Reset Days: Your Strategy to Overcome Overwhelm (TPS582)

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Oct 13, 2025

Feeling overwhelmed? Discover the transformative power of Reset Days to regain control and boost your productivity. Learn practical techniques like mindfulness practices and the ‘Six-Week Rule’ to reframe stressors. Prune your task list ruthlessly and implement AI to manage email overload. Find out how adding buffer days can reduce chaos and help design a perfect week for balance. Adopt daily habits to prevent future overwhelm and tackle large projects with the 30-30 Rule. It's time to turn chaotic days into opportunities for clarity!

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INSIGHT

Reset Requires Mind, Spirit, Body

Ryan Holiday's Stillness Is The Key frames reset as mind, spirit, and body maintenance.
Small calming rituals help regain control before overwhelm escalates.

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ANECDOTE

Cabin Fast As A Mini Reset

Tan rented a cabin, fasted 48 hours, and did walks and reading to escape a sprint season.
He returned energized and clear about priorities after the short digital detox.

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ADVICE

Daily Mindfulness To Regain Control

Do a daily mindfulness practice like a brief walk or 10-minute meditation to calm your nervous system.
Use a routine to restore a sense of control and prevent small stressors from compounding.

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Recommendations to Foster Stillness

02:36 • 4min

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Why I Needed a Reset Retreat

06:20 • 3min

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How Buffer Days Reduce Overwhelm

09:00 • 3min

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Mental Resets: Mindfulness and the Daily Calm

12:12 • 2min

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The Six-Week Rule to Reframe Stressors

14:10 • 2min

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Step Aside and Objectively Assess Problems

16:08 • 7min

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Tactical First Step: Capture and Externalize Tasks

23:24 • 48sec

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Ruthless Task-List Editing

24:12 • 4min

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Use AI to Manage Email Overwhelm

27:45 • 4min

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Calendar Triage to Create Margin

31:35 • 1min

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Designing a Perfect Week and Weekly Cleanup

32:55 • 4min

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Preventing Overwhelm with Daily Habits

37:10 • 6min

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The 30-30 Rule for Large Projects

43:08 • 57sec

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One Tweak a Week Challenge

• Mentioned in 46 episodes

Four Thousand Weeks

Time Management for Mortals

Oliver Burkeman

In 'Four Thousand Weeks', Oliver Burkeman offers a contrarian approach to time management by focusing on the finite nature of human life. Assuming an average lifespan of 80 years, the book calculates that we have approximately 4,000 weeks to live. Burkeman argues against the modern fixation on productivity and efficiency, instead advocating for embracing the limits of time and prioritizing what truly matters. The book draws on insights from ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers to help readers construct a more meaningful life by accepting and working within the constraints of time. It addresses issues such as the efficiency trap, the pitfalls of convenience culture, and the importance of living in the present while acknowledging the unpredictability of the future.

#463

• Mentioned in 46 episodes

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

Donald Robertson

In this book, Donald J. Robertson combines the life of Marcus Aurelius with insights from modern psychology and the enduring wisdom of Stoic philosophy. The book follows Marcus Aurelius' journey from a young noble to his reign as emperor of Rome, highlighting how he used philosophical doctrines and therapeutic practices to build emotional resilience and endure adversity. Robertson guides readers on how to apply these same methods to their own lives, making Stoicism accessible and relevant in a modern context.

#737

• Mentioned in 34 episodes

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

Dale Carnegie

In 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living', Dale Carnegie provides a set of practical formulas and techniques to help readers overcome their worry habits. The book, first published in 1948, has been updated and remains highly relevant today. It offers advice on how to eliminate business and financial worries, avoid fatigue, improve sleep, and cultivate a mental attitude that brings peace and happiness. Carnegie's approach includes rules such as living in 'day-tight compartments', accepting the worst-case scenario, and keeping busy to crowd out worry. The book is filled with inspiring examples and stories of people who have successfully applied these principles to achieve a more enjoyable and fulfilling life.

#51

• Mentioned in 183 episodes

Stillness is the Key

Ryan Holiday

In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more. The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body. Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life. He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness.

Feeling swamped and stuck? In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of “Reset Days”, a powerful strategy to conquer overwhelm and get back on track.

Discover practical techniques, from mental and emotional resets to tactical workload management, that will help you regain control, boost your productivity, and find your flow again. Learn how to implement these strategies to transform your most chaotic days into opportunities for renewed focus and energy.

Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll.

You can find links to everything that we share in the show notes at theproductivityshow.com/.

Cheat Sheet:

Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

Top 3 Productivity Resources. [02:28]
A “constant sprint” moment—and the simple move that flipped the switch. [06:20]
Why overwhelm spikes when control slips (and how to get it back fast). [10:16]
A zero-friction daily reset you can do anywhere—no incense required. [12:15]
The “6-Week Rule”: a tiny question that shrinks big problems. [14:57]
The ruthless edit your task list is begging for. [23:24]
An AI inbox assistant that replies like you—and knows your goals. [27:44]
Calendar triage: one weekly prompt that creates breathing room. [31:35]
Overwhelm prevention: themes, buffers, and a 30-minute habit that compounds. [36:57]

Links:

Shopify
Gusto
Stillness is the Key
Ikea artificial plants
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
Calm
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Calendar Cleanup: Win Back Time & Trust Your Calendar Again (TPS381)
25X Productivity Coaching
Productivity Academy
The Productivity Show on Youtube
The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
Become a member of TPS+
Take the Productivity Quiz

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