

Focused
Relay
David Sparks and Mike Schmitz are not nearly as productive as they’d like to be. Join these fellow travelers (and a bunch of special guests) as they share the best ways to get focused, and talk through their successes and failures along the way. Hosted by David Sparks and Mike Schmitz.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 28, 2017 • 59min
35: I Guess I'm Felix Unger
David and Jason discuss the importance of prep time, resetting your balance, gauging the value of your work, time tracking, managing ongoing commitments, getting sick and keeping clients happy, and the value of uncluttered office space.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Photos: A Take Control Crash Course | Take Control Books Photos — MacSparky

Nov 14, 2017 • 51min
34: I Think I Just Got Fired, with Marco Arment
App developer, podcaster, analyst, and secret entrepreneur Marco Arment joins us to discuss his journey from college to Tumblr, building Instapaper, getting quit-fired, setting out on his own, and working in bursts of productivity.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Guest Starring: Marco Arment
Links and Show Notes: This episode was audio-synced by a tool Marco wrote, encoded with a tool Marco wrote, includes ads managed with a tool Marco wrote, and might be being played by an app Marco wrote. Thanks, Marco!
Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Under the Radar - Relay FM Accidental Tech Podcast Overcast

Oct 31, 2017 • 54min
33: When You Say Yes to Everything
On Halloween, David and Jason revamp the podcast with a new format. David struggles with how he's spending his time. Jason tries to figure out when to say no and gets a better perspective about how well his business is doing, prompted by a job inquiry from a former co-worker.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Podcast Listener Survey: We rely on advertising as a way to support this show. If you could do us a favor and answer a few short questions, it would be really helpful to us.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership My App Story – MacStories Under the Radar #102: Procrastiworking - Relay FM

Oct 17, 2017 • 47min
32: It's Scary, Dude! with Kathy Campbell
Unicorn Sidekick Kathy Campbell joins us to discuss how she ended up becoming a Free Agent while behind a desk at her "real job," when having her new career discovered her.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Guest Starring: Kathy Campbell
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The Unicorn Sidekick

Oct 3, 2017 • 38min
31: Being Selective About Clients, with Aleen Simms
Relay FM Host and App Launch Map founder Aleen Simms joins us to talk about her accidental fall into freelance work and setting high standards for her clients.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Podcast Listener Survey: We rely on advertising as a way to support this show. If you could do us a favor and answer a few short questions, it would be really helpful to us.
Guest Starring: Aleen Simms
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 19, 2017 • 47min
30: Tito Needs to Pay the Rent
So you're working in a house full of kids. Or a partner who is there all the time. It can make working from home difficult to say the least. We discuss the good and bad of working around kids (and others) who are in your house with you.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to get 10% off your purchase of Timing.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 5, 2017 • 40min
29: The Spreadsheet
So you're thinking about going out on your own. It's time to build The Spreadsheet, a tool to let you gauge your potential income and expenses and give you a realistic view of what it will take to succeed.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Eero: Never think about WiFi again. Use code FREEAGENTS for free overnight shipping.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Aug 22, 2017 • 47min
28: David's Origin Story
Jason asks David to explain where he came from, the background of his career, and what the circumstances were that led him to become an independent worker, and then asks him to reflect on his two-plus years no longer being employed by a law firm.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Aug 8, 2017 • 44min
27: Bird in the Bush
Passion projects can be an enjoyable outlet. But how do you balance the work that pays the bills with the work that feeds the soul?
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Jul 25, 2017 • 59min
26: A Batphone to My Heart
Telephones and text messaging seem like necessary evils at best, but for many small businesses they're required. You just need to figure out how to use them effectively--and set rules so that they aren't abused. While Jason leaves the phone off the hook, David describes his trial of Google Voice and ultimate decision to use a live receptionist service.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Timing: The automatic time tracking app for OS X. Use code FREEAGENTS for 20% off until the end of July.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Virtual Receptionist & Live Call Answering Service | Ruby Receptionists Google Voice