Sharp - The Podcast

Episode 18- We've spent some time looking at goals. No, not football goals - life goals! We've gathered together 5 KEY actions for setting effective goals, plus ONE missing thing that most of the resource doesn't tell you. It's not a secret; it's in the title! Some of the stuff in there is: The resource out there on setting goals5 steps that many people agree on when setting successful goals1) Visualising your goal - invoke all of your sensesThe brain's link between sounds, smells and memory2) Writing your goal down - using the S.M.A.R.T. acronymBe Specific about what the goal isDefine how you would Measure whether you've achieved the goalUse 'Action' language - Do, Become, DevelopRealistic - either take this literally and make the goals realistic or take the 'Big Hairy Audacious' approach and set really stretching goals. You decide!Set a Time limit to when you want to achieve the goal by3) Sharing your goalTwo schools of thought on this, make them public or keep them private. Here are two perspectives:Fact C

Episode 17 - Today, we talk to Andrew O'Neill, a standup comedian, author and amazing guitar player. Andrew spent some time talking to us about how you deal with a routine when you don't have a routine. Their struggle with paying attention. Why you should write things down, and the importance of visualisation when you are deciding what your goals are. It all sounds very grown up - it wasn't. Some of the stuff in there is:A secret you didn't know about standup comedyRitual MagickBig Bird and to-do listsNotebooks and showers - Aqua Notes websiteADHD and the internetMeditation - The Josh Groban podcast with 10% Happier Work-life balance and how it applies to comedyYou say sigil - I say goal settingThe importance of breaking a goal into its component steps - it works like magic (magick)Gnosis - and how you can move the moon in front of the sunBe richer tomorrow - by not buying that cup of coffeeNeil Gaiman, Netflix and the BBC - how networking happens when you're not paying attentionDeciding on making a differen

Episode 16 - Two GREAT apps to make things better!In this episode, we look at Nozbe and Evernote and explore how they can make your day smoother and more efficient and help you get things done. Whether you're a complete novice or you've used them already - we cover so much stuff that there's GOT to be something in there that's useful. Also featuring cake, pot plants, and Alan Partridge. Some of the stuff in there is:People who are listening to Sharppodcast around the worldMisery in a coffee shopAn introduction to Nozbe dealing easily with 2 Birthdays, a wedding and a christeningWhy you shouldn't write presentations at the dry cleanersAn introduction to productivity the Nozbe way - here's the first videoWanna eat that Frog or go 'advanced' (ding!)...Managing energy levels, delegation, weekly reviews, priorities - it's all in this articleEvernote - an Alladin's Cave of possibilities!What people like Tim Ferris think of Evernote - in this filmStreet talkLost at the beachSaving the planet one business card at a

Episode 15 - An introduction to GTD (Getting Things Done)If you only put one new tool in your box, we reckon you should make it GTD. It's not time management or a routine - it's a way of living. Whether you like writing things on paper, using apps, or want to develop a full-blown new 'task management' system, there aren't many others which are as simple, elegant, and downright good at proper stuff. The clue is in the title - Getting Things Done. This podcast explains why WE like it, why we think YOU will like it, and where to find all the stuff. If you don't know the system, hopefully, this is a good introduction to it. If you do know the system, then feel free to visit any of the resource below, which may help you remember what a great idea it is. Some of the stuff in there is: Why we think that GTD (Getting Things Done) is a fantastic approach to getting stuff under controlWho this David Allen bloke isGetting stuff under control isn't difficultIf you're a paper person, an 'app' person, or a 'system' person

Episode 14 - The word 'productivity' what does it actually mean?Whether you're looking for resource to help you get better or just working out how to improve stuff, the word 'productivity' is often bandied about as a good thing to aspire to. But where did it come from, and is it something we really want to achieve? Some of the stuff in there is: Cool people who've interacted with us this weekThe 'P' word - bad?Why we don't know it from AdamProductivity and what other people describe it asWhat WE describe it asThe problem with "work/life balance" - here's an article from Forbes.com for further readingDavid Allen's view on work in his - GTD podcastThis thing called lifeWhat a guru, a bard, and a panther have in commonThe importance of choosing how to write your shopping listA way to have the life you'd like - in five easy steps

Episode 13 - Kicking 'luck' to the kerb and ending your day with intention!We follow up last week's 'start of day' routine focus with its neighbour and bedfellow - the 'end of day' routine. These two powerful rituals can add up to making all the stuff that happens in your day manageable and easier - and leaving you more time to do the things you WANT to do. We give you ideas, pointers, places to look at and plenty of information to get you on your way to setting up your own end-of-day routine. Some of the stuff in there is: How your 'start of day' and your 'end of day' routine support each other and support you getting stuff doneWhy Forbes.com say how you end your day is critical - in this articleMichael Hyatt says, "The right activities before you sleep can set you up for success the next day" in this articleThe two groups of 'end of day' routines - the workday one and the dayday oneWhy it's even more important to have a defined end-of-day process if you do work which doesn't have its own clear end to each d

Episode 12 - Start your day with a killer morning routineAfter taking a pause so we can 'be better', - we're back this week with an episode on starting your day in the best way you possibly can. After all, if you're going to be good at things and have a great day - you're in with a fighting chance if you start that day well. In this week's episode, we look at why you should think about your morning routine, how small things can make a difference, and where to find out how successful people start their day. Some of the stuff in there is: Why you should think about your morning routinePlanning to plan from a personal perspectiveHaving a morning routine isn't just for people running multi-million-pound operationsBut if they do it - why shouldn't you?I've done the research in places like Success magazine, Forbes,Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, David Allen and so on, so you don't have to. Here are some articles for further reading:Success - 10 morning routines of wildly successful entrepreneursFastCompany - The morning ro

Episode 11 - The word on the street about getting YOU timeIn our final episode on getting some 'me-time', we turn to two books which I think you'll like. Both of these books are easy reads, clear and enjoyable. 10% Happier is more specific as it's primarily about how Dan found meditation could help cure his chattering voice, while How To Live a Good Life is broader, looking at options across your life in general. Great reads, and if you prefer your resource in the form of something you CAN take into the bath, on the bus or places that you can't use online resource, then I thoroughly recommend giving them a try. Some of the stuff in there is: What having a panic attack, live, on-air, in front of millions of people - sounds likeHow Dan Harris moved from that to changing his lifePaying attention to that voice in your head and then doing something about itMeditation - it's not just for hippiesShowering, bolognese and the weatherThe book 10% Happier - 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress W

Episode 10 - Plan to get downThis week we consider the idea that planning to do nothing helps you do more. It seems weird, but there is research showing that if you achieve 'down-time', you actually get better at doing stuff. Well, we're gonna be all over something that involves being BETTER, aren't we? So, continuing the theme of 'me-time' we look at apps and online resource to help you do just that. Some of the stuff in there is: Gawking at how we've already managed to get to 10 episodesSleeping in the day - why it's not lazyWhat Salvador Dali, a key, and a plate have in commonHow Einstein, Edison, Churchill, and Kennedy boost their productivityMichael Hyatt on - Why you should nap every dayTake a break; it's important -  Why you should do itA bloke called Andy Puddicombe and - why he might change your lifeGreat apps to help you meditate on a busy dayHow to get Headspace - Link to websiteThe Headspace App on - Android and iTunesThe 10% Happier AppHow groovy the people are at - Good Life ProjectJonathan Fiel

Episode 9 - Why you should take time out for yourself before you crash.Ok, it's a little dramatic, but in reality, how long should you go supporting and helping others - before you decide to spend time on yourself? Beginning with a quest set by our conversation in Ep8 with Mel Elliott to find out why we should focus on setting time aside for ourselves, in this episode, we end up crashing planes, meditating and bringing it all together in a good life. Some of the stuff in there is:Why we should plan in some time for ourselvesWhat could motivate us to plan in some downtimeWhy you should attach your oxygen mask first - Telegraph articleConsidering building up your resources before you give to othersJonathan Fields and - The Good Life ProjectPlanning to fill the part of our lives described by Jonathan as the "vitality bucket"The power of music and learning an instrumentPsychology Today - The 10 Ways Musical Training Boosts Brain PowerPlanning to relaxWhat Katy Perry, Steve Jobs and Oprah Winfrey have in commonMed

Episode 8 - In conversation with Mel ElliottThis week's episode is a recording of a conversation I had with Mel Elliott about her world as a successful professional voiceover artist. We talked about the challenges of being a Mum, juggling a busy job with an ever-moving landscape, and her solutions to getting better at what she has to do in order to spend more time doing what she wants to do.Mel's many solutions are listed below, with links to stuff that you can go and look at if you'd like... Some of the stuff in there is:Never do the same thing twice; once is great - twice automateTemplates for email - here's a link to doing it in OutlookKeyboard shortcuts, and YES, they can save you 8 days a year - have a look hereRoutines - get one in the bag before lunch, build half hour buffer at end of the day(when I read the one above, at first, I thought I'd written a 'half-hour buffet' at the end of the day, that also works!)Plan on a Friday - rolling lists in the weekPrioritise health and well beingEat together - S

Episode 7 - Habits and the written wordIn the last of our series on habits, we look at the written word and where you can find potentially life-changing advice if you're happy to spend a little bit of time diving into these excellent books. Sometimes, you can't get a quick solution or a hack. Sometimes you've got to put a bit of work in and read a book. And BOY, do we think it's worth it! Some of the stuff in there is:Even if you've already read it, it's worth re-visiting - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleThe urgent, important matrix - Eisenhower versionCharles Duhigg - Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and BusinessThe Peter Bregman PodcastPeter Bregman -18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction and Get the Right Things Done

Episode 6 - Our second visit to the world of habits. Did you hear last week's yet? If not, I think it's worth doing that and then coming back here.This week we look at Apps to support you with the 'cue' and 'reward' steps and some other online resource which can help when you want to change your behaviour. From presentations to party planning, a good understanding of why we behave like we do is key to unlocking the changes you really want to happen. Some of the stuff in there is:New Year's resolutions and why they don't stick - some statsGym memberships - some stats from Planet MoneyApps which can help you with the 'cue' and 'reward' parts of habit formingFor both Android and Apple, there's - Coach.mePrefer simple and on Android? try - Loop Habit TrackerPrefer simple and on IOS (And Android)? try - Habit BullWhy the behaviour and reward cycle is so powerful - Judson Brewer on the TED stageProcrastination and how to attack it

Episode 5 - The first in our series on habits. Good/bad/ugly? Get your habit-making kit here.What are your habits? Are there any you're embarrassed about? Would you like to share? I hope not! Habits are interesting and our subject for the next few episodes. This week we cover where there is a podcast resource to help you work on your good habits and look at some alternative ways of moving away from the bad ones. (no, not that one, we don't cover THAT one in this episode!)Some of the stuff in there is:What are habits?How are they formed according to Charles Duhigg in his book - The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to ChangeThe notion of cue/routine/rewardBad habits - smoking - yuk! How to stop with - The EasyWay method from Allen CarrThe plasticity of our brains and changing habitsPodcast resource 1 - Freakonomics Radio - How to be More ProductiveChanging behaviour - the BJ Fogg ModelThe notion of Motivation/Ability/TriggerPodcast resource 2 - The One You Feed Episode 91Why motivation is not the

Episode 4 - Omnibus and InterviewThis week's episode is a longer one, and it's an episode of two halves. The first part is a recap of the things we've covered so far in episodes 1-3. We're planning to do this monthly to give people the opportunity to listen to one longer episode covering the key take-away, so they can get the 'facts' without the other stuff we do. It doesn't cover everything, and of course, you'll miss the fun stuff, but we're trying to help you get this podcast in different ways to suit you.All of the links we refer to are in the relevant show notes for episodes 1,2, and 3. So if you'd like to find out more about anything we cover, pop over to the relevant episode, and it's all there.The second half is a recorded conversation with someone who has come along to talk to us about what their challenges are to 'being better' and how they overcome them.This week I spoke to Lisa Rouse. It may seem like we hit it off really well; that's partly because we did and partly because she's my partner in cr

Episode 3 - You don't need to be faster, just betterSocial media doesn't have to be a drag, it can be a superb resource and lively to use if we think about how we're using it. We talk about how to keep up with the ever-increasing social media 'noise' here in this episode. Can you use LinkedIn and Twitter to get better? We think so, and explain how and why you should. This time we take our life into our hands by talking to people on the street, and at least one of them isn't me!Some of the stuff in there is:LinkedIn - should you?LinkedIn claim 60% of the UK's student, and working population are connected in this articleThe We Are Flint survey which gives a different and interesting perspectiveSome suggestions to get the most out of your time if you dive into LinkedInThank people - they'll appreciate itTake time to set up your profileJoin groups - you can get good informationRe-share articles - people will notice youWrite articles. Come on, you know you want to. After all you know something that no one else do

Episode 2 - Escape the Tractor BeamIn this second episode, we look at social media and how to consider using it to help us be BETTER at what we do. We also go out on location and take our life into our hands!It might sound like I'm on a mission to upset the apple cart when it comes to social media, and I guess I am a bit. Taking control of your use is the key - after all, we don't want external things to control us, do we?In this episode, we cover:Sending messages from the futureThinking differently about what successful people do - and stealing it to help usWhy some social media is rubbishHow to break the vicious circle using technologyDitching the 'News Feed' (it's the secret Tractor Beam)The difference between Profiles, Pages and Groups - did you know?How Arnie came back through FacebookGetting outside - go on, do it now (well after you've finished listening eh)We use bad grammar in one section - did you spot it? We did it on purpose, honest guv'.Why the PowerPuff girls are messing with your head Some fur

Episode 1 - an introduction.We find the mic, we press the record button, and we start speaking about things:What would you do if you could do everything in 30 minutes less each day?Insight from the fieldPodcasts - yes, we talk about podcasts on a podcast. It's a bit like Inception - but with less sleepingWikipedia article on Daily Source CodeArticle on Podcasting from the online journalism blog RAJARLinks to the websites for some of the podcasts I've mentioned:Ted Radio HourRadiolabFreakonomicsThe One you FeedAdam BuxtonMerriam WebsterDan Carlin's Hardcore HistoryAccelerate - Andy PaulTim FerrissTony RobbinsDavid Allen - GTDMichael HyattPodcatcher apps:StitcherPodbeanOvercastTuneInMy favourite - Beyond Pod