Productivity Book Group [ http://productivitybookgroup.org ] discussed The Shibumi Strategy: A Powerful Way to Create Meaningful Change by Matthew E. May, originally published in 2010. Enjoy the discussion! About the Author Matthew E. May leads the Lean ScaleUp program at Insight Partners, helping high-growth tech companies drive transformative change using lean principles. Co-author of What a Unicorn Knows and five bestselling books, including our reading selection today, The Shibumi Strategy. He spent nearly a decade at Toyota, where he launched the University of Toyota, a corporate university dedicated to teaching, preserving and expanding the Toyota Way. A sought-after speaker and advisor, his work has appeared in The New York Times and Harvard Business Review. He holds degrees from Wharton and Johns Hopkins, and lives in Southern California. About the Book (selections from Amazon) “A personal leadership fable on applying principles of Zen to work & life choices.” “The Shibumi Strategy is a little book about a big breakthrough. It tells the story of a hardworking family man who finds himself in crisis when his company closes. Through his struggle, and guidance from unlikely sources, he learns subtle lessons in the form of “personal zen” principles, coming to understand that it is often the involuntary challenge, the setbacks, that harbor the power to transform. When approached as an opportunity ― no easy task when simple survival is the first order of business―unforeseen trials can sometimes result in an altogether new lease on life.” Our next reading selection is: Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal Show Notes: (Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!) Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page. Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Spotify or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to give the episode or show a rating or review! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you. Also, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen. Finally, we have a digital community where we can discuss the productivity books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit https://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there! And with that, thanks, everyone for listening to Productivity Book Group. I’m Ray Sidney-Smith. Here’s to your productive life! Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners. FTC Disclosure: We may earn money or credits from the companies mentioned in this post by clicking on links for items or services you purchase.

Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] discussed Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything—Even Things That Seem Impossible Today [ https://amzn.to/48Hv3Y9 ] by Jane McGonigal, PhD. Enjoy the discussion! The Amazon book description states: * 2023 Nautilus Book Award Winner: Rising to the Moment: Gold * World-renowned future forecaster, game designer, and New York Times bestselling author Jane McGonigal gives us the tools to imagine the future without fear.  “An accessible, optimistic field guide to the future.”—San Francisco Chronicle  “Reading this book is like sitting down with a creative, optimistic friend—and getting up as a new version of yourself.”—Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When  The COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly frequent climate disasters, a new war—events we might have called “unimaginable” or “unthinkable” in the past are now reality. Today it feels more challenging than ever to feel unafraid, hopeful, and equipped to face the future with optimism. How do we map out our lives when it seems impossible to predict what the world will be like next week, let alone next year or next decade? What we need now are strategies to help us recover our confidence and creativity in facing uncertain futures. In Imaginable, Jane McGonigal draws on the latest scientific research in psychology and neuroscience to show us how to train our minds to think the unthinkable and imagine the unimaginable. She invites us to play with the provocative thought experiments and future simulations she’s designed exclusively for this book, with the goal to:  Build our collective imagination so that we can dive into the future and envision, in surprising detail, what our lives will look like ten years from now Develop the courage and vision to solve problems creatively Take actions and make decisions that will help shape the future we desire Access “urgent optimism,” an unstoppable force within each of us that activates our sense of agency Imaginable teaches us to be fearless, resilient, and bold in realizing a world with possibilities we cannot yet imagine—until reading this transformative, inspiring, and necessary book. Our next reading selection is: 6/26/2024Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for ChangeTimothy A. Pychyl, PhDhttps://amzn.to/3RKuZ3a Show Notes: (Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!) Episodic Future ThinkingThe group got into the discussion with this concept called “episodic future thinking” from Jane McGonigal’s book “Imaginable.” It’s all about mentally prepping yourself for challenges, setting goals, and building resilience when things change. Raymond compared it to Gabriele Oettingen’s “WOOP” strategy for anticipating obstacles when pursuing goals. Creating Future ScenariosThey explored McGonigal’s idea of creating simulations or scenarios to envision potential future outcomes. Raymond related it to mental practice in sports, where purposefully picturing different drills can improve game performance. Overall ReflectionsOverall, the crew liked the future scenarios McGonigal explored, reflecting on their own experiences with forecasting and how tech is reshaping society. Future ForecastingRaymond emphasized considering future changes when tackling work or life projects, stressing the need for creative thinking and tangible outcomes to feel satisfied. He suggested printing out a client’s digital report to have that physical sense of accomplishment. Quoting from the book, he encouraged being playful when brainstorming future possibilities and preparing for seemingly unthinkable changes. Adapting to Technological ChangesHe illustrated how tech has transformed daily activities like grocery shopping, driving home the point that people need to anticipate and embrace these kinds of changes. He used the evolution of payment methods at checkout as an example of remarkable tech-driven progress. Scenario PlanningThe group explored scenario planning using the premise of an asteroid headed for Earth as an example. Raymond emphasized looking at potentially catastrophic events that could impact families, highlighting major life milestones as opportunities for bonding and collaboration. Social Implications of Cash PaymentsWhen discussing a scenario where people receive $2000 but have to give away half, it sparked thoughts about the societal implications surrounding cash payments and fostering a sense of community beyond one’s immediate circle by helping others. Science Fiction & Future ThinkingThe convo expanded into how science fiction inspires future thinking, with references to Star Trek’s ideas like handheld communicators connecting distant places or voice-controlled computer assistants providing info. Adapting to ChangeHe discussed the concept of identifying “signals of change” or clues about impending changes to spark curiosity and enable proactive forecasting. Raymond related this to his own use of productivity tools like Notion Calendar as indicators for optimizing scheduling efficiency. Future Forces PlanningExpanding on one of McGonigal’s principle of “future forces,” Raymond emphasized identifying external forces expected to impact lives over the next decade – both exciting positive developments and potential risks to prepare for. Practicing Hard EmpathyThe discussion turned to “hard empathy” and applying it individually, similar to GTD practices. Raymond suggested tapping into empathetic qualities could boost performance. He reflected on book scenarios addressing population growth and environmental challenges, expressing interest in creating local mechanisms to welcome new residents into his neighborhood and tackle these global issues locally. Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page. Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Spotify or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to give the episode or show a rating or review! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you. Also, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen. Finally, we have a digital community where we can discuss the productivity books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit https://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there! And with that, thanks, everyone for listening to Productivity Book Group. I’m Ray Sidney-Smith. Here’s to your productive life! Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners. FTC Disclosure: We may earn money or credits from the companies mentioned in this post by clicking on links for items or services you purchase.

The podcast discusses the concept of 'Mise en Place' and its application to organizing work. They explore the difference between chefs and cooks in terms of organizational systems. The importance of total utilization and working smarter, not harder, is discussed. They also delve into managing time and perception, and share their habits for managing multiple tabs and bookmarks.

Atul Gawande discusses the power of checklists in enhancing outcomes across industries. The podcast delves into simplifying checklists, managing recurring tasks efficiently, and tailoring checklists for specific contexts. It emphasizes the benefits of structured guidance in critical situations and the importance of accountability and rewards for sustainable checklist implementation.

Productivity Book Group [https://productivitybookgroup.org] hosted our group book discussion for First Things First by Stephen R. Covey, PhD . Buy a copy on Amazon, bring a copy home from your local, independent bookstore, or borrow a copy from your local library, and listen to the discussion! Enjoy! About Stephen R. Covey (Wikipedia) Stephen R. Covey, PhD, was an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker. His most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, Time magazine named him one of the 25 most influential people. He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University at the time of his death. About the Book (Amazon) From the author that brought you the New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes a guide to prioritizing your personal and professional goals.I’m getting more done in less time, but where are the rich relationships, the inner peace, the balance, the confidence that I’m doing what matters most and doing it well?Does this nagging question haunt you, even when you feel you are being your most efficient? If so, First Things First can help you understand why we so often prioritize things that are unimportant to both our larger goals and our inner happiness. From the author that brought you the New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes a guide to building your work on the principles of effectiveness so that your life can spent cultivating genuine relationships, investing in pursuits you enjoy, and achieving balance in both your personal and professional lives.In First Things First, Stephen M. R. Covey advocates categorizing tasks by urgency and importance so that you can focus on what actually needs to be done in the limited amount of time that you have. Using personal examples and insight from years of business experience, he argues for a new way of looking at your “to-do” list. Rather than offering you another clock, First Things First provides you with a compass, because where you’re headed is more important than how fast you’re going.(Source: Amazon) Our next reading selection is: Show Notes: (Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!) The callers you hear in this episode are readers just like you, and you are more than welcome to join us on the live calls to discuss productivity books too! Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page. Please feel free to visit iTunes, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you. Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen. Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] discussed The Psychology of Procrastination by Hayden Finch, PhD. Buy a copy on Amazon, bring a copy home from your local, independent bookstore, or borrow a copy from your local library. Enjoy the discussion! About Hayden Finch PhD (Amazon) Part Lisa Ling, part Reese Witherspoon, and part Mary Poppins, Dr. Hayden Finch is a licensed clinical psychologist, behavior change expert, and dessert enthusiast originally hailing from North Carolina. Duke and Nebraska educated, she is a go-getter with a passion for translating research into practical coping skills. Dr. Finch treats clients at her Center for High Functioning Anxiety and is the CEO and founder of the educational platform Master Your Mental Health. Her goal is to equip people with the skills to master mental health, discover self-acceptance, and find meaning in a busy life through research-based strategies. Prior to launching her own businesses, she had adventures working with incarcerated juveniles, Veterans, and individuals who had been found not responsible for crimes by reason of insanity. In her personal life, Dr. Finch is a waterslide enthusiast, a musical theater aficionado, and an ice cream connoisseur. About the Book (Amazon) Understand your procrastination and break through to productivity Many different factors can trigger procrastination. The good news is, you’re not lazy or undisciplined, and you can achieve real productivity. Discover the psychological factors that drive your procrastination habits and unlock the secrets to overcoming them. With this research-based approach, you can learn to stop procrastinating, finish projects, and accomplish your goals. Begin by unpacking the common thought processes and emotional roadblocks that trap you in cycles of problematic behavior. Apply that awareness to each step of getting things done, using practical evidence-based techniques that address the root causes of procrastination and time management problems. When you are empowered to work along with your brain, rather than against it, you’ll be able to take control and create lasting change. This empowering choice in psychology books helps you: Examine core issues―Look at possible mental health issues that often exacerbate procrastination, like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and others. Succeed step-by-step―Work through procrastination one step at a time: prioritize, find motivation, overcome avoidance, get started, focus, follow through, and finish. Get perspective―Explore real-life anecdotes of people struggling with procrastination to gain insight into how it works in your life―and help you identify its causes. Our next reading selections are: Show Notes: (Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!) The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done by Piers Steel, PhD The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated by Timothy Ferriss Tribe Of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Timothy Ferriss The callers you hear in this episode are readers just like you, and you are more than welcome to join us on the live calls to discuss productivity books too! Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page. Please feel free to visit iTunes, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you. Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen. Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

Get Organized Digitally!: The Educator’s Guide to Time Management I had the pleasure of interviewing yet again Dr. Frank Buck, author of Get Organized! Time Management for School Leaders [ http://amzn.to/2kfhJap ] and his newly-published book, Get Organized Digitally!: The Educator’s Guide to Time Management [ https://amzn.to/3ony6jk ]. Frank Buck, Ed.D., is a veteran school administrator, public speaker, productivity coach, and author. Most people are overwhelmed by the amount of paper and digital information in their lives. Dr. Buck makes organization easy so you can increase productivity, decrease stress, and enjoy life. Global Gurus ranked him #1 in the world in the “Time Management” category for 2019, 2020, and 2021. His career path took him from band director to principal to central office administrator and now to productivity coach, writer, and speaker. Productivity Book Group Author Interview Series is an opportunity to learn about new and interesting productivity books and authors. We interview authors that we have read or will be reading here on Productivity Book Group as well as other authors we think you might like. These podcast interviews are injected between our normal discussion-format episodes that are published here on Productivity Book Group. Enjoy the interview! The Amazon book description states: In today’s world, we’re often overwhelmed by our digital devices and the volume of available digital information. Get Organized Digitally! outlines a complete digital organizational system for the busy educator and helps you harness the power of technology to save time.This book is your go-to source, presenting the “nuts and bolts” of exactly how to make technology work for you in both your personal and professional life.Amazon.com Our next reading selections are: Show Notes: (Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!) Find Frank Buck at frankbuck.org Please visit our Upcoming Books to find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to rate and review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you. Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a group discussion and want to review it, feel free to head over and give it a listen. Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

Dr. Frank Buck sat down to interview Penny Zenker, author of The Productivity Zone: Stop the Tug of War with Time [ https://amzn.to/323FjNI ], for Productivity Book Group’s Author Interview Series. Productivity Book Group Author Interview Series is an opportunity to learn about new and interesting productivity books and authors. Dr. Buck and I will be interviewing some of the authors that we have read or will be reading here on Productivity Book Group as well as other authors we think you’d like to hear from. These shorter podcast interviews will be injected between our normal discussion-format episodes that are published here on Productivity Book Group. Enjoy the interview! The Amazon book description states: We’ve all experienced days where we’re “in the zone,” effortlessly meeting our objectives and feeling amazing. Wouldn’t it be great if we could experience this feeling every day? With this book you can discover how. The Productivity Zone takes you through the 10 Core Drivers that help you avoid procrastination and perfectionism and perform in the Productivity Zone. These 10 drivers are grouped into three core segments: Championship Psychology, Winning Strategies, and Sustainable Results. This is the only resource that combines both the skills and the mindset together in these 10 Core Drivers into one package. A deficiency in any one of the elements will stand between you and your best results. Our next reading selections are: Show Notes: (Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!) The Productivity Zone: Stop the Tug of War with Time [ https://amzn.to/323FjNI ] Take Back Time with Penny Zenker podcast To find Penny Zenker and all that she discussed on the show, check out PennyZenker360.com. Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page. Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to give the episode or show a rating or review! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you. Also, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen. Finally, we have a digital community where we can discuss the productivity books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit https://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there! Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

Author Stephen R. Covey discusses finding your voice, inspiring others, discovering your voice through personal experiences, empowering organizational leadership, and reflections on 'The 8th Habit'. Participants share insights on purpose, empowering others, and applying the seven habits after reading Dr. Covey's book.

On September 29, 2021, Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] hosted its penultimate 2021 book discussion in which we discussed, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (30th Anniversary Edition) by Stephen R. Covey, PhD with additions by Sean Covey. About the Author (Wikipedia) “Stephen R. Covey was an American educator, author, business leader, [co-founder of FranklinCovey Co.,] and keynote speaker. [Author of more than a dozen works, h]is most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, TIME magazine named him one of the 25 most influential [Americans]. He was a Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Leadership and professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University at the time of his death [in April 2012 from complications from a bicycling accident].” Covey is survived by his wife, nine children and 55 grandchildren. About the Book (Amazon): *New York Times bestseller—over 40 million copies sold**The #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century* One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for nearly three decades. It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents—millions of people of all ages and occupations. Now, this 30th anniversary edition of the timeless classic commemorates the wisdom of the 7 Habits with modern additions from Sean Covey. The 7 Habits have become famous and are integrated into everyday thinking by millions and millions of people. Why? Because they work! With Sean Covey’s added takeaways on how the habits can be used in our modern age, the wisdom of the 7 Habits will be refreshed for a new generation of leaders. They include:Habit 1: Be ProactiveHabit 2: Begin with the End in MindHabit 3: Put First Things FirstHabit 4: Think Win/WinHabit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be UnderstoodHabit 6: SynergizeHabit 7: Sharpen the Saw This beloved classic presents a principle-centered approach for solving both personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and practical anecdotes, Stephen R. Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity—principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates. Here Dr. Covey speak about Habit 1 – Be proactive. Here’s a brief book summary of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People! Our final 2021 reading selection is: Join us on December 29, 2021 for our discussion of The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness by Stephen R. Covey, PhD. Show Notes: (Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!) Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness by Stephen R. Covey, PhD The callers you hear in this episode are readers just like you, and you are more than welcome to join us on the live calls to discuss productivity books too! Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page. Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to rate and review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you! Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give it a listen. Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.