How I Work

My guest today is Laura Mae Martin. Laura is the Executive Productivity Advisor at Google. So how did this happen?Laura Mae Martin started at Google almost 10 years ago in the Ann Arbor office. Shortly after joining she started a 20% project and developed an internal training on how to manage your inbox effectively. Her continued passion for productivity has developed into a full-time role working 1:1 with Executives at Google and running the Productivity@Google program for all employees.We cover: How Laura scored the job of Executive Productivity Advisor at Google Laura’s top tips for working from home during COVID while being a parent How Laura sets her day up for success Laura’s template for planning her day the night before Laura’s weekly ritual for planning her work How Laura reflects on her energy levels over a week and plans her week based on these insights How Laura has set mental and physical boundaries while working from home during COVID Laura’s approach to making meetings as efficient as possible and her default meeting length time Laura’s email management strategies to dramatically reduce the amount of time she spends in her inbox How Laura manages digital distractions Laura’s favourite productivity apps How Laura and other Googlers are improving social connectedness during COVID. Find out more about Laura here: Laura's blog post about working from home  Laura's blog post about mastering email The Suite Life YouTube series, where Laura shares GSuite hacks on a weekly basis Laura's LinkedIn 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.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with David "Kochie" Koch was about his morning and evening routines.You can find the full interview here.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.

My guest today is Michelle Poler. While doing her Masters in Branding back in 2015, Michelle started a project where she would conquer 100 fears in 100 days. This Masters project turned into a global movement that impacted millions of people and received coverage on The NBC Today Show, Fox News, CBS, CNN, to name a few.Since that project, Michelle now travels the world speaking to people at companies such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Netflix, Microsoft, P&G, Toyota, Coca-Cola, and many more, about getting out of their comfort zone. Michelle’s first book, Hello Fears, is coming out on May 5, and teaches readers how to create their own 100 days of fear project.In this chat, we cover: How her life as a keynote speaker has changed dramatically post-COVID How she reacted when her diary was literally wiped of all speaking events and work The detail Michelle goes into when constructing and improving her keynote speeches How she keeps her keynote speeches fresh for every audience Her process for helping her 100 Days of Fear project go viral to millions of people The one question Michelle recommends asking to help overcome fears. Get Michelle’s book Hello Fears, follow her on Instagram, and find out more about her here. 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.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's mini-episode, I explore three science-backed ways to foster social connections in virtual meetings.Visit 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.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today...is me! A week ago, my team mate Charlotte Rush and I hosted an Ask me Anything webinar on the topic of Working From Home. We had over 700 people join us and submit questions and we tried to get through as many as possible. This is a recording of the live event and we cover all sorts of tips for working from home, such as: the ideal home office set up how to stay connected with co-workers how to run better virtual meetings how to maintain motivation during this challenging time how to keep your energy levels high when it feels like Groundhog how to juggle homeschooling with your other full-time job and much, much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Cyan Ta’eed. Cy is one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, having co-founded Envato in 2006 and growing it to being valued at over $1 billion. Last year she tried her hand at chocolate (why not?!) and Hey Tiger is now one of Australia’s fastest growing purpose-driven brands. Oh, and in her spare time, she recently launched Milkshake.app, which allows users to make a free website for their Instagram profile all on their phone, instantly.In this chat, we cover: How Cy went from spending four hours a day on her phone to just 15 minutes How Cy changed her mobile phone to make it less addictive The game that Cy’s family play on January 1, every year The five minute activity that Cy does every morning to set herself up for the day How Cy manages her energy levels as a self-described introvert who presents as an extravert. Cy’s approach to constant learning and development How and where Cy has found great people to work in her businesses. Cy’s strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome How Cy mentally prepares herself for stressful events Why Cy had an app on her phone that reminded her she is going to die 5 x per day Cy’s go-to apps and gadgets What happened when Cy had an eyesight-threatening ulcer and had to rest in darkness for several weeks. Balancing sprints with periods of rest Find Cy on Instagram at @cyantaeed, check out her amazing chocolate social enterprise Hey Tiger and her most recent business Milkshake that allows users to create a webpage from their Instagram account.Visit 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.

Join Andrew Barnes, entrepreneur and philanthropist behind the Four Day Work Week, as he reveals secrets to condensing five days of work into four. He shares his innovative strategies for setting boundaries and creating a productive work environment. Learn how eliminating desk lunches and rethinking meetings can enhance efficiency. Andrew discusses the positive impact of a shorter workweek on creativity and employee engagement, making a compelling case for modernizing work practices while maintaining well-being.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Cal Newport. Cal is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. Cal is the author of six books, including, most recently, the New York Times bestseller, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Cal’s work has been published in over 20 languages and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Washington Post, and the Economist.It’s probably an understatement to say I was excited for this chat because I am a complete and utter fan girl of Cal’s and it’s fair to say that his work has had an enormous impact on how I work. We cover a bunch of different aspects of the way Cal approaches his work including: Cal’s different Deep Work rituals and why he recommends having different rituals for different types of Deep Work How to know if you are actually doing Deep Work Strategies to break your Shallow Work habit The critical conversation to have with your manager to get them supporting you doing more Deep Work Cal’s ritual for "shutting down” his work day Why Cal rejects the idea that we need to have a phone on us at all times How Cal deliberately builds solitude into his day Why changing workflows is more effective than changing habits when trying to increase productivity The workflow Cal designed while on his book tour to minimise back and forth communication Why giving your time a job is better than using a to-do list How Cal uses weekly and daily time blocking to use his time effectively How to take a “Deep Break" The two key elements of Cal’s email system to minimise communication The topic Cal is exploring for his next book You can find Cal at http://calnewport.com/ and grab his books Deep Work and Digital Minimalism.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.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Glen Dolman. Glen is one of Australia’s most sought-after screenwriters. Glen most recently wrapped on the second season of his supernatural series for Stan, Bloom, which he created and executive produced. The first season was nominated for an AACTA for Best New Drama Series and the second season kicks off on April 9.Glen has written for a variety of different shows including Britain’s longest running crime drama, The Bill (ITV). He also wrote the highly acclaimed telemovie Hawke for Network Ten, about the controversial life of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, which won the AWGIE Award for Best Original Telemovie and three AFI’s (Australian Film Institute Awards), including for Best Telemovie or Mini-Series in 2010. In this chat, we cover: What the role of a Showrunner entails How to recruit for a writer’s room Glen’s strategies for building the optimal dynamic in a writer’s room Where the idea for Bloom came from Tips for overcoming writer’s block when working in a team Knowing when to trust your ideas The best writing advice he has received. You can check out Bloom on Stan. 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.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Ask Me Anything: Working From Home***On Tuesday April 21, at 10am, I’ll be hosting an Ask Me Anything Webinar dedicated solely to the topic of working from home. I’ll be drawing on my two decades of experience as an Organisational Psychologist, tips and tricks I have picked up from my guests on the How I Work podcast, and the thousands of scientific journal articles and books I have read on productivity, connectedness, and motivation. All I need are questions to answer!I imagine we will cover topics such as: How to create the ideal physical space for your "home office" How to overcome feelings of social isolation How best to structure your day when working from home Hacks, tips and rituals to help you be more productive Setting boundaries between work and non-work life How to get work done when you are also trying to be a pseudo school teacher And much, much more. So if you are struggling with home working life, or perhaps you are just looking to further optimise what you are already doing, register for the Ask me Anything - Working From Home Webinar and then send over any questions you would like answered.Oh - and it’s completely free to attend! ***Here are links to the six apps from today's show:SereneForestSuperhumanWovenPocketSend from GmailVisit 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.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.