Morning Routine | My Morning Routine
Mike Vardy’s Morning Routine | My Morning Routine
Bedros Keuilian’s The Big B Doc | Early to Rise
The Productivityist Podcast: Craig Ballantyne | Productivityist
How to Take a Clarity Day | Productivityist
Man Up – Bedros Keuilian
Bedros Keullian @BedrosKeuilian | Twitter

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing…and start going!

If you’re interested in supporting the podcast and receiving exclusive content while doing so, you’ll want to check out the patrons-only version of The Productivityist Podcast on Patreon. Also, remember to leave The Productivityist Podcast a rating and review on iTunes, or on whatever platform you’re listening to. I read every single bit of feedback we receive. I want to make this show better and with your help I can do that.

The post Man Up with Bedros Keuilian appeared first on Productivityist.

How To Find Your Way Forward (And Finish)

The following post is an excerpt from my first book, The Front Nine: How to Start the Year You Want Anytime You Want. I’m sharing it with you here to help you finish whatever you’re working on – and finish strong.

Imagine you’re on a golf course. Actually, you’re on the green. You’re so close to the end—it’s mere steps away. The landscape may still have its ups and downs—its peaks and valleys—but the hazards are gone, and you’re perhaps just one shot away from your outcome.

Or are you?

Are the hazards gone?

Are you sure?

Perhaps the physical hazards are gone, the visible ones. But there are still hazards that can creep up on you while you’re at this point in the journey.

And you are the source of those hazards.

You get in your own way, especially when you’re so close to the end. There are a multitude of reasons why this is the case, not the least of which is fear.

Fear rears its ugly head throughout your time on the course, and it really makes itself known as you get closer to the end. Fighting fear is hard, too. Because it constantly finds new ways to attack. Steven Pressfield discusses this at length in his books The War of Art and Turning Pro. I use both of these books as touchstones when I lose sight of why I’m doing what I’m doing.

But I also do other things that Pressfield mentions in his work—albeit perhaps in a bit more of a nerdy slant.

For example, I use the color green as touchstone. Not because it is a pleasing color to surround yourself with, but because of my fondness for a certain ring-wearing superhero.

Of course, I’m speaking of the Green Lantern.

To be fair, there isn’t just one Green Lantern. There are many. My favorite happens to be the most popular one, Hal Jordan. And while I was disappointed with how the live-action movie version of my favourite hero turned out, I’m still a huge fan. That’s because his power comes from the tremendous amount of will he possesses.

That’s a power we all have. How much we’re willing to tap into it is another matter altogether.

The Green Lantern’s ring allows him to construct anything that he can will it to. Ultimately, we can all do the same. Everything that a Green Lantern builds is used for a purpose; it’s more about why something needs to be constructed than what needs to be constructed.

I tend to look at our lists and tasks in the same manner. I ask myself why I’m doing that task—or why I need to do it—rather than what I need to do. By doing that, I’m creating something with a greater purpose—something that will lead to a better result because I asked the right question. I asked about the why over the what.

Willpower means that the “why” comes first—well before the “what” enters the picture.

The what only comes in first place when you are afraid that you aren’t doing what you are really meant to be doing. And what keeps pushing you in that direction?

Fear.

Which just so happens to the power that fuels the Green Lantern’s arch-enemy, Sinestro and his Yellow Lantern Corps. Fear keeps you in check, and keeps you checking off boxes that don’t really mean all that much in the grand scheme of things. You don’t explore boxes that are worth more than that because you’re afraid to go there. Because every little bit that you go beyond your comfort zone, gets that much scarier.

But with will at your side, you can go there. And you can keep going there time and time again, keeping fear at bay.

So I wear my Green Lantern ring often when I write. I have a miniature Hal Jordan on my desk right next to my “Beat Resistance” plate that I received when I bought Pressfield’s book Do The Work from Seth Godin’s Domino Project. I also have a Vision bobblehead there as well, which reminds me of my vision statement.

But the one thing that makes sure I see things through to completion is a picture of my two children placed inside a frame with the following quote underneath:

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove . . . but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

The title on the frame is “Priorities,” and unless I work on—and finish strong with—my short game, then I’m not keeping them at the forefront.

Find your touchstones. Use them to not just finish . . . but to finish strong.

 

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