238: Jules Acree on Intentional Productivity & Aligning with Your Inner Self
Oct 1, 2023
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Jules Acree, founder of The Homebodies & writer of the Slow Brew Sunday newsletter, joins Aileen to talk about intentional productivity, finding systems that work, & the importance of flexibility. They discuss prioritizing tasks, using social media intentionally, & releasing guilt on being "unproductive". Jules also shares her journey as a creator & entrepreneur, as well as what inspired her to start her podcast.
Intentional productivity involves aligning daily habits and routines with one's current physical and emotional state.
Creating systems and routines can provide clarity, focus, and ease in one's life.
Success should be defined based on personal values and priorities, encompassing nourishing relationships, self-care, and activities that bring joy.
Deep dives
Intentional productivity as a key to creating more space in your life
The podcast episode explores the concept of intentional productivity and how it can help individuals create more space in their lives. The speaker emphasizes the importance of approaching productivity in a way that considers one's own needs and feelings. This includes aligning daily habits and routines with one's current physical and emotional state. By focusing on finding a rhythm and being in tune with oneself and the surrounding environment, individuals can prioritize what truly fills their cup and define their own version of success. The episode highlights the importance of integrating self-care, nourishing relationships, and creating space for activities that bring joy. Overall, intentional productivity is about finding balance and harmony in all areas of life.
The value of systems and routines for intentional living
The podcast episode discusses the importance of creating systems and routines in order to live more intentionally. The speaker shares her personal journey and how she found mindfulness and intentional living through her yoga practice. She emphasizes the significance of having systems in place to capture and organize ideas, tasks, and goals. Using tools like Notion, she created templates and systems that help her stay focused and organized. By breaking down goals into actionable steps and managing time effectively, individuals can find more clarity, focus, and ease in their lives. The episode highlights the value of having routines that support personal growth, self-care, and a balanced lifestyle.
Defining success on your own terms
In this podcast episode, the speaker explores the concept of success and encourages listeners to define it based on their own values and priorities. Rather than chasing external markers of success, such as money or societal expectations, individuals are encouraged to reflect on what truly brings them joy and fulfillment. Success is not just about productivity or output, but also about nourishing relationships, self-care, and creating space for activities that make one happy. By finding a balance between various areas of life and aligning actions with personal values, individuals can create a holistically balanced life that feels successful to them.
Practical tips for intentional living and decluttering
The podcast episode provides practical tips for living more intentionally and decluttering both physical and digital spaces. The speaker suggests starting with decluttering one area at a time, focusing on small changes that make a big impact. By organizing physical spaces with bins, baskets, and organizers, individuals can create designated homes for their belongings. They discuss the importance of being mindful of buying habits and slowing down impulsive purchases. In terms of digital spaces, the speaker advises simplifying by using fewer apps and finding one that works well for multiple purposes. They also mention using tools like the Arc browser to manage tabs and reduce digital clutter. Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of simplifying and creating intentional environments that support a more balanced and mindful lifestyle.
Trusting the process and finding confidence as a creator
The podcast episode touches on the journey of being a creator and entrepreneur, highlighting the growth and changes that occur over time. The speaker talks about discovering confidence and overcoming limiting beliefs to fully embrace their creative endeavors. They discuss the importance of trusting the process and having confidence in oneself, even in uncertain times. The episode emphasizes finding joy and fulfillment in the work being done, rather than being solely focused on external measures of success. The speaker shares personal insights and experiences, encouraging listeners to trust their own journey and enjoy the process of growth and self-discovery.
Having a full to-do list might make us feel like we’re getting more done. But are we actually being productive or are we just being ‘busy’? In this episode, Aileen and Jules discuss intentional productivity, finding systems that work for you, and the importance of allowing flexibility to grow and evolve.
Jules Acree is a YouTuber, founder of The Homebodies, and writer of the Slow Brew Sunday newsletter & podcast. Her mission is to help people find more ease in our fast-paced digital age, through her lens of mindfulness, self-care, and intentional productivity.
TIMESTAMPS
1:25 Jules’ journey to intentional productivity
3:13 What is intentional productivity?
6:48 What she does when things feel imbalanced
10:20 Why is it important to find systems that work for you?
16:40 How Jules prioritises her day
18:10 Picking up ideas with momentum
20:51 Jules’ favourite exercise
22:30 Getting a hold on your Tech and Home environment
32:41 Jules’ journey as a creator and entrepreneur
37:05 The moment when it all clicked
38:18 On using social media more intentionally
40:10 Releasing the guilt on being “unproductive”
45:06 What inspired Jules to start her podcast
