Bonni Stachowiak is the Dean of Teaching and Learning at Vanguard University and hosts the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. She shares her secret to balancing her busy life as a podcaster, professor, and mom through productivity tools like OmniFocus. Bonni discusses the importance of checklists and automation in managing daily tasks while fostering meaningful connections. She also emphasizes work-life integration, the challenges of teaching in higher education, and the inspiration found in community during tough times.
Bonni Stachowiak utilizes OmniFocus to maintain balance and enhance productivity by structuring her task management across personal and professional roles.
The podcast emphasizes the need for work-life integration and community support while advocating for proactive approaches to navigating life’s complexities.
Deep dives
The Role of OmniFocus in Daily Life
OmniFocus serves as a crucial tool for maintaining balance in a busy life, providing a structured approach to task management. The speaker highlights the flexibility of the system, noting that even after extended periods of not utilizing it, the framework remains ready to assist in regaining focus and purpose. This ability to return to a familiar and reliable system is likened to reconnecting with an 'old friend,' enabling a sense of peace and enhanced productivity. The integration of personal and professional responsibilities is managed effectively through OmniFocus, allowing for an organized life despite its complexities.
Teaching and Learning as Core Values
The speaker emphasizes the importance of being both a teacher and a learner, which drives their daily motivations and actions. They recognize that traditional notions of work-life balance may not apply, advocating instead for work-life integration that acknowledges the overlap of personal and professional roles. Through their experience as a podcast host and educator, they've become champions for effective teaching strategies within higher education. This commitment to continuous learning underpins their teachings and discussions about productivity in the academic environment.
Productivity and the Overlap of Contexts
The conversation explores the challenges faced by individuals as they navigate various roles in their lives, suggesting the need for effective systems to manage these overlapping contexts. The speaker discusses the common search for a 'magic formula' to enhance productivity but stresses the importance of recognizing that tools like OmniFocus are not panaceas, rather they aid in managing tasks and obligations. They emphasize the significance of understanding what the mind excels at—having ideas rather than holding them—leading to more organized and intentional approaches to various life contexts. This awareness fosters an environment for productivity that isn't solely reactive but proactive in addressing life's demands.
Building Community and Connection
The importance of solidarity and connection within communities is highlighted as a vital source of inspiration and support. The speaker underscores the potential of social media to create positive spaces but cautions against its shortcomings that may lead to division. Drawing parallels to the teachings of influential authors, they advocate for finding and nurturing community spaces that focus on shared values and mutual growth rather than division. This commitment to building uplifting connections encourages individuals to seek out collaborative opportunities that foster understanding and progress.
What do streaks, checklists, and a teensy bit of productivity devotion have in common? They're all part of Bonni Stachowiak, EdD's secret sauce for balancing a whirlwind life as a podcaster, professor, dean, and mom. Bonni shares how she integrates teaching, leadership, parenting, and podcasting— leveraging OmniFocus to stay grounded.
With deep insights on managing productivity, fostering meaningful connections, and navigating life's complexities, Bonni's journey inspires us to rethink our systems for showing up fully in all areas of life.
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