Beyond The To-do List

This week I'm excited to revisit a conversation I had with Chris Bailey. Chris has been a guest on the show a number of times, and in this episode, he unpacks the origins, research, and results of his book, How to Calm Your Mind: Finding Presence and Productivity in Anxious Times. I decided to revisit this conversation as the need for calm has been so important for me in recent weeks and months as I suspect it has been for you as well. In our chat Chris and I discuss the events that led up to him writing this book while exploring a number of techniques, and tips for finding presence and calm that he developed and practiced along that journey.  We discuss digital fasting, the advantages of analog items for productivity, and how slowing down your lifestyle can often lead to speeding up your efficiency! Chris Bailey is a productivity expert, and the bestselling author of two books about productivity: Hyperfocus and The Productivity Project. Chris writes about productivity at chrisbailey.com, and speaks to organi

This week I’m excited to revisit a conversation I had with Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt-Miller about their book, Mind Your Mindset: The Science That Shows Success Starts with Your Thinking. Michael is the founder and chairman of Full Focus. Through his coaching program for small business owners, BusinessAccelerator®, and the bestselling Full Focus Planner, Michael has helped hundreds of thousands of achievers reach their biggest goals. Megan Hyatt Miller is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Full Focus and alongside Michael co-hosts the popular Business Accelerator® podcast. In this conversation, we explore how the narratives we tell ourselves influence our decisions and outcomes both personally and professionally.  From personal anecdotes about overcoming disempowering stories to actionable techniques for rewriting those internal narratives, this episode is packed with insights on leveraging the neuroplasticity of the brain and the power of intuition. Plus, Michael and Megan discuss practical step

In part 2 of 2 of this conversation, John Drury shares about the importance of retreats and sacred time for rest and rejuvenation. John shares his personal experiences with different forms of retreats, emphasizing the value of eliminating distractions and under-stimulation to foster deeper self-reflection and mindfulness. He introduces practical techniques such as "desert days," quarterly overnight retreats, and shorter, regular practices to incorporate these into the business and personal life of busy individuals. Erik and John also discuss the distinctions between vacations, visitations, and vocations and how expectation of each affects personal energy and relationships. John offers a variety of suggestions for integrating restful practices into everyday life, such as journaling, spiritual friendship, and practicing an "hour on, hour off" method during retreats. They underscore the importance of approaching these practices with an open mind, ready for unexpected insights and personal growth. Make sure to go

In part 1 of a 2 part conversation I am thrilled to bring my longtime friend of 25 years Dr. John Drury. John and I share an interest in productivity and the Enneagram, particularly the unique insights of Enneagram fives. In this episode, John and I talk about the profound impact the pandemic has had on our routines and spiritual practices, introducing the concept of a "rule of life" as a way to anchor ourselves with orienting values and stabilizing practices. We explore the balance between over stimulation and under stimulation, drawing rich parallels to ancient desert monasticism and how these dynamics influence our modern lives. John also shares his personal Sabbath practices, revealing how a 24-hour period of rest from work illuminates a path to increased productivity and deeper connections with family. We'll discuss the fluid nature of identifying and living by our values, the importance of intentional under stimulation, and the need for holistic time management that integrates both work and life harmoni

This week I’m excited to revisit an insightful conversation I had with Tiago Forte about his book Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential. Tiago walks us through his groundbreaking framework, PARA—Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives—that aims to revolutionize how we organize information in our digital lives. We'll also explore the CODE methodology—Capture, Organize, Distill, Express—that helps manage and make sense of the influx of ideas and tasks we face daily. Tune in as we draw compelling parallels between digital and physical organization, delve into the art of building a dependable "second brain," and discuss the immense benefits of externalizing our thoughts. This episode promises to offer actionable insights for everyone—from online content creators to everyday knowledge workers—on mastering the chaos of information overload. Plus, get a sneak peek into upcoming topics on enhancing productivity, effective communication, and more. So, gr

I’m thrilled to welcome Jeff Sieh back to the show for an in-depth discussion about the evolution of AI, particularly focusing on Apple’s recent announcements. Jeff and I dive into the historical context of AI, reminiscing about its portrayal in popular culture and significant milestones like IBM’s Deep Blue and Microsoft’s Clippy. We then transition to exploring the exciting developments unveiled at Apple’s WWDC 2024, particularly the introduction of Apple Intelligence. This new system promises to revolutionize how we interact with our devices by integrating AI with personal context while maintaining a strong emphasis on privacy. Our conversation highlights the practical implications of Apple Intelligence, such as seamless integration across apps, intelligent task automation, and improved personalization. We share our thoughts about features like the new Siri capabilities, which now offer deeper system integration and better language understanding, making it more conversational and useful. Jeff also discusse

This week I’m happy to welcome fellow podcaster and host of The ProGuide Podcast, Andrew Mason back to the show to discuss current trends and themes within the vast productivity space. Andrew and I discuss how being aware of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can significantly impact our happiness and self-improvement. We explore various factors like chronotype and personality types that contribute to understanding oneself and the importance of seeking feedback from trusted individuals to uncover blind spots. In addition, Andrew and I share some of our struggles with procrastination and self-acceptance, shedding light on how internal conflicts can lead to self-sabotage. Andrew introduces the concept of separating actions from identity to help fulfill aspirational roles through positive behaviors. We also emphasize clearing mental clutter through techniques like "brain dumping" and digital mind mapping to free up mental space before concluding with a discussion on the value of intentional engagement with in

In this solo episode, we pay tribute to Dan Miller, the late author of "48 Days to the Work You Love". Dan passed away in January 2024 after a brief battle with cancer. Erik shares personal stories and lessons learned from Dan, emphasizing his profound impact on people through his generosity, approachability, and commitment to lifelong learning. Erik also highlights Dan’s productive habits and daily routines, recounting personal encounters and professional interactions that left a lasting impression on Erik and others. Mentioned in this Episode: Dan Miller Episode of Beyond The To-Do List Dan's Last Podcast Episode Easy Wake up Light TENS Unit Mama Says Namaste What Drives You Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  ______________________________________ This Podcast is Powered By: Descript Descript 101 Castmagic Ecamm Podpage Rodecaster Pro Top Productivity Books List Make sure to support the show by checking out the sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon

This week we are opening up the mailbag once again to answer your questions about productivity, task completion, work preparation, quality time, motivation, and so much more. From managing distractions in a noisy office environment to improving the efficiency of your meetings, I hope this mailbag/Q&A gives listeners practical strategies to help you stay focused and achieve your goals.  ______________________________________ Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  ______________________________________ This Podcast is Powered By: Descript Descript 101 Castmagic Ecamm Podpage Rodecaster Pro Top Productivity Books List Make sure to support the show by checking out the sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was grateful to welcome Mara Glazel to the show for a chat about her new book, Needy: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty. In our culture, the word "needy" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting weakness or dependency. But Mara is here to challenge that perception and flip it on its head. She argues that recognizing and embracing our needs is not only essential but can actually make us more productive and fulfilled. In this episode Mara and I discuss the limitations of hustle culture and how our routines and beliefs can sometimes trap us in a cycle of neglecting our own well-being. This insightful conversation sheds light on building a nourishing relationship with oneself, understanding the roots of our needs, and finding creative ways to fulfill them. Tune in to learn how small acts of agency can make big differences in our personal empowerment and hear practical advice on creating a life that's genuinely fulfilling. This is an enlightening discussion that's sure t

This week it was my pleasure to speak with Jorge Arango about his latest book, Duly Noted: Extend Your Mind Through Connected Notes. Jorge is an information architect, author, and educator. For almost three decades, he has architected digital experiences and made the complex clear for organizations ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to nonprofits. He is the author of "Living in Information: Responsible Design for Digital Places" and co-author of "Information Architecture for the Web and Beyond." In addition to his design consulting practice, Jorge hosts "The Informed Life" podcast, writes a blog, and teaches at the California College of the Arts. In this chat, we'll explore how capturing and organizing thoughts extends beyond traditional note-taking into forming a digital "knowledge garden," where ideas can flourish and interconnect. Jorge will delve into the cognitive science behind why notes are not just for memory, but crucial for thinking, emphasizing the role of the environment in processing informati

This week it was my pleasure to welcome Dr. Barry Kudrowitz to the show for a chat about his great book, Sparking Creativity: How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation and Design. Dr. Kudrowitz is a professor of product design and department head in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. There, he founded and directed the product design program from 2011-2021. Barry received his PhD from the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), studying humor, creativity, and idea generation. He is interested in how creativity is perceived, evaluated, and learned. In addition, Barry has years of experience working with the toy industry and has taught toy design for over a decade. In this episode, we delve into how changing our mindset can transform mundane chores into enjoyable activities, explore why traditional icebreakers often fail, and discuss the vital role of creativity in every aspect of our lives. Barry will share practical examples of how educators and profess

This week I’m excited to share my conversation with Matt Abrahams. Matt is a passionate, and innovative educator, podcaster, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business he has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered Nobel Prize, TED, and World Economic Forum presentations. Matt is also the founder and principal at TFTS Communications LLC, a presentation and communication skills company based in Silicon Valley that helps people improve their presentation skills.  In this episode, we'll dive into Matt's six-step methodology to mastering the art of impromptu speaking, which he outlines in his latest book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot. Whether you're fielding cold calls or engaging in "small talk", Matt's techniques will teach you to manage anxiety, focus on your audience, and see every speaking situation as an opportunity, not a threat. We a

This week I’m excited to welcome Michael Easter for a conversation about a pair of his books, Scarcity Brain, Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough and The Comfort Crisis, Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self. Michael is the founder of the 2% with Michael Easter newsletter and the New York Times bestselling author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain. an author and a professor at UNLV. He writes and speaks on how humans can leverage modern science and evolutionary wisdom to perform better and live healthier lives. His work has been implemented by professional sports teams, elite military units, Fortune 500 companies, and leading universities. In this episode, we delve into the profound realizations that Michael made about the role of discomfort in our lives, stemming from overcoming his own battle with alcoholism and spending 33 transformative days in the Arctic. We'll discuss how our modern world's technological conveniences and constant search for

This week I’m excited to welcome Karl Hebenstreit for a chat about his book, The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram. Karl is a certified executive coach, leadership and organization development consultant, author, and international speaker. His 25+ year career spans the areas of HR and OD in biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and more. Karl holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University.  Together, we'll explore how the Enneagram provides a deeper, more nuanced look into our psyches compared to other personality frameworks like Myers-Briggs or DISC, and why knowing your Enneagram subtype can revolutionize communication and collaboration within your team. We'll delve into the synergy between your instinctual behaviors and core type, uncover how the Enneagram's focus on motivation helps us navigate workplace dynamics, and highlight the practical benefits of this wisdom for everyday interactions. This is a great episode for anyon

This week it’s my pleasure to welcome Carlos Alvarenga for a chat about his new book, The Rules of Persuasion: How the World's Greatest Communicators Convince, Inspire, Lead--and, Sometimes, Deceive. Carlos is an independent researcher and author. Before writing full-time, he worked as a management consultant and adjunct professor at the Robert H.Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Carlos holds a B.A. in Humanities and Classical Greek from Hampden-Sydney College and completed the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Classics at the University of Pennsylvania. In this conversation we delve into the compelling world of persuasion as the art and science that influences every aspect of our lives. Carlos explains how he drew inspiration from Aristotle's foundational work on rhetoric to craft his book. We will unravel the subtleties of persuasion—as the act of shaping beliefs within a community—and how it distinguishes itself from manipulation and coercion. Carlos guides us through his periodic table o

This week I’m excited to speak with Adrienne Bellehumer. Adrienne the founder of Bellehumeur Co. and co-partner of Risk Oversight, based in Calgary, Alberta. Adrienne is also the author of the book, The 24-Hour Rule and Other Secrets for Smarter Organizations: Including the 6 Steps of Dynamic Documentation. In this episode she is here to shed light on the often overlooked yet crucial practice of documentation and its profound impact on both personal productivity and organizational success. As we dive into the conversation, we'll explore the six dynamic steps of documentation—capturing, structuring, presenting, communicating, storing, and leveraging—and learn why both "little d" everyday habits and "big D" corporate initiatives are essential for our effectiveness. Adrienne will share her insights on the 24-hour rule, a powerful strategy for activating information and maintaining momentum. In addition we'll examine common misconceptions around documentation and discover how it can indeed propel individuals and

This week I’m excited to conclude a series of conversations I’ve been having with my friend Jeff Sieh. Jeff is an international speaker and visual marketing consultant. He hosts the Social Media News Live show and podcast and is also “Head Beard” at Manly Pinterest Tips. Jeff has worked with and produced a wide range of content for various companies, including Guy Kawasaki, Kim Garst, Social Media Examiner, and Tailwind. In our previous discussions Jeff and I addressed tools for harnessing your creativity, and tips for repurposing audio and video content to reach a larger audience. This week we are diving into the fascinating and rapidly evolving world of AI tools. We'll be exploring the ethical implications and impact of AI on creativity, touching on its integration into business and content creation. Jeff shares his insights on using AI tools such as Descript, and Midjourney in his business and recommends other specific tools for various tasks. In addition we discuss the intertwining of AI and art, the pote

This week I’m excited to welcome Francesco D’alessio for a really insightful chat about finding the right productivity tools and apps to meet your unique needs. Francesco is the founder of Keep Productive and co-founder of Tool Finder, the world's best place to discover and learn more about productivity tools. Both Keep Productive and Tool Finder aim to make productivity software easier to understand. There is a tool for everything so they create videos and courses to help you match to the perfect productivity tools for you. Tool Finder’s resources are designed to make productivity software easy to grasp and go deeper if you want to. Built on an independent philosophy around reviews and matching people with the perfect tool, Tool Finder is a growing directory, network, and source of knowledge on the ideal productivity software to pick and adopt for your work, family life, or personal time management. Their 120,000+ readers a month gain insight into what apps are best for them, and what features matter and gai

This week I’m excited to welcome Terri Sjodin for a great conversation about her new book, Presentation Ready: Improve Your Sales Presentation Outcomes and Avoid the Twelve Most Common Mistakes. Terri is the Principal and Founder of Sjodin Communications, a public speaking, sales training and consulting firm based in Newport Beach, CA. In addition to her latest book, she is the author of the book, Small Message, Big Impact, which hit the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists. For over 20 years Terri has served as a speaker and consultant to an impressive list of corporations, associations, academic conferences, CEO's and Members of the U.S. Congress. She is a high-content speaker and her style is fresh, sassy and practical. Terri is considered one of the most sought-after sales, communications and speaking consultants in the country. In this episode, we'll unpack the power of preparation in seizing unexpected opportunities and the underestimated influence of body language. Terri s