Episodes

6d ago

Patrick Rhone is back to talk about his love for calendars and why curiosity is essential if you want to become a knower of things. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Patrick Rhone Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. YouTube video for this episode Patrick's website Enough by Patrick Rhone Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things Whoa to Wow BusyCal Pocket Briefcases | Levenger Analog™ | The original to-do system by Ugmonk Nanami Seven Seas Tomoe River Notebooks GTD Guided Mindsweep Patrick's Now page The Nathan Barry Show | How To Live a Meaningful Life Using Design Thinking The episode Mike mentions where the authors tell us to "stop shoulding ourselves." Trello ProWritingAid: The Storyteller's Toolkit YearCompass Excalidraw Obsidian plugin Sketch Your Mind Derek Sivers Hunter Gatherer 21C How to Beat ChatGPT by Nicholas Bate Daily MEDS by Nicholas Bate The Notebook by Roland Allen

Dec 2

David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Video for this episode Focused YouTube channel Give the Gift of Relay The Focused Calendar Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Time Timer The Personal Retreat Planner The Blanc Media 8-Week Work Cycle with Sabbaticals Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson Focused #225: Tiny Experiments, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff Focused #232: Useful Not True, with Derek Sivers Focused #242: The Case for Analog 1911 KOP Ebonite Naginata-Togi Fountain Pen Pen Review: Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with PO Nib | The Gentleman Stationer Diamine Writer's Blood Ink Review | The Pen Addict Why My Platinum Century 3776 Fountain Pens Have Architect Grinds | Chicana Writes Ink Review #189: Robert Oster Bondi Blue | Mountain of Ink Rolls MS111 Mic Switch Latching or Momentary Microphone Mute Switch | Amazon Toxic Grit by Amanda Goetz Apple in China by Patrick McGee

Nov 19

Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Thom Gibson Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Work-From-Home Dads Kolbe A™ Index Takes Two Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Plus Minus Next Journaling | Ness Labs Moleskine Notebooks Pilot G2 0.7mm Black Fine Retractable Gel Ink Pen Rollerball | Amazon Day Pass by Sling TV Explore Stream Deck | Elgato Sparky's BIonics | YouTube The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway The WFH Dad’s 6-Hour Workday Playbook

Nov 4

David & Mike revisit the role of analog in their focused workflows and share some of their favorite analog tools. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Gusto : Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Apple Productivity Suite Field Guide (Expert) Apple Productivity Suite Field Guide (Essentials) The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard | Pam A. Mueller, Daniel M. Oppenheimer, 2014 Focused #83: Ideas Over Art, with Mike Rohde The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde Focused #196: Focus & The Reading Life, with Maryanne Wolf The Brain vs. The List A Guide to Sketchnoting on iPad (using GoodNotes) | The Sweet Setup The Personal Retreat Planner The 2026 Focused Calendar Obsidian Morgen The Capture System | Ugmonk Goodnotes reMarkable 2 Plotter Mildliner Analog | Ugmonk Field Notes Day One Blackwing pencils rOtring 800+ Kuru Toga mechanical pencils Mitsubishi Pencil K9852EWHB Weekly Schedule Refill 2026 PLT0002 (A5 Size) Hobonichi Techo 2026 Official Website Otoño Blend | Intelligentsia Coffee Ruby Coffee Roasters Ottomatic® 2.0 | Chemex Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath Switch by Chip & Dan Heath Decisive by Chip & Dan Heath Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday

Oct 21

Freelance business coach Austin L. Church joins us to talk about avoiding burnout and building more sustainable systems. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Gusto : Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Austin Church Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The 2026 Focused Calendar Freelance Cake Content Entrepreneur Expo Free Money by Austin L. Church Essentialism by Greg McKeown Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau Who Not How by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy Full Focus Planner The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Duolingo FC™ 26 Mildliner $100M Money Models by Alex Hormozi Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore Austin L. Church | LinkedIn

Oct 7

David & Mike attempt to end 2025 on a high note by reviewing the last quarter and planning the next one. Also, Mike made a planner. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Gusto : Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free. HelloFresh : Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life! Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Personal Retreat Planner The 2026 Focused Calendar Mike's essay on Cranking vs. Creating Productivity Field Guide 2025 (Standard Edition) Mike's Personal Book Notes Obsidian Vault Content Entrepreneur Expo Lulu | Online Self-Publishing Book & Ebook Company Tilt Publishing Bookworm #232: Published by Chandler Bolt Anderson Pens Closing Announcement | YouTube Cardinal Pens & Paper (formerly Anderson Pens) Plotter Quartet app iReal Pro The Beauty of Everyday Things by Soetsu Yanagi Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau

Sep 23

Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist & author Donald J. Robertson joins us to talk about ancient philosophy as a tool for focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. 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. 1Password : Discover SaaS applications, automate lifecycle management, and optimize SaaS spend. Guest Starring: Donald Robertson Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Donald's Substack (Newsletter + Podcast) How to Think Like Socrates by Donald J. Robertson How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald J. Robertson All of Donald's books Meditations by Marcus Aurelius The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

Sep 10

David & Mike catch up on listener feedback, including how to say no more often, deep vs. shallow work, and when to abandon a focus area. Also, David made an app?!? This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Nexos.ai : All-in-one AI platform for enterprises. Get a 14 day free trial now. Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. HelloFresh : Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life! Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Relay for St. Jude Practical PKM (Mike's Newsletter) David's Newsletter The No List (David's app) Knitting Your Parachute | MacSparky Focused #237: Everything is Figureoutable, with Max Roberts Mike's YouTube channel Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey Eat That Frog! Fourth Edition by Brian Tracy ChatGPT's Impact On Our Brains According to an MIT Study | TIME Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners The Capture System | Ugmonk Numerics Zapier: Automate AI Workflows, Agents, and Apps The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Focused #146: The Extended Mind, with Annie Murphy Paul Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda Breath of the Wild Upgrade Pack How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson

Aug 26

Max Roberts is a podcaster, video editor, and technical writer who joins us to talk about using AI in the writing process, video games, and the importance of staying curious. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. 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. 1Password : Discover SaaS applications, automate lifecycle management, and optimize SaaS spend. Guest Starring: Max Roberts Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Point of Curvature Max Frequency Max Roberts Video Essays Max's Podcasts Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition) Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort Google NotebookLM ChatGPT Grammarly Claude Lex.page ‎Singin' In the Bathtub by John Lithgow How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe How to ADHD | YouTube Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe | TEDxBratislava - YouTube Business Made Simple Extra Focus by Jesse J. Anderson Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners The Library Community TaskForge | Obsidian Tasks Made Easy From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks Dark Age by Pierce Brown Somebody And The Three Blairs by Marilyn Tolhurst Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie The Unknown Craftsman by Soetsu Yanagi

Aug 12

David & Mike talk about focus traps, consider the ones they tend to fall into, and discuss how to create systems to help avoid them. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. HelloFresh : Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life! Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Tot Drafts Field Notes Focused #228: Time Surfing, with Paul Loomans Postcard Cabins NotePlan Ecamm Live Miro Powerbeats Pro 2 | Electric Orange BLE caberQU The Complete Works of Epictetus AI Snake Oil by Arvid Narayanan & Sayash Kapoor Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick

Jul 29

Freelance WordPress developer and spiritual director John Chandler joins us to talk about the pursuit of practical wisdom and being intentional about being intentional. 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. Guest Starring: John Chandler Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. John's website John's YouTube Channel Macstock Conference & Expo Foundation | Apple TV+ Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne Focused #149: Asking Questions, with Marc Champagne From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks Bookworm Mac Power Users #82: Cooking Ideas John's journaling video Day One Journal App How to Know a Person by David Brooks The Perfect Edge by Ron Hock Moonshot by Mike Massimino Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station The Capture System | Ugmonk Micro.blog

Jul 16

David & Mike discuss the role of friction and where they choose to add it into their own focused workflows. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. David's Whiteboard Focused #228: Time Surfing, with Paul Loomans Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners Drafts | Where Text Starts Mike's Note-Making Video Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Nathan Barry's Podcast with Anne-Laure Le Cunff Mac Power Users #799: The State of Apple, with Jason Snell Insta360 Link Mike's Video on Tiny Experiments

Jul 1

Kara Monroe joins us to talk about creative problem solving, the power of coaching, and why you should have a Facts of Life book. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Guest Starring: Kara Monroe Links and Show Notes: I Wanna Be Me When I Grow Up The Library Community Kara's Facts of Life Book course Bookworm podcast The Confident Mind by Nate Zinser Ultralearning by Scott Young Ultraspeaking | The best way to learn public speaking Stream Deck Keyboard Maestro AirFly Pro 2 | Twelve South The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins Walden by Henry David Thoreau The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Jun 17

Derek Sivers joins us to talk about personal agency, idea ownership, saying no, and (of course) journaling. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. 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. Guest Starring: Derek Sivers Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Derek Sivers CD Baby Hell Yeah or No | Derek Sivers How to Start a Movement | TED Talk Useful Not True | Derek Sivers Anything You Want | Derek Sivers Your Music and People | Derek Sivers How to Live | Derek Sivers How to do what you love and make good money | Derek Sivers One big choice shapes a hundred more | Derek Sivers Vim Scripting News The Confident Mind by Nate Zinser Mark Twain by Ron Chernow The Political Thought of Xi Jinping Book I've Read | Derek Sivers Pandoc What I’m doing now | Derek Sivers What I’m Doing Now | MacSparky Contact | Derek Sivers

Jun 3

In this feedback episode, David & Mike tackle listener questions about their use of AI, reset rituals, quitting books, and a variety of other focus-related topics. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. TRMNL : Clarity, at a glance. Get $15 off for 1 week only. Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. On Teachers and the 2025 Productivity Academy | MacSparky The Deep Life by Cal Newport Deep Work by Cal Newport Spiral MindNode Bookworm podcast The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey Mark Twain by Ron Chernow What I’m Doing Now | MacSparky Mike's Steam Deck dock 8BitDo Ultimate Controller with Charging Dock Superhuman The Confident Mind by Nate Zinser

May 20

Journaling Guide Joe Moyer joins us to talk getting started with journaling, navigating major life transitions, and the power of a regular reflection practice. 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. Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Guest Starring: Joe Moyer Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. 24 Letters The Journaling Guide Joe's newsletter When by Daniel Pink Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Your Story Matters: Overcoming the Perfect Journal Fallacy | 24 Letters Day One Readwise Focused #196: Focus & The Reading Life, with Maryanne Wolf How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson Letters from a Stoic by Seneca You Need a Manifesto by Charlotte Burgess-Auburn The Enchiridion by Epictetus @thejournalingguide on Threads @thejournalingguide on Bluesky

May 6

David & Mike revisit some old workflows (time blocking, weekly review, reading, and writing) and talk about what's changed. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni : Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mike's Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort David's newsletter Focused #228: Time Surfing, with Paul Loomans Focused #225: Tiny Experiments, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff Mike's Plus Minus Next video Mike's Plus Minus Next Shortcut Requires Actions for Obsidian to work. Actions For Obsidian Voicepal Whisper Memos Readwise Reader The Ultimate Jim Rohn Library Audiobook | Free with trial Mike's new website Walt Disney's Flywheel Shure MVX2u | Sweetwater Letters on Ethics: To Lucilius, Seneca, Graver, Long The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Hollyland Lark M2S Combo | Hollyland Store

Apr 22

Author Paul Loomans joins us to talk about time surfing, a zen approach to keeping time on your side. 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. Guest Starring: Paul Loomans Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Timesurfing | The zen approach to keeping time on your side I've Got Time by Paul Loomans Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

Apr 8

David & Mike discuss their quarterly planning processes and share their intentions for the next quarter. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: 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 Focused Calendar How to Do a Personal Retreat in Obsidian Webinar Replay Postcard Cabins Whisper Memos The Library | A private PKM community for curious sensmakers The People Note: The Key to Rolling Up Tasks & Project in Obsidian | YouTube An Honest Review of Obsidian in 2025 | YouTube Thumbnail Masterclass Skylight | Smart Family Calendar Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: 50th Anniversary Edition by Shunryu Suzuki

Mar 25

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 Lennington Mike's Personal Retreat Handbook Focused #225: Tiny Experiments, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Whisper Memos Plotter USA Drafts | Where Text Starts Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy I've Got Time by Paul Loomens Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman KNODY Travel Cribbage Boards TRMNL | E-ink dashboard to stay focused

Mar 12

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 Newsletter Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray Your Life in Weeks | Wait But Why Atomic Habits by James Clear Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown Ness Labs | Mindful Productivity School for Knowledge Workers

Feb 26

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. Chenell's Craft + Commerce Talk Growth in Reverse Growth In Reverse Podcast Creator Science (Jay Clouse) Focused #135: Don't Eat the Frog, with Jesse J. Anderson Extra Focus by Jesse J. Anderson Notion Calendar Ness Labs

Feb 11

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 Office Phone Booths & Office Pods

Jan 28

David reflects on a year of teaching the Productivity Field Guide, talks about what's new and what's changed, and Mike shares the details of his interesting twist to time-blocking. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Jelly : A better way to share an inbox. Get 15% off your first year. 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. Productivity Field Guide 2025 (Standard Edition) Use coupon code PFG10 to get 10% off. Productivity Field Guide 2025 (Plus Edition) Use coupon code PFG10 to get 10% off. Mike's Newsletter on Block Priming Mike's Task Management YouTube Video Mike's Block Priming Video Stripe Press Online Version of Poor Charlie’s Almanack Poor Charlies Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger I've Got Time by Paul Loomens Steam Deck Sid Meier's Civilization VII

Jan 14

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 Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon Everything is a Remix (Original Series) | YouTube The Creative Act by Rick Rubin Focused #163: The Laws of Creativity, with Joey Cofone The Laws of Creativity by Joey Cofone Mike's Creativity Flywheel Course Drafts Obsidian MindNode Productivity Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides OmniFocus David's Bookshelf Drawing Discbound Analog | Ugmonk A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Karla's Choice by John le Carré

Dec 31, 2024

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 Guide Bookworm podcast Paracord Marlin Spike Atmos ‎Vacuum Canister | Fellow Meditations by Marcus Aurelius – Ryan Holiday's Fancy Version Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Free Time by Jenny Blake

Dec 17, 2024

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 | Visual Timers For Time Management ADHD Gift Guide 2024: 30 Dopamine-Friendly Gifts Ethan Mollick | Substack Readwise Reader Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman Obsidian Web Clipper Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Of Boys and Men by Richard Reeves Book Series: The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca Shortform | The World's Best Book Summaries Bookworm | Podcast Book Club Anti-Time Management by Richie Norton 211: Anti-Time Management by Richie Norton | Bookworm Hell Yeah or No | Derek Sivers What I’m doing now | Derek Sivers What I’m Doing Now | MacSparky

Dec 3, 2024

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 Pixels Photos from Stephen's Sabbatical | Instagram Relay for St. Jude Departures #11: Relay 10 | Relay FM The Blanc Media 8-Week Work Cycle with Sabbaticals | The Focus Course Give the Gift of Relay Mac Power Users

Nov 19, 2024

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 Haidt Mike's Minimalist iPhone Home Screen Experiment The Light Phone Day One Typefully What I’m Doing Now | Derek Sivers What I’m Doing Now | MacSparky Mike's Newsletter Sonnet Mechanical Keyboard | Mode Designs Plotter USA Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman Bookworm #209: Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman Free Time by Jenny Blake

Nov 5, 2024

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 Book Amy's Podcast The Enneagram Institute Kolbe A™ Index Simply Wholehearted Enneagram Quiz The Story of You by Ian Morgan Cron The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron Your Enneagram Coach Radical Candor by Kim Scott Good Work by Paul Millerd Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman Of Boys and Men by Richard Reeves The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt The Snowball System by Mo Bunnell Give to Grow by Mo Bunnell Amy's Instagram

Oct 22, 2024

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 Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The 2025 FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net Focused #189: Focus & AI Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick Meet the Guys Dating A.I. Bots | Apple News Spiral Delphi Deep Work by Cal Newport Whisper Memos Otter.ai SaneBox Grammarly A System for Writing by Bob Doto Focused #209: A System for Writing, with Bob Doto RØDECaster Video | Video and Audio Production Console Gridfinity Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

Oct 8, 2024

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 Bottleneck Guy LifeHQ | Practical PKM Simple Marketing For Smart People by Billy Boras and Tiago Forte The Goal: 40th Anniversary Edition by Eliyahu Goldratt Rolling Rocks Downhill by Clarke Ching Kolbe.com | Home of the Kolbe A™ Index Unique Ability | Find Your Purpose In Life And Define Your Best Self Why Every Racoon Needs an Architect The Bottleneck Detective Bootcamp (free email course) The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Hyperefficient by Mithu Storoni Good Work by Paul Millerd Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks How to Manage Tasks in Obsidian | YouTube Morgen Calendar and Task Manager Motion Clarke Ching | LinkedIn CorkScrew Solutions: by Clarke Ching The Bottleneck Rules by Clarke Ching

Sep 24, 2024

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 bonus deep dive content. Relay for St. Jude LifeHQ | Practical PKM So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin Peak by Anders Ericsson Plotter USA The Ugmonk Pen Kuru Toga Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks Of Boys and Men by Richard Reeves

Sep 10, 2024

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 dive content. Relay for St. Jude Two Years | 512 Pixels Llama Life | Find Your Focus TickTick Todoist Notion Day One Topo | The Not-Flat Standing Desk Anti-Fatigue Mat Analog™ by Ugmonk Gather by Ugmonk Focused #204: Analog Productivity, with Jeff Sheldon Plotter USA Marie Ng 🦙 (@threehourcoffee) | Twitter

Aug 27, 2024

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 episodes with bonus deep dive content. Focus Like a Boss Margin by Richard Swenson Good Work with Barrett Brooks Slow Productivity by Cal Newport Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky Focused #70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad RØDECaster Duo Totebook | Studio Neat Plotter USA The Ritual Effect by Michael Norton Simple Marketing For Smart People by Billy Boras and Tiago Forte

Aug 13, 2024

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 episodes with bonus deep dive content. Hidden Genius by Polina Marinova Pompliano Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Dune by Frank Herbert Mike's Reading Workshop Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Mike's Newsletter on The Creativity Flywheel Focused #209: A System for Writing, with Bob Doto A System for Writing by Bob Doto Mike's Reading Workflow YouTube video The Morality of Happiness by Julia Annas The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin Mike's Bookworm podcast E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) | IMDb Doc Martin | IMDb Hypefury Usagi Yojimbo Blue Giant Simple Marketing For Smart People by Billy Boras and Tiago Forte Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

Jul 30, 2024

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: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. A System for Writing by Bob Doto Bob Doto How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens Getting Things Done by David Allen Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler Linking Your Thinking with Nick Milo | YouTube Zettelkasten Forum Read Between the Lynes | Your Hometown Bookstore The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu The World Beyond Your Head by Matthew Crawford The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram The Political Philosophy of Poststructuralist Anarchism by Todd May Zettelkasten subreddit

Jul 16, 2024

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 Now by Ryan Holiday Good Work podcast with Barrett Brooks & Nathan Barry Timing How to Do Cal Newport Style Multi-Scale Planning in Obsidian | YouTube Journaling in Obsidian Using Daily Questions | YouTube Deep Work by Cal Newport Simple Marketing For Smart People by Billy Boras and Tiago Forte Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew Crawford The World Beyond Your Head by Matthew Crawford Mike's Reading Masterclass The Fellowship Of The Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

Jul 2, 2024

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 #202: Slow Productivity OmniFocus 4 Field Guide (Plus Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides Getaway House | Tiny Cabin Vacation Rentals The Blanc Media 8-Week Work Cycle with Sabbaticals | The Focus Course Day One Journal App | Your Journal For Life Journaling Thread | MPU Talk Mike's Journaling in Obsidian YouTube video Rediscovering Ikigai: What We Got Wrong & How to Find Meaning in Life Focused #203: The Little Lies You Tell Yourself, with Jason Snell Mike's newsletter on Personal Retreats Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick Ethan Mollick | Substack Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday

Jun 18, 2024

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 and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. OmniFocus 4 Field Guide (Plus Edition) Rapt by Winifred Gallagher Mike's Notes for Rapt by Winifred Gallagher 30 Lessons for Living by Karl Pillemer The Deep Life by Cal Newport #303: The Problem with Grand Goals Focused #192: Flow State Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Grit by Angela Duckworth Foodnoms Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Jun 4, 2024

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 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. Macstock Conference & Expo | A conference for the Mac and iOS community Use coupon code MIKESCHMITZ to save $30 on your ticket. Focused #203: The Little Lies You Tell Yourself, with Jason Snell OmniFocus OmniFocus 4 Field Guide (Plus Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides Obsidian Focused #204: Analog Productivity, with Jeff Sheldon Analog™ | The original to-do system by Ugmonk Obsidian Tasks plugin The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande Checklist Reset plugin Notion Projects plugin Fantastical Periodic Notes plugin How to Do Cal Newport Style Multi-Scale Planning in Obsidian | YouTube Discbound Heirloom Journal (Brown) | Ugmonk Day One Kindle Scribe Custom Book Embosser | Amazon Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter Same as Ever by Morgan Housel

May 21, 2024

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. Subscriptions start at just $10/month with code FOCUSED. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Jeff Sheldon Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Analog™ | The original to-do system by Ugmonk Gather: Your Desk Simplified | Ugmonk Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Mike's Fancy Notecards Analog Weekly Kit (Walnut) | Ugmonk Due: The Superfast Reminder App for iPhone & iPad Discbound Heirloom Journal (Brown) | Ugmonk Mike's Obsidian Task Dashboard image How to Do Cal Newport Style Multi-Scale Planning in Obsidian | YouTube Journaling in Obsidian Using Daily Questions | YouTube How to Do a Personal Retreat in Obsidian | YouTube Jeff's Newsletter The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Aeron Chair | Herman Miller Store Useful Not True | Derek Sivers Every Tool's a Hammer by Adam Savage Super Thinking by Gabriel Weinberg & Lauren McCann The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts

May 7, 2024

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 talent fast. Guest Starring: Jason Snell Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. David's Personal Retreat PDF Mike's Personal Retreat in Obsidian video Good to Great by Jim Collins Getaway House | Tiny Cabin Vacation Rentals Runestone text editor Six Colors Upgrade | Relay FM Downstream | Relay FM The Incomparable | Smart, funny pop culture podcasts

Apr 23, 2024

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-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Slow Productivity by Cal Newport Mike's Notes for Slow Productivity by Cal Newport How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Productivity Field Guide (Plus Edition) Daily Rituals by Mason Currey The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Focused #146: The Extended Mind, with Annie Murphy Paul The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington David's Newsletter Focused #155: 12 Favorite Problems Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray Avoiding Email: Do the Hard Stuff Instead | MacSparky Ep. 284: Feel-Good Productivity (w/ Ali Abdaal) | The Deep Life by Cal Newport Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Ghost Town Living by Brent Underwood Ember Mug 2 LifeFocus | Life Planning That’s Simple, Fun, and Effective

Apr 9, 2024

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. Indeed : Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Haemin Sunim Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mike's Reading Masterclass When Things Don't Go Your Way by Haemin Sunim Love for Imperfect Things by Haemin Sunim The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull A Chinese Farmer Story by Alan Watts | YouTube Haemin Sunim | Official Site

Mar 26, 2024

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 Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides Atomic Habits by James Clear Focus Timer The Deep Life by Cal Newport Slow Productivity by Cal Newport Mastery by Robert Greene Company Of One by Paul Jarvis How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey David's Book Notes Mike's Reading Workshop

Mar 12, 2024

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 Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Jim Eager Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The 4 phases of retirement by Dr. Riley Moynes | TEDx Focused #165: On the River, with Chris Upchurch | Relay FM The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey Deep Work by Cal Newport Discover the best apps and workflows for your iPhone, Mac, and iPad — The Sweet Setup Personal Retreat Video | MacSparky Focused #117: Roles & Goals Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles Ikigai visual (Mike's newsletter on ikigai) Original Mac Guy Productivity Field Guide (Plus Edition)

Feb 27, 2024

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 with bonus deep dive content. Thanks by Robert Emmons Mac Power Users #726: Journaling Update: Apple’s New App, Day One Updates & More Day One Journal App Obsidian QuickAdd for Obsidian How to Create a Life Progress Bar in Obsidian Using Template Variables | YouTube Obsidian University Starter Vault Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith Using Shortcuts for Daily Questions Journaling in Obsidian | YouTube Mike's Daily Note template Mike's Daily Questions Dashboard Mike's Habit Tracking Dashboard Bullet Journal The Five Minute Journal Bullet Journal Basics | YouTube The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Apple Vision Pro ESR MagSafe 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Stand Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono Personal Kanban by Jim Benson & Tonianne DeMaria Post-it Super Sticky Full Stick Notes

Feb 13, 2024

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 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. Focused #196: Focus & The Reading Life, with Maryanne Wolf The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler The Rook by Daniel O'Malley PodHighlighter David's PodHighlighter video Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Bookworm #188: Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Mike's Notes for Feel Good Productivity Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans The Deep Life #284: Feel-Good Productivity (w/ Ali Abdaal)

Jan 30, 2024

Cognitive neuroscientist and reading warrior Dr. Maryanne Wolf joins us to talk about the science of reading and how what we read changes our brains. 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. Harvard Business Review : The leading destination for smart management thinking. Subscriptions start at just $10/month with code FOCUSED. Guest Starring: Maryanne Wolf Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Proust and the Squid by Maryanne Wolf Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler Tales of Literacy for the 21st Century by Maryanne Wolf How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler Maryanne Wolf

Jan 16, 2024

After several years in production, the Productivity Field Guide is here! Mike interviews David about what's in it, how much went into it, and why it's so important to David. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. 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 episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mike's Practical PKM cohort Productivity Field Guide (Standard Edition) Productivity Field Guide (Plus Edition)

Jan 2, 2024

David & Mike reflect on everything that happened in 2023 and share their intentions for 2024. 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. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Focused #193: The Problem with Mise en Place, with Justin Khanna The Theme System MIke's Obsidian Quotebook video Mike's Obsidian University Starter Vault Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain by Maryanne Wolf Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World by Maryanne Wolf Traveler's Notebook Drop + biip MT3 Extended 2048 Dark Keycap Set

Dec 19, 2023

Chef, creator, and entrepreneur Justin Khanna joins us to share focus lessons from the culinary world. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: 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. Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Justin Khanna Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Justin Khanna | YouTube Repertoire Le Repertoire De La Cuisine by Louis Saulnier Total Station Domination Work Clean by Dan Charnas Essentialism by Greg McKeown Range by David Epstein $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi Same as Ever by Morgan Housel Letters on Ethics: To Lucilius, Seneca, Graver, Long Justin Khanna Pro Chef Breaks Down The Bear from Hulu | YouTube

Dec 5, 2023

David & Mike consider the benefits of the flow state and what we can do to achieve it more consistently. 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. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Ugmonk Analog The Light Phone How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD by Jesse J. Anderson LensUltra DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer Adler

Nov 21, 2023

David & Mike unpack the concept of multi-scale planning and share how they are both using it to live in alignment with their vision and values. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Electric : Unbury yourself from IT tasks. Get a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones when you schedule a meeting. Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Whisper Memos : Record a voice memo, receive it as email. Try it now. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Ep. 272: The Essential Tools (w/ David Epstein) - The Deep Life by Cal Newport The Focused NeuYear Calendar Discbound Heirloom Journal (Brown) – Ugmonk Ugmonk Analog How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Totebook – Studio Neat 1911 King of Pen Ebonite Naginata-Togi Fountain Pen | Sailor Nakaya Dorsal Fin Fountain Pen Hidden Potential by Adam Grant Same as Ever by Morgan Housel

Nov 7, 2023

Process Consultant Karl Staib joins us to talk about process design, delegation, and the power of gratitude. 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 three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Harvard Business Review : The leading destination for smart management thinking. Subscriptions start at just $10/month with code FOCUSED. Guest Starring: Karl Staib Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mike's LifeTheme Cohort How to Master the Art of Continuous Improvement | James Clear Bring Gratitude by Karl Staib The 24-Hour Rule by Adrienne Bellehumeur This Is Personal by Brennan Dunn On The Tranquility Of The Mind by Seneca The Dig to Fly Podcast SOP Quickstart Guide

Oct 24, 2023

David & Mike consider how various AI tools can help protect our focus and share what they're using to boost their productivity & creativity. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Electric : Unbury yourself from IT tasks. Get a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones when you schedule a meeting. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Focused Calendar | NeuYear.net Focused #188: Q4 Planning & The PKM Stack Focused #110: Focus with Michael Hyatt A Few Apps & Tips for Using ChatGPT to Boost Your Creativity and Productivity | The Sweet Setup MacGPT MacWhisper Mac Power Users #711: Getting Some Wisdom with Merlin Mann Grammarly SaneBox ChatGPT Otter.ai Monica | Your ChatGPT Powered AI Assistant Midjourney Adobe Firefly Raycast Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish On Quality by Robert Pirsig Bookworm #181: On Quality by Robert Pirsig Master of Change by Brad Stulberg Book Review: Master of Change by Brad Stulberg | YouTube By Hand and Eye by Jim Tolpin & George R. Walker

Oct 10, 2023

David & Mike revisit the topic of toxic productivity, discuss choosing apps & tools that support your intentions, and share their plans for the last quarter of 2023. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Electric : Unbury yourself from IT tasks. Get a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones when you schedule a meeting. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. CleanMyMac X : Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today. Indeed : Join more than three 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. The Focused Calendar | NeuYear.net Getaway House | Tiny Cabin Vacation Rentals Obsidian Starter Vault | Obsidian University Mike's YouTube channel Mike's LifeTheme Cohort Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides The PKM Stack Why the "Perfect PKM App" Doesn't Exist | YouTube Analog Weekly Kit (Walnut) | Ugmonk Guide to the Hobonichi Techo Planner | JetPens Mike's Hobonichi planner | Anderson Pens

Sep 26, 2023

Jesse J. Anderson is back to talk about troubleshooting productivity systems and his new book for helping adults with ADHD find focus. 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. NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Download NetSuite’s popular KPI Checklist, designed to give you consistently excellent performance. Guest Starring: Jesse Anderson Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Relay FM for St. Jude Obsidian 101 Extra Focus by Jesse J. Anderson ADHD Nerds Podcast Workflowy The WorkFlowy Timeline Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition) David's 3D Printed Organization Round Valet Tray (Maple - Medium) | Ugmonk

Sep 12, 2023

The Focus Course creator and small business owner Shawn Blanc is back to talk about margin, sabbaticals, and focusing like a boss. 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 three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Guest Starring: Shawn Blanc Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Obsidian University Mike's Obsidian cohort. The second live cohort kicks off on September 18, 2023. Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition) Use coupon code FOCUSEDOBSIDIAN for 10% off. Relay FM for St. Jude The Saturday Solopreneur | Justin Welsh The Focus Course The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz Focus Academy Focus Like a Boss Werner Herzog Rules for Film Making

Aug 29, 2023

David & Mike discuss the satirical self-help book How to Be Miserable by Randy J. Paterson and share the dysfunctional skills they are particularly good at. 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. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Download NetSuite’s popular KPI Checklist, designed to give you consistently excellent performance. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides Use coupon code FOCUSEDOBSIDIAN for 10% off Relay FM 10th Anniversary Extravaganza | Hackney Empire How to Be Miserable by Randy J. Paterson That Thing You Do! | IMDb The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray The Time Block Planner Deep Work by Cal Newport iA Writer Hanx Writer Olympia SM3 DeLuxe | Typewriter Review

Aug 15, 2023

Jay Clouse of Creator Science joins us to talk about the sawdust problem, the focus benefits of community, and finding the balance between quality and quantity. 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 three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Guest Starring: Jay Clouse Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Creator Science Unlocking Long-Term Relevance in a Short-Form World | Craft + Commerce 2023 Atomic Habits by James Clear | Amazon Hit Makers by Derek Thompson | Amazon Plain English podcast Quality vs. Quantity | Creator Science The Lab | Creator Science Creator Science Toolbox

Aug 1, 2023

David & Mike discuss how they inject focus into their workdays & Mike shares about his tiny house retreat experience. 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. NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer: no interest, no payments for six months. Indeed : Join more than three 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. Macstock Conference & Expo | A conference for the Mac and iOS community Totebook | Studio Neat Understanding the Job | Clayton Christensen Creating My iOS Time Tracking Dashboard | The Sweet Setup Focused #182: Building Focused Flywheels, with Nathan Barry Getaway House | Tiny Cabin Vacation Rentals

Jul 18, 2023

ConvertKit CEO Nathan Barry joins us to talk about the power of focus and how it helped save his company. 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 three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Guest Starring: Nathan Barry Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Nathan Barry ConvertKit How Nathan Barry Built a $30 Million Software Company | YouTube Sahil Bloom Anything You Want | Derek Sivers

Jul 4, 2023

Sponsorship coach Justin Moore joins us to talk about his journey from medical devices to Creator Wizard founder, avoiding the comparison trap, and finding your niche. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer: no interest, no payments for six months. Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Guest Starring: Justin Moore Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Creator Wizard The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Creator Debates Focused #165: On the River, with Chris Upchurch A Chinese Farmer Story | YouTube Envy? FOMO? Gratefulness? My Reflections On 2022 As A Creator Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark Winters Justin's Newsletter

Jun 20, 2023

David reflects on 18 months of freedom, Mike reports back from Craft + Commerce, and they both share their best advice for teaching kids how to focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Indeed : Join more than three 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. Obsidian University (Mike's Obsidian cohort) The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Satechi Multi Device Charging Station Dock 5 with Wireless Charging How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Mike's How to Calm Your Mind Notes Focused #107: The Bullet Journal Method, with Ryder Carroll The Bullet Journal Method Totebook | Studio Neat Mark One | Studio Neat Readwise

Jun 7, 2023

David & Mike discuss the process of planning (and attempting to live out) their ideal weeks. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than three 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. Obsidian University The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey Focused #101: Taking a Sabbatical, with Sean McCabe David's Ideal Week Mike's Ideal Week

May 23, 2023

Mike is finally a Free Agent. In this episode, he & David talk through the process and share some tips for those considering making revolutionary change. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. 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. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Fear-Setting The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd Master Your Motivation by Susan Fowler Bookworm #167: Master Your Motivation by Susan Fowler Focused #148: Savoring the Moment, with Chris Bailey How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Maslach Burnout Inventory Obsidian University Two Weeks Notice by Amy Porterfield The Gap and The Gain by Dr. Benjamin Hardy & Dan Sullivan

May 9, 2023

Mike Rohde is back to talk about the role of analog and digital tools in maintaining creative focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer: no interest, no payments for six months. Guest Starring: Mike Rohde Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde The Sketchnote Workbook by Mike Rohde Email Field Guide | MacSparky Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman The Complete Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series Books 1-7 Shingo Nakamura | Spotify Procreate app Mike Rohde | YouTube Sketchnote Icons Live Workshop: Recorded Replay Online | Vimeo On Demand on Vimeo Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens | Amazon Pilot G2 Gel Pens | Amazon Notebook Classic | LEUCHTTURM1917 Moleskine Art Sketchbook | Amazon https://amzn.to/3LSxZHQ The Sketchnote Ideabook | Airship Notebooks Coupon code ARMY for 10% off Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners Rhodia Notebooks & Writing Pads Pentel EnerGel 0.7 MM | Amazon https://amzn.to/3NSUZck Sharpie S-Gel, Gel Pens, Medium Point | Amazon Neuland GoodNotes app Paper by WeTransfer | Simple Sketch App Concepts App | Infinite, Flexible Sketching Noteshelf app Linea Sketch | Drawing tools for iOS Paperlike Rohdesign Mike Rohde (@rohdesign) | Instagram Sketchnote Army Mike Rohde (@rohdesign@mastodon.online) | Mastodon Waves of Focus | Kourosh Dini

Apr 25, 2023

David & Mike revisit the importance of saying no and discuss how to prevent taking on too much. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mike's LifeTheme Cohort Master Your Motivation by Susan Fowler The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington How to do what you love and make good money | Derek Sivers Weekend Wednesday | YouTube Readwise How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler Bookworm podcast

Apr 12, 2023

David & Mike get caught up on listener feedback as they discuss journaling data, power naps, and choosing the things you aren't going to do. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: CleanMyMac X : Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today. Indeed : Join more than three 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. Day One Obsidian Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith Mike's Digital Journaling in Obsidian course How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Mac Power Users #685: Fighting Digital Distractions House of Cribbage Continuous Cribbage Board | Amazon Areaware Minim Playing Cards | Amazon Cribbage With Grandpas Mastermind | Amazon Sterilite 18 Quart Clear Plastic Stackable Storage Containers | Amazon

Mar 28, 2023

Computer scientist & author Cal Newport joins us to talk about the impact of technology and culture on productivity and shares what we can do to protect our ability to focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Zocdoc : Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Guest Starring: Cal Newport Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Deep Work by Cal Newport Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport A World Without Email by Cal Newport Why Remote Work Is So Hard—and How It Can Be Fixed | The New Yorker The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker The Time-Block Planner by Cal Newport It’s Time to Embrace Slow Productivity | The New Yorker How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport

Mar 14, 2023

Business lawyer Mark Metzger joins David to talk about false urgency, the power of having a coach, and getting back on the wagon when life happens. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. CleanMyMac X : Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today. NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer: no interest, no payments for six months. Guest Starring: Mark Metzger Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Naperville, IL Business Attorney & Estate Planning Lawyers Atticus Attorney Law Firm Coaching 10% Happier by Dan Harris Ten Percent Happier App Headspace False Urgency Webinar Video (MacSparky Labs) ScreenFlow Camtasia Loom

Feb 28, 2023

David & Mike dive deep into the topic of journaling and share their workflows for making it stick. 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 three 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. MACSPARKY Embroidered Tee | Cotton Bureau The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron BeReal Mike's Digital Journaling in Obsidian course The Pen Addict | Relay FM Circa® by Levenger How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Day One Readwise Obsidian Ugmonk Analog Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith

Feb 14, 2023

David & Mike discuss communication, project management, and managing expectations to protect your focus. 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 : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Join more than three 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. Time Timer Mac Power Users #578: Getting to Know Notion, with August Bradley Mac Power Users #650: Craft Deep Drive Boox Tab Ultra A Mindfulness Monday Review of the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra | The Sweet Setup Digital Journaling in Obsidian course | Faith-Based Productivity Investigation: How TikTok's Algorithm Figures Out Your Deepest Desires Focused #78: Changing Defaults with John Zeratsky Hackschooling makes me happy - Logan LaPlante | TEDxUniversityofNevada The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey How to Be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport

Jan 31, 2023

Tim Stringer joins us to talk about mortality, reinvention, and the fight 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. Guest Starring: Tim Stringer Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Technically Simple | Productivity Coaching, Consulting & Training Learn OmniFocus | OmniFocus Video Tutorials, Articles & Webinars A Chinese Farmer Story | YouTube Getting Things Done Holistic Productivity Day One Tim Stringer (@timstringer) | Twitter Tim Stringer (@timstringer@mastodon.social) | Mastodon

Jan 17, 2023

Chris Bailey is back to talk about dopamine, burnout, and finding calm in these anxious times. 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. Guest Starring: Chris Bailey Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey Maslach Burnout Inventory Chris Bailey's website Time & Attention Podcast

Jan 3, 2023

David & Mike share their words for the year and discuss their plans to live out the first quarter of 2023 with intentionality and focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran & Michael Lennington Cortex #136: 2023 Yearly Themes How to do what you love and make good money | Derek Sivers Ship 30 for 30 Part-Time Youtuber Academy with Ali Abdaal The 2023 Focused Calendar

Dec 20, 2022

David & Mike reflect on the last year and share what went well, what could have gone better, and their lessons learned. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: 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 2023 Focused Calendar Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content Faith-Based Productivity community Part-Time Youtuber Academy with Ali Abdaal Ship 30 for 30 Readwise reMarkable Mind Management, Not Time Management by David Kadavy GoodNotes Kindle Scribe Freewrite AlphaSmart NEO: Why this crappy portable word processor is GREAT for writing Glocusent Upgraded LED Neck Reading Light Keychron Q1 Drop + biip MT3 Extended 2048 Custom Keycap Set

Dec 6, 2022

David & Mike walk through their planning processes and make their best case for leaving social media altogether. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The 2023 Focused Calendar Give the Gift of Relay FM Focused #164: Mind Mapping Command Strips | Amazon Focused #138: Hyper-Scheduling Revisited Mind Management, Not Time Management by David Kadavy | Amazon The Social Dilemma Elon Musk's Midnight Email Telling Twitter Staff to Work 'Long Hours' Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday | Amazon

Nov 22, 2022

Chris Upchurch joins us to talk about his recent career change from metropolitan transportation planner to whitewater rafting guide. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Guest Starring: Chris Upchurch Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Grand Adventure Blog The 2023 Focused NeuYear Calendar Personal Retreat Handbook Dataview Due The Theme System Journal Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Soft Cover Pocket Notebook Rite in the Rain All-Weather RevMark Pen Mac Power Users #470: From Computing to Sheep Farming, with Oogie McGuire How to Start Your Own Mastermind Group

Nov 8, 2022

David & Mike consider the focus benefits of mind mapping and discuss the tools and methods they use to think beyond the outline. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Sofa : Organize your downtime. Download now. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The 2023 Focused Calendar | NeuYear Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan Mac Power Users #82: Cooking Ideas MindNode How (and Why) I Take Notes on Books That I Read | Faith-Based Productivity 152: Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan | Bookworm How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham The Best Mind Mapping App — The Sweet Setup OmniGraffle Miro MindMeister Xmind iThoughts

Oct 25, 2022

Baron Fig CEO Joey Cofone joins us to talk about creativity, embracing constraints, and finding your own way. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Guest Starring: Joey Cofone Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Laws of Creativity by Joey Cofone Baron Fig Confidant Hardcover Notebook Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon @joeycofone | Twitter @joeycofone | Instagram

Oct 11, 2022

David & Mike discuss perfectionism, procrastination, and overcoming the urge to get everything just right. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Join more than three 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 #146: The Extended Mind, with Annie Murphy Paul The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul | Amazon Mac Power Users #661: Our Desks & Bags Contemporary, Mid Century & Modern Furniture | Article David's Chair iPad Status Board, Part 2 | MacSparky Good to Great by Jim Collins | Amazon A Guide to Sketchnoting on iPad (using GoodNotes) | The Sweet Setup Mindset by Carol Dweck | Amazon Part-Time Youtuber Academy with Ali Abdaal How to be a YouTuber? Ask MKBHD V10! | YouTube 42 Creativity Tips to Get Unstuck, Overcome Resistance, & Make Your Art | YouTube Journaling in Obsidian Using Daily Questions | YouTube

Sep 27, 2022

Jean MacDonald joins us to talk about social media, the M.E.O.W. system, and reading books. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Ethos : Life insurance that fits your budget. Guest Starring: Jean MacDonald Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Relay FM for St. Jude Micro.blog The Weekly Review #219: A MEOW Review 😺 Stolen Focus by Johann Hari | Amazon Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Amazon The Social Dilemma The Light Phone Reclaiming Conversation by Sherry Turkle | Amazon Libby App The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle | Audible Building a Second Brain Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday | Amazon David Allen's GTD® Methodology M.E.O.W: The Productivity System Just For Me 😸 | Jean MacDonald Focused #156: The State of GTD

Sep 13, 2022

David & Mike compare calendars and task lists, the jobs to be done by each, and the resistance that will inevitably appear in your quest to get things done. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Focused #157: Non-Traditional Measures of Productivity, with Mike Vardy MacSparky Labs MacSparky Labs Calendar screenshot Hyper-Scheduling Archives | MacSparky The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande OmniFocus Field Guide Gestimer Focused #74: Moving the Needle Focused #71: Hyper-Scheduling Focused #138: Hyper-Scheduling Revisited Relay FM for St. Jude

Aug 30, 2022

David & Mike consider note-taking and its role in the creative process. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Ethos : Life insurance that fits your budget. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte | Amazon Readwise Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan | Amazon reMarkable Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray | Amazon

Aug 16, 2022

Rob Krecak joins us to talk about the psychology behind email, the importance of communication norms, and tips from his experiences helping organizations move to a 4-day work week. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Rob Krecak Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Humans First | Technology Mindfulness and Behavioral Change Shorter by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang | Amazon The 4 Day Week by Andrew Barnes | Amazon 4 Day Week Global Inbox When Ready SaneBox The Social Dilemma The Five Minute Journal The Enneagram Institute Contact Rob Get a free 30-minute consultation to see if a 4-day work week is right for your organization.

Aug 2, 2022

Mike Vardy is back to talk about the rhythm of work and why some people feel "productivity" is becoming a dirty word. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Mike Vardy Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker Focused #156: The State of GTD Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith | Amazon Journaling in Obsidian Using Daily Questions | YouTube Meditations by Marcus Aurelius | The Internet Classics Archive Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey | Amazon Greenlights journal | Amazon Drafts Reflection Hyper-Scheduling | MacSparky Hemingwrite Personal Retreat Video | MacSparky Personal Retreat Handbook | Faith-Based Productivity Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez | Amazon The Productivity Diet | The Productivityist @mikevardy | Twitter

Jul 19, 2022

Inspired by a Cal Newport article on Getting Things Done, David & Mike go through an audit of the (in)famous productivity system. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer. Setapp : More than 240 powerful apps. Try it free for a week. Indeed : Start hiring now and only pay for quality applications matching the sponsored job description. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker Getting Things Done by David Allen Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte Focused #154: Building a Second Brain, with Tiago Forte Mike's Input Workflow | Faith-Based Productivity Personal Retreat Handbook | Faith-Based Productivity Hazel Field Guide | MacSparky Journaling in Obsidian Using Daily Questions | YouTube

Jul 5, 2022

David & Mike explore the idea of favorite problems and identify a dozen of their own in a quest for self-discovery. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Setapp : More than 240 powerful apps. Try it free for a week. NetSuite : The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Focused #154: Building a Second Brain, with Tiago Forte Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte Mac Power Users #82: Cooking Ideas Richard Feynman's Letter on What Problems to Solve | Farnam Street Focused #149: Asking Questions, with Marc Champagne How to do what you love and make good money | Derek Sivers Sabbaticals, Long and Short | MacSparky Focused #101: Taking a Sabbatical, with Sean McCabe Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray

Jun 21, 2022

Tiago Forte joins us to talk about his new book, building knowledge assets, and flipping the switch from consumer to creator. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Setapp : Curated playlists to help you get things done. Search and follow ‘Setapp’ on Spotify. Guest Starring: Tiago Forte Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Building a Second Brain Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte | Amazon Focused #146: The Extended Mind, with Annie Murphy Paul How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler | Amazon What is GTD? | Getting Things Done Tiago Forte (@fortelabs) | Twitter

Jun 7, 2022

Kourosh Dini is back to talk about being with the work and the dark side of flow. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Kourosh Dini Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Shortcuts for Mac Field Guide | MacSparky Focused #135: Don't Eat the Frog, with Jesse J. Anderson Miller’s Law Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Amazon The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin | Amazon Waves of Focus (Kourosh's course) Being Productive Kourosh Dini

May 24, 2022

David & Mike share some of their favorite mental models and how to use them for better sensemaking. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Kolide : Endpoint Security Powered by People. Try Kolide for 14 days free; no credit card required. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Linking Your Thinking The Great Mental Models Volume 1 by Shane Parrish & Rhiannon Beaubien Bookworm #113: The Great Mental Models, Volume 1 The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull Ship 30 for 30 Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray Think Again by Adam Grant

May 11, 2022

Francesco D'Alessio joins us to talk about the state of productivity apps, picking the right tools, and his new app, Bento. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Kolide : Endpoint Security Powered by People. Try Kolide for 14 days free; no credit card required. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Francesco D'Alessio Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Keep Productive | YouTube The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan Bento: The Do Less Todo List The Story of the Chinese Farmer | YouTube

Apr 26, 2022

David & Mike celebrate episode 150 by talking about focus traps and answering a bunch of listener questions. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Kolide : Endpoint Security Powered by People. Try Kolide for 14 days free; no credit card required. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky Focused #149: Asking Questions, with Marc Champagne Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne Esington Glass PARKS Board Game Essentialism by Greg McKeown About the Circa Discbound Notebook System | Levenger Discbound Heirloom Journal (Brown) | Ugmonk Part-Time YouTuber Academy with Ali Abdaal

Apr 12, 2022

Marc Champagne (author of Personal Socrates) joins us to talk about mental fitness, journaling, and why simply asking the right questions can change your life. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Microsoft Lists – MSA Preview : Sign up, sign in and track what matters most. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Marc Champagne Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. Marc Champagne Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne Behind the Human podcast Better Questions Newsletter Day One Improve Your Focus and Productivity with Interstitial Journaling

Mar 29, 2022

Chris Bailey is back to talk about his dopamine fast, the art of savoring, and avoiding the productivity racket. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Ahrefs : Improve your website’s SEO performance and get more traffic from search. Free for website owners. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Chris Bailey Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey | Audible The Time and Attention Podcast | A Life of Productivity Freedom - Block Websites, Apps, and the Internet The Molecule of More by Daniel Lieberman The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Billy Joel - Vienna | YouTube Savoring by Fred Bryant Getting Things Done A Life of Productivity

Mar 15, 2022

David & Mike revisit the topic of task management to talk about Mike's Obsidian task management experiment and their (very different) use of checklists. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Shopify : Grow your business with Shopify. Start your 14-day free trial today. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Getting Things Done by David Allen Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System | The Sweet Setup Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Analog | Ugmonk Linking Your Thinking Obsidian Tasks plugin Obsidian Dataview plugin Obsidian Calendar plugin Obsidian Kanban plugin reMarkable Rocketbook The Light Phone The Social Dilemma LEGO MOC Patriot Puzzle Box by ThePuzzler | Rebrickable

Mar 1, 2022

Author Annie Murphy Paul joins us to talk about playing with ideas, working in groups, and other ways to extend the mind. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Ahrefs : Improve your website’s SEO performance and get more traffic from search. Free for website owners. Guest Starring: Annie Murphy Paul Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul Annie Murphy Paul's website

Feb 15, 2022

David & Mike consider how the environment affects our ability to focus and share the very different ways they set up their workspaces. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Shopify : Grow your business with Shopify. Start your 14-day free trial today. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Virtual Tour | Salk Institute for Biological Studies The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul | Amazon Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull | Amazon Drew Coffman's Messy Desk Thread | Twitter Widgetsmith Mike's Studio Tour MacSparky's Studio Tour MKBHD's Studio Tour | YouTube CordaRoy's Beanbag Chair

Feb 1, 2022

Patrick Rhone joins us to talk about analog productivity, knolling, mise en place, and staying focused while wearing many hats. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Ahrefs : Improve your website’s SEO performance and get more traffic from search. Free for website owners. Guest Starring: Patrick Rhone Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Enough by Patrick Rhone Whoa to Wow Mental Health Minnesota Circus Juventas Brené Brown Lore Frictionless Tools - Capture Cards and Planning Pad | The Pen Addict Analog | Ugmonk The Dash/Plus System Hobonichi Techo Planner | JetPens What is Mise en Place? | Real Simple Knolling Work Clean by Dan Charnas | Amazon @patrickrhone | Twitter @patrickrhone | Instagram Rhoneisms | by Patrick Rhone Patrick Rhone | Website

Jan 18, 2022

David and Mike share some thoughts about what they’re up to in the new year and the personal changes they’re making to their routines. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Shopify : Grow your business with Shopify. Start your 14-day free trial today. Ahrefs : Improve your website’s SEO performance and get more traffic from search. Free for website owners. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. MacSparky Labs Focused #141: You Never Arrive Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg | Amazon BJ Fogg at TEDxFremont | YouTube Las Vegas Elvis Weddings Personal Retreat Handbook The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington | Amazon Year-End Reflection Prompts | MacSparky The Best Book(s) I Read This Year | Mike's Newsletter The Great Mental Models Volume 1 by Shane Parrish & Rhiannon Beaubien | Amazon Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne | Amazon The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday | Amazon Cortex #123: 2022 Yearly Themes The Theme System The Theme System Journal Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman | Amazon The Focused Calendar | NeuYear.net Personal Retreat Video and Planning PDF | MacSparky Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug | Amazon YETI Rambler 20oz Tumbler, Stainless Steel | Amazon

Jan 4, 2022

Sparky finally put his money where his mouth is and he's doing just one thing now. In this episode, Mike has questions and David has answers. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Why I'm No Longer Practicing Law - MacSparky Mac Power Users #621: Sparky Freedom - MacSparky Year-End Reflection Prompts - MacSparky Moving the Needle - MacSparky 20 Years A Lawyer - MacSparky Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday Focused #134: Finding Space with Sean McCabe - Relay FM CordaRoy's Convertible Bean Bags Sparky's Time Timer

Dec 22, 2021

David & Mike discuss the arrival fallacy and the importance of finding joy in the journey. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Setapp : More than 200 powerful apps for your Mac. Try it free for a week. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Micronauts | Wikipedia The Practice by Seth Godin | Amazon Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman | Amazon The Power of Positive Thinking by Normal Vincent Peale | Amazon Soundtracks by Jon Acuff | Amazon Focused #135: Don't Eat the Frog, with Jesse J. Anderson reMarkable

Dec 7, 2021

Engineering professor Cory Hixson joins the Focused crew this week about staying on target, not letting your kids eat take your brain, and why you are not a computer. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Setapp : More than 200 powerful apps for your Mac. Try it free for a week. The Intrazone, by Microsoft SharePoint : Your bi-weekly conversation and interview podcast about SharePoint, OneDrive and related tech within Microsoft 365. Guest Starring: Cory Hixson Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Talking To The Internet Business Model Canvas - Wikipedia Stillness is the Key - Ryan Holiday Make Yourself Write Project Proposals — anchored thought Scrum (software development) - Wikipedia

Nov 23, 2021

David & Mike consider the source of negative self-talk, the power of positive thinking, and taming the rebellious brain. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Privacy : Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams | Amazon Courage Is Calling by Ryan Holiday | Amazon The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul | Amazon How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie | Amazon Soundtracks by Jon Acuff | Amazon Focused #73: Productivity and Art with Bob Reynolds

Nov 9, 2021

Mike and David return to the subject of hyper-scheduling after they've both been at it a few years. What works? What doesn't? And how did Mike's experiment go where he stopped blocking time? This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Privacy : Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. David's Focused Webinar MacSparky Hyper-Scheduling Posts Focused #71: Hyper-Scheduling Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day Focused #78: Changing Defaults with John Zeratsky - Relay FM GoodNotes | Best Note-Taking App for iPad Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System – The Sweet Setup Focused #107: The Bullet Journal Method, with Ryder Carroll - Relay FM Flexibits | Fantastical | The calendar and tasks app you won't be able to live without. Analog – Ugmonk Clairefontaine Triomphe Notepads & Envelopes | JetPens Amazon.com : Clairefontaine "Triomphe" Stationery Tablet, Blank, A4 (8.25" x 11.75") : Writing Paper : Office Products Amazon.com : Rhodia Webnotebook, A5, Dot - Orange : Drawing Pads And Books : Office Products Sorted³ – Hyper-schedule your entire day in one place Amazon.com: Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time eBook : Vaden, Rory: Kindle Store Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave: Holiday, Ryan: 9780593191675: Amazon.com: Books

Oct 27, 2021

Mike and David return to the insidious problem of "busy". Mike and David are not beyond getting caught in this trap and share some ideas about how to avoid it. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Privacy : Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Setapp : More than 200 powerful apps for your Mac. Try it free for a week. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. (1) The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net Fear-Setting: The Most Valuable Exercise I Do Every Month – The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss Personal Retreat Handbook | Faith-Based Productivity Journaling Workflow for Appending to Daily Notes with QuickAdd (VIDEO) – The Sweet Setup Journaling Using Daily Questions in Obsidian – The Sweet Setup About Page Focused #134: Finding Space with Sean McCabe - Relay FM Focused #135: Don't Eat the Frog, with Jesse J. Anderson - Relay FM Focused #136: Social Focus, with Taylor Jacobson - Relay FM Obsidian Triggers: Marshall Goldsmith Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave: Holiday, Ryan

Oct 12, 2021

Taylor Jacobson joins us to talk about groundedness, vulnerability, and accountability on his journey to founding Focusmate. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Novo : Powerfully simple business banking. Sign up for free. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Taylor Jacobson Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Focusmate The 2022 FOCUSED Calendar Focused #78: Changing Defaults with John Zeratsky Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky | Amazon Focused #119: Productivity & Meditation, with Chris Bailey The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey | Amazon Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Amazon Taylor Jacobson | LinkedIn Taylor Jacobson (@TaylorJacobson) | Twitter

Sep 28, 2021

Jesse Anderson joins us to talk about self-awareness and the struggles with being productive while battling ADHD. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Novo : Powerfully simple business banking. Sign up for free. Privacy : Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase. Guest Starring: Jesse Anderson Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Don't Eat the Frog First! | Jesse J. Anderson Why Is It So Hard to Do Something That Should Be Easy? | YouTube Kourosh Dini | Mind, Music, and Productivity The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg | Amazon Due: The Superfast Reminder App for iPhone & iPad Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky | Amazon DSM-5 William Dodson, M.D. | ADDitude Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell M.D & John J. Ratey M.D. | Amazon Jesse J. Anderson Refocus: A Practical Guide to ADHD @jessejanderson | Twitter @jessejanderson | TikTok @jessejanderson | Instagram Time Timer | Amazon

Sep 14, 2021

Sean McCabe comes back to report in on what happened when his year-long sabbatical smacked into a pandemic and how he keeps his focus while winding up a new business. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Guest Starring: Sean McCabe Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. seanwes - Business Community for Creative Professionals Daily Content Machine | seanwes Craft and Commerce 2020 - Email Marketing Conference for Creators by ConvertKit SwitchBot Bot - The Iconic Button Presser – SwitchBot Global Weekend Sabbatical – sabbatical.blog Ulysses The all-new Things. Your to-do list for Mac & iOS RescueTime Automatic Mac Time Tracker – Start/Stop Timers Optional – Timing Motion: Manage calendars, meetings, & tasks in one app Free Online Appointment Scheduling Software - Calendly Save Time Blog - Quick Tips for Doing Things Faster on Apple Devices

Aug 31, 2021

David & Mike do an audit of their productivity workflows and share what's working (and what isn't). This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Gabi : Get a better insurance. It’s totally free to check and there’s no obligation. Click this link to get started. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. David's Apple Mail webinar Relay FM for St. Jude 2021 ScreenFlow Ferrite Recording Studio Deep Work by Cal Newport | Amazon Focused #118: Tasks and Habits The Best Habit App | The Sweet Setup Streaks DLR Field Guide | YouTube Bookworm The Intentional Family Focused #101: Taking a Sabbatical, with Sean McCabe - Relay FM Hell Yeah or No | Derek Sivers The Best Time Tracking App | The Sweet Setup Timery for Toggl Timing Obsidian Todoist Obsidian & Todoist Plugin | Jamie Brynes tq Obsidian plugin

Aug 17, 2021

Is willpower enough to plow through? In this episode, Mike and David look into that question. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Willpower Doesn't Work Great Mental Models V1 The Extended Mind 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Haruki Murakami: Daily Routine - Balance The Grind | Conversations On Work, Life & Balance Happy creativity: Listening to happy music facilitates divergent thinking The Art of Gathering Creativity Inc. Environment Design: How to Improve Without Thinking Indistractable

Aug 3, 2021

We're all a lot less objective than we give ourselves credit for. David & Mike attempt to figure out why by considering limiting beliefs, learning loops, and the slippery slope of self-sealing logic. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Discourse : Modern forum software for your community. Get 50% off your first 2 months. Memberful : Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray | Amazon Bookworm #124: Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy | Amazon Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon | Amazon Mindset by Carol Dweck | Amazon Getting Things Done by David Allen | Amazon Die Empty by Todd Henry | Amazon The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen | Amazon MacSparky You are Now Less Dumb by David McRaney | Amazon Think Again by Adam Grant | Amazon

Jul 20, 2021

At what point does your quest for productivity and efficiency become toxic? It's a good question and an easy trap. Mike and David have a few ideas. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Literati : A bestselling book subscription service that offers curated book clubs for all readers. Start your trial today. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Sign up for Deep Focus Cal Newport: How to Become a Straight A Student TikTok, pink stationery, and crowded planners: Gen Z’s toxic productivity - Vox So the goal, it seems, isn’t necessarily to be productive, but rather to look productive. The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker Inbox Zero - YouTube How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler Thirty Lessons for Living Ikigei Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt Important and Urgent — MacSparky

Jul 6, 2021

Gmail ninja Colleen Wainwright joins us to talk about delegating work to others, the evolution of the attention economy, and working out of email without going crazy. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. HPE Tech Talk : HPE news, tech Insights and world-class innovations. Listen now. Memberful : Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required. Guest Starring: Colleen Wainwright Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Mac Power Users #72: Workflows with Colleen Wainwright A World Without Email by Cal Newport | Amazon DragApp Notion Jira Airtable Focused #127: Focusing a Team, with Ken Case TextExpander MailSuite Digital Body Language by Erica Dhawan | Amazon Communicatrix

Jun 22, 2021

Mike and David tackle one of the most difficult subjects of focus, Communication. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: TextExpander, from Smile : Communicate Smarter. Get 20% off. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Literati : A bestselling book subscription service that offers curated book clubs for all readers. Start your free trial. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Focus Mode and Contextual Computing — MacSparky 322: The Communication Episode | seanwes podcast Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People How to Win Friends & Influence People Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

Jun 8, 2021

Ken Case joins us to talk about how the Omni Group focuses their work teams, the lessons they've learned from forced changes due to COVID, and the benefits of planning for disruption. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Memberful : Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Guest Starring: Ken Case Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Omni Group OmniFocus Getting Things Done by David Allen | Amazon A World Without Email by Cal Newport | Amazon Mac Power Users #254: Reviewing GTD with David Allen Focused #116: The Big Reset Richard Feynman | YouTube Omni Roadmap 2021

May 25, 2021

Mike and David get into note-taking (and note-making), listener feedback, and the pesky problem of productivity vs. grinding. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: TextExpander, from Smile : Communicate Smarter. Get 20% off. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Gabi : Get a better insurance. It’s totally free to check and there’s no obligation. Click this link to get started. * Cross Promo: Parallel : A tech podcast with accessibility sprinkles. Listen now. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Readwise renehernandez/obsidian-readwise: Sync Readwise highlights into your obsidian vault Focused #73: Productivity and Art with Bob Reynolds - Relay FM Line 6 Freewrite: Distraction-Free Writing Tools Is the cult of productivity finally over? - Focused - MPU Talk Logitech Craft Wireless Keyboard for Advanced Creativity & Productivity The Power of Obsidian's Local Graph – The Sweet Setup PKM Primer: An Introduction to Personal Knowledge Management for Creatives – The Sweet Setup Focused #122: Linking Your Thinking with Nick Milo - Relay FM The Now Habit by Neal Fiore Ikigai

May 11, 2021

Rosemary Orchard joins us to talk about juggling projects, automation, kanban boards, and keeping the jobby job. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Guest Starring: Rosemary Orchard Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Nested Folders Podcast Automators | Relay FM iOS Today | TWiT How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport | Amazon Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey | Relay FM Yoda's Hut | YouTube Dark Noise ‎Piano Peace | Apple Music Maker, Manager, Consumer | MacSparky Journaling Using Daily Questions in Obsidian | The Sweet Setup Effortless by Greg McKeown | Amazon The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande | Amazon Project Status Board | MacSparky Nested Folders Episode 52: Juggling Projects Airtable Obsidian Dataview plugin Obsidian Kanban plugin A World Without Email by Cal Newport | Amazon M.C. Squares Magic Whiteboard | Amazon Obsidian vs. Roam | The Sweet Setup

Apr 27, 2021

In this episode, Mike and David talk about PKM planets and how they read, process, and learn from books and other media. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Memberful : Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required. PDFpen, from Smile : Powerful PDF editing on your Mac. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. What is PKM? What is Personal Knowledge Management? - YouTube Focused #122: Linking Your Thinking with Nick Milo - Relay FM Mac Power Users #583: The Obsidian Deep Dive - Relay FM Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Kleon, Austin: 8601300471914: Amazon.com: Books Pensieve | Harry Potter Wiki | Fandom Focused #117: Roles & Goals - Relay FM Journaling Using Daily Questions in Obsidian – The Sweet Setup Craft - Create Amazing Documents Roam Research – A note taking tool for networked thought. Obsidian DEVONtechnologies | DEVONthink, professional document and information management for the Mac and iOS Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World: Newport, Cal: 9781455586691: Amazon.com: Books Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time eBook: Tracy, Brian: Books Blinkist: Big ideas in small packages Shortform - The World's Best Book Summaries Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration (8601400995709): Catmull, Ed, Wallace, Amy: Books How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey | Audiobook | Audible.com Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less eBook: Carpenter, Sam: Kindle Store How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading: Mortimer J. Adler, Charles Van Doren: 0042516291251: Amazon.com: Books Readwise Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: Clear, James: 9780735211292: Amazon.com: Books XXL Hammock Chair Swing by Hammock Sky Mindset: The New Psychology of Success: Dweck, Carol S.: 9780345472328: Amazon.com: Books Bookworm – Podcast Book Club

Apr 13, 2021

David & Mike talk about the different ways they track their time, what tools they use, and share the focus & productivity benefits they glean from the process. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Spox : The best story wins. Get 25% off when you mention this show. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Best Time Tracking App | The Sweet Setup Focused #121: Analog Focus, with Jeff Sheldon Focused #122: Linking Your Thinking, with Nick Milo Mac Power Users #583: The Obsidian Deep Dive Obsidian Focused #118: Tasks and Habits Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey Streaks Timing Timing on Setapp Timery Mike's iOS Time Tracking Dashboard | The Sweet Setup RescueTime A Review of the Timeular Time Tracker | The Sweet Setup Toggl Automators #15: Automated Time Tracking The Intentional Family podcast Focused #74: Moving the Needle Fantastical Sorted³ The Time-Block Planner by Cal Newport | Amazon Due The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net The Hyper-Scheduling Experiment | MacSparky Simple Time Management course | The Sweet Setup

Mar 30, 2021

Nick Milo from Linking Your Thinking joins this week to consider the role of focus in idea development and knowledge management. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Spox : The best story wins. Get 25% off when you mention this show. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Nick Milo Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Nick Milo (@NickMilo) / Twitter Linking Your Thinking Workshop Linking Your Thinking - YouTube Why Obsidian Will Overtake Roam - YouTube Craft - Create Amazing Documents Obsidian Roam Research – A note taking tool for networked thought. Drafts | Where Text Starts Building My Personal Cross-Reference Library in Obsidian PKM Primer: An Introduction to Personal Knowledge Management for Creatives – The Sweet Setup The Practice: Shipping Creative Work eBook: Godin, Seth: Kindle Store Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day: Henry, Todd: 9781591846994: Amazon.com: Books The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business: Duhigg, Charles: 8601406381322: Amazon.com: Books Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: Clear, James: 9780735211292: Amazon.com: Books The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts eBook: Parrish, Shane, Beaubien, Rhiannon: Kindle Store Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Kleon, Austin: 8601300471914: Amazon.com: Books Foundation series - Wikipedia Foundation — Teaser | Apple TV+ - YouTube

Mar 16, 2021

Jeff Sheldon from Ugmonk joins us to talk about his Analog productivity system, connecting dots, intentional constraints, and being a geek for the details. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: TextExpander, from Smile : Work smarter, not harder. Get 20% off your first year. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Microsoft Lists : A Microsoft 365 app that helps you track information and organize work. Guest Starring: Jeff Sheldon Links and Show Notes: Focused listeners can save 10% at ugmonk.com using this link . (This is an affiliate link.) Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Ugmonk Analog system The Practice by Seth Godin | Amazon Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon | Amazon Getting Things Done by David Allen | Amazon Discbound Heirloom Journal (Brown) | Ugmonk Bullet Journal Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System | The Sweet Setup Analog Tips | Ugmonk Due Gather | Ugmonk The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor | Amazon Jeff Sheldon (@ugmonk) | Twitter Jeff Sheldon (@ugmonk) | Instagram

Mar 2, 2021

Jake Kahana from Caveday joins to talk about his journey and how Cavedays can help you get your focus mojo back. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Jake Kahana Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Jake on the Web About Jake Email Refrigerator sign up at the bottom of the page. Jake's Writing Caveday Use this link for a Caveday discount. Learn More About Caveday Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World - Cal Newport

Feb 16, 2021

Author Chris Bailey joins us to talk about the productivity benefits of meditation, conquering resistance, and the path of least regret. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. PDFpen, from Smile : The all-purpose PDF editor for Mac, iPad & iPhone. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Guest Starring: Chris Bailey Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. A Life of Productivity The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey | Amazon 30 Lessons for Living by Karl Pillemer | Amazon Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey Focused #117: Roles & Goals Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith The Molecule of More by Daniel Lieberman | Amazon How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey | Audible.com The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor | Amazon Insight Timer Calm Headspace Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana | Amazon Streaks The Best Habit Tracking App for iOS | The Sweet Setup Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy | Amazon Toggl Becoming Better Podcast | A Life of Productivity Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey | Amazon

Feb 2, 2021

Tasks are great but sometimes the wrong tool. Mike and David make the case that habits are underrated and can help you where projects can not. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Links and Show Notes: Credits The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks The Editor Jim Metzendorf The Fixer Kerry Provanzano Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. SA Granite Keycap Set — Kono Store Linking Your Thinking Workshop Obsidian Roam Research – A note taking tool for networked thought. Craft - Create Amazing Documents The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Wikipedia How to Win Friends and Influence People - Wikipedia Think and Grow Rich - Wikipedia Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg Habit Tracking: The Best Habit Apps For Your iPhone — The Sweet Setup

Jan 19, 2021

Goals are great, but they aren't enough. In this episode, David & Mike talk about how roles & goals work together and how the hats that you decide to wear are the real foundation of a solid personal productivity system. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. TextExpander, from Smile : Recall your best words. Instantly, repeatedly. Get 20% off your first year. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Big Ready Atomic Habits by James Clear | Amazon The Intentional Family podcast Personal Retreat Handbook Daily Questions in Roam Research Mike's Input Workflow diagram roam42 Mike's Roam Research Email KM Macro Star Wars Rebels | Disney+ SaneBox Why you should keep a journal and why I keep mine in Roam Research | YouTube How I Use Roam Research for Journaling | The Sweet Setup Readwise Webinar Replay: How I Use Mind Mapping to Take Book Notes | The Sweet Setup Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System | The Sweet Setup Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster in Olympic White with Maple Fingerboard | Sweetwater

Jan 5, 2021

Mike and David take on the new year in their own focused ways as they talk through a workflow for change. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Indeed : Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post. Links and Show Notes: Mike and David take on the new year in their own focused ways as they talk through a workflow for change. Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net Lockdown Productivity: Spaceship You | CGP Grey Weekend Wednesday | YouTube The Practice by Seth Godin | Amazon Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam | Amazon Cortex #110: 2021 Yearly Themes | Relay FM

Dec 22, 2020

Ernie Svenson joins us to talk about how focus inspired his career change from lawyer to small firm consultant, the importance of getting help, and the value of journaling. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Woven : The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days. Guest Starring: Ernie Svenson Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net Mac Power Users #230: The Power of PDFs The Practice by Seth Godin | Amazon This is Marketing by Seth Godin | Amazon Focused #110: Focus with Michael Hyatt The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron | Amazon The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon Song Exploder: A Netflix Documentary Series Ernie The Attorney

Dec 8, 2020

Inputs! We all have too many of them and not enough of us have a plan for them. In this episode, Mike and David talk about those pesky inputs and how to deal with them. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Woven : The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net Smart Water Bottle - HidrateSpark Bluetooth Water Bottle Mac Power Users #562: The First Apple Silicon Macs Focused #112: Productivity & Creativity - Relay FM Using Roam Research for GTD-Style Task Management – The Sweet Setup The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker Cortex #109: State of the Apps 2021 - Relay FM Brain Wash: Detox Your Mind for Clearer Thinking 106: Brain Wash by David & Austin Perlmutter – Bookworm The Practice: Ship creative work | Seth's Blog The Social Dilemma - Wikipedia Hyperfocus | A Life of Productivity

Nov 24, 2020

Brittany Smith is a cognitive scientist and very focused. She's also diagnosed with ADHD and she has a lot of wisdom to share in this week's episode. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Woven : The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days. Guest Starring: Brittany Smith Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net Devise & Conquer Productivity Coaching Brittany on Twitter Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey Tech Tips with Brittany - YouTube Focused #70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad - Relay FM Esington - Inspired Productivity Stop Procrastinating, Boost Productivity & Get Focused on Work - Focusmate Brain Wash Book Home | ADDA - Attention Deficit Disorder Association CHADD - Improving the lives of people affected by ADHD ACO Home

Nov 10, 2020

David & Mike consider the relationship of productivity & creativity and how it shapes the work that they do. They dive into their personal knowledge management stacks and the tools they currently use, share some tips for tagging, and discuss where to draw the lines between tools for managing tasks and ideas. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Woven : The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net Personal Retreat Video | MacSparky Spark Guitar Amp | Positive Grid How I Play Guitar Live From My iPad | The Sweet Setup YDS-150 Digital Saxophone Readwise Using Roam Research for GTD-Style Task Management | The Sweet Setup Jason Fried: "Productivity is for machines, not for people." | Twitter MacPaint - Wikipedia Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon | Amazon Mac Power Users #559: Research Apps How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens | Amazon The state of personal knowledge management | Ness Labs The 4 Levels of Personal Knowledge Management | Forte Labs Mike's Sermon Sketchnotes Archive Setting up a Quotebook in Roam Research Daily Questions in Roam Research Cross-Reference Library in Roam Research Maker, Manager, Consumer | MacSparky

Oct 27, 2020

Erik Fisher joins us to talk about internal and external distractions, setting up your environment for focused work, dealing with unexpected changes, and building self-awareness. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Teamistry : The stories of unsung teams who pioneered new ways of working to achieve the unexpected. Listen now. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Guest Starring: Erik Fisher Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net Atomic Habits by James Clear | Amazon Beyond the To-Do List #347: Top 5 Personal Productivity Books Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg | Amazon Deep Work by Cal Newport | Amazon Focused #110: Focus with Michael Hyatt How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport | Amazon Brain.fm Full Focus Planner Shorter by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang | Amazon The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon Muse Headband Beyond the To-Do List | Erik's podcast @ErikJFisher | Twitter

Oct 14, 2020

Michael Hyatt joins in to talk about staying focused, drift, scaling back on social media. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. Guest Starring: Michael Hyatt Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System by Michael Hyatt Win at Work and Succeed at Life | Michael Hyatt Full Focus Store – Full Focus by Michael Hyatt and Co. Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want eBook: Hyatt, Michael, Harkavy, Daniel: Kindle Store LeaderBooks™ - Michael Hyatt's Book Club for Leaders The Vision Driven Leader - Michael Hyatt Stephen Covey - Wikipedia Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less eBook: Pang, Alex Soojung-Kim: Kindle Store Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less—Here's How eBook: Pang, Alex Soojung-Kim: Kindle Store

Sep 29, 2020

David & Mike revisit the topic of email and discuss their current workflows. They share how and when they process email, what they use to do it, and the strategies they use to break free from their inboxes long enough to do some actual work. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Relay FM for St. Jude 2020 Calm Inbox course | The Sweet Setup Focused #107: The Bullet Journal Method, with Ryder Carroll Focused #108: Pruning with Ian Byrd Maker, Manager, Consumer | MacSparky Mike's Hybrid BuJo System | The Sweet Setup Discbound Heirloom Journal | Ugmonk Keychron K8 Tenkeyless Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Drop + Invyr Holy Panda Mechanical Switches MT3 Extended 2048 Keycaps Mac Power Users #539: Back to Email The Best Email App for iPhone and iPad | The Sweet Setup MailSuite | SmallCubed SaneBox | Email Management for Any Inbox Email Lessons from Napoleon Bonaparte | The Sweet Setup Ralph Waldo Emerson: Napoleon or, The Man of the World Notion First Impressions: Thoughts After Two Weeks with Notion and our Content Calendar | The Sweet Setup Feedbin

Sep 15, 2020

Educator, speaker, and online course creator Ian Byrd joins Mike and David to talk about quarterly retreats, technology, and focus. David makes a commitment. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Guest Starring: Ian Byrd Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Byrdseed.TV is open for new memberships! Byrdseed: Lessons to get kids' brains sweating! 🧠💦 Episode 2: How to Structure Your Founder's Retreat - ZenFounder How to Conduct Your Own Annual Review : The Art of Non-Conformity BJ Fogg | Tiny Habits Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown Priority is Singular From Essentialism Maker, Manager, Consumer — MacSparky Mindset: The New Psychology of Success: Dweck, Carol S.: 9780345472328: Amazon.com: Books The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It: Gerber, Michael E.: 0099455020992: Amazon.com: Books Brilliant Weekly Scheduler | mochithings

Sep 1, 2020

Bullet Journal Method founder Ryder Carroll joins us to talk about taking time offline, asking the right questions, and finding the the balance between style and substance in getting the right things done. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Ryder Carroll Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership How to declutter your mind -- keep a journal | Ryder Carroll | TEDxYale Bullet Journal Tutorial The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll | Amazon Relay FM for St. Jude

Aug 18, 2020

Laura Vanderkam joins the podcast this episode to talk about challenges and opportunities in working from home. Mike and David also break down their ever-evolving shut down routines. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Guest Starring: Laura Vanderkam Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Laura Vanderkam | Writer, Author & Speaker | Time Management The New Corner Office: How The Most Successful People Work From Home Questions That Make A Difference: The Daily Question Process – Marshall Goldsmith Marshall Goldsmith Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts--Becoming the Person You Want to Be: Goldsmith, Marshall, Reiter, Mark: 9780804141239: Amazon.com: Books Avatar: The Last Airbender - Wikipedia

Aug 4, 2020

Jay Miller joins us to talk about balancing many interests, transferring your focus as you switch between them, and what it means to live the multipotentialite lifestyle. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. Guest Starring: Jay Miller Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Productivity in Tech Podcast Cowboy Bebop | IMDb How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick | Amazon Better than Fixing Computers with Cecil Phillip | Productivity in Tech Podcast The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna | Amazon Focused #87: Nerds Like Us, with Myke Hurley Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert | Amazon @kjaymiller | Twitter kjaymiller.com

Jul 21, 2020

Mike and David cover a lot in this week's episode ranging from David's attempt at a sabbatical to sleep to productivity in virtual reality. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. A Fine Start : The new tab page you’ll actually use. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Sign up for Focused Membership sabbatical.blog – Seventh Week Sabbaticals Preparing for a Sabbatical — MacSparky Mike's Super-Charger Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts–Becoming the Person You Want to Be – Marshall Goldsmith Roam Research – A note taking tool for networked thought. Daily Questions in Roam Research Drafts | Where Text Starts Oculus Quest: All-in-One VR Headset | Oculus The ultimate productivity tool.

Jul 7, 2020

David tweaks his shutdown routine and preps for his sabbatical, Mike unpacks his hybrid productivity system, and they each have their own productivity challenge to complete. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Drafts : Where Text Starts. Try it free now. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. Links and Show Notes: Overview of Mike's hybrid system Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Focused #102: Analog Productivity with Brad Dowdy GoodNotes Moshi iVisor AG Screen Protector for iPad Pro | Amazon Sonos Move The Olympians | Apple Music Snarky Puppy Focused #73: Productivity and Art with Bob Reynolds Mike's Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System | The Sweet Setup Roam Research How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens | Amazon The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll | Amazon Obsidian Ulysses Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith | Amazon Daily Questions in Roam Research | Faith-Based Productivity Focused #101: Taking a Sabbatical, with Sean McCabe Seventh Week Sabbaticals | sabbatical.blog

Jun 23, 2020

The Pen Addict Brad Dowdy joins in to explain how he struggles to stay focused and discovers that he's a time blocker. We also get very nerdy about pens and paper toward the end. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Focus at Will : Personalized focus music to help you get stuff done. Get 60% off. Guest Starring: Brad Dowdy Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The Pen Addict Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System – The Sweet Setup Brad Dowdy (@penaddict) • Instagram photos and videos Architect Nib vs. Stub Nib — The Pen Addict LEUCHTTURM1917 | Premium stationery from a traditional family run company – LEUCHTTURM1917 Rhodia Notebooks & Writing Pads | Official U.S. Distributor MIDORI | Japanese Design Stationery Company A Brief Guide to Keeping a Commonplace Book – Notebook of Ghosts Anderson Pens Circa Discbound Notebooks Planner Discs & Accessories | Levenger Levenger Disc System GoodNotes Homepage

Jun 9, 2020

Sean McCabe is back to talk about sabbaticals - and to convince David to take one of his own. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Guest Starring: Sean McCabe Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Focused #56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe Overlap by Sean McCabe 076: Growth Scaling Part 1 of 3: Systems & Superhero Syndrome | seanwes podcast 322: The Communication Episode | seanwes podcast It’s A Strange Time To Have No Home | sabbatical.blog My Crazy AirBnb Story | sabbatical.blog Maintaining Routine Through Sabbatical | sabbatical.blog Photos Video Field Guide | MacSparky The Intentional Family podcast Sabbatical Book | sabbatical.blog seanwes.com Sean McCabe (@seanwes) | Twitter Sean McCabe (@seanwes) | Instagram

May 26, 2020

It's Episode 100 and Mike and David are looking back and looking forward in terms of focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Brand New: Simple Habits (A TSS Course) – The Sweet Setup Photos Field Guide (2nd Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear

May 12, 2020

Dave Caolo joins us to talk about games & productivity, how his bullet journal helps him stay focused, and working from home without going crazy. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Dave Caolo Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership David Caolo (@davecaolo) | Twitter Home Work Podcast | 5by5 Reboot Game Lab Lockdown Productivity: Spaceship You | YouTube The Note | Shawn Blanc Bullet Journal Notion Keyboard Maestro King of Tokyo: Dark Edition Sushi Go! Jackbox Games Forbidden Island Forbidden Desert Pandemic Dave's Blog

Apr 28, 2020

Dave Hamilton joins in to talk about how to keep your focus in the workplace and during a pandemic. Also, Dave uses an isolation tank and we have questions. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021. Agenda : Date-focused note taking. Download now for free. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Guest Starring: Dave Hamilton Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Dave Hamilton (@DaveHamilton) / Twitter The Mac Observer - Apple iPhone, Mac, Watch and iPad News, Opinions, Tips and Podcasts A Weekly Podcast For Entrepreneurs Who Do The Work - The Small Business Show Mac Geek Gab Podcast Archives - The Mac Observer Isolation tank - Wikipedia

Apr 14, 2020

David & Mike continue the overload series with a look at emotional overload. They consider the value of introspection, share some fun distractions, and discuss being ok with not being productive. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Matt Ragland's Journaling Course Day One in Depth (The Sweet Setup course) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (Amazon) Stop Trying to Be Productive (The New York Times) The Intentional Family (Mike's new podcast) The IT Crowd (Netflix) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Amazon) Temeraire 9 Book Series (Amazon)

Mar 31, 2020

Mike and David consider keeping your focus while working from home. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Agenda : Date-focused note taking. Download now for free. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Focused #95: Five Years of Freedom - Relay FM Working From Home — MacSparky Staying Focused at Home Webinar Replay — The Focus Course Take Control of Working from Home Temporarily – Take Control Books Fun and Useful Apps (and more) for Working from Home – The Sweet Setup

Mar 17, 2020

David shares the big lessons he's learned from five years of working independently. He and Mike talk about the fear of failure, intentional constraints, effective delegation, and the impact David's furry new coworker has on his productivity. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Five Years — MacSparky My Shortcuts Home Screen, Evolved — MacSparky Mac Power Users #526: I Don’t Aspire to Anything Else - Relay FM Focused #56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe - Relay FM

Mar 3, 2020

Matt Ragland explains how he uses his paper bullet journal to stay focused. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Indeed : Post your job today and get a free sponsored job upgrade. Guest Starring: Matt Ragland Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Matt Ragland - YouTube Matt Ragland — Minimalist Bullet Journal & Time Tracking Freed & Bound - Notebooks, Journals, and Analog Tools for Productivity – freedandbound My Field Notes to Bullet Journal system || Why it's a great EDC notebook for logging & time tracking - YouTube

Feb 18, 2020

In this second part of the overload series, David & Mike discuss emotional hijacking, the myth of multitasking, and how to tame the lizard brain. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Mac Power Users #521: Taming Notifications - Relay FM Margin by Richard Swenson - Amazon Focused #79: Reclaiming Margin, with Shawn Blanc - Relay FM Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - Amazon Focused #70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad - Relay FM Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey - Amazon

Feb 4, 2020

Author, physician, and busy guy Kourosh Dini joins us to talk about how to stay focused when you have a lot of things going on. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Guest Starring: Kourosh Dini Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Kourosh Dini | Mind, Music, and Productivity Course & Books | Kourosh Dini Music | Kourosh Dini

Jan 21, 2020

David and Mike kick off a new series on overload by examining their own FOMO triggers and make the productivity case for intentionally missing out. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Habits > Goals Thread | Focused Forum The Focused Calendar | Focused Forum Digital Minimalism thread | Focused Forum Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky | Amazon Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport | Amazon Digital Declutter Kickoff | The Focus Course

Jan 7, 2020

David and Mike are not fans of New Year's resolutions but they are fans of creating new habits. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31 2021. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Atomic Habits The Power of Habit The Infinite Game Cortex #95: 2020 Yearly Themes - Relay FM

Dec 24, 2019

MindNode designer Harald Eckmüller joins us to talk about using mind mapping as a focus tool. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Harald Eckmüller Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Mac Power Users #82: Cooking Ideas - Relay FM David's MindNode Screencasts An Example of Mike's Book Notes Mind Map (Flow) Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon - Amazon The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron - Amazon How Thomas Shows Clients the Bigger Picture – MindNode Mac Power Users #319: Teaching Workflows with Teddy Svoronos - Relay FM Mac Power Users #383: More Education Workflows with Teddy Svoronos - Relay FM 3W6 Podcast Aces in Space by Christian Vogt — Kickstarter

Dec 10, 2019

As we approach the end of the year, Mike and David check in on their own Focus journeys. Also, David has a secret life as a Jedi and Mike is using coffee to hack focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net Cortex #94: State of the Apps 2020 - Relay FM Mindfulness Monday: Meditation (& Our Pick for the Best Meditation App) – The Sweet Setup

Nov 26, 2019

Relay co-founder Myke Hurley joins us to talk about the power of yearly themes, becoming more intentional, and working with other humans. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. UpHabit : The app that makes connecting with people you care about part of your routine. Try it for free or take advantage of 25% off for new subscribers. Guest Starring: Myke Hurley Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The Pen Addict - Relay FM Cortex - Relay FM The Theme System The Theme System Journal Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter - Amazon

Nov 12, 2019

In this episode, Mike and David tackle sleep, napping, and how important they are to Focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net Sleep Cycle alarm clock Amazon.com: Mirari Teach Me Time Educational Alarm Clock Night Light: Home & Kitchen Amazon.com: RelaxBlanket King Size Weighted Blanket | 80''x90'',25lbs | for Single or Double | Premium Cotton Material with Glass Beads | Dark Grey: Home & Kitchen SelectBlinds.com Classic Cordless Blackout Shades ARIANNA HUFFINGTON - The Sleep Revolution - Hardcover

Oct 29, 2019

David and Mike reveal their obsession with calendars. They discuss time and tasks, maintaining motivation, and their own calendaring workflows for how they plan their day. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Bottomless : Re-ordering coffee based on your consumption. Get 3 months of free shipping and your first bag offer $10. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear My NeuYear Calendar | Mike Schmitz The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon Focused #71: Hyper-Scheduling BusyCal Fantastical My Six Month Planning Wallpaper | MacSparky Setapp GoodNotes All The Things | The Sweet Setup About the Circa Discbound Notebook System | Levenger The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey | Amazon Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky | Amazon Timing

Oct 15, 2019

In this episode, Mike and David dive deep on why Focus is so important. They also share thoughts about Ultralearning and why sometimes survival alone is good enough. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Bottomless : Re-ordering coffee based on your consumption. Get 3 months of free shipping and your first bag offer $10. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Jason Fried on Twitter: "Q: #askJF is staying focused overrated? - @DrRachelRamsey1 A:… " The Bezos way: sleep, puttering, and three high-quality decisions a day - Focused - MPU Talk Scott H Young | Learn faster, achieve more Apply Intentionality to Your Downtime with Duolingo – The Sweet Setup A Weekly Podcast For Entrepreneurs Who Do The Work - The Small Business Show Full Focus Planners (Michael Hyatt) - Focused - MPU Talk Focused #83: Ideas Over Art, with Mike Rohde - Relay FM Tom Solid's Digital Journal 2019 - Landscape + Portrait Format – #PaperlessMovement Shop

Oct 1, 2019

Author and Designer Mike Rohde joins us to discuss the practice and process of sketchnoting. We talk about choosing the right tools, the benefits and drawbacks of analog vs. digital, and why sketchnoting is for everyone - even if you don't think of yourself an artist. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Ahrefs : SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7. Setapp, from Macpaw : More than 100 powerful apps for your Mac. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Mike Rohde Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Rework Mac Power Users #120: Taking Notes with Mike Rohde The Sketchnote Handbook The Sketchnote Workbook Email Field Guide | MacSparky GoodNotes Procreate The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking | Study Cryptonomicon | Amazon Logbook Your 2019 | Medium Rohdesign.com Sketchnote Army

Sep 17, 2019

In this episode, Mike and David tackle The Hustle. Is that a good thing or bad thing? The hosts also get around to gratitude and virtual help. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Events Donation Form - St. Jude Heroes Donation Form Moments – 512 Pixels Two Years – 512 Pixels Recovery Day — MacSparky Anyone using Zirtual? - Focused - MPU Talk How to use your iPhone less - Focused - MPU Talk A Mindful Approach to Technology – The Sweet Setup Leaders Eat Last: Simon Sinek Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World - David J. Epstein The New Shortcuts Field Guide

Sep 3, 2019

Anthony Ongaro joins us to talk about practical minimalism, designing an intentional life, and his multipotentialite career which covers everything from musician to log roller. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Daylite : Learn more about Daylite and start a free 30 day trial. Guest Starring: Anthony Ongaro Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Break the Twitch Break the Twitch | YouTube Focused #79: Reclaiming Margin, with Shawn Blanc Momentum App Atomic Habits by James Clear | Amazon The Puttytribe Essentialism by Greg McKeown | Amazon Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert | Amazon Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Amazon Anthony's TEDx Talk | YouTube Hooked by Nir Eyal | Amazon Forest App xTab Designing Your Life Based On Intentional Living Values | Break the Twitch The Break the Twitch Member Community

Aug 20, 2019

Mike and David tackle the challenges that come with saying "No" and why a well-intentioned decline can make all the difference. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Membership - Relay FM Lifeonaire: Steve Cook, Shaun McCloskey: 9780986322808: Amazon.com: Books The No Journal — MacSparky That's right. David was still struggling with this stuff back in 2011. The Margin Course — The Focus Course Focused #79: Reclaiming Margin, with Shawn Blanc - Relay FM The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results: Gary Keller, Jay Papasan: 9781885167774: Amazon.com: Books 73: The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss – Bookworm Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown Mayday, SOS, Raising the white flag - Focused - MPU Talk

Aug 6, 2019

The Focus Course founder Shawn Blanc is back to talk about the importance of margin, how it gave him the space he needed to work through a personal crisis, and life lessons learned from his orange 1984 Jeep CJ-7. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Hover : Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name. Guest Starring: Shawn Blanc Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The Margin Course Margin by Richard Swenson | Amazon Essentialism by Greg McKeown | Amazon Make Time by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky | Amazon Hurry Slowly by Jocelyn K. Glei Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport | Amazon Shape Up | Basecamp Seventh Week Sabbaticals | Sean McCabe The Tumor | Shawn Blanc Tools and Toys The Sweet Setup

Jul 23, 2019

John Zeratsky had the dream job at Google but left it all to write a book, Make Time, and reset his defaults. Learn about John's journey and how resetting your own defaults can make all the difference. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Blinkist : Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial. Guest Starring: John Zeratsky Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Make Time – Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky John Zeratsky (@jazer) | Twitter Make Time on Amazon Company of One Focused #70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad - Relay FM John Zeratsky

Jul 9, 2019

David and Mike are sick and tired of being sick and tired, so in this episode they share some things they've learned about managing energy. They discuss staying positive, Mike continues his digital Bullet Journal experiment, and David spends some time "reseaching" the perfect notebook. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Hover : Get 10% off any domain name - extensions for anything you’re passionate about. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Focused #72: Heart-Centered Productivity, with Jocelyn K. Glei Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey The Power of Full Engagement | Amazon @batuu_rebel | Instagram The Ultimate Jim Rohn Library | Audible Confidant Hardcover Notebook (Plus Size) | Baron Fig Rhodia Webnotebook | Amazon My Six Month Planning Wallpaper | MacSparky

Jun 25, 2019

In this episode, David and Mike dispel a myth about their feelings toward time tracking and David outs himself about exactly how unproductive he was on his last trip. Mike's getting serious about bullet journaling and also has a distinction between Personal Retreats and Greycations. Also, imposter syndrome is still a thing. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The Focused Forum Mac Power Users #485: WWDC and Interview with the Mac Pro Product Manager - Relay FM Craft and Commerce 2019 - The Email Marketing Conference for Creators by ConvertKit Bullet Journal Matt Ragland — Minimalist Bullet Journal & Time Tracking Cortex #23: Business Monk - Relay FM David's Planning Wallpaper

Jun 11, 2019

The conversation on moving the needle continues as David and Mike talk about intentional constraints. Mike embarks on a task management spirit quest, David shares his Bullet Journal advice, and together they consider the balance of process and results. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Hover : Get 10% off any domain name - extensions for anything you’re passionate about. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The Focus Course Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt | Amazon Focused #74: Moving the Needle The Concrete Goals Tracker | Dave Seah Moving the Needle | MacSparky Bullet Journal GoodNotes Rhodia Webnotebook | Amazon Matt Ragland Day One The Motivation Cycle | Mike Schmitz Focused #72: Heart-Centered Productivity, with Jocelyn K. Glei Jocelyn K. Glei: Productivity Shame Faith-Based Productivity James Clear The ONE Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan | Amazon Keyboard Maestro Keyboard Maestro Field Guide | MacSparky Full Focus Planner® | Michael Hyatt

May 28, 2019

David & Mike unpack David's new system to help focus on important work, talk about stepping off the hamster wheel of efficiency, and discuss what to do about productivity shame. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Moo : Custom business printing and design. Use promo code PRINT15 for 15% off. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Keyboard Maestro Field Guide Faith-Based Productivity Moving the Needle — MacSparky Matt Ragland | YouTube Your Life in Weeks | Wait But Why Mac Power Users #480: Catching up with Michael Hyatt Community discussion on MPU #480 My Problem with Passion | Mike Schmitz Deep Work by Cal Newport | Amazon Timing Stepping Off the Productivity Hamster Wheel | Mike Schmitz OmniFocus Field Guide Focused #72: Heart-Centered Productivity, with Jocelyn K. Glei Focused #70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad Hurry Slowly: Productivity Shame The Gap and The Gain | Strategic Coach Reflecting on life during forced downtime | MPU Talk Personal Retreat Handbook

May 14, 2019

David and Mike interview professional Saxophonist Bob Reynolds to talk about the importance of productivity when creating art. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Hover : Extensions for anything you’re passionate about. Grab a .ME domain for $9.99. Guest Starring: Bob Reynolds Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Bob Reynolds - Saxophonist. Composer. Melody Architect. Bob Reynolds - YouTube How My Practice Journal from 20 Years Ago Led to Performing with Joshua Redman - Bob Reynolds How I memorized 20+ Snarky Puppy songs in one week - Bob Reynolds Pomodoro Technique - Wikipedia Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (Harper Perennial Modern Classics) - Kindle edition by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Amazon.com: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity eBook: David Allen, James Fallows: Gateway The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life - Kindle edition by Twyla Tharp, Mark Reiter. Self-Help Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. The War of Art - Kindle edition by Steven Pressfield, Shawn Coyne. Self-Help Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months: Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington: 9781118509234: Amazon.com: Gateway Joshua Redman - Wikipedia David and Bob at the Yayennings Gig

Apr 30, 2019

The host of Hurry Slowly joins David & Mike to talk about avoiding burnout, percolating ideas, intentionality for introverts, and what it means to do truly productive work. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Guest Starring: Jocelyn Glei Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Focused Mastermind Groups | MPU Talk The Email Workflow for People Who Hate Email | Faith-Based Productivity Hurry Slowly | Podcast Jocelyn's Newsletter Mac Power Users #423: Workflows with Jocelyn Glei The Gift by Lewis Hyde | Amazon Austin Kleon: Pencil vs Computer | Hurry Slowly Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon | Amazon Tami Forman: What Gets Measured, Gets Managed | Hurry Slowly Scott Barry Kaufman: The Quiet Ego | Hurry Slowly Jocelyn K. Glei: Transformation Is Hard | Hurry Slowly Quiet by Susan Cain | Amazon Mindset by Carol S. Dweck | Amazon

Apr 16, 2019

This episode focuses on hyper-scheduling and how to turn your calendar into a productivity weapon. Mike and David also continue the conversation about digital minimalism and share a few of their favorite books. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Hover : Extensions for anything you’re passionate about. Grab a .ME domain for $9.99. Moo : Custom business printing and design. Use promo code PRINT15 for 15% off. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Journaling Bootcamp | Faith-Based Productivity Faith-Based Productivity | You were made for more Macstock Conference & Expo | July 27 & 28 2019 • A conference for the Mac and iOS community Automators - Relay FM Automators Orange County Meetup Tickets, Fri, May 31, 2019 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite Automators WWDC Meetup Tickets, Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite 64: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport – Bookworm iCloud Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World eBook: Cal Newport: Books The Hyper-Scheduling Experiment — MacSparky Hyper-Scheduling Without Making Yourself Crazy — MacSparky Hyper-Scheduling Feedback — MacSparky PDF Planning Template Automators #14: Automated Journaling - Relay FM Mac Power Users #478: Journaling with Day One - Relay FM Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Austin Kleon: 8601300471914: Amazon.com: Books Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day eBook: Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky: Kindle Store How to Read a Book (A Touchstone Book) - Kindle edition by Charles Van Doren, Mortimer J. Adler. Reference Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (New Edition) (4708364212683): Jocko Willink, Leif Babin: Books Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Kindle edition by Carol S. Dweck. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Man's Search for Meaning: Viktor E. Frankl, William J. Winslade, Harold S. Kushner: 8580001069371: Amazon.com: Books Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less: Greg McKeown: 8601407068765: Amazon.com: Books Overlap – Start a Business While Working a Full-Time Job | seanwes The Rook: A Novel (The Rook Files Book 1) - Kindle edition by Daniel O'Malley. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results eBook: Gary Keller, Jay Papasan: Kindle Store Recommended Reading List - Mike Schmitz

Apr 2, 2019

Video game developer Shahid Kamal Ahmad is back to talk about his digital declutter, staying present, and quieting the voices in your head with an intentional approach to managing your technology. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. ExpressVPN : High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Shahid Kamal Ahmad Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Macstock Conference & Expo Coupon Code FOCUSED to Save an Extra $10 Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport | Amazon RescueTime Duolingo Streaks Irresistible by Adam Alter | Amazon Day One David Smith, Independent iOS Developer Make Time by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky | Amazon The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon The Chimp Paradox by Dr. Steve Peters | Amazon Brain.fm | Music to improve focus, meditation & sleep The Light Phone Hurry Slowly | Podcast 64: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport | Bookworm Remaster | Relay FM Shahid Kamal Ahmad (@shahidkamal) | Twitter

Mar 19, 2019

David and Mike continue to explore the topic of intentionality and the role it has in every area of your life. They also catch up on some listener feedback, David gets ready for a (hopefully) productive work trip, Mike answers David's questions about Masterminds, and they discuss the importance of space and margin in living the life you want to live. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Hover : Extensions for anything you’re passionate about. Grab a .ME domain for $9.99. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Focused #67: Staying Motivated with Laura McClellan Intentionality — MacSparky How to Start Your Own Mastermind Group - Mike Schmitz Mastermind Groups - Focused Forum Presentations Field Guide — MacSparky Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey The ONE Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan - Amazon Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey - Amazon Personal Retreat Handbook Mike's Wheel of Life Atomic Habits by James Clear - Amazon

Mar 5, 2019

In this episode, David and Mike talk about getting intentional and getting productive with an unproductive boss. Finally, they cover productive Italians. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Macstock Conference & Expo | July 27 & 28 2019 • A conference for the Mac and iOS community 66: Putting Email in its Place - Focused / Focused Episodes - MPU Talk Newton email has a scary new privacy policy Newton email has a scary new privacy policy Message and storage limits on the Free plan – Slack Help Center Intentionality — MacSparky David's birthday navel gazing. The Gipper paid for his microphone Hyperfocus | A Life of Productivity Pareto principle - Wikipedia Pomodoro Technique - Wikipedia Inspired Productivity – Esington Be Focused Pro Forest - Stay focused, be present Vitamin R Siri Shortcuts Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides

Feb 19, 2019

On this episode, Laura McClellan, The Productive Woman, joins to talk about her perfectly scheduled day (and what happens when that goes wrong), habits, mastermind groups, and staying motivated. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Hover : Extensions for anything you’re passionate about. Get 10% off any domain name. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Laura McClellan Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Mac Power Users #456: Workflows with Laura McClellan - Relay FM The Productive Woman - an award-nominated podcast about productivity for busy women Habits to Consider for this Year - TPW226 - The Productive Woman Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear Day One | The award-winning journal app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. BizChix Podcast Archives | BizChix.com Latest Focused topics - MPU Talk Mindset: The New Psychology of Success: Carol S. Dweck: 9780345472328: Amazon.com: Books How to Renew Your Motivation - TPW227 - The Productive Woman Podcasts | The Life Coach School Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less: Greg McKeown: 8601407068765: Amazon.com: Books The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results: Gary Keller, Jay Papasan: 9781885167774: Amazon.com: Books Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More: Courtney Carver: 9780143130680: Amazon.com: Books

Feb 5, 2019

David and Mike navigate the minefield of email, sharing strategies and workflow tips to help you curb inbox addiction and reclaim your focus. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Radicati Email Report Subject: Email, We Just Can’t Get Enough | Adobe Blog Doing a Personal Retreat | Chris Upchurch Personal Retreat experiences | Focused forum Email Field Guide | MacSparky Atomic Habits by James Clear (Book) | Amazon Deep Work by Cal Newport (Book) | Amazon TextExpander SaneBox MailMate Deckset Markdown Field Guide | MacSparky The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey (Book) | Amazon IBM Email Search vs. Folders Study AppleScript to Link to Apple Mail Message | MacSparky

Jan 22, 2019

Author and productivity experimenter Chris Bailey joins us to share ideas and strategies for getting your focus on. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Hover : Celebrate Hover’s 10 year anniversary with awesome promotions for a limited time only Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Chris Bailey Links and Show Notes Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Chris's Website | A Life of Productivity Chris Bailey on Twitter Hyperfocus | A Life of Productivity Opinion | Distracted? Work Harder! - The New York Times Focused #53: The Value of Your Time - Relay FM The Good Place (TV Series 2016– ) - IMDb iTUNES STORE - TERMS AND CONDITIONS Mindwandering Meditation and Mindfulness Made Simple - Headspace Insight Timer - The most popular free meditation app | Insight Timer Calm - Meditation Techniques for Sleep and Stress Reduction Audio Dharma - Gil Fronsdal's Dharma Talks ‎Shortcuts on the App Store Alto's Odyssey – out now for iOS Latest Focused topics - MPU Talk

Jan 8, 2019

David and Mike kick off Focused with an in-depth look at why New Year's resolutions usually fail. They discuss the power of tiny gains, why systems are more important than goals, and how you can change your identity by implementing better habits. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Automators Meetup Goal Setting Workshop (REPLAY) The ONE Thing by Gary Keller, Jay Papasan (BOOK) Atomic Habits by James Clear (BOOK) Marginal Gains: This Coach Improved Every Tiny Thing by 1 Percent (BLOG) Focused Forum Cortex #79: 2019 Yearly Themes (PODCAST)

Dec 26, 2018

Mike and David wrap up the Free Agents run with a discussion of depression and Free Agency and David has some overall thoughts on free agency as they transition the show to "Focused". This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership Goal Setting Workshop Freelancing and Depression - Free Agents - MPU Talk Macstock Conference & Expo Latest Free Agents topics - MPU Talk Free Agents - Relay FM Faith-Based Productivity | You were made for more Mike's new thing. MacSparky David's old thing. Big Band Holidays: Music on Jazz at Lincoln center: - YouTube Just because this show releases on Christmas day.

Dec 11, 2018

David and Mike do a year end audit of their own Free Agency to figure out where they spent their time and money. They talk about fixing broken systems, when to try something new, and make a big announcement about the future of the show. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership MacSparky's Gift Wrap Field Guide Mike's Goal Setting Workshop Mike's Personal Retreat video course Coupon code FREEAGENTS for 50% off

Nov 27, 2018

Mike and David dig in on their morning routines. Mike finds himself entering the Free Agent arena like never before and David wants to start year-end planning. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Check out the Timing blog for articles for independent workers. Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership Faith-Based Productivity | You were made for more Gift Wrap Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides Free Agents #51: Freedom Frogs - Relay FM Laura McClellan (@LauraMcMom) | Twitter Mac Power Users #456: Workflows with Laura McClellan - Relay FM The Miracle Morning | Changing the World One Morning at a Time The Man in the Arena - April 23, 1910 - Theodore Roosevelt Speeches- Roosevelt Almanac Here's the WordPress Membership Plugin You Need for 2018 Create and Sell Your Own Online Courses | Teachable Online Classes by Skillshare | Start for Free Today Home | Rosemary Orchard WebinarJam - Powerful Webinar Hosting Software Webinar and Online Conference Software - GoToWebinar About Tim Stringer - Learn OmniFocus Marketing Platform for Small Businesses ConvertKit | Email Marketing for Online Creators Nathan Barry Video Webinar - Zoom

Nov 13, 2018

Productivityist founder Mike Vardy joins David & Mike to tell his free agent story, from Costco to comedian to productivity strategist. He shares how he learned to think outside the big box store, the importance of establishing systems, and how to create time and freedom for what's important. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Mike Vardy Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership The Focus Course LIVE Productivityist | Productivity Tips & Tools for Everyone Let Your Biggest Problem Speed up Your Reading | Asian Efficiency Getting Things Done by David Allen | Book Deep Work by Cal Newport | Book The Productivityist Podcast The NOW Year Action Plan

Oct 30, 2018

In this episode, David and Mike look at the concept of Kaizen and how little changes can add up to big results. They also help Michael as he makes his second attempt at free agency, share what they do for fun, how bad David is at using virtual assistants, and their favorite music to work by. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Check out the Timing blog for articles for independent workers. Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear Free Agents #58: A Better Path, with Joe Buhlig - Relay FM The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life: Shawn Achor: 9780307591555: Amazon.com: Books The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business: Charles Duhigg: 8601406381322: Amazon.com: Books Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World: Cal Newport: 9781455586677: Amazon.com: Books Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less (Revised 3rd Edition, 2019): Sam Carpenter: 9781608322534: Amazon.com: Books Nintendo Switch™ - Official site – Nintendo gaming system Super Mario Party for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details Civilization® VI – The Official Site Mac Power Users #367: Getting Productive with Michael Hyatt - Relay FM Michael Hyatt (@MichaelHyatt) | Twitter Virtual Freedom: How to Work with Virtual Staff to Buy More Time, Become More Productive, and Build Your Dream Business: Chris Ducker: 9781939529749: Amazon.com: Books Tapes for Mac – Share Screencasts Fast Utah (269) Monument Valley Soundtrack - YouTube Victor Cajiao & Joe Cristina | Surrender | CD Baby Music Store Brain.fm: Music to improve focus, meditation & sleep. ‎Thunderspace ~ Rain & Thunder on the App Store Frank Zappa - Wikipedia Explosions In The Sky Tycho Balmorhea Ghostly - Veriditas Mogwai : Official Website Friday Night Lights (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists on Spotify ‎Night Drive (Instrumental Edition) by Timecop1983 on Apple Music (269) Firewatch Original Soundtrack (OST) - YouTube (269) No Man's Sky: Music for an Infinite Universe - Original Soundtrack - YouTube ‎Pure Focus by Apple Music on Apple Music ‎Other Side of Round Midnight by Dexter Gordon on Apple Music ‎Clifford Brown And Max Roach by Clifford Brown & Max Roach on Apple Music Cortex #75: Home Again - Relay FM

Oct 16, 2018

Podcaster and programmer Joe Buhlig shares his free agent journey, from bean field to office to family room. He joins David and Mike to talk about his experience solving problems, how to let things go, and finding your own definition of success. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Check out the Timing blog for articles for independent workers. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Joe Buhlig Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership ProCourse | Professional Discourse Consulting and Development Bookworm | Podcast Book Club Whims That Work Joe's Blog Joe Buhlig (@JoeBuhlig) | Twitter

Oct 2, 2018

This episode is all about space. Mike and David discuss the role of Mise-en-place ("Everything in its place") with a successful free agency. Also, David talks about the effect of dedicated spaces on production, Mike is thinking about leaving his co-working space, and David is plotting a sabbatical, for more "space". This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership Work Clean: The life-changing power of mise-en-place to organize your life, work, and mind: Dan Charnas: 9781623365929: Amazon.com: Books Amazon.com: The Dreadful Objects eBook: Chris Cooper: Kindle Store Use Siri Shortcuts - Apple Support Siri Shortcuts Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides The Omni Group OmniFocus - task management for Mac, iPad, and iPhone - The Omni Group OmniFocus Field Guide, Third Edition | MacSparky Field Guides Free Agents #42: Learning Your Creative Rhythms, with Shawn Blanc - Relay FM Free Agents 55: The Math Works - Free Agents - MPU Talk 54:27 - Feedback on David sans vehicle. Free Agents #55: The Math Works - Relay FM 54:27 David explains how he no longer has a car. Free Agents #53: The Value of Your Time - Relay FM Free Agents #56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe - Relay FM seanwes - Business Community for Creative Professionals Mac Power Users #442: Workflows with Joe Buhlig - Relay FM Playing for Fun #7: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Relay FM The Legend of Zelda™: Breath of the Wild for the Nintendo Switch™ home gaming system and Wii U™ console – Official Site Membership - Relay FM Free Agents - Relay FM Free Agents (@freeagentsfm) | Twitter Mike on the Web David on the Web Latest Free Agents topics - MPU Talk A collection of Free Agents talking about the show and sticking it to the man.

Sep 18, 2018

Sean McCabe started his free agent journey as a designer doing hand lettering, and has built a successful online business through teaching what he knows. He joins David and Mike to talk about the lessons he's learned along the way, including the power of rest and why he takes a sabbatical every 7 weeks. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Sean McCabe Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership Overlap – Start a Business While Working a Full-Time Job 380: Recovery From Depression (Part 1) | seanwes podcast Seventh Week Sabbaticals seanwes - Business Community for Creative Professionals Sean McCabe (@seanwes) | Twitter Sean McCabe (@seanwes) | Instagram

Sep 4, 2018

Mike and David cover a variety of Free Agent topics including getting enough sleep, staying motivated, and David makes a big decision about his transportation. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Casper : The Internet’s favourite mattress. Get $50 off select mattresses with the code ‘FREEAGENTS’. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes The Free Agents Forum Sleep Cycle alarm clock

Aug 21, 2018

Podcaster and programmer Casey Liss joins David and Mike to talk about his Free Agent journey, what caused him to take the leap, the tendency to do too much, and his desire to pull the thread which has led to him becoming an Accidental YouTuber. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Casey Liss Links and Show Notes Liss is More Casey Liss | YouTube Accidental Tech Podcast Analog(ue) | Relay FM Casey Liss (@caseyliss) | Twitter Casey Liss (@caseyliss) | Instagram

Aug 7, 2018

David and Mike talk about protecting your most valuable resource and how to figure out what you shouldn’t be doing anymore. Mike gets inspired during his personal retreat and learns how to say “no.” David learns the hard way from his recent travels but has a plan for what to do differently next time. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Hover : Show the world what you’re passionate about with 10% off your first purchase Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes Unique Ability® 2.0 by Catherine Nomura, Julia Waller, Shannon Waller Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport Timing (Mac app)

Jul 24, 2018

Ann Shen started her career as a grant writer and realized the ladder she was climbing was leaning against the wrong wall. She then took the courageous step of going to art school and starting over again. Since then, with a combination of skill, grit, and newfound faith in herself, she's gone a long way as a Free Agent. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Hover : Show the world what you’re passionate about with 10% off your first purchase Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Ann Shen Links and Show Notes Ann Shen • Illustration & Design Ann on Twitter The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle Ann on Instagram Ann's Books The Free Agents Forum The new Free Agents forum. Automators - Relay FM

Jul 10, 2018

David and Mike talk about why “eating your frog” is an important Free Agent survival skill. David talks through a pivot in his approach to book publishing. Mike shares his struggles with “Imposter Syndrome” and how he overcomes it. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy Overlap: A simple strategy for closing the gap w/ Sean McCabe (Podcast) Headspace - Meditation and Mindfulness Made Simple Calm - Meditation Techniques for Sleep and Stress Reduction Day One - A simple and elegant journal for iPhone, iPad, and Mac Mike's Reflection Workflow Herman Miller Embody Office Chair

Jun 26, 2018

Mike Schmitz joins as the new Free Agents co-host. In this episode, we get to know Mike better, learn about his journey, and discuss the show format going forward. This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Casper : The Internet’s favorite mattress. Get $50 off select mattresses with the code ‘FREEAGENTS’. Links and Show Notes MIke's website Mike on Twitter The New Free Agents Discourse Forum After recording the episode, we ended up moving the Facebook group to Discourse after all. Free Agents has a room on the Mac Power Users Discourse forum. Go check it out!

Jun 12, 2018

Family members with employment issues remind Jason about just how far he's come; David grapples with letting go of control and working with an assistant; and Jason hands in his resignation and participates in an "exit interview" with David. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

May 29, 2018

Podcaster Merlin Mann joins us to discuss his long journey as an independent worker, during which he's pivoted from tech guy to productivity expert to a specializer in cult hits. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Merlin Mann Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Reconcilable Differences - Relay FM Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann 5by5 | Back to Work Do By Friday 43 Folders | Time, Attention, and Creative Work

May 15, 2018

David needs to deal with some clients who aren't paying him. Jason thinks about "taking a personal day" and how that's different from going on vacation or taking a few hours off. David ponders creating a mission statement for himself. And Jason questions whether he's unable to give himself credit for doing certain kinds of work. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Warby Parker : Quality eyewear at a fraction of the usual price. Order your FREE Home Try-On kit today Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership iPhone Field Guide — MacSparky

May 1, 2018

Longtime web developer, tech executive, startup co-founder, inspirational speaker, and coach Jaimee Newberry joins David and Jason to discuss her own journey, when to go out on your own, when to walk way from projects, and how to deal with unexpected success. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Jaimee Newberry Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership @jaimeejaimee About TinyChallenges — @jaimeejaimee Picture This Clothing - Wear your Imagination!

Apr 17, 2018

David's home workspace gets invaded by teenagers, Jason reprises his old commute and learns to appreciate the ability to work from anyplace, and a listener reminds us of a classic technique: making promises that your future self has to keep. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership iPad Air 2 Review: Why the iPad Became My Main Computer – MacStories Working on the iPad: One Year Later, Still My Favorite Computer – MacStories (14) Seinfeld - Night Guy, Morning Guy, Day Guy - YouTube

Apr 3, 2018

You might not realize it, but creative professionals in the entertainment industry are also free agents. In this episode we talk to writer/actor/director David Wain of "Wet Hot American Summer" and "The State" about his life as a free agent, from hitting MTV right out of college to the lean times that followed. Turns out that juggling a busy schedule, learning to say no, and not being able to plan vacations far in advance are all features of his line of work. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: David Wain Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership DAVIDWAIN.COM David Wain (@davidwain) • Instagram photos and videos David Wain - IMDb

Mar 20, 2018

David attended a conference and was asked for advice (or was it permission?) from many potential free agents. When he got home, his professional life was in disarray. What are the lessons to take from that? Jason ponders putting more effort into video. David continues down the path of hyperscheduling. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Mar 6, 2018

David and Jason go through the Free Agents Mailbag with observations about the legend of the man who outsourced his own job, taking a hobby to the next level, and the menace of Imposter Syndrome. Then we welcome our guest, Shawn Blanc, creator of The Sweet Setup and shawnblanc.net, to discuss building an independent business with collaborators, solid project planning, and sensible work hours. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Casper : The Internet’s favourite mattress. Get $50 off select mattresses with the code ‘FREEAGENTS’. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Shawn Blanc Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Shawn Blanc Time Ownership: A free email course from Shawn Blanc and The Focus Course Discover the best apps and workflows for your iPhone, Mac, and iPad — The Sweet Setup All The Things — A Calm Video Course on Productivity and Task Management Outsourced: Employee Sends Own Job To China; Surfs Web : The Two-Way : NPR

Feb 21, 2018

David has a big birthday and joins Jason in discovering the value of embracing a lull; David's wife gets a new job, leading to changes in working at home; and Team Sparky expands as David gets some help with his business. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Feb 6, 2018

Psychiatrist, writer and musician Kourosh Dini joins us to discuss his long journey to being an independent worker, mixing his various jobs, dealing with the stress of being on your own, and much more. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Kourosh Dini Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Kourosh Dini MD – Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis Using OmniFocus | Productivity & Workflow Mastery Kourosh Dini | Mind, Music, and Productivity Kourosh Dini (@kouroshdini) | Twitter

Jan 23, 2018

David tries to not work too hard on his European vacation, while Jason tries to do the same in his own house; David's experiments with hyper-scheduling and the Twelve Week Year; Jason performs some drastic office remodeling. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Upgrade #170: The Rat King of Cables - Relay FM High Scores Arcade Deep Work by Cal Newport The 12-Week Year by Moran and Lennington Bullet Journal - The Analog System for the Digital Age

Jan 9, 2018

David and Jason talk to artist and writer Thom Zahler, an independent creator for 15 years in indie comics (Love and Capes, Warning Label), licensed comics (My Little Pony), and animated television (Spider Man: Web Warriors, Knights of the Zodiac), about his journey from art school student to freelancer to full-on free agent, and how his business has grown and changed over the years. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Thom Zahler Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Thom Zahler Art Studios Warning Label Love and Capes

Dec 26, 2017

We wrap up the year with a discussion of navigating holidays and vacations, David's thoughts about getting projects to completion in the new year, Jason's update to his Not-To-Do List, setting the bar high for taking on new clients, end-of-year appreciation gifts for clients, and holiday seasonality. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Amazon.com: The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months eBook: Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington: Kindle Store Shawn Blanc Photos: A Take Control Crash Course | Take Control Books

Dec 12, 2017

John Voorhees of MacStories is a brand-new free agent, a lawyer who left his job in Chicago to set out on his own as a writer and app developer. He tells us how he decided to leave the legal profession and go full time as an independent worker. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: John Voorhees Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership John Voorhees (@johnvoorhees) | Twitter My App Story – MacStories John Voorhees' website

Nov 28, 2017

David and Jason discuss the importance of prep time, resetting your balance, gauging the value of your work, time tracking, managing ongoing commitments, getting sick and keeping clients happy, and the value of uncluttered office space. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Photos: A Take Control Crash Course | Take Control Books Photos — MacSparky

Nov 14, 2017

App developer, podcaster, analyst, and secret entrepreneur Marco Arment joins us to discuss his journey from college to Tumblr, building Instapaper, getting quit-fired, setting out on his own, and working in bursts of productivity. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Marco Arment Links and Show Notes: This episode was audio-synced by a tool Marco wrote, encoded with a tool Marco wrote, includes ads managed with a tool Marco wrote, and might be being played by an app Marco wrote. Thanks, Marco! Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Under the Radar - Relay FM Accidental Tech Podcast Overcast

Oct 31, 2017

On Halloween, David and Jason revamp the podcast with a new format. David struggles with how he's spending his time. Jason tries to figure out when to say no and gets a better perspective about how well his business is doing, prompted by a job inquiry from a former co-worker. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Podcast Listener Survey : We rely on advertising as a way to support this show. If you could do us a favor and answer a few short questions, it would be really helpful to us. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership My App Story – MacStories Under the Radar #102: Procrastiworking - Relay FM

Oct 17, 2017

Unicorn Sidekick Kathy Campbell joins us to discuss how she ended up becoming a Free Agent while behind a desk at her "real job," when having her new career discovered her. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Guest Starring: Kathy Campbell Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The Unicorn Sidekick

Oct 3, 2017

Relay FM Host and App Launch Map founder Aleen Simms joins us to talk about her accidental fall into freelance work and setting high standards for her clients. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase. Podcast Listener Survey : We rely on advertising as a way to support this show. If you could do us a favor and answer a few short questions, it would be really helpful to us. Guest Starring: Aleen Simms Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 19, 2017

So you're working in a house full of kids. Or a partner who is there all the time. It can make working from home difficult to say the least. We discuss the good and bad of working around kids (and others) who are in your house with you. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to get 10% off your purchase of Timing. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 5, 2017

So you're thinking about going out on your own. It's time to build The Spreadsheet, a tool to let you gauge your potential income and expenses and give you a realistic view of what it will take to succeed. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Eero : Never think about WiFi again. Use code FREEAGENTS for free overnight shipping. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Aug 22, 2017

Jason asks David to explain where he came from, the background of his career, and what the circumstances were that led him to become an independent worker, and then asks him to reflect on his two-plus years no longer being employed by a law firm. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Aug 8, 2017

Passion projects can be an enjoyable outlet. But how do you balance the work that pays the bills with the work that feeds the soul? This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Jul 25, 2017

Telephones and text messaging seem like necessary evils at best, but for many small businesses they're required. You just need to figure out how to use them effectively--and set rules so that they aren't abused. While Jason leaves the phone off the hook, David describes his trial of Google Voice and ultimate decision to use a live receptionist service. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Timing : The automatic time tracking app for OS X. Use code FREEAGENTS for 20% off until the end of July. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Virtual Receptionist & Live Call Answering Service | Ruby Receptionists Google Voice

Jul 11, 2017

Relay FM co-founder Stephen Hackett discusses his origin story, including an abortive attempt at being an Apple blogger, a fateful meeting over tea with Jason and David, how he left his job to become a full-time podcast entrepreneur, and the personal challenges he first encountered when he went independent. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Casper : Because everyone deserves a great night sleep. Get $50 off with the code ‘FREEAGENTS’ Timing : The automatic time tracking app for OS X. Use code FREEAGENTS for 20% off until the end of July. Guest Starring: Stephen Hackett Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Free Agents #3: My Curse and My Reward, with Myke Hurley - Relay FM Analog(ue) #9: My Shoes Are A Bit Dusty - Relay FM 512 Pixels The Reality of Indie Life

Jun 27, 2017

What happens if you're a lone-wolf independent operator, and then you get sick? Jason was recently out of commission for several days, and David had serious health issues immediately upon going independent. What strategies can help mitigate against illness? How can you avoid getting sick? And what's the deal with disability insurance? This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Timing : The automatic time tracking app for OS X. Use code FREEAGENTS for 20% off until the end of July. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Jun 13, 2017

When should you form a corporation, and if so, what kind? David has some broad advice, though you should be sure to consult with a local attorney and your accountant before making any final decisions. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Storyworth : A new way to bring the family together. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

May 30, 2017

One of your great advantages as an independent worker is your agility. While larger companies have more resources, they can be much slower to react to change. David and Jason swap war stories about adapting and changing, including Jason's decision to leave one podcast and start another. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Sanebox : Clean up your inbox in minutes. Sign up for a two-week free trial and a $20 credit. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Download - Jason's new podcast

May 16, 2017

We're once again answering your letters and tweets In a wide-ranging episode covering all sorts of aspects of being an independent worker. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Sanebox : Clean up your inbox in minutes. Sign up for a two-week free trial and a $20 credit. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

May 3, 2017

David asks Jason to explain where he came from, the background of his career, and what the circumstances were that led him to become an independent worker, and then asks him to reflect on his two-plus years no longer being employed by a big corporation. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Casper : Because everyone deserves a great night sleep. Get $50 off with the code ‘FREEAGENTS’ Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Apr 18, 2017

Every independent worker will agree that being organized is important. But should you adopt an organizational system? How can these systems help you, and are they worth the investment? Jason and David detail their own personal organization systems and discuss approaches to getting more organized, as well as tools to use to help in the process. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Sanebox : Clean up your inbox in minutes. Sign up for a two-week free trial and a $20 credit. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Apr 4, 2017

Agile Tortoise's Greg Pierce discusses what he's learned in a decade as an independent developer and consultant. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Sanebox : Clean up your inbox in minutes. Sign up for a two-week free trial and a $20 credit. Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Greg Pierce Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Agile Tortoise

Mar 21, 2017

Not all clients are good clients. If you don't manage the herd, you could lose the farm. This is why it's important to consider the right time, and right way, to fire a client. We discuss fireable offenses both obvious and subtle, and the best approach to take when firing a client. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Mar 7, 2017

Jason and David discuss their home-office set-ups and the challenges they face when working in a house they share with other people. When do you lock your doors? How do you "go home" at the end of the day? What gear do they use? And do they admit to their clients that they're working in their pajamas? This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Feb 21, 2017

You can't earn a living as a Free Agent if you don't get paid. In this episode we discuss why the sign of a true professional is ensuring that they're being compensated. Why is getting paid so hard? How do we handle billing? When you're on your own, you're the one who has to make sure that the money is flowing in. If you don't get paid, you won't be an independent worker for very long. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Free Agents facebook group

Feb 7, 2017

A new year brings accounting and tax challenges for independent workers, so we asked accountant and financial advisor Andrew Carroll to join us. Andrew recently went out on his own and now provides tax and financial advice to free agents and entrepreneurs. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Guest Starring: Andrew Carroll Links and Show Notes: Full disclosure: Andrew mentioned the sponsor of this week's episode, Freshbooks (as well as two of its competitors). He wasn't aware that Freshbooks was a sponsor of this episode when he said it. Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Orthogonal by Spec on iTunes CFO Andrew | A New Vision for How to Work With a Financial Professional Andrew Carroll (@cfoandrew) | Twitter

Jan 24, 2017

Being good at what you do isn't enough. You also need customers, clients, or whatever else you need to pay for shoes. That may mean you have to do a little promotion of your own. But you can be really great at what you do and still terrible at self-promotion. Tricky stuff! This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Jan 10, 2017

Very recently David's Mac Power Users co-host, Katie Floyd, left her law firm and went out on her own. We ask Katie about making the move, her workspace and work habits, and the issues of adding support staff and partners versus staying entirely independent. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Freshbooks : Online invoicing made easy. Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Free Agents Facebook Group (ask to be invited)

Dec 14, 2016

One of the best things an independent worker can do is invest in both belts and suspenders. We discuss cultivating and managing multiple income streams, and both the risks and benefits of getting your money from a bunch of different places. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Equal Experts : A diverse network of experienced software consultants, specialising in agile delivery Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Nov 29, 2016

We discuss planning and taking vacations as an independent worker. How do you set client expectations? How do you set boundaries with the people you're traveling with? What's the best way to get prepared for taking a trip? Most importantly, we talk about the importance of taking time off and meaning it. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Sanebox : Clean up your inbox in minutes. Sign up for a two-week free trial and a $20 credit. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Nov 15, 2016

In a wide-ranging episode, David and Jason answer your letters and tweets. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Sanebox : Clean up your inbox in minutes. Sign up for a two-week free trial and a $20 credit. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Nov 1, 2016

Email can be a vital communication mechanism, but it can also be a black hole of lost productivity. David and Jason discuss managing email and setting rules about how you use it. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Agenda Minder : A meeting is only as good as the agenda. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Inbox Zero - YouTube

Oct 18, 2016

So you've decided to leave the nest. What can you do to prepare while you're still working for the man? What's the right way to give notice, and prepare for the aftermath? David and Jason discuss getting set up, preparing your loved ones for the change, rehearsing your big break-up speech, and the importance of not panicking when everything goes sideways. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Agenda Minder : A meeting is only as good as the agenda. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Oct 4, 2016

PlayStation veteran Shahid Kamal Ahmad left Sony to become an independent game developer. We discuss why he left and how he schedules his workday in his garden shed, the ShaShed. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Equal Experts : A diverse network of experienced software consultants, specialising in agile delivery Guest Starring: Shahid Kamal Ahmad Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Sep 21, 2016

Clients: Getting them (by marketing yourself), keeping them, and the dangers and rewards of taking them with you from your previous job. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Equal Experts : A diverse network of experienced software consultants, specialising in agile delivery Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Sep 6, 2016

Deciding where to get your work done can be a difficult challenge for an independent worker. Can you work out of the house? Does renting office space make sense? What about co-working spaces, or that long wooden table at your neighborhood Starbucks? There are a lot of options. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Equal Experts : A diverse network of experienced software consultants, specialising in agile delivery Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Aug 25, 2016

Myke Hurley, co-founder of Relay FM, discusses transitioning from his bank job to a full-time podcaster, including the inherent contradictions in working a dream job that never lets you take a vacation. Guest Starring: Myke Hurley Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content. Analogue 9: My Shoes Are A Bit Dusty

Aug 9, 2016

Just because you're independent doesn't mean you don't need a schedule. This episode is about building (and breaking) routines. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Jul 26, 2016

In our very first episode, David and Jason discuss narrowing scope and taking on too much work. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.