Beyond Busy

Ben and Graham discuss the events of 24th August 2011, which was towards the end of Ben’s seventh month tour of Afghanistan, in which Ben escaped serious injury at the hands of an improvised explosive device which had been set by Taliban forces in the area they were entering.'War is 90% boredom, 10% action.'Ben draws comparisons between the downtime in Afghanistan to the UK’s current lockdown, dispels the popular myth of warfare as being a constant stream of action, and explains how he used downtime as a way of processing the events of the 10%.'Excellence, integrity, self-discipline, and humility.'Ben describes the four values that are passed on to each Royal Marine, what they mean to him, and how they help him perform his duties the best he can. 'Inspiration, courage, enactment.'After initially coming up with his ICE model fairly quickly during a PowerPoint presentation, Ben explains how he refined it, and how inspiration can help build courage during challenging times.'We are England.'Ben recounts his experience providing military training to the England football team, to help them realise the values they were being instilled with. 'Why do we need to leave it to the 31st December?'Graham and Ben discuss goal-setting, new years’ resolutions, and finding out what motivates us. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Oliver is the author of Help! How to Become Slightly Happier and Get a Bit More Done, and has been writing his Guardian column about self-help literature, This Column Will Change Your Life since 2006, so he and Graham begin by discussing the origins of the column, and how it has evolved.'There’s always too much to do.'Oliver lays out one of the first core principles in his book, and states that we don’t have to be resigned to the fact we’ll never get everything done, but instead pivot to focusing on the things that are most essential. 'Choose enlargement over happiness.'Oliver challenges the idea of happiness as a goal, instead choosing to ask the question of whether what we undertake enlarges or diminishes us.'The solution to imposter syndrome is to see that you are one.'Using the Covid pandemic as an example, Graham and Oliver discuss the idea that each of us is winging it, and that no-one really has the ultimate answer. 'You don’t start each morning in a kind of “productivity debt”.'On the subject of productivity, Oliver renounces the idea that we're obligated to perform a certain number of tasks at a certain level of efficiency to reach an arbitrary productivity score by the end of the day, presenting instead the notion of accepting the consequences of what we do, or don't do each day. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the wake of the re-release of Graham and Colette’s book on nutrition for better, more sustained productivity, the two authors discuss how the project came to be. 'I was making bad choices on a regular basis.'Colette describes how her busy international career left no room for her to consider diet, and sapped her energy leaving her saying no to things she otherwise would have wanted to say yes to. This realisation led her to retrain as a nutritionist, leaving her former career behind.'The title was broken.' Graham describes how the previous incarnation of the book was difficult to position within the market, despite readers finding it to be a “hidden gem”.'Choose how you want to feel.'The first point in the book’s nine-point plan empowers us to make choices as to what we eat and drink. 'Eat the rainbow.'By having a broader range of colours on our plate, we eat a broader range of nutrients, which is a factor that will improve our dietary health, so Colette describes how “each colour has different gifts to give us”. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sir David Omand is a former GCHQ Director, and was a Permanent Secretary at the Home Office. During his time in public service he has played a key role in modern British history. Graham opens with Sir David by talking about secrecy, and how information is revealed to the public after a long delay. They then discuss the gulf between film and TV depictions of intelligence gathering. 'You stay and make sure the job gets done.'Sir David describes the attitude towards work-life balance, not only in intelligence work but also within civil service in general, which leads to a discussion on public service, and the importance of understanding what service really means. 'If you want to push change through, you’ve got to have a convincing story.'Describing how GCHQ had to change and adapt to the digital revolution that started in the US, Sir David sets out his attitudes towards change, and how various government departments have previously resisted it. 'What do you need to know to make a sound decision?'Sir David explains his SEES model through the prism of the current pandemic, which involves situational awareness, explanation, estimation, and strategic notice. 'In a crisis, sometimes you just have to act… Not acting has a very heavy price.' During the early part of the Falklands campaign, Sir David sent a memo to the Ministry of Defence, encouraging the department to act now, and count the cost later. This leads into a discussion on modern counterterrorism strategy, which Sir David wrote and is still in use today. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. The Kindness Happening Use the code `NINJA15` to get 15% off the ticket price for Graham and Christina’s Kindness Happening event. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Graham is joined by Christina Kisley of Kisley and Wild, an organisation that makes it part of its mission to spread kindness. The episode features one of Think Productive’s free webinars on the productivity of kindness.'Rejecting the “business baddy” narrative.' Graham begins by talking about some of the leaders who’ve gained prominence in recent memory, and dispels the myth that you have to be ruthless and uncaring in order to succeed. He also discusses trust, and how building trust increases the likelihood of people wanting to work with you more than once.'The seven traits of kind leaders.'Chris and Graham layout their core values for successful, kind leadership: * Clear vision and values * Focus * People first, work second, always * Self-awareness * Trust-building * Being a cultural architect * Humility 'Kind people stand for things, but value and respect other people in the process.'Chris describes how being kind is about telling the truth for the benefit of the receiver, rather than being “nice” and avoiding conflict. She also defines the “dirty yes” as nodding your head in a meeting, and then using a backchannel to say no. 'That sucked, but I love you.'Chris continues with the idea of constructive feedback, delivering constructive criticism with generosity, with the goal of ensuring the person’s intention matches their impact. 'Making space for what matters.' Graham closes the main body of the webinar by talking about putting people first in all situations, and recognising that people always come before the task. ### Questions: Chris and Graham then take questions from participants in the webinar on:* how to deal with “brutal feedback” * the risk in trust and autonomy * balancing client needs with team needs * moving from niceness to kindness * putting people first, when under pressure Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eleanor named her company Another Door after being told that “when one door closes, another door opens”, a sentiment that irritated her.'If they can do that, so can I.' Eleanor talks about how people’s apparent success in difficult times like redundancy can act as fuel, or can knock us sideways. She and Graham also explore the notion that redundancy offers the opportunity for people to think about what they’d like to do next, and that this thought is not a luxury. 'I’m not a different person than I was the day before I didn’t get the book.' Eleanor shares her experiences as a newly-published author working with Penguin, crediting her book coach and now agent with securing her a deal. 'We live in this space thinking that everyone’s going to care, and it holds us back.'After working in a corporate space, Eleanor wanted to try something a little different, so she discusses how she set up a market stall, selling beach towels, which gave her a unique insight into starting a new business after losing a job. She also discusses her challenges with imposter syndrome and dealing with others’ negative judgements. 'If you miss something, go and put it right.'Graham and Eleanor talk about regrets, and the feeling of needing to escape, and how taking a break with a cup of tea can help alleviate some of that. They also cover discuss productivity, focusing on Eleanor’s analogue approach. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Max and Graham begin by sharing stories and experiences of improv, with Max offering his definition of improv and how it can help improve co-operation within teams. How do you know someone is genuinely listening to you?Max talks about the difference between active listening and listening to a scene partner in improv, then both he and Graham discuss their experiences in therapy, and how they can make sense of reactions they judge themselves harshly for. Yes, andGraham and Max run through improv’s first rule, which allows for scenes to develop organically through agreement and heightening, then Max explains how repeatedly hearing no prevents us from making more risky decisions. He and Graham then plan a party. Sweep the scene.'Max shares his views on productivity for creative people, including saving parts of his book that his editor has cut, drawing a line under an experience, a project or a single task and being able to start afresh. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Anne is the founder of Starling Bank, one of the UK’s challenger banks that serves its customers online rather than via high street branches. Anne studied computer science, and worked her way up through the banking industry before founding Starling. 'I came to the conclusion that banking was broken.'After working at traditional banks like RBS, Lloyds and the Bank of Switzerland, Anne found the industry to be too inward-focused, and largely untouched by consumer tech. Although Starling is a tech-forward company, Anne is quick to point out that customers still get 24/7 phone support, and describes how many struggle with money, and what she sees as Starling’s role in helping people better manage their finances. 'The only thing that was different was the colour of the carpets.' After speaking with lots of banks following her work with AIB in Ireland, Anne started talking to tech firms instead, and came to the conclusion that if she started from scratch, she could build something with a new way of relating to customers. 'I do all my emails myself.' Graham and Anne get geeky about productivity, and email management in particular, with Anne revealing her system for processing incoming email in seconds. 'I built a team and lost them.' Anne candidly recounts how a member of her team resigned, raised money and formed his own competing bank. She also describes working with people with differing personalities, and how she has tried to soften the relationship between the two companies. 'There aren’t any books about starting a bank.' Employees at Starling don’t put on presentations for each other, or take undue risks. Anne describes how the Lean Startup methodology worked in the early stages, but how that model is challenged when starting-up in a heavily-regulated industry. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links[Graham Allcott](http://www.grahamallcott.com/) is the founder of [time management training](http://thinkproductive.co.uk/ "Link: http://thinkproductive.co.uk/") company [Think Productive](http://thinkproductive.co.uk/). This podcast is produced by [Origin](https://origin.fm/). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham and Colin begin by talking about the first meal of the day, and how getting protein in first thing can make a big difference. 'You’re either going to work forty years until you die, or you’re going to be able to create your own wealth… so take a shot at the second thing.' Midway through watching War Dogs and being frustrated at the lack of business acumen from one of the characters, Colin paused the film and wrote a business plan for a bed sheet company. Almost instantly he happened upon the name Sheets & Giggles, and bought sheetsgiggles.com straightaway. Three months later, he was laid off from his job, and three weeks after receiving this blow, he founded Sheets & Giggles. 'Spellable, sharable, memorable.'Colin shares his rules for company branding, one of the most important of which is connoting or denoting what the company does. 'Your greatest weakness is your empathy for others.' Colin recounts being told this at the hedge fund he was let go from in his early 20s, and how the toxic work environment he suffered informs the way he works with his own team now. 'People hire people who are like themselves.' After describing his frustrations with the “arbitrariness of the American workday”, Colin sets out the way he recruits, by looking for people who share similar drives or methods of working, while being aware of the issue of hiring people that look like the founder. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Olivier has a long history of helping organisations make decisions. He is a professor at prominent business school HEC Paris, and has worked as a Director at McKinsey & Company. 'We’re not just economic human beings.' The discussion dives deep into the cognitive biases that shape how we frame world events like the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. 'Don’t think that you’re going to get better at it on your own.' Olivier describes one of the “Nine Traps” outlined in his book, The Confidence Trap, and how that can affect planning and productivity. He also recommends putting a system in place to overcome cognitive biases. Graham and he also discuss group think, and the propensity for groups to converge on decisions too quickly, and Olivier offers advice on encoring healthy disagreement in meetings. Dialogue, divergence and dynamics Both fans of the Checklist Manifesto, Olivier discusses with Graham how checklists can be more intelligently deployed so they’re not simply rote lists of tasks that require no initiative. Olivier then outlines his three Ds of decision architecture, that encourage real dialogue, challenge some preconceived notions around diversity of thinking.It’s OK to fail honourably The discussion draws to a close with a discussion on humility, and Olivier’s take on work-life balance. Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive. This podcast is produced by Origin.✔ Links:  Subscribe to Graham's Newsletter: https://www.grahamallcott.com/sign-up​​ Buy “How to be a Productivity Ninja”: http://amazon.co.uk/dp/1785784617​​  Our Show Sponsors: Think Productive - Time Management Training:http://www.thinkproductive.com​​ Useful links:https://www.grahamallcott.com/links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.