DeepSummary
In this feedback episode, David Sparks and Mike Schmitz discuss listener comments and questions related to previous episodes on topics such as Cal Newport's book 'Slow Productivity', scheduling time for new projects, delegation, rituals and locations for focused work, journaling practices, and finding one's ikigai or life's purpose. They share their own experiences and perspectives on these productivity strategies.
The co-hosts also touch on the importance of context shifting through different environments and rituals to enhance focus and creativity. They talk about managing meetings efficiently, setting boundaries, and leveraging tools like calendar blocks and task lists to prioritize important work. Personal retreats, both at home and away, are discussed as opportunities for reflection and planning.
Additionally, Sparks and Schmitz mention the books they are currently reading, including 'Co-Intelligence' by Ethan Mollick on working with AI, and 'Right Thing Right Now' by Ryan Holiday on stoic virtues. They also provide updates on the personal challenges they had set for themselves, such as a systems freeze and incorporating meditation.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Implementing a system for prioritizing tasks and avoiding overcommitment is crucial for productivity and avoiding burnout.
- Changing environments and leveraging rituals can enhance focus and creativity by facilitating context shifts.
- Scheduling focused work in calendar blocks and using task lists strategically can help ensure important work gets done.
- Personal retreats, even short ones, can provide opportunities for reflection, planning, and gaining fresh perspectives.
- Journaling practices like using the Day One app can support reflection and preparation for personal retreats.
- Finding one's 'ikigai' or life's purpose should be an ongoing process of evolution rather than a fixed pursuit.
- Delegation and leveraging help from others can free up time and energy for higher-impact work.
- Exploring different productivity strategies and being open to experimentation can lead to finding personalized systems that work.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I think if you don't implement version of the system that you're describing, essentially what is missing is any sort of filter as to prioritization. If everything that shows up on your list must get done, then you just continue to extend your days as your lists grow and then eventually you can't extend them anymore and then you start dropping the ball.“ by Mike Schmitz
- “You don't have to be doing the other things, that you're drawing these hard lines, and I'm never going to do this thing again. You know, maybe if you really hate doing something that's a clue that you should try to find a way not to have to do this, but sometimes you got to do the things that you don't want to do, but always have in the back of your mind, what are the things that really are going to make a difference and have an impact and just try to optimize for that stuff.“ by Mike Schmitz
- “I absolutely would not. If it can be helped if you absolutely have to do it at home, maybe you could do that. Maybe you could get up early before the kids get up or stay up a little bit later after they, they go to bed and think about these things. But it's not the ideal location. If you're at home, your brain is going to automatically just go into the way that it's been thinking about things in that situation, in that environment.“ by Mike Schmitz
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Episode Information
Focused
Relay FM
7/2/24
In this feedback episode, David & Mike revisit scheduling, journaling, delegation, and lots of listener thoughts on slow productivity.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
- Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
- Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.