How I Work

My guest today is Scott Young. Scott is a writer who undertakes interesting self-education projects, such as attempting to learn MIT's four-year computer science curriculum in twelve months and learning four languages in one year. Both of which he did successfully.Scott is a fascinating person who has basically dedicated his adult life to hacking learning and challenging a lot of the assumptions and beliefs that are held about how best to learn something. Scott is a science nerd like me and one of the many things I loved about Ultralearning is that it pairs a lot of scientific research with some fascinating real world case studies of ultralearners.If you have ever wanted to get better at learning something, or if perhaps at this point in your life you are looking at getting better at a new skill or maybe taking up a new project or hobby, I think you will find my chat with Scott incredibly helpful. We unpack quite a few different learning strategies that Scott has applied in his own life, and which after reading Ultralearning, I’ve now been applying to my own life.We cover: Why Scott spends time learning skills that he has already mastered Why retrieval is a critical skill for learning, and how to get better at it Scott’s approach to reading non-fiction books to optimise learning The importance of “directness” when it comes to learning a new skill The big problem with many training programs The best way to start a learning project How Scott mastered portrait drawing The importance of creating procedural memories and how to do this How Scott has improved his ability to stay focused Why focus comes down to managing emotions and developing good habits Scott’s tips to push through difficult tasks when you just want to give up The keys to giving effective feedback - and why most people who ask for feedback don’t actually want it How to solicit useful feedback How Scott decides which feedback to take on and which to ignore Find out more about Scott right here, and grab a copy of Ultralearning here.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.

My favourite tip from my chat with Broad City co-creator and star Abbi Jacobson was on why imposter syndrome can be a good thing.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 Sandra Sully. Sandra is one of the most recognised and respected faces on Australian television. A journalist, senior editor and presenter with Ten Eyewitness News First at Five, she has been part of the TEN News team since 1990. Since 2018, she has also been the Managing News editor at ten daily. And she recently launched a podcast called Short Black through Network Ten, where she chats to various women who have something interesting to say.We cover: How Sandra manages her calendar and why she puts exercise time in her diary How Sandra decides what to say yes to and what to say no to Sandra’s strategy for saying “no” politely Sandra’s approach to social media, and which channels she finds the most useful How Sandra gets across the news in the morning Sandra’s cure for insomnia and winding down from the rush of reading the late news The hardest part about reading the news Why Sandra watches most of her news reading “performances” back Why being as inoffensive as possible is critical when it comes to visual appearance on television How Sandra manages criticism on social media Sandra’s approach to preparing for interviews How Sandra builds rapport quickly with her interview subjects Find Sandra on Twitter and check out her podcast Short Black.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.

My favourite tip from my chat with New York Times editor Tim Herrera was on his strategies for beating procrastination.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.

Today’s show was recorded live in Melbourne in October at Inventium’s HQ in Melbourne. And it was with Adam Ferrier, someone who I have known for over a decade and I was very excited to have on the show. Adam is a consumer psychologist and the co-founder of Thinkerbell - an agency that fuses together marketing sciences and hard-core creativity – or as they like to put it – ‘Measured Magic’. Thinkerbell also happens to be the current 2018 Adnews' Creative Agency of the Year.Adam is also the author of 'The Advertising Effect: How to change behaviour, sits on the boards of Tribe, Good Thnx and PIJI.Where you might have seen Adam is on your TV set because he is a weekly guest on Australian national TV shows Sunrise and Your Money, and regular panellist on others such as Gruen and The Project.I found this chat with Adam an absolute delight. Adam has very contrarian but also very useful views on things. And if you have ever thought about your own personal brand (and if you haven’t, you probably should), I think you’ll find this chat incredibly helpful in refining what it is what you stand for.Follow Adam on Twitter and Linkedin, and check out Adam's agency Thinkerbell.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 favourite tip from my chat with Psychology Professor Elizabeth Dunn was on her strategies for using money to buy time (and happiness).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.

David "Kochie" Koch is one of Australia’s most recognised faces, because he is on TV every morning as the co-host of Seven Network's Sunrise, a job he has had for the last 17 years. And for most of those 17 years, Sunrise has been Australia’s number one rating breakfast show. Kochie is also the Chairman of Port Adelaide and is the director of Pinstripe Media. And a Reader’s Digest survey found that Kochie is one of the top 25 most trusted people in Australia.I was keen to have Kochie on the show because I wanted to understand how he balances his world as a breakfast TV host with his other business commitments. In person, Kochie was exactly how you expect him to be - super friendly and chatty, and also very thoughtful.If you have ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of breakfast TV, and how the rest of the working day fits in around this commitment, then I think you’ll enjoy my chat with Kochie.We cover: Kochie’s morning and evening routines How Kochie prioritises his health What goes on behind the scenes at Sunrise Kochie’s go-to news sources The hardest thing about doing breakfast TV Kochie’s least favourite day of the week Why Kochie still gets nervous before big interviews Getting behind the facade that celebrities put up in interviews How the Sunrise team maintain energy for the 3.75 hours they are on air every morning How Kochie “decompresses” after going off-air Kochie’s approach to email, Slack and social media Why Kochie will stay off social media for several days after a Port Adelaide football loss Kochie’s campaign for optimism Follow Kochie on Twitter and check out Sunrise 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.

A few weeks ago, I hosted my very first Ask Me Anything webinar where I invited a whole bunch of people to ask me any question they want. Today’s episode is a recording of this session. I cover a whole range of topics, ranging from how to become unstuck, how to create a best place to work culture, looking at my own personal working rhythms, through how to start a podcast, and how I transitioned from being a manager to a maker. Enjoy!02:00 - What skills or characteristics do you look for most when hiring a new employee or partnering on a project with a consultant organization or team?05:30 - How’d you get people engaged with innovation when they constantly say they’re too busy?07:03 - Do you have any insights or tips on managing emails?08:50 - How to work more effectively on an open plan office?11:37 - How'd you recommend identifying and approaching a mentor as an introvert?15:23 - What are the key elements of the peer support group and what do you think makes it work particularly well?18:50 - What strategies do you use to break yourself out of feeling like you're in an innovation trap? How do you personally ensure that you are primed and best positioned to think and act innovatively?21:26 - How can incremental and disruptive innovation live side by side in an organization?22:43 - Is there a quick and short way of making sure the right solutions and ideas are being carried forward that you can recommend?25:16 - Do you give yourself worktime boundaries? How do you ensure you get all of your work done but then you aren't eating into home/family time and or working all the time?27:14 - What initiatives do you have to reduce workplace stress and increase employee well-being?28:20 - How do unlimited annual leave work?30:10 - How to start a podcast?32:29 - How do you convert to a Holacracy model? What are the challenges?35:05 - How do you, as a middle manager, help to get the director onboard for more flexibility and trust in working arrangements?37:34 - Should you use Timesheets software for work reporting?38:56 - How to build a best place to work culture with very limited resources?40:30 - When have you had the most success scheduling tasks you've been procrastinating on? When is the best time to do hard tasks?41:20 - What was your thought process as you contemplated going from a manager to a maker and how long did it take you to come to that decision?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 favourite tip from my chat with Google VP Jerry Dischler was on his tips for identifying top talent.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 Nir Eyal. Nir is an international bestselling author, former Stanford lecturer, successful tech investor, and behavioral design expert. Five years ago, Nir wrote what is widely considered to be Silicon Valley’s handbook for making technology habit-forming - a book called Hooked. This week, his latest book Indistractible is coming out, which reveals the hidden psychology driving us to distraction. He describes why solving the problem is not as simple as swearing off our devices. Nir claims that abstinence is impractical and often makes us want more.I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of Indistractable, which I devoured in one sitting. It is such a great book and such a fresh and unique take on the productivity genre. And so as you can imagine, I was very excited to chat to Nir about the ideas in the book and how he has applied them in his own life. If you are finding yourself constantly distracted by digital, and even non-digital distractions throughout your day, then I am sure you will learn some really great strategies to help become indistractable in this chat.We cover: Nir’s four step model to becoming indistractable What he found hardest about changing his own relationship with distractions Identifying the root cause of distraction The best way to make boring tasks more engaging What Nir’s calendar looks like and why he schedules literally everything Nir’s approach to scheduling time with friends and family How Nir has helped his daughter develop a healthy relationship with technology Nir’s favourite apps that help him stay focused And much, much more. Check out Indistractable here. And find out more about Nir here.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.