On today’s episode, I spent time with Owen Video. Owen creates livestream and YouTube strategies for brands including show concept, talent, and marketing strategy. His clients’ shows have been recognized as best in class – and with Owen they continue to push the limit in discovering what’s possible with online video. Owen started the Video Marketing School so that business owners could learn how to generate sales with video. It all started going door-to-door. In 2010, the business community hadn’t even heard of YouTube and the opportunity to reach a marketplace through social media. This is where Owen’s online education began – knocking on doors to offer business video marketing for $20. In one day, he had done 17 videos and he knew he was on to something.  Before long, many of these companies were asking for help with websites, social media, and lead generation. So Owen took the money he was making and invested heavily into online marketing courses, coaching, books, events, and trainings, that would grow his skills and turn him into the masterful marketing machine that he is today.  This was also the time that Owen was creating viral videos. He wrote and produced a series of short films for use in Christian media. Specifically, sermon illustrations, home study videos, and apologetic resources. Many of those videos went viral and some have been purchased for use all over the US. Owen still earn royalties on those films to this day.    Talking Points What propelled Owen Video to dive into the video space?  The journey of producing YouTube videos before as compared to now  Getting the process in place for someone who wants to create a video  How does one get away from the allure of doing a podcast, blog, video, etc. all at the same time?  What did facing cancer teach Owen?  On scheduling using a calendar and time management How to get started making or creating videos Quote “We believe in the market leader approach. Video is just video unless you are trying to be a market leader and that is what we want.” Relevant Links: Website Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube The key takeaway from this episode that productivity, like in many aspects of our work and lives, really does play a role in making videos. Owen knows this and has developed a way to make sure productivity is part of the production process. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spent time with Rich Karlgaard. Rich Karlgaard, author of Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement, is the publisher of Forbes magazine and is based in Silicon Valley. He is a lecturer, pilot, and the author of four acclaimed previous books. A self-proclaimed late bloomer, he had a mediocre academic career at Stanford (which he got into by a fluke), and after graduating, worked as a dishwasher, night watchman, and typing temp before finally finding the inner motivation and drive that ultimately led him to his current career trajectory. After a mediocre academic career at Stanford (which he got into on a fluke), Rich couldn’t hold a job beyond dishwasher, night watchman, and typing temp throughout the majority of his twenties. It wasn’t until his late twenties that his brain “woke up” and he finally found the inner motivation and drive that set him on his current career trajectory. Now, he’s an award-winning entrepreneur-turned-publisher, columnist, author, television commentator, private investor and board director and he’s on a mission to show why we and our employers need to redefine our expectations for the timeline for achievement. In Late Bloomers, which has already received early praise from Adam Grant, Arianna Huffington, and Dan Pink, Rich argues that our society’s growing obsession with wunderkinds has led many of us to buy into a distorted and vastly limiting narrative that if we’re not prodigies, we’ve failed. And yet, a growing body of research in psychology and neuroscience shows that many of us just aren’t wired for such early success: the executive function of our brains, which enables us to see ahead and plan effectively, doesn’t mature until age 25 or later, and different types of our intelligence peak at different stages of our lives, with creative insight improving into middle age. Talking Points Why is it important for Rich to write the book Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement? The role of the media in forcing people to achieve early in life  How important is it for young people or late bloomers to be patient? How does one navigate to maturity?  Traits that late bloomers have that younger people don’t have  The perception of productivity between young people and late bloomers  The role of social media for the young people and the late bloomers   What can be done with the educational system to fix the false sense of what it can bring  Quote “The pressure that we are putting on kids to achieve spectacularly and early so they can get into elite colleges so that they can get first jobs at Google or Goldman Sachs is unwarranted because it rewards kids who are really good at taking tests. It rewards those with determined focus and not all kids are built like that. And you see rising raise of anxiety, depression and we even had an epidemic of suicide.” RELEVANT LINKS Website Twitter LinkedIn Book: Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement The key takeaway from this episode is echoes the popular fable The tortoise and The Hare – with the hare being admired more than the tortoise. The idea of slow and steady winning the race still has real power in a world that praises speed and hustle above all else. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spend time with John Poelstra on a different kind of episode. I actually walk through the elements of adding elements of TimeCrafting to his productivity workflow through a series of conversations over the course of a five day period. Essentially, you’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like working with me through one of my Productivityist Coaching experiences. Here’s a little about today’s guest (and producer of The Productivityist Podcast) John Poelstra…  John helps people take complete ownership of their lives and live in ways that are most meaningful to them–even when they think it’s impossible. This is the crux of his beliefs. John would say that he’s in the “personal development” and “human potential” business and that he help end unnecessary suffering. John loves clarifying confusing ideas and complicated situations that thwart progress and distract people from what’s most important. He helps people get clear on what they want and own their path to it. John helped executives, managers, small business owners, engineers, marketers, and people who are done having life happen to them and want to create something better.   Talking Points Monday: How John’s doing on Monday morning and how he’s lining up his day Monday: John’s normal Monday theme Monday: How important is it for John to start the week right?  Monday: Mike’s homework for John Tuesday: On how John usually set up his Mondays  Tuesday: Setting up Planning Day  Tuesday: What is John going to learn today?  Wednesday: What did John learn yesterday?  Wednesday: Focusing on what things to do  Wednesday: John’s theme for the day  Wednesday: Mike’s challenge for John  Thursday: How was John’s Wednesday? Thursday: Lessons on focusing  Thursday: Things to talk about on Friday  Friday: How John feels about keeping a consistent theme throughout the week and weeks beyond?  Friday: Setting up the theme for the day Friday: Mike reveals the recommended number of weeks where people should practice adopting their theme days  Friday: John’s takeaway from his themed 5 days  Quote “I cannot say enough about the power of focus and just having these boundaries around what you are supposed to be working on.”  Relevant Links Website Twitter LinkedIn Podcast: Theme Your Way to Greater Productivity with Mike Vardy (46) The key takeaway from this episode is that having an outside perspective and accountability can help you see the “blind spots” in your workflow and enhance your personal productivity in the short and long term. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spent time with Angelo Poli. Angelo Poli is an internationally recognized expert in fitness and nutrition. He’s the Founder of MetPro, the world’s first algorithm based transformation engine. Using a process called “Metabolic Profiling”, MetPro analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your health goals. Angelo has been featured for his specialty in Neuromuscular Re-education (Posture and Alignment) and weight loss sciences in major media outlets such as Men’s Health, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, and he is a regular contributor for The Huffington Post. Angelo has spoken at conferences such as TEDx and continues to be a Wellness Consultant for multiple universities and hospitals around the country. Angelo Poli has spent much of his career as a motivational speaker, speaking regularly at universities, and hospitals around the country. Angelo was a featured speaker at TEDxChico where he discussed his own achievement in overcoming obstacles. After recovering from a crippling injury himself, Angelo brought to light a whole new way of thinking about health, fitness, and weight loss. His high-profile clientele range in scope from Olympic Athletes, NFL MVPs to physique models, and business leaders. Those who have been fortunate enough to gain coaching from Angelo have consistently achieved exceptional results regardless of their demanding schedules, significant injuries, and crippled metabolisms. Angelo has been featured for his specialty in Neuromuscular Re-education (Posture and Alignment) and weight loss sciences in major media outlets such as Men’s Health, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, and The Hungton Post. In his 20 years of educating the masses and challenging generalized health guidance, Angelo has become one of the most celebrated and desired body transformation experts in the world. Talking Points Who is Angelo Poli and what got him interested in fitness, nutrition, and strength?  Where does one begin with his/her fitness journey?  The five areas to look at when developing a strategy  The accountability and flexibility of MetPro The framework using the MetPro process  On hitting a plateau while using MetPro  The importance of the MetPro data  Nutrition and identifying the levers that will help achieve ones goal On prepping and planning meals  On how time management is a big part of MetPro  Quote “I do sometimes retreats and seminars and things like that. People would come to this and say, Mr. Poli I know the names that you worked with or the athletes and this and that… What’s your secret? What is the best food to eat? What is the best exercise to do? And I explain to them, you are asking the wrong questions. That is not the secret to my success! If you want to know the secret to our success with our clients – time management. It’s all about time management and getting the most out of your strategy.” Relevant Links Website Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram The key takeaways from this episode is that weight loss is not merely about eating well or eating poorly. Weight loss is an adaptive response and is unique to ones body. (And you have to walk the talk when it comes to your health and fitness.) Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spent time with Chad Barger. Chad Barger is a fundraising coach, productivity guru and vlogger. Chad teaches charities how to optimize their fundraising, so they can focus on changing the world. He is the founder and managing director of the firm Productive Fundraising which focuses on implementing simple, effective fundraising systems as well as strategies to strengthen nonprofit boards of directors. Chad Barger [BAR-jur] teaches small charities to fundraise more effectively. He is better known to many as @fundraiserchad, a trusted guide to the fundraising tactics and tools that are working today. He is a sought after nonprofit fundraising consultant, trainer and coach. Chad has spent his entire career as a fundraiser. He has worked in large shops and small in a variety of sectors (higher education, social services and the arts). He has built fundraising programs from the ground up, rebuilt fundraising programs back to their former glory and taken stagnant organizations to the next level. The campaigns that he has worked on have raised in excess of $40 million dollars for the charities that he’s had the honor of serving. Talking Points What Chad brings to the table when it comes to productive fundraising and the area he focuses in particular How to help an organization that has a small team What led Chad to the path of fundraising and how did he apply his productivity tactics Chad’s thoughts on money and expectations How attuned is Chad on finding gaps in processes that people have in place How does Chad structure his time to allow him to put his best foot forward with his work and family What to do when something doesn’t go right or doesn’t work What’s next for Chad Barger?  How to get people on board to do the “small things” Quote “I’m a big fan of harmony over balance. That is the key. How do you maintain that harmony? It’s okay if one thing needs more time now and the other ones need more time later.”  Relevant Links Website Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn Instagram The key takeaways from this episode is that personal productivity is (at least) half of the problem when doing fundraising. You have to pivot fix that first to create a strong foundation for their new fundraising system. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spent time with Jeff McMahon. Jeff is a virtual trainer turned online entrepreneurs like Amy Porterfield, Pat Flynn, John Lee Dumas, and many more. Jeff work to help business owners feel more confident, strong, and healthy so they can dominate in their business and have more energy throughout their day. His degree is pre-med/pre-pharm with dual certifications in injury rehab and sports medicine. He has been a fitness expert for over a decade now working with 1,000’s of people throughout the world. How did Jeff McMahon got into Virtual Training? Jeff’s mom has had health issues since he was born. He originally wanted to be a surgeon to help take care of her, but being colorblind made that dream impossible. She had a major stroke when he was a freshman in college and lost the use of the left side of her body. Then came breast cancer [twice], brain deterioration, a heart attack. One day she suggested to Jeff that he should train people online that have suffered strokes and can’t get out of their home. Jeff thought about it, they tried it with his mom’s stroke support group, and then he took that format to the online entrepreneur world. Basically, his mom’s handicap has transformed the fitness world and started a whole new revolution. Talking Points How Jeff helped people live a better life through fitness and wellness How does virtual training work? How did virtual training get started? What made Jeff choose that kind of program? The benefits of accountability The challenges Jeff faced when building his business Jeff’s take on peloton workout The importance of giving a personal touch Having “new year’s resolutions” and the role that accountability plays with them Why personalization is becoming a critical part of the business The thing(s) that can get people from zero to step one when trying to get fit Having patience and accountability when it comes to doing things Quote “Nothing is permanent. Once you stop working out you will not have the same body that you had when you were working out so the key is just to workout for the rest of your life.” Relevant Links Website Twitter The key takeaways from this episode include: Don’t miss out on taking care of yourself so you can take care of your to-do list, your obligations, and all the other things that you have to take care of on a daily basis. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spent time with Justin Kerr. Justin is a self-described efficiency monster, He is the author of the rogue corporate playbooks How to Write an Email and How to Be a Boss. He is also the mouthpiece of the MR CORPO podcast and has been the youngest senior executive at some of the world’s biggest apparel companies (Gap, Old Navy, Levi’s, UNIQLO) running billion-dollar businesses while finding time to write 14 books, tour the country with his rock band and keep 100,000 bees on his roof. He is currently president of Imprint Projects in New York City.  Justin Kerr climbed to the top of the corporate ladder before reaching age 40. His book, entitled How to Be Great at Your Job takes the guesswork out of career success and breaks down what it takes to excel at your job. It covers the basics, like the universal requirements of every workplace—working with other people, making stellar presentations, communicating effectively over email. And it also goes into how to get promoted sooner, impress the people high up on the corporate ladder, and do it all while maintaining your personal life and without working crazy hours. With helpful tips and simple advice, this professional guidebook is just right for someone new to the workplace or for a mid-life career changer. Talking Points Background on who Justin Kerr and how the book, How to Be Great at Your Job came to be On the term “efficiency monster” On being caught with the email trap The processes put in place to allow a person to be more efficient On how to over-communicate that works best for a company On building credibility over time On doing work by breaking them into smaller components On giving updates On getting so far ahead and in return getting more work thrust upon you How does Justin manages his time  The best thing about the book Quote “Always be giving the updates because keep in mind the people you worked with are human beings and a lot of us can lose the side of that. We get titles and VPs and assistants but they are human beings – they get nervous, they have their own concerns, they are worried about their own boss – all of these different things. So telling people what is going on is just gonna lower the temperature a little bit.” Relevant Links Website Instagram Twitter Podcast Google+ Book: How to Be Great at Your Job The key takeaways from this episode include: how to work with other human beings, how to balance life and work, what to do if someone at work hates you, and (of course) the critical skill of how to win an “email fight”. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spent time again with Marc and Angel Chernoff. Marc and Angel Chernoff are New York Times bestselling authors, professional coaches, full-time students of life, admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Through their blog, books, course and coaching, they’ve spent the past decade writing about and teaching proven strategies for finding lasting happiness, success, love, and peace. Millions of readers turn to Marc and Angel Chernoff as they wrote 1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently for fresh, intimate insights for a fulfilled life. In this pithy and empowering guide, they collect the very best advice they’ve discovered, on topics that include overcoming setbacks, letting go of what’s holding us back, nurturing relationships, finding time for self-care, and cultivating passion in order to achieve our wildest dreams. Talking Points On their new book: 1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently On the idea of the list in the book Revisiting the content of the book and choosing which applies to them now On writing the book as new parents The writer vs. the reader perspective On the process of editing the book The idea of the “little things” On the adding triggers to the “to-do list” Quote “Keep doing what you are doing and you will keep getting what you are getting. That is how it works! You have to make a shift. You have to make changes. And the changes need to be small and consistent.”  Relevant Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Book: 1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently This episode teaches us that millions of people live their entire lives on default settings, never realizing they can customize everything and we should not be one of those millions of people. We should not settle for the default settings in life. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spent time with Bob Rosen. Bob is the founder and CEO of Healthy Companies and is a trusted global CEO advisor, organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of eight books. His latest book entitled CONSCIOUS: The Power of Awareness in Business and Life was published by Wiley in July 2018. Bob Rosen discussed how our world is changing faster than our ability to adapt. Ambushed by speed, complexity, and uncertainty, many of us are unprepared for this acceleration. We act on autopilot as new challenges confront us. We are too reactive to problems and miss out on opportunities. We get hijacked by conflicting values and polarizing relationships. We face uncertainty with fear and mistrust. Stress and burnout are pervasive as many of us do not perform up to our potential. Talking Points On the term “conscious leaders” and what happens when you found those leaders The commonality of people who are consciously aware The four reasons why people aren’t changing fast enough On the idea of reflection How do people get past cognitive biases? Where can people start to “go deep”? On what is next after the book CONSCIOUS: The Power of Awareness in Business and Life On the book Grounded: How Leaders Stay Rooted in an Uncertain World Quote “Organizations are healthy only when the leaders are healthy. The very best leaders were a combination of self-aware and deeply committed to their own development.” Relevant Links Website Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn Book: CONSCIOUS: The Power of Awareness in Business and Life Book: Grounded: How Leaders Stay Rooted in an Uncertain World This episode teaches us to be aware, awake, and accountable. Nothing is more important than understanding ourselves, our relationships, and our surroundings. Conscious is the new smart. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, I spent time with Rob Walker. Rob Walker is a journalist covering design, technology, business, the arts, and other subjects. He writes the Human Resource column for Lifehacker, and has contributed to The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Atlantic, TheNewYorker.Com, Design Observer, The Organist, and many others. His book The Art of Noticing (Knopf) comes out in May 2019. He is on the faculty of the Products of Design MFA program at the School of Visual Arts. Rob Walker wrote the book, The Art of Noticing. This gorgeously illustrated volume will spark your creativity and most importantly, help you see the world anew. Through a series of simple and playful exercises with 131 of them, Rob maps ways for you to become a clearer thinker, a better listener, a more creative workplace colleague and finally, to rediscover your sense of passion and to notice what really matters to you. Talking Points How do you define “noticing” and how does that play a role in how we craft our lives? On the notion of productivity and efficiency On “noticing” as the backbone of curiosity What is being productive? What led Rob to spend time on the topic of noticing? Is Rob the Jerry Maguire of noticing? On “noticing” when it comes to comedy On the idea of attunement vs. alignment On the idea of time management Why is the book, The Art of Noticing, important right now? How many ways did not make it into the book? Which of the 131 exercises stood out and which is the most unconventional? Does Rob journal and if so how? Quote “It is not about your skill at noticing, more on the habit of noticing that sort of forces you to see differently and to see things that you weren’t looking for.” Relevant Links Website Facebook Twitter Tumbler Book: The Art of Noticing This episode welcomed us to the era of white noise. Our lives are in constant tether to phones, to email, and to social media. In this age of distraction, the ability to experience and be present is often lost: to think and to see and to listen. Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices