How I Work

Amantha Imber

You know those annoyingly successful people who seem to have it all figured out? Time to steal their playbook. Organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber gets world‑class achievers to spill their secrets - the daily strategies behind their success through to life hacks and productivity hacks they’d rather keep to themselves. We’re talking practical tips for boosting your output (including clever AI tools and shortcuts that’ll make you look like a genius), managing overwhelm without losing your mind, and optimising both work and wellbeing. No motivational fluff. Just battle‑tested tactics from people who’ve cracked the code.

Episodes

Mentioned books

Mar 3, 2021 • 27min

Turn self-doubt into a strength - not a weakness

Have you ever felt like an imposter? Of course you have! Because 82% of people have experienced it at some point. Imposter syndrome is the persistent thought we are undeserving of our achievements. People fear they might be ‘found out’ or that they ‘don’t know what they are doing’. How can you rethink or reframe these thoughts so they don’t have so much power over you? How I Work guests share their experiences with feeling like an imposter and how to use it to your advantage. Envato co-Founder Cyan Ta’eed says asking questions can help you be the smartest person in the room. Head of Research and Development at Atlassian Dom Price has learned to use imposter syndrome to his advantage by embracing feedback to stay motivated. Abbi Jacobson, co-creator and writer of critically-acclaimed Comedy Central show Broad City, harnesses her nerves to keep her grounded. Wendy Stops sits on some of the highest profile boards in Australia including CommBank and Coles Group. She explains how sticking through the toughest of times can teach you the most. Listen to the full episodes:Cyan Ta’eed - https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcasts/envato-co-founder-cyan-taeed-on-spending-just-15-minutes-a-day-on-her-phone/ Dom Price - https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcasts/atlassians-dom-price-on-how-he-uses-imposter-syndrome-to-his-advantage/ Abbi Jacobson - https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcasts/broad-citys-abbi-jacobson-on-productive-procrastination-imposter-syndrome-and-how-a-dog-changed-her-headspace/ Wendy Stops - https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcasts/commbank-board-director-wendy-stops-on-the-biggest-challenges-of-sitting-on-high-profile-boards/ Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If 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 CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 1, 2021 • 9min

My Favourite Tip: Tech journalist Peter Wells on how anyone can use software to automate their job

My favourite tip from my chat with tech journalist Peter Wells was on how anyone can use software to automate their job.You can find the full interview here: Tech journalist Peter Wells on how to automate your jobConnect with Peter: Twittercom/peterwells Meta podcast The Helpdesk podcast Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If 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.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 24, 2021 • 42min

Cosmetics queen Kate Morris on why you need to manage energy, not time

Feb 22, 2021 • 10min

My Favourite Tip: Global innovation thought leader Scott D Anthony on his new rituals for Deep and Shallow work

My favourite tip from my chat with global innovation thought leader Scott D Anthony was on his new rituals for Deep and Shallow work.This extract is from my second time having Scott on the show - you can check out the full interview here.And check out my first interview with Scott here.Get your copy of Scott’s latest book Eat, Sleep Innovate and check out the book's companion website here. Check out Scott’s firm Innosight. And connect with Scott on LinkedIn and Twitter.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If 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.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 17, 2021 • 48min

Remote.com Founder Job van der Voort on the ultimate home office set up

Even before we fled our workplaces amid the Covid pandemic to set up at home, Job van der Voort was convinced that remote working was the future.He’s the CEO of Remote (and the former VP of Product for GitLab), which assists other companies to set their employees up, which he says allows them to live a better life. But it’s not as easy as just letting some of your employees work from home. Job says the key to running a remote team is to intentionally create moments for connection and bonding.Remote’s philosophy is the easier it is to start doing work, the easier it is to do your work. Home offices should be built for comfort, efficiency, and reliability. “The better your set-up is around these kinds of things, the more data you can transmit between each other.”Job’s office set up: Camera Sony a640000 Automating actions through a Elgato Stream Deck Keyboard Ergodox EZ Lighting Philips Hue spotlights Microphones Electoral Force RE20 or Audio Technica ATR2100 (more affordable) Headphones Bayerdynamic DT 1990 Mouse Logitech MX Master 3 and a Magic Trackpad Chair Herman Miller Aeron. For a detailed look at his office: https://remote.com/blog/maximum-productivity-home-office You can connect with Job on Twitter and Linkedin and the Remote website - remote.com Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 15, 2021 • 9min

My Favourite Tip: Sunsama's Ashutosh Priyadarshy on using artificial time constraints to force productivity

Want to complete tasks quicker and fit more into your day?Productivity nerd Ashutosh Priyadarshy says effective and productive behaviour comes from setting a goal for your time. He’s the founder of productivity software company Sunsama, the makers of a daily planner tool that helps you plan out a focused work day by pulling together your tasks from all of your tools.During the early days building Sunsama software, Ashutosh set a 1.5-day turn around from demo to delivery. This forced the team to find creative solutions which allowed them to more rapidly ship iterations of their product. You can find the full interview here: Ashutosh Priyadarshy on how he deliberately removes bulls@*t from his diary Find out more about Ashutosh at Twitter or email ashutosh@sunsama.com Check out Sunsama here. Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If 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 Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 10, 2021 • 41min

Who Gives A Crap’s Simon Griffiths on driving a team through greater purpose

In March 2020, Simon Griffiths was watching as toilet paper sold out across Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Even as the CEO of toilet paper innovators Who Gives A Crap, he never imagined the same thing was about to happen in Australia, UK and the US. But on March 4th, things took a dramatic turn. As the great toilet paper wars broke out across supermarket aisles, sales rose by 30-40%. Who Gives A Crap sold out, with half a million buyers on their waitlist. The challenge excited Simon Griffiths, and over an eight week period the company pushed its systems to the absolute limit. So how did Griffiths keep his team motivated? Who Gives A Crap donates 50% of profits towards building toilets and providing sanitation to those in need, so Simon and his team knew this was their moment to shine. Having a purpose at the heart of the company propelled the team into action. As a remote-first organisation, Griffiths says focusing on autonomy, mastery and purpose, combined with clear goal-setting, can motivate a team to tackle anything. Simon Griffith’s recommended reading: - The Lean Startup Amantha’s recommended reading:- Measure What Matters Podcasts he listens to: - The Journal by the Wall Street Journal - How I Built This- 20VC And Amantha’s current favourite podcast:- Pivot You can connect with Simon on Twitter and Linkedin and the Who Give’s A Crap website - whogivesacrap.orgVisit 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.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 8, 2021 • 10min

My Favourite Tip: Turia Pitt's simple yet impactful gratitude practice

Want to transform your day by creating a more resilient and positive mindset? Engineer, athlete and burns survivor Turia Pitt has quick gratitude techniques that offer an easy way to take control so you’re not at the mercy of a bad mood. In the morning, think of three things you are grateful for. It’s that simple.For Turia, she likes to think about her son, or how nicely her new surfboard rides. You can find the full interview here: Turia Pitt’s Next Tuesday rule, hacks for dramatically improving self-talk, and how to be useful when someone is going through a rough time Connect with Turia: Turiapitt.com/letter Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If 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 Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 3, 2021 • 45min

Making the Four Day Week work for your organisation - a CEO's perspective (Part 2)

What would you do if your boss suggested that you cut your working hours down to just four normal length days but said to you, I'll still pay you for five? Would you pinch yourself to check you weren't dreaming? Well this is what happened last April at Inventium. Our CEO, Michelle Le Poidevin, suggested to the team that we should try out the Four Day week. This lead to us running a six-month experiment where the team all worked four days per week and had Friday off. As a participant in this experiment, I can tell you it was bloody awesome. And today, we are going to learn exactly why Mish even suggested this idea and how she manages to be a CEO in just four normal length working days a week.Now you might have heard my chat with Inventium's Head of Learning, Charlotte Rush, last week where we got into the nitty gritty details of how our four day week experiment worked, what we measured and we also addressed what some of the skeptics might be thinking. So go back and listen to that show if you're keen to go deep into the four day week concept.In my chat with Mish today, we talk about how on earth do you lead a business where people only work four days but we pay them for five, how we balance the need to collaborate with also working super efficiently, and what the biggest challenges have been in making the four day week work.Connect with Mish on Linkedin and at michelle@inventium.com.auVisit https://www.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.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 1, 2021 • 10min

My Favourite Tip: Coca-Cola Amatil's Managing Director Alison Watkins on how to receive negative feedback

My favourite tip from my chat with Coca-Cola Amatil's Managing Director Alison Watkins was on how to receive negative feedback.You can find the full interview here: Coca-Cola Amatil’s Group Managing Director Alison Watkins on why doing great work isn’t enough to get ahead in your careerConnect with Alison on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If 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.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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