Beyond The To-do List

For exactly one year, May 1st, 2013 – May 1, 2014, Chris Bailey of ‘A Year of Productivity’ and ‘A Life of Productivity’ ran productivity experiments on himself. In this episode, he and Erik talk about some of the findings he had from those experiments, such as: Meditating for 35 hours over 7 days Watching 70 hours of TED Talks in a week Using a smartphone for only 60 minutes a day for 3 months Working 90 hour workweeks and more  Tweetable quotes from this episode: [tweetable]When you bring more of yourself to what you’re doing, you can dive into it deeper and do it a lot better.[/tweetable] [tweetable]Intention behind your actions is like wood behind an arrow.[/tweetable] [tweetable]Meditation trains your attention muscle to dedicate more attention to whatever you want to do in the moment.[/tweetable] [tweetable]You know how you know if something’s important? If you’ve done it already.[/tweetable] [tweetable]Just because you feel productive, doesn’t mean you’re actually productive.[/tweetable] Pl

Jeff Sanders is a productivity coach, personal development junky, and avid trail runner. He has completed six competitive marathons, two 50k ultra-marathons, two half marathons, and two 200-mile team relay races. Jeff writes and speaks through his blog and podcast about healthy habits, personal development, high energy, and rockin’ productivity. He also eats a lot of bananas. Make sure to check out Jeff’s Podcast: The 5AM Miracle. Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Beyond the To-Do List: Personal and professional productivity The Productive Woman: Productivity for busy women ONCE: Once Upon a Time podcast Welcome to Level Seven: Agents of SHIELD and Marvel’s cinematic universe podcast Are You Just Watching?: Movie reviews with Christian critical thinking the Ramen Noodle: Family-friendly clean comedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad

Will Henshall and Jeff Straw of Focus at Will join Erik this time to talk about listening to the right kind of music to achieve better focus. Focus at Will is a new neuroscience based music service that helps you focus, reduce distractions and retain information when working, studying, writing and reading. The technology is based on hard science and proven to be extremely effective at extending your attention span. References in this episode: Focus at Will The Pomodoro Technique Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Beyond the To-Do List: Personal and professional productivity The Productive Woman: Productivity for busy women ONCE: Once Upon a Time podcast Welcome to Level Seven: Agents of SHIELD and Marvel’s cinematic universe podcast Are You Just Watching?: Movie reviews with Christian critical thinking the Ramen Noodle: Family-friendly clean comedy   Le

Mike Vardy is the Chief and founder of Productivityist, where he writes, speaks, coaches and podcasts on productivity and more. Mike and Erik cover a lot in this episode, and even mention their favorite Task Management Tool: ToDoist. ToDoist even generously has given Erik 5 premium accounts to give away. All given away! Mentioned in this episode: Podcast Movement Greg Hickman ToDoist Chase Reeves – Mike’s on Mic’s Scott Dinsmore – Live Your Legend Brett Kelly Assessing projects Don’t Just Ship – Deliver Merlin Mann – Chasing the right zero Jon Acuff 90% Paul Jarvis Mark Johns Chris Ducker – Virtual Freedom Donald Miller’s Life Plan John Lennon – Beautiful Boy John Cleese on the creative process Heavy lifting/light lifting days David Sparks – Presentations Field Guide SimpleRev – Joel Zaslofsky Dan Hayes, Vanessa Hayes Energy, Time, Priority, Work/Life: 4 New Ways To Organize Your To-Do List Time moves on whether you want it to or not. Tasks only move as far as you move them.Click To T

Farnoosh Brock is a multi-passionate entrepreneur. She escaped her cushy 11-year corporate career to start her own company. Today she is a speaker, author, green juice expert, Ashtanga yogini, globe trotter, and oh yeah, just hired hubby into our company. This is her second full episode, and third appearance on the show overall. Make sure to go back and listen to her first episode, and the special 50th episode on tools she was a part of. This time, Farnoosh is back, and we talk about her new book ‘The Healthy Smoothie Bible.  Make sure to grab Farnoosh’s latest book, and thank her for being on this episode! Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Beyond the To-Do List: Personal and professional productivity The Productive Woman: Productivity for busy women ONCE: Once Upon a Time podcast Welcome to Level Seven: Agents of SHIELD and Marvel’s cinematic universe podca

Brett Kelly writes about technology, efficiency, business and Evernote. You can spend hours and hours of your precious free time on experimentation and trial-and-error, trying to find the best way to make Evernote work for you. Or you can pick up Evernote Essentials and learn from the expert in an afternoon. In fact Brett used to work at Evernote until just recently. Mentioned in this episode: Evernote essentials Direct from Brett, Kindle, iBooks File This Fetch Eddie Smith Macdrifter Omnifocus 2 Macstories.net 512pixels Chase Reeves – Fizzle Boomerang for Gmail Don’t forget to Tweet at Brett! Don’t forget to grab Brett’s book: Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Beyond the To-Do List: Personal and professional productivity The Productive Woman: Productivity for busy women ONCE: Once Upon a Time podcast Welcome to Level Seven: Agents of SHIELD and

Derek Coburn is the Co-founder of Cadre and a catalyst for connecting remarkable people. Derek is now a newly published author of Networking Is Not Working: Stop Collecting Business Cards and Start Making Meaningful Connections. Born out of Derek’s frustration with having spent thousands of fruitless hours attending traditional networking events, this book offers fresh, effective, unconventional strategies for growing and nurturing a powerful network. Mentioned in this episode: How to Use Networking 3.0 to Make New Connections – Derek’s guest post on Jay Baer‘s Convince & Convert Blog Contactually Tweet at Derek and thank him for appearing on this episode! Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Beyond the To-Do List: Personal and professional productivity The Productive Woman: Productivity for busy women ONCE: Once Upon a Time podcast Welcome to Level Seven:

Allison Vesterfelt quit her full time job to chase her dream of becoming a writer. Since that point she can’t help but write about what it looks like to live with less; to give up the things that aren’t important so she can chase the things that are. Allison’s book Packing Light is about just that.  Inspired by the courage of a friend, and the story of The Rich Young Ruler from the Gospels, she decided to quit her full-time job, move out of her apartment, sell nearly everything she owned and spend the next six months driving across the country. On the trip I started to discover what it looked like to live life with less baggage, both in actuality, and as a metaphor. .@AllyVest on @Donaldmiller's @Storyline #Productivity Schedule & how she & @dvest build bridges + take leaps. http://t.co/K0wY2nLsuN — Erik Fisher (@ErikJFisher) May 6, 2014 Covered in this episode: Allison’s book ‘Packing Light’ Overcoming Procrastination The power of choice Donald Miller’s Storyline Productivity Schedule Donald

Paul Jun is a writer and author at Motivated Mastery. He is all about connecting the dots between subjects like mastery, psychology, technology, philosophy, culture, self-awareness, and developing an understanding through self-education. Unstimulated by traditional education, Paul was motivated to study subjects that were practical to his goals and growth. He became a voracious reader and learned to used the (growing) resources available to facilitate his education. He connects the dots to improve his understanding of the subjects that elude him, while focusing on creating the kind of content that is enriching and insightful. His new book Connect the Dots is all about how to do this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hugh Culver shows people how to work smarter and live better. As a teacher and mentor for other experts (speakers, seminar leaders, authors, and coaches) he helps entrepreneurs to serve more people, sell more products, and succeed more than they ever thought possible. As a professional speaker, he challenges people to drop their stories, plan better and take action everyday to lead an effective life. Hugh was also a professional adventure guide, ironman and marathon competitor, and a university professor. Hugh now speaks, consults, and writes about creating real results and a rich life in the age of distraction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Brogan is Publisher and CEO of Owner Magazine, a business magazine helping you improve your worth by growing your capabilities and connections. He is the New York Times Bestselling author of six books and counting, including The Impact Equation, with Julien Smith. He lives in northern Massachusetts, where he frequently plays Minecraft with his kids. Make sure to listen to the first time Chris was on the show. The publish date of this episode is also Chris’s 44th Birthday. Happy Birthday Chris! Covered in this episode: OwnerMag Chris’s upcoming book: The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth Chris’s Weekly Newsletter The Owner’s Mind Podcast New Business Networking Radio Podcast Defy the Plateau Podcast Life in the Woods Podcast Don’t forget to tweet at Chris today and wish him a happy birthday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Claire Diaz-Ortiz returns to the show to share tips to stay sane in an all access, always on age. Claire first visited the show to talk about The Present Principle. Claire was an early employee at Twitter, where she was hired to lead social innovation, and where she still works today. She is also a speaker, author, blogger, and has two new books out: Greater Expectations: Succeed (and Stay Sane) in an On-Demand, All-Access, Always-On Age Hope Runs: An American Tourist, a Kenyan Boy, a Journey of Redemption Here are some of my favorite recent posts on Claire’s blog: How to Get Anything Done, Now. How to Measure Productivity Three Keys to a Successful Digital Detox Why Email Isn’t Work. (And Why It Is.) How Goals Can Help You Define Success Make sure to Tweet to Claire and thank her for appearing on this episode! Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Beyond the

Tony DiLorenzo and his wife Alisa created ONE Extraordinary Marriage to educate, entertain, encourage, and inspire people to have mind-blowing intimacy in their marriages. Tony & Alisa are experienced marriage coaches, podcasters, and speakers. They specialize in helping time-crunched couples take action and enjoy the sex, love, and commitment they desire in their marriage. Being fit and healthy and the associated intimacy it brings to their relationship have helped Tony and Alisa through good times and bad. Their hiking escapades early in their marriage led them to the three highest peaks in Southern California, backpacking treks in Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Death Valley, as well as fun-filled dates along the beach or resorts closer to home. Mentioned in this episode: ONE Extrordinary Marriage Episode 140 – Scheduling Sex STOP the glorification of BUSY.Click To TweetPlease connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Auda

Chris Ducker was working 14-hour days, six days a week, spending very little time with family and working ‘in’ his business, instead of ‘on’ it and was tired in every possible way. He’s come a long way since then, creating the new business Virtual Staff Finder, the New Business Podcast, and his new book – Virtual Freedom: How to Work with Virtual Staff to Buy More Time, Become More Productive, and Build Your Dream Business. He’s also released a podcast series that corresponds to the new book. In this episode, Chris and Erik cover: The false believe that you can fill every role in a growing business Super hero syndrome Chris’ definition of the word Entrepreneur = To provide answers to questions and solutions to problems Being a 16 hour a day, 7 day a week entrepreneur doesn’t make you a more successful entrepreneur. Chris’s 3 lists: The things you hate doing The things you can’t do The things you shouldn’t be doing You need to do only the things that you are uniquely qualified to do.—@jaybaerClick To

Dustin Riechmann is the creator of the site Engaged Marriage, where he seeks to help you live a married life you love. Dustin Riechmann is just a normal guy with a passion for marriage and life and a knack for helping others achieve big things. He’s an engineer by trade, and tries to be a good husband and a mostly patient Dad to his three great kids. Dustin and Erik are doing a live online workshop and recording called “How to Enjoy More Quality Time & Be Super Productive as a Couple”. Sign up to be part of this live event, or to grab the recording later. What you will learn from this workshop: How to do a Time Makeover that will get your schedule under control & give you more quality time to enjoy with your family How to craft your perfect morning routine to start with your day with energy & enthusiasm How to create powerful habits & healthy boundaries on your time that will give you the focus you and your family deserve during your work, family and play time How to use three simple, powerful productivit

Jim Woods is a Writer, Coach, and Instigator. He is the co-author of ‘Ready Aim Fire! – A Practical Guide to Making and Achieving Goals’. The book is also co-authored by the host of this podcast, Erik Fisher. In this more raw episode than usual, Erik and Jim talk a bit about personal productivity struggles, how life is seasonal, the need to simplify, and why they rebranded their 1st book a few months after it’s release. Referenced in this episode: Derek Webb‘s appearance on the Life in the Woods Podcast: Part 1 Part 2 Jon Acuff Crystal Paine Ben Dempsey Jeremy Statton Breaking Bad Bacon The Elvis Make sure to support this podcast and both Erik and Jim by grabbing a copy of their first book: ‘Ready Aim Fire! – A Practical Guide to Making and Achieving Goals’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merlin Mann is an Independent Writer, Speaker, and Broadcaster at MerlinMann.com and Cohost of Back to Work Podcast on the 5 by 5 Podcast Network with Dan Benjamin. You can find Merlin’s previous appearance on this podcast here. Covered in this episode: Back to Work Episode 153: ‘Anxiety’s a Goat‘ Getting Things Done by David Allen ©DavidCo, 2001. The unknown inboxes out there that we don’t know about that keep us up at night The inboxes we have accepted Being sober about acknowledging the known inboxes we have in our lives Interruptions vs. Distractions How thoughts effect our feelings and vice versa The real inbox zero: What percentage of your brain is somewhere you don’t want it to be right now. Calendars 5 Fantastical Omnifocus Mailbox Awayfind Sanebox Unroll.me Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Beyond the To-Do List: Personal and professi

Donald Miller is all about story. He is the author of several books, including multiple New York Times Best Sellers. Donald is also the founder of Storyline, an organization that helps people live better stories. He’s helped thousands overcome a sense of meaninglessness by helping them create their Storyline life plan. If you’re struggling with a sense of meaningless, pick up Storyline today. After studying story for years and successfully using the elements of story to engage customers, Don created StoryBrand, a process any business owner or marketing team can go through to create a communication script that will increase sales. Don is also the creator of the Storyline Productivity Schedule, a free daily schedule using modern psychology to increase a person’s productivity. Don believes getting your story straight changes everything. Covered in this episode: How Don got started writing How he continued at it, attained great success and learned to deal with those new expectations Kept going through a cycle

David Sparks is an Orange County, California business attorney, geek, podcaster on the Mac Power Users podcast, blogger, and author who writes about finding the best tools, hardware, and workflows for using Apple products to get work done. David also writes for Macworld magazine and speaks about technology. Mentioned in this episode: Unclutter Drafts Publishing on the iBooks Store Why Email Isn’t Work. (And Why It Is) by Claire Diaz-Ortiz The Mac Sparky Field Guides Series must be good. It looks like The Lord of the Rings Extended DVD set! Make sure to thank David on Twitter for appearing on this episode. Don’t forget to grab your free audiobook from Audiobooks.com/todo Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network shows The Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcasting Beyond the To-Do List: Personal and professional productivity The Productive Woman: Productivity for busy women ONCE: Once Upon a Time podcast Welc

Crystal Paine is the founder of the popular blog MoneySavingMom.com. The mission of the blog is talking about Intentional Finance, Intentional Family, and Intentional Business. Her new book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode is aimed as a help to the super busy, the stressed out, and the overtired. In it, she gives you ways to: Feel healthier and more energetic by setting priorities and boundaries Eliminate stress with savvy management of your time, money, and home Get more done by setting realistic goals and embracing discipline Rediscover your passions—and the confidence to pursue them Grab your copy here! Click to tweet these great quotes from Crystal in this episode: There are seasons in life. We can’t do EVERYthing in EVERY season. - @MoneySavingMomClick To Tweet If you're exhausted & overwhelmed, step back & cut out everything that is not a necessity. - @MoneySavingMomClick To Tweet When you evaluate all your commitments, opportunities + to-do’s, very few are necessities for life. - @MoneySavingMomClick