David Sparks and Mike Schmitz are not nearly as productive as they’d like to be. Join these fellow travelers (and a bunch of special guests) as they share the best ways to get focused, and talk through their successes and failures along the way. Hosted by David Sparks and Mike Schmitz.
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David & Mike discuss the power of review and reflection in your focused productivity system. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. MacSparky Productivity Field Guide 2025 (Plus Edition) The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Len...
Anne-Laure Le Cunff joins us to talk about the value of tiny experiments and how they enable us to live more focused, intentional lives. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Cleft : Capture and Share Notes With Cleft's AI Scribe. Guest Starring: Anne-Laure Le Cunff Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Ness Labs ...
Chenell Basilio joins us to talk about cultivating curiosity, finding your people, and avoiding burnout. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Cleft : Capture and Share Notes With Cleft's AI Scribe. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Guest Starring: Chenell Basilio Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Chenel...
Ian Byrd is back to talk about flexibility, focus traps, and finding balance. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Guest Starring: Ian Byrd Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Byrdseed TV | Taking work off of teachers' plates. Byrdseed | Lessons that get kids’ brains sweating. Wacom Tablets Notability Goodnotes | Notes Reimagined ROOM | Soundproof Of...
David Sparks and Mike Schmitz discuss the updated Productivity Field Guide, highlighting new features like videos, a book, and webinars. David shares insights gained from teaching the course, including the importance of progress over perfection. They also delve into time blocking techniques and AI tools for productivity.
David & Mike consider the relationship between productivity & creativity, how focus plays a role in the creative process, and the details of their own creativity systems. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mike's Practical PKM Cohort...
David & Mike reflect on the things that worked (and the things that didn't) in 2024 and set their intentions for 2025. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Practical PKM (Mike's Newsletter) Mike's YouTube channel LifeHQ (Mike's done-for-you Obsidian vault) Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway House) David's Productivity Field Guid...
David & Mike catch up with listener feedback regarding the use of AI, reading workflows, anxious parenting, and what the heck even is a sabbatical. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick Time Timer | V...
Stephen Hackett joins us to talk about his recent sabbatical experience and share what he learned from taking an extended break. 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. Guest Starring: Stephen Hackett Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Sabbatical | 512 Pixe...
David & Mike consider the hidden costs of prioritizing the virtual world over the real world and discuss ways that we can fight for focus in an age of distraction. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan ...
Business and life coach Amy Wicks joins us to talk about the Enneagram personality assessment and showing up as our true selves. 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. Guest Starring: Amy Wicks Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The FOCUSED Calendar Amy's ...
David & Mike revisit the topic of AI to consider what's changed in the last year and discuss how it can be helpful for those of us who strive to live a focused life. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Links and Show Notes: Deep...
Clarke Ching ("The Bottleneck Guy") joins us to talk about finding solutions and fixing systems, both personally and professionally. 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. Guest Starring: Clarke Ching Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Clarke Ching | The B...
David & Mike discuss deliberate practice and the art of skill development — for both fun and profit. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bo...
Llama Life founder Marie Ng joins us to talk about the relative time-boxing, the importance of systems, and eating your productivity vegetables. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Guest Starring: Marie Ng Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep di...
David & Mike consider the role of Margin, Ownership, and Boundaries in the pursuit of living a focused life. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free epis...
David & Mike share the different ways they apply intentionality to their media consumption. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free epis...
Writer Bob Doto joins us to discuss creative systems, connecting ideas, and why you really should care about zettlekasten. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Bob Doto Links and Show Notes...
David & Mike revisit the topic of moving the needle to discuss what's working and what's changed. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Focused #74: Moving the Needle Right Thing, Right...
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. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Slow Productivity by Cal Newport Focused #2...
David & Mike read Rapt by Winifred Gallagher and discuss how to protect your attention and cultivate a focused life. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Harvard Business Review : The leading destination for smart management thinking. Subscriptions start at just $10/month with code FOCUSED. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Links ...
David & Mike consider their use of tasks and calendars and share their workflows for how they tie these two essential productivity tools together to get things done. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Nom Nom : Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 mi...
Ugmonk founder Jeff Sheldon is back to talk about designing and building physical products, how our environments shape our ability to focus, and finding joy in the analog. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Harvard Business Review : The leading destination for smart management thinking. Subscription...
Jason Snell is back to talk about staying focused as an indie and his unique spin on off-site personal retreats. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Nom Nom : Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off. 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 tal...
David & Mike consider Cal Newport's philosophy on organizing knowledge work in a sustainable and meaningful manner. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-fr...
Bestselling author & Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim joins David & Mike to talk about gratitude, mindfulness, compassion, and dealing with disappointment when things don't go your way. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Nom Nom : Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Indee...
David & Mike celebrate 200 episodes by sharing their favorite productivity hacks. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Focus Course Focused #138: Hyper-Scheduling Revisited Nom Nom Automators | Relay FM Productivity Field Guide (Plus E...
Jim Eager joins us to talk about how to navigate the 4 phases of retirement with meaning and purpose. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Nom Nom : Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Inde...
David & Mike revisit the topic of journaling for personal growth and share how their workflows have evolved. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes wit...
David & Mike consider the role of happiness & joy in meaningful productivity. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Vitally : A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Nom Nom : Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FO...
