Time Management

Rory Vaden – Procrastinate on Purpose

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**Summary:** In Episode #165 Ari hosts [Rory Vaden](http://www.roryvaden.com/), a refined public speaker and New York Times Best Selling Author of [Take the Stairs](http://amzn.to/1LAMueH) and [Procrastinate on Purpose](http://amzn.to/1GXgb6d) who works to help people live healthier, happier, more effective lives. During the interview, Rory breaks down the Procrastinate on Purpose methodology and explains why everything you know about time-management is wrong.

**Special Announcements:

** ## Fuel the Fire Come watch Ari light-up the Drake Hotel in Chicago on Wednesday, August 5th as he delivers a rousing keynote speech for IPPA Business Excellence Conference: _Fuel the Fire_. This will be a great opportunity to watch Ari translate the lessons of Less Doing into terms business leaders can take to the bank.

##[Rockefeller Roundtable](http://helmsociety.com/ari-meisel-ceo-roundtable-nc/) Come watch Ari regale a roundtable of avid [Helm Society](http://helmsociety.com/) listeners with the lessons of Less Doing on September 9th from 10AM to 2PM in New York City.

Subscribe to the Podcast or [Leave Us a Review!](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-meisel-less-doing/id605938952?mt=2&uo=6) Hey Less Doing Podcast Listeners, we want to hear from YOU! Visit us on iTunes and leave a review or subscribe to the podcast if you’re not already a dedicated follower.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:

** – 17:40 – Introduction of [Rory Vaden](http://www.roryvaden.com/), New York Times Best-Selling Author of [Take the Stairs](http://amzn.to/1LAMueH) and [Procrastinate on Purpose](http://amzn.to/1GXgb6d)

– 18:09 – How Rory got into the “success” business

– 20:30 – Rory got to meet and be mentored by Zig Zigler

– 20:55 – Rory conducts 1-on-1 sales coaching—they have over 115 employees and 800 clients

– 22:10 – The approach Rory takes is, “what’s holding you back?”

– 22:30 – Improvement is less about a change in process and more about a change in thinking

– 23:20 – Everything you know about time management is _wrong_

– 24:36 – Efficiency has a point of diminishing returns

– 25:04 – Importance and efficiency _need _to be correlated—if they’re not, you’ll find yourself in a never-ending struggle to “catch-up”

– 26:35 – The POP methodology

– 27:00 – **_Significance_** changes everything

– 27:15 – Dissecting the modern-day to-do list

– 27:45 – You can’t solve today’s problems with yesterday’s tools and strategies

– 28:05 – _How can I use my time today to create more time tomorrow?_

– 29:50 – Online bill pay example

– 31:00 – Give yourself the _permission _to take the time

– 31:13 – ROTI—Return on Time Invested

– 33:04 – The Focus Funnel

– 33:58 – Time management today isn’t just logical, it’s emotional

– 37:20 – Some of Rory’s favorite sources of automation:

– 37:26 – Infusionsoft

– 40:00 – Automation is to your time what compounding interest is to your money

– 40:39 – We’re living in a day and age where automation has never been more readily available

– 41:05 – Think long term!—Don’t overweight the urgency, place greater emphasis on significance

– 42:40 – Rory’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_:

– 42:55 – Give yourself permission to invest an hour with Rory

– 43:23 – Ask yourself the question: _Is what I am doing right now something that ONLY I CAN DO?_—ask this question all the time

– 44:03 – It doesn’t matter who you are, or how good/bad you’ve been—success is never owned, it’s rented, and the rent is due _every day_.

**7 Key Points:**

1. Identify the thing(s) that is holding you back.

2. Improvement isn’t about a change in process it’s about a change in thinking.

3. To solve today’s problems, you cannot use yesterday’s tools and strategies.

4. Use your time today to create more time tomorrow.

5. Do NOT disregard the return on time invested.

6. Efficiency has a point of diminishing returns.

7. Automation is to your time what compounding interest is to your money — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Josh Davis – Two Awesome Hours

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# **Summary:**

In Episode #164 Ari invites PhD and author of [Two Awesome Hours](http://www.twoawesomehours.com/), Josh Davis, on the Less Doing podcast. During this week’s interview, Ari and Josh go in-depth on the subject of brains, neural programming and why working for great lengths of time is far from being the _right _way to tackle a busy schedule.

**Special Announcements:**

## Fuel the Fire Come watch Ari light-up the Drake Hotel in Chicago on Wednesday, August 5th as he delivers a rousing keynote speech for IPPA Business Excellence Conference: _Fuel the Fire_. This will be a great opportunity to watch Ari translate the lessons of Less Doing into terms business leaders can take to the bank. ## [Rockefeller Roundtable](http://helmsociety.com/ari-meisel-ceo-roundtable-nc/) Come watch Ari regale a roundtable of avid [Helm Society](http://helmsociety.com/) listeners with the lessons of Less Doing on September 9th from 10AM to 2PM in New York City.

Subscribe to the Podcast or Leave Us a Review!

Hey Less Doing Podcast Listeners, we want to hear from YOU! Visit us on iTunes and leave a review or subscribe to the podcast if you’re not already a dedicated follower.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

  • – 30:46 – Introduction of Josh Davis of [Two Awesome Hours](http://amzn.to/1HnFnX9)
  • – 31:05 – Josh defines the [NeuroLeadership Institute](http://www.neuroleadership.com)
  • – 32:47 – Josh’s background is varied but he eventually fell into psychology and research
  • – 34:15 – The genesis for Two Awesome Hours
  • – 34:30 – More and more—people are being _overwhelmed _with work and the natural response is to work harder, longer and more frequently—this is a terrible solution for a human being
  • – 35:15 – What we _can _do, is be very effective for short bursts of time—we’re sprinters
  • – 36:23 – You don’t need to be “ON” all day long
  • – 37:12 – People who brag about how much work they do or how little they sleep are (for lack of a better word) foolish
  • – 38:52 – The strategies Josh recommends
  • – 38:58 – There really are only a handful of moments throughout the day where we can make decisions about what task to do next
  • – 39:39 – Most of the time we’re rolling on auto pilot so recognize those few moments when you’re fully aware and present
  • – 40:39 – Do what’s important, not what’s urgent
  • – 41:12 – Time isn’t wasted during those moments we’re “in-between” tasks…time is wasted when we get started on the wrong task
  • – 41:30 – Josh’s routine
  • – 43:46 – Exercise has incredible short-term benefits
  • – 46:00 – Things that we need to do “well” are things where we need to be _fully present_
  • – 48:04 – The importance of environment and how we can improve _any _workspace
  • – 49:03 – ADD isn’t a problem—that’s how your brain, your attention system, is supposed to work
  • – 51:59 – Josh’s _Top 2 Tips to be More Effective_:
  • – 52:07 – Learn some self-compassion
  • – 52:48 – Understand that mind-wandering is completely healthy
  • – 53:30 – Check out the [NeuroLeadership Institute](https://www.neuroleadership.com) and [http://www.twoawesomehours.com/](http://www.twoawesomehours.com/)

**7 Key Points:**

  1. Enjoy the moments when your mind decides to wander—let it happen.
  2. Your brain is naturally wired to have what essentially amounts to ADD—it’s not a problem.
  3. Obtain self-compassion.
  4. You can’t be “ON all day and, more importantly, you don’t need to be.
  5. We can be incredibly effective for short periods of time.
  6. Time isn’t wasted in-between tasks, it’s wasted when the wrong task is started.
  7. Exercise has amazing and oft-overlooked short-term benefits.

**Resources Mentioned:**

[Warrant.ly](http://warrant.ly/?ref=producthunt) – Paper warranties are no more! Scan or snap a picture of your warranty and upload it to the app – [Ultradox](http://www.ultradox.com/?ref=producthunt) – Like IFTTT or Zapier but for documents – [Build Fire](http://buildfire.com/product-hunt/?ref=producthunt) – — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Christian Bjelland – Club Alfred

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# Episode 155

**Summary:**

In Episode #155 Ari speaks with Christian Bjelland of [Club Alfred](https://www.helloalfred.com/), the new task take-down service that’s revolutionizing the way people approach getting chores, errands and other odd jobs done. During the interview, Christian explains how Alfred got started and why he feels it will change the way people run their homes.

**Special Announcements:**

# [Less Doing Does Europe!](https://www.gazelles.com/summits/EGS-2015/Barcelona/index.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to some of Europe’s most famous cities including Barcelona, Munich, Amsterdam and Budapest for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles.

EO Vancouver On June 18th, join Ari at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in b-e-a-utiful Vancouver, B.C. as he takes the microphone for _EO Vancouver_. Enjoy this unique opportunity to watch Ari candidly discuss life as an Author, Speaker, Teacher and – most importantly – Achievement Architect.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

  • – 19:41 – Introduction of Christian Bjelland of [Club Alfred](https://www.helloalfred.com/)
  • – 19:55 – Christian defines [Alfred](https://www.helloalfred.com/) as a single-point to create and manage daily/weekly routines
  • – 20:08 – The service costs $25 a week
  • – 20:21 – The essential goal of the service is to allow users to improve their time and energy usage by eliminating tasks from “to-do” lists (like buying groceries)
  • – 20:50 – Think of Alfred as a home or project manager
  • – 21:50 – Unlike other on-demand services, Alfred employs automation and a white-glove approach
  • – 23:18 – Are there any issues with trust? Security?
  • – 24:18 – Many people refer to Alfred as “hotel service in your own home”
  • – 24:50 – Client managers come from a variety of backgrounds and are required to have a college degree or relevant experience
  • – 25:35 – Client managers have ownership of their clients and are encouraged to go above and beyond
  • – 26:55 – For $25 you receive a primary visit and a complementary return day if necessary
  • – 27:30 – Thus far, the service is only available in NYC and Boston
  • – 28:29 – Does Alfred conduct any data-capture?
  • – 29:55 – The primary method of communication when using Alfred is text message base
  • – 30:22 – There is an app under development
  • – 30:35 – Quick, conversational communication is important to success
  • – 31:15 – Christian is originally from Norway and his background is in investment banking
  • – 32:40 – The success of Alfred is heavily dependent upon the client managers, for this reason all client managers are W-2 employees, not contractors
  • – 33:22 – Christian’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_
  • – 33:33 – Start using Alfred
  • – 34:15 – Spend a little time every week to plan things out
  • – 34:52 – Find a place where you can be in complete isolation
  • – 35:58 – [www.helloalfred.com](http://www.helloalfred.com)

**7 Key Points:**

  1. Don’t feel professionally limited by your background.
  2. Keep communication concise and clear.
  3. Know how to not only price your product but price it well.
  4. The new UX is no UX.
  5. Take the time to plan out your day, week, month and year.
  6. When you need to work, isolate yourself and eliminate distractions.
  7. Treat your employees well, and they’ll treat your customers well.

**Resources Mentioned:**

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Author Neil Strauss

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# Episode 133

**Summary:**

In Episode #133 Ari speaks with [Neil Strauss](http://www.amazon.com/Neil-Strauss/e/B001H6NT1I/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&qid=1424998661&sr=1-2-ent&tag=tlp03-20&linkId=3FHLXVVZR4GVZR6W) ![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tlp03-20&l=ur2&o=1), author of Ari’s favorite book, _[Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060898771/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060898771&linkCode=as2&tag=tlp03-20&linkId=2DQR5QXMBWHO4WWD) ![](http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tlp03-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060898771)_ . During their extensive conversation, Ari and Neil talk about everything from fatherhood and survival to writing and productivity.

**Special Announcements:**

# [Less Doing in Barcelona](https://www.gazelles.com/summits/EGS-2015/Barcelona/index.html) Watch Ari bring the lessons of Less Doing to Barcelona, Spain for the 2015 European Growth Summit. Ari will be joined by fellow masters of entrepreneurship Steve Martin, Director of _Influence at Work_ in the UK, and Verne Harnish, founder and CEO of Gazelles.

[American Dream U](http://americandreamu.org/upcoming-events/) On March 13th and 14th, watch Ari Meisel bring his expertise to the stage in a setting unlike any other: Fort Benning, Georgia home of the United States Army’s Airborne and Ranger schools. Ari will be joining a collection of legendary business leaders and exciting entrepreneurs to help demonstrate the _right _way to start a business.

[Less Doing Live Event](https://lessdoinglabs.businessresearchgroup.org/sales/live-event-optin) The **Less Doing LIVE Event** in NYC is _less than six months away_! The best minds in business and productivity are joining Ari in his hometown of New York City to share their tips, strategies and secrets for success. Visit [LessDoingLive.com](http://www.lessdoinglive.com/) to learn more about this fantastic opportunity running from **May 1st – 3rd**.

[Mastermind Talks](http://www.mastermindtalks.com/) Looking for an opportunity to see Ari speak live somewhere on the west coast?—Look no further! On **April 29th and 30th** , Ari will be featured at the _Mastermind Talks_ event in **Napa, California**. To learn more about this opportunity to watch Ari “_Optimize, Outsource and Automate_” in wine country, click [here](http://www.mastermindtalks.com/).

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

– 26:09 – Introduction of Neil Strauss

– 28:14 – The “system” is fragile; don’t rely upon it…Take your life into your own hands

– 28:50 – Crohn’s disease and how Neil’s book helped him

– 31:35 – On Point Tactical

– 31:45 – We don’t live in the wilderness anymore, urban survival is the future of survival skill

– 35:00 – Ari defines the source of _his _motivation

– 36:00 – Getting yourself out of your own way can actually be the _best _medicine for your life

– 37:43 – Neil asks Ari to explain what is wrong with being out of control

– 39:37 – Neil defines his writing style and process

– 42:20 – Researching and writing about two different things (like Emergency and The Game) can make both products stronger

– 45:27 – The moment of staring death in the face

– 46:05 – When people die, the two things they think about most are friends and family

-46:45 – A lot of people are so overwhelmed, they can’t even figure out what it is they want

– 47:35 – Work addition is a fascinating concept and frequently responsible for people feeling overwhelmed

– 51:00 – Learning how to be a father is a skill Neil doesn’t currently have that he would like to learn

– 51:45 – The learning of a father is never complete

– 52:45 – Neil’s deepest motivation these days is to rediscover how to shed some of the excess baggage from his lifetime

– 55:05 – Neil’s _Top 3 Tips for Being More Effective_:

– 55:26 – Download the program _Freedom_

– 57:52 – _The Weekly Dinner Party_

– 60:1 —

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

David Allen – Getting Things Done

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Show Notes: Subscribe to the podcast on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-meisel-less-doing/id605938952?mt=2) Also Check out Ari’s book “[Less Doing, More Living](http://www.lessdoingbook.com/)” Get More Great Content and Full Show Notes with Transcript at [LessDoing.com](http://www.lessdoing.com/)

# Episode 98 **Summary:** In Episode #98, Ari speaks at length with David Allen the creator of_Getting Things Done_, a time-management method crafted to help people maximize their personal and work-life performance. As they chat, David reveals how he manages everything from interruptions to his email inbox in an effort to keep his mind clear and stay ahead of the curve.

**Sponsored By:** [Zirtual](http://www.zirtual.com) – A virtual executive assistant service specially designed to match busy people with dedicated assistants

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

– 19:12 – Introduction to David Allen

– 19:39 – What IS _Getting Things Done_?

– 20:39 – Creating the external brain

– 21:00 – Why is productivity difficult to obtain?

– 21:35 – The biggest obstacle is propensity for stress-addiction in the population

– 22:57 – David defines how the external mind works for him

– 23:53 – “_Your head is for **having** ideas, not **holding** them_”

– 26:03 – Two different parts of the brain evaluate the _outcome _and the _action_ to get there

– 28:49 – The importance of associating timing with certain tasks

– 31:00 – Context specific lists

– 33:52 – How David flips the switch and gets into “creativity mode”

– 34:50 – “_Passion is highly overrated_”

– 35:30 – Is there any concern about dehumanizing work?

– 39:32 – Embrace “inbox-zero”

– 42:35 – Review, scan and purge whether it’s paper or digital

– 43:25 – AquaNotes: A waterproof notepad Ari utilizes in the shower

– 47:20 – Reflection and review time is the most lacking and the most needed thing people should build in

– 48:35 – “_There are no interruptions, there are only mismanaged inputs_”

– 50:40 – Respond to every email within 24-48 hours, be responsive

– 54:54 – David’s take on outsourcing

– 60:14 – The principles of _Getting Things Done_ can be applied to all enterprises of life

– 62:55 – Breaking things down into “next steps” allows for successive action and, ultimately, accomplishment

– 66:30 – _The last responsible moment_

– 68:52 – The _outcome_: what happens when it’s not clear or it changes?

– 69:51 – “_There are no problems, there are only projects_”

– 72:10 – Interruptions are not _inherently_ a negative

**7 Key Points:**

1. Creating an external brain is no longer an option, it is a necessity

2. Stress-addiction is a limiting disease

3. “_Your head is for **having** ideas, not **holding** them_”

4. “_Passion is highly overrated_”

5. Embrace “inbox-zero” whether it’s digital or off-line

6. “_There are no interruptions, there are only mismanaged inputs_”

7. “_There are no problems, there are only projects_”

**Resources Mentioned:**

– [Getting Things Done](http://gettingthingsdone.com/) – The brain child of _Getting Things Done_

– [WittyParrot](http://www.wittyparrot.com/) – A cloud based SaaS business focused on enabling communication and collaboration

– [Shortcut](http://www.getshortcut.co/) – A new app for on-demand haircuts

– [Bulletproof Coffee Warning](http://rebootedbody.com/bulletproof-coffee-warning/) – An article discussing three potential health risks with Bulletproof Coffee

– [Smappee](http://www.smappee.com/us/) – A new tool designed to help people measure home energy consumption and production

– [Homeboy](https://www.homeboy.com/) – A wifi-enabled home security tool

– [Darma](http://darma.co/) – A smart cushion designed to monitor posture, sitting habits and stress levels ——- [Get the FREE Optimize, Automate, Outsource Blueprint here.](https://go.lessdoing.com/blueprint?utm_campaign=blueprint-ari&utm_medium=link&utm_source=podcast) — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

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