Episodes
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
16 How to use a notebook for mental clarity
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Alex preaches about how much he loves notebooks. However, Rob does not use notebooks. In this episode, we discuss what we like and don’t like about notebooks.
A Note from Rob
I have two phones because one is Apple - iPhone 6S Plus (old phone) and one is Android - Google Pixel 5a 5G (new phone). I plan to change the operating system on my Android phone and haven’t got around to it yet. I also don’t want to put my SIM in it because I don’t want Google to have my contacts.
This leaves a SIM card in my old Apple phone and I use it as a hotspot.
Since I plan to change the Operating Sytem, I haven’t finished setting up the Android phone. That’s why my life at the moment is an awkward mishmash of two phones and two different operating systems.
r/Productivity
r.productivitypodcast@gmail.com
Discord
Subreddit
Links - Alex
Soundcloud
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channel
Quickrials YouTube channel
Twitter
General Recommendations
Hello Internet (Podcast featuring CGP Grey and Brady Haran)
Cortex (Relay FM podcast, featuring CGP Grey and Mike Hurley)
Getting Things Done (GTD) website (for David Allen’s book)
Android download
iOS download
Daylio (an app I use for journaling)
Things 3 (iOS/Mac only)
Blank First Page YouTube channel
This pocket notebook is (slowly) replacing my phone
Field Notes
Field Notes “National Park Series”
Sidekick Notepad, by CortexBrand
The Pen Alex uses: Drehgriffel Nr. 1 by Leuchtturm 1917
Art piece by Kristoffer Zetterstrand - “The Easel. 73×64 cm. Ink, Airbrush, Vinyl And Oil On Canvas”
The video I watched about Kristoffer Zetterstrand
Microsoft To-Do
How to Bullet Journal, by Bullet Journal
Monday Jan 01, 2024
15 Journaling for mental clarity
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Episode Description
Alex journals with paper and Rob journals digitally. We cover how journaling has benefitted us and different ways you can journal yourself.
r/Productivity
r.productivitypodcast@gmail.com
Discord
Subreddit
Links - Alex
Soundcloud
Spotify, Apple Music etc...
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channel
Quickrials YouTube channel
Twitter
General Recommendations
Hello Internet (Podcast featuring CGP Grey and Brady Haran)
Cortex (Relay FM podcast, featuring CGP Grey and Mike Hurley)
Getting Things Done (GTD) website (for David Allen’s book)
Shownotes
The Struthless video that got me into journaling
Episode 14 - Making Self Discipline Easier! (plus a bonus end bit)
This journal is increasing my mental clarity | by Austin Schrock
I couldn’t find the Adam Grant quote/podcast episode. But I may relisten to all episodes in the future - watch this space.
My iOS shortcut for journaling
Daylio (an app I use for journaling)
Gratitude (an app I use for journaling)
Android download
iOS download
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
14 Making Self Discipline Easier! (plus a bonus end bit)
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Episode Description
Self-discipline? What is it? How can you make it easier? Will it quench my insatiable thirst for the blood of the innocent? All of this and MORE on this aptly named episode of the r/Productivity podcast. ^_^
r/Productivity
r.productivitypodcast@gmail.com
Discord
Subreddit
Links - Alex
Reddit
Soundcloud
Twitter
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channel
Quickrials YouTube channel
Twitter
General Recommendations
Hello Internet (Podcast featuring CGP Grey and Brady Haran)
Cortex (Relay FM podcast, featuring CGP Grey and Mike Hurley)
Getting Things Done (GTD) website (for David Allen’s book)
Shownotes
Lefie’s video (Self-Discipline with Minimal Effort)
If you’re curious about the other Leafy I mentioned…
If you’d read Atomic Habits, you may understand this episode’s topic as “Make it easy”.
Why you should NOT drink coffee when you’re tired (58:36 - 1:00:50)
Self-Discipline definition “To train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.”
Source: Oxford Dictionary of English | Copyright © 2010, 2022 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
The willpower cookie experiment
Don’t know what a Rube Goldberg machine is? Here’s an impressive video that’ll give you an idea
Sleep Cycle site (scroll down to the bottom for mobile app store links)(I recommend keeping an alarm on even if you use this because it’s not as reliable as I would hope.)
The Apple device shortcut for waking up in the morning was a bit too complicated to share and it can vary depending on your needs. If you need help to make it, please just reach out to me via our email: r.productivitypodcast@gmail.com with the subject “Shortcut Help”.
Four Thousand Weeks book recommendation
“You thought you could escape fear by running away to dreamland. But fear exists in the one place you can never escape: Your mind.” - The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl
“Reddit Karate teacher” - for some reason this is everywhere except YouTube 🤷♂️:
Twitter X
TikTok
Facebook
Where I found it on Reddit, but it’s likely stolen from the above sources
Further reading (or rather, watching)... LEMMiNO made a Q&A video, where he mentions eliminating distractions when working: 3,000,000 - Q&A
Desire paths!
“Please use the purpose made paved path provided”, or as we think it should be called, “Please pertain per purposely paved path provided, people!” 😆
Source
Reminds me of The Simpsons haha
r/DesirePath
Cycling desire path, as seen on the Path of least resistance Wiki.
Desire path wiki.
Michigan State University and Ohio University desire paths.
Monday Aug 07, 2023
13 Subject Roulette!
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
We talk about three things that we couldn’t fill an entire episode about. Imagine the Rick and Morty “Interdimensional Cable” episode, but for the productivity podcast.
r/Productivity Links
r/Productivity Discord
r/Productivity Reddit
Links - Alex
SoundcloudHis music on Spotify
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channelQuickrials YouTube channelTwitter
Shownotes
Keyboard shortcuts Corridor Crew video (named “NEGAN KILLS WHO??” - there is a timestamp attached so there are no spoilers for The Walking Dead here)
Raycast
Powertoys
Alex’s Global list of shortcuts
30 keyboard shortcuts Mac users need to know
These Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts will save you time
My List of Helpful Windows 10 Shortcuts
How teachers pause videos (Named “How To Be A Professor - Gus Johnson”)
Dream AI generator
YouTube search for “Lofi Music” (in case you don’t know what it is)
Classical Music that makes you feel like an Evil Genius - (“A Playlist to Feel Like a 19th Century Villain Who Won the Game”)
Explosions in the Sky (If you want slow and peaceful productivity music, this is where I recommend you start)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL91d9W0UnKIEAc8jdvLBou0Jat7Sj9IDn
https://open.spotify.com/album/6a5Fb54EIpM41J4KqseFRi?si=4JOzphVDRD2XuBCL0dqGEg
Carpenter Brut (If you want fast and hyper productivity music, this is where I recommend you start)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQvL6GLJiX92RWNKjXTPhyRaqLGC1n7uz
https://open.spotify.com/album/0io5pe55YRCTVqEjwlOBdN?si=a44f35cc72aa49ba
In Motion (from the “The Social Network” Soundtrack)
https://youtu.be/x5faT66jmG4
https://open.spotify.com/track/50CgC2wKmbWm4WLQKY87oP?si=3613b613325a4098
Girl Talk (CGP Grey recommendation… it doesn’t look available in the UK though)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1F39833581FDF350
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5fzx4FWHTGRKAwExTQDInw?si=dcc899af262c465f
Eternal Jukebox (doesn’t work at time of writing this)
Bach Lute Music by Göran Söllscher
Carbon Based Lifeforms
Podcast Recommendations (Listen to these wherever you get your podcasts)
Hello Internet (Featuring CGP Grey and Brady Haran)
Cortex (Relay FM podcast, featuring CGP Grey and Mike Hurley)
Getting Things Done (GTD) website (for David Allen’s book)
Sunday Jul 02, 2023
12 How to get out of a rut
Sunday Jul 02, 2023
Sunday Jul 02, 2023
EP 012: How to get out of a Rut
Episode Description
Rob found a very informative Reddit post a while ago about getting out of a rut. He breaks it down and teaches Alex about non-zero days, forgiveness and himself.
r/Productivity Links
r/Productivity Discord
https://discord.gg/h5q9f2yZhA
r/Productivity Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/
Links - Alex
Soundcloudhttps://www.soundcloud.com/redsigned
His music on Spotify
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/redsigned/curiosity
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/TheInferniator
Quickrials YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFOAaUMD46ZL1JJnRNXnNw
Twitter
https://twitter.com/DrRobotman
Shownotes
Reddit comment we discussed
https://www.reddit.com/r/getdisciplined/comments/1q96b5/comment/cdah4af/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Post the comment responded to (available at WayBackMachine)
http://web.archive.org/web/20201122172534/https://www.reddit.com/r/getdisciplined/comments/1q96b5/i_just_dont_care_about_myself/
The Butterfly Circus
https://youtu.be/cnzEIqbBVK0
Relevant wallpapers
No more Zero Days
https://www.reddit.com/r/GetMotivated/comments/1rowpb/i_made_a_wallpaper_from_uryans01s_amazing_quote/
Exercise inspiration
https://www.reddit.com/r/getdisciplined/comments/1q96b5/comment/cdbdi3w/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Podcast Recommendations (Listen to these wherever you get your podcasts)
Hello Internet (Featuring CGP Grey and Brady Haran)http://www.hellointernet.fm/
Cortex (Relay FM podcast, featuring CGP Grey and Mike Hurley)
https://www.relay.fm/cortex
Getting Things Done (GTD) website (for David Allen’s book)
https://gettingthingsdone.com/
Monday Apr 03, 2023
11 How to manage your projects
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Keeping track of your tasks is a simple idea, but it can make it difficult if those tasks are vague. A part of clearing that up is to recognise which tasks are actually projects that require multiple tasks to complete over a span of time. So, how do we do this?
r/Productivity Links
r/Productivity Discord
https://discord.gg/h5q9f2yZhA
r/Productivity Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/
Links - Alex:
Soundcloudhttps://www.soundcloud.com/redsigned
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/TheInferniator
Quickrials YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFOAaUMD46ZL1JJnRNXnNw
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/DrRobotman
Shownotes
Episode 001 - To-Do Lists (or listen wherever you get your podcasts)
https://productivitypodcast.podbean.com/e/001-to-do-lists/
Episode 008 - The Weekly Review! (or listen wherever you get your podcasts)
https://productivitypodcast.podbean.com/e/08-do-a-weekly-review/
David Allen’s definition of a project:
“I define a project as any desired result that can be accomplished within a year that requires more than one action step.”
Picture 1: Natural/Reactive Planning & the Road Map
Picture 2: The 5 Steps
5 steps of Planning
You have a task to do and it seems daunting, so you need to break it down so that it is understandable.
Step 1: Purpose
Why do you want to do it?
Example
I want to ride my bike safely.
Why is important
"Some things are purposeful, but some things are more purposeful than others."
Step 2: Vision
What will the outcome look like?
Example
Fully functioning bicycle, where everything is clean and repaired.
Why is important
"Needs to be a concrete point in the future where the doing is done; the project is completed."
Step 3: Brainstorming
What needs to happen for the outcome?
Example
Write down what needs cleaning and repairing, plus how to do it.
Why is important
"Fan out with your ideas - think of as many things as possible with no regards for priority."
Usually if I'm struggling to start with something, I need to ask someone who will know how to start - this is usually a parent or friend. So with my own bike problems, I set a date to go through with my dad.
Step 4: Organising
Break down the steps to do, then prioritising and outlining what needs to be done.
Example
One step is "go shopping" - but for that step you need to create a shopping list of parts to buy, then find suitable time to go to the shops.
Why is important
"It allows you to much easier understand what you need to do and when."
Step 5: Identify Next Actions
Figure what to actually do next.
Start the project
Alex’s checklist for the podcast
“Some things are purposeful, but some things are more purposeful than others.” This is an edited quote derived from Animal Farm, by George Orwell.The original quote is: “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/170448.Animal_Farm
Podcast Recommendations (Listen to these wherever you get your podcasts)
Hello Internet (Featuring CGP Grey and Brady Haran)http://www.hellointernet.fm/
Cortex (Relay FM podcast, featuring CGP Grey and Mike Hurley)
https://www.relay.fm/cortex
Getting Things Done (GTD) website (for David Allen’s book)
https://gettingthingsdone.com/
Saturday Apr 01, 2023
(april’s fools!) Productivity food
Saturday Apr 01, 2023
Saturday Apr 01, 2023
Happy April fool's day!
r/Productivity Links
r/Productivity Discordhttps://discord.gg/h5q9f2yZhA
r/Productivity Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/
Links - Alex
Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/user/rhinocerberos
Soundcloudhttps://www.soundcloud.com/redsigned
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/TheInferniator
Quickrials YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFOAaUMD46ZL1JJnRNXnNw
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/DrRobotman
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
10 Learning how to meditate
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
How to start meditating, and what it is - learn from two people who have already figured it out, so you don’t have to!
r/Productivity Links
r/Productivity Discord
r/Productivity Reddit
Alex' Links
Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/user/rhinocerberos
Soundcloudhttps://www.soundcloud.com/redsigned
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/TheInferniator
Quickrials YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFOAaUMD46ZL1JJnRNXnNw
Twitter
https://twitter.com/DrRobotman
Shownotes
Headspacehttps://www.headspace.com/
Headspace | Netflixhttps://www.headspace.com/netflix
Therapy4you Meditations (AGE)https://www.therapyforyou.co.uk/courses/online/cbt-mindfulness
“Meditations”, by Marcus Aureliushttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30659.Meditations
“Enchiridion”, by Epictetushttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24615.Enchiridion
“Why Boredom is Good For You” (video by Veritasium)
https://youtu.be/LKPwKFigF8U
“Trying to be funny and stuck in a room” - lyric taken from “Look Who’s Inside Again” (song by Bo Burnham)https://youtu.be/9CaDbwYSMNI
“Stoic Six Pack” bookhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23690483-stoic-six-pack---meditations-of-marcus-aurelius-golden-sayings-fragmen
My iOS Meditation Shortcuthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1paUmH3xJXbc99ioG0kZtc07OKDTl7ntjVyO-UfXWWL0/edit?usp=sharing
Further Links
“Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley” Podcast Episode
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001817f
Feather Breathing TechniqueI learned about this from a videogame called “Celeste”: Imagine a feather floating in space: When you breathe in, the feather falls. When you breathe out, the feather rises. Here is the scene this is from (minor spoilers ahead).
https://youtu.be/1fee2UKFitM?t=111
Podcast Recommendations (Listen to these wherever you get your podcasts)
Hello Internet (Featuring CGP Grey and Brady Haran)http://www.hellointernet.fm/
Cortex (Relay FM podcast, featuring CGP Grey and Mike Hurley)
https://www.relay.fm/cortex
Getting Things Done (GTD) website (for David Allen’s book)
https://gettingthingsdone.com/