Life often throws us curveballs, doesn’t it? Sometimes, it feels like we’re constantly reacting, putting out fires, and just trying to keep our heads above water. I remember a time when my days felt like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. Every time I knocked one task down, two more would pop up. It was exhausting, and honestly, a little disheartening. I knew there had to be a better way, a way to feel more in control, more proactive, and less like a hamster on a wheel.
That feeling of being overwhelmed, of constantly chasing your tail, is something many of us can relate to. We all want to get the important things done without sacrificing our health, our family, or the things that truly matter. That’s the core belief behind The Productivity Show, a podcast I’ve had the privilege of hosting for nearly a decade. With 500 episodes under our belt, my co-host Brooks Duncan and I have explored countless strategies, tools, and mindsets to help you do just that. This milestone episode isn’t about us, though. It’s about distilling some of the most impactful, perhaps even “under the radar,” lessons we’ve learned and shared over the years, lessons that can help you reclaim your time and energy.
The Power of Small, Consistent Actions
One of the most profound insights we’ve consistently returned to is the immense power of small, consistent actions. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that productivity requires grand gestures or radical overhauls. But often, the biggest gains come from tiny, almost imperceptible shifts. Think about it like this: if you improve something by just two seconds every day, that adds up to significant time savings over a year, especially if you apply that principle across different areas of your life. This concept, often rooted in “lean thinking” and the Toyota Production System, emphasizes continuous improvement, or Kaizen.
For example, in episode 101, we delved into lean thinking with Paul Akers, who showed us how to apply these industrial principles to our personal lives. It’s about asking: “How can I make this process just a little bit better, a little bit smoother, every single time?” Maybe it’s creating a template for a recurring email, organizing your digital files more efficiently, or even just optimizing your morning routine by a few minutes. These seemingly minor adjustments, when compounded daily, create a powerful ripple effect, leading to massive productivity gains over time. It’s not about perfection, but about persistent, incremental progress.
Journaling: Your Personal Growth Compass
When you hear “journaling,” what comes to mind? For many, it’s still tied to the idea of a diary, a place to simply record daily events. But what if journaling was a powerful productivity tool, a way to track your personal growth and gain profound insights? In episode 2, one of our earliest, we explored how to get started with journaling, reframing it from a mere record-keeping activity to a dynamic tool for self-reflection and progress measurement.
I’ve been journaling for years, and I can tell you, it’s one of the most underrated habits. It’s easy to measure progress in areas like weight loss—you step on a scale, and the numbers tell a clear story. But how do you measure personal growth, shifts in mindset, or emotional maturity? Journaling provides that compass. Rereading entries from five years ago can be a truly eye-opening experience. You might find yourself thinking, “Wow, I used to worry about that?” or “I can’t believe I held onto that grudge.” That realization, that tangible evidence of growth, is incredibly motivating. It’s a simple practice—just pen and paper—but its benefits are immediate and long-lasting, propelling you forward with newfound confidence.
The Human Element of Remote Work
In 2018, long before remote work became the norm for many, we discussed the “secret sauce” to making a remote team work in episode 211: in-person productivity. As a company that’s been remote since day one, we learned early on that while technology connects us, there’s an undeniable magic that happens when people come together in person. Collaboration, brainstorming, and building genuine chemistry are simply more potent when you’re in the same room.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote tools, but it also highlighted the enduring value of human connection. While a fully remote setup works for some, a hybrid approach often strikes the perfect balance. There’s something about the spontaneous interactions, the shared energy, and the non-verbal cues that foster deeper understanding and more innovative solutions. Even if it means traveling occasionally, the trade-off is often worth it for the enhanced productivity and stronger team bonds. It’s a reminder that even in our increasingly digital world, the human element remains paramount.
Redefining Productivity During Low Energy Times
Life isn’t always about peak performance. There are days, weeks, or even seasons when our energy is low, when we’re not feeling our best, or when chronic illness or life situations get in the way. How do you stay productive then? In episode 256, we tackled this head-on with professional organizers James Lott Jr. and Jennifer Lava, who shared their insights on being productive through illness and recovery. This episode offers invaluable lessons for anyone experiencing a dip in energy, regardless of the cause.
Their key takeaway: sometimes, productivity isn’t about doing more, but about redefining what “productive” means for that specific season. It’s about leaning on your established systems and frameworks. When you’re running on fumes, having a clear process for managing tasks, prioritizing, and even taking intentional breaks becomes even more crucial. It’s a powerful reminder that it’s okay to adjust your expectations and that true productivity is about effectiveness, not just endless activity. This episode helps you realize that sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is give yourself grace and adapt.
The Unsung Superpower of Focus Music
Have you ever found yourself struggling to concentrate, your mind wandering despite your best efforts? What if the right kind of music could be your secret weapon for unlocking deep focus? In episode 353, we explored the power of focus playlists with Will Henshaw of Focus@Will. This was one of our most unique and, dare I say, entertaining episodes, as Will demonstrated live how different music genres impact focus.
What we learned is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What helps one person focus might be a distraction for another. For example, someone with ADHD might thrive with high-BPM music, while I personally find classical music to be my sweet spot for concentration. The key is to discover your personal “focus genre.” Services like Focus@Will even offer quizzes to help you pinpoint what works best for you, fine-tuning recommendations over time. If you haven’t explored the world of productivity music, this episode is a must-listen. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective way to create an environment conducive to deep work and sustained concentration.
The Athlete’s Mindset: High Performance for Everyday Life
Professional athletes operate at the pinnacle of human performance, constantly seeking an edge. What if we could apply their strategies for training, recovery, and mindset to our everyday lives? In a recent episode, 494, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bud Norris, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, about high-performance habits. This conversation revealed fascinating parallels between elite sports and our daily pursuits.
Professional sports teams invest millions in optimizing athlete performance and recovery. Many of the cutting-edge recovery tools and techniques that are now gaining mainstream popularity, like Normatec recovery boots or cold plunges, have been standard practice in professional sports for years. Bud shared how these practices, along with a disciplined mindset, allowed him to perform at the highest level. The lesson here is clear: investing in your recovery, understanding your body’s needs, and cultivating a resilient mindset aren’t just for athletes. They are essential for anyone looking to sustain high levels of productivity and well-being in their own “game” of life. It’s about treating your body and mind like a high-performance machine, giving it the fuel and recovery it needs to excel.
Your Next 500 Episodes: One Tiny Improvement
As we look ahead to the next 500 episodes of The Productivity Show, and indeed, to the next chapter of your own productivity journey, I want to leave you with one simple, yet powerful, action item. If you could make just one tiny improvement every single day, no matter how small, your life will be drastically different. It’s the cumulative effect of these micro-changes that leads to monumental shifts. Don’t overthink it. Just pick one small thing, make it a little bit better, and watch the momentum build.
