One Percent Better

Today I share Part I of one of my favorite conversations ever. At age 73, David Allen is one of the the world's foremost experts in productivity and organization. When he opens a conversation with "we can talk as long as you'd like," the only answer is "let's do it!" And so we did. In Part I we discuss: How David got into personal growth What advice he has for people looking to earn more money His definition of a successful executive David's five-step process for stress-free productivity The Teen edition of Getting Things Done His journey to find out who he is His choice of tools for capturing ideas when then come and so much more. As always, thank you for listening. I'll see you next week, for Part II. --JF 

Today I share my thoughts on how to be 1% better in the world of mental toughness.  I share: my favorite definition of mental toughness how it shows up in my life daily who I think of when I think of mental toughness my 0-3 scale to measure mental toughness I hope it inspires you. As always, thank you for listening! --JF 

Today's guest is Mike Vardy.   His website is full of free coaching materials guaranteed to help you get 1% better in the world of productivity. Mike is a sought-after speaker and workshop leader with whom I loved talking. Our conversation is wide-ranging; we cover: timecrafting journaling tools of productivity decision making calendar management  themes for each day of the week and so much more. Find me at my website if you need anything at all. Have a fantastic week, and as always, thank you so much for listening! -JF 

This week I share: Mindset: Being intentional about (monitoring) what material you take in can change your life.  Language: Zig Ziglar once said, “You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.”  Behavior: I share how a simple tool can help you organize your creative life.  Bonus: I share what has been inspiring me in the world of podcasts, books, film, and more. As always, thank you for listening! --JF 

Today's guest has co-written a new book, No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work Please welcome Liz Fosslien. Liz and I talk about:  The importance of psychological safety How people use and abuse email  Why caring about work less could be the key to happiness Giving and receiving effective feedback This is a super-practical, and dare I say, fun conversation.  As always, thanks for listening. --JF 

Gadfly (noun):  a fly that bites livestock, especially a horsefly. an annoying person, especially one who provokes others into action by criticism. a person who interferes with the status quo of a society or community by posing novel, potently upsetting questions, usually directed at authorities. The term is originally associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, in his defense when on trial for his life. One way to make the world 1% better is by becoming number 3. Visit onepercentbetterproject.com -Gadlfies wanted.  Here’s a gadfly starter kit of questions worth asking: How will we know it’s working? What is the opposing side’s most compelling argument? What is the risk of doing nothing on this? How many stakeholders have identified this as a problem worth solving? Have any similar organizations tried to tackle this problem? Why this, why now? If we could wave a magic wand and solve this problem, what would the return on our time and energy investment be for our students/employees/or stockholders? How can I help? As always, thanks for listening. --JF 

This week I share my conversation with Performance Psychologist, Stu Singer. In addition to coaching high performers in the private sector, Stu has worked as the sports psychology and performance consultant for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, University of Maryland Women’s Basketball team, Fordham University Women’s Basketball team, and the Connecticut Sun among others.  We talk: Goal setting and the search for the right metrics   Stu's four pillars of performance The vital HOW of skill building Stu’s three must read books on Mindfulness The difference between simple and easy  His frustration with the term “mind hack”   and more! As always, thank you for listening, --JF 

Today, I share the microphone with a friend of over 20 years. Greg Locke was my college baseball teammate at Pace University in the mid 1990s, and we have stayed in touch ever since. He's now a Territory Manager for a Pharmaceutical Company, and he brings a unique perspective to my journey. Who in your life knows you in a way that could challenge your thinking?  Who were you then?  Who are you now?  Who will you be in 10 years?  This is the type of insight Greg brings out in me today, and I have chosen to share it with you. This week, I challenge you to find your Greg.  Find someone who can help make you 1% better, and share a conversation. Thank you Greg. As always, thanks for listening. --JF 

Today's guest is the creator, curator, and CEO of Farnam Street.  Shane's website reads: Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, we have helped millions of people master the best of what other people have already figured out. It has certainly done that for me. Sign up for his free newsletter here. Shane and I discuss how to solve complicated problems improving the thinking process how to select better books the relative genius of Malcolm Gladwell and much more. As always, thank you for listening! --JF 

This week I share three ideas to help you get 1% better in the worlds of mindset, language, and behavior.  I share: A look back at last week's interview My thoughts on "Useful Hacks" by Morgan Housel  A quick story from my family about communication  A taste of next week's 1% Wednesday video Sign up for 1% Wednesday here. As always, thank you for listening.   --JF    Music for this episode from https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/en/search/ "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.de)