Beyond The To-do List

Todd Henry, author of The Accidental Creative and the founder and CEO of Accidental Creative, a company that helps creative people and teams be prolific, brilliant and healthy. He regularly speaks and consults with companies about how to develop practices that lead to everyday brilliance. His new book is Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day. Tweetable quotes from this episode (click to tweet): To experience great ideas consistently, you have to be purposeful in how you structure your life. - @ToddHenryClick To TweetA creative is anyone who has to turn their thoughts into value. - @ToddHenryClick To TweetWe sacrifice long term effectiveness on the altar of short term efficiency. - @ToddHenryClick To TweetYou have all these great ideas, that’s fine, but how do you bend your life and work around what matters to you? - @ToddHenryClick To TweetToday is not a rehearsal. Are you spending your life in a manner that later you will be proud of? - @ToddHenryClick To TweetThe big problems won’t be solved by people

Mari Smith is one of the world’s leading social media strategists and widely recognized as THE top Facebook marketing expert in the world. She is author of The New Relationship Marketing and coauthor of Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day. Fast Company describes Mari as, “A veritable engine of personal branding, a relationship marketing whiz and the Pied Piper of the Online World.” Forbes recently named Mari as one of the top ten Social Media Influencers. Covered in this episode: There’s no amount of sophisticated technology that will take the place of live in person connecting. - @MariSmithClick To Tweet“I think the part that becomes a detriment is when we use the technology for a replacement for connecting in person, as a replacement social life, as a fix, as pseudo connection. I struggle with this almost on a daily basis. I literally have to make myself get off the computer, off the phone. When I go out with friends or I’m in a social environment or in a business setting, I try to really just be mindful an

Baratunde Thurston is the CEO, co-founder, and hashtagger-in-chief of Cultivated Wit. He wrote the New York Times bestseller How To Be Black and served for five years as director of digital for the satirical news outlet, The Onion. When he’s not delivering keynote talks at gatherings such as SXSW Interactive, LeWeb, and Personal Democracy Forum, he writes the monthly back page column for Fast Company and most recently wrote a cover story for the July/August issue called #UNPLUG where he chronicles his temporary opt out of social media for 25 days. Mentioned in this episode: National Day of Unplugging Sabbath Manifesto I Am Here Day Tweetable Highlights (click to tweet): We’re field producers of our own lives. We capture, caption and share experiences instead of living it. - @Baratunde Click To TweetSocial media has become creative expression + KPI’s. We’ve become marketers for campaigns of our life. - @Baratunde Click To TweetThere’s something unhealthy about everybody treating their life like a marketing

Laura Vanderkam is a nationally recognized writer who questions the status quo and helps her readers rediscover their true passions and beliefs in pursuit of more meaningful lives. Laura is the author of 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, What Successful People Do Before Breakfast, What Successful People Do on the Weekend, and What People Do at Work, now all out in paperback compilation form. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Baroncini-Moe is the founder and CEO of Business in Blue Jeans, a business and marketing consulting firm based in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has worked with clients on four continents, in both profit and non-profit industries, with startups and growth companies, in all different industries, and has been mentoring entrepreneurs and small business owners for over fifteen years. We talk about some lessons from Susan’s new book Business in Blue Jeans. Covered in this episode: Business in Blue Jeans – What it really means Designing your work style Brain Junk – If you don’t deal with brain junk before you get into your business, it will manifest itself Grasshoppers and Giants Positive Equivalents The List of 100 Rescue Time Make sure to Tweet at Susan about what you learned from this episode. Write a review in iTunes Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Be

Jeff Goins is a writer, and a second time guest of the show. You can find listen to his first appearance almost a year ago here. His new book The In-Between is just out, and I am especially excited to talk to Jeff about how the subject of waiting impacts productivity. Jeff will be speaking at Jon Acuff’s upcoming Start Conference, which I will also be attending, so grab your tickets now! Covered in this episode: 3 things Jeff needs to do every week: Something to build my brand Something to build my craft Something to build my business Click to Tweet-worthy Quotes: The best things in life, and in work, require slow steady deliberate practice. - @JeffGoinsClick To Tweet What if being productive wasn’t about doing a lot of things, but doing a few things well? - @JeffGoinsClick To Tweet What if creativity is more about showing up, than being a genius on the spot? - @JeffGoinsClick To Tweet It’s a discipline to believe if the idea is good enough, it will come back to you again. - @JeffGoinsClick To Tweet It’s

Dan and Vanessa Hayes of SimpleLifeTogether.com join us this week to talk about lifestyle design. We touch on routines, priorities, simplicity and other topics. Sponsor: get an intranet you’ll actually enjoy with your teammates from Igloo. Dan provides business development consultation for select business owners/leaders in niche markets by helping them build an integrated approach to enhancing their company’s web presence, customer/community engagement, content development, search engine optimization (SEO), media platforms, and branded videos. Vanessa is a Professional Organizer and the Chief Simplicity Officer of Get Simplifized! She provides hands-on professional organizing services for residential and business clients, and also is available for virtual consulting, as well. Together, they co-host Simple Life Together, a podcast dedicated to leading a simple life in the modern world. The show is routinely listed in”What’s Hot” in 5 categories of iTunes. Make sure to check out the Simple Life Together site an

Justin Wise is content marketing practitioner living in Des Moines. He helps people and organizations tell their stories online. He started the podcast #THINKDIGITAL. It’s a fun way to talk about new media and play lots of 90s rap. Covered in this episode: Knowledge Worker Productivity Juicing How Having ADHD Actually Increased My Productivity Productivity recovery Power nap Take a walk To do lists Inbox Zero Beyond the To-Do List interview with Merlin Mann, creator of Inbox Zero #THINKDIGITAL Podcast Get an email response from anyone Five email mistakes you’re making  The most important part is finding that uninterrupted block to do the things that matter. - @JustinWiseClick To TweetMake sure to follow and tweet at Justin on Twitter to let him know how much you appreciated this episode. Write a review in iTunes Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Be

Jocelyn K. Glei is the Editor-in-Chief of 99U.com, Behance’s effort to provide the “missing curriculum” for making ideas happen. 99U has won two Webby Awards for “Best Cultural Blog”. Jocelyn is also the Exec Producer of the 99U Conference, and Editor of 99U’s latest book Manage Your Day-to-Day which will give you a toolkit for tackling the new challenges of a 24/7, always-on workplace. Manage Your Day-to-Day will show you how to: Stop letting other people (and incoming messages!) dictate your daily to-do list. Fend off constant interruption and carve out a sacred space for “getting into the zone”. Conquer information overload and break your addiction to obsessively checking your phone or email. Let go of the idea of “inbox zero” and optimize the time you spend on email and social media. Find the right balance of working productively and recharging to keep your energy high. Hotwire your brain for a-ha moments and push through creative blocks. Make sure to grab the book here. Write a review in iTunes Pl

Robert D. Smith has managed and overseen the career of Andy Andrews, a three-time New York Times best-selling author and in-demand speaker. He has served as a private consultant to numerous best-selling authors, speakers, entertainers, and cutting edge organizations, educating them on the unique methods he has employed to sustain massive success and growth across multiple industries for his entire career. Robert is the author of 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering Life Right Now, a simple guide to injecting meaning into every second you live for the rest of your life. Covered in this episode: Eat dessert first! The myth of motivation The easy way to stop feeling overwhelmed Two questions that replace any to-do list: “What’s important NOW?” “What’s NEXT?” Eating No’s for Breakfast Defeating Fear Inoculation to Rejection Andy Andrews – The Traveller’s Gift Make sure to grab Robert’s book! Click to tweet these quotes: We don’t sing because we’re happy, we are happy because we sin

John Dumas is the creator and host of the extremely popular podcast Entrepreneur on Fire inspiring people daily. John has interviewed a number of people that have been guests on Beyond the To-Do List as well like Chris Brogan, Dan Miller, Cliff Ravenscraft, Michael Hyatt, Michael Stelzner, Farnoosh Brock, Pat Flynn, Jay Baer, Justin Lukasavige, and Erik Fisher, host of Beyond the To-Do List. Covered in this episode: Cliff Ravenscraft’s influence Two different approaches to similar intent of podcasting Jaime Tardy – Eventual Millionaire New Media Expo – NMX Pat Flynn – Smart Passive Income The WHY behind a daily podcast, and the HOW EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey Swallow the frog – Brian Tracy John’s Book – Podcast Launch Erik Fisher on Entrepreneur on Fire The biggest takeaway from the interviews he’s done The army’s motto - “We get more done before 9am than the rest of the world does all day.Click To TweetMake sure to tweet John and let him and myself know how much you enjoyed and learned from

Merlin Mann is an Independent Writer, Speaker, and Broadcaster at MerlinMann.com and Cohost of Back to Work Podcast on the 5 by 5 Podcast Network with Dan Benjamin. Transcript of this episode provided by Rev Audio Transcription and Document Translation Covered in this episode: Different definitions of the word ‘productivity’ Merlin’s superhero origin story as a productivity student The creation of 43Folders, the transition from then to today Getting Things Done by David Allen ©DavidCo, 2001. GTD Series on B2W: #95 – #96 – #97 – #98 – #99 Erik’s call in question on Back to Work episode #100 – Go Ahead, Caller. Merlin’s interview with David Allen Erik’s interview with David Allen What Inbox Zero started as, and what it really means Chasing the right zero Merlin’s Inbox Zero talk at Google Moving items in our Inbox(s) from unknown to undefined to incomplete to complete Opportunity cost Sunk cost fallacy The real prologue to how Back to Work began Sven Fechner at SimplicityBliss.com Brett Ter

Mike Vardy is a writer, speaker and podcaster on productivity. His main site is Productivityist.com. He’s given talks on productivity and technology, as well as several featured keynotes and workshops related to time, task, project, and goal management. Covered in this episode: Productivityist = a person who wants to get more efficient and more effective with their work Working on ways to get better work done How do you determine the need for a new tool, how do you test a tool A More Meaningful To Do List – The Omnifocus Setup Projects first, tasks second Projects vs. tasks Jon Acuff – START Green Lantern – Willpower vs. Fear Chris Brogan You Are Your Own Superhero Getting Things Done by David Allen The Best Upgrade Is You by Patrick Rhone Low energy productivity The Front Nine Mike’s on Mic’s Stop doing productivity and start being productive. - @MikeVardyClick To Tweet Have to do’s are fine, but you also need to have want to do’s. - @MikeVardyClick To TweetPlease connect with me Subscribe,

Bryan Allain is a blog coach, author, humor writer and mammal. He also created and organized the Killer Tribes conferences in Nashville in 2012 and Atlanta in 2013, where people learn to find their voice, share their passions, connect with others, and grow their brand. He lives with his wife, Erica, and their two children in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Covered and mentioned in this episode: Caedmon’s Call Derek Webb Don Miller Ben Arment Dream Year program Jon Acuff Killer Tribes A tribe doesn’t necessarily involve a pedestal. - @BryanAllainClick To Tweet The chief of the tribe is still part of the tribe. - @BryanAllainClick To Tweet Tribes (and especially wives!) make you brave.Click To Tweet Communities aren’t formed by formulas. - @BryanAllainClick To Tweet Finding time often means hustling in the margins. - @BryanAllainClick To Tweet Just because you have more time doesn’t mean you automatically end up more productive. - @BryanAllainClick To TweetGet the Killer Tribes 2013 Audio! Don’t forget

Crystal Paine created MoneySavingMom.com in order to showcase ebooks, workbooks, seminars, and other materials challenge people to live beyond the status quo. The site is a huge resource for anyone who wants to thrive in life, business, and home, and time management. Covered in this episode: Crystal’s Book: 21 Days to a More Disciplned Life Andy Traub’s Early To Rise book – Why have you not grabbed this yet? Investing in yourself You have to know where your going in order to get there Moms need to set goals too Stress is a choice You can’t overhaul your life overnight. Pick one change to focus on for 3-6 weeks. - @MoneySavingMomClick To Tweet Discipline begets discipline. - @MoneySavingMomClick To Tweet Any success I’ve had in my life is the result of standing on a huge pile of failure. - @MoneySavingMomClick To TweetMake sure to tweet Crystal @MoneySavingMom to let her know you appreciated this episode! Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out m

Chris Locurto, formerly one of Dave Ramsey’s key leaders over the past 12 years, Chris served as the Vice President of Live Events. Together, Chris and Dave developed and built EntreLeadership from their shared experiences. Through their close relationship and Dave’s personal council, Chris has not only become an expert in teaching the EntreLeadership principles, but has lived and implemented them daily. On Chris’s blog, ChrisLocurto.com you will learn his personal insights on leadership, managing people, and financial stewardship. Covered in this episode: EntreLeadership EntreLeadership Podcast Start the morning with a dump, a brain dump Early to Rise Series by Andy Traub Culture = Actions and Attitudes Zig Ziglar’s wheel of life Setting goals Be honest with where you are Be there for others out of the resources you have You either force the culture that you want in your business, or it will be forced upon you. - @ChrisLoCurtoClick To Tweet It’s the guys that deny their leadership is struggling t

Dave Delaney is recognized leader and speaker on digital marketing, social media strategy, and community enthusiasm. Moving to Nashville in 2007, he co-founded two annual unconferences, PodCamp Nashville and BarCamp Nashville. He also launched two monthly events, Nashcocktail and Geek Breakfast, the latter now has chapters across the US, South Africa and Australia. Dave also has a book available for preorder: New Business Networking: How to Effectively Grow Your Business Network Using Online and Offline Methods Dave’s Podcamp Nashville Session Erik’s Podcamp Nashville Session Covered in this episode: Events are not just about the speakers or the topics It’s about the people! Best practices to be productive in your event networking – Before:Do your homework Look to see who is attending ahead of time check the list of atendees and speakers Make notes of who you want to make sure to meet or meet up with Start connecting even before the event Take note of the sponsers Prepare business cards Practice yo

Punch fear in the face. Escape average. Do work that matters. So begins the new book from Wall Street Journal best-selling author Jon Acuff, and it’s a call to which that millions of people have already responded. From the halls of the companies he’s helped—The Home Depot, Bose and Chick-fil-A—to the homes of the 4.5 million people who have read his blog, Jon Acuff is leading a movement away from the status quo. You will be challenged, encouraged and equipped to thrive in the swirl of generational shift everyone must face in the next three years. Covered in this episode: The 5 Seasons – Learning, Editing, Mastering, Harvesting, Guiding Be a student of you Be selfish at 5am Andy Traub – Early to Rise Dan Miller – Wisdom Meets Passion EntreLeadership Podcast How do you rescue time? Not just time management, energy management Making sure to reserve thinking time How do you figure out what your 90 percent is? The first thing a dream costs is time and hustle. - @JonAcuffClick To Tweet You don’t always h

Farnoosh Brock was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. After leaving Iran at 11 and living in Turkey for 3 years, she moved to the United States. She studied electrical engineering and French at university and then entered the corporate world. In 2011, she left a 12-year successful career at a Fortune 100 company to start her own company, Prolific Living Inc. Today, she is a professional blogger, author, speaker, business coach and an expert green juicer. She is passionate about showing her readers and clients how to define their own freedom in their health and their careers. She infuses her love of green juicing, Ashtanga yoga, writing, photography, entrepreneurship, and world travel into her work to show you that your dreams are accessible and possible too. Her favorite quote, the one that led to that resignation from Corporate America is: “The lust for comfort kills the passions of the soul.” by Khalil Gibran. Covered in this episode: Asana Pomodoro technique The Daily Interaction Podcast Your Comprehensi

Daniel J. Lewis shares his successes and failures as a new entrepreneur. Daniel hosts several award-nominated podcasts: Award-winning “how-to” podcast about podcasting and using Audacity Once Upon a Time podcast clean-comedy podcast Covered in this episode: Don’t wait for everything to be perfect, start! Jump in and start Even a dream job can be a dead end, if you accomplish every dream you want to do there Technology can help or hinder you Transition from full time employee to entrepreneur, as well as a newlywed e.ggtimer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices