88: Solving Your BIGGEST Productivity Problem

Timeblocking has been a struggle for Justin, but he finally figured out how to make it work. Shownotes GET the FREE REMOTE WORK 101 GUIDE (https://effectiveremotework.com/remote101) Justin's Timeblocking 101 Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04icbvudia4) Deep Questions with Cal Newport (https://calnewport.com/podcast)

Picking the right tool or finding the ultimate lifehack may seem like the way to productivity, but it's not. This week, Justin discusses how our focus on the day-to-day is the biggest issue and the way to get above it. Shownotes GET the FREE REMOTE WORK 101 GUIDE (https://effectiveremotework.com/remote101) Getting Things Done (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity-ebook/dp/B00KWG9M2E/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=getting+things+done&qid=1611943807&s=books&sr=1-1) 024: Essential Habits: Saying No (https://podcast.effectiveremotework.com/24) Deep Questions with Cal Newport (https://calnewport.com/podcast) Cal Newport's Productivity Funnel (https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2021/04/20/the-productivity-funnel/) Zig Ziglar's Wheel of Life (https://www.ziglar.com/articles/the-wheel-of-life/) Justin's Conducting an Annual Review Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNE_w7Gjp3M) CGP Grey's Theme Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVGuFdX5guE)

This week, YouTuber Matt Ragland joins us to discuss analog productivity, working remotely as a parent, and journaling. This is a rebroadcast of an episode recorded in 2020 for Remotely Working. Shownotes GET the FREE Remote Work 101 Guide (https://effectiveremotework/remote101) Matt's YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/themattragland) Podia (http://podia.com) Bullet Journal (http://bulletjournal.com) Full Focus Planner (http://fullfocusplanner.com) Self Journal (https://bestself.co/) Matt's Video Working from Home with Kids (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsp4ZyxXdYE) Remote (https://www.amazon.com/Remote-Required-David-Heinemeier-Hansson-ebook/dp/B00CZ7OC46) Rework (https://www.amazon.com/Rework-Jason-Fried-ebook/dp/B002MUAJ2A/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rework&qid=1591906259&s=digital-text&sr=1-1) It Doesn't Have to be Crazy at Work (https://www.amazon.com/Doesnt-Have-Be-Crazy-Work-ebook/dp/B079WV79TK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3913VXPSU77GD&dchild=1&keywords=it+doesn%27t+have+to+be+crazy+at+work&qid=1591906277&s=digital-text&sprefix=it+doesn%27t+have%2Cdigital-text%2C167&sr=1-1) Make Time (https://www.amazon.com/Make-Time-Focus-Matters-Every-ebook/dp/B078QSCM3V/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=make+time&qid=1590601158&s=books&sr=1-1) When (https://www.amazon.com/When-Scientific-Secrets-Perfect-Timing-ebook/dp/B072Q985YX/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=when+daniel+pink&qid=1591906316&s=digital-text&sr=1-2) Getting Results the Agile Way (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Results-Agile-Way-Personal-ebook/dp/B005X0MFD2/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=getting+results+the+agile+way&qid=1591906329&s=digital-text&sr=1-2)

This week we’re joined by Matias Hernandez, a software engineer based in Chile. We have a great conversation about routines, not putting too much pressure on yourself, and working remotely from a small town. This is a rebroadcast of an interview conducted in 2020 on Remotely Working. Shownotes GET the FREE Remote Work 101 Guide (https://effectiveremotework.com/remote101)

This week we're joined by Leon van der Laan. At the time of recording, Leon was CEO and co-founder of Remode, a remote work consultancy focused on talent acquisition and culture, and has since become CEO at Logisitcs Tech Scale up Cargo stream. We have a great conversation about trust, leadership, and connecting with coworkers in a remote-first work culture. Leon brings great insights to the table with his 20+ year tenure in executive leadership at large corporations and management consulting. (Rebroadcast of Remotely Working episode 14 aired in 2020) Shownotes GET the FREE eBOOK: Remote Work 101 (https://effectiveremotework.com/remote101) Connect with Leon on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-van-der-laan/) Join the Effective Remote Work Newsletter (https://effectiveremotework.com/newsletter)

Shawn Blanc of Blanc Media joins us to discuss remote work, Blanc Media's unique "work cycles", building margin, physical health habits, and more! (Rebroadcast of Remotely Working episode 16) Shownotes GET Remote Work 101 — FREE (https://effectiveremotework.com/remote101) shawnblanc.net (https://shawnblanc.net/) The Sweet Setup (http://thesweetsetup.com/) The Focus Course (http://thefocuscourse.com/) Shape Up by Basecamp (https://basecamp.com/shapeup) Seanwes (http://seanwes.com/) Sean McCabe's Sabbatical Blog (https://sabbatical.blog/) Cortex (http://relay.fm/cortex) CGP Grey: Spaceship You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snAhsXyO3Ck) Everything Starts with Trust (HBR) (https://hbr.org/2020/05/begin-with-trust)

If you're a generalist, you carry great value, even though you might not have much specialized knowledge. Justin discusses why this is the case and how being a generalist impacts productivity. Shownotes JOIN the COMMUNITY (https://community.effectiveremotework.com) Range by David Epstein (https://www.amazon.com/Range-Generalists-Triumph-Specialized-World/dp/0735214484) Bill Gates Pandemic TED Talk (https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates_the_next_outbreak_we_re_not_ready?language=dz)

Deep work has been hailed as the answer to all of our modern work problems. But is it? Justin discusses in this episode. Shownotes JOIN the COMMUNITY (https://community.effectiveremotework.com) Deep Work by Cal Newport (https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692) 005: Makers, Managers, and Productivity Systems (https://podcast.effectiveremotework.com/5) Essentialism by Greg McKeown (https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382) Time Off by Max Frenzel and John Fitch (https://www.amazon.com/Time-Off-Practical-Building-Finding/dp/1734794402)

There's an overabundance of productivity advice online. Is it helpful to seek it out, and to what extent? Justin discusses this week. Shownotes JOIN the COMMUNITY (https://community.effectiveremotework.com) MPU Talk Post (https://talk.macpowerusers.com/t/what-is-and-how-did-you-come-up-with-your-productivity-system/22098/5?u=justindirose) 079: The Center of Your System (https://podcast.effectiveremotework.com/79) 080: Following the Productivity Habits of Elon Musk (https://podcast.effectiveremotework.com/80) 067: Solving Productivity Problems with the Rule of Three (https://podcast.effectiveremotework.com/67) 078: Building a Good Enough System (https://podcast.effectiveremotework.com/78)

Elon Musk is the example many look to for living a hyper-successful life. But is emulating the life of a centibillionaire practical or healthy? Justin explores the answer in this episode. Shownotes JOIN the COMMUNITY (https://community.effectiveremotework.com) Process 005: Makers, Managers, and Productivity Systems (https://podcast.effectiveremotework.com/5) Arianna Huffington's Story (https://medium.com/thrive-global/10-years-ago-i-collapsed-from-burnout-and-exhaustion-and-its-the-best-thing-that-could-have-b1409f16585d) The Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011G3HC0U/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2) Zig Ziglar's Wheel of Life (https://www.ziglar.com/articles/the-wheel-of-life/)