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Getting More Done With EvernoteGetting More Done With EvernoteThe Future of Evernote: A Conversation with Ian Small, CEO of EvernoteSeptember 18, 2020 Hello, and welcome to Getting More Done With Evernote, Episode 011. In this episode The Future of Evernote: A Conversation with Ian Small, CEO of Evernote I’m your host, Ray Sidney-Smith, Evernote user since 2009, Evernote Certified Consultant and Evernote Regional Leader for North America. As you can imagine, I love Evernote. And, with Getting More Done With Evernote, I hope to help everyone love Evernote, or at least enjoy digital note-taking, a little more with each episode. My special guest today, in honor of the newly-released Evernote apps for iOS an...2020-09-1831 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 118 — Pondering Minimalism vis-à-vis Personal ProductivityHow does minimalism affect your personal productivity? And, is there such a thing as a minimalist approach to productivity? I believe ardently that our physical and digital worlds are a manifestation of our mental-emotional world, so I sought out some answers about these thorny questions. After about 30 hours of research and uncounted hours of pondering, here are my thoughts on these two questions. Read more. 2018-08-0701 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 117 — Getting More Resilient (Resilience and Productivity)In the last episode, I defined resilience, or emotional elasticity, as I like to call it. Here, I’d like to detail tactics for bending back into shape faster for more productive output. Read more. 2018-03-0601 minThe FLAWD PodcastThe FLAWD PodcastTFP #051 Ray Sidney-Smith – Getting More Done with EvernoteIn this all English episode #051:   We met Ray Sidney-Smith a productivity technology management consultant. We discuss Rays 4 buckets of productivity. Getting More Done, an extension of GTD. Ray shares the 6 levels of focus. We talk about the importance of dividing your life into categories, and we discuss what I call a "masterclass" of Evernote. If you are new to the show and new to Evernote, don't miss the previous episode to get an "in-depth" understanding of what Evernote is in episode #49 and 50- in case you missed it! Enjoy Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS | Stitcher |Acast   Short bio...2018-01-2200 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 116 — Resilience and ProductivityA few episodes ago I covered several challenges that people face in their productive lives, including overcoming overwhelm, distractions, indecision, procrastination, and burnout. And, in this episode, I am detailing an important emotional skill that one hears in many contexts but is one consistent source of productive strength for those willing to build it: resilience.   — Quick announcement: I have launched my new podcast, ProductivityCast, the weekly show about all things personal productivity. It’s a longer podcast show format. If you have productivity questions, please head over to the podcast website and ask it; maybe...2017-07-1101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 115 -- Thinking INSIDE the Box! (Part 2)In the last episode we learned that the scientific research that told everyone to think outside the box to overcome challenges and to be creative in life and work, was summarily misguided. We can be primed that a box exists, and we’ll still see a box as a limitation, unless we are guided to work within it. 2017-03-0301 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 114 -- Thinking INSIDE the Box! (Part 1)So often I hear the cliché that you need to be an “out of the box” thinker. Creativity and problem-solving (which I feel frequently are synonymous in many circumstances) are, after all, great tools in any productive person’s toolbelt. But, is thinking outside the box really possible? (Hint: no.) And, if not, how can we effectively use thinking inside the box? 2017-03-0201 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 113 -- Limiting Resources for Greater ProductivityIntuitively, we know that focus is a fundamental of greater productivity. Broadly and less instinctively, focus manifests heightened productivity by training and straining any resource, including but not limited to attention, time, money, and other resources. In Episode 98, I spoke about using time-based challenges for sprinting toward such productivity. Now, I’d like to discuss some ideas about limiting one resource--the stuff we own--as a means to greater productivity. 2017-03-0101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 112 -- Overcoming Burnout: Rest and Rejuvenation for Sustainable ProductivityBurnout is a systemic problem not a situational/circumstantial challenge. And, so overcoming burnout is more about how to build systematic “down time” and renewal into your life and work for sustainable productivity. Here are some suggestions for both rest and rejuvenation. 2017-02-2802 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 111 -- Overcoming ProcrastinationIn Episode 22, I defined procrastination and even gave a few pointers about Procrasti-Doing in Episode 82. In this episode, I’d like to continue the dialog with some tips on overcoming procrastination. 2017-02-2702 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 110 -- Overcoming IndecisionDo you have a good idea of how well you manage uncertainty and make decisions? For most people, there is no well-defined strategy for overcoming indecision in their productivity systems. I think everyone should think about how to reduce distress and increase action through some basic components of good decision-making. 2017-02-2601 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 109 -- Overcoming DistractionsWithout focus, almost nothing can get done. Yet distractions abound in our everyday work and personal lives. Here are some suggestions on overcoming distractions of each kind. 2017-02-2401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 108 -- Overcoming OverwhelmOverwhelm is a pernicious productivity detractor that affects us all in varying degrees. In my definition, overwhelm is a buildup of stimuli that creates anxiety which, in turn, blocks action or clear decision-making. Learn more here. 2017-02-2301 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 107 -- Managing People for ProductivityIn all my years of management, I’ve learned a few things which have proved consistent, that I have wrapped into a developing, high-level leadership framework for organizations, so I thought I’d share it with you.   2017-02-2301 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 106 -- End of Workday RoutineIn the last episode I spoke about routines that were primarily designed to facilitate personal and work life improvements. However, those are not my only routines and I wanted to explain another of my most helpful daily routines--my end of workday routine. Listen/read more. 2017-02-2101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 105 -- The Power of Daily Routines: Morning, Midday and Evening Productivity RoutinesFor years I’ve spoken about the power of habits, and tangentially, I’ve spoken about many routines that I have--from meditation (Episode 32), to my Day Reset strategy (Episode 69), and more. I use a variety of routines to minimize distractions and maximize my productivity. None more than any others, I have three routines I use every day: my morning, midday, and evening productivity routines. Learn more. 2017-02-2002 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 104 -- The Myth of the Left and Right BrainLet’s discuss how the incorrect left and right brain paradigm impacts your productivity, and how, by thinking about it slightly differently and correctly, you can improve your productivity. Read/listen to the full article/episode. 2017-02-1901 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 103 -- Managing Up for a More Productive Organizational Culture, Part 2In episode 102, I introduce the idea of managing up and discussed one leg of it--managing expectations and delegation. Here in this episode, we’ll cover the next two legs of managing up--managing collaborative time wisely and managing your manager. Read/listen more. 2017-02-1801 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 102 -- Managing Up for a More Productive Organizational Culture, Part 1I’ve read extensively and have been honing my management skills over the past two decades, and something I’ve found to be universal is this: unless you’re at the top of the organizational chart, everyone must manage up in order to be most productive. Here’s what I mean by everyone manages up. 2017-02-1701 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 101 -- Software Review: Mind42 - Free Web-Based Mind Map Productivity SoftwareIn the last episode, I spoke about using mind maps as a productivity tool. And, one of my favorite mind mapping tools is the free, Web-based software, Mind42. (Note: it is free and ad-supported.) Mind42 is a comprehensive mind mapping tool that allows you to create as many private and public mind maps as you’d like. Read on. 2017-02-1601 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 100 -- Mapping Your Productivity Using Mind MapsMind maps are a method of capturing thoughts and ideas, dating back as early as the 3rd century BCE in Ancient Rome. The mind map is simply a diagram where you have a single, central thought in the center with branches off it in a freeform fashion. You can draw thoughts, use different colors, use symbols, and more, to be as creative with your mind map. This creates a highly visual and flexible tool for productivity. Read more. 2017-02-1501 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 99 -- Be the Superhero of Your Own LifeIn comics, television, film, and now Netflix, there are superheroes who come to save the day when villains attack or bad circumstances befall the vulnerable, the voiceless, and the innocent. Superheroes give us hope, and they empower us with moral fortitude to do the right thing even when the going gets tough. Over the years, I have noticed a trend among some highly productive people that has me understanding a bit more about why they get things done, even in the face of great adversity. And, it all has to do with a bit of surreality and a smidgen...2017-02-1401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 98 -- The Power of Short-Term ChallengesHave you ever entered a competition, or a race, of some kind? Whether it’s a science fair, marathon, triathlon, March Madness, or almost any kind of contest, you know the feeling of competing. You have a period of time that focuses a large portion of your time, attention, and resources in achieving something. These short-term challenges have a way of motivating you to action thanks to your competitive nature, accountability to others, and the potential rewards (including gratification in pushing your own personal boundaries). Read more. 2017-02-1301 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 97–Time Thieves, Time Thugs, and Time Terrorists - How to Combat Them So You Can Get Back to Being ProductiveIn the last episode we covered the descriptions of time thieves, thugs and terrorists. Now, I’d like to detail how to counteract these time wasting personas so you can get back to your productive life. Read on.2016-04-0502 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 96–Time Thieves, Thugs and Terrorists - Who They Are So You Can Identify Them EfficientlyUsing your time productively means not only managing your time but also protecting it from others who may not have your most productive interests in mind. You may know who I mean generally, when I speak of categories of people I call time thieves, thugs, and terrorists. They’re not the only ones, but they are the majority categories I see in work and personal interactions. Let me explain to you the specific differences between the three so you can identify them in a moment’s notice. Read more.2016-03-3101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 95–Effective Meeting Series: More Productivity Meetings With Robert's Rules, Part II While Robert’s Rules of Order may seem outdated, outmoded, prescriptive, and even restrictive, you’d be surprised what a little bit of parliamentary procedure can do to make meetings much more highly productive. In this episode, I continue my discussion on Robert’s Rules of Order and how this can be incorporated into your meetings. In the last episode I gave some productivity principles for effective meetings. Continuing on the Robert’s Rules of Order theme, I want to cover some steps you can take to run more effective meetings in the modern era. Here they are.2016-03-0101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 94–Effective Meeting Series: More Productivity Meetings With Robert's Rules, Part I While Robert’s Rules of Order may seem outdated, outmoded, prescriptive, and even restrictive, you’d be surprised what a little bit of parliamentary procedure can do to make meetings much more highly productive. The episode is the first part, giving some context with important productivity principles for using parliamentary procedure in meetings. When Brig. Gen. Henry Martyn Robert proposed the use of parliamentary procedure for common meetings back in 1876, he likely didn’t foresee the future of meetings as they happen today. However, while seemingly an anachronism or overly formal to some of you listening/readin...2016-02-2502 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 93–Gamification and Your ProductivityA gamified life. For the productivity and technology geek that I am, it sounds like a pretty cool existence. I’d get to live the superhero lifestyle (minus the superpower-enabling lab experiment gone wrong) I should’ve been living all along. But can I live a truly gamified life? Over the past several years, that is something I have sought to find out, and here’s what I’ve learned. 2016-02-1601 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 92--Rewarding Yourself for Productive Habit Development and Reaching GoalsOne of the most unproductive outcomes of the last century’s shift from the Industrial Age to knowledge work in the Digital Age has been the loss of seeing the fruits of our labor firsthand. In the Industrial Age, Americans made things and saw them come to life. There’s an inherent satisfaction in creating products that come off an assembly line. Contrast that to our daily lives in the Knowledge Worker Age, and you may start to notice this missing element in your life. And, I think an example of a cultural response to this lack of tangible outc...2015-11-0301 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 91 -- What Do You Own?Have you ever been in a situation where you lost all your worldly possessions in one day? I have. It’s a life-changing event, even for someone not too attached to material things, to find out it’s all been burned away, water-damaged or otherwise destroyed in a catastrophic event. Other than the insurance covering my personal property providing little emotional relief for lost baby pictures and irreplaceable artwork, I had one piece of solace--my home inventory. Before or if calamity strikes, you too should have a home inventory. Read full post and listen. 2015-08-0602 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 90 -- Biology, Self-Actualization and Your ProductivityWhen the idea of self-actualization developed in the mid-20th century, far before the field of positive psychology was fostered by Dr. Martin Seligman, there was a desire to study and cure illness, mental and physical. Dr. Abraham Maslow tried something different; he studied the role model, the talented and the ingenious. By doing so, he hoped to unlock how we all could do more, better. He developed the hierarchy of needs (which most know by the pyramid with our biological needs at its base and self-actualization at its zenith), and expounded the theory of motivation starting in 1938 and in...2015-03-3101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 89 -- Multi-Sensory ProductivityHumans have five common senses. (We actually have several more senses not commonly discussed.) Your sense of touch is mostly dedicated to your largest organ, your skin, comprising 22 square feet (or, 2 square meters), which holds millions of touch receptors of various sensitivity to map your physical surroundings. Your five fingers on each hand alone contain 3,000 touch receptors of the highest sensitivity on each finger tip. Then, there’s your sense of sight, which is the reigning champion of information collection for the brain, provided for by your eyes’s millions of light-sensitive cells. Next up, we have our hearing from...2015-03-2401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 88 -- Defining HappinessAs I’ve written about before, “happiness” is a terrible word to me. It’s my version of a four-letter word in regard to positive psychology and personal productivity. And yet, we continue to keep using it; I’m guilty of it as well from time to time. While it seems like a universal term, it’s actually a rather confusing word. If the purpose of communication is to convey information clearly to another, why circumvent the process with vagaries? Dr. Daniel Kahneman, who I’ve written about before, agrees with me in his famous TED talk, “Riddle of Remembering and Experiencing...2015-01-0801 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 87 -- Two-Minute Book Summary: The First 20 HoursLearning, in the way that humans can, is one of the fundamental ways that set us apart from all other species on Earth. Skills acquisition is one of those kinds of learning that we do really well, and many of us want to do more of, better and faster. I’m one of those people, and when I picked up The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything...Fast by Josh Kaufman, I was skeptical. However, he outlines successfully a 10-step process for rapid skill acquisition and I think he’s onto something potent. Here are the principles of the book.2014-10-2601 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 86 -- The Kaizen Way: What Are the Elements of Kaizen? with Sally Reinholdt (Part 2 of 2)Welcome to Episode 86 of ProdPod, the podcast of productivity lessons in two minutes or less. I’m Ray Sidney-Smith and I have Professional Organizer Sally Reinholdt here for Part 2 of our discussion of One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by psychologist [ http://amzn.to/1lKpijP ], by Dr. Robert Maurer. We’ll be covering the elements of Kaizen. Sally, take it away.  Read full transcript.2014-10-0101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 85 — The Kaizen Way: What is the Kaizen Way? with Sally Reinholdt (Part 1 of 2)Welcome to Episode 85 of ProdPod, the podcast of productivity lessons in two minutes or less. I’m Ray Sidney-Smith and I have Professional Organizer Sally Reinholdt back on ProdPod to tell us about One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by psychologist [ http://amzn.to/1lKpijP ], by Dr. Robert Maurer. So, Sally, what is The Kaizen Way? Read full transcript.2014-10-0103 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 84 -- Two-Minute Book Summary: The Happiness Advantage by Shawn AchorI first became aware of Shawn Achor as the funny, charismatic presenter of the popular TEDxBloomington Talk, "The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance.” And, subsequently, I came to know his eponymous book, The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work. His book’s premise is, I quote, Conventional wisdom holds that if we work hard we will be more successful, and if we are more successful, then we’ll be happy. If we can just find that great job, win that next promotion, lose those five pounds, happine...2014-08-3101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 83 -- 31 Folders Instead of the GTD 43 FoldersIf you are familiar with Getting Things Done by David Allen, or the GTD methodology, you probably know about the 43 folders concept. If you don’t, basically, it’s a tickler file-like tool where physical, time-based items can be managed. There are, you guessed it, 43 folders, constituting 12 file folders for the 12 months in the year and 31 folders representing the maximum number of days in any given month. In this episode I’d like to detail how I simplified this powerful paper organization tool, and hope it’s useful to those out there that still have much paper-based organizing in their worlds l...2014-05-0101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 82 -- Procrasti-DoingThere’s a common misconception about procrastination that it only means you’re not doing something you planned to do. Many times we are unaware that procrastination is usually coupled with doing something, if not the thing we planned. This is what I call “procrasti-doing.” And there are some practical measures you can take to procrasti-doing when you want, and when you don’t, so I thought I’d explain them here in this episode. One of the frequent stories I hear is something like this: “I was supposed to be working on my project, but instead I found myself r...2014-04-2502 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 81 -- Productivity and Your Two Minds Thanks to the Nobel Prize-winning psychologist and father of behavioral economics, Daniel Kahneman, the scientific community has a deeper understanding of well-being. To wit, Kahneman revealed that humans live with two minds--our experiencing and remembering selves. In this episode I'd like to discuss these two selves and how it relates to your personal productivity. EXPERIENCING SELF The experiencing self is that which answers the question, "How do I feel right now?"…what you sense is most important to your experiencing self. Sensory-specific, the experiencing self is mostly focused on the present view of sights, sounds, smells, physical sensations, and ta...2014-01-1001 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 80 -- Setting Up Your Workspace for SuccessHaving just finished the ProdPod series on Hoarding, I've got workspaces on the mind. And, when it comes to personal productivity, there's nothing like showing up to your home or work office workspace and seeing it set up just for you. So, in this episode, I'm going to discuss a method for making your workspace work for you every day. Assess Your Workspace Organization doesn't naturally happen. So, the first step is to assess your situation. Do you feel like the way things are set up in your workspace flowing well? Or, do you find there is friction when...2013-12-2401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 79 - Hoarding, Part III - How is hoarding treated and managed? with Professional Organizer Sally ReinholdtRay: In this final episode of this ProdPod series on hoarding, I asked Professional Organizer Sally Reinholdt to detail how hoarding is treated and managed. Sally, take it away.   Sally: The treatment and management of severe hoarding is very complex and needs to be addressed by a comprehensive team that can include mental health professionals, professional organizers, as well as junk removal and environmental clean-up companies. From a mental health aspect, traditional talk therapy has not been found to be helpful. Dr. David Tolin [ http://www.drtolin.com ], a psychologist who has worked extensively with hoarders, uses a cogniti...2013-12-1701 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 78 - Hoarding, Part II - How is compulsive hoarding defined and classified? with Professional Organizer Sally ReinholdtRay: We're discussing hoarding in the ProdPod series…and I have Professional Organizer Sally Reinholdt here to define hoarding and how it's classified.  Sally: Hoarding is considered compulsive if it meets three criteria. First there is accumulation accompanied by great difficulty in discarding items that most people would consider useless or of limited value. The second criteria is that the clutter is to the point that the intended use of living spaces is severely limited or not possible. The third and last criteria is that the cluttering in combination with the acquiring and difficulty discarding causes significant impairment and d...2013-12-1001 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 77 -- Hoarding, Part I: Who Hoards? with Professional Organizer Sally ReinholdtThese next three episodes will be on hoarding and I have with me to help explain hoarding, Sally Reinholdt, owner of Commonwealth Organizing Solutions [ http://cosolva.com ]. Sally is a Registered Nurse and professional organizer who uses many of the skills she learned as a nurse to help her clients become more organized and productive. Sally: The short answer is that it can be anyone. Hoarding doesn’t discriminate. In some cases it appears to have a genetic component as hoarding can run in families. It can be the result of a traumatic experience but sometimes there is no cle...2013-12-0301 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 76 -- Be Thankful, and Be Productive“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” ~Anthony Robbins Tony Robbins should know a thing about being thankful. When he speaks to audiences, he tells frequently of his humble beginnings, the gratitude he had in those who helped him survive then thrive, and the self-beneficial results of his giving back to his community and others. During this Thanksgiving holiday week, now's the time to think about how your productivity is enhanced by being grateful. Don't believe me? Dr. Robert Emmons, psychology researcher, at UC Davis, has studied gratitude and well-being, and it shows that prod...2013-11-2702 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 75 — How to Run your Personal Advisory Board, Part TwoSteps for Setting Up Your Personal Advisory Board:1. Perform a strategic analysis of your situation, including a business and personal SWOT Analysis.2. Set clear, written goals and objectives for your PAB: Vision and 6-month missionstatements.3. Make a list of potential board advisers. Be broad in your list; think of all yourrelationship categories (academic, personal, professional, extracurricular and more)and make note of individuals you believe have skills that complete weaknesses orprovide connections to opportunities from your SWOT analyses. This is an ongoing listand should be continually updated and...2013-11-1902 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 74 -- How to Run your Personal Advisory Board, Part OneDecide on a communication platform with which everyone can be comfortable and explain how you will communicate to them en masse (via email, text, Google Drive sharing, or otherwise). Try to keep your communications effective by being consistently substantive, positive and as few as needed (but no fewer).Try to schedule the meetings and circulate the agenda with any preparatory materials to be reviewed as soon as practicable to your TAs. Remember, they have personal and professional lives in addition to your PAB, so make it as easy for them as possible to help you. You can try a tool l...2013-11-1201 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 73 -- Advantages of and Member Criteria for a Personal Advisory BoardA Personal Advisory Board is a group of persons who know you, your personality, your strengths and weaknesses, and who you feel comfortable sharing your goals and unique vision, and individuals who are committed to your success. There are several advantages that people (as well as companies) with advisory boards have over theircolleagues. A PAB offers you:• An unbiased outside perspective.• Increased accountability and discipline.• Enhanced self-management effectiveness.• Help in avoiding costly mistakes.• Rounding out skills and expertise lacking in your skill-set and experience.• A sounding board for evaluating new professional and business id...2013-11-0502 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 72 -- Establishing a Personal Advisory BoardThe late Dr. Stephen R. Covey wrote in his 1989 best-selling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People [ http://amzn.to/15mtOXK ], Independent thinking alone is not suited to interdependent reality. Independent people who do not have the maturity to think and act interdependently may be good individual producers, but they won't be good leaders or team players. They're not coming from the paradigm of interdependence necessary to succeed in marriage, family, or organizational reality. One of the great insights of the past twenty years is our appreciation of interdependence, the support network required of every k...2013-10-2901 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 71--Two-Minute Book Summary: Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human StrengthVeteran social psychology researcher and professor at Florida State University, Roy F. Baumeister, with journalist John Tierney, joined forces to write Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength [ http://amzn.to/1eTrs7h ]. This is supposed to be a definitive guide on self-control, which many consider the heart of personal productivity. If you can control your self, then performance improvement potential is a sky's the limit proposition, right? Well, here are the most salient points that I lifted from Dr. Baumeister and Mr. Tierney's book, so you can make your own decision on the matter.Willpower (or, self-control) undergoes something Prof...2013-08-2901 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 70--When Is Too Little Stress Bad and More Stress Good for Your ProductivityOver the past decade I have heard people talk about their rising stress levels. More information, more responsibility and the same 24 hours a day to get it all in and done, respectively. What I don't see many people doing is distinguishing the unhealthy stress from the healthy stress. Much of what positively motivates us is stress not its absence. As Barry Lenson writes in his book, Good Stress, Bad Stress [ http://goo.gl/3zDTK0 ], there are two types of psychological stressors. He characterizes them as positive or negative using some practical criteria so I thought I'd share them.Bad Stress...2013-08-2201 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 69--Day ResetMost days I awake feeling gratitude for having another day to be alive and that alone is motivating to get my day going energetically! However, there are days when things just don't go well. You've probably had those days, and will in the future. The opera of family, professional and personal life mess with our productive and contented mindsets. Well, in this episode, I'd like to offer three steps to restarting your productivity day when things aren't going your way.The most valuable aspect of resetting your day is to know when to do it. What is the criterion...2013-08-1502 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 68--Digital Clutter: Out of Sight Is Not Out of MindIn this episode, I propose a three-phase approach to assessing our digital clutter…an initial step to understanding that just because we don't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there and isn't affecting our personal productivity. === In Episode 43, I talked about digital clutter, and the reality that we are compounding digital information about ourselves on our computers, laptops, mobile devices and the Web each and every day. So, what should we do about this digital clutter (some of which we don't even have control)? In this episode, I propose a three-phase approach to assessing our digital clutter…an init...2013-08-0802 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 67 -- Diamond Rule - Do Unto Others as They Would Like Done Unto ThemselvesYou know the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would like have done unto you. Well, I think it needs an update for a modern era. Enter the Diamond Rule: do unto others as they would like done unto themselves. === I frequently throughout my youth heard about the Golden Rule. This universal dictum that said to do unto others as you would have done unto you. Of course, this adage, also known as the "ethic of reciprocity" dates back to the Ancient Babylonians and likely even before that. Over the years, I've found the Golden Rule (and...2013-05-2401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 66 -- "Pull Method" to More Productive Relationships, Analyzing and Synthesizing Relationship DataIn Episodes 53 and 54, I gave a brief overview of my "Pull Method" for more productive relationships. And, in the last episode I discussed Collecting Data for More Productive Relationships. So, in this episode, I am covering some thoughts and questions on analysis and synthesis of productive relationship data. Full Transcript===> In Episodes 53 and 54, I gave a brief overview of my "Pull Method" for more productive relationships. And, in the last episode I discussed Collecting Data for More Productive Relationships. So, in this episode, I am covering some thoughts and questions on analysis and synthesis of productive relationship data.2013-05-2101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 65 -- "Pull Method" to More Productive Relationships, Collecting DataIn Episodes 53 and 54, I gave a brief overview of my "Pull Method" for more productive relationships, so in this episode I am going to outline how I collect and analyze data to make sure I know how the people around me affect me. In this episode I'm going to discuss Collection. And, in the next episode, I'll cover Analysis. Full Transcript==> Did your parents ever tell you that you were hanging out with the wrong crowd? As youth, we don't realize sometimes how the people around us affect our development and our long-term life choices. It turns out...2013-05-1601 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 64 -- Plant-Based ProductivityIn this episode, I give you some food for thought on how plants' productivity is relative to your own and can help us be more productive. Enjoy! Extended transcript==> If you'd like to be more productivity, it behooves you to eat well, of course, to nourish your body's energy stores. But, as I recently realized, if you pay attention to plants not just as food or landscape design elements, as living creatures plants are amazingly productive. Here are nine plant-based productivity paradigms to ponder.Plants don't have "bad" days. Whether vegetable, flower or fruit-bearing bush, plants need...2013-05-1401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 63 -- Life-Work BalanceIn this episode, I explain my "calculation" of what I call life-work balance (because I work to live) and therefore life proceeds work, but perhaps not in the way you think. Note: I'll add this one final thought credited to my fellow productivity enthusiast and journalism professor Kenna Griffin (who you can find blogging at profkrg.com) who coined life-work balance instead as "Work-Life Negotiation" since all of life is a negotiation. I hear people tell me often that I "work too much." While this may seem like the case, I can assure you that's not the case. I...2013-04-2501 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 62 -- Best-Practices for Blog ReadingThe blogosphere is not a new invention, although it was only recently embraced by media and the general consumer public in the late 90s. What does this mean for you and me? Well, it is likely a cornucopia of potentially amazing (and maybe not-so-amazing) content for us. So that reading all this great blog content doesn't become unwieldy, overflowing and overwhelming in our lives, I've put together a series of best-practices (pardon the corporate-speak) to keep Blog Reading a practice of compound benefits to your productivity. 1. Let's start with what you should and shouldn't follow in terms of...2013-04-2302 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 61 — Personal Life Action Negotiation (PLAN), Part TwoIn episode 60, I presented an introduction to a personal development plan, but for your personal life, called the Personal Life Action Negotiation (with the acronym, PLAN). In this episode, I'll cover three guidelines for an effective PLAN. Show notes: SWOT Analysis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swot_analysis MindTools provides a "Personal SWOT Analysis explanation and worksheet": http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05_1.htm Self-Development Plan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_development_plan Personal Development: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_development Personal Development Planning: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_development_planning Michael Hyatt's Personal Life Plan: ht...2013-03-2801 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 60 -- Personal Life Action Negotiation (PLAN), Part OneI'm developing a personal life planning tool called the Personal Life Action Negotiation (with the appropriate acronym, PLAN). In this episode, I explain the reasoning and overview. In episode 61, I give the general guidelines for creating a PLAN that works for you. Enjoy!2013-03-2702 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 59 -- HabitI came across this poem (who's author is unknown to me) several years ago and I think it's definitely worth sharing. If you haven't yet listened to Episodes 12 to 15 on habit development, go check those out after listening to this episode. Enjoy! HabitI will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. over to me and I will do them - quickly and correctly. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically. ...2013-03-1901 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 58 -- Paperless 2013Google and several other companies have recently convened the Paperless Coalition [http://paperless2013.org] to help you "take the paper out of 'paperwork!'" In this episode, learn about the Paperless 2013 and go paperless in 2013! According to their website:Why should you go paperless? If you do the quick math, that's conservatively two billion sheets of paper used every year just in the United States! We know better and we can do better...and the benefits are great for us...greater efficiency and higher productivity at work and at work.It just takes small decisions...2013-03-1401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 57 -- Banish New Year's Resolutions!This is about the time of year (end of February, beginning of March) when you realize that your New Year's resolution/s aren't going to happen, or you've forgotten that you've actually made them. So, in this episode, I offer a solution: banish making New Year's resolutions! Here's how.... Every time you don't make a NYR happen, you feel like a failure or worse, you don't remember you made the NYR. Why is this bad, you say? Either way--whether you feel negative emotions or you're numb to your own planning--your brain remembers it all. These brain pathways (that...2013-03-1202 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 56 -- Software Overview: Remember The MilkHere's a quick overview of the amazing capabilities of my personal productivity software, Remember The Milk. What's your favorite personal productivity software? Let me know in the comments, contact form or via email! One of the most important principles of any productivity system to which you will be externalizing your memory is your ability to rely on the tool/s you select. I hear most often from productivity experts the term " trust" when it comes to your system and their supporting tools. And, I think that's a great way to describe it. Over the past decade I've had...2013-02-2201 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 55 -- The Purpose of Your Productivity SystemIn this episode, I define "personal productivity system." How do you define your personal productivity system? I'd love to hear from you in the comments or via email. There was a time when I started first studying psychology and its relationship to my personal productivity when I thought  my "productivity system" meant automation. Boy, was I sadly mistaken! It took me a long time (18 months to be exact) to figure out that my productivity system wasn't all about automating my life. It turns out that DOING was a huge part of my productivity system, and *I* had to d...2013-02-2001 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 54 -- "Pull Method" for More Productive Relationships, Part TwoIn the last episode, I discuss why I developed a "pull method" for more productive relationships along with the first phase. In this episode, I'll cover the next two phases. 2. Now that you have your relationships list, go down the list and mark each person with symbols representing whether you feel good or not when they come into mind. I use + or - signs, or :-) :-| or :-( , for my symbols. Not good includes however you define it but typically encompasses for me annoyance, frustration, indifference and dislike. Follow that exercise with placing an asterisk next to...2013-02-1401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 53 - "Pull Method" for More Productive Relationships, Part OneIn this episode, I introduce you to my relationships management technique I call the "pull method" and explain the first of three phases. In episode 54, I continue with phases two and three of the pull method. Enjoy! The human mind can keep approximately 150 social connections in their conscious mind at any given time. This median average comes from Dunbar's number named after the British anthropologist, Robin Dunbar, who theorized the oft-cited social metric. I have thousands of people that think they "know" me because they've connected with me in some light touchpoint manner at countless business and social event...2013-02-1201 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 52 -- Overflowing Inbox: Try Some Email Overload ReliefAn overflowing inbox is something that we have all probably experienced at some point in our personal and professional lives. Unexpected life circumstances happen and as well we sometimes get lax in our discipline to manage our email traffic on a regular basis. In this episode I give a simple strategy for managing this email overload and some email services that are handy to help manage your email from getting to that point in the first place. Services mentioned in this episode: Unroll.me Sanebox (I get a free 5$ account credit for each person that signs...2013-02-0701 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 51 -- Two-Minute Book Summary: The Four-Hour Workweek by Timothy FerrissThe Four-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss mentions the Pareto Principle (which I explained in Episode 49), so I figured I would highlight the book's key points in this episode. At its core, the Four-Hour Workweek is about creating a lifestyle that works for you, not vice versa. If you haven't listened to Episode 49, it defines the Pareto Principle (aka the 80/20 rule) as Ferriss implemented in his own professional world.The author uses a strategy composed of Definition, Elimination, Automation and then Liberation (the acronym, DEAL) to effectuate his "lifestyle design" concept.  First, Definition boils d...2013-02-0501 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 50 -- Productivity Tips for Fitness with Noelle McKenzie of Fitness a Way of LifeFor ProdPod's 50th episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing fitness/nutrition expert, Noelle McKenzie (CEO of Fitness a Way of Life - fitnessawayoflife.com), about some productivity tips for getting your workout / exercise optimized in under 10 minutes! Enjoy!2013-01-2501 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 49 -- Pareto Principle of ProductivityIn this episode I discuss the Pareto Principle of Productivity, so 20% of the next two minutes contains 80% of its productive value! ;-) Enjoy! At a very young age, we understand that some things are more important than others. As soon as we're born, we learn that the scent of our mothers is important for our survival as the source of our nutrition. As we get a bit older, we realized quickly that mom and dad are more important than the strangers on the street. And as the comparison between objects and concepts get stronger and more complex...2013-01-1501 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 48 -- Author Interview: 25 Tips for Productivity with Augusto PinaudI had the pleasure of interviewing the author of 25 Tips for Productivity Success (bit.ly/25t4p), Augusto Pinaud (augustopinaud.com), before #Prodchat on January 9th (See transcript: sfy.co/fDDm ). He highlights two of his book's tips for us. Enjoy!2013-01-1002 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 47 -- Conquering Negative Self-Speak for Greater ProductivityNegative self-speak eats away at productivity and no one is immune from it at high stress times in our lives. And, while you may have positive self-esteem, you may still have negative self-speak creeping into your daily life. In this episode, I give you a three-pronged approach to eliminating self-speak from your productive life. Daily affirmations: 1. First, you need to identify what you think are your strengths and weaknesses. You can probably name quickly off the top of your head how you're a best asset to your family, your friend network and at the office...2012-12-1801 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 46 -- Talking Yourself Into Better ProductivityMost people associate the idea of talking to one's self as a problem. However, the kind of talking to yourself I discuss in this episode I think makes you more productive thereby increasing your sanity! We all have an inner voice; it is a collection of our approximately seventy thousand thoughts per day converted to words as we consciously think them. Let's enlist for our purposes of this discussion Dr. Stephen Covey's Seven Habits definition of control, which is the space between stimulus and response. If that's the case, then when we verbalize our thoughts aloud, we vet...2012-12-1101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 45 -- Productivity and Whole-Being FitnessI believe most people think of "fitness" and think about living a healthy lifestyle, however, I have long thought of it under a much broader context I call "Whole-Being Fitness." In this episode I explain my concept of Whole-Being Fitness and why it's so important to your productive life. Let's take the example of how Whole-Being Fitness works in real life. that I've decided to run a marathon in a few months. So, to prepare for the mental image of a successful marathon photograph of me crossing the finish line I need to think first about my physical fit...2012-12-0701 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 44 -- Human Potential Movement's Mark on Your Personal ProductivityBack in the 1960's, there was a movement that developed, founded on the core concept that we could help people become happier, more fulfilled and more creative. It was called the Human Potential Movement. Further, we know so much about personal productivity today because of the Human Potential Movement and yet so few people actually know its history and how you can use this core concept to enhance your productive life. To learn more about its history, visit the Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_potential_movement). But, to unlock HPM's potential though, listen on. The...2012-10-2302 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 43 -- How to Kick-Start Hardcore Decluttering: Psychic Clutter and Digital ClutterIn our last episode, we discussed the first part of Hardcore Decluttering, recognizing physical clutter and determine its cost to you financially and emotionally. In this episode, we'll turn to two additional kinds of clutter for you to recognize and tackle. That second type of clutter is that which resides in your mind. Start a bucket list in a single, good-old-fashioned paper notebook. This isn't a task or project list. It's a list of all your emotional memories as they come to mind, your current emotional state, anxieties as you feel them, and worries about the future. Ruminating i...2012-09-2002 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 42 -- How to Kick-Start Hardcore Decluttering: Knowing Where Your Clutter IsWe all know that clutter is a part of life for many of us. Further, some clutter is natural and manageable. But, at some point the clutter is apparent and stymies your productivity. So, let's kick-start your decluttering process with learning where clutter lives and a few tips on your way to what I'm calling, Hardcore Decluttering, a regular series of podcasts here on ProdPod. The idea is to take two minutes to reduce your clutter for dramatically beneficial outcomes! [image: Venn diagram of physical/psychic/digital-->center area: Hardcore Decluttering] PHYSICAL ...2012-09-1101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 41 -- Outsourcing Tasks for Greater Productivity...For Free, Part IIThis is the final episode in our four-part ProdPod series on outsourcing your personal tasks in life...this episode is on getting started with bartering your personal tasks. To get started... Grab a paper ledger journal from the local office supply store (or if you're tech savvy, create an Excel or Google Spreadsheet workbook). Each sheet is dedicated to one person. Discuss with your barter buddy (or buddies) the terms of your arrangement. Each task is worth one credit and you should both track the credits of yourself and the other, so you can make sure that...2012-07-1701 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 40 -- Outsourcing Tasks for Greater Productivity...For Free, Part IWe discussed in the last episode about the idea of using virtual assistants, personal concierges and daily money managers to help get more done in life without you doing all of it. In this episode in our four-part ProdPod series on personal outsourcing, I will be explaining for you how to use an age-old concept of outsourcing tasks for greater productivity...for free, bartering. You know what bartering [http://www.gettingmoneywise.com/2011/12/swap-share-and-land-bartering.html?m=1] is. You have an apple and I want to buy an apple. And, I have an orange and you want an orange. But...2012-07-1002 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 39 -- Outsource Your Personal Tasks, Part IIIn this second episode of a four-part ProdPod series on outsourcing personal tasks, I introduced the idea of hiring a virtual assistant, personal concierge and daily money manager. In this episode, I'll explain what each is and why you would need one. In the last episode, I introduced the idea of hiring a virtual assistant, personal concierge and daily money manager. In this episode, I'll explain what each is and why you need one.Virtual assistants are never physically present and the equivalent to having an executive assistant. Many small business owners use them for varying levels...2012-07-0301 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 38 -- Outsource Your Personal Tasks, Part IWelcome to Episode 38 of ProdPod, the podcast of productivity lessons in two minutes or less. This is the first episode in a four-part ProdPod series on outsourcing your personal tasks in life. Enjoy! For many of us, we feel overwhelmed not by the many things we are doing on a daily basis but by the many things we want to be doing additionally or instead of what we're already doing everyday. Furthermore, we find ourselves responding more often to communication than actively doing what we've planned. Think of Dr. Stephen Covey's thoughts on doing more "important, not urgent"...2012-06-2601 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 35 -- Emotional Intelligence and a Productive LifeWelcome to Episode 35 of ProdPod, the podcast of productivity lessons in two minutes or less. I'm Ray Sidney-Smith, your productivity guide. In 1996, Daniel Goleman wrote his hit book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Mr. Goleman is a journalist, and not a scientist, but nevertheless he made a break-through in the way in which humans understand ourselves by giving context to the new ways scientists were learning about our psychology. Here's the book in a nutshell and how it relates to productivity. The premise of the book is quite simple: raw intelligence (IQ) tests score...2012-04-2401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 34 -- FastCustomer, a Productivity Tool for Making Customer Service BetterWelcome to Episode 34 of ProdPod, the podcast of productivity lessons in two minutes or less. I'm Ray Sidney-Smith, your productivity guide. Partly because I'm a tech geek and partly because of my professional responsibilities, I get to see a dizzying array of new technologies every day. And, I try to keep most of them swimming around in my head to differentiate the potential winners and likely losers in the market. FastCustomer is a productivity tool that I believe is one of those potential winners. According to its website, it is trying to "make customer service better for both...2012-04-1701 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 33 - Turn Conflict Into Winning Together For Increased ProductivityWelcome to Episode 33 of ProdPod, the podcast of productivity lessons in two minutes or less. I'm Ray Sidney-Smith, your productivity guide. I'm rather comfortable with conflict resolution, but I see an abundance of poor conflict handling in the media today (especially coming from our politicians), I thought it might help to give an explanation of two foundational principles, Think Win-Win and Principled Negotiation, that have served me well in my business and personal life. If you've ever read Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you probably remember Habit #4, Think Win-Win. If you're not familiar, Dr. C...2012-04-1002 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 32 -- Meditation's Power on ProductivityWelcome to Episode 32 of ProdPod, the podcast of productivity lessons in two minutes or less. I'm Ray Sidney-Smith, your productivity guide. What do MRIs, Buddhist monks and meditation have to do with each other? It turns out, your productivity. There are many studies past and ongoing [here's a recent article of one such study] that reveal that meditation has innumerable benefits for helping the mind focus, which is one of the key ways in which we can take advantage of our productive hours of the day. However you express yourself secularly or spiritually, calling it meditation, prayer, qu...2012-04-0401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 28 -- Creating Flow: Learning to Fully Use Our Current Productivity ToolsGetting to know yourself, your current productivity tools and how to use them correctly is a definitive step in creating flow in your productive life. Bernard M. Baruch once said, "Only as you do know yourself can your brain serve you as a sharp and efficient tool. Know your own failings, passions, and prejudices so you can separate them from what you see." Many times people ask me for the latest tool, hack or tip that will get them an edge on their life and work productivity. While I don't mind giving that advice...2011-12-2001 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 26 -- Technology and SimplicityFor those of you who suffer from carrying too much with you on a regular basis, or feeling the clutter of technology accumulate on your desk or around the house over time, think about these three questions to see if you can simplify your technology infrastructure. 1- How often do you use each of the devices you own? Like with your wardrobe, if you haven't worn it this year, it's likely you won't use it next year.  2- Can you consolidate functionality? If you've had a printer, scanner and fax machine sitting around your office or ho...2011-12-0602 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 25 -- Is your system too complex?Is your system too complex? Well, it is if you spend more time managing your system than your system helps you manage getting things done. We all have an idea that benefits should be greater than the costs, whether they're tangible or intangible. And, this naturally implies that your developing, implementing and evaluating a productivity system should be outweighed by the amount of time spent actually getting things done. Said another way, your productivity system should be divided into three areas (as we discussed in episodes 3 and 4 regarding the special theory of productivity): plan, implement and evaluate. F...2011-11-2901 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 24 -- Thanksgiving and InterdependenceEvery Thanksgiving, I'm reminded about all the wonderful people in my life as my greatest blessing. In our modern, global society, though, it's easy to take many of these important people for granted the rest of the year. Every Thanksgiving, I'm reminded about all the wonderful people in my life as my greatest blessing. In our modern, global society, though, it's easy to take many things for granted the rest of the year. As way of example, when's the last time you've harvested your own fresh produce or livestock for your family? Even with our deeply interdependent lives...2011-11-2401 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 23 --Perseverance is a definite key to success. And, there are opportunities to persevere in everyday life. "Become a 'possibilitarian.' No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities-- Always see them, for they are always there." ~Norman Vincent Peale I'd like to invite everyone listening to the podcast to my new live, monthly Twitter conversation, Productivity Chat or prodchat. Please visit productivity.podbean.com to learn more, and see how easy it is to join the conversation! Perseverance is not the prettiest word. It sounds harsh and dark...2011-11-0101 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode 20 -- Self-control & Savings: Productivity for the Long HaulIn this episode, I describe my unfortunate relationship with the definition of the word "savings" for many years and what it taught me about productivity. When I was in my late teens and was into reading books on financial literacy, I learned along the way a peculiar definition of "savings." Savings, according to this definition, is the deprivation of something now for later benefit. I struggled for many years of swallowing the idea of depriving myself, since savings was a positive tactic in financial strategy books I read. Savings was supposed to help you feel safe and pacify...2011-10-1102 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode Seven - Effective Meetings Series: Note-taking for Post-Meeting BlissTHIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: CORNELL NOTE-TAKING METHOD FOR MEETINGS. CREATED BY WALTER PAUK, EMERITUS, AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THIS METHODOLOGY WAS CREATED TO HELP STUDENTS TAKE NOTES AND LEARN FROM THEM THROUGHOUT A COLLEGE COURSE. I'VE MODIFIED THE CONCEPTS SLIGHTLY TO SUIT MY PROFESSIONAL NEEDS. THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: CORNELL NOTE-TAKING METHOD FOR MEETINGS. CREATED BY WALTER PAUK, EMERITUS, AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THIS METHODOLOGY WAS CREATED TO HELP STUDENTS TAKE NOTES AND LEARN FROM THEM THROUGHOUT A COLLEGE COURSE. I'VE MODIFIED THE CONCEPTS SLIGHTLY TO SUIT MY PROFESSIONAL NEEDS...2011-07-2102 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode Six - Effective Meeting Series: How to Keep a Meeting on TimeTHIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: STARTING AND ENDING YOUR MEETINGS ON TIME BUILDS A CULTURE OF TRUST. WHETHER IT'S A FAMILY COUNCIL ON FINANCES OR A CORPORATE BRAINSTORMING MEETING ON NEXT YEAR'S MARKETING PLAN, KEEPING MEETINGS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE IS A PRIME MEANS TO GETTING PEOPLE TO ATTEND AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED. THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: STARTING AND ENDING YOUR MEETINGS ON TIME BUILDS A CULTURE OF TRUST. WHETHER IT'S A FAMILY COUNCIL ON FINANCES OR A CORPORATE BRAINSTORMING MEETING ON NEXT YEAR'S MARKETING PLAN, KEEPING MEETINGS ACCORDING TO...2011-07-1901 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode Five - Effective Meeting Series (begins): Meetings, Meetings, MeetingsSo much is talked about anecdotally of the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of meetings in the knowledge worker age. In this episode, we'll be kicking off a series to clear up some misnomers and begin to lay down some strong foundations for effective meetings, whether at home, at work, or in community group environments. WELCOME TO OUR FIFTH EPISODE OF PRODPOD, THE PODCAST OF PRODUCTIVITY TIPS IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'M YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE, THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP & THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP. YOU CAN...2011-07-1201 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode Four - Charlie Gilkey's Special Theory of Productivity, Part TwoIn our fourth episode, Ray gives us an overview of Charlie Gilkey's second part of the Special Theory of Productivity--the Principles. WELCOME TO OUR FOURTH EPISODE OF PRODPOD, THE PODCAST OF PRODUCTIVITY TIPS IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'M YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE, THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP & THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP. YOU CAN FIND ME TWEETING ON TWITTER AT G T D D C AND AT G T D N Y C USING THE HASHTAG PRODPOD. THIS EPISODE'S TIP: THE SPECIAL...2011-07-0601 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode Three - Charlie Gilkey's Special Theory of Productivity, Part OneIn our third episode, Ray gives us a brief introduction to the first part to (ProductiveFlourishing.com blogger-entrepreneur) Charlie Gilkey's other and highly practical Special Theory of Productivity. WELCOME TO OUR THIRD EPISODE OF PRODPOD, THE PODCAST OF PRODUCTIVITY TIPS IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'M YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE, THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP & THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP. YOU CAN FIND ME TWEETING ON TWITTER AT G T D D C AND AT G T D N Y C USING THE HASHTAG...2011-07-0601 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode Two -- General Theory of Productivity by Charlie GilkeyIn our second episode, Ray gives us a brief introduction, with a list of resources posted below for further reference, to ProductiveFlourishing.com blogger-entrepreneur Charlie Gilkey's Theory of Productivity. You can find his original post discussing the General Theory of Productivity at Productive Flourishing. WELCOME TO OUR SECOND EPISODE OF PRODPOD, THE PODCAST OF PRODUCTIVITY TIPS IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'M YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE, THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP & THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP, YOU CAN FIND ME TWEETING ON TWITTER...2011-06-2502 minProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod, a Productivity PodcastProdPod: Episode One -- PrioritiesIntroducing ProdPod, the podcast of productivity lessons in two minutes or less! For an example of the referenced graph, see: http://goo.gl/niUIs I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'LL BE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF. I AM CURRENTLY THE ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP & THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP. YOU CAN FIND ME TWEETING ON TWITTER AT G T D D C AND AT G T D N Y C. ANYTHING PERTAINING TO PRODPOD WILL BE HASHTAGGED AS PRODPOD. AND, SO, ON TO...2011-06-2401 min