How I Work

**BEST OF 2021**Do you hate email? Are you sick of being a slave to your inbox? Are you like the “average” knowledge worker and check your email or chat messages every six minutes? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I think you will love today’s show.Cal Newport is a Computer Science Professor at Georgetown University and also the bestselling author of Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and most recently, A World Without Email. And Cal has been thinking a lot about how to overcome what he calls the “hyperactive hive mind”.In this chat, we talk about practical strategies to dramatically reduce the amount of unscheduled communication (i.e. email) you receive, both as an individual, but also as an entire organisation.Connect with Cal at calnewport.comGrab a copy of A World Without EmailListen to the Deep Questions podcastConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**How are you coping with this whole global pandemic thing? I feel like I'm more reliant on my devices than ever before - it's like a window to the outside world. But I have a feeling that checking ABC news 10 times a day isn't very good for my mental health. So in today's show, I have an alternative to share.Try out Amantha's favourite calendar software here: usemotion.ioCheck out Lisa Leong's ABC podcast This Working Life.Connect with Lisa Leong on LinkedinConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even after a long day at work, or at the end of a tough week, when you pop the TV on and hear that familiar “BA-DUNK” as the big red N flashes onto your screen… do you feel a little guilty? Even when I know I don’t need to be working, it’s hard to shake the feeling that TV somehow isn’t as ‘worthwhile’ as other activities - like reading, for example. But media executive Chris Oliver-Taylor disagrees. It’s the age of prestige TV, and the format has been elevated to an art form. But what do you watch when watching TV is your job? How do you switch off the analytical side of your brain and just tune out to WandaVision with your daughter? And how do you decide what to watch when you kind of need to watch everything? Chris is currently the Asia Pacific CEO at Fremantle, and will be heading to Netflix as its Australia & New Zealand Head of Physical Production in 2022. He shares how he chooses what to watch, and how he designs the rest of his schedule. He teaches you how to categorise meetings, how to network effectively, and why you should wear a suit.  Connect with Chris on Linkedin For recommendations: TV Tonight *** Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the year 2000, and Steve Jobs wants Apple computers to be able to burn DVDs, but there’s a problem. A big problem. At the time, DVD burners cost tens of thousands of dollars, and they’re incredibly difficult to use. Neither of those features fit the Apple MO. Jobs’ solution was revolutionary, but not just for the world of computing, or even the world of business. Author Greg McKeown uses the lesson in this illustrative anecdote to radically simplify his work and his life, and it all starts with “zero”. You can find the full interview here: Work less, achieve more, with Greg McKeownConnect with Greg on Twitter or Linkedin, and find Effortless here*** Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I was in my early twenties, I won an award for a scriptwriting competition run by the Fellowship of Australian Writers, and involved in that process was one of my favourite playwrights - David Williamson. I wrote David a fan letter, and to my great surprise, he replied! That was my first taste of how deeply David respects his audience, and our interview was no different. As the most produced playwright in Australian Theatre’s history, David is extremely productive. Part of this, he says, is just plain old love of the game. Since the very first time he heard actors saying his words out loud, he was completely hooked. And as a professional playwright, the structure of the theatre industry has contributed to his prolific output: when the production company lists your next play in their program, your fate is sealed, and there’s no time to fall prey to writer’s block. David shares his writing process, from the initial idea all the way through to rehearsals with the cast, as well as how he stays positive in the face of criticism, and why his writer wife Kristin’s role as his first reader is so valuable to his work.  David’s book: Home Truths *** Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budgeting is… boring, right? It’s all spreadsheets, hard maths, and a hundred reasons you shouldn’t go out for brunch anymore. Try telling that to She’s on the Money founder Victoria Devine! Victoria wants you to let go of the idea that budgets are purely a “restriction” tool. Instead, she treats budgeting as an extension of her personality: if you can align your values with your income and your spending, your budget starts to become a pretty important, creative tool. That also means you need to get back to basics and rely a little bit less on technology to tell you how to use your own money. Victoria shares her favourite budgeting app (which is a lot less chic than you might expect), and her favourite analogue budgeting technique for when you really want to go old school with your spending. Connect with Victoria on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedinYou can find the full interview here: Why She’s On The Money’s Victoria Devine doesn’t do long-term career goal setting***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It wouldn’t work to try to tell the Michael Bungay Stanier story - if anyone’s a collection of stories, it’s MBS. He finished law school being sued for defamation by his professor, he was a Rhodes Scholar in his early 20s, and he’s coached Brene Brown on her own podcast. A life and career with so many twists, turns and new directions brings with it an equally eclectic and overflowing bag of tips, tricks and mindset shifts, and Michael shares them generously. Michael covers everything from how to tackle multi-month projects, journaling techniques, honing your personal brand, and knowing when to say “no”. Connect with Michael at his website and pre-order How To Begin.Neil Pasricha - ‘Two Minute Morning’Julia Funt - ‘A minute to think’Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Inventium, we default to asynchronous communication, and it’s been really effective. But… it’s not without some drawbacks. The time saved cutting back on in-person or virtual meetings can sometimes get pushed into writing detailed, thoughtful emails, and you end up back at square one. I’ve tried to combat that by sending shorter, straight-to-the-point messages, but they can occasionally come across as abrupt, or even cold. My solution has been to send audio messages instead. I can get a message across quickly, but use my actual voice to convey the right tone.I’ve even started defaulting to audio messages with my friends and in my dating life. When something doesn’t warrant a phone call, but would be a wall of text on iMessage, the voice memo is a lifesaver. This is how I decide when to send an audio message, the technology I use, and some of the evidence-based benefits of audio vs written communication. Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you ask Marissa King how she’s doing today, she’ll tell you the truth - the good, the bad and the ugly. And her research shows that when she does, you’ll be much more likely to reciprocate that honestly. All of a sudden, you’ve made quite the connection. Marissa calls this “mutually reciprocal self-disclosure”. For those of us who aren’t the professor of Organizational Behavior at the Yale School of Management, that’s a fancy way of saying: people tend to meet you where you are. That’s why Marissa wants to teach us all how to ask better questions when we meet new people. Well-designed questions show people that you’re truly listening, and allow you to make deeper connections, which is at the core of a healthy, thriving social network. Connect with Marissa on Twitter, Linkedin or through her websiteYou can find the full interview here: Bigger is better, and other misconceptions about networks with Marissa King Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s 9:30, and you’ve got just under an hour before your next Zoom meeting. There’s already just a bit too much caffeine buzzing around your brain, and your eyes are half-crossed from the last video call. So how do you recharge and show up refreshed for that next one? If you’re Evernote and mmhmm co-founder Phil Libin, you swim laps. Thanks to the “distributed” nature of mmhmm’s workforce, he can punctuate his work days with distinctly not-work activities. Some days, it’s laps between meetings, other days it’s a stroll around one of his favourite museums while he ponders new ideas.Whatever he chooses on any given day, it’s only possible because of one of the many superpowers of the internet. Phil is happy to solve a few problems with our new way of working, if it means he gets to keep the many, many benefits of working asynchronously and away from a traditional office in the big city. Phil shares his favourite tips on making the most of remote work (including why he doesn’t like the term “remote”) and some of the biggest lessons he learned as the CEO of Evernote.  Connect with Phil on Twitter or Linkedin Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.