Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life

This week, I'm revisiting a conversation with Gillian Tietz. Given the topic and the time of year, I felt it was the perfect moment to bring this discussion back to light. Gillian is a biochemist, educator, and entrepreneur who, after struggling with alcohol moderation, found productivity and success in sobriety. She is the host of the Sober Powered Podcast and works as a biochemist in the Boston area. When she quit drinking in 2019, Gillian dedicated herself to understanding alcohol's influence on the brain and its role in addiction.In this episode, Gillian shares her personal journey of recognizing the negative impact of drinking on her productivity and confidence, and how sobriety has led to numerous accomplishments. We explore the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol, the importance of self-awareness, and the potential benefits of taking breaks from both alcohol and caffeine.Gillian also provides resources for those curious about exploring sobriety, offering insights into the benefits and challenges of the popular "Dry January" movement, which has gained significant traction among young professionals. We close the episode with reflections on personal habits and making informed decisions to build a healthier and more productive future.Make sure to check out one of our sponsors: Lingoda.com/beyond50 and use promo code 'Beyond50'Make sure to check out our sponsors to help support the show!Connect with Gillian: Website  Podcast Instagram  LinkedIn  Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Whittaker, author of "Reconnected" and "How to Human," shares his eye-opening journey of spending seven screen-free weeks with monks and Amish farmers. He discusses the profound impact of reducing screen time on emotional well-being and personal relationships. Carlos explores the healing power of solitude, emphasizing how it fosters deeper connections. He offers practical strategies to combat screen addiction, highlights the joys of mindfulness, and reveals how disengaging from digital distractions can lead to a more meaningful life.

Jon Acuff, a renowned author and goal-setting expert, returns to discuss strategies for teens and their parents. He shares insights from his co-authored book, emphasizing teamwork in goal-setting. The conversation highlights self-awareness as crucial for career choices and introduces practical tools like the 'best moments list.' They explore fostering independence and community support, encouraging parents to engage in meaningful dialogue with their teens. Acuff's relatable anecdotes shed light on bridging generational gaps in aspirations.

This week, I'm excited to revisit this conversation with Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst discussing their book, Workstyle: A revolution for well being, productivity and society. They coined the term nearly a decade ago during an inspired conversation at a pub. Little did they know that that conversation would lead them to co-found the multi-million pound social enterprise Hoxby to test and prove the concept of workstyle. Today Hoxby has helped thousands of workstylers around the world to set, project and respect their own workstyles. They have set up their own longitudinal research study into the link between autonomy, productivity and wellbeing and have delivered projects for some of the biggest businesses in the world including Unilever, Amazon, AIA, and Merck. Forbes.com have described them as 'creating the freelance revolution 3.0' and they have been featured in the FT, Times, Telegraph, Stylist, Marie Claire, Metro and The Guardian, among others.I really enjoyed this book and believe that it will start to help countless people and businesses find relief from their work conditioning, inspire them to create a workstyle for themselves, and enable them to take part in the most significant change to working practices since 1817. By giving you the complete freedom to identify and pursue a way of working which fits around the unique nature of your lifestyle, this book can teach us how to be well, work better and do great things on our own time. Connect with Lizzie and Alex  Website Book  Lizzie’s Instagram Alex’s Instagram  Connect with Erik: Facebook  LinkedIn  Instagram Threads This Podcast is Powered By: Descript Descript 101 Castmagic Ecamm Podpage Rodecaster Pro Top Productivity Books List Make sure to support the show by checking out the sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth Godin, prolific author known for works like Linchpin and The Song of Significance, dives into modern productivity and workplace dynamics. He discusses the importance of agency and dignity for employees and critiques traditional success metrics. The conversation explores how the values of workers have shifted since 2020, advocating for authenticity and collaboration. Godin emphasizes the need for creativity and human connection in the evolving landscape of work, urging teams to focus on meaningful contributions over mere outputs.

Todd Henry, a prolific author and speaker on creativity in workplaces, shares insights on unlocking creative potential. He discusses cultivating daily habits that enhance both creativity and productivity, emphasizing structured routines and spontaneous practices. Todd highlights the importance of reflection and adapting to challenges, revealing that creativity exists in everyone. He also explores fostering collective creativity in teams and balancing personal and professional identities, providing practical strategies for nurturing creativity in daily routines.

Ian Anderson Gray, an advocate for understanding ADHD, shares his transformative journey with the condition. He discusses the emotional dysregulation linked to ADHD and the life-changing impact of a family coach. The conversation dives into tools that enhance focus, like noise-cancelling headphones and productivity apps. Ian highlights the connection between ADHD and entrepreneurship, along with the highs and lows of creative pursuits. He emphasizes the importance of community and accountability in managing symptoms effectively.

Chris Bailey, author of 'How to Calm Your Mind', discusses digital fasting, analog productivity tools, and slowing down for efficiency. Topics include meditation, hiring based on talent, stimulation fasting, Shopify benefits, Miro for collaboration, savoring positive experiences, and balancing analog/digital activities.

Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt-Miller discuss mindset for personal & professional growth. They explore rewriting internal narratives, leveraging neuroplasticity, transforming fear into confidence, and surrounding yourself with trusted counsel. Discover practical steps for achieving goals and enriching life through mindset shift.

John Drury, an advocate for retreats, discusses the importance of sacred time for rest. Topics include 'desert days,' quarterly retreats, and balancing work and personal life. They explore the benefits of vacations, visitations, and vocations, emphasizing the value of restful practices for personal growth. Practical tips on integrating retreats into daily life and prioritizing mental well-being are also shared.