A Productive Conversation – Details, episodes & analysis

In this Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, I revisit my insightful discussion with John Zeratsky, co-author of Make Time. This conversation dives into practical tips on optimizing focus, creating a conducive environment for productivity, and the fascinating concept of caffeine naps. John’s background in design and tech shines through as we explore strategies that help you make the most of your time and attention every day. John and I share our thoughts on everything from the evolution of productivity tools to the importance of designing your environment in a way that promotes focus. We also discuss how minor tweaks can help you take control of your day without relying solely on willpower. Whether you’re struggling with distractions or looking for new ways to optimize your energy, this episode offers actionable tips to boost your daily productivity. Key Discussion Points The concept of a caffeine nap and how it can boost your energy for focused work. The importance of designing your environment to make the right actions easier. Strategies for overcoming time craters—small decisions that end up consuming more time and energy than expected. How reflecting on your day can lead to better focus and productivity. The role of friction in breaking bad habits and fostering positive change. Why breaking down your daily highlight into small, actionable steps leads to greater focus and achievement. As always, this episode is packed with actionable advice. John’s insights into how small, intentional changes can lead to big improvements in focus and productivity are worth revisiting. (Originally Released August 2020) Links Worth Exploring Connect with John: Website | LinkedIn | X/Twitter Get John's Book: Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day Jake Knapp Time Dorks Google Ventures Design Sprint Process Design Sprint | Amazon Getting Things Done | Amazon Related Episode: Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen (Another) Related Episode: Episode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport Sleep Cycle 43 Folders Indistractable | Amazon Philips Wake Up Alarm Clock Austin Kleon’s caffeine nap Mori App TeuxDeux MakeTime.blog Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this latest episode of our monthly series, PM Talks, Patrick Rhone and I further explore the delicate balance between urgency and – more notably this time around – importance in our lives. We explore how navigating these two forces impacts everything from birthday parties to home renovations and even our evolving relationship with AI. The conversation is a continuation of themes we've discussed in previous episodes, with a focus on how urgency often overshadows importance—and what we can do about it. Patrick and I share real-life examples of how urgency and importance collide and how we can use experience and foresight to manage both effectively. Whether it's deciding on the timing of a milestone event or understanding when to address home issues, the key takeaway is learning to prioritize what truly matters. Key Discussion Points The distinction between urgency and importance, and how unchecked importance can turn into urgency. Why milestone events, like turning 50, often bring urgency and importance into focus. Real-life examples of how to manage urgent and important tasks, from home repairs to birthday celebrations. The role of communication in defining urgency and importance, both for ourselves and when dealing with others. How AI plays a role in shaping our responses to urgent versus important tasks. The concept of removing emergencies from your life to reduce stress and stay focused on what truly matters. In this episode, Patrick and I aim to help you better understand how to manage the tension between urgent and important tasks in your own life. Remember, the more you can address what’s important before it becomes urgent, the smoother things will go. Links Worth Exploring Patrick’s Website Episode 537: Khe Hy Talks About Evolving Productivity and Self-Awareness All It Takes Is A Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential (by Jon Acuff) How to Give Your Pet CPR 27B/6: Missing Missy Check out ALL of the PM Talks episodes Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I’m joined by Marie-Hélène Pelletier, a renowned expert on resilience, productivity, and sustainable efforts. We dive deep into the concept of resilience, exploring how it requires sustained efforts over time and effective strategies to cope with unexpected challenges. Marie-Hélène shares insights from her latest book, which focuses on breaking the pattern of relying on resilience alone and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and sustainability. Together, we reflect on our personal experiences and discuss the role of resilience in our lives. Marie-Hélène provides valuable strategies for monitoring and building a strong baseline of resilience, offering actionable steps for creating a structure to check in with ourselves and avoid self-destructive thoughts. Key Discussion Points Resilience is not a given; it requires a strategy to cope with challenges. External messages and internal self-talk shape our perception of being resilient. The importance of self-awareness in measuring and building resilience. Linking intentions with attention to avoid unhelpful thoughts affecting productivity. The relationship between grit and resilience, with resilience offering an upgrade after challenges. Creating a structure for self-check-ins to protect emotions and needs. The book’s emphasis on understanding fundamentals before building a strategic approach. Marie-Hélène Pelletier’s insights on resilience and sustaining efforts over time are invaluable for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and mental health. Her book, “The Resilience Plan,” offers a strategic approach with practical exercises and actionable steps to help readers optimize their work performance and well-being. Don’t forget to visit resilienceplan.com for free worksheets and more information. Links Worth Exploring Connect with Marie-Hélène: Website | LinkedIn | X/Twitter Get Marie-Hélène’s Book: The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health Related Conversation: Episode 398: Juliet Funt talks about a Minute to Think Related Blog Post: The Balance Between Urgency and Purpose Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is an extra special bonus episode with Dominic Zijlstra - the creator of the learning app Traverse.link. He's an ed-tech entrepreneur and polyglot. He helps professionals learn faster and remember more using science-based learning methods. Dominic built traverse to have an app where you have all the tools that you need specifically for learning and have them in a way that makes sure that what you need to learn is in your brain rather than just being a tool. We talk about learning and retention, we dissect traverse.link and why it really works, and we dive into where his obsession with learning began. He's been working on this app for a while and it's showing a lot of promise - I am excited to shine a spotlight on him in this episode of A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy Links Worth Exploring Connect with Dominic: Website | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Join Dominic's Super Learning Mini Course & Newsletter View and copy Mike Vardy's Traverse Mind Map here Related Conversation: Episode 397: Jesse Mecham talks about YNAB, Money Management and Future You Related Blog Post: How to Trick Yourself into Learning Faster Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen. Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are bringing this excellent episode with Josh Kaufman out of the vault. He is the author of three bestselling books – including How to Fight a Hydra: Face Your Fears, Pursue Your Ambitions, and Become the Hero You Are Destined to Be. Josh’s research focuses on business, entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, productivity, creativity, applied psychology, and practical wisdom and he’s someone I’ve wanted to have on the show for a long time. Josh and I carry on a conversation that revolves around the differences between How to Fight a Hydra and his previous books, the power of story (particularly fables and parables), why I never thought of Josh as a productivity expert yet he describes himself as such, and much more. I had a fantastic time chatting with Josh and I enjoyed revisiting this conversation. I hope you do, too. Links Worth Exploring Connect with Josh: Website | Twitter  Buy Josh's book How to Fight a Hydra: Face Your Fears, Pursue Your Ambitions, and Become the Hero You Are Destined to Be See what Josh is doing now Check out The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield Related Conversation: Episode 238: How to Keep Going with Austin Kleon Related Blog Post: “No, Fear.” Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen. Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aye Moah, who goes by Moah (pronounced Moe), is taking over the helm as CEO of Boomerang which 2 million savvy active users rely on to spend less time on email and more time on what matters to them. Their loyal user base has saved over 500 years of their lives since 2011 that would otherwise have been spent in email hell. Ironic (or should we say iconic) for someone who arrived at MIT and announced they were going to major in Computer Science without ever having an email address. Yes, this 5’ tall woman who, literally dodged bullets growing up in Burma, clandestinely applied to go to MIT, got a full ride, and took the first airplane flight of her life to start school. And she has never stopped punching above her weight since. Listen to us chat about the Boomerang app, email, and geek out about productivity! Links Worth Exploring Connect with Moah: Twitter | LinkedIn Learn more about the Boomerang app Related Conversation: Episode 360: A World Without Email with Cal Newport Related Blog Post: The One Email Trick That Keeps My Inbox In Shape Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen. Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Laura Vanderkam and I having an easy and interesting conversation about Time Management. If you haven't heard our previous conversations, Laura’s work has appeared in various publications and media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Today Show, and Fox & Friends among many others. She co-hosts the Best of Both Worlds podcast and has delivered a TED talk with more than 5 million views. We talk about her latest book, Tranquillity by Tuesday: Nine Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters. We cover the most challenging way that people found to calm the chaos and make time for what matters. She offers a simple and familiar way to future-proof something that you've scheduled. And most importantly, how the 9 rules came to be and how to work through them. Links Worth Exploring Connect with Laura: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Buy Laura's Book: Tranquillity by Tuesday: Nine Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters Listen to Laura's Podcasts: Best of Both Worlds Podcast Before Breakfast with Laura Vanderkam The New Corner Office Podcast Read Laura's Blog Posts Related Conversation: Off the Clock with Laura Vanderkam Related Blog Post: Hit The Snooze Button To Be More Productive Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen. Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had Robin Hills on the show to talk about resilience. He's the author of the Authority Guide to Emotional Resilience in Business Strategies to Manage Stress and Weather Storms in the Workplace. He's the director of EI4Change, a company specializing in training, coaching, and personal development focused on emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and neuroscience. He has over 35 years of business and commercial experience, as well as spoken keynotes. We dive deep into what it really means to be resilient, what it isn't, where the confusion may lie and how confusion can rear its ugly head. Robin busts some old myths and how emotions are an important factor. Links Worth Exploring Connect with Robin: Website | LinkedIn Check out his book Emotional Resilience in Business Strategies to Manage Stress and Weather Storms in the Workplace Register for Robin's EI4Change courses here Related Conversation: The Year of Fear with Kendra Wright Related Blog Post: Book Review: The Obstacle is The Way Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen. Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the vault this week, we have Jon Acuff – a New York Times bestselling author of multiple books. In this episode, we discussed Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. John's delivered some other great stuff since this discussion, including a book called Soundtracks that I highly recommend you check out after listening to this conversation. Jon helps some of the world’s biggest brands tell their story and has appeared on CNN, Fox News, Good Day LA, and other major media outlets. We discussed a sampling of the topics in his book, Finish, which includes planning, prioritizing, and reaching the state of finished no matter what you’re working on. Links Worth Exploring Connect with Jon: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Buy Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done Check out his latest book Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking Listen to All it Takes is a Goal with Jon Acuff Join Jon's Weekly Idea Experiment Related Conversation: Overlap with Sean McCabe Related Blog Post: How To Find Your Way Forward (And Finish) Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen. Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Todd Henry is returning for another productive conversation. He's the author of several books, and an international speaker on creativity, productivity, and passion for work, as well as a coach for people and teams to help them generate brilliant ideas. This week, we are discussing his latest book, The Daily Creative. We talk about what it was like to put this book together, how you should go through the book, and then we take certain passages of the book and discuss them.. and it's very likely that the Cincinnati Bengals come up. It's a fun and productive conversation that you don't want to miss. Links Worth Exploring Connect with Todd: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Buy Todd's latest book: Daily Creative: A Practical Guide for Staying Prolific, Brilliant, and Healthy Listen to the Accidental Creative Podcast Check out The Daily Creative Join Mike's TimeCrafting Trust community Watch this Quentin Tarantino video Related Conversation: Episode 340: Your Motivation Code with Todd Henry Related Blog Post: On Doing What Really Needs Doing Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page. Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen. Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice. Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices