r/Productivity Podcast: Recent Episodes
Robot & Alex
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 RobI 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/Productivityr.productivitypodcast@gmail.com
Discord
Subreddit
Links - AlexSoundcloud
Links - RobMain YouTube channel
Quickrials YouTube channel
General RecommendationsHello 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
Episode DescriptionAlex journals with paper and Rob journals digitally. We cover how journaling has benefitted us and different ways you can journal yourself.
r/Productivityr.productivitypodcast@gmail.com
Discord
Subreddit
Links - AlexSoundcloud
Spotify, Apple Music etc...
Links - RobMain YouTube channel
Quickrials YouTube channel
General RecommendationsHello 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)
ShownotesThe 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
Episode DescriptionSelf-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/Productivityr.productivitypodcast@gmail.com
Discord
Subreddit
Links - AlexReddit
Soundcloud
Links - RobMain YouTube channel
Quickrials YouTube channel
General RecommendationsHello 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)ShownotesLefie’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
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.
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
Soundcloud
His music on Spotify
Links - Rob
Main YouTube channel
Quickrials YouTube channel
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)
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 Soundcloud https://www.soundcloud.com/redsigned
His music on Spotify
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/redsigned/curiosity
Links - Rob Main YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/TheInferniator
Quickrials YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFOAaUMD46ZL1JJnRNXnNw
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/
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 Linksr/Productivity Discord
https://discord.gg/h5q9f2yZhA
r/Productivity Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/
Links - Alex:Soundcloud
https://www.soundcloud.com/redsigned
Links - RobMain YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheInferniator
Quickrials YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFOAaUMD46ZL1JJnRNXnNw
Twitter
https://twitter.com/DrRobotman
ShownotesEpisode 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 PlanningYou have a task to do and it seems daunting, so you need to break it down so that it is understandable.
Step 1: PurposeWhy 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: VisionWhat 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: BrainstormingWhat 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: OrganisingBreak 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 ActionsFigure what to actually do next.
Start the projectAlex’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/
Happy April fool's day!
r/Productivity Linksr/Productivity Discord
https://discord.gg/h5q9f2yZhA
r/Productivity Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/
Links - AlexReddit
https://www.reddit.com/user/rhinocerberos
Soundcloud
https://www.soundcloud.com/redsigned
Links - RobMain YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheInferniator
Quickrials YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFOAaUMD46ZL1JJnRNXnNw
Twitter
https://twitter.com/DrRobotman
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 Linksr/Productivity Discord
r/Productivity Reddit
Alex' LinksReddithttps://www.reddit.com/user/rhinocerberos
Soundcloudhttps://www.soundcloud.com/redsigned
Links - RobMain YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/TheInferniator
Quickrials YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFOAaUMD46ZL1JJnRNXnNw
https://twitter.com/DrRobotman
ShownotesHeadspacehttps://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/
We read two books about habits: Atomic Habits and The Power of Habit. We review these books and share interesting tidbits we have learned from them.
https://bit.ly/3idmShJ
We mention David Allen and GTD (Getting Things Done) quite a lot, and now we are finally talking about an essential part of his advice: The Weekly Review!
http://bit.ly/3Bb8FIf
“The Chain Method” is a psychological technique popularised by comedian Jerry Seinfeld to help you make/break a habit. We talk about how it works and how you can get started. We also reveal our own projects this technique has helped us complete.
Show Notes
https://bit.ly/3MCCPsm
An episode about stress. We talk about ways that we get stress and mention solutions that work for us.
Show Notes
https://bit.ly/3AOD5PM
Is that thing you want something you actually want, or has society just convinced you that it is? In this episode, we explore how society has manipulated us and try to figure out what will truly make us happy. Productivity may help, but it’s not the be-all-end-all.
Show Notes
bit.ly/3tvvhPP
An episode about time: Alex talks about his time-blocking methods, where he splits up the day into chunks of time - each dedicated to a certain task. Rob talks about Pomodoro - a technique where you put a timer on and you must complete a task within that time.
Show Notes
Rob uses a famous quote from the videogame Far Cry 3 to coin some productivity advice -
“The definition of insanity is doing the exact same thing over and over again, expecting things to change.”
Show Notes
Alex, the Getting Things Done enthusiast, teaches Rob what capturing things is. He’s skeptical but he’ll come around to it.
Show Notes
Welcome to the first proper episode of the r/Productivity Podcast! In this episode, we will talk about to-lists, or task management systems. We discuss how valuable they are and how you can get started with them.
Full show notes Google Doc
Welcome to the Pilot episode of the r/productivity podcast. Here we will talk about the things in our lives that are important for our productivity. Stick around and listen to more episodes - this is just the beginning. Every other episode will be about something that can help YOU be productive.
Show notes