Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship

Optimal Living Daily | Dan W.

Episodes

Mentioned books

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Oct 18, 2025 • 6min

1844: [Part 1] 5 Common Small Business Mistakes We Made Early On With Our Online Store by Steve Chou of MyWifeQuitHerJob

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1844: Steve Chou reveals the costly lessons learned from building his first online store, emphasizing how frugality and cutting corners can hinder growth. He shares how choosing the cheapest vendors and misjudging product costs led to lost time, lower profits, and wasted effort, valuable insights for any entrepreneur aiming to scale smarter, not cheaper. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://mywifequitherjob.com/top-5-mistakes-we-made-early-on-with-our-online-store/ Quotes to ponder: "Low prices always come with a catch." "If you are getting a price quote that seems abnormally low, it usually means that the vendor is cutting corners somehow." "We easily squandered more time and money than we were saving." Episode references: The Sellers Summit: https://sellerssummit.com Bumblebee Linens: https://bumblebeelinens.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 17, 2025 • 6min

1843: Just Doing the Work Isn't Enough: Four Ways Creativity Matters to Productivity by Laura Stack of The Productivity Pro

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1843: Laura Stack explains why efficiency alone can't drive true productivity, creativity is the invisible force that fuels innovation, competition, leadership, and the modern economy. By merging imagination with execution, individuals and teams unlock higher-value results, stronger engagement, and work that truly matters. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://theproductivitypro.com/blog/2017/06/just-doing-the-work-isnt-enough-four-ways-creativity-matters-to-productivity/ Quotes to ponder: "When you bring imagination to your work, you transform effort into innovation." "Everything humanity has created was once an idea." "In a very real sense, we couldn't be productive without creativity. It's as essential to us as the air we breathe." Episode references: Adobe Sparkology Lab Survey 2012: https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pdfs/Adobe_State_of_Create_Global_Benchmark_Study.pdf Artful Making: What Managers Need to Know About How Artists Work: https://www.amazon.com/Artful-Making-Managers-Need-Artists/dp/0130086959 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 16, 2025 • 5min

1842: How My Best Side Hustle Ever Almost Ended in Court by Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation on Entrepreneurship Lessons and Business Legal Risks

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1842: Nick Loper recounts the rise and fall of a wildly profitable side hustle built on an exact-match domain that unintentionally violated trademark law. What starts as an entrepreneurial win quickly turns into a legal wake-up call, driving home the lesson that lasting success comes from building your own brand, not hijacking someone else's. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/my-best-side-hustle-ever/ Quotes to ponder: "The lesson was to build your own brand." "Real businesses have their own brands, and if you're serious about your side hustle, you'll have one too." "It's a longer, harder road for sure, but it's the only way that works long-term." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 15, 2025 • 9min

1841: Investors Are From Mars, Entrepreneurs Are From Venus by Mike Smerklo on Overcoming Miscommunication in Startup Funding

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1841: Mike Smerklo highlights the disconnect between entrepreneurs and investors, showing how different mindsets often clash when building a business. He explains how founders can better understand investor expectations, bridge communication gaps, and use these insights to strengthen relationships that ultimately fuel growth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.mikesmerklo.com/investors-are-from-mars/ Quotes to ponder: "Investors are from Mars and entrepreneurs are from Venus." "Entrepreneurs see opportunity everywhere, investors see risk everywhere." "The entrepreneur is focused on growing the business, while the investor is focused on protecting and growing capital." Episode references: Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: https://www.amazon.com/Men-Mars-Women-Venus-Understanding/dp/0060574216 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 14, 2025 • 7min

1840: The 3 Reasons Great Companies Stop Growing-And The Solution by Christine Comaford of Smart Tribes Institute

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1840: Christine Comaford reveals the hidden reasons why even successful businesses plateau, showing how blind spots, unclear leadership, and lack of innovation hold companies back. She explains how to reignite growth by fostering clarity, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement that keeps organizations agile and thriving. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://smarttribesinstitute.com/the-3-reasons-great-companies-stop-growing-and-the-solution/ Quotes to ponder: "Blind spots are an enormous threat to growth, and the higher you rise in leadership, the fewer people will tell you the truth." "Accountability creates clarity, which in turn creates safety, trust, and results." "Growth stalls when a company stops innovating and starts protecting what they have instead of reaching for what's next." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 13, 2025 • 8min

1839: Preventing Your Staff from Experiencing Burnout by Michael Levitt of Breakfast Leadership on Building Healthy Work Cultures

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1839: Michael Levitt highlights how leaders can prevent staff burnout by fostering healthier workplace environments. He emphasizes practical steps like setting realistic expectations, encouraging recovery time, and modeling balance, so teams remain engaged, energized, and productive. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.breakfastleadership.com/blog/preventing-your-staff-from-experiencing-burnout Quotes to ponder: "Employees that are overworked are more likely to make mistakes, and their overall productivity will drop." "Encouraging staff to take their breaks, use their vacation time, and actually disconnect from work when they are off is crucial to prevent burnout." "Leaders need to set the example by practicing healthy work-life balance themselves." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 12, 2025 • 6min

1838: Setting Each Other Up For Success AND Why I Don't Bring My Phone to Meetings by Michael Piperno

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1838: Michael Piperno highlights how small, intentional choices can transform collaboration and focus. From creating an environment where colleagues feel supported to practicing presence by leaving phones behind in meetings, he shows how these habits build trust, respect, and genuine connection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.michaelpiperno.com/setting-each-other-up-for-success/ AND https://www.michaelpiperno.com/why-i-dont-bring-my-phone-to-meetings/ Quotes to ponder: "When we take the time to set each other up for success, we foster trust, respect, and collaboration." "Bringing my phone into a meeting is a distraction, not just for me but for everyone else." "Being present shows respect for the people you're with." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 11, 2025 • 8min

1837: The Essential Missing Half of Getting Things Done by Steve Pavlina on Balancing Productivity with Purpose

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1837: Steve Pavlina explores why productivity systems often fall short, highlighting that efficiency means little without clear vision and purpose. He shows how aligning your daily actions with long-term values creates balance, fulfillment, and momentum, rather than just busywork. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/02/the-essential-missing-half-of-getting-things-done/ Quotes to ponder: "Getting Things Done is a wonderful system, but it's only half the equation." "Without a clear vision of what you're working towards, you can be extremely efficient and still make no real progress." "When you combine vision and productivity, you gain both direction and speed." Episode references: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0143126563 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 10, 2025 • 8min

1836: Is That Career Change Right For You by Andrea Joy of Saving Joyfully on Making Big Career Decisions

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1836: Andrea Joy examines how to thoughtfully navigate the decision to change careers by balancing financial stability, lifestyle needs, and personal fulfillment. Her insights encourage weighing both practical and emotional factors to ensure your next step supports long-term happiness and growth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://savingjoyfully.com/blog/is-that-career-change-right-for-you Quotes to ponder: "Choosing to change careers can be one of the most exciting and yet frightening decisions you will ever make." "It's important to consider not only your financial situation but also your overall happiness and satisfaction in your current career." "Taking the time to weigh the pros and cons carefully can help you make the best possible decision for your future." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 9, 2025 • 7min

1835: 10 Success Principles We Often Forget by Angel Chernoff on Building a Strong Success Mindset

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1835: Angel Chernoff shares ten overlooked principles that can reshape the way we approach success, reminding us to let go of blame, embrace patience, and value progress over perfection. Her wisdom reveals how simple daily choices can create deeper resilience, clarity, and fulfillment. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2012/08/22/10-success-principles-we-often-forget/ Quotes to ponder: "Stop blaming others and take responsibility for every area of your life." "Slow down and take one step at a time. Success is a marathon, not a sprint." "Every struggle is a step forward, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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