How excited were we when, Sunday Times Best Selling psychological thriller author, Helen Callaghan agreed to be on the podcast? Helen is a stationery freak, so we dug into her process of writing, typewriters, book soundtracks, choosing colours for books, Moleskines, writing retreats and more. It was a real joy and we’re sure you’ll be inspired and motivated and learn a lot about the world of writing books. Some quotes from the show: “Self-consciousness is the enemy of creativity” On Fountain Pen...
Nov 17, 2022•42 min•Ep. 32
In this episode: We jump into the topic of career development with a three dimensional approach created by Rob, which consists of: DISC Strengths Happiness Rob explains why he prints out loads of selfies using his new Thermal Printer from Vretti Helen is obsessed with stickers from Spooky Yeti If you’re interested in the Trinity here are some recommended surveys (Stationery Freaks has no responsibility for your data from these sites - nor has an affiliation with them. But we use them often). It’...
Nov 03, 2022•23 min•Ep. 31
In this episode: We explain what mind maps are, how they work and what we use them for. For more details on different mind maps we recommend this post . We also introduce our new newsletter ! Helen introduces her new learning of choice - Arabic. And how she is using brush pens and a new notebook for it. Rob steals Helen stationery. Video of that here. Rob talks about his new Academic planner that makes him look all sophisticated. Helen talks about NaNoWriMo and how she’s only ever made it to day...
Oct 20, 2022•22 min•Ep. 30
In this episode: We explain, with poorly formed excuses, why we've been absent for 6 months We talk about consistency, notebooks, etsy and Helen's addiction to stickers We talk about notebook usage, whiteboards for bi-annual planning, bulletjournaling and A5 mind mapping Rob talks about his countryside productivity retreat Helen talks about colours, pens, mood Helen's cat makes an appearance And Rob talks about the endless nature on digital todo lists like ToDoist (and how it's not always a good...
Jul 08, 2022•28 min•Ep. 29
In today's episode we cover: * How to pre-empt failure * How Helen thinks through what could go wrong * Why Rob looks at everything as an experiment - and therefore failures are data for moving forward * Why resilience is essential * The old stoic approach of setting a target but not being wedded to the outcome The challenge -> Subscribe to the podcast as next year we have some cracking content coming your way
Dec 24, 2021•12 min•Ep. 28
In today's episode we cover: * Habit stacking and what it is * Chaining habits together * Forcing your environment to support your habits * Picking one existing habit and building on it * Avoiding leaving gaps between habits * Doing just 15 minutes of habits * How Helen did a PHD is procrastination * Talking to your inner 8 year old * How Helen uses her Bullet Journal to track habits The challenge -> Choose a habit you wish to develop and decide when would be best to do that habit. Then find ...
Dec 23, 2021•12 min•Ep. 27
In today's episode we cover: * How we track goals once they are in progress * Rob shares how he tracks his videos using a Mark and Fold notebook * Helen shares how she relies on the enthusiasm at the beginning of starting a goal to drive habits * Rob talks about his Fridge of Accountability * Helen shares how she uses her Bullet Journal for tracking goals The challenge -> We forgot to set one today!
Dec 22, 2021•12 min•Ep. 26
In today's episode we cover: * How we got interested in minimalism * Courtney Carver's project 333 * The Minimalists - Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus * Stationery Freak -> Someone who tells themselves they can walk past a stationery shop without going in, but they cannot * How lockdowns have stopped impulse buying from stationery stores * Helen's Etsy habit * Maria Kondo * Sort your life out with Stacey Solomon (and why visualising everything in a warehouse is so clever) * Why em...
Dec 21, 2021•11 min•Ep. 25
In today's episode we cover: * How to turn goals into action * Triggers that trip your brain into breaking it's subconscious routines * Habits are awesome as you don't have to think about them * Can you replace a bad habit with a good one? * Can a certain place trigger habits? * Is the theory of 21 days habit building correct? * Traumatic moments help with building habits (anyone ever forget their gym kit at school?) The challenge -> Pick one goal and think about what routines and habits you'...
Dec 20, 2021•11 min•Ep. 24
In today's episode we cover: * How to break a goal out into smaller parts, such as milestones or mini sub-goals * Start small - what's the first step or next step * Copy and learn from someone else * Rob shares how he writes a book! * Is there a period of preparation before starting a goal? * And is this preparation a form of procrastination * Make the most of the initial enthusiasm to make progress - before it gets challenging The challenge -> Pick one of your goals and break it down into ti...
Dec 19, 2021•11 min•Ep. 23
In today's episode we cover: * Why Helen is learning how to make Japanese food - and how this is a personal learning goal * Why Rob did a two year HR learning goal for his career - and how painful this was * How Rob uses Meso-cycles of learning and implementing * The difference between Task Acquisition and Information Acquisition * How Rob uses Domestika for personal learning * The "Two Whys" of learning - career and personal The challenge -> Identify a simple learning goal you could commit t...
Dec 18, 2021•11 min•Ep. 22
In today's episode we cover: How to use your journal to reflect on goals, life and behaviours Rob butchers Seneca's journal questions (accidentally) We talk about Benjamin Franklin's two questions to book-end the day And whether Helen really will continue this habit into 2022 The challenge -> Continue journaling - and maybe use the "what good did I do today" prompt Benjamin Franklin's Daily Schedule For Success (addicted2success.com) How to start journaling — Stationery Freaks...
Dec 17, 2021•9 min•Ep. 21
In today's episode we cover: How Helen uses one notebook and typically has 3 - 6 goals Why too many can be overwhelming Why Helen works to a 9 month goal setting period Why breaking the rules of goal setting can be good Why scratching off goals that don’t resonate anymore is good But also why sometimes persevering is the right thing to do How Rob sets goals by breaking the 10 year painted picture down to 5 years - and then yearly goal within Why Rob has around 15 - 20 goals each year, but some a...
Dec 16, 2021•11 min•Ep. 20
Welcome to Day 3 of our 12 days of Christmas advent calendar. In today's episode we cover: The basics of goal setting How Helen uses values to test her yearly goals. Why Helen only sets yearly goals How Rob paints a bright picture of the future 10 years out, then sets 5 year goals and then yearly goals We have a cast on goal setting --> How to set goals (using stationery of course) — Stationery Freaks...
Dec 15, 2021•8 min•Ep. 19
In today's episode we cover: Journaling and how to get started Why it is therapy. Seneca’s daily reflections, a brief science of journaling, tracking goals, working through problem and the difference between a journal and a diary The challenge -> Write down three things you are grateful for The Art of Journaling: How To Start Journaling, Benefits of Journaling, and More (dailystoic.com) Morning Pages | Julia Cameron Live How to start journaling — Stationery Freaks...
Dec 14, 2021•8 min•Ep. 18
Welcome to the first of 12 mini episodes. In today's episode we cover: The first challenge -> Find yourself some stationery for the next week or so (notebook, pens etc). Write the date on a page and consider journaling. Or leave it blank :) The basics of journaling and an introduction to our prize. If you want to be in with a chance of winning one of Helen's very own Dan Ariely's "Perfect Notebook" then simply use the hashtag #stationeryfreaksadvent on Instagram. Feel free to connect with us ...
Dec 13, 2021•11 min•Ep. 17
In this episode Helen introduces her little notebook of stoic phrases and ideas that she created for her daughter. Helen explains what the notebook looks like, how she made it, why she made it and what it contains. Rob and Helen explore a little more about stoicism and how translating some of the key ideas for kids is a good idea. Rob and Helen ramble chat about a variety of ideas such as: Why saying No is important How to control how you respond Book recommendations for those interested in stoi...
Dec 08, 2021•27 min•Ep. 16
In this episode Rob and Helen talk their favourite stationery heroes. Each of us present three of our top heroes from this last year. Our heroes are those people and companies making useful, beautiful or unique stationery. From big manufacturers created amazing pens that work, to artisan craftspeople making one-off notebooks. We’ve got them covered. Helen talks about Zen Art Supplies. Again :) - https://www.zenartsupplies.co Rob talks about Lescargot Papier - https://lescargot-papier.com Helen t...
Nov 09, 2021•27 min•Ep. 15
In this episode Rob and Helen talk about derailment, overwhelm, overwork and how they try to get a grip on life when it all becomes a bit too much. Regular listeners will know it’s been over two months since the last podcast - and that’s because life (and our emotional reaction to it) has got in the way. In this episode we share how we’re trying to get a grip on life, and cover, amongst other things: The difference between overwork and overwhelm To Do lists that look like world domination (too m...
Aug 14, 2021•26 min•Ep. 14
In this episode Rob and Helen talk about lists and why they are so powerful. They share what lists they use and how they create and store them. Lists such as: Moving House and House Extension lists To Do lis Editorial Calendar lists Travel lists Work induction checklists Stoic wisdom lists And more They ramble chat about recurring lists in ToDoist, bullet journal, old Filofax systems and how lists can save lives. Brands and tools mentioned in this post ToDoist Paperchase Moleskine Filofax Oxford...
May 27, 2021•24 min•Ep. 13
In this episode Rob and Helen talk about why they started this podcast; because of the potential that stationery offers us. Whether that is a new brand, a book, an idea or simply the potential to organise the chaos that can be our lives - stationery offers potential. That new notebook - what magic may it release? That new organisation system - what order can it bring? Rob and Helen talk about: The potential of new notebooks Why squandering those first few pages can ruin a new notebook Fountain p...
May 04, 2021•25 min•Ep. 12
In this episode Rob and Helen grab their notebooks and talk about what's inside. Helen talks about writing in Orange pen, being obsessed with post-it notes and how she splits her notebook 50/50 between work and life. Rob talks about a notebook that won't fold flat, how teachers are using sticky notes and why social media may not be good for his mental health. Helen talks about her: Process improvement notes Interview spiel and questions Team Lisowski notes and more Rob talks about his: Travel pa...
Mar 31, 2021•28 min•Ep. 11
In Episode 10 Rob and Helen talk about how to build a personal knowledge management system using both digital and analogue methods. Helen introduces her drawer full of randomness whilst Rob talks about how this drawer is actually some sort of system. Rob then introduces how we use analogue and digital methods to create his PKMS as well as explaining how we offered the "Free Style Rap” over some loud drumming. He then explains the two styles of learning using learning to play the drums as an exam...
Mar 09, 2021•29 min•Ep. 10
Note taking may seem quite simple but in reality few people take effective notes, whether during meetings, or in everyday life. Rob and Helen share reasons why note taking is so hard, how to make better notes and which stationery Rob and Helen use. They cover, amongst other things: Why note taking is important Why some people may avoid making notes such as not being able to find them or transcribing rather than listening because it’s deemed faster. Why note taking by analogue methods works for R...
Feb 19, 2021•34 min•Ep. 9
In this episode Rob and Helen share how they set goals, why they set them, how they track goals and how to build routines to deliver goals. Rob talks about how we uses a Painted Picture to derive goals, and then uses goals to build routines and habits. Helen talks about how she sets goals using her values and then builds routines to deliver on them. They discuss: How to use stationery during goal setting How to set goals How to find the right goals How to track goals How many goals make sense Ho...
Jan 18, 2021•34 min•Ep. 8
In this episode Helen quizzes Rob on how he developed the habit of journaling, why it's important to him and how we goes about doing it. They cover: How to get started What to write about Morning Pages, Prompts and Stoic Thinking When to journal The benefits of journaling Then they ramble on for a little.... Products, supplies and inspiration we mention Moleskine A6 notebook TKMax notebooks Papermate Flair Morning Pages The Daily Stoic book - it's on a bargain basement price on Kindle . Pentel E...
Jan 11, 2021•22 min•Ep. 7
In this episode we discuss what annual stationery we buy each year and why. We cover: Basic stationery stuff like journals, yellow legal pads and the humble paperclip. Training your brain for brainstorming Fountain pens and how they slow your brain down to think clearer Mechanical pencils and how Rob's forbidden from using them The legacy of old journals or maybe it's just fire fodder for Rob's kids And more We mention or talk about : The 1980's called and they want Helen back - she's into these...
Dec 21, 2020•20 min•Ep. 6
In this episode we share our own systems for tracking workouts, fitness and nutrition - using stationery and digital tools. We cover Helen's fitness goals and how she uses a "nice little notebook" to track her progress. We cover Rob's fitness goals and how he uses a simple Paper Chase notebook - but spices it up for Instagram by adding silly comments. And how he's trying not to become a robust version of Ryder from Paw Patrol. We cover Personal Trainers, plant based diets, Jerry Seinfeld's "don'...
Dec 03, 2020•27 min•Ep. 5
In this episode Helen and I talk about Bullet Journaling and Time Blocking. I'm not a fan of Bullet Journaling, but Helen is. I explain why I'm not a fan, and Helen explains why it works so well for her. We chat about Calendar / Time Blocking, my chosen productivity management, and why that works for me. Note: There is a tiny bit of bad language in this episode. We cover: * Why Rob couldn't get Bullet Journaling to work * How Helen uses Bullet Journaling * Why all productivity systems are simply...
Nov 27, 2020•22 min•Ep. 4
In this episode we discuss what's kept us busy during lockdown. We cover: Bullet Journaling Journaling Zine making The compulsion to re-organise unused notebooks Buying stationery from supermarkets Studying and more. We mention or talk about : Todoist for getting things done Monthly date stickers on Etsie PAIPUR notebooks - Helen's a BIG fan of these. Chameleon whiteboards - looks good for all of those agile/creative teams Journaling and communication Moleskine notebooks - my journal of choice. ...
Nov 17, 2020•16 min•Ep. 3
