The Invisible Engine Behind Your Productivity (TPS563)

121 snips

Jun 2, 2025

Discover the power of systems thinking and how it influences every aspect of your life. Learn about the three essential systems you need for personal and work efficiency. Explore how small daily habits can lead to big results. Dive into the impact of AI tools on productivity, from email management to meeting note-taking. Unpack the significance of intentional morning routines and adaptive planning for work-life integration. Plus, tips on utilizing advanced scheduling tools to streamline your efforts.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Understanding Systems Components

A system consists of inputs, processes, and outputs that consistently produce predictable results.
Seeing daily routines as systems helps optimize and achieve desired outcomes systematically.

ADVICE

Build Personal Systems for Success

Develop personal systems like morning and evening routines to become your best self daily.
Include habits for health, relationships, and self-care in your personal system for consistency.

ANECDOTE

Scaling Design Review with AI

A client used ChatGPT to codify design work evaluation criteria, then created a custom GPT for feedback.
This system saved time and scaled coaching by enabling designers to pre-check work before submission.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Your output is only as strong as the system that supports it — so what’s yours running on? Once you understand how inputs, processes, and outputs silently drive your day, you’ll start to see hidden patterns behind your best (and worst) performance.

In this episode, we unpack the concept of systems thinking and how it quietly powers everything from your morning routine to your biggest career wins. You’ll learn the three types of systems everyone needs, how to spot weak links in your day, and how to make small tweaks that lead to massive long-term gains — all without adding more to your plate.

Masterclass.com/TPS for at least 15% off any annual membership.

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 [01:18]
What actually is a system—and why seeing them everywhere changes everything [03:50]
Can anyone become a systems thinker, or is it just how your brain works? [07:58]
The 3 kinds of systems you need to build a productive, balanced life [09:57]
Personal systems: how small routines shape big results [11:22]
Work systems: task management, delegation, and a bit of AI magic [29:01]
AI notetakers—game-changer or meeting menace? [33:38]
Our calendar setup and a few hot takes on scheduling tools [38:50]
Strategic systems: the underrated rituals that keep you focused long-term [42:18]

Links:

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!