77: Sources of Motivation
Where motivation comes from, and how to find more of it.
May 24, 2022•25 min
Time and Attention
Time and Attention is a podcast that will help you become more intentional and productive. Hosted by Chris Bailey, the author of two productivity books, and Ardyn Nordstrom, a nerdy economist, the show covers topics as diverse as productivity, focus, procrastination, time management, money, happiness, gratitude, and disconnecting. We occasionally also welcome a bestselling author onto the show to talk about a book they wrote.
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Episodes
76: Productivity Tech
Reviewing the Timeular and the reMarkable 2.
May 10, 2022•41 min
75: Time Blocking
The power of chunking your day into blocks of time.
Apr 25, 2022•27 min
73: Redefining Productivity
On this episode, we chat about how to define productivity—and how what productivity means has changed over time, especially with the advent of knowledge work. Topics covered include: The misconceptions we have about productivity; How time management is less important than it used to be; How the productivity landscape has shifted; How most productivity advice falls into three categories: time, attention, and energy; The power of intention; Asymmetries of importance in our work and life; A new def...
Mar 29, 2022•22 min
72: Revisiting Change
On this episode, we chat about how to embrace—and even enjoy!—change. Topics covered include: How expectations influence our relationship with change; The relationship between catastrophizing and change; How change affects the “learning loop” in our mind; The relationship between dopamine and change; Developing strategically low expectations; Focusing on what we can control (and giving up control); Other practical, tactical strategies for dealing with change Links mentioned in this episode: Epis...
Mar 15, 2022•29 min
71: Tradeoffs
On this episode, we chat about how to use simple economic principles to become more productive and intentional. Topics covered include: What economics even is; What an “economic tradeoff” is; The “opportunity cost” of our time; The costs associated with our decisions; Recognizing our “sunk costs”; How to “think along the margins.” Links mentioned in this episode: “ Bakeonomics ” blog Thinking on the Margin & Birthday Cake You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast:...
Mar 01, 2022•30 min
70: The Rule of 3
On this episode, we chat about the “Rule of 3”—my all-time favorite prioritization strategy. Topics covered include: What the “rule of 3” is; How our brain is wired to think in threes; How to prioritize what you have going on in an agile way; The benefits and drawbacks to daily prioritization; The importance of awareness when prioritizing; The power of “implementation intentions.” Links mentioned in this episode: Peter Gollwitzer’s study, Implementation Intentions : Strong Effects of Simple Plan...
Feb 15, 2022•26 min
69: Scaling Your Work
On this episode, I chat with John List about his new book, The Voltage Effect . Topics we talk about include: What “scale” and “voltage” are; How he discovered the “silver bullets” of scaling up an idea; The five hurdles we need to overcome when scaling something; How scale is a “weakest link” problem; How to discover which of our ideas have a chance; The three reasons we don’t quit soon enough (and often enough); How to become a “marginal thinker”; How he stays so productive. Links mentioned in...
Feb 01, 2022•44 min
68: Our Daily Habits
The habits we do—and track!—every day
Jan 18, 2022•30 min
67: Are Resolutions Worth It?
On this episode, we dig into New Year’s resolutions. Topics covered include: The resolutions we’ve set; How often New Year’s resolutions fail—and why they do; The difference between resolutions and goals; How to account for constraints in goal setting; The power of “course correcting” to get closer to your goals; How to course correct on a regular basis. Links mentioned in this episode: A free New Year’s Resolutions Guidebook I wrote a while back. You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast be...
Jan 04, 2022•24 min
66: The Second Annual Holiday Spectacular
On this episode, we chat about how to step back from work over the holidays, yet still get things done when you need to. Topics covered include: Whether or not we should even try to be productive over the holidays; The “opportunity cost” of how we spend our time; How the “productivity mindset” can creep into every part of our life; Defining “Productivity Hours” every day—at work and at home; Avoiding guilt, doubt, and worry about how you spend your time. You can listen (and subscribe) to the pod...
Dec 21, 2021•17 min
65: Leaning on Others
On this episode, we chat about getting help from others. Topics covered include: The difference between collaboration and asking for help; When we should ask for help at work and at home; Getting help through asking for feedback; How to get good feedback from others; How exactly to ask for help; The power of anticipating obstacles ahead of time; Outsourcing getting help; The importance of respecting the time of others; and How great it feels to help others. Link mentioned in this episode: Honey,...
Dec 07, 2021•22 min
64: The Extended Mind
On this episode, Annie Murphy Paul and I chat about her fantastic new book, The Extended Mind . Topics covered include: The “brainbound” way of thinking—and why it’s broken; How our body can be more rational than our brain; How to practice “interoception”; How physical activity, of varying intensities, can support thought; The power of nature in supporting thought; How to externalize information to think more clearly; How open offices affect how we think; The importance of people and thought. Li...
Nov 23, 2021•26 min
New Name!
If you subscribe my podcast, today you’ll notice a new show name (and artwork!) land in your podcast player: (If you’re not subscribed yet, here are links to do so! Of course, if podcasts aren’t your thing, zero pressure.) Since the launch of the previous show, Becoming Better, we’ve kind of outgrown the name. The old title felt a tad self-helpy—and the new one feels right at home. Hope you enjoy the fresh coat of paint! If you’re looking to dabble, the back-catalog of episodes is a great place ...
Nov 09, 2021•5 min
63: Four Thousand Weeks
This week I interview Oliver Burkeman for the podcast. Oliver is the author of the fantastic new book, Four Thousand Weeks . In the episode, we have a fun, wide-ranging conversation about a bunch of topics, including: The idea of “finitude,” and why it matters; Our “future-chasing mindset,” which prevents us from enjoying things; How trying to achieve a perfect mastery over our time can make us miserable; Where impatience comes from; The usefulness of productivity advice; The costs of hoarding o...
Oct 26, 2021•35 min
62: Time Management
On this super tactical episode of the podcast, we chat about time management. Topics covered include: What time management is, and why it matters Becoming more aware of how you spend your time Scheduling time commitments around your energy levels The broader picture of time management The Pomodoro technique, and shrinking your “resistance level” Time blocking, and limiting distraction How many breaks to take throughout the day How to time breaks for optimal creativity How autonomy matters with t...
Oct 12, 2021•30 min
61: The Benefit of Slowing Down
On this episode, we chat about how slowing down can help us in work and life, without compromising our performance (if that’s something you care about). Topics covered include: How busy times make slowing down more important—but also lead to more guilt A new definition of the word “productivity” How slowing down helps us savor, experience more meaning, and also creates more opportunity for reflection How to fit slowing down into a busy scheduling, especially by minding the gaps in your day The p...
Sep 28, 2021•23 min
60: Ideas for Stress
On this episode, we chat about stress relief strategies that have been proven to lower the level of stress hormones in our body. Topics covered include: How to think about the stress in your life from 10,000 feet The differences between chronic and acute stress Our body’s stress response How more stress is preventable than we think How stress can provide us with meaning The neurochemicals that underlie stress How stress relief is often an active process A bunch of stress-relief strategies that a...
Sep 14, 2021•35 min
59: A Proper Vacation
On this episode, we chat about how to actually recharge while taking some time off. Topics covered include: How work can be meaningful—but also a pretty big source of chronic stress Identifying hidden sources of chronic stress in our live How vacations can make us more productive overall How stress both drives us to burnout, but also provides us with meaning How to find things to engage with, and things to savo How to best prepare for time off, to make the time even more rejuvenating Link mentio...
Aug 31, 2021•25 min
58: Email Habits
Our favorite email habits!
Aug 17, 2021•26 min
57: Saying No
On this episode, we chat about the importance of saying no to unimportant things. Topics covered include: Becoming more deliberate about saying no What we should be saying no to—in our work and personal lives Comparison tasks that put “saying no” in perspective The relative meaning and productivity of tasks Knowing the value of your time—and saying no to things accordingly The importance of people in productivity Thinking about what to say yes to You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast bel...
Aug 03, 2021•22 min
56: Celebrating Milestones
On this episode, we chat about how to properly celebrate the milestones we hit. Topics covered include: How we rarely celebrate our accomplishments How the “Zeigarnik effect” leads us to just move onto the next thing The milestones we’re celebrating What it means to have closure with a project The Need for Closure scale The Post-Portem ritual Our favorite rewards for finishing stuff Celebration guilt The right time to celebrate! Links mentioned in this episode: The The Need for Closure Scale , a...
Jul 20, 2021•23 min
55: Roadblocks, Bumps, and Obstacles
On this episode, we chat about obstacles that get in the way of our habits—including the habits we’re in the middle of forming, and the ones we already have. Topics covered include: The payoff of anticipating obstacles ahead of time Some common obstacles that get in our way How to identify the obstacles that’ll get in the way of our specific habits The types of obstacles we face: Environmental, time-based, temptations, and situational The five cues that trigger habits Minding our time, attention...
Jul 06, 2021•24 min
54: Productivity Habits (Part 2)
Our all-time favorite productivity habits—part 2 of 2!
Jun 22, 2021•32 min
53: Productivity Habits (Part 1)
Our all-time favorite productivity habits—part 1 of 2!
Jun 08, 2021•31 min
52: Organizing Projects
The very best ways to organize the projects on your plate.
May 25, 2021•30 min
51: Food Habits
A few good food habits to crowd out your bad ones.
May 11, 2021•24 min
50: Hooked on Salt, Sugar, and Fat
Pulitzer-prize winning author Michael Moss—author of Salt, Sugar, Fat, and now, Hooked, hops on the podcast.
Apr 27, 2021•36 min
49: The Power of Novelty
Novelty is a key ingredient to living a good life.
Apr 13, 2021•27 min
48: A World Without Email
Cal Newport, our “Founding Guest,” hops back on the horn to talk about his new book.
Mar 30, 2021•29 min
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