Smartphones are so ubiquitous today that living without one sounds like something only monks and mountain hermits would be able to do. While many of us crave an extended break from our addictive little pocket-computers, it’s hard to imagine actually making it work. So how did Ryan Shelton pull it off?  The comedian, actor and co-host of The Imperfects podcast felt like his phone was beginning to control him, instead of the other way around. He’d tried to reduce his screen time in the past, but couldn’t make it stick. So he went nuclear and traded in his beloved iPhone for an old-school flip-phone.  As a born entertainer and the host of a podcast all about vulnerability, Ryan’s been more and more focused on human connection in recent years, and his flip-phone experiment was just one part of that.  Ryan shares what did and didn’t work when he switched to the ‘dumb phone’, and breaks down what he’s learned about himself and his mind since starting The Imperfects. He also shares his favourite productivity tools and explains his preferred method for capturing and filing his ideas.    Connect with Ryan on Instagram or listen to The Imperfects podcast Watch this video if you want to write a purpose statement like Ryan: How to know your life purpose in five minutes *** My new book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha.substack.com/  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dom Price’s health journey didn’t start where he expected. In fact, it started in phases… Phase one was a realisation. He’s always lived like a youngster - he’s energetic, excitable, passionate, and incredibly busy. This made him think he was immortal, even if he wasn’t exactly pursuing a healthy lifestyle. But he realised he was mortal the hard way when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer a couple of years ago.  He says it shocked him, but not quite enough to change him. Phase two was about actively focusing on his health, and it took a major life change to get to this phase. Now that Dom’s a father, he’s realised what was going on - he was responsible only to himself, and the consequences of inaction would be his own to shoulder. That’s no longer the case, and Dom now pursues health and wellbeing not just for his own sake, but for the sake of his partner and his two young twins.  He dives deeper into the moments that changed his approach to health, and shares the main habits and behaviours that he’s finding most beneficial so far.  Connect with Dom on Twitter and LinkedIn and at https://domprice.me/ *** My new book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha.substack.com/  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling with the endless cycle of distractions? You're not alone. On this episode of How I Work, I sit down with the wizard of focus, Nir Eyal, who's literally written the book on becoming indistractable. Nir's sharing some top-tier life hacks that go beyond typical self-help fluff. Think about turning every decision into a personal experiment, having actual uninterrupted time with your family, and even carving out sacred moments for your own personal goals. So, whether it's creating your own community 'kibbutz' (yep, it's a thing) or reshuffling your day to make room for what really counts, we're diving into it all. And trust me, your to-do list is going to have some serious FOMO once you get time-boxing down to an art. Ready to shake up your life? Tune in, take notes, and get ready to say bye-bye to being pulled in a million directions. Connect with Nir (https://www.nirandfar.com/) and get a copy of Indistractable (https://www.nirandfar.com/indistractable/). While you’re revamping your life, don't forget to check out my new book The Health Habit right here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Follow your curiosity and connect with me: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) For more life hacks that actually work, jump onto my weekly newsletter at https://amantha.substack.com/ The full scoop on this episode and more at https://www.amantha.com/podcast. Questions, thoughts? Fire off a mail to amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Leong discovered the hard way that you can be both fit and unhealthy. While working a high-powered (read: high stress) job that required her to fly around the world, she thought she might need some balance. For some reason, she thought training for an Olympic-distance marathon was the way to do it!  Between working marathon hours and training for a literal marathon, she didn’t have time to slow down when she first got a chest infection. Instead, she loaded up on antibiotics and steroids and powered through. She did the same when the chest infection reappeared, and soon enough she was reliant on her medication. Shortly after, she was bed-ridden for months, suffering from nerve damage so bad she would cry if a breeze struck her the wrong way.  Thus started her lifelong quest for real, life-giving health. And if you’ve listened to Lisa’s ABC show, This Working Life, you know she takes her quests seriously.  Her motto is “every day is lab day,” and the same is true outside the office. Lisa shares a wide variety of the personal health experiments she’s currently running, and outlines the long-term thinking that informs her morning routines and other daily health practices.  Connect with Lisa on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn *** My new book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha.substack.com/  Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you tossing and turning every night, struggling to get the restorative sleep you crave? Or perhaps you find yourself reaching for that comfort bar of chocolate a little too often? I can most definitely relate - or at least I could - before I applied some clever behaviour change strategies that I write about in my new book, The Health Habit :) In today’s episode, I share my own health habits that have transformed how I eat, sleep and move, along with how I successfully kicked a several-decade-long sugar addiction and cured my chronic insomnia. My new book "The Health Habit" is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium (https://www.inventium.com.au) Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wondered what goes into getting a book into the world? To celebrate the launch of my new book, I’m taking you behind the scenes of The Health Habit. In this episode, I share how I came up with the idea, the process of pitching it to Penguin Random House (my publisher), how I wrote the manuscript in record time, and everything else involved in getting a book onto shelves. My new book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium (https://www.inventium.com.au) Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hall passes are one of the most powerful strategies we can use when it comes to making new habits stick. I explore the "what the hell" effect, the benefits of flexible routines, and the surprising impact of cheat days. Get ready to learn practical strategies for staying on track with your goals, even when life throws you curveballs.  Today’s episode is an extract from my new book The Health Habit, which comes out on January 9, 2024. Learn more about it and pre-order it here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter called One Percent Better. You can sign up for that at: https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self-identity plays a huge role in shaping our behaviors and decision-making. So it stands to reason that if you want to make a big change to your life, you might need to change your self-identity. I reveal what the research says about self-identity and health habits. I also share some practical steps to help you recreate your own identity and solidify your commitment to new and better habits.  Today’s episode is an extract from my new book The Health Habit, which comes out on January 9, 2024. Learn more about it and pre-order it here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter called One Percent Better. You can sign up for that at: https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often hear about how bad social media is for our health. Today, I flip that assumption on its head and explain how you can leverage social media for good. Discover the power of social normative theory, how good habits are contagious, and the influence of social media on our behaviors and expectations. Learn how to strategically curate your social media feed to align with your health goals, whether it's improving sleep, movement, or nutrition.  Today’s episode is an extract from my new book The Health Habit, which comes out on January 9, 2024. Learn more about it and pre-order it here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter called One Percent Better. You can sign up for that at: https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that the sequence in which you eat can affect your blood glucose levels? Studies have shown that the order in which you consume vegetables, proteins/fats, and carbohydrates can make a significant difference. By simply changing the order of your meal, you can potentially reduce glucose spikes by up to 75% and experience benefits including increased energy levels and a greater sense of satiety. Today’s episode is an extract from my new book The Health Habit, which comes out on January 9, 2024. Learn more about it and pre-order it here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter called One Percent Better. You can sign up for that at: https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you striving for a healthier life? I explore the popular notion of taking 10,000 steps per day for better health. Is this magic number really all it's cracked up to be? Let's uncover the truth by delving into the scientific research behind the ideal number of steps to take per day to reduce the risk of premature death. Today’s episode is an extract from my new book The Health Habit, which comes out on January 9, 2024. Learn more about it and pre-order it here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter called One Percent Better. You can sign up for that at: https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you struggling to get a good night's sleep? In today's episode, I explore a fascinating and science-backed strategy called the pre-sleep task dump. Today’s episode is an extract from my new book The Health Habit, which comes out on January 9, 2024. Learn more about it and pre-order it here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter called One Percent Better. You can sign up for that at: https://amantha.substack.com/ Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to make someone give up on their dream? Which straw breaks the camel’s back? For Hugh Van Cuylenburg, a simple but critical mistake in his calendar almost spelt the end of The Resilience Project before it’d truly begun.  But it didn’t. Why not? Where did Hugh find the strength to keep pursuing his goals, even after messing up the best opportunity he’d ever had?  Hugh’s a master storyteller, with no shortage of material. He shares which moments in his life turned out to be make-or-break, and what he learned from each one.  He also teaches you how to quickly build rapport with new people, and how to improve your business by stepping out of its centre.   Connect with Hugh on The Resilience Project’s website or listen to The Imperfects podcast *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You think you’ve got a procrastination problem? TIm Urban, the man behind the sensationally popular blog Wait But Why reckons he might have you covered. He’s so well-acquainted with procrastination, in fact, that he gave a TED talk on the topic… And finalised it at the last minute.  However, for a self-proclaimed master procrastinator, Tim sure gets a lot done. And thankfully, among the many, many articles he’s written are some antidotes for the serial procrastinator.  Tim shares his process for researching and understanding big, complex ideas, and turning them into digestible, entertaining reading. Connect with Tim on Twitter or his website, Wait But Why *** My book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF** If there’s anything I don’t miss about my school days, it’s homework - and I’ll bet you feel the same. So when my new favourite book on storytelling told me I needed to do “homework for life,” I wasn’t exactly pumped. That is, until author Matthew Dicks explained the benefits.  Matthew’s the bestselling author of a slew of novels and non-fiction books, he’s written a rock opera, multiple musicals and even a handful of comic books. So when I read his new book in the hopes of upping my own storytelling skills, I knew his homework for life was working for someone! Matthew breaks down the structures, tools and techniques that help him write not just at a prolific pace, but with outstanding quality, too. He explains why being able to tell stories is important for everyone, and teaches you how to get started if you haven’t put pen to paper before.  Connect with Matthew on Twitter, Instagram or at his website. Pick up a copy of Storyworthy, or check out Matthew’s newest course to improve your writing. *** My book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a weekly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The way we work has never changed quite as much as it did during the pandemic. Sure, you probably knew a couple of people with home offices or flexible hours, but after lockdowns, remote work went from a rarity to the new normal. When everyone was suddenly forced to stay inside, we all realised we could get by with tools like Google Docs and Zoom. But what if we were wrong?  Adam Nathan, the co-founder and CEO of Almanac, worries that where we work has changed, but how we work hasn’t caught up yet. We’re using tools created for a different time, he says, and simply updating the tools won’t do the trick.  Adam shares Almanac’s ‘modern work principles’, and explains why addressing our workflows and strategies is the key to keeping up with the pace of change. Connect with Adam on LinkedIn, read more about The Modern Work Method, or try out Almanac for yourself *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Alter might just have the simplest productivity system of anyone I’ve interviewed. He uses a to-do list app, but it’s barely more advanced than a piece of paper. He values deep work, but he doesn’t build his life around it. So if he’s supposedly doing so little, how’s he getting so much done?  And trust me, he’s getting a lot done: Adam’s a Professor of Marketing at NYU’s Stern School of Business and the Robert Stansky Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow. He’s also the author of multiple bestselling books, including Drunk Tank Pink and Irresistible, and most recently, Anatomy of a Breakthrough.  Adam breaks down his incredibly simple to-do list system, and explains why the simplicity itself is so important. He also shares his strategies for auditing his productivity and energy, and his approach to objectively documenting his own life.  Connect with Adam on his website, LinkedIn or pick up a copy of his latest book, Anatomy of a Breakthrough *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite living in Australia for his entire life, my dad speaks with a Polish accent. But that’s not all that’s different about him since he suffered a stroke in 2009…  Martin Imber always considered himself a logical, “right-brained” person - he was a computer programmer, after all. But since his stroke, he believes he’s become more empathetic, more compassionate.  Martin shares what he’s learned about life, love, family and himself since his stroke, as well as the lessons he learned from his own parents, who survived the holocaust. *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re into productivity or life-hacking, you’ve probably come across some pretty unusual tips and tools recently: we’re talking automatic ice baths, full-scale saunas, magic mushroom teas, and a whole lot of multi-hour morning routines.  While I love a wild idea as much as the next productivity nerd, I also have a budget! Thankfully, Susan Carland’s favourite time-savers and life-upgraders are as accessible as they come. As long as she’s got a piping hot cup of coffee in her hand when she gets down to work, she’s happy.  Susan gives you her favourite, low-key tips for living the good life every day, and shares how her daily prayer ritual helps build self-discipline, while also allowing her to develop a deeper relationship with herself.  Connect with Susan on Instagram or listen to the What Happens Next? podcast  *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No two careers will ever look exactly the same, but few of them look anything like a professional sporting career. Former AFL player Tom Boyd is the prime example: he’d worked towards the same goal since his early childhood, and after reaching the pinnacle of his game, he retired at the ripe old age of 23.  So, what do you do when your career ends before you’re even halfway through your twenties?  Tom reflects on his sporting career and shares its most impactful lessons, covering everything from the importance of adequate recovery through to life-changing advice about better decision-making. He also discusses how he’s taking the unique skills and character traits that made him a great football player and leveraging them in his new career as a public speaker and mental health ambassador.  Connect with Tom on Instagram, LinkedIn or pick up a copy of his book, Nowhere to Hide *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What matters most when pursuing a goal? Discipline? Routine? Accountability? All of those are important, sure, but how come nobody ever mentions fun?  Economist and Wharton professor Katy Milkman wants to change that: according to research out of the Univeristy of Chicago and Cornell University, people persist in goal pursuit for longer if they can find a way to make the process more enjoyable.  Katy gives this advice to her students, but it’s also the guiding force in her own career. Academia is vast and multi-faceted, and Katy knows she can only perform at the highest level if she’s fuelled by passion and joy.  Katy also shares advice for speeding up your writing, and explains how one book changed her thinking forever.  Connect with Katy on her website or on LinkedIn *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The greatest stories inspire, terrify, inform and change us. They might change our lives, or simply help us get through the day. But if we know how central stories are to the human experience, why don’t more of us learn how to craft them more effectively?  Matthew Dicks has been writing (and teaching writing) for decades now, and he’s seen the craft of storytelling change many lives in many ways. Most of all, he’s seen just how beneficial it is to tell stories to ourselves.  Whether your ultimate goal is to share your stories with the world, or you just want to give better presentations at the office, learning how to craft a great story won’t just give you more influence over others, it’ll give you more influence over yourself.  In that spirit, I asked Matthew to help me improve a story I was preparing for a work presentation, and he walked me through his thought process every step of the way.  Connect with Matthew on Twitter, Instagram or at his website. Pick up a copy of Storyworthy, or check out Matthew’s newest course if you want to improve your writing.  You can find the full interview here: Matthew Dicks teaches you to think and write like a master storyteller *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When he reached 60, Nigel Marsh realised his most ‘conventionally’ successful days might be behind him… But what does that actually mean?  After a long and lucrative career in the commercial sector, Nigel knew the day would come when he’d no longer be able to keep pace with his younger colleagues. He’s had to accept that there comes a time in all of our lives when we need to step back and slow down. But he’s also learning that slowing down is far from a bad thing.  Nigel’s gone from running multinational corporations with tens of thousands of employees, to overseeing just one employee - himself. And while it takes humility to accept such a huge change, his new, more independent work life has come with its own perks.  Finally free to pursue more of his own interests, and to dedicate more time and attention to the work he’s most passionate about, Nigel’s discovering a new kind of success after 60.      Connect with Nigel at his website, or pick up a copy of Smart, Stupid and Sixty  You can find the full interview here: Clarity, alignment and momentum with Nigel Marsh *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wil Anderson knows you think your mates are funnier than him, but that doesn’t bother him. After more than two decades dominating the Australian comedy scene, Wil’s learned that his job isn’t just to be funny: his job is to be funny when the red light comes on.  Wil recognises that life is hard more often than it’s easy, and nobody performs at their best when things are truly tough. However, what separates the professionals from the hobbyists, he says, is the ability to perform even (and especially) when the conditions aren’t perfect.  And since internalising this lesson, Wil’s come full circle on his approach to ‘bad days.’ Now, he relishes difficult times, because they’re an opportunity for him to strengthen his resolve and practice his professionalism. Connect with Wil on Instagram or listen to his podcasts here You can find the full interview here: Wil Anderson’s on-the-fly creative process *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On his enormously popular blog, Wait But Why, Tim Urban writes about some pretty heavy topics. He’s covered North Korea, the state of American politics and culture, and Elon Musk’s rise to fame, to name just a few. So you might be surprised when you click onto the blog for the first time and see it’s overrun with… stick figure drawings?  Tim’s writing style is playful and personable, but his unique illustrations do a lot of the heavy lifting to make his work so eye-catching and so memorable. Whether it’s a graph demonstrating just how few weeks make up a human life, or characters representing our inner demons, Tim’s constantly seeking novel ways to get his point across.  Tim explains how he decides when to illustrate versus when to let his words do the talking, and highlights the most common cases where words alone don’t quite cut it.   Connect with Tim on Twitter, or his website Wait But Why You can find the full interview here: Tim Urban on seeing the bigger picture and beating procrastination *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Among great thinkers, the long walk or run is nothing new. Philosophers, artists, novelists and world leaders have long espoused the value of solitude for working through thorny problems.  Award-winning investigative journalist Nick McKenzie is no different. Whether he’s stuck in a tough patch of writing, or trying to figure out his next move in a delicate investigation, running alone often leads to the solution.  But Nick doesn’t always run alone. In fact, he’s turned running into one of his favourite ways to connect more deeply with his contacts, sources and colleagues. The initial conversations he has with sources can be tense - usually, they’re risking a great deal to help him with his work. So getting together, out of business attire and into sweaty neon workout gear, and going for a short run helps to break the ice and bring guards down on both sides…  Connect with Nick on Twitter or on his website.  You can find the full interview here: Award-winning journalist Nick McKenzie on death threats, confirmation bias and the power of insecurity *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Dicks is a master storyteller, and he’s just as committed to understanding great stories as he is to crafting them himself.  The author, school teacher and writing coach has spent years studying stories, trying to figure out why they impact us so deeply, and searching for the principles that underpin the very best of them.  His most important finding: stories are about change over time. Whether it’s an historical epic like War and Peace or the recounting of a single conversation, all great stories are about how people change, and why.  So, whenever Matthew’s working on a story and it’s not coming together, he asks himself: what’s meant to change?   Connect with Matthew on Twitter, Instagram or at his website. Pick up a copy of Storyworthy, or check out Matthew’s newest course if you want to improve your writing.  You can find the full interview here: Matthew Dicks teaches you to think and write like a master storyteller *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to lead one of the world’s most creative and innovative companies?  Mel Silva’s been with Google for over 16 years, and now as the Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, she’s a pivotal part of fostering the company’s world-famous culture.  Mel unpacks the key lessons she’s learned in her many roles with the company, including the lessons she’s learned from her coach, and what she’s learned about herself and her leadership style since becoming a mentor for up-and-coming Googlers.  Mel also shares her most valuable new working practice, which she calls ‘thinking days,’ and teaches you how to make deep thinking time as effective as possible for you and your organisation.  Connect with Mel on LinkedIn *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve heard it a million times - improving your writing will make you better at just about any job you can think of. But how do you actually improve? How do you hone the craft?   Marketing expert and bestselling author Ann Handley dedicates much of her own writing to teaching the craft, and she says the most important component of effective writing is the unique voice of the author.  Especially today, when everyone with a social media account is a defacto marketer, and AI writing tools are improving at rapid speed, the ability to communicate with your own unique, unaffected voice is the key skill that makes great writers stand out.  So how do you write in your own voice? Well, like anything else, it’s about a whole lot of practice! Ann teaches you how to make time for writing everyday, and how to ensure you have fun doing it. Connect with Ann on Twitter or Instagram or sign up to her newsletter You can find the full interview here: Marketing pioneer Ann Handley shares tools, tactics and attitudes that will make you a better writer *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“We’re all cogs in a wheel,” Melissa Doyle tells her kids. “But we’re all vital…” As one of Australia’s favourite TV presenters, you won’t be surprised to learn Melissa fields a lot of requests for career advice. But at the beginning of her own career, she just wanted to become like the women she admired. She imitated their voices and studied their styles, but quickly realised - she would never truly be like her heroes, because she would always be herself.  When she first cried on camera, she was mortified, humiliated by her own “lack of professionalism.” But upon reflection, she understood that her outburst was an honest reflection of who she was… And viewers agreed.  Melissa shares how she learned not just to accept her true self, but to tap into it like a superpower. She also shares the advice she leans on when work (or life) isn’t going exactly to plan.  Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn or Twitter, or pick up a copy of 15 Seconds of Brave You can find the full interview here: Melissa Doyle shares stories of bravery, and practical tips for a purpose-driven career *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nigel Marsh doesn’t suffer fools - even when they pay him! After an enormously successful career in the commercial sector, Nigel’s now a bestselling author, and the host of the hit podcast, Five of My Life, and a highly sought-after executive coach. But his coaching isn’t a walk in the park… The cornerstone of Nigel’s coaching practice is his unique line of questioning: he’s discovered over the course of his career that most people already know what they need to do, whether it’s in their work or personal lives. So his job as a coach is to help clients get out of their own way, by asking the kinds of questions that will lead them to their own conclusions.  Nigel breaks down the types of questions that lead to the most impactful results, and explains his consultancy’s mantra: “Clarity, alignment, momentum.”  Connect with Nigel at his website, or pick up a copy of Smart, Stupid and Sixty You can find the full interview here: Clarity, alignment and momentum with Nigel Marsh *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Happy Families crossover series you’ll learn some low-effort and high-impact ways to remove reoccurring stressors in your life. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Workers in the modern age are already changing careers far more frequently than previous generations - but that doesn’t make transitioning any easier, especially when you’re moving into an entirely different field. Elise McCann can confirm: the actor, singer and dancer is one of Australia’s most celebrated performers, but at the height of the pandemic, she decided to try something (very) different.  In an effort to make meditation an easier and more accessible practice for everyone, Elise and fellow thespian Lucy Durack launched Hey Lemonade. Initially, they were terrified to step into the business world, but while preparing for the first investment pitch, the pair realised they weren’t starting from scratch… Elise shares how she and Lucy drew on their experience as performers to craft and rehearse the perfect pitch meeting. Connect with Elise on LinkedIn, Instagram or on the Hey Lemonade website You can find the full interview here: Theatre star Elise McCann on auditioning, time management and founding a tech company *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staying healthy doesn’t need to be a pain. In this episode of the Happy Families crossover series you’ll hear some tips and tricks to get exercise into your life in a meaningful way – no matter how busy your home and work schedules are. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve listened to How I Work for a while, you’ve definitely heard me talk about the Four Day Week, and how much we love it at Inventium. But if you want to implement the practice at your own organisation, you probably have a lot of questions… Doesn’t a four day week just mean longer working days? Should everyone take the same day off, or is it better to stagger? And of course, how do you know if the practice is suited to your business?  In a recent virtual Ask-Me-Anything, I sat down with Inventium’s Head of Consulting, Zoe Aitken, and a remote crowd of curious workers to answer all these questions and more. We cover everything from common problems and workarounds to highly specific case studies and experiments we’ve run at Inventium, so if you’ve ever wondered how the Four Day Week works, this is for you.  If you’re looking for any of the resources we mentioned in the live conversation, you can find them below:  Perpetual Guardian: The Four Day Week is Here Freedom.to Measure What Matters by John Doerr How to run a Four Day Week experiment Andrew Barnes’ TED Talk on the Four Day Week *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Happy Families crossover series we cover all things work life balance. Is it even possible in 2023? Yes, but you have to set some strong guidelines and keep them enforced. You’ll get actionable tips to help demarcate your family time starting from today. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In case you weren’t already aware - artificial intelligence is well and truly everywhere now. Even professional athletes are speeding up their online interactions with the help of ChatGPT!  Or maybe that’s just American-Australian AFL player Mason Cox, who calls himself a mechanical engineer at heart, and who’s always looking for ways to get things done more efficiently. Now that he’s also a podcast host and a passionate advocate for Aussie Rules in the U.S., he needs all the help he can get with his multi-hyphenate workload.  Mason shares his favourite time-saving tools, and the advice he offers others most often, as well as tips for overcoming self-consciousness and making better life decisions.  Connect with Mason on Instagram or listen to The Mason Cox Show *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who doesn’t love a collaboration? This is the first episode in a four-week crossover series with the popular podcast Happy Families all about how to improve health and wellbeing in your home life. In this episode we talk about why you need to stop treating sleep like a luxury item. We go through why it matters and how to get more of it. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We psychologists tend to lean more on science and statistics when thinking about how best to live our lives… but sometimes numbers and statistics don’t give us the whole, human picture. Sometimes, even the professionals need a good old-fashioned chat with their mums - and that’s exactly what I’ve decided to do! My mum is Doris Imber, a clinical psychologist, award-winning poet, memoirist and children’s author. As fellow psychologists, we dig into some of the advice Doris shares with her patients most frequently, and explore how she’s acted on that advice in her own life.  Doris also shares how her life and outlook have changed since her cancer diagnosis, and offers advice for turning arguments into constructive disagreements.   Grab a copy of Doris's new book Philomella and the Impossible Forest. *** My book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam RiordanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lucy Durack is on the edge of a nervous breakdown… Or at least, that’s how it can sometimes feel on opening night of a new play or musical. If she lets her focus lie on all the production notes, line changes and new stage directions, she’ll collapse into an anxious wreck.  But of course, those are all important parts of a performer’s job - so how does she play her part, without falling apart?  Over the course of her career, Lucy’s received a wealth of wise advice from the stars who came before her. She’s learned how calming gratitude can be, how important it is to have projects outside of her day job, and most importantly, that she can’t wait for life not to be hard before she chooses to be happy.  Connect with Lucy on Instagram or on the Hey Lemonade website   *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam Riordan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the smash-hit reality TV show Married At First Sight started airing in Australia, Mel Schilling wasn’t one of its relationship experts - but she was one of its biggest fans. Her husband noticed, and understood why: it was right up her alley as a therapist and dating coach. He told her she should be on the show, and reminded her: if you don’t ask, you don’t get.  This piece of advice has stayed with Mel, and it’s still something she shares with clients regularly. Some of her advice is a little less conventional though! Mel’s a big fan of meditation, and recommends it to plenty of clients. But when it comes to implementing the practice herself, she gets a little help from a VR headset…  Mel also discusses her family’s time living abroad, and an inexpensive tool that’s helped her stay active while boosting her productivity at work.  Connect with Mel on Instagram  *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber Episode Producer: Liam Riordan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than twenty years dominating the radio waves in both the UK and Australia, Christian O’Connell has talked to just about everyone, and they’ve covered just about everything. In order to keep his show exciting and engaging after so many years, Christian himself needs to remain excited and engaged.  One way he keeps himself engaged at work is by following in the footsteps of legendary jazz musician Miles Davis, who would only ever prepare 75% of a recording, leaving space for the magic of improvisation.  Outside of work, Christian pursues the same level of openness as a voracious reader, podcast listener and poetry fan. And when those pleasures of the soul aren’t enough to put him in the right state of mind, he employs breathwork techniques to centre him in the present moment.  Now a certified breathwork teacher, Christian walks you through one of the practice’s simplest techniques, and shares some of the most profound advice he’s received from mentors, colleagues, and his favourite artists.  Connect with Christian on Twitter or LinkedIn  *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve been anywhere near the internet in the last few years, you’ve almost definitely come across something made by Jessie Stephens. If you’re a podcast junkie, you’ll have heard her on Mamamia Out Loud, or Cancelled. If you’re more of a reader, you’ll find Jessie writing articles about everything from Married At First Sight to the proliferation of gambling ads for Mamamia, for whom she’s also the Executive Editor.  Oh, and she’s now a best-selling author, having released her debut book, Heartsick, in 2021.  In other words, Jessie clearly knows how to get a lot done. But she’s learning that her extreme productivity can’t last forever, and right now she’s focused on finding effective ways to recover and recharge, so that whenever she’s working, she’s at her absolute best.  Connect with Jessie on Instagram, pick up a copy of Heartsick, or listen to Mamamia Out Loud *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the founder of the hugely popular blog, Zen Habits, Leo Babauta’s built a reputation for seeking simplicity in work and in life. So it might be surprising to hear that he often looks to the tech world for inspiration… After looking into the “agile software development” process, Leo realised he didn’t need to hide his creative work from the world until it was completely finished. Watching tech companies release software while it was still in development and then constantly updating it live, Leo decided to do the same with his writing.  He now treats many of his blog posts as “iterations”, seeking feedback immediately, updating his work in real time, and constantly testing ideas for bigger projects like books and courses.  Connect with Leo on Twitter or at the Zen Habits website You can find the full interview here: Leo Babauta teaches you the Zen Habits of simplicity and self-awareness *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s hard to imagine a more disciplined and demanding lifestyle than that of a professional athlete. Whether it’s the countless hours of training, the highly regimented eating, or the mounting mental pressure of upcoming competitions, athletes leave little to chance.  But what happens when an athlete retires? Which elements of the spartan lifestyle serve them well beyond the area, and which ones are they happy to leave behind?  Figuring out this balance has defined much of Libby Trickett’s personal and professional life since retiring from swimming. While she often misses the sense of purpose that comes from doggedly pursuing peak performance, she’s also enjoying the freedom to dive deep into other passions.  In this episode of the new mini-series, How I Live, Libby Trickett shares the most impactful advice she’s ever received, the advice she gives most often, and reflects on what being an athlete taught her about life at large.  Connect with Libby on Instagram or at the Unlocking Her Potential website *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want something done right, do it yourself. Or at least, that’s the approach Patrick Lightbody takes. After years of wrestling with different physical planners and calendar apps, Patrick decided to make his own.  So how does someone who designs calendar apps actually use it himself? Well, it begins with the past… Patrick believes that he can’t possibly be oriented towards what matters to him if he’s only looking forwards. Instead, he needs to periodically look back on what he’s already done, and make changes from there.  When it comes to making changes, Patrick employs a “Four Ps” status report, measuring his plans, progress, priorities and problems whenever he needs to overhaul his schedule.  Connect with Patrick in the support chat at Reclaim.ai You can find the full interview here: Turn your calendar into a virtual assistant with Reclaim co-founder Patrick Lightbody *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s an old story about an aspiring comedian meeting Jerry Seinfeld, and asking his advice on success in the entertainment industry. Seinfeld told the budding comic that great comedy is nothing more than great jokes, so the aim is to get as good as possible at writing jokes - and to get good at anything, you have to do it every day.  Australian comedy legend Wil Anderson concurs - and he’s spent a good chunk of time thinking about the creative process behind comedy himself. Wil shares how he writes a joke from scratch, beginning with simple observations about what’s going on around him or in his life at large. He also reflects on how his process has changed over his decades-long career in the spotlight.  Connect with Wil on Twitter or Instagram You can find the full interview here: Wil Anderson’s on-the-fly creative process *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why would Four Pillars Gin turn down the opportunity to open another distillery? That’s an important question, because the answer isn’t necessarily obvious. After all, more must be better, right?  That depends, and to avoid falling into a never-ending cycle of discussing what it depends on, Four Pillars co-founder Matt Jones and his team have developed a series of frameworks to aid their decision-making. Opening another distillery might service some of some of the company’s goals, but is it the right decision for right now? What if instead, the better option is to open not a distillery, but to open a ‘home’, where the goal is not to further the craft of making gin, but to celebrate the craft of making cocktails?  Whichever option ends up being better, Matt and his team are far more likely to choose wisely when they can consult a series of carefully designed decision-making frameworks. When you have many reasonable choices in front of you, the discussion then needs to be guided by a higher goal, and that’s exactly what these frameworks facilitate.  Matt teaches you how to design your own decision-making frameworks, and shares the ones that have most helped Four Pillars. Connect with Matt on Twitter or at the Four Pillars Gin website You can find the full interview here: Four Pillars Gin Co-Founder Matt Jones wants you to obsess over aesthetics *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh Van Cuylenburg was not having a great time, to say the least. He was already unpopular with his then-pregnant wife for being out of town while she and their children all had COVID (and fair enough, he says!), when a previously minor medical problem unexpectedly became very serious. After some painful injections, he managed to get on stage for a speaking engagement, only to finish his presentation suddenly feeling ill.  So, when he finally sat down for a podcast interview with someone he barely knew, and she asked how he was doing, he said he’d been better. After launching into the story for a good twenty minutes, Hugh realised his vulnerability was having an unexpected effect: his guest could relate, and she shared her own similarly vulnerable experiences, and their rapport developed at lightning speed.  Hugh teaches you how to use your low moments for high impact when trying to build a connection with other people, both at work and beyond.  Connect with Hugh on The Resilience Project’s website or listen to The Imperfects podcast You can find the full interview here: Hugh Van Cuylenburg demonstrates how a strong purpose fuels strong actions *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all want to simplify our lives, and especially our work lives, and that’s hardly surprising: the modern age is defined by distraction and excess. But Leo Babauta, the founder of Zen Habits, worries that our culture’s desire for simplicity might inadvertently be sending us down the wrong path.  Simplicity, Leo says, isn’t about deprivation. When you imagine the simple life, you might picture a monk, or a writer living in a cabin in the woods, but this isn’t the whole picture. Instead, simplicity is a process of expanding and contracting, just like breathing.  True simplicity is a process of determining what matters, and then making space for it. But if we don’t expand our world, our collections, our attention, we can’t discover what matters. While Leo believes many of us spend too much time expanding and not enough time contracting, he’s adamant that both components are crucial, and it’s the balance between them that fosters fruitful simplicity.  Leo gives examples of his process for seeking simplicity, and explains why deprivation isn’t the goal.  Connect with Leo on Twitter or at the Zen Habits website You can find the full interview here: Leo Babauta teaches you the Zen Habits of simplicity and self-awareness *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since publishing her beloved book about anxiety, Sarah Wilson’s been bombarded with questions about its opposite: calm. And her answer is almost always the same - go for a hike! The combination of sustained but not too intense physical activity and the exposure to nature make hiking a uniquely powerful practice. When hiking for at least an hour, you enter an elevated, almost euphoric mental state, which is perfect for creative problem-solving. As Sarah puts it, this state allows the right ideas to naturally “bubble up to the surface”, and they begin to seem intuitively correct and magnetic.  When hiking, Sarah will often carry nothing but a piece of paper and a pen, trying when she can to steer completely clear of technology. And if you’re wondering how best to start hiking for mental clarity, Sarah says: don’t! Just get out there and walk, the rest will take care of itself. Connect with Sarah on Twitter or LinkedIn You can find the full interview here: Sarah Wilson wants you to make the beast beautiful - how to turn anxiety into a superpower *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“What the? Thirty companies? I can barely run one!” Daniel Flynn couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  As co-founder and managing director of thankyou, Daniel was struggling to keep a cool head, and asked a mentor for some advice. That mentor ran 30 companies, and his advice was that Daniel should clear his calendar for one day a week, every week, and use that day for thinking.  Initially, it sounded impossible. How do you remove yourself from the day-to-day work of your company a fifth of the time without everything falling apart? And yet, his mentor was doing it while running a small empire! So Daniel decided to try it out, and he hasn’t looked back. He calls them “blue sky days”, and while he might sometimes use them to write content or to solve an immediate problem, they’re usually blocked off for, well, blue sky thinking. For the kind of untethered, meandering daydreaming that produces big ideas.   Daniel shares some of the prompts that guide his thinking on blue sky days, and his methods for protecting his time when more “urgent” concerns pop up. Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn or the thankyou website You can find the full interview here: thankyou co-founder Daniel Flynn on big ideas, mentorship and purpose-driven culture *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you actually solving your procrastination problem, or are you just putting duct-tape over it and hoping you’ll stay afloat?  Tim Urban, the writer behind the hugely popular blog, Wait But Why, is a self-described master procrastinator. He even delivered a Ted Talk on the topic, and most of the speech was about how long he procrastinated writing the speech! But as a master procrastinator, Tim has a lot of experience beating procrastination. And now his focus is on beating his bad habits for good, not just for now.  Tim notes that our procrastination is often a signal that we’re not designing our work days or our goals very effectively, and explains how having more realistic expectations of ourselves might make us more productive in the long term. He also shares his favourite “duct-tape” methods for beating procrastination in the short term, so that he can actually get some work done while he pursues his higher goal of beating procrastination for good.  Connect with Tim on Twitter or his website Wait But Why You can find the full interview here: Tim Urban on seeing the bigger picture and beating procrastination *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you break stalemate with your business partner? If you work alone, everything’s up to you, and if you’ve got three people at the helm, there’s always a decisive vote. But if it’s just you and one other person, how do you deal with a split decision?  Comedy duo Rich Higgins and Matt Kelly (better known as The Listies) have realised the only reliable solution to this problem is to introduce a “third voice” in some form. Sometimes, that means a third person - a trusted mutual friend or colleague who can settle their debates.  But more often, that third voice isn’t a voice at all, and that’s exactly the point… After more than a decade working together, Rich and Matt have learned their strengths and weaknesses, and discovered that simply talking (and even writing things down) doesn’t always work. Instead, they’ve found that drawing diagrams helps them to emotionally separate from their ideas enough to assess them objectively - and it helps them treat their respective ideas almost as third parties, or a third voice.  Connect with The Listies at their website or on YouTube You can find the full interview here: Respecting your craft and your audience with kids comedy duo The Listies *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “what gets measured gets managed”, and when it comes to your time, it absolutely holds true. Knowing this, Patrick Lightbody co-founded Reclaim.ai to regain control over his own time, and to help others do the same.  Patrick shares some of the most useful calendar hacks he’s come across throughout his career, and they’re all features on the freely available Google Calendar (and most similar calendar apps, too).  But before you go and colour-code your calendar within an inch of its life, Patrick recommends doing a calendar audit, and making that audit part of your weekly or monthly routine. Most importantly, he recommends you compare the results of your calendar audit with your work goals more broadly. After all, what good is hacking your time management system if you don’t know why you’re trying to save time in the first place! Connect with Patrick in the support chat at Reclaim.ai You can find the full interview here: Turn your calendar into a virtual assistant with Reclaim co-founder Patrick Lightbody *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ada Nicodemou has just wrapped filming for the day on Home & Away, and she’s feeling anything but relaxed as she gets in the car to drive home. After crying her eyes out in front of her colleagues over and over and over again, her nerves are fried, and her emotions are all over the place.  That’s the day-to-day business of being an actor, but Ada’s learned that it doesn’t mesh well with her home life. Whether she needs to re-focus in order to get everyone fed and out the door for soccer practice, or she’s just having a quiet night on the couch with her family, whatever state she was in when the camera was rolling isn’t going to work at home.  Ada uses the drive home to slowly, methodically process the day that’s been, and when she gets home, the equally methodical process of removing makeup and hair products serves as another way to ritualise the feeling of ‘switching off’ after an intense day at work. Connect with Ada on Instagram You can find the full interview here: Home & Away star Ada Nicodemou gives you a sneak peek into the life of a working actor *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you heard of the Hybrid Paradox?  Since the pandemic, a huge portion of knowledge workers have moved to some form of hybrid working arrangement, whether it’s working from home one day a week, or almost all the time. And there’s been a tonne of benefits: setting our own schedules, working to our bodies’ natural rhythms, greater control of our environment… But do you ever just really, really miss seeing your team every day? That’s the Hybrid Paradox.  And at my consultancy, Inventium, we’re loving our remote-first arrangement, but we’ve still been feeling the sting of the Hybrid Paradox. So, naturally, our team of organisational psychologists decided to run some experiments.  Inventium’s Head of New Product Development, Charlotte Rush, breaks down the five experiments we ran in 2022, and teaches you how to implement in your own organisation.  Connect with Charlotte on LinkedIn or at Inventium’s website If you want to learn more about building an awesome remote culture, check out Inventium’s virtual masterclass *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have some bad news: no matter what you’re working on, you’re going to procrastinate at some point. Even if it’s a passion project, nobody can work without breaks forever. So… why not build procrastination into the process right from the start?  Singer, songwriter and actor Eddie Perfect has been writing for more than two decades now, and over the years he’s discovered the wisdom behind an odd little tip from one musical theatre’s true titans.  Stephen Sondheim advised writers to always work on lyrics with a soft lead pencil so they’d be forced to get up every once in a while to sharpen it. This natural cadence of focused work and short breaks has helped Eddie avoid writer’s block for pretty much his entire career.  Eddie also shares how taking the right breaks at the right time have helped him collaborate with himself: between composing music and writing lyrics, Eddie often thinks of himself as two different writers who each need their own space, and without regular breaks, neither writer is very effective.  Connect with Eddie on Instagram or find his performer page on the 9 to 5 The Musical website You can find the full interview here: Eddie Perfect breaks down his songwriting process   *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your insecurity was actually your superpower?  While confidence is critical in almost any career, it can be a secret killer for journalists. Nick McKenzie is Australia’s most decorated journalist, and he’s adamant that his natural insecurities are a big part of his success. When so much of his reputation and his competence relies on constant fact-checking and corroboration, there’s no such thing as being too nervous.  Nick breaks down his strategies for avoiding confirmation bias, which include choosing collaborators with whom he can have “friendly fights''. He also shares his methods for coping with stress - and when he says stress, he means defamation lawsuits and death threats! Connect with Nick on Twitter, or at his website.  *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why doesn’t psychologist and magician Richard Wiseman perform magic tricks for his friends?  Richard says the ‘social contract’ he has with his live audiences is different to the one he has with his friends. A healthy dose of deception is integral to magic, but doesn’t go down so well in a friendship. Thinking this way, considering which ‘social contract’ still applies when Richard’s performing, though. While he’s happy to trick audiences (it’s what they’re paying for!) he also knows the difference between an unsolvable puzzle and a moment of true magic.  Richard teaches you how to think like your audience, and how thinking this way helps you provide value in your presentations or performances. Connect with Richard on Twitter and at his website  You can find the full interview here: “Quirkology” Professor Richard Wiseman on using magic to up your public speaking game *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If there’s anything I don’t miss about my school days, it’s homework - and I’ll bet you feel the same. So when my new favourite book on storytelling told me I needed to do “homework for life,” I wasn’t exactly pumped. That is, until author Matthew Dicks explained the benefits.  Matthew’s the bestselling author of a slew of novels and non-fiction books, he’s written a rock opera, multiple musicals and even a handful of comic books. So when I read his new book in the hopes of upping my own storytelling skills, I knew his homework for life was working for someone! Matthew breaks down the structures, tools and techniques that help him write not just at a prolific pace, but with outstanding quality, too. He explains why being able to tell stories is important for everyone, and teaches you how to get started if you haven’t put pen to paper before.  Connect with Matthew on Twitter, Instagram or at his website. Pick up a copy of Storyworthy, or check out Matthew’s newest course to improve your writing. *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re tackling a huge project - something that’ll take you multiple months, if not years. Maybe you’re writing a book, learning a new skill, or trying to build a workout routine. How often should you work on it?  Common sense might suggest you take it easy, space out your sessions, make sure you don’t get burned out. But what if the opposite is true?  Exercising every single day sounds like playing the game of fitness on the hardest mode, but health and fitness expert Sam Wood says the ‘every single day’ approach is actually easier, for a couple of reasons.  Connect with Sam on Instagram or at the 28 by Sam Wood website  You can find the full interview here: Fitness expert Sam Wood on evening routines, the “every day” rule, and his hours of power *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When marketing expert and author Ann Handley says everyone should improve their writing skills, she doesn’t mean we should all be turning our email exchanges into florid prose or epic tomes - while better writing absolutely makes for better emails, Ann’s real goal when working on her writing is actually to improve her thinking.  After her college professor told her that being a better writer would make her more successful in any field, she put her head down and committed to learning her craft. Along the way, she realised that the act of writing itself isn’t necessarily what makes someone more likely to be successful; instead, it’s the constant practice in distilling one’s thoughts into understandable, useful communication with other people. When you can do that, you can really do anything! Ann shares the tech tools that make the biggest impact on her writing and writing routines, and highlights the most common flaws she sees in new writers’ work. Connect with Ann on Twitter or Instagram or sign up to her newsletter *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Four Pillars Gin, they have a mantra: they’re ‘makers, not marketers’. Ironically, they have some of the best marketing in the world!  But it’s all about function, according to Co-Founder and Brand Director Matt Jones. If being ‘makers’ is such a big part of the Four Pillars appeal, customers need to get as close to that making process as they can. That’s what aesthetics is all about.  Whether you hire people with a great eye for design, or you seek out the best creative partners, you can only go wrong if you assume your aesthetics don’t matter.  Connect with Matt on Twitter or the excellent Four Pillars website You can find the full interview here: Four Pillars Gin Co-Founder Matt Jones wants you to obsess over aesthetics *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2022** If you know anything about magic, you know a true magician never reveals his secrets. While psychologist and author Richard Wiseman might not share the secrets behind his favourite magic tricks, he’s more than happy to share how magic has made him a better thinker, a better psychologist, and a better public speaker.  Richard also shares how focusing more intently on listening has led to some of his most successful outings as an author, and describes his unconventional - and frightening - method for pitching experiments.  Richard’s also the creator of the beloved YouTube channel, Quirkology, where he demonstrates short experiments and explains unusual facets of psychology. He shares how the channel came about, and why he works across so many platforms.  Connect with Richard on Twitter and at his website  *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh van Cuylenburg hangs up the phone - he’s been speaking to his (very) pregnant wife, who’s struggling at home without him. He’s exhausted too, after days and days of back-to-back presentations. Oh, and the AC’s not working.  Needless to say, Hugh’s not feeling his best going into this presentation. But a couple of minutes into his speech, he spots a boy in the middle of the audience, and something clicks.  Hugh doesn’t know why this particular kid stood out, or if he even really stood out, but something shifted nonetheless. Hugh remembered that even if this one kid - out of hundreds - was the only one to gain something important from that presentation, that’s a win. A growing audience is great, but it can sometimes make you forget the individuals who need what you’re doing…  Connect with Hugh on the Resilience Project’s website or listen to The Imperfects podcast You can find the full interview here: Hugh van Cuylenburg demonstrates how a string purpose fuels strong actions *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2022** It’s the greatest productivity debate of our time: how do we achieve work-life balance? Or maybe the real debate should be: is work-life balance even possible?  Eric Barker, the author of Barking Up the Wrong Tree and now Plays Well With Others, doesn’t think work-life balance is truly achievable. At least, not if you want the best possible results in a given field. The problem, he says, is that most of live an unbalanced life by accident.  Because of the internet and the rapidly increasing pace of everything from the news cycle to the way we socialise, we’re all doing too much of something, and not enough of something else. It’s overwhelming, and we’re constantly playing catchup.  Eric’s solution is to abandon balance, but to do it on purpose. Decide what you want to be really, really good at it, and accept that you won’t be world-class in your other pursuits.  Eric also shares why he sets a five-hour timer at the start of every work day, how he deals with contradictions in his own writing, and how he developed his sense of humour. Connect with Eric on Twitter or Linkedin Pick up a copy of Plays Well With Others *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlassian’s Dom Price is just like anyone else - some days, he just doesn’t want to get out of bed. The difference is: he stays in bed.  After decades of working at breakneck speed, Dom’s learning to listen to the signals his body sends him, and it’s working wonders.  But what about when it’s something beyond a bad day? What about when he’s feeling truly burnt out?  Dom’s theory is that part of what causes burnout is ‘information obesity’, and one of the best ways to overcome it is with action. Dom believes the world can be a “Do-ocracy”, and that means picking one thing to do now, and seeing how it goes.   Connect with Dom on Twitter or LinkedIn You can find the full interview here: Atlassian’s Dom Price wants you to up your communication by designing a “working agreement” *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2022** For productivity geeks like us, the professional writer can become a bit of a mystic figure. When we fantasise about finally perfecting our morning routines, finally clearing out enough time for a fruitful Deep Work session, setting up the ideal workstation - we’re often thinking about a writer. There’s something idyllic about the idea of being a writer: it’s just you, your thoughts, and the blank page. It’s the platonic ideal of knowledge work! But… it’s not that simple. Take Brian Koppelman, for example. Inarguably one of the most prolific and successful screenwriters working today, you’d think Brian spends most of his life holed up in a cabin in the woods, clacking away on a typewriter, free from any and all distractions. But Brian lives in New York City, the busiest, most distracting place on the planet. Oh, and he’s not just a screenwriter. He’s also a director, producer, and showrunner. Brian’s “average” day looks a lot less like that of a reclusive artist, and much more like that of a busy CEO. So, how does he still manage to produce so much incredible work? Brian shares how meditation, morning pages and music help him focus, and recalls the most powerful lessons he learned on the set of his very first film. Connect with Brian on Twitter *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram   If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au    CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much is a million-dollar investment worth?  If that feels like a trick question, maybe you haven’t come across ‘bad money’ the way Dr Catriona Wallace has. When she was the CEO of Flamingo AI, Catriona received a million-dollar investment offer, but there was a catch: the investors would only hand over the cash if Cat promised to stop wearing a nose ring in public.  She said no.  Why? Why would you turn down so much money for something seemingly so small? Well, in Cat’s eyes, the money from people so concerned with her physical appearance might not be the kind of money she’s after… Connect with Catriona on Twitter or LinkedIn You can find the full interview here: Dr Catriona Wallace’s million-dollar nose ring and what it taught her about running a business *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2022** David Siegel’s in his third CEO role, and if all his years of experience as a leader have taught him anything, it’s that most people take too long to make a decision. The clearest example: company strategy. When David joined Meetup, he drafted the new company strategy as quickly as possible. At first, that sounds like a pretty irresponsible treatment of such a huge part of the business… but David’s underlying reasoning reveals why we should all speed up a little bit! David teaches you to make better, faster decisions, and to uncover the blind spots in your own decision-making process. Connect with David on Twitter or LinkedIn, and grab a copy of Decide & Conquer *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram   If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A good presentation can almost feel like alchemy; it requires deep and fascinating subject matter, delivered with confidence and style, and it needs to impart some kind of message. That’s a lot of boxes to check! But therein lies the key: parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson sees just how much audiences need to get out of a keynote, so he puts just as much in.  Justin breaks down how evidence, stories and messages work together to create impactful presentations.  Connect with Justin at the Happy Families website or listen to his podcast You can find the full interview here: Make mornings magic with parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2022** There’s a moment in the 2013 comedy movie We’re the Millers that points to how pervasive - and misguided - the “no regrets” life motto has become. A character proudly displays a tattoo that reads, “no rAgrets”, and even more proudly proclaims that he really doesn’t have any regrets. Not even one letter.  Bestselling author Dan Pink highlights this scene as a great metaphor for society’s almost comical underappreciation of regret. Dan is an advocate for the transformative power of looking back on your past actions, processes and routines in order to learn from them, and do better next time.  He discusses what’s changed about his working habits since his last appearance on the show, why he was drawn to the concept of regret in the first place, and how compassion changed his whole approach to learning from past mistakes.    Connect with Dan on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn Pick up a copy of The Power of Regret *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How would you feel if we were in the middle of a conversation and I suddenly started talking to someone else from across the room?  Well, that’s exactly what we’re doing whenever we let our phones or laptops drag us down the multi-tasking rabbit hole.  Leadership experts Frances Frei and Anne Morriss are hyper-vigilant of their device usage. This makes sense for two people who are devoted to productivity, but that’s not the end of the story. Frances and Anne are also devoted to connections. They write constantly about the importance of trust and empathy, and neither of those things can flourish if we (or the people we’re talking to) are distracted.  Frances and Anne share how they manage their technology for both productivity and empathy, and how they work around the day-to-day logistics of not being connected all the time.  Connect with Frances and Anne on LinkedIn You can find the full interview here: Trust, leadership and taking a break from technology with Frances Frei and Anne Morriss *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2022** If your job title is “Executive Productivity Advisor for Google,” you probably need a pretty refined definition of productivity, right? And Laura Mae Martin certainly does. But she says it’s equally important that every individual has their own, unique definition of productivity. It’s all too easy to fall into “busy language”, she says. Back-to-back meetings and a three-page to-do-list might make you feel productive, but if you’re not making time for your most important work (and for rest), you might just be running in circles. So how do we see through the guise of busy-ness and get the real work done? For Laura, and the suite of Google execs she coaches, everything starts with the calendar. Whether you’re in too many meetings or spending too much time in your inbox, poor calendar hygiene is probably the root cause. Laura teaches you how to implement “zero-based calendaring”, calendaring for focus, calendaring for connection, and much more. Connect with Laura on her YouTube channel or at the Google Keywords blog *** Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram   If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whatever happened to that huge, game-changing project you started working on last year? Or the idea you had a couple of months ago?  If you’ve got an ever-lengthening list of unfinished and abandoned pursuits, it’s probably because you’re not prioritising the correct ‘time horizons’, as Atlassian’s Dom Price calls them. The first horizon is the short-term: answering emails, making sales calls, delivering final products - anything that gives you a sense of immediate gratification.  And while wins in this first horizon are crucial, they’re also a bit of a trap. After all, when immediate gratification’s available, it’s hard to resist. But if anything truly special’s going to happen, it’s going to take the disciplined pursuit of longer-term goals.  Dom also highlights why simply setting long-term goals isn’t enough, and details his system for nurturing these seeds over multiple months, or even years.  Connect with Dom on Twitter or LinkedIn You can find the full interview here: Atlassian’s Dom Price wants you to up your communication by designing a “working agreement” *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melissa Doyle is a picture of professionalism. She’s adamant that even when she had young children, and felt like she hadn’t slept for weeks on end, she never had good cause to complain about her 4am call times as a news presenter. After all, she’d dreamed of being on the news since she was a little girl, and now it was a reality. Plus, she was working with a fiercely focused purpose. Melissa shares how this purpose-drive philosophy helped her through tougher moments in her presenting career, like her award-winning reporting on the Lindt cafe siege. And she highlights some of the astounding stories of courage and resilience that make up her latest book, 15 Seconds of Brave. Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn or Twitter *** My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.   Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin Twitter Instagram    If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au   CREDITS Produced by Inventium Host: Amantha Imber Production Support from Deadset Studios Episode Producer: Liam Riordan Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture this: you’ve just finished an incredibly important presentation. It was dense with crucial information… And you absolutely nailed it. At the end, one of your colleagues wants to give you some feedback. You thrive on constructive criticism, and welcome the chance to learn. But all he says is: your outfit is too distracting. Your dress is so sparkly it made it difficult to concentrate. How do you react? Most of us would blow a gasket - to hear something so overtly sexist and inappropriate would send almost anyone into a fit of rage, or even despair.But not Dr Catriona Wallace. When this happened to her (yes, this actually happened!), she’d spent enough time navigating male-dominated businesses and boardrooms to know that outrage wasn’t the answer. It might’ve been reasonable, but it wouldn’t have been productive. Instead, Cat chose empathy. She put herself in that colleague’s shoes, and understood that even though what he’d said was absurd, he clearly didn’t mean to insult her. By meeting him where he was instead of where she wanted him to be, she was able to help him understand the contents of her presentation without diminishing herself, or descending into an all-out shouting match. Cat shares how this moment, and others just like it, turned her into the empathetic leader she is today.Connect with Catriona on Twitter or LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Dr Catriona Wallace’s million-dollar nose ring and what it taught her about running a business***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does success really mean? And more importantly, what does it mean to you? These are big questions, questions that author and executive coach Nigel Marsh says we can’t ignore. In fact, he believes that we can’t reliably achieve anything meaningful if we don’t first answer these questions. Nigel’s mantra is “clarity, alignment, momentum”, and he seeks each in that order. Without clarity and alignment, he says, momentum isn’t just useless - it can actually be destructive. After all, being ever more efficient, if you haven't worked out what you want to be and how you want to live, might just lead you to do even more of the wrong thing, even more efficiently.Nigel shares how he and his coaching clients seek clarity, as well as the lessons he’s learned since writing his first book more than two decades ago. Connect with Nigel at his website and pick up a copy of Smart, Stupid and Sixty***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to productivity, you are your own worst enemy. Nobody knows how to trick you into procrastinating or cutting corners quite like you do. You know all of your own strengths, weaknesses and thought patterns. But if you know yourself better than anyone else does, that also means you are your own best resource for productivity tools, hacks, tips and tactics. Writer Eric Barker knows how important specificity is, especially when it comes to productivity. So while he loves poring over productivity books, courses, videos and articles, he knows that ultimately, it’s all down to him. Enter the “Book of Me.” Eric wants you to write your own productivity “bible”, specific to your needs and habits. If you know you don’t work well when you’re hungry, put it in the book. If you know you’re easily distracted by your phone, put it in the book. Eric details exactly how he approaches his own “Book of Me”, and how you can write your own. Connect with Eric on Twitter or LinkedInPick up a copy of Plays Well With OthersYou can find the full interview here: Eric Barker on his Five-Hour Rule and deliberate work-life imbalance***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not long ago, Australian theatre star Elise McCann was struggling. Like everyone else in the entertainment industry, her work ground to a screeching halt early in the pandemic, and she turned to mindfulness and meditation for help. But unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy. Elise’s good friend and fellow actor Lucy Durack was struggling, too. In fact, she felt like she couldn’t even get meditation right: she was listening to guided meditations while changing her baby’s nappies in an effort to fit the practice into her day-to-day. Disenfranchised, the pair relied on one another for pep talks during lockdowns, and realised: they couldn’t be the only ones feeling like meditation wasn’t meant for them. So, they decided to share their pep talks with the world, and Hey Lemonade was born. But in order to take their new well-being app to market, they needed help - and how do two seasoned actors prepare for a meeting with one of Australia’s biggest names in business? By writing a script, naturally!Elise shares how she scripted her entire pitch meeting for Hey Lemonade, and breaks down the time management system that allows her to perform, produce and run a company all at once. Connect with Elise on LinkedIn, Instagram or on the Hey Lemonade website ***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Wiseman’s love of magic has improved his work as a psychologist in some unexpected ways. Of course, it’s helpful when he’s conducting experiments or research into the psychology of magic and illusions; but the lessons magic teaches about performance and holding an audience’s attention have been just as valuable. For one thing, Richard never gives away “the answer” too early. If you open your presentation with your findings or big ideas, you have nowhere else to go. Richard instead teases the answer, builds suspense, and constructs a story around it - so his audience has to lean in and pay close attention to make sure they don’t miss anything. Richard also shares a simple mental re-frame for when he’s feeling uninspired or unexcited at the prospect of yet another presentation…Connect with Richard on Twitter and at his websiteYou can find the full interview here: “Quirkology” Professor Richard Wiseman on using magic to up your public speaking game***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creation of any kind is so complex - even when we do it ourselves, we sometimes wonder how it even happened. So if creation is so tricky, where do we even start with re-creation? For comedy legend Wil Anderson, the re-creation process is almost the more important one. After all, he only needs to write a show from scratch once, but he needs to recreate that show every single time he steps onto stage. Wil shares how his processes have evolved since his career began 25 years ago, and breaks down why it’s so critical to be able to perform at your best, even when you’re not feeling your best.Connect with Wil on Instagram or listen to his podcasts here***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the difference between goals and dreams? For O2E Brands founder and CEO Brian Scudamore, there isn’t one. After entering the hyper-competitive world of entrepreneurship, Brian was disillusioned - he couldn’t help but compare himself to his new peers, who had bigger, more successful businesses. Struggling to stay motivated or excited about the future, Brian turned to his imagination.Debating whether or not to just pack it in and give up, Brian started painting a picture - he wrote feverishly, detailing everything he could possibly hope for his companies (and his life) to become… And the possibilities excited him. They also scared him a little… But according to Brian, that’s how you know you’re on the right track. Connect with Brian on Twitter and LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Anything you can imagine: how O2E Brands CEO Brian Scudamore turns visions into reality***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your life too complicated? Sure, work’s always a bit hectic and keeping family life running smoothly is as challenging as ever - but have you noticed that even the ‘good’ stuff can get a bit overwhelming sometimes? Was picking a movie to watch after work on a Friday night always this difficult? Was your closet always so stuffed with items you can’t even remember buying? This is part of what Leo Babauta calls the cycle of expanding and narrowing our focus. When we develop new interests or hobbies, or start a new job, we tend to expand - but if we don’t then narrow things down, by removing clutter or saying ‘no’ more often, life can become a bit too unwieldy. Leo shares how he thinks about narrowing and expanding in his own life, and breaks down his journaling rituals and the writing techniques he’s borrowed from software developers.Connect with Leo on Twitter or at the Zen Habits website***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to improve the quality of your thinking? Well, then you need to improve the quality of your writing…Need proof? Look no further than Frances Frei, an author, TED speaker and Professor of Technology and Informations Management at Harvard Business School. Clearly an excellent thinker - but it doesn’t happen by accident. Frances believes writing is the key to unlocking and improving our thinking, and she takes it seriously. She writes draft after draft after draft, continuously shedding flabby thinking until her presentations are lean, mean thought machines.And she didn’t get here alone: all those drafts, and especially the ones written well after Frances thinks she’s done, are mandated by her wife and fellow leadership expert, Anne Morriss. Frances credits much of her success to Anne’s attention to detail and dogged persistence - not just as a co-writer, but as an in-house mentor. Frances and Anne share the most valuable career advice they’ve ever received, including the advice they’ve received from one another.  Connect with Frances and Anne on LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Trust, leadership and taking a break from technology with Frances Frei and Anne Morriss***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Wilson’s work gives new meaning to the word ‘holistic’. She’s widely known for founding the I Quit Sugar movement, but is also an author, podcaster, keynote speaker, philanthropist and climate change advisor. And somehow - every job’s connected. One of the threads linking everything Sarah does is anxiety. Whether it’s nixing sugar from her diet to promote better mental health, or advocating for more walking, Sarah’s constantly exploring methods for living (and thriving) with anxiety. She shares how the right philosophy turns anxiety into a superpower, and her go-to, day-to-day hacks and habits for managing her mental health. Sarah also explains why making the new way ‘more charming’ is the key to affecting real change.Connect with Sarah on Twitter or LinkedIn ***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you need to reset? Whether you’re starting at a new company, starting a new position, or just starting a new season in your work-life, an effective reset is the key to hitting the ground running at a new, more efficient pace. For the execs at Google, this is absolutely critical - that’s why they listen to Laura Mae Martin, Google’s Executive Productivity Advisor. Step one: don’t just do what you did last time!When it’s time to reset her calendar, Laura employs a “zero-based” approach, one that’s common in budgeting, but should be more common in calendaring. Instead of just repeating what she did last year, last season or last week, Laura starts from scratch - from zero - and assesses each new opportunity, task and meeting with fresh eyes. Instead of saying, “this is how we’ve done it”, Laura wants you to ask, “is this what I need to do this time?”Connect with Laura on YouTube or the Google Keyword blogYou can find the full interview here: Productivity expert Laura Mae Martin helps you “spring clean” your work habits before returning to the office***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve got big ideas… Big dreams for your company… Maybe even for the world! But how do you keep those big dreams and ideas alive on a day-to-day basis? Daniel Flynn knows a thing or two about keeping big ideas alive. He founded thankyou with hopes of ending poverty, and they’re still making moves on this front, more than a decade on. And Daniel says the key is to make time and space for big-picture thinking, even when it feels like your workload wants you to do otherwise. Daniel sets aside one day a week for what he calls “blue-sky thinking”, and he protects it like nothing else. No emails, no texts, no slack messages; nothing but his imagination. He also shares what he’s learned from his most influential mentors over the years, and how thankyou adapted its famously social work culture after the company went fully remote. Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn or the thankyou website***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do your Mondays look like? Or more importantly, what do they feel like? You might be demolishing your to-do list and running meeting after meeting, but do you feel energised? Do you feel enthusiastic about what you’re doing? If you don’t, it probably doesn’t matter how many items get ticked off your list, because you’re going to run out of steam before you get the meaningful work done. So, what’s the solution? Anthony Zaccaria’s Mondays are sacred - he’s wary of “busy work”, and sets aside Monday mornings for deep work, knowing that it could well be his only opportunity before the week kicks into high gear for everyone else. And when it comes time to focus, Anthony’s simple rituals ensure he can drop into a flow state at a moment’s notice. Connect with Anthony on Twitter or LinktreeYou can find the full interview here: Linktree co-founder Anthony Zaccaria on unicorn status, managing growth and conscious parenting***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You think you’ve got a procrastination problem? TIm Urban, the man behind the sensationally popular blog Wait But Why reckons he might have you covered. He’s so well-acquainted with procrastination, in fact, that he gave a TED talk on the topic… And finalised it at the last minute. However, for a self-proclaimed master procrastinator, Tim sure gets a lot done. And thankfully, among the many, many articles he’s written are some antidotes for the serial procrastinator. Tim shares his process for researching and understanding big, complex ideas, and turning them into digestible, entertaining reading.Connect with Tim on Twitter or his website, Wait But Why***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have that ONE friend - that friend who somehow manages to get into the gym every morning, crush her workday, hang out with her family, and read the kinds of books you’ve had on your “to-read” list for years. All without breaking a sweat. How do they do it? Well, that’s exactly the question author, economist and Wharton professor Katy Milkman wants you to ask. Research shows that when we tackle the same projects or goals alongside a friend or colleague, we’re more likely to succeed. And if you’re working towards the same thing, it probably pays to share what’s working with one another, right? Katy believes in the “copy and paste” method not just because of research, but also because she does it herself, and the results speak for themselves. After all, when you regularly work with Grit author Angela Duckworth, there’s plenty of great ideas to copy and paste!Connect with Katy on Twitter or LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Fresh starts, commitment devices and collaboration - changing for the better with Katy Milkman***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine trying to hold the attention of a child for a full, uninterrupted hour. Now imagine trying to hold the attention of a whole theatre full of them!If it seems impossible, comedy duo Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly (AKA The Listies) have proven the opposite. And they’ve managed to do it while keeping adults equally entertained. Rich and Matt share their process for bringing a full show to life, from inception to performance, as well as their philosophy for making art for kids.They also recount the most valuable lessons they learned in their previous gigs in surrealist theatre, and give their top tips for maintaining a healthy and productive partnership as co-creators, co-performers, and co-owners of a business. Connect with The Listies at their website or on YouTube***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you talk about big issues, on the internet, without getting cancelled? In our modern information age, most of our most heated and important debates happen online, whether it’s through blogs, comment sections, YouTube videos or podcasts. While this unprecedented level of access to almost anyone’s opinions might’ve sounded like a dream to the tech-heads of yesteryear… Well, you probably know it’s not quite the dream we thought it might be. Sadly, all that access has a downside. Whether it’s plain old trolls or well-meaning critics, you’re going to have a lot of digital watchdogs once you start publishing your ideas online. And Mamamia Out Loud co-hosts Mia Freedman, Holly Wainwright and Jessie Stephens are no strangers to this kind of scrutiny. So what have they done to avoid being cancelled in the era of the “cancel culture”?  Mia shares her nuclear approach, while Holly and Jessie give tips for anyone who can’t quite step away from the noise.Connect with Mia, Holly and Jessie on InstagramYou can find the full interview here: Mamamia Out Loud co-hosts Mia, Holly and Jessie on prep routines, reading lists and respectful disagreement***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people who can hire EA’s or personal assistants struggle with the decision - especially if you’ve never had one before, it can feel like a luxury more than a necessity. That is, until you take the plunge, and see how much more you can get done with the right assistant on your team!But what if you’re not in a position to hire someone? Well, it turns out you don’t have to miss out on the productivity boost - you just need to learn the lesser-known features of your digital calendar, and make the tool work for you, rather than against you. Thankfully, Patrick Lightbody knows a thing or two about calendars. After running not one but two startups, Patrick developed a calendaring system to make sure nothing fell through the cracks - and he was especially committed to carving out more time for his health, his wellbeing, and his family. And now he’s sharing his system with you, through Reclaim, software that turns your calendar into a virtual assistant. Patrick shares how you can use Reclaim to up your calendar game, and he shares which existing Google Calendar features can help you get started. Connect with Patrick in the support chat at Reclaim.ai***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much deep work do you get done on the average work day? And I mean DEEP work - completely focused, distraction-free work… An hour? Two?Author Eric Barker does five. Yep, five - every single day. But how does he know for sure? Eric uses a simple countdown timer every day to track his most important work: the kind of work that doesn’t allow for a quick email check or a scroll through Instagram.When he gets up to go to the bathroom, he pauses the timer. When he needs to check email, he pauses the timer. And when he just needs a break, he pauses the timer.It might sound a bit pedantic at first, but Eric knows all too well just how easily we can trick ourselves out of hard work, and he doesn’t want to take any chances. And while it might sound intense, it’s not just a productivity tip: it’s also a means of preventing burnout. When the timer hits zero, Eric knows he’s done five good hours of focused work, and knows it’s time to relax and unwind.Connect with Eric on Twitter or LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Eric Barker on his Five-Hour Rule and deliberate work-life imbalance***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stability might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the priorities of a working actor. But for Ada Nicodemou, she’s sought out and found exactly that in Home & Away. As a mother, the stereotypically chaotic and categorically unstable life of an actor has never been the right fit for Ada. Thankfully, though, her now two-decade tenure on Home & Away has provided her with a sense of security and routine almost impossible to find elsewhere in the industry.So what does that routine actually consist of? How does an actor prepare when she sometimes has to shoot sixteen scenes in one day? How does she make time to look after herself, to exercise and to eat well? And how does the school pick-up work when you’ve just cried your eyes out in front of all your colleagues for the fifth time in as many days? Connect with Ada on Instagram***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve heard it a million times by now: you need to start meditating. Maybe you’ve tried, like I have, but it just won’t stick. Maybe you can’t sit still for longer than five minutes, or maybe the whole thing feels a bit too woo-woo. If the latter is true, “Morning Pages” might sound like more of the same. But listening to Brian Koppelman break down his morning rituals, “woo-woo” definitely doesn’t come to mind. After beginning his career in the music industry before becoming an enormously successful screenwriter, director, producer and now show-runner, Brian’s nailed the delicate art of balancing hard-nosed professionalism and open-minded artistic creation. How? Well, like anything, it starts with his mornings. Brian’s an absolute devotee of Julia Cameron’s “Morning Pages,” which he believes clears the “detritus” of the mind that can hold an artist back. And I say he’s a devotee, because he follows Cameron’s rules to the T. Except for one thing: meditation comes first. Connect with Brian on TwitterYou can find the full interview here: Learning on the job - how Brian Koppelman turned his first movie into a DIY film school***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture this: you’ve been invited to pop icon Bjork’s Big Day Out afterparty. You rock up to her trailer and dance music’s pumping. You step inside and everyone’s having a grand old time, including Bjork herself, who’s posted up behind a set of turntables, grooving to the music. You figure you should congratulate her on a great set, but when you get closer, you notice… She’s got black gaff tape across her mouth?It’s a bit weird, sure, but according to one of Australia’s most successful music exports, Eddie Perfect, it’s also genius. When Eddie heard this story from his manager, he knew Bjork was onto something. The discipline required to properly care for and rest your voice is what separates the amateurs from the professionals in the world of performance, and Eddie’s a more seasoned professional than almost anyone else. He shares the industry’s most effective tips for caring for the instrument inside you, including a surprisingly simple trick for recovering quickly after you’ve completely lost your voice. Eddie also details the chaotic but incredibly efficient “29-Hour Read” process responsible for many of Broadway’s most beloved shows, as well as his own process for placing and writing songs for the stage. Connect with Eddie on Instagram or find his performer page on the 9 to 5 The Musical website***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the first question you ask yourself or your team when you need to make a big decision? Do you double-check your processes, weigh out the pros and cons? Meetup CEO David Siegel wants you to ask one question before any others when it comes to important decisions: ask yourself, ‘is this a trapdoor decision?’Trapdoor decisions are irreversible - once you’ve made the call, it can’t be unmade. Scary stuff! But David believes trapdoor decisions are far, far less common than most of us realise. He also believes most of us vastly overestimate how irreversible certain decisions are, while massively underestimating how reversible they actually are. Usually, he says, anything can be pivoted, altered, undone or redone… It might just require a bit of time. So how does David then make those decisions? Well, first - he delegates. David explains how getting your hiring process right will end up eliminating 98% of your decision-making down the line. Connect with David on Twitter or LinkedIn, or grab a copy of Decide & ConquerYou can find the full interview here: Meetup CEO David Siegel teaches you to make better, faster, more purposeful decisions***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know what it’s like when you move house – you’re tripping over boxes for weeks, eating takeout on the floor while you wait for that new dining table to arrive, and lamenting that the rest of the world – including work – doesn’t take a pause while you get your life in order. We’ve all been there, but have you ever used that moment of chaos as the trigger to start writing a book?It sounds insane – and as someone who’s been working on a new book for some time now, I feel certified to call it that – but for economist and Wharton professor Katy Milkman, it made perfect sense.Katy’s learned to take advantage of “fresh starts,” which can be anything from New Year’s Day to a relocation – or even just any old Monday.She breaks down the most effective ways to change your behaviour for the better, whether that’s to break bad habits or form new ones. And it’s all backed by science.Connect with Katy on Twitter or Linkedin CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You value your time pretty highly, right? That’s part of why you listen to How I Work - you’re trying to get the most out of what precious time you have, whether it’s a matter of getting more done when you’re in the office, or freeing yourself from distraction when you’re with your family. So you’d hope others value your time just as much - and therefore, you need to show others how much you value their time, especially if you’re hoping to use some of it. This is the underlying principle in all of Janice Lintz’s cold reachouts: whether she’s writing a letter to the queen or trying to sort out her phone bill, Janice knows people want to protect their time. Janice Lintz is a hearing loss consultant and accessibility advocate, so when she wants to speak with someone, it’s pretty damn important. But she recognises that if she’s going to ask for someone else’s time, she needs to demonstrate that it’s worth her time, too. Enter the rule of fours. When the late, legendary activist Vernon Jordan finally answered Janice’s phone call on the fourth attempt, he told her he only answered because she called so many times!Janice shares why this rule of four is so powerful, and explains how to apply the methodology to other parts of your work. Connect with Janice on Twitter or LinkedIn You can find the full interview here: Janice Lintz teaches you how to be heard by people who don’t want to listen***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exercising every single day sounds like playing the game of fitness on the hardest mode, doesn’t it? It sounds like the kind of regime only the ultra-disciplined, shredded-to-the-teeth among us can ever truly achieve. But… what if it was actually the easier option? Sam Wood, founder of Australia’s number-one home fitness program, 28, exercises every day. But it’s not because he’s some kind of workout robot - it’s because it’s the simple approach: it’s the decision that eliminates a thousand decisions. If your routine is to move every day, there’s no room for the endless internal battles that come up when you’re free to shuffle your rest days around. As a business owner, podcast host, husband, and father to young kids, Sam knows all to well just how hard it can be to fit exercise into a busy schedule, but he also knows a healthy body is key to a healthy mind, a healthy soul, and a healthy level of productivity!Connect with Sam on Instagram or at the 28 by Sam Wood website***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you’re pitching to your close-knit project team over Zoom, presenting as a keynote speaker to a packed conference hall, or writing an entire book, great stories are at the heart of any effective communication. And no modern non-fiction author spins a better yarn than Dan Pink, the man behind bestsellers like When: The Scientific Secrets of Timing and more recently, The Power of Regret. The psychology of regret and its many incarnations might sound like dense reading, but Dan proves it doesn’t have to be. Some of the first-person case studies in The Power of Regret are as affecting and thought-provoking as any great fiction tale, which makes the underlying science much, much easier to remember and understand. And therein lies one of the keys to Dan’s fantastic storytelling: sometimes, you’re not the one who should be telling the story! In preparation for his latest book, Dan ran a number of huge surveys and interviewed countless people to better understand the impact certain moments had on their lives. This made it far easier for Dan to test the strength of the stories he wanted to include in his book - if he found his interviewees fascinating, he figured his readers would too. Dan also shares his biggest grievance with the non-fiction market, and how he avoids it in his own work. Connect with Dan on Twitter or at his websiteYou can find the full interview here: Dan Pink on how the “no regrets” life philosophy misses the point***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you actually want from life? It seems like a pretty simple question, but if it’s not properly understood, it could lead you and your family down a very complicated path. When parenting expert Justin Coulson asks this question of clients, readers and audiences, he’s always met with the same response. First, he gets blank faces - most of the time, we’re too busy trying to keep the household afloat to sit and ponder our ideals. But when Justin frames the question around parenting specifically, he’s usually met with the same answer: everyone wants their kids to fulfil their potential. Sounds nice, right? Sure, but… Have YOU reached your potential? Justin’s follow-up question is one of many ways he encourages us to think more deeply about what it means to be a parent, a professional, and a person. He knows the value of this kind of thinking because it was a key part of his decision to leave behind a successful career in radio to pursue higher education and an entirely new field. Justin shares how he applies his expertise to all different formats, including the new season of his successful Channel 9 show, Parental Guidance. Connect with Justin on the Happy Families website or listen to his and his wife’s parenting podcast ***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all want to be successful, and as a How I Work listener, you’re actively looking for tools, tips and tricks that’ll get you there. You’re seeking out the best modern minds and trying to understand what’s made them successful. Good on you! But before you celebrate, you might need to consider the complete opposite approach…Darius Foroux writes books, articles and blog posts for people who want to keep growing wiser and wealthier - so he’s spent a lot of time thinking, reading and writing about the art of investing. The most powerful tool he’s come across in his years of research - sourced from the investing giants Charlie Munger and Warren Buffet - is a very simple thought experiment: invert the question. “How do I become successful?” is a well-intentioned question, but it welcomes far too many possible answers. Instead, Darius finds clarity by asking what would make him unsuccessful…Connect with Darius on Twitter or at his websiteYou can find the full interview here: Darius Foroux on writing, investing and living like a Stoic***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you were anything like me as a kid, you had your fair share of idols, and the majority of them spoke to you through the covers of magazines. If you were a little girl, most of those idols were probably fashion models. Beautiful, immaculately dressed and impossibly cool, we’ve all wished at one point or another that we could be just like those models.Lise Carlaw and Sarah Wills, otherwise known as Those Two Girls, or the hosts of the Forty podcast, lived that dream. The only thing is… it wasn’t the dream they were sold. Selling your image means turning how you look into a commodity, and while it might be nice to pay the bills with some photos on a beach in Greece, it also makes it really, really hard not to value yourself solely on your appearance. The pursuit for a more holistic sense of identity kicked into overdrive for Lise and Sarah as they neared the big four-zero, and it spawned a media empire catering to women who wanted more from their fifth decade than to simply wind down and step out of the limelight. Lise and Sarah share the most transformative lessons they’ve learned through the podcast, and through writing their new book, Forty Favours the Brave.Connect with Lise on InstagramConnect with Sarah on InstagramGrab a copy of Forty Favours the Brave ***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the internet era, there’s an infinite number of opportunities, information, activities and events we could get involved with, which is great… But there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and when you say “yes” to anything, you’re also saying “no” to something else.So how do you decide what to say “no” to, and just as crucially, how do you say “no” when it’s really hard? Whether you’re a people-pleaser or you just want to do a bit of everything, turning down an opportunity - even when you know you should - can be really tough.Bestselling author, psychologist and Wharton professor Katy Milkman struggles saying “no” herself, but she doesn’t have to go it alone - she’s gathered a group of trusted peers who know what she wants from her life and her career, and they’re always on hand to offer Katy advice when she’s not sure if she should say yes or no.Connect with Katy on Twitter or LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Fresh starts, commitment devices and collaboration - changing for the better with Katy Milkman***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three men walk into a bar, and see a huge gap in the market - while wine, whiskey and beer were all receiving the craft treatment, gin was largely being ignored. And even better, these three men lived in Australia, and knew the land down under was the perfect place to create not just great gin, but the world’s best gin. Matt Jones, one of the three co-founders of Four Pillars Gin, is also the Brand Director, and brought to the new company decades of experience in marketing and branding. Matt shares his obsessions with aesthetics and storytelling, and his goal to approach branding with the same level of meticulous craftsmanship as the distillers who make the drink itself. Connect with Matt on Twitter or on the excellent Four Pillars website***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What makes a great question? Well, it depends on what you’re trying to figure out. Are you interviewing someone for a job, or on TV? Are you asking someone on a date? Are you trying to learn something? Whatever it is, you probably have an answer, a solution or a direction in mind when you ask a question. That’s great, but it’s not always the path to the best outcome. Zoe Chance, author of Influence is Your Superpower and a professor at the Yale School of Management, prefers to ask a question that allows for answers she never could’ve imagined…Zoe tells the story of the women from a small village near Zambia who eradicated sexual slavery in their community by… building an electric fence around their corn crop? Well, if that’s what it takes…Connect with Zoe on Twitter or LinkedInYou can find the full episode here: Persuasion, not manipulation: Zoe Chance on how to influence for good***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to make someone give up on their dream? Which straw breaks the camel’s back? For Hugh Van Cuylenburg, a simple but critical mistake in his calendar almost spelt the end of The Resilience Project before it’d truly begun. But it didn’t. Why not? Where did Hugh find the strength to keep pursuing his goals, even after messing up the best opportunity he’d ever had? Hugh’s a master storyteller, with no shortage of material. He shares which moments in his life turned out to be make-or-break, and what he learned from each one. He also teaches you how to quickly build rapport with new people, and how to improve your business by stepping out of its centre.  Connect with Hugh on The Resilience Project’s website or listen to The Imperfects podcast***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where do you go when you need career guidance? Maybe the right book or video or article can help, but what about when your questions are more specific? What about when you’re in a truly unique situation, and you just can’t figure out the next step - the right direction for you?Well, maybe it’s time to find a mentor! But before you go cold-emailing all the top thinkers in your industry, you might need to check some of your assumptions about mentorship… Enter Dr. Ruth Gotian, leadership expert, author, educator and mentoring master. Ruth is well-versed in the cold reachout, but she doesn’t approach it exactly how you might expect: for one thing, she never asks for anything in the beginning, and she’s careful not to call anyone her mentor - at least, not to their face. But why? And if she’s not asking for anything, what’s she actually saying in those outreach messages? Ruth teaches you all the ins and outs of seeking and securing your perfect mentor. Connect with Ruth on Twitter or LinkedInYou can find the full episode here: Ruth Gotian on studying the habits and mindsets of the world’s most successful people ***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you heard praise showered on the concept of being a “lifelong learner”? You might’ve missed it in school, but our kids’ generation are reminded everyday that learning should continue far beyond the classroom. And if you didn’t hear it in school or in parent-teacher conferences, you’ve surely heard it at work by now. But what does it actually mean, and how do you become a lifelong learner yourself? Enter Dom Price, Atlassian’s Work Futurist and a celebrated keynote speaker. Given his title, it makes sense that Dom spends a lot of time thinking about the future of work, but he’s certainly not keeping it to himself! Dom discusses how the future of work might look, but cruciually, he’s just as passionate about sparking broader conversations on the future, so that we can all design it together. He covers everything from updating our methods of communication, to designing a working world that can truly support its workers’ physical and mental health.  Connect with Dom on Twitter or Linkedin***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trying to call Jordan Calhoun, Editor in Chief at Lifehacker, isn’t easy. Trust me - I’ve tried!Jordan simply doesn’t take chances when it comes to his attention and his productivity. While it might be slightly tedious to have to pre-organise every phone call ahead of time, it’s more than worth it when it means your attention is entirely under your control. Jordan shares his step-by-step process for ensuring his phone and computer only command his attention when he wants them to, and breaks down his more intense, “nuclear” option for those who really want to drill down on their device usage. Connect with Jordan on Twitter or InstagramYou can find the full interview here: Weaponising accountability with Lifehacker editor-in-chief Jordan Calhoun***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you say no to a million dollars? Imagine if your business was minutes away from securing a huge investment boost, only for the founder to turn it down. What could possibly make her say no to such a big payday? A nose ring. Dr Catriona Wallace founded Flamingo AI, which became only the second women-led company to list on the ASX, and she takes money seriously. She explains how some investors inject “bad money” into your business, and teases out the most important lessons she’s learned about leadership across the course of her career. She also details the differences between running a public and a private company, and shares her excitement over the future of healing and wellness practices across the world. Connect with Catriona on Twitter and Linkedin***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you get right down to it, being a leader is ultimately all about being a decision-maker. Everything from hiring a team to devising a business strategy is built on your ability to make all kinds of decisions. So if you’re a leader, and you want to be a better one, you need to learn how to make better decisions.  For Phil Libin, cofounder of Evernote and mmhmm, this process began with introspection - in particular, Phil wanted to understand what a “difficult” decision actually is, and in the process, realised that more often than not, we think a decision is difficult, when it’s actually just uncomfortable.  He was surprised to find that 90% of the time, he knows what the right answer is, but what’s holding him back is that enacting that decision feels uncomfortable. So, how do you know whether a decision is truly difficult or not, and how do you make the right decision, even when it’s uncomfortable?  Connect with Phil on Twitter or Linkedin You can find the full interview here: Evernote co-founder Phil Libin on the key to making better decisions at work ***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a frequent How I Work listener, you’ve probably noticed how frequently I’ve been asking guests for specific advice on tackling big projects, developing focus, and writing. And it’s because writing a book, no matter how many times you do it, is really difficult! But thanks to this show, I have first-hand access to some of the sharpest minds of our day, and I want to share that access with you. I talk to Charlotte Rush, Inventium’s Head of New Product Development, about the process of writing Time Wise, and which tips and tricks from this podcast helped me out along the way.***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Collaboration can be a pretty volatile part of work… working alongside great people can make even the most mind-numbingly boring tasks feel like pure play - but when you don’t gel with a particular team, even a passion project can become a drag. So how do you make sure you’re collaborating with the right people? And collaborating the right way? Author and coaching expert Michael Bungay Stanier wants you to have these conversations before you even start working with a new collaborator. Before any project begins, he recommends co-writing an ‘operating manual’, a set of processes and guidelines for collaborating. He shares the most effective questions to ask when you’re thinking of working with someone, and breaks down the reasons every team needs to have discussions like these. Connect with Michael on Twitter or at his websiteYou can find the full interview here: Michael Bungay Stanier teaches you how to beginVisit Inventium Labs to download your operating manual.***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you know anything about magic, you know a true magician never reveals his secrets. While psychologist and author Richard Wiseman might not share the secrets behind his favourite magic tricks, he’s more than happy to share how magic has made him a better thinker, a better psychologist, and a better public speaker. Richard also shares how focusing more intently on listening has led to some of his most successful outings as an author, and describes his unconventional - and frightening - method for pitching experiments. Richard’s also the creator of the beloved YouTube channel, Quirkology, where he demonstrates short experiments and explains unusual facets of psychology. He shares how the channel came about, and why he works across so many platforms. Connect with Richard on Twitter and at his website ***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you ever have a great study buddy? Someone in high school or university who made those long sessions on the books a little less punishing? What did that person actually do? Were they giving you tips? Or was it enough to just have them… there? I know I work with a whole lot more concentration and energy when my teammates are around. And Taylor Jacobson does too - he had such a great study buddy in college that he turned the experience into a company. Taylor explains how Focusmate works, and crucially, details the processes that go into turning a regular social interaction into an accountability tool. Connect with Taylor on Twitter or try Focusmate hereYou can find the full interview here: Focus! Why Taylor Jacobson founded Focusmate to force himself to concentrate***My new book Time Wise is out now. You can grab a copy here.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All entrepreneurs get things wrong; it comes with the territory. But great entrepreneurs love getting things wrong, because it means they’re learning. Brian Scudamore, Founder and CEO of O2E (which includes brands such as 1800-GOT-JUNK and Shack Shine), is no different, and as tough as the pandemic was, he still sees it as an invaluable learning opportunity. One of O2E’s iconic practices is its enormous, company-wide “huddle”, in which all employees gather in one giant room for seven minutes every morning to discuss the action plan for the day. Brian loved the huddles, loved seeing everyone together, in one place. So he was worried the company would love a vital bit of magic when they moved to remote work during COVID. But then, something brilliant happened - the huddles ended up being even better online. Suddenly, instead of everyone in the room looking at one person amidst a sea of backs, every single person could see every other person’s face on the Zoom screen. And Brian realised he’d been wrong - and he was pumped!Brian shares the other unexpected lessons and surprising wins encountered during the pandemic, as well as his process for turning visions into reality. Connect with Brian on Twitter and Linkedin***Get your hands on a copy of Time Wise.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think back to something… scary. Intimidating. Something you signed up for and thought was a great idea in the moment, but that grew more and more unnerving as it grew closer. Maybe it was an athletic endeavour, an overseas adventure, or a serious stretch goal at work. If you asked friends for advice as the big day crept ever closer, they probably asked you the classic question: “What’s the worst that could happen?” And for a second, you might’ve calmed down. You might’ve remembered the big event wasn’t going to kill you. But if that wasn’t the worst thing that could happen, what was? You could’ve been utterly humiliated. Maybe you could’ve lost a lot of money, or ruined your reputation? You could’ve been injured, or rejected, or… See? Now your mind is spiraling, overflowing with worst-case scenarios. Michelle Poler, who speaks on fear and the comfort zone, has heard that advice countless times, and she’s fed up. When you ask yourself for worst-case scenarios, surprise: you get them. She has a better question for you to ask when something’s scaring you, and I share it in this extract from my new book, Time Wise. Connect with Michelle on Instagram or on her websiteYou can find the full interview here: Michelle Poler on how she overcame 100 fears and the key question she asked to help conquer them***Order my new book Time Wise.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking on a long-term project can be incredibly daunting, and writing Time Wise was no different! Thankfully, I had Izzy Yates by my side every step of the way to make sure my book would not only cross the finish line, but do so in better shape than I could’ve ever expected. Izzy’s the Head of the Penguin Publishing Lab at Penguin Random House Australia & New Zealand, assessing and overseeing a tonne of books every year, including mine. She breaks down what makes a great book proposal stand out, and shares the process she has to go through to shepherd a project from that initial proposal all the way through to its arrival on the shelves. Connect with Izzy on Linkedin***Get your hands on a copy of Time Wise.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re anything like me, networking feels like a necessary evil at best, and an overwhelming nightmare more often than not! But it doesn’t have to be that way. In an extract from my new book, Time Wise, I share a simple trick I learned from Marissa King that’s helped me return to in-person events with a newfound confidence - even when I don’t know a single other person when I arrive. Marissa’s a Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Yale School of Management and has spent fifteen years researching social networks, but she’s the first to admit she doesn’t love networking herself - so her tips are not only expert advice: they’re field-tested! Connect with Marissa on TwitterYou can find the full interview here: Bigger is better, and other misconceptions about networks with Marissa King***Order my new book Time Wise.Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final installment of this listeners’ choice series, we go back to one of the toughest challenges facing knowledge workers today: saying no. In the internet era, there’s an infinite number of opportunities, information, activities and events we could get involved with, which is great… But there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and when you say “yes” to anything, you’re also saying “no” to something else. So how do you decide what to say “no” to, and just as crucially, how do you say “no” when it’s really hard? Whether you’re a people-pleaser or you just want to do a bit of everything, turning down an opportunity - even when you know you should - can be really tough. How I Work listener Bianca was struggling with exactly this problem until she listened to bestselling author, psychologist and Wharton professor Katy Milkman describe her approach to saying no. Katy doesn’t do it alone - she’s gathered a group of trusted peers who know what she wants from her life and her career, and they’re always on hand to offer Katy advice when she’s not sure if she should say yes or no.Connect with Katy on Twitter or LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Fresh starts, commitment devices and collaboration - changing for the better with Katy Milkman***Pre-order my new book Time Wise: www.amantha.comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m calling it: the to-do list is the most misunderstood concept in our working lives, and in productivity in general. Of course, they’re super important - in fact, they’re so central to our work today that even if you don’t physically or digitally write one down, you’ve still got some version of a to-do list knocking around your noggin.So what do we all get wrong about them? Well, most of us are pretty good at knowing what we need to do, but if that was the whole game, no one would need a show like How I Work, and I wouldn’t need to interview the world’s leading thinkers…How I Work listener Trudi unlocked the power of a good to-do list after listening to bestselling author and New Yorker contributor Cal Newport break down his daily and weekly planning process. Cal’s a verified productivity machine, so when he starts talking about how time boxing is at the core of his incredible performance, we’d all better listen up!Connect with Cal on his websiteYou can find the full interview here: Cal Newport on why you need to change your workflow, not your habits, when it comes to boosting productivity***Pre-order my new book Time Wise: www.amantha.comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“If you love your work, you’ll never work a day in your life.” A nice sentiment, but unfortunately, completely false. My source? Me! As someone who loves my work, I can tell you that I’m not skipping through the office with a cheesy grin on my face all day, every day. So how do you learn to enjoy more of what you do? Whether you’re in a job you love but you have to endure some pretty tedious admin, or you’re working in a place you don’t really gel with, there’s gotta be a way to lean in and learn to love it more, right? Right! How I Work listener Michael has seen immense improvement in his day-to-day mood thanks to the advice of athlete, engineer and author Turia Pitt, who knows a thing or two about making the best of a bad situation. After being caught in a grassfire during an ultra-marathon, Turia almost died, and spent a gruelling two years in recovery. But along the way, she learned the incredible power of a deceptively simple reframe in her thinking: instead of saying “I have to do this”, she started saying “I GET to do this.” Connect with Turia on LinkedIn or subscribe to her musings hereYou can find the full interview here: Turia Pitt’s Next tuesday rule, hacks for dramatically improving self-talk, and how to be useful when someone is going through a rough time***Pre-order my new book Time Wise: www.amantha.comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sending an email to a colleague? You’re telling them a story. Talking to your boss during your performance review? You’re crafting a narrative? Pitching to a prospective client? Yep, you’re spinning a yarn. Whenever you communicate with someone else, you’re telling a story. And given how often we need to communicate with others to do modern knowledge work, we’d all better learn how to be more engaging and effective storytellers. For How I Work listener Dee, there’s no better teacher for that than Dr Norman Swan, the celebrated journalist, author, and host of Coronacast.Find out why we all need to be better storytellers, and how we can get there.  Connect with Norman on Twitter or LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: More naps, less coffee: Norman Swan’s tips for the good life***Pre-order my new book Time Wise: www.amantha.comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building your own productivity practice can feel like a mammoth effort - so if you’re also trying to do it for your whole family, you need all the help you can get! Thankfully for How I Work listener Tracey, parenting expert Dr. Justin Coulson has just the trick, and it’s broken up into four rules to follow every single day. =Whether you’re working on making sure you and your little ones are getting the right nutrition in before the day kicks off, or you’re just trying to get everyone out of bed on time, Justin’s “Making Mornings Magic” framework will help the whole family get out the door on time, well-fed, and ready to attack the day. Connect with Justin on LinkedIn or at the Happy Families websiteCheck out Justin’s New York Times article about his Making Mornings Magic processYou can find the full interview here: Making mornings magic with parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson***Pre-order my new book Time Wise: www.amantha.comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The perfect day starts with the perfect morning routine, right? Or is that too late? How I Work listener Jason was struggling to juggle his workload as he transitioned from primary to secondary school teaching. A new system, new spaces, and constant COVID-induced interruptions to the status quo were making it all but impossible to always be in the right place at the right time. That is, until he heard that Laura Mae Martin, Google’s Executive Productivity Advisor, doesn’t make a plan of attack every morning. Instead, she plans the night before. Jason says this deceptively simple adjustment to his routine has been a lifesaver, especially when last minute classroom changes inevitably crop up!Connect with Laura on LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Google’s Exectuive Productivity Advisor, Laura Mae Martin, on how she dramatically reduced the amount of time she spends in her inbox***Pre-order Amantha's new book Time Wise at amantha,comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have a cheerleader? Someone who’ll congratulate on the little wins, who’ll remind you that you’re doing well, encourage you to keep going? I hope so!And even if you do… I’ll bet it’s still sometimes not quite enough. After all, we’re usually our own toughest critics, and even the completely legitimate kind words of the people closest to us can’t overpower that little voice in the back of our minds: the one that says “you’re not doing enough.” How I Work listener Melissa knows this voice all too well, but after listening to author Oliver Burkeman’s advice to keep a “done list”, she realised the only voice that might be able to balance out the inner critic was her own inner cheerleader.Connect with Oliver on TwitterYou can find the full interview here: Get your priorities straight with Oliver Burkeman***Pre-order Amantha's new book Time Wise at amantha,comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re into productivity, you’ve probably tried to become a “morning person”. Maybe you’ve tried it a couple of times. You set your alarm for 5am and go to sleep dreaming of pre-dawn yoga sessions and meditation, followed by some journaling and a bit of deep work before the office even opens. And maybe it worked! But maybe it didn’t - no matter how many times you tried. If you’ve tried waking up early over and over again, and felt like a zombie over and over again, you might actually be a square peg, trying to squeeze through a circular hole.Whether you’re struggling to wake up all morning, or failing to power through a mid-afternoon stretch of mentally demanding work, the problem might be the same: you might be working against your chronotype. How I Work listener Kristy certainly was, until she listened to Dan Pink’s advice about learning your unique circadian rhythm, and tailoring your schedule accordingly. Connect with Dan on Instagram or TwitterYou can find the full interview here: Dan Pink on coming up with great titles for projects, how he structures his working days, and why he doesn’t believe in willpower***Pre-order Amantha's new book Time Wise at amantha,comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working from home seemed like a pipe dream not so long ago - something for only the luckiest, wealthiest or most eccentric employees and entrepreneurs. But after the pandemic fast-tracked a worldwide shift in workplace flexibility, we’ve all been able to benefit from this revolutionary model. Or have we?How I Work listener Dia wonders if it’s all as peachy as it seems: without real, physical boundaries between our workspaces and our homes, how do we set the appropriate boundaries around our time? Thankfully, bestselling author Sally Hepworth has thought long and hard on just this question. And if you’re going to listen to anyone, the woman who fields hundreds of fan requests every day is probably a good start!Connect with Sally on Instagram or TwitterYou can find the full interview here: Sally Hepworth on her No list, Brain Walks, and the Nifty Three-Fifty Rule***Pre-order Amantha's new book Time Wise at amantha,comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of this new mini-series, How I Work listener Ruth writes in to share what she’s learned from bestselling author and computer science professor, Cal Newport. Cal’s “To Discuss” List is his method of saving countless hours of unnecessary, unscheduled back-and-forth emailing. While it might feel easier to quickly dash off an email when you need something from a colleague, Cal implores you to think long-term, and to save the discussion for when you next meet face-to-face.Connect with Cal on his websiteYou can find the full interview here: Cal Newport on how to eliminate 80% of emails in your organisation***Pre-order your copy of Time Wise at amantha.com Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re often told not to take advice blindly, and this is especially true for productivity advice. The rise-and-grind schedule might work for a Lark, but it’s a recipe for a disaster if you’re a Night Owl. Sourcing ideas from people you admire is a great start, but you need to run your own experiments to figure out which ideas actually work for you. That is, unless your partner is a chronic experimenter! Frances Frei, a professor at Harvard Business School, doesn’t run experiments because she doesn’t need to. Her wife, Anne Morriss, runs them herself, and shares the best practices and ideas with Frances. As well as being Frances’ wife and most valuable productivity resource, Anne is a leadership couch and the Executive Founder of The Leadership Consortium. Frances and Anne share their favourite tools for staying focused, productive and present, including their yearly “visioning” process, their methods for building trust, and the best career advice they;ve ever received. Connect with Frances and Anne on LinkedIn***Pre-order your copy of Time Wise at amantha.comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most guests on How I Work will tell you to turn off your phone if you want to get work done. They’ll probably tell you to leave it out of the bedroom when it’s time to sleep, and to keep it out of reach when you’re meant to be spending quality time with friends and family. It’s easy to forget sometimes just how useful that little super computer in your pocket can be - and that applies to life admin, too! Life Admin Hacks authors Mia Northrop and Dinah Rowe-Roberts put me onto the untapped power of Siri, and I’ve never looked back. And now they’re teaching you how to use it, too. If you’ve never used Siri for anything other than a Google search while your hands are full, you’re missing out on an on-demand, high-powered digital assistant. From reminders to calendar updates, Mia and Dinah share how to use Siri to supercharge your life admin. Connect with Mia and Dinah on their website and pick up a copy of Life Admin HacksYou can find the full interview here: Get professional about your personal life with Life Admin legends Mia Northrop and Dinah Rowe-Roberts***Pre-order your copy of Time Wise at amantha.comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Pre-order your copy of Time Wise at amantha.com**If your job title is “Executive Productivity Advisor for Google,” you probably need a pretty refined definition of productivity, right? And Laura Mae Martin certainly does. But she says it’s equally important that every individual has their own, unique definition of productivity. It’s all too easy to fall into “busy language”, she says. Back-to-back meetings and a three-page to-do-list might make you feel productive, but if you’re not making time for your most important work (and for rest), you might just be running in circles. So how do we see through the guise of busy-ness and get the real work done? For Laura, and the suite of Google execs she coaches, everything starts with the calendar. Whether you’re in too many meetings or spending too much time in your inbox, poor calendar hygiene is probably the root cause. Laura teaches you how to implement “zero-based calendaring”, calendaring for focus, calendaring for connection, and much more. Connect with Laura on her YouTube channel or at the Google Keywords blog***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might not be surprised to find out Lisa Leong has a colour-coded calendar. She’s the host of hit ABC podcast This Working Life, after all. But what might surprise you is how her attention to diaristic detail helps her when she’s not at work.Her ABC work is orange, and the sessions working on her new book were red. But she also blocks out her e-bike commutes and social activities. Why? For one thing, it ensures nobody schedules her into a meeting when she’s meant to be out for dinner. But perhaps more importantly, it means she has something like a birds-eye-view of her life, one week at a time. Too much orange and red? Not enough yellow and blue? At a glance, Lisa knows whether she’s overworking (or spending a bit too much time on the town!).Lisa also gives you what she calls a “compassionate challenge,” and asks you to work if you might have more autonomy at work than you initially thought. Pick up a copy of Lisa’s book, This Working LifeOr connect with her on Instagram or TwitterYou can find the full interview here: Lisa Leong wants you to forget work-life balance and cultivate work-life cohesion instead***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Pre-order your copy of Time Wise at amantha.com**It’s 5am, and Linktree co-founder Anthony Zaccaria’s already up. But this isn’t some productivity-robot morning routine he’s lifted from another tech leader’s biography. He’s up because he’s got twin toddlers, and when they’re up, he’s up. Linktree’s a global company, so any number of emails, messages and project updates have probably come through already, but Anthony’s not checking his phone. It’s his kids’ best time of the day - the only time they’re well-rested! So how does the co-founder of a unicorn startup balance the incredible demands of a rapidly growing business with the equally demanding job of being a new parent?It’s all about focus. When it’s time to knuckle down and get some serious work done, whether it’s powering through emails or working on strategy, the noise-canceling headphones go on, and the rest of the world goes out. Anthony shares his top tips for focusing when it matters, and reflects on the key decisions he’s made as Linktree has grown to employ almost 300 people. Connect with Anthony on Twitter***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you even lift? Oh, you do? Great! But do you train for endurance too? Your heart health is super important. Oh, you do that too, amazing! How long can you stand on one leg? Yep, you should really test how long you can stand on one leg - it’s an important measure of your fitness, which in turn is an important indicator of your health more broadly. Author, television journalist and former doctor Michael Mosley is tired of all the conversations around resistance training and cardio, because they’re completely excluding balance! Just like with your muscles or your aerobic fitness, if you don’t use it, you lose it. And if you’re wondering why that matters so much, Michael references a study of that one-legged test, and the ability to balance was the best predictor of longevity. So, you don’t want to lose it!Michael shares how you can keep your balance going strong, and how to accurately do the test yourself.Connect with Michael on Twitter, Instagram, and on his websiteYou can find the full interview here: Get a handle on your health with Michael Mosley**Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If a mystical wizard with very specific powers and a very strange agenda cast a spell on me, dictating that I could only listen to one podcast for the rest of my life - that podcast would be Mamamia Out Loud. And based on the Apple Podcast homepage charts, I wouldn’t be alone.Mamamia Out Loud is one of Australia’s most popular podcasts, and it’s just one of many incredible woman-led shows in the Mamamia stable, which is the largest female-led podcast network on the planet. Out Loud’s three co-hosts, Mia Freedman, Holly Wainwright and Jessie Stephens also have their hands full with an array of high-level jobs at Mamamia, so getting this show out three times a week (and even more frequently for subscribers) is a feat beyond comprehension.Mia’s the co-founder of the Mamamia Women’s Media Company and also the host of No Filter. Holly’s the Head of Content for Mamamia and a bestselling novelist. Jessie is Mamamia’s Executive Editor, as well as the host of the podcast, Cancelled. Alongside her twin sister, she writes about reality television, pop culture and current affairs. The Mamamia Out Loud hosts break down how they manage their overlapping schedules, where they go to find their news and fresh takes, and why modeling respectful disagreement is so important to them.Use Instagram to connect with Mia, Holly and Jessie, or find their work at the Mamamia websiteYou can find my recent appearance on Mamamia Out Loud here ***Pre-order your copy of Time Wise at amantha.comConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The modern office dress code is a pretty nebulous thing nowadays. Most industries have been slowly moving away from strict “business attire” for decades now. The full suit and tie gave way to the business shirt, before modern tech entrepreneurs popularised the image of a t-shirt and jeans as the uniform of the workaholic disruptor. And that’s all before we started working from our couches! But Chris Oliver-Taylor, the Director of Production for Netflix Australia & New Zealand, doesn’t want to hang his suit up for good just yet. When he first left the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, he bounded into an interview for a new position, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. When he accepted the job, his new mentor told him that his first port of call was to go out and get a suit. He’s never been entirely sure if she just wanted him to dress a bit sharper, but he found deeper meaning in that advice nonetheless: smarten up. Demonstrate that you know the importance of your role, and remember that you’re always on show. Connect with Chris on LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: The art of the pitch with media executive Chris Oliver-Taylor***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Pre-order your copy of Time Wise at amantha.com**It’s the greatest productivity debate of our time: how do we achieve work-life balance? Or maybe the real debate should be: is work-life balance even possible? Eric Barker, the author of Barking Up the Wrong Tree and now Plays Well With Others, doesn’t think work-life balance is truly achievable. At least, not if you want the best possible results in a given field. The problem, he says, is that most of live an unbalanced life by accident. Because of the internet and the rapidly increasing pace of everything from the news cycle to the way we socialise, we’re all doing too much of something, and not enough of something else. It’s overwhelming, and we’re constantly playing catchup. Eric’s solution is to abandon balance, but to do it on purpose. Decide what you want to be really, really good at it, and accept that you won’t be world-class in your other pursuits. Eric also shares why he sets a five-hour timer at the start of every work day, how he deals with contradictions in his own writing, and how he developed his sense of humour.Connect with Eric on Twitter or LinkedinPick up a copy of Plays Well With Others***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David had it pretty good. He was working in a great university. His students loved him. His peers loved him. He had plenty of friends who loved him. And then he became a successful playwright. Life couldn’t get any better!Except reaching the dizzying heights David reached in the theatre world didn’t come cheap. For most of his life, he was like anyone else. You might have the occasional tiff with a co-worker or acquaintance, but generally, you’re well-liked by the people you care about. And all of a sudden, hordes of strangers started to hate David Williamson. Already a self-conscious man, the idea of people making a living by tearing apart his every thought was almost debilitating for David. He shares how he learned to train his focus onto the audience, rather than the critics, and reflects on the help he received from his wife, who would conduct audience surveys in the women’s bathrooms after his shows. Pick up a copy of David’s book, Home TruthsOr connect with him at his websiteYou can find the full interview here: Playwright David Williamson on negativity, perfectionism and the myth of writer’s block***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Pre-order your copy of Time Wise at amantha.com**For productivity geeks like us, the professional writer can become a bit of a mystic figure. When we fantasise about finally perfecting our morning routines, finally clearing out enough time for a fruitful Deep Work session, setting up the ideal workstation - we’re often thinking about a writer. There’s something idyllic about the idea of being a writer: it’s just you, your thoughts, and the blank page. It’s the platonic ideal of knowledge work! But… it’s not that simple. Take Brian Koppelman, for example. Inarguably one of the most prolific and successful screenwriters working today, you’d think Brian spends most of his life holed up in a cabin in the woods, clacking away on a typewriter, free from any and all distractions. But Brian lives in New York City, the busiest, most distracting place on the planet. Oh, and he’s not just a screenwriter. He’s also a director, producer, and showrunner. Brian’s “average” day looks a lot less like that of a reclusive artist, and much more like that of a busy CEO. So, how does he still manage to produce so much incredible work? Brian shares how meditation, morning pages and music help him focus, and recalls the most powerful lessons he learned on the set of his very first film. Connect with Brian on Twitter***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally Hepworth loves her fans. She loves hearing how they think about her work, and like anyone, she’s partial to a bit of praise every now and then! However, as her following has grown over the years, the amount of people seeking pockets of her time has become overwhelming. And as a writer, Sally knows that the only way she can continue to produce great work is to protect that writing time as diligently as she can. It takes discipline, and it can be hard to turn down a conversation with a reader, but it’s the only way she can keep on producing. One way Sally protects her time is with her now infamous “No List,” a carefully constructed collection of things she’ll always say no to, even if they’re enticing.  Connect with Sally on Twitter or InstagramYou can find the full interview here: Sally Hepworth on her No List, Brain walks and the Nifty Three Fifty rule***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Siegel’s in his third CEO role, and if all his years of experience as a leader have taught him anything, it’s that most people take too long to make a decision. The clearest example: company strategy. When David joined Meetup, he drafted the new company strategy as quickly as possible. At first, that sounds like a pretty irresponsible treatment of such a huge part of the business… but David’s underlying reasoning reveals why we should all speed up a little bit!David teaches you to make better, faster decisions, and to uncover the blind spots in your own decision-making process.Connect with David on Twitter or LinkedIn, and grab a copy of Decide & Conquer***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A productivity tip that’s hard to swallow for people who like productivity tips: nothing except doing the work will get the work done. You can have the cleanest calendar, the emptiest inbox and the tightest morning routine, but if you’re not sitting down and putting in the work, your “hacks” serve as little more than decoration. Unless those tips and tricks steer you towards the right kind of deep work? Liane Moriarty, the incredibly prolific author of Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers and Apples Never Fall, uses a website blocker, puts her phone outside her office, and even uses a little egg timer for “Pomodoro” sessions. But all of these techniques serve a much greater function - the rituals program her to do the actual writing!Connect with Liane on her website, and pick up a copy of Nine Perfect StrangersYou can find the full interview here: Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty on writing, self-talk, and what she’s learned from Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF**It’s 9:30, and you’ve got just under an hour before your next Zoom meeting. There’s already just a bit too much caffeine buzzing around your brain, and your eyes are half-crossed from the last video call. So how do you recharge and show up refreshed for that next one? If you’re Evernote and mmhmm co-founder Phil Libin, you swim laps. Thanks to the “distributed” nature of mmhmm’s workforce, he can punctuate his work days with distinctly not-work activities. Some days, it’s laps between meetings, other days it’s a stroll around one of his favourite museums while he ponders new ideas.Whatever he chooses on any given day, it’s only possible because of one of the many superpowers of the internet. Phil is happy to solve a few problems with our new way of working, if it means he gets to keep the many, many benefits of working asynchronously and away from a traditional office in the big city. Phil shares his favourite tips on making the most of remote work (including why he doesn’t like the term “remote”) and some of the biggest lessons he learned as the CEO of Evernote.  Connect with Phil on Twitter or Linkedin Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF**You need to be in the office at nine, and if you want to be performing at your best, you’ll need to get in a quick workout and a nutritious breakfast. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for trying to pull an outfit together, so you’ll also need to sort that out the night before. Oh, and you need to make sure your kids have eaten a healthy breakfast, put their school uniforms on, brushed their teeth, packed their bags, and not started an all-out war with one another before getting in the car for drop-off. Thankfully, parenting expert and bestselling author Justin Coulson has a formula to help you do all of that, while also teaching your kids life skills and taking some of the workload off your own shoulders. Sounds too good to be true? Well, the system is called Make Mornings Magic. Justin lays out his four rules for keeping the morning chaos at bay, and how his routine has improved his relationship with his own kids. Connect with Justin on his websiteCheck out the Happy Families podcast Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF**It wouldn’t work to try to tell the Michael Bungay Stanier story - if anyone’s a collection of stories, it’s MBS. He finished law school being sued for defamation by his professor, he was a Rhodes Scholar in his early 20s, and he’s coached Brene Brown on her own podcast. A life and career with so many twists, turns and new directions brings with it an equally eclectic and overflowing bag of tips, tricks and mindset shifts, and Michael shares them generously. Michael covers everything from how to tackle multi-month projects, journaling techniques, honing your personal brand, and knowing when to say “no”. Connect with Michael at his website and pre-order How To Begin.Neil Pasricha - ‘Two Minute Morning’ https://www.neil.blog/ Julia Funt - ‘A minute to think’ https://www.julietfunt.com/book/ Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF**I was a competitive kid, and some classroom rivalries pushed me to better grades than I might have achieved otherwise. However, I was also a perfectionist, and any “A”s that came without a “+” beside them started to feel less like an almost-perfect achievement and more like a glaring signal that I’d missed the mark. I hated failing, and when you combine that with believing anything less than the top spot is a loss, you have a recipe for disaster. I hid my failures, refusing to talk about them, terrified that if people knew I wasn’t perfect, they wouldn’t like me anymore. Not only is this a good way to spend a lot of time being angry with yourself, but it turns out it makes the feeling of failing even worse. On the other hand, being open and honest about your failures actually makes us more resilient and improves self-belief. So in 2020, I wrote my first Failure Resume as an experiment. And now, I’m revisiting it and sharing it with you. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobody hears from Janice Lintz just once. Whether she’s chasing down information on her phone bill or chasing down the Queen of England, Janice doesn’t stop until she gets what she needs, and she believes others can benefit from that kind of tenacity. It’s reflected in a lesson Janice learned from the great civil rights activist, Vernon Jordan - don’t answer the phone until someone calls you the fourth time. If it’s not worth their time, it’s certainly not worth yours. So Janice calls again. And again, and again. As a hearing access consultant and consumer advocate, Janice’s requests aren’t merely boxes that need ticking; they’re often the only way people who are hard of hearing are able to experience what everyone else takes for granted. That’s why productivity and efficiency are so important to Janice. She simply doesn’t have time to waste. Connect with Janice on Twitter or LinkedIn***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re trying to talk to Josh Piterman after a show… good luck. The second he’s said his farewells to his fellow castmates and crew members, he won’t utter a word until he returns to the theatre the following day. Josh knows there’s no short-cutting recovery, and like everything else, his approach to rest is both holistic and spiritual. A healthy voice is part of a healthy body, and a healthy body needs a healthy mind and a healthy soul. When it comes to recovery, the trick is actually what not to do. Josh goes over his list of Don’ts after a show, ranging from what he doesn’t eat, to what he avoids doing right before bed. Connect with Josh on Twitter and InstagramYou can find the full interview here: Shape your own identity with Phantom of the Opera’s Josh Piterman***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a moment in the 2013 comedy movie We’re the Millers that points to how pervasive - and misguided - the “no regrets” life motto has become. A character proudly displays a tattoo that reads, “no rAgrets”, and even more proudly proclaims that he really doesn’t have any regrets. Not even one letter. Bestselling author Dan Pink highlights this scene as a great metaphor for society’s almost comical underappreciation of regret. Dan is an advocate for the transformative power of looking back on your past actions, processes and routines in order to learn from them, and do better next time. He discusses what’s changed about his working habits since his last appearance on the show, why he was drawn to the concept of regret in the first place, and how compassion changed his whole approach to learning from past mistakes.Connect with Dan on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedInFind The Power of Regret book here***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asking someone else for anything is a delicate enough task, but when you’re asking them to be vulnerable, it’s something else entirely. How do you make people comfortable sharing something that is, by definition, uncomfortable? Jamila Rizvi, the bestselling author, public speaker, podcast presenter and interviewer, is no stranger to this tricky task. She’s spoken to everyone from Bill Gates to Kim Kardashian, and many of her interviews unearth incredibly touching moments. The key? Don’t ask for something you’re not willing to give yourself.Jamila shares one example from an interview with Danii Minogue, in which Jamila shared her own vulnerable moment first, before asking Danii to do the same. Connect with Jamila on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedinYou can find the full interview here: Give up the work-life balance illusion with Jamila Rizvi ***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How I Work is a product of the modern world - it’s a podcast, a format which didn’t even exist at the turn of the century, and a lot of the productivity tools and hacks are geared towards knowledge work for the digital age. So it’s surprising to hear that Darius Foroux, himself an entrepreneur and writer taking advantage of the digital space, lives and works by the ancient philosophy of Stoicism.But Darious isn’t dogmatic - he’s equally inspired by Eastern Philosophy and employs Zen practices like meditation when he finds Stoicism too stifling. Darius shares how ancient wisdom can help you thrive in the modern world, and details how his experience as an investor has improved his thinking, writing and decision-making. Connect with Darius on Twitter or at his website Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to social media, everyone’s a storyteller now. Whether you’re guiding your work to the right audience, developing your personal brand or keeping the public up-to-date on the COVID-19 situation, your job is to tell a story. If people don’t understand you, or don’t tune in, then everything else is for nought. So how do you get better at communicating? Norman Swan, a physician, journalist, broadcaster and the host of ABC’s Coronacast, has decades of experience not just in storytelling itself, but in helping others develop their craft, too. He shares how he’s developed his skills over a long career in journalism, and helps you avoid the most common mistake new writers make: thinking they’re on a mission to explain.  Connect with Norman on Twitter or LinkedinYou can find the full episode here: More naps, less coffee: Norman Swan’s tips for the good life Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve reached the end of yet another long Zoom call with your team when you realise… you didn’t say a word! You’re smart, you have good ideas, and you’ve put in the work. Plus, your team and your clients respect you… So how did this happen? According to Zoe Chance, Yale School of Management professor and author of Influence is Your Superpower, it’s because you didn’t speak up early enough. If you’re not one of the first three people to speak up in a virtual meeting, you’re unlikely to speak up at any point, and through no fault of their own, everybody else on the call is unlikely to ask you to. These kinds of unconscious cognitive biases are everywhere, and instead of bemoaning their existence, Zoe wants you to understand them so you can use them to your advantage. She teaches you how to make your voice heard, how to persuade people without being a brute, and reveals her “magic question” for figuring out how you can help other people. Connect with Zoe on Twitter or LinkedIn Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ronni Kahn does not like to hear about people throwing away their lettuce. If you compost lettuce, it takes about two weeks to decompose. If you throw it in the book, you can bump that number up to twenty-five. Sorry, twenty-five years, that is. As the founder of food rescue charity OzHarvest, Ronni’s an expert on preventing food waste on a massive scale. But what about on the small scale? Yep, she can help with that too. Ronni teaches you how to salvage soggy lettuce with a hearty soup, cooking techniques to recover that wrinkly tomato, and reminds you that your kitchen has a pause button, in the form of your freezer.Connect with Ronni on Twitter or LinkedinYou can find the full episode here: Manifesting purpose and profit with OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the world’s most successful people get to the top? Is it genetics? Nepotism? Grit? Can we even know for sure? Dr. Ruth Gotian believes we can, and she’s on a mission to figure it out and share it with the world. Ruth studies top performers from all walks of life, including Olympic medallists, NASA Astronauts and top academics. She’s uncovered four key traits that all high achievers share, and worked to apply them in her own life. Ruth shares how she approaches everything from goal-setting to writing and publishing academic articles, and it’s all backed by her research into top performers.  Connect with Ruth on Twitter or LinkedinIf you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2022 is well underway and… yeah. We’re still doing a lot of virtual meetings. While there’s great optimism in the air around the new level of flexibility most companies are offering their workers now, virtual meetings are still pretty… average. But let’s not blame Zoom straight away: meetings as a work practice have gone unexamined for far longer than they’ve been online. Atlassian’s Dom Price saw this, and sought a better way. He and his team did a deep dive into what a meeting is for, and what’s holding it back. Maybe not surprisingly, they found that almost nothing about the meeting as we know it was worth keeping. So - they didn’t keep it! Dom explains why Atlassian decided to almost completely kill the meeting, and how they replaced it with their own purpose-built tool for asynchronous communication. Connect with Dom on Twitter or LinkedinYou can find the full interview here: Atlassian’s Dom Price on dramatically improving virtual meetingsCheck out Atlassian’s Team CentralIf you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you worked with someone whose abilities were so awe-inspiring that they started to rub off on you? We’ve all had bosses, co-workers, friends or study mates whose discipline we’ve tried to tap into before. And Taylor Jacobson founded Focusmate so he could do that forever! After excelling in college because of his carefully selected study mates, Taylor realised his tactics could be used by anyone, and for any kind of work. He details how and why a Focusmate session works, how he uses them himself, and how he balances all that work with restful, restorative time off. He also shares how a new community has changed his life and the way he thinks about and tackles goals. Connect with Taylor on Twitter or LinkedinVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s 3pm and Nicky Sparshott is ducking out of the office to go watch her kids perform at their school’s exhibition. Sweet, right? But shouldn’t it be impossible? Nicky’s the CEO of Unilever Australia & New Zealand, and at the time of recording, was also the global CEO of T2 - how can she possibly have time in the middle of the work day for a school show? Well, it’s the positive side she’s discovered in having an absolutely hectic work schedule. As a global CEO, she’s sometimes on virtual meetings in the middle of the night to talk to teams on the other side of the world. But, if she’s going to be working from seven to eleven at night, then she can definitely carve out some time in the arvo for her family. So, how does she keep it all from toppling over? How does she keep her schedule in order when she sometimes needs to work while everyone else is asleep? Colours. Yep. Nicky colour-codes her calendar so that she can see at a glance exactly what kind of work she’ll be doing for the next few days. Not only does it keep her organised, but it gives her a clear picture of how much deep versus shallow work she’s getting in. Nicky also teaches you why “deep work” doesn’t always have to be done alone.  Connect with Nicky on LinkedinYou can find the full interview here: Analogue productivity in a digital age with Unilever CEO Nicky Sparshott If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know what it’s like when you move house - you’re tripping over boxes for weeks, eating takeout on the floor while you wait for that new dining table to arrive, and lamenting that the rest of the world - including work - doesn’t take a pause while you get your life in order. We’ve all been there, but have you ever used that moment of chaos as the trigger to start writing a book? It sounds insane - and as someone who’s been working on a new book for some time now, I feel certified to call it that - but for economist and Wharton professor Katy Milkman, it made perfect sense. Katy’s learned to take advantage of “fresh starts,” which can be anything from New Year’s Day to a relocation - or even just any old Monday. She breaks down the most effective ways to change your behaviour for the better, whether that’s to break bad habits or form new ones. And it’s all backed by science. Connect with Katy on Twitter or Linkedin and get a copy of How to Change.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You wouldn’t think of roasting a chicken as a poignant metaphor for life, but when Maggie Beer talks cooking, you get words to live by. Starting with sourcing the perfect chicken, Maggie teaches you why it’s so important to do a little research before you buy anything, and from there, gives you a step-by-step walkthrough on the whole process. Yep, you’re getting a free masterclass from the master herself. And a damn good dinner, too. Connect with Maggie on Twitter or InstagramYou can find the full interview here: Maggie Beer on why mastering the basics is the best way to up your gameSubscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If anything immediately strikes me as a pretty bad idea, it’s an adult learning to ride a skateboard. Without the years of experience built up over a childhood spent cruising on the asphalt, stepping on a skateboard almost promises to put you on your butt. And as an adult, a skateboarding injury could have a pretty disastrous effect on your daily life. Kids bounce back pretty easily, but I know if I had to miss six weeks of workouts or couldn’t write or type for a few months, I’d be in strife. So why is Jordan Calhoun, editor-in-chief of Lifehacker, trying to pick up the skill now? Jordan might not be looking to get massive air with Tony Hawk, but he is looking for that childhood experience of newness. Not being able to do something, starting from zero, is a pretty rare situation for adults, and Jordan thinks that’s a shame. So he’s learning to shred. Jordan shares a wealth of other insights on learning, such as why he prioritises stories over stats and facts, and how the Goodreads website helps him read more books. He also, naturally, shares a treasure trove of life hacks, like his decision-making matrix and tools for building accountability into his most ambitious goals. Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, at Lifehacker or on his website.***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running late is… stressful. You worry that you’re going to get in trouble, let someone down or miss something important. Your heart rate rises, adrenaline courses through your body - and then someone wants to get in front of you on the road. Oh. My. God. But what if it wasn’t stressful? Sounds too good to be true, right? What if it’s all in your head? Meshel Laurie, a podcaster and author, believes it is all in your head, and that - actually - that’s a good thing. Because if it’s in your head, it’s in your control. Since becoming a Buddhist, Meshel has begun practising simple little mental reframes like this one every day, and she’s much happier, kinder and calmer for it. She teaches you how letting others go first, whenever you can, trains your mind to relax and set the right intention for your day, every day. Connect with Meshel on Instagram and LinkedInYou can find the full interview here: Win friends and stop trying to be an influencer with Meshel Laurie***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life Admin. That phrase probably makes you nervous - I know it does for me. It makes me think about all the stuff I have to keep on top of: I need to remember to pay my car rego, to RSVP to that parent-teacher conference, and to book my next doctor’s appointment. But when you think about all the things you have to get done at the office in 2022, you’re probably pretty confident, right? There’s heaps to do, but you’re a professional! You have systems and processes in place to make sure you don’t forget anything important, to make sure you’re consistently progressing towards your goals for the year. So why don’t we take the same approach when it comes to our goals and responsibilities and home? Well, Mia Northrop and Dinah Rowe-Roberts, the authors of Life Admin Hacks, do exactly that! Mia and Dinah mobilise their years of experience in senior strategy, commercial, digital and customer experience to tackle life admins with the skills they’ve picked up in their professional careers. They teach you everything from how to decide whether something goes on a to-do list or not, to why you should be sending audio messages instead of emails and texts.  Connect with Mia and Dinah on their website and pick up a copy of their book, Life Admin Hacks***Sign up for the Time Wise Challenge. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberCover Photographer: Sister Scout StudioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a bit of a productivity buff, you probably have some clever hacks for reducing time spent reading or sending emails. Maybe you use Superhuman, like I do, or maybe you’re a big proponent of Inbox Zero. Either way, you’re probably not looking for, say, a How I Work episode that suggests you spend more time on email! But this is different… The goal of true productivity, after all, is to get more meaningful work done in less time. So, what if using some work tools at home could enable you to make more intelligent decisions in less time? That’s exactly what Emily Oster, her partner, and sometimes even her kids do when they send each other emails. Expectations are usually clearer in writing than in spoken conversation, you can choose exactly when you want to respond to or think about a particular issue, and of course - the dinner table is out of the question when it comes to certain conversations about the kids!Learn how an economist uses what she’s learned at work to make life easier and more productive at home. Connect with Emily on Twitter or Instagram. And pick up her latest book, The Family Firm.You can find the full interview here: Economist Emily Oster on how to make better decisions at work and in life***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes you have to put yourself on the line to test your assumptions. How better to know if something will work for you than to do it yourself? Michael Mosley takes this one step further than your average person, though… Like when he willingly infested his body with worms. Seriously. TV producer, presenter, journalist, author and former doctor Michael Mosley has done all manner of weird and wonderful self-experiments in the name of science - mainly so you don’t have to!He gives his top tips for improving your health and fitness, and in the process debunks some of the most pernicious myths about our bodies. He also gives you a framework for understanding the research and recommendations that are already out there so you can make the right decision for your own circumstances and needs.Michael covers everything from coffee to weight loss in this all-encompassing health discussion. Connect with Michael on Twitter, Instagram and on his website. ***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You and I are finite beings, my friend. That’s a pretty abstract concept until you think about just how much stuff we need to get done every day. Oliver Burkeman, a journalist and author, says the amount of things we could potentially do every day is, by definition, infinite. And a finite being with an infinitely long to-do list is not a happy being. This causes most of us to start our days feeling like we’re in “productivity debt”, and our to-do list is our ticket back to zero, back to a clean balance sheet. But according to Oliver, this is really a ticket to misery. Instead, he wants you to reframe, and start your day at zero. You don’t have to be productive or get certain things done to justify your existence. Everything you manage to get done on any given day, really, is a bonus! Oliver shares how keeping a “Done List” has helped him turn this mental reframe into an everyday reality, and I recommend my favourite calendar tool as an extra tool.Connect with Oliver on Twitter and on his website. And pick up a copy of his book, Four Thousand Weeks You can find the full interview here: Get your priorities straight with Oliver Burkeman***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve tried it all. You’ve joined the 5AM club, done the morning HIIT workouts, tried the pomodoro technique, downloaded Headspace and worked at a standing desk. But… you haven’t quite figured it out yet. Lisa Leong, host of the hit ABC radio show, This Working Life, says that’s the point. Every day is “lab day”, and the experimenting should never end. Lisa’s job is to examine… well, jobs. She’s on a mission to understand the modern working world and how we can all make our working lives more effective and fulfilling. Sometimes this means changing little things, like what time we get to the office or which morning routines give us the most energy. Sometimes it’s the big things, like figuring out how to advance your career, or even knowing when it’s time to change industries. Lisa teaches you how to determine your own values and apply them to work, and explains why the term “work-life balance” needs to be replaced with something a bit more meaningful.  Connect with Lisa on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn Grab a copy of This Working Life here ***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s 3:30 in the afternoon and you’re pumping Red Bulls. You’ve just had a long, very cerebral meeting, and now you’ve gotta back it up with some pretty intellectually demanding writing work. But you’re exhausted. Holly Ransom, Fulbright Scholar and author of The Leading Edge, wants you to find a different way to perk up when you’re running low on energy. The Red Bulls, the half-litre cups of coffee and the sugary snacks might feel like they’re working, but they’re really just numbing the signals your body is trying to send you. So how do you manage your energy naturally? The first step is to perform an energy audit - you need a realistic understanding of when you’re at your peak each day, and when you’re not: because nobody can operate at full bore all day, every day. Knowing when she’s at her best each day has changed the way Holly plans her work days, and even her weeks. She shares how she audits her energy, the ways she perks up when she’s feeling drained, and how she “switches off” at the end of the work week so she can fully rest and recharge over the weekend. Connect with Holly on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedinYou can find the full interview here: The maths of mentoring: Holly Ransom on the equation of getting help by giving it ***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**Before you click ‘add’ on another vaguely familiar face on LinkedIn - not so fast! But the larger your social or professional network, the larger your influence, right?Organisational psychologist Marissa King says… not always.A professor of organisational behaviour at the Yale School of Management, Marissa has studied social networks, social influence and team dynamics for the past fifteen years. She’s developed a deep understanding of how they evolve and why it’s so important to make sure your existing contacts feel the love before you rack up new ones.She also shares her routine for reinvigorating her network and how to reconnect with people you might not have spoken to for years.Read Marissa’s latest book, Social Chemistry: Decoding the Patterns of Human ConnectionConnect with Marissa on Twitter, Linkedin or through her website. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? A great piece of advice can be life changing. It can set you on a whole new trajectory, land you a new job, or even prompt you to make a big career change.Group Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil, and self-described overachiever Alison Watkins shares how to make sure the advice you receive is right for you. Global leader in innovation Scott D Anthony wants you to flirt with possible career moves through advice and curiosity. Organisational psychologist Adam Grant outlines the benefits of scheduling a regular life check-up for yourself.Wendy Stops, non-executive director on the board of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, shares the best piece of advice she’s ever been given. While good advice is helpful, it’s also worth noting that there is plenty of bad advice going around. For Kendra Banks, Managing Director of SEEK, this came in the form of parenting and career advice. Listen to the full interviews:Alison WatkinsScott D AnthonyAdam GrantWendy StopsKendra Banks Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**It’s 4:27AM. That’s right. Not 4:25, not 4:30, but exactly 4:27. When you’re a veteran breakfast radio host like Christian O’Connell, you calculate your latest possible wakeup time to the second. Once he’s out the door, it’s a 20 to 30-minute commute, but it’s one he really enjoys. It’s the only time in a pretty hectic workday he has completely to himself. After that, it’s 15 minutes of solitude and total silence in the studio so Christian can focus on the one word that’s going to guide this morning’s show - it could be “gratitude”, it could be “openness”, or it could just be “funny.”Christian has a huge range of tools, tactics and routines in place to make the most of his work days, and they’re based on years of experience, hard work… and hard times. He shares how he’s built those routines, and how he uses other tools like breath work and therapy to overcome his darkest hours.Connect with Christian on Twitter or Linkedin Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**Are you looking for ways to save time?There are plenty of tools out there to help streamline your work processes, but how do you know which ones work best?Find out what websites are causing you too many minutes of distraction, and learn how to batch check your emails rather than becoming a slave to the inbox. Website time tracker Rooster, time calculator Erik Rood, and email client Tempo are the three tools that help me get more out of my week. I’ll explain how I use them and how you can incorporate them into your work week.Tame your email addiction and get your web browsing working for you. Links to tools:RoosterErik RoodYour TempoSuperhumanConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**A tip just for you - you’re doing too much, friend.You’re probably conditioned to think the harder you work, the better the results... And you might have even hit burnout once or twice along the way. Leadership and business strategist Greg McKeown wants you to fight against that conditioning. Instead of wondering “How can I work harder to get more done?”, Greg wants you to ask yourself “How can I make this easier AND get the best results?”.But can you genuinely take fewer steps and still get to the same destination? Greg shares his simple strategies for working effortlessly and also helps me out with some tips to get me through my writer’s block.  Read Greg’s latest book, Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most or listen to his podcast What’s EssentialConnect with Greg through his website, Linkedin or Twitter.  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**Do you want to improve your writing?Writing is one of the fundamental ways we persuade people to take up our ideas, meet with us, or buy the thing we are selling. Want a snappier headline or to make sure you are communicating to the right audience. Want to find those pesky grammatical errors before you send your email? What if you see a nice font you like, but don’t know how to find out which one it is?Text analyser Hemingway, writing assistant Grammarly, headline improver CoSchedule and font finder MyFonts are four writing tools I couldn’t work without. Become a better writer with these four easy-to-use writing tools: Hemingway AppGrammarlyCoSchedule (Headline Analyser)MyFontsConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**Gretchen Rubin has dedicated the last ten years to researching and exploring how to be happier.And she’s discovered just how debilitating distraction can be - for both productivity and joy. Gretchen has self-tested every habit under the sun, and shares which practices to incorporate into your workflow to bolster that joy… and crucially, gives insight into which ones don’t work for her.She also shares how we can help our kids create better habits. She’s also created her own Twelve Commandments to help guide her in staying authentically Gretchen.Gretchen’s the host of popular weekly podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and the author of several books including The Happiness Project, Outer Order Inner Calm, The Four Tendencies, and Happier at Home. Connect with Gretchen on Twitter, Linkedin or through her website  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**I place a huge value on my health. It’s my number one priority. If you’re not healthy, chances are you’re less productive.Using these tools helps me incorporate physical activity into my day, understand my health patterns so I know where I can make improvements, and trains my brain. I use the Apple Smart Rope to count reps when I’m skipping. The rope connects to an app on my phone and lets me know when I have reached my goal. Smart Rope: https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/HL6M2ZM/A/tangram-factory-smart-rope-led-jump-rope-mediumI use the Whoop band to optimize the way I recover, train, and sleep. It features daily reporting on mobile and desktop apps.  Whoop: https://www.whoop.com/ I use the Apple Watch with pedometer++ app to count my steps throughout the day: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/pedometer/id712286167 I can now walk and work on my computer with the Walkingpad Pro Treadmill and Ergodesk Automatic Standing Desk (1500mm): https://www.lifespanfitness.com.au/products/walkingpad%E2%84%A2-pro-treadmill-with-ergodesk-automatic-standing-desk-1500mm I love being mentally active with these great puzzles from Magic Puzzle: https://www.magicpuzzlecompany.com/ Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**Hear me out - what if you stopped trying so hard to be productive? Most of us only get a total of four thousand weeks on this earth. Do you really want to spend them answering emails?Oliver Burkeman is a “recovering productivity geek” and he wants you to make peace with the reality that you'll never get everything done. He says once you’ve accepted that hard truth, you’ll finally be free to focus on what’s truly important.Oliver Burkeman is a journalist and the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking and the forthcoming Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. He shares why it’s valuable to recognise and wrestle with your limitations head-on, why it’s worth keeping a “Done List,” and gives you permission to decline to clear the decks. Connect with Oliver on Twitter or via his website. Get a copy of Oliver’s book 4000 weeks. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**‘Should’ is one of the most problematic words when it comes to self-talk. I should go to the gym. I should accept this event invitation. I should call this friend and see how she's going, I should spend less time on social media.Shoulds are very unhelpful. They have the double whammy of making us feel guilty AND they don’t actually help us change our behaviour.I’m going to give you two alternative words or phrases to replace the shoulds in your life.This will help you make better choices and also create positive changes in your life. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**Do you hate email? Are you sick of being a slave to your inbox? Are you like the “average” knowledge worker and check your email or chat messages every six minutes? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I think you will love today’s show.Cal Newport is a Computer Science Professor at Georgetown University and also the bestselling author of Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and most recently, A World Without Email. And Cal has been thinking a lot about how to overcome what he calls the “hyperactive hive mind”.In this chat, we talk about practical strategies to dramatically reduce the amount of unscheduled communication (i.e. email) you receive, both as an individual, but also as an entire organisation.Connect with Cal at calnewport.comGrab a copy of A World Without EmailListen to the Deep Questions podcastConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2021**How are you coping with this whole global pandemic thing? I feel like I'm more reliant on my devices than ever before - it's like a window to the outside world. But I have a feeling that checking ABC news 10 times a day isn't very good for my mental health. So in today's show, I have an alternative to share.Try out Amantha's favourite calendar software here: usemotion.ioCheck out Lisa Leong's ABC podcast This Working Life.Connect with Lisa Leong on LinkedinConnect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even after a long day at work, or at the end of a tough week, when you pop the TV on and hear that familiar “BA-DUNK” as the big red N flashes onto your screen… do you feel a little guilty? Even when I know I don’t need to be working, it’s hard to shake the feeling that TV somehow isn’t as ‘worthwhile’ as other activities - like reading, for example. But media executive Chris Oliver-Taylor disagrees. It’s the age of prestige TV, and the format has been elevated to an art form. But what do you watch when watching TV is your job? How do you switch off the analytical side of your brain and just tune out to WandaVision with your daughter? And how do you decide what to watch when you kind of need to watch everything? Chris is currently the Asia Pacific CEO at Fremantle, and will be heading to Netflix as its Australia & New Zealand Head of Physical Production in 2022. He shares how he chooses what to watch, and how he designs the rest of his schedule. He teaches you how to categorise meetings, how to network effectively, and why you should wear a suit.  Connect with Chris on Linkedin For recommendations: TV Tonight *** Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the year 2000, and Steve Jobs wants Apple computers to be able to burn DVDs, but there’s a problem. A big problem. At the time, DVD burners cost tens of thousands of dollars, and they’re incredibly difficult to use. Neither of those features fit the Apple MO. Jobs’ solution was revolutionary, but not just for the world of computing, or even the world of business. Author Greg McKeown uses the lesson in this illustrative anecdote to radically simplify his work and his life, and it all starts with “zero”. You can find the full interview here: Work less, achieve more, with Greg McKeownConnect with Greg on Twitter or Linkedin, and find Effortless here*** Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I was in my early twenties, I won an award for a scriptwriting competition run by the Fellowship of Australian Writers, and involved in that process was one of my favourite playwrights - David Williamson. I wrote David a fan letter, and to my great surprise, he replied! That was my first taste of how deeply David respects his audience, and our interview was no different. As the most produced playwright in Australian Theatre’s history, David is extremely productive. Part of this, he says, is just plain old love of the game. Since the very first time he heard actors saying his words out loud, he was completely hooked. And as a professional playwright, the structure of the theatre industry has contributed to his prolific output: when the production company lists your next play in their program, your fate is sealed, and there’s no time to fall prey to writer’s block. David shares his writing process, from the initial idea all the way through to rehearsals with the cast, as well as how he stays positive in the face of criticism, and why his writer wife Kristin’s role as his first reader is so valuable to his work.  David’s book: Home Truths *** Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budgeting is… boring, right? It’s all spreadsheets, hard maths, and a hundred reasons you shouldn’t go out for brunch anymore. Try telling that to She’s on the Money founder Victoria Devine! Victoria wants you to let go of the idea that budgets are purely a “restriction” tool. Instead, she treats budgeting as an extension of her personality: if you can align your values with your income and your spending, your budget starts to become a pretty important, creative tool. That also means you need to get back to basics and rely a little bit less on technology to tell you how to use your own money. Victoria shares her favourite budgeting app (which is a lot less chic than you might expect), and her favourite analogue budgeting technique for when you really want to go old school with your spending. Connect with Victoria on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedinYou can find the full interview here: Why She’s On The Money’s Victoria Devine doesn’t do long-term career goal setting***Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It wouldn’t work to try to tell the Michael Bungay Stanier story - if anyone’s a collection of stories, it’s MBS. He finished law school being sued for defamation by his professor, he was a Rhodes Scholar in his early 20s, and he’s coached Brene Brown on her own podcast. A life and career with so many twists, turns and new directions brings with it an equally eclectic and overflowing bag of tips, tricks and mindset shifts, and Michael shares them generously. Michael covers everything from how to tackle multi-month projects, journaling techniques, honing your personal brand, and knowing when to say “no”. Connect with Michael at his website and pre-order How To Begin.Neil Pasricha - ‘Two Minute Morning’Julia Funt - ‘A minute to think’Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Inventium, we default to asynchronous communication, and it’s been really effective. But… it’s not without some drawbacks. The time saved cutting back on in-person or virtual meetings can sometimes get pushed into writing detailed, thoughtful emails, and you end up back at square one. I’ve tried to combat that by sending shorter, straight-to-the-point messages, but they can occasionally come across as abrupt, or even cold. My solution has been to send audio messages instead. I can get a message across quickly, but use my actual voice to convey the right tone.I’ve even started defaulting to audio messages with my friends and in my dating life. When something doesn’t warrant a phone call, but would be a wall of text on iMessage, the voice memo is a lifesaver. This is how I decide when to send an audio message, the technology I use, and some of the evidence-based benefits of audio vs written communication. Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally Hepworth is not your typical reclusive writer. She may prefer to stay indoors (even on beautiful, sunny days), but she doesn’t work at a typewriter, and she’s pretty darn happy most of the time. Even so, the strict boundaries she sets to protect both her time and her personal space are integral to her success as a novelist. She might work from home, but she’s well aware that she’s still at work - which means no lunches or coffee meetings during the weekdays. Sally lets you in on her other favourite productivity tips, such as the “Nifty Three-Fifty” rule, her “brain walks”, and the importance of tending to the business end of being a writer.  Connect with Sally on Twitter or Instagram and get a copy of The Younger Wife. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you ask Marissa King how she’s doing today, she’ll tell you the truth - the good, the bad and the ugly. And her research shows that when she does, you’ll be much more likely to reciprocate that honestly. All of a sudden, you’ve made quite the connection. Marissa calls this “mutually reciprocal self-disclosure”. For those of us who aren’t the professor of Organizational Behavior at the Yale School of Management, that’s a fancy way of saying: people tend to meet you where you are. That’s why Marissa wants to teach us all how to ask better questions when we meet new people. Well-designed questions show people that you’re truly listening, and allow you to make deeper connections, which is at the core of a healthy, thriving social network. Connect with Marissa on Twitter, Linkedin or through her websiteYou can find the full interview here: Bigger is better, and other misconceptions about networks with Marissa King Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s 9:30, and you’ve got just under an hour before your next Zoom meeting. There’s already just a bit too much caffeine buzzing around your brain, and your eyes are half-crossed from the last video call. So how do you recharge and show up refreshed for that next one? If you’re Evernote and mmhmm co-founder Phil Libin, you swim laps. Thanks to the “distributed” nature of mmhmm’s workforce, he can punctuate his work days with distinctly not-work activities. Some days, it’s laps between meetings, other days it’s a stroll around one of his favourite museums while he ponders new ideas.Whatever he chooses on any given day, it’s only possible because of one of the many superpowers of the internet. Phil is happy to solve a few problems with our new way of working, if it means he gets to keep the many, many benefits of working asynchronously and away from a traditional office in the big city. Phil shares his favourite tips on making the most of remote work (including why he doesn’t like the term “remote”) and some of the biggest lessons he learned as the CEO of Evernote.  Connect with Phil on Twitter or Linkedin Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bestselling author and happiness guru Gretchen Rubin isn’t Type A. She’s Type A+, so she knows her way around a well-ordered pros and cons list. But when she and her family were deciding whether or not get a dog, that kind of hyperlogical thinking didn’t feel quite right, and ultimately had her going around in circles. Instead, she asked herself, ‘What’s the bigger life?’When it comes to major life decisions, breaking things down into tiny details doesn’t reflect the bigness of the decision. So with that in mind, Gretchen shares a number of questions she asks herself in order to make better decisions. Connect with Gretchen on Twitter or LinkedinYou can find the full interview here: The habits of happiness with Gretchen RubinIf you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It doesn’t matter if you’re not a professional writer - as a professional anything, you’re going to need to do a lot of writing. According to best-selling author Jamila Rizvi, this is a good thing, because your writing skills are like a muscle and therefore need constant training. She teaches you how to improve your writing no matter what field you’re in, and shares some tips for building momentum and staying focused during lockdown. Jamila also gives tips on how to edit your own work if you don’t have a professional editor, and how you can use friends and family to side-step the tunnel vision that gets in the way of good, clear writing. Connect with Jamila on Twitter, Instagram, or via her website. Grab a copy of Work.Love.Body.  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberEpisode Producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Mehigan had just opened his first restaurant, and was confident that he’d mastered the art of cooking. However, he’d soon realise he was yet to master the business of cooking. So, he hired a business coach, and everything changed. The most important thing Gary learned from that coach? The one-page “reset.” Every night, over a cup of tea, Gary writes one page of reflections, questions and goals, and he swears by the process. He believes that whenever he lets this practice slide for too long, his performance - and the performance of his whole team - suffers. Gary breaks down how to use the one-page reset, and why writing the same thing every single day is not only OK - it’s actually the point. Connect with Gary on TwitterYou can find the full interview here: Mastering the business of cooking with chef Gary Mehigan Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve crushed it in a meeting - everyone seems to be listening intently, excited about your ideas, and when you ask for feedback at the end, you get nothing but praise. So why then, two weeks down the line, do you find out that a few people didn’t agree with a word you said, and there’s a slew of things you could’ve done better? Peakon CEO and co-founder Phil Chambers says it might be because data’s a lot more honest than the people it comes from. Phil shares what he learned from starting a company without the skills to build the product, how he uses data in his own workplace, and why finding meaning in your work is more important than perks or engagement activities. Connect with Phil on LinkedIn Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You need to be in the office at nine, and if you want to be performing at your best, you’ll need to get in a quick workout and a nutritious breakfast. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for trying to pull an outfit together, so you’ll also need to sort that out the night before.  Oh, and you need to make sure your kids have eaten a healthy breakfast, put their school uniforms on, brushed their teeth, packed their bags, and not started an all-out war with one another before getting in the car for drop-off. Thankfully, parenting expert and bestselling author Dr Justin Coulson has a formula to help you do all of that, while also teaching your kids life skills and taking some of the workload off your own shoulders. Sounds too good to be true? Well, the system is called Make Mornings Magic. Justin lays out his four rules for keeping the morning chaos at bay, and how his routine has improved his relationship with his own kids. Connect with Justin on his website.Check out the Happy Families podcast. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Radek Sali’s working in a cinema - his first job out of school - when he realises that encouraging his team to up-sell popcorn and make more choc-tops might be more valuable than what he’s learning at university. It’s then that Radek decides to treat his career like that of a professional athlete: he accepts that it will be a long, tiring journey full of sacrifice, but worth it for a life of passion and excitement. It’s safe to say Radek made the right call - since then, he’s been a leading figure in the Australian health and wellness market, working in various capacities with Swisse, Hydralyte and myDNA among many, many more. Radek shoulders a wide variety of responsibilities, and employs a wide variety of techniques to stay on top of his game. He shares how meditation, DNA tests, workplace culture assessments and altruism work together to make him happier, healthier and more productive. Connect with Radek on Twitter or Linkedin Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was a competitive kid, and some classroom rivalries pushed me to better grades than I might have achieved otherwise. However, I was also a perfectionist, and any “A”s that came without a “+” beside them started to feel less like an almost-perfect achievement and more like a glaring signal that I’d missed the mark. I hated failing, and when you combine that with believing anything less than the top spot is a loss, you have a recipe for disaster. I hid my failures, refusing to talk about them, terrified that if people knew I wasn’t perfect, they wouldn’t like me anymore. Not only is this a good way to spend a lot of time being angry with yourself, but it turns out it makes the feeling of failing even worse. On the other hand, being open and honest about your failures actually makes us more resilient and improves self-belief. So in 2020, I wrote my first Failure Resume as an experiment. And now, I’m revisiting it and sharing it with you.  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, even Liane Moriarty, author of smash-hit novels like Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers is prone to “doom-scrolling” from time to time. Liane was the first Australian writer to ever debut a novel at #1 on the New York Times’ bestsellers list. The HBO adaptation of Big Little Lies, starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, was nominated for an astonishing 21 Emmys and won eight. And yet, just like the rest of us, she still struggles with distractions, negative self-talk, and finding time to work while raising a family. She shares how tracking her word count keeps her motivated while working on a novel, the importance of looking back on past successes to keep negative thoughts at bay, and why she always writes “The End” when finishing a book, even when she knows it won’t make it into the published version. She also outlines her writing process - from premise to characters to rewriting - and what she’s learned about interviews from Nicole Kidman. Connect with Liane on her website and grab a copy of Apples Never Fall. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working can be hard work… obviously. But that doesn’t mean it should only be hard work. Studies show we laugh and smile less as we enter our 20s - which is when most of us enter the full-time workforce.  Given how much of our lives we spend at work, we all want to make it a bit more fun. But the good news for the boss is - laughing more often at work makes us better at our jobs! So the question is: how do we become funnier?  Naomi Bagdonas teaches humour at Stanford University (yes, that’s a real job) and shares some concrete, actionable tips for being funny, and for making humour a habit.  Connect with Naomi on Twitter or Linkedin You can find the full interview here: How to bring more comedy into your next stand-up meeting, with Naomi Bagdonas Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s 4:27AM. That’s right. Not 4:25, not 4:30, but exactly 4:27. When you’re a veteran breakfast radio host like Christian O’Connell, you calculate your latest possible wakeup time to the second. Once he’s out the door, it’s a 20 to 30-minute commute, but it’s one he really enjoys. It’s the only time in a pretty hectic workday he has completely to himself. After that, it’s 15 minutes of solitude and total silence in the studio so Christian can focus on the one word that’s going to guide this morning’s show - it could be “gratitude”, it could be “openness”, or it could just be “funny.”Christian has a huge range of tools, tactics and routines in place to make the most of his work days, and they’re based on years of experience, hard work… and hard times. He shares how he’s built those routines, and how he uses other tools like breath work and therapy to overcome his darkest hours.Connect with Christian on Twitter or LinkedinGrab your copy of No One Listens to Your Dad's Show. Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working from home used to sound like the dream, didn’t it? If you work from home, you’re always at home! But I think we’re all starting to realise the flip-side of the WFH movement - if you work from home, you’re also always at work. And for most people, the move to working from home has been quite sudden, and you likely don’t have the space for a designated office. A lot of us are working from our dining room tables, but according to Lucy Feagins, editor of The Design Files, that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the beauty of your workspace. Lucy walks you through how she sets up her own space at home, and teaches you the importance of having a set-up and pack-down ritual if you’re working from a shared living space. She also shares her favourite tools and trinkets to make her home office enjoyable to work in, and reflective of her personality - which is especially important in the age of Zoom!Follow these links to find all the things Lucy recommends in our chat:Muji storageSteelcase office chairsPhillips HueIKEA office chairsCultHay lightsIn Good CompanyNoguchi lights   Connect with Lucy on Twitter or Linkedin, at her website or on Instagram Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Phantom of the Opera, Josh Piterman’s story is already pre-written for him. But as an actor and a person, Josh writes that narrative himself. Josh shares how repeating the same esoteric ritual before every show helps him enter a flow state. For him, focusing on being present ensures that every performance feels like a brand new show. He also breaks down how journaling and teaching meditation make him a more generous and grateful person, and how working with a world-famous mindset coach has changed his life. Connect with Josh on Twitter or at his website Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co/?SUS=HIWshownotesVisit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you have to do today?  A long, detailed report? A whole slew of meetings? Make dinner, do laundry, somehow squeeze in a workout? I feel you! Between work, family, friendships and looking after our health, there’s a lot we feel like we have to do. But therein lies the problem…  Thinking that we have to do something automatically makes it feel like a burden. Your self-talk is really powerful, but thankfully, it works both ways.  Turia Pitt, the bestselling author, two-time Ironman and survivor of a devastating near-death experience teaches you how one simple phrase can help you reframe those to-dos into “get-to-do”s.  Connect with Turia on Twitter or Linkedin You can find the full interview here: Turia Pitt’s Next Tuesday rule, hacks for dramatically improving self-talk, and how to be useful when someone is going through a rough time Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's show is brought to you by Nespresso Professional.In previous episodes of How I Work, we’ve talked about the value of “micro-breaks” for maintaining energy over a long day at the office. Nespresso’s Jean-Marc Dragoli takes this to a new level, stealing away for a “coffee moment” seven to ten times a day! He teaches you how a cup of coffee can facilitate anything from quiet reflection to a sense of connection with farmers on the other side of the globe. He also gives you the low-down on caffeine content and decaf, as well as suggestions for brewing your own cup at home.  Jean-Marc is also a serial language learner, speaking at least “five and a half” languages in his estimation. He shares his secrets for learning and maintaining multiple languages, and why it’s a critical skill if you want to connect with a new culture.   Connect with Jean-Marc Dragoli on Twitter or LinkedIn Check out the Nespresso Professional range: https://www.nespresso.com/pro/au/en/Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co/?SUS=HIWshownotes Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***Does business really need to be so serious? Stanford Business School humour lecturer Naomi Bagdonas believes there’s always room for humour, even when you’re trying to accomplish very serious things.  She’s found utilising humour can boost innovation, foster creativity, and bolster resilience through hard times.  Naomi says bringing levity into your day-to-day exchanges can diffuse tension and help your colleagues understand you on a deeper level.  She shares tips from her book Humor, Seriously, written with Jennifer Aaker, on how to incorporate humour into presentations and meetings, how to write a joke, and tips for bringing comedy into your emails.  Naomi teaches humour as part of a purpose and leadership course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. She also coaches top executives in the art of comedy.  Assess your own personal humour style: https://quiz.humorseriously.com/ Get your copy of Humor, Seriously: https://www.humorseriously.com/ Sign up for the 21 day Humour Bootcamp: https://bootcamp.humorseriously.com/  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Levels CEO and digital nomad Sam Corcos teaches you how to get a bird’s-eye view of your company with a quarterly “think week.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When his past students complained of being stuck in jobs they hated, organisational psychologist and best-selling author Adam Grant decided he needed to find a remedy. He says we should all be scheduling regular life check-ups. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kara Swisher doesn’t have imposter syndrome… And for good reason. She’s a celebrated journalist, opinion columnist for The New York Times, the host of the Sway podcast, and the co-host of Pivot.  Kara teaches you how to be practical in your self-evaluation, which often means you need to give yourself some praise. She reflects on how society’s views on her sexuality and gender have forced her to advocate for herself when no one else would. That’s given her an unbreakable self-confidence over the course of her career. Connect with Kara on Twitter or Linkedin You can find the full interview here: Why NYT journalist Kara Swisher has never had imposter syndrome  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do your knees shake at the thought of public speaking? Are you intimidated before a big interview? Do you worry about finding the right mentor?  Holly Ransom, Fulbright Scholar and author of The Leading Edge, says it’s because you’re thinking about yourself. All those nerves will fall away if you re-frame and focus instead on the value you can bring to others. And if you’re hoping to find a great mentor, you have to be willing to pay it forward. Holly also shares how you can better manage your days by doing an energy audit, taking micro-breaks, and setting the right number of goals.  Connect with Holly on Twitter or Linkedin  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cal Newport gets a lot done. He’s a computer science professor at Georgetown University, he’s written several bestsellers on productivity, and he now hosts the popular Deep Questions podcast.  He shares the secrets to getting more done in less time by eliminating the bottle-necks in your organisation. Back-and-forth messages to organise meetings and unstructured chat in the office can pile up fast - and before you know it, you’ve run out of time for the truly important work.  Cal suggests you use scheduling software and borrow the university concept of “office hours” to streamline your communication at work. Connect with Cal at calnewport.com You can find the full interview here: Cal Newport on how to eliminate 80% of emails in your organisation  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yep, a lot of Australians are still in lockdown. But Dr Norman Swan, physician, journalist and presenter of The Health Report and Coronacast, is here to help you get through it. Norman is the author of So You Think You Know What’s Good For You?, a book that dispels common myths and half-truths about health.  He tells you how he managed to stay sane during 2020 lockdowns, and how he hopes to do it again. He’ll teach you the power of great story-telling, how to get the most out of your exercise routine, and explain why you can’t use coffee “strategically.” Connect with Norman on Twitter or Linkedin  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram  If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a fortnightly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producers: Jenna Koda and Liam RiordanSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Networking can sometimes feel like a dirty word… It’s like the evil twin sister of making friends. But according to Business Chicks founder and Global CEO Emma Isaacs, networking and making friends are really the same thing. Emma teaches you how to shed that icky feeling so you can embrace the fun of meeting new people. She gives tips on active listening, soothing that “new people” anxiety, and some tasteful ways to exit a conversation. You can find the full episode here: Business Chicks Founder & Global CEO Emma Isaacs on how to get better at networking (even if you hate it) Connect with Emma on Twitter or Linkedin Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you know you’re hiring the best possible people for your organisation? How can you wake up with gratitude every single day? And how do you make sure you never have to throw out an old loaf of bread ever again?  Believe it or not, there’s one woman who can answer every one of those questions. Ronni Kahn is the founder and CEO of OzHarvest, a food rescue organisation that’s partnered with some of the most recognisable names in the world, from the Duchess of Cornwall to Woolworths and BP.   Ronni shares why she believes in manifesting rather than goal-setting, how she vets potential employees, and how she wakes up feeling grateful every single morning - even at 5:30! She also gives tips for cutting down on food waste, ranging from suggestions for soups to how often you should be doing your grocery shopping.  Connect with Ronni on Twitter or Linkedin, or on the OzHarvest website  Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProducer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want to get more out of everything you read? Well, join the club! Or, you could join Booktopia CEO Tony Nash and start listening to more audiobooks instead. Tony shares why he doesn’t stress about taking notes while he’s listening, and instead prefers to absorb the information into hismental “DataBank”. He says it improves his ability to act quickly and automatically when it matters most.  He also reveals the two heated moments that sparked his commitment to remaining calm in the face of uncertainty and unforeseeable crises.   Connect with Tony on Linkedin You can find the full interview here: Why Booktopia’s CEO Tony Nash is excited when people resign. Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week marked a very special kind of anniversary for me: being a Melbournian, I have now clocked up over 200 days in lockdown. For most of those 200 days, I feel like I've coped pretty well.But last week, things felt really hard. I didn't feel like myself and people close to me were struggling too. And I was just sick of hearing the same old advice for how to cope. So I reached out to someone I knew would be thinking differently - Dom Price, head of R&D and resident Work Futurist at Atlassian. So if you're struggling with lockdown, or maybe just everything that is going on in the world right now, I hope that you'll be able to take at least one thing out of this chat to help make things a tiny bit better right now. Find a buddy for News Duty Do a Ritual Reset (and check out Atlassian's Team Central for doing Status Updates asynchronously) Day of Yes Treat Day (and check out The Power of Moments) Plan an act of service Conduct Atlassian's Work-Life Impact exercise Nudge yourself towards better behaviours Design your week Five-minute social media timer The Balance of Happiness Connect with Dom on his website, Linkedin, and via Atlassian's Team Playbook.Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How are you coping with this whole global pandemic thing? I'm in Melbourne in lockdown 6.0 and it's pretty tough going. I feel like I'm more reliant on my devices than ever before - it's like a window to the outside world. But I have a feeling that checking ABC news 10 times a day isn't very good for my mental health. So in today's show, I have an alternative to share.Try out Amantha's favourite calendar software here:usemotion.ioCheck out Lisa's ABC podcast This Working Life.Connect with Lisa on Linkedin.Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short fortinghtly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin Imber See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being a CEO is tough… Being CEO of two companies? That’s a whole different game.  For Nicky Sparshott, CEO of Unilever ANZ and Global CEO of T2, the trick to staying on top of everything is sometimes as simple as a post-it note.  She shares how she filters her priorities from a five-year horizon all the way down through yearly, quarterly, monthly and daily to-do lists. She also highlights the importance of blocking out time for deep thinking, the unexpected benefits of working with a global team, and some tricks for bringing levity into your business. Connect with Nicky on Linkedin. Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve got a huge decision to make - the common advice would be to ‘sleep on it’. Carsales CEO Cameron McIntyre says even if ‘sleeping on it’ actually looks more like lying awake in bed thinking about it all night, taking 24 hours before you make a crucial decision, or reply to a frustrating email, is worth it.  According to Cameron, leaders don’t get the benefit of throwing their hands up in defeat - that kind of behaviour can be contagious in an organisation.  He shares how you can remain calm and composed for those around you. Connect with Cameron on Twitter or Linkedin You can find the full interview here: How to remember names and influence people - with Carsales’ CEO Cameron McIntyre  Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear me out - what if you stopped trying so hard to be productive? Most of us only get a total of four thousand weeks on this earth. Do you really want to spend them answering emails? Oliver Burkeman is a “recovering productivity geek” and he wants you to make peace with the reality that you'll never get everything done. He says once you’ve accepted that hard truth, you’ll finally be free to focus on what’s truly important.Oliver Burkeman is a journalist and the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking and the forthcoming Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.  He shares why it’s valuable to recognise and wrestle with your limitations head-on, why it’s worth keeping a “Done List,” and gives you permission to decline to clear the decks.   Connect with Oliver on Twitter or via his website.  Get a copy of Oliver’s book 4000 Weeks.  Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yep, harsh feedback can sting like a rotten tomato right to the face, so how can you tell which criticism is ripe for the picking? Sam McMillan is a musical comedian, satirist, writer and radio presenter who performs under the stage name Sammy J.  Sammy knows that not all feedback is created equal. He shares why he takes on every bit of feedback from his team at ABC Radio, and why he’s more selective about what to take seriously when it comes to audiences and social media.  Connect with Sammy on Twitter. You can find the full interview here: Getting creative with a time limit - the new life of ABC Radio breakfast host Sammy J   Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if you’re sabotaging yourself without even realising it?   You know that feeling, when you’ve got the skills, the reputation and the experience, but you just can’t land that top job? Just three letters could be standing in your way. According to comedian, writer, podcast and radio host, and self-described “probably pretty bad” Buddhist Meshel Laurie, it’s time to say “YES.” You ARE interviewing, you ARE looking at new people, and you ARE taking applications for new friends and new opportunities Meshel shares why now is the best time to take the plunge on that next big challenge, whether it be starting your own business, making new friends or implementing that elusive meditation habit.  With a decades-long career in hosting radio, and now as a celebrated author, co-host of multiple popular podcasts, and a parent of twins, Meshel is no stranger to pressure. So when she tells you it’s ok to be kinder to yourself, she’s the one to listen to.  Connect with Meshel on Instagram or Linkedin and get Meshel's latest book CSI Told You Lies. Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can you inject a bit of humour into your work day? And why does the work feel so much better when you’re able to share a few laughs with your colleagues? Naomi Bagdonas teaches humour as part of a purpose and leadership course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. She also coaches top executives in the art of comedy.  She shares some comedy one-on-one that will give you a simple framework to start bringing more humour into the workplace and more comedy into your next presentation.   Connect with Naomi at Humour Seriously or on TwitterYou can find the full interview here: How to bring more comedy into your next stand-up meeting, with Naomi Bagdonas Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you make big decisions - especially when the outcome affects the people you love? When it falls on you to make a really big choice - should you take that new job, what school should your kids go to - I bet you’ve wished there was some kind of decision-making framework you could apply. And it’s so much easier to weigh up the pros and cons when you actually have some information to hand.  When economist Emily Oster decided to become a parent, she was immediately confronted with so many decisions - each of which could impact her future child’s life differently. So many choices to make, all of them important - but where was the cold, hard data? Could she maintain her four-cup-a-day coffee habit while pregnant? There was no data to back the medical advice!   Surely parenting books had the answers? No hard data analysis in those pages either!    So what’s an economist to do? Run her own analysis. Three books later, the Brown University Professor has not only broken down all the data parents need to make decisions, but she’s worked out how we can all be making better decisions.  And in the process she discovered her four-step decision making matrix can be applied to a wide range of important life choices.  She also shares why some of life's biggest decisions should be made over email.  Read Emily’s parentdata series, Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm.  Connect with Emily on Linkedin or Twitter.  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“You’re on mute, Dave!” How are you supposed to build chemistry and work effectively with colleagues when you’re rarely in the same room anymore?Organisational psychologist Adam Grant says it is possible to make your time with them energetic and bursting with ideas that move the work forward effectively.“I don't think there's anything about human psychology that leaves me convinced that we have to be physically in the same room to trust each other and collaborate effectively.”So how does he achieve independent thinking and creative collaboration with his remote colleagues? Adam also shares his trick for fast tracking a deep connection with strangers.  Connect with Adam through his website or on TwitterYou can find the full interview here: Why Adam Grant wants you to schedule a regular life check-up Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since opening a small pheasant farm and restaurant with her husband back in the 70s, Maggie Beer has become the master of making the most out of every opportunity. She’s no stranger to creating new and hugely popular new food products from excess harvest, and shares how to look for inspiration in something that can, at first, appear to be a problem. Maggie has been helping us up our game in the kitchen for years. She says the best way to drastically improve your cooking is to master the basics. So I couldn’t miss an opportunity to ask for help in perfecting the perfect home roasted chicken. Maggie also shares how she’s grown her businesses over the years, and what was the biggest game-changer. Connect with Maggie through her website or join Maggie’s Food Club to receive her monthly newsletter.  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If deciding what to have for breakfast each morning does your head in, why not outsource the decision to the best - top Melbourne restaurant owner, Ben Shewry?The Attica chef says, “It takes just as long to make a bad breakfast as it does to make a good one.” So what are Ben’s top tips for making a great breakfast? Omelette, poached or scrambled… No matter how you take your eggs, Ben Shewry is about to help you take them to the next level. Connect with Ben on Instagram or TwitterYou can find the full interview here: How to keep calm and make good eggs with Attica’s Ben Shewry Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tip just for you - you’re doing too much, friend. You’re probably conditioned to think the harder you work, the better the results...  And you might have even hit burnout once or twice along the way.  Leadership and business strategist Greg McKeown wants you to fight against that conditioning.  Instead of wondering “How can I work harder to get more done?”, Greg wants you to ask yourself “How can I make this easier AND get the best results?”. But can you genuinely take fewer steps and still get to the same destination?  Greg shares his simple strategies for working effortlessly and also helps me out with some tips to get me through my writer’s block.   Read Greg’s latest book, Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most or listen to his podcast What’s Essential.Connect with Greg through his website, Linkedin or Twitter.  Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does someone as busy as Adore Beauty co-founder Kate Morris nail her unique and polished look at every event? Spoiler - it’s not by pulling everything out of the cupboard!   As the leader of a publicly listed e-commerce beauty empire, the pressure is ON when Kate steps out of the house.  Kate shares her secret, which she says is “the best thing I ever did” and a total shortcut for always wearing the best version of herself. Connect with Kate on Linkedin You can find the full interview here: Cosmetics queen Kate Morris on why you need to manage energy, not time Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's BEST OF episode, my guest is Laura Mae Martin. Laura is the Executive Productivity Advisor at Google. So how did this happen?Laura Mae Martin started at Google almost 10 years ago in the Ann Arbor office. Shortly after joining she started a 20% project and developed an internal training on how to manage your inbox effectively. Her continued passion for productivity has developed into a full-time role working 1:1 with Executives at Google and running the Productivity@Google program for all employees.We cover: How Laura scored the job of Executive Productivity Advisor at Google Laura’s top tips for working from home during COVID while being a parent How Laura sets her day up for success Laura’s template for planning her day the night before Laura’s weekly ritual for planning her work How Laura reflects on her energy levels over a week and plans her week based on these insights How Laura has set mental and physical boundaries while working from home during COVID Laura’s approach to making meetings as efficient as possible and her default meeting length time Laura’s email management strategies to dramatically reduce the amount of time she spends in her inbox How Laura manages digital distractions Laura’s favourite productivity apps How Laura and other Googlers are improving social connectedness during COVID. Find our more about Laura here: Laura's blog post about working from home  Laura's blog post about mastering email The Suite Life YouTube series, where Laura shares GSuite hacks on a weekly basis Laura's LinkedIn If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Simon Griffiths chose to cover your toilet paper stack with a cheeky sense of fun and delight, the Who Gives a Crap founder cracked open a whole new world of creative possibilities for the business. For Simon, that meant delivering something unexpected to his customers and creating a culture of quirky fun in the workplace, all while delivering decoration to your dunny.That sense of humour has even filtered through to the company’s recruitment process.  Connect with Simon on Twitter or Linkedin You can find the full interview here: https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/who-gives-a-craps-simon-griffiths-on-driving-a-team-through-greater-purpose/  Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's BEST OF episode, my guest is Rahul Vohra. Rahul is the founder and CEO of Superhuman, the fastest email experience in the world. Users get through their inbox twice as fast — and many see Inbox Zero for the first time in years! Previously, he founded Rapportive, the first Gmail plugin to scale to millions of users. Rapportive was acquired by LinkedIn.In our chat, we cover: Rahul’s approach to becoming as efficient as possible with the software he uses Rahul’s email workflow How Rahul divides his inbox into different sections to help him prioritise his day Why Rahul only checks email twice a day Why Rahul never checks his email on the weekend How Rahul uses automation to reduce time in his inbox Why learning the keyboard shortcuts in software is critical to productivity How Rahul designed the most joyful software induction process I have ever experienced How Rahul batches and staggers his meetings Rahul’s method for time tracking and how he uses the data Rahul’s method for running effective meetings at Superhuman How to create a great pitch Rahul's favourite software for being more productive Rahul’s favourite new software Connect with Rahul at rahul@superhuman.com and on Twitter (https://twitter.com/rahulvohra?lang=en)Check out Superhuman at: https://superhuman.com/ and enter How I Work podcast for how you found out about Superhuman.If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Complete the 2021 How I Work Listener survey to go into the draw for a $100 Visa gift card and a spot in Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, valued at over $500: https://bit.ly/3fEMiAG. ***Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosSound engineer: Martin ImberListener Survey Competition Terms and Conditions By entering the ‘Acast & How I Work Listener Survey Competition’ you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. Who can enterEntry is open to all participants who complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full, inclusive of the outlined competition question. How to enterThe competition opens June 1, 2021 at 6am, and concludes on June 30, 2021, midnight. In order to enter, eligible entrants must complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full and answer the final question: ‘What is the most memorable podcast ad you have heard and why?’ PrizesThere will be one (1) prize draw and one (1) winner per Acast Listener Survey. The winner will receive one (1) Visa Gift Card to the value of $100. Total prize value is $100. They will also receive a pass to Inventium’s Workday Reinvention program valued at $495+GST. How to winThere will be one (1) winner chosen from the total number of entries received.This is a game of skill whereby the most creative entry to the competition question will be deemed the winner. Completed entries will be reviewed by an Acast judging panel where a top three entries will be selected. The top three entries will then be given to the Acast judge who will choose the final winner. The promoter’s decision is final and the promoter will not enter into correspondence regarding the result. The winner will be selected on July 2, 2021, at 9am.Acast will contact the winner via email on July 6, 2021, 9am.The winner has until July 9, 2021, 5pm to claim their prize.If the winner does not claim their prize within this time, the winner will forfeit their prize and the runner up will be deemed the winner, at which point they will be contacted via email. Prize will be fulfilled via email and sent to the details provided by the winner at the time of entry. Promoter DetailsThe promoter is Acast AustraliaLevel 2, 17 Randle StreetSurry Hills, NSW, 2010Sydney, AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Complete the 2021 How I Work Listener survey to go into the draw for a $100 Visa gift card and a spot in Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, valued at over $500: https://bit.ly/3fEMiAG. *** How did Victoria Devine convince hundreds of thousands of millenials, mostly women, to stop hitting snooze on their finances? The award-winning financial advisor and Founder of She’s on the Money shares her no-nonsense tips for building a secure financial future. In Victoria’s case, that quest to wake a generation up to their financial potential has also led her to build a hugely successful podcast and online empire. So how does she service a huge online community with advice, updates and practical money management tips?  And how does she make her social content look so good and keep it relevant?  Victoria’s book She’s on the Money, has just been released.  Connect with Victoria on Twitter, Instagram or Linkedin Her website She’s on the Money  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberListener Survey Competition Terms and Conditions By entering the ‘Acast & How I Work Listener Survey Competition’ you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. Who can enterEntry is open to all participants who complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full, inclusive of the outlined competition question. How to enterThe competition opens June 1, 2021 at 6am, and concludes on June 30, 2021, midnight. In order to enter, eligible entrants must complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full and answer the final question: ‘What is the most memorable podcast ad you have heard and why?’ PrizesThere will be one (1) prize draw and one (1) winner per Acast Listener Survey. The winner will receive one (1) Visa Gift Card to the value of $100. Total prize value is $100. They will also receive a pass to Inventium’s Workday Reinvention program valued at $495+GST. How to winThere will be one (1) winner chosen from the total number of entries received.This is a game of skill whereby the most creative entry to the competition question will be deemed the winner. Completed entries will be reviewed by an Acast judging panel where a top three entries will be selected. The top three entries will then be given to the Acast judge who will choose the final winner. The promoter’s decision is final and the promoter will not enter into correspondence regarding the result. The winner will be selected on July 2, 2021, at 9am.Acast will contact the winner via email on July 6, 2021, 9am.The winner has until July 9, 2021, 5pm to claim their prize.If the winner does not claim their prize within this time, the winner will forfeit their prize and the runner up will be deemed the winner, at which point they will be contacted via email. Prize will be fulfilled via email and sent to the details provided by the winner at the time of entry. Promoter DetailsThe promoter is Acast AustraliaLevel 2, 17 Randle StreetSurry Hills, NSW, 2010Sydney, AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Complete the 2021 How I Work Listener survey to go into the draw for a $100 Visa gift card and a spot in Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, valued at over $500: https://bit.ly/3fEMiAG. *** Do you struggle to speak up in a meeting and share your ideas?  Developing your authority as a leader while still remaining approachable can be super tricky. Ebay Australia's Managing Director Tim MacKinnon says when you’re trying to strike that perfect balance, traits like vulnerability, authenticity and increasing self-awareness can really help you develop your voice and lead with impact. You can connect with Tim on Linkedin  You can find the full interview here: https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/ebay-australias-managing-director-tim-mcckinnon-on-how-to-actually-be-an-authentic-leader/  Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin Imber  Listener Survey Competition Terms and Conditions By entering the ‘Acast & How I Work Listener Survey Competition’ you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. Who can enterEntry is open to all participants who complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full, inclusive of the outlined competition question. How to enterThe competition opens June 1, 2021 at 6am, and concludes on June 30, 2021, midnight. In order to enter, eligible entrants must complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full and answer the final question: ‘What is the most memorable podcast ad you have heard and why?’ PrizesThere will be one (1) prize draw and one (1) winner per Acast Listener Survey. The winner will receive one (1) Visa Gift Card to the value of $100. Total prize value is $100. They will also receive a pass to Inventium’s Workday Reinvention program valued at $495+GST. How to winThere will be one (1) winner chosen from the total number of entries received.This is a game of skill whereby the most creative entry to the competition question will be deemed the winner. Completed entries will be reviewed by an Acast judging panel where a top three entries will be selected. The top three entries will then be given to the Acast judge who will choose the final winner. The promoter’s decision is final and the promoter will not enter into correspondence regarding the result. The winner will be selected on July 2, 2021, at 9am.Acast will contact the winner via email on July 6, 2021, 9am.The winner has until July 9, 2021, 5pm to claim their prize.If the winner does not claim their prize within this time, the winner will forfeit their prize and the runner up will be deemed the winner, at which point they will be contacted via email. Prize will be fulfilled via email and sent to the details provided by the winner at the time of entry. Promoter DetailsThe promoter is Acast AustraliaLevel 2, 17 Randle StreetSurry Hills, NSW, 2010Sydney, AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Complete the 2021 How I Work Listener survey to go into the draw for a $100 Visa gift card and a spot in Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, valued at over $500: https://bit.ly/3fEMiAG. *** Before you click ‘add’ on another vaguely familiar face on LinkedIn - not so fast!  But the larger your social or professional network, the larger your influence, right? Organisational psychologist Marissa King says… not always. A professor of organisational behaviour at the Yale School of Management, Marissa has studied social networks, social influence and team dynamics for the past fifteen years. She’s developed a deep understanding of how they evolve and why it’s so important to make sure your existing contacts feel the love before you rack up new ones. She also shares her routine for reinvigorating her network and how to reconnect with people you might not have spoken to for years. Read Marissa’s latest book, Social Chemistry: Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection Connect with Marissa on Twitter, Linkedin or through her website.  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimberTwitter: https://twitter.com/amanthaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanthai/ Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberListener Survey Competition Terms and Conditions By entering the ‘Acast & How I Work Listener Survey Competition’ you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. Who can enterEntry is open to all participants who complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full, inclusive of the outlined competition question. How to enterThe competition opens June 1, 2021 at 6am, and concludes on June 30, 2021, midnight. In order to enter, eligible entrants must complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full and answer the final question: ‘What is the most memorable podcast ad you have heard and why?’ PrizesThere will be one (1) prize draw and one (1) winner per Acast Listener Survey. The winner will receive one (1) Visa Gift Card to the value of $100. Total prize value is $100. They will also receive a pass to Inventium’s Workday Reinvention program valued at $495+GST. How to winThere will be one (1) winner chosen from the total number of entries received.This is a game of skill whereby the most creative entry to the competition question will be deemed the winner. Completed entries will be reviewed by an Acast judging panel where a top three entries will be selected. The top three entries will then be given to the Acast judge who will choose the final winner. The promoter’s decision is final and the promoter will not enter into correspondence regarding the result. The winner will be selected on July 2, 2021, at 9am.Acast will contact the winner via email on July 6, 2021, 9am.The winner has until July 9, 2021, 5pm to claim their prize.If the winner does not claim their prize within this time, the winner will forfeit their prize and the runner up will be deemed the winner, at which point they will be contacted via email. Prize will be fulfilled via email and sent to the details provided by the winner at the time of entry. Promoter DetailsThe promoter is Acast AustraliaLevel 2, 17 Randle StreetSurry Hills, NSW, 2010Sydney, AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Complete the 2021 How I Work Listener survey to go into the draw for a $100 Visa gift card and a spot in Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, valued at over $500: https://bit.ly/3fEMiAG. *** Now everyone has had time working from home, is it time to return to ‘normal’?  Remote.com’s Founder and CEO Job van der Voort says now we've tasted the freedom of remote work, companies are going to have a tough time getting staff back in the office. Working for a remote-first company allows staff to live anywhere and have more control over working hours. For companies, it means being able to hire the best talent for the role, no matter where they live.  But a remote-friendly culture means you don't have this luxury. Job thinks it’s time to make the decision: To be all-in, or all out.  You can connect with Job on Twitter and Linkedin and the Remote website - remote.com You can find the full interview here: https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/remote-com-founder-job-van-der-voort-on-the-ultimate-home-office-set-up/  Connect with me on the socials:LinkedinTwitterInstagram If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin Imber  Listener Survey Competition Terms and Conditions By entering the ‘Acast & How I Work Listener Survey Competition’ you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. Who can enterEntry is open to all participants who complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full, inclusive of the outlined competition question. How to enterThe competition opens June 1, 2021 at 6am, and concludes on June 30, 2021, midnight. In order to enter, eligible entrants must complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full and answer the final question: ‘What is the most memorable podcast ad you have heard and why?’ PrizesThere will be one (1) prize draw and one (1) winner per Acast Listener Survey. The winner will receive one (1) Visa Gift Card to the value of $100. Total prize value is $100. They will also receive a pass to Inventium’s Workday Reinvention program valued at $495+GST. How to winThere will be one (1) winner chosen from the total number of entries received.This is a game of skill whereby the most creative entry to the competition question will be deemed the winner. Completed entries will be reviewed by an Acast judging panel where a top three entries will be selected. The top three entries will then be given to the Acast judge who will choose the final winner. The promoter’s decision is final and the promoter will not enter into correspondence regarding the result. The winner will be selected on July 2, 2021, at 9am.Acast will contact the winner via email on July 6, 2021, 9am.The winner has until July 9, 2021, 5pm to claim their prize.If the winner does not claim their prize within this time, the winner will forfeit their prize and the runner up will be deemed the winner, at which point they will be contacted via email. Prize will be fulfilled via email and sent to the details provided by the winner at the time of entry. Promoter DetailsThe promoter is Acast AustraliaLevel 2, 17 Randle StreetSurry Hills, NSW, 2010Sydney, AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Complete the 2021 How I Work Listener survey to go into the draw for a $100 Visa gift card and a spot in Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, valued at over $500: https://bit.ly/3fEMiAG. *** What are the routines and habits of a happiness guru? Gretchen Rubin has spent the last ten years dedicated to researching and exploring how to be happier.  She’s the host of popular weekly podcast, Happier with Gretchen Ruben, and the author of several books including The Happiness Project, Outer Order Inner Calm, The Four Tendencies, and Happier at Home.  She’s explored all different approaches to being happier and shares the routines and habits that have been the most successful in giving her a happier life.  She’s also created her own Twelve Commandments to help guide her in staying authentically Gretchen.  Can we help our kids create better habits? Gretchen shares her approach.  Connect with Gretchen on Twitter, Linkedin or through her website Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberListener Survey Competition Terms and Conditions By entering the ‘Acast & How I Work Listener Survey Competition’ you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. Who can enterEntry is open to all participants who complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full, inclusive of the outlined competition question. How to enterThe competition opens June 1, 2021 at 6am, and concludes on June 30, 2021, midnight. In order to enter, eligible entrants must complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full and answer the final question: ‘What is the most memorable podcast ad you have heard and why?’ PrizesThere will be one (1) prize draw and one (1) winner per Acast Listener Survey. The winner will receive one (1) Visa Gift Card to the value of $100. Total prize value is $100. They will also receive a pass to Inventium’s Workday Reinvention program valued at $495+GST. How to winThere will be one (1) winner chosen from the total number of entries received.This is a game of skill whereby the most creative entry to the competition question will be deemed the winner. Completed entries will be reviewed by an Acast judging panel where a top three entries will be selected. The top three entries will then be given to the Acast judge who will choose the final winner. The promoter’s decision is final and the promoter will not enter into correspondence regarding the result. The winner will be selected on July 2, 2021, at 9am.Acast will contact the winner via email on July 6, 2021, 9am.The winner has until July 9, 2021, 5pm to claim their prize.If the winner does not claim their prize within this time, the winner will forfeit their prize and the runner up will be deemed the winner, at which point they will be contacted via email. Prize will be fulfilled via email and sent to the details provided by the winner at the time of entry. Promoter DetailsThe promoter is Acast AustraliaLevel 2, 17 Randle StreetSurry Hills, NSW, 2010Sydney, AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Kevin Kelly. Kevin is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded Wired in 1993, and served as its Executive Editor for its first seven years. His most recent book is The Inevitable, which is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He co-founded the Hackers’ Conference and also the Quantified Self movement. He writes one of my favourite newsletters, Recomendo, hosts the Cool Tools podcast, and also founded the very popular Cool Tools website back in 2003, in which a new tool is reviewed every single day.We cover: Kevin’s approach to learning about new topics How Kevin approaches buying new tools and gadgets Kevin’s search hacks when trying to find something on Youtube Kevin’s views on why Youtube is under-appreciated The new habits Kevin is trying to build Why Kevin embraces interruptions Kevin’s trick for getting himself in flow How Kevin decides which requests to say yes to What Kevin lacks that makes him a great listener What makes a great question The best thing Kevin invested in after leaving Wired The number one thing Kevin looks for when recruiting new team members or collaborators The gadgets that bring Kevin the most joy Kevin's favourite apps Links to things Kevin mentioned: Minimalism Notebooks Tide Trac Seek Subscribe to Recomendo Cool tools podcast Cool tools website Vanishing Asia 68 bits of unsolicited advice Follow Kevin on Twitter Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Complete the 2021 How I Work Listener survey to go into the draw for a $100 Visa gift card and a spot in Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, valued at over $500: https://bit.ly/3fEMiAG. ***When Gary Mehigan opened his first restaurant he couldn’t understand why all that effort in the kitchen wasn’t cooking up good business.So the chef engaged a business coach who helped him work smarter instead of harder. He learned how to be more accountable to his business, including a daily reflection strategy to keep him on track. And those lessons in entrepreneurship held him in good stead after the very public and abrupt ending to his role on Masterchef - when he drew upon the resilience that running a business had taught him.He also shares his hacks for quick and delicious home cooking, how fresh ingredients cut down your work in the kitchen, and why you shouldn’t be afraid of a pressure cooker. Gary recommends Stephanie Alexander - Cooks Companion for new cooks as well as cookbooks by Maggie Beer or Neil Perry. Gary’s favourite books on business management : Michael E Gerber, The E Myth and Awakening the Entrepreneur Within.  Connect with Gary on Twitter or Instagram Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberListener Survey Competition Terms and Conditions By entering the ‘Acast & How I Work Listener Survey Competition’ you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. Who can enterEntry is open to all participants who complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full, inclusive of the outlined competition question. How to enterThe competition opens June 1, 2021 at 6am, and concludes on June 30, 2021, midnight. In order to enter, eligible entrants must complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full and answer the final question: ‘What is the most memorable podcast ad you have heard and why?’ PrizesThere will be one (1) prize draw and one (1) winner per Acast Listener Survey. The winner will receive one (1) Visa Gift Card to the value of $100. Total prize value is $100. They will also receive a pass to Inventium’s Workday Reinvention program valued at $495+GST. How to winThere will be one (1) winner chosen from the total number of entries received.This is a game of skill whereby the most creative entry to the competition question will be deemed the winner. Completed entries will be reviewed by an Acast judging panel where a top three entries will be selected. The top three entries will then be given to the Acast judge who will choose the final winner. The promoter’s decision is final and the promoter will not enter into correspondence regarding the result. The winner will be selected on July 2, 2021, at 9am.Acast will contact the winner via email on July 6, 2021, 9am.The winner has until July 9, 2021, 5pm to claim their prize.If the winner does not claim their prize within this time, the winner will forfeit their prize and the runner up will be deemed the winner, at which point they will be contacted via email. Prize will be fulfilled via email and sent to the details provided by the winner at the time of entry. Promoter DetailsThe promoter is Acast AustraliaLevel 2, 17 Randle StreetSurry Hills, NSW, 2010Sydney, AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Complete the 2021 How I Work Listener survey to go into the draw for a $100 Visa gift card and a spot in Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, valued at over $500: https://bit.ly/3fEMiAG. ***Have you ever thought about breaking down your day into what are the most valuable tasks that you do and the least valuable? If you're like most people, you've probably broken down your annual salary into an hourly rate. Or if you're a business owner or freelancer, perhaps you've divided annual revenue into the number of hours that you work to get to a similar calculation.Perry Marshall, one of the most expensive business strategists in the world, has spent a lot of time thinking about this. Because for him, there is a completely different way of looking at this equation.If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberListener Survey Competition Terms and Conditions By entering the ‘Acast & How I Work Listener Survey Competition’ you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. Who can enterEntry is open to all participants who complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full, inclusive of the outlined competition question. How to enterThe competition opens June 1, 2021 at 6am, and concludes on June 30, 2021, midnight. In order to enter, eligible entrants must complete the Acast & How I Work Listener Survey in full and answer the final question: ‘What is the most memorable podcast ad you have heard and why?’ PrizesThere will be one (1) prize draw and one (1) winner per Acast Listener Survey. The winner will receive one (1) Visa Gift Card to the value of $100. Total prize value is $100. They will also receive a pass to Inventium’s Workday Reinvention program valued at $495+GST. How to winThere will be one (1) winner chosen from the total number of entries received.This is a game of skill whereby the most creative entry to the competition question will be deemed the winner. Completed entries will be reviewed by an Acast judging panel where a top three entries will be selected. The top three entries will then be given to the Acast judge who will choose the final winner. The promoter’s decision is final and the promoter will not enter into correspondence regarding the result. The winner will be selected on July 2, 2021, at 9am.Acast will contact the winner via email on July 6, 2021, 9am.The winner has until July 9, 2021, 5pm to claim their prize.If the winner does not claim their prize within this time, the winner will forfeit their prize and the runner up will be deemed the winner, at which point they will be contacted via email. Prize will be fulfilled via email and sent to the details provided by the winner at the time of entry. Promoter DetailsThe promoter is Acast AustraliaLevel 2, 17 Randle StreetSurry Hills, NSW, 2010Sydney, AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever considered packing up your life and working on the road?  Co-founder and CEO at Levels, Sam Corcos, has been a digital nomad for more than 10 years. All while running a global company.  Sam is a fellow productivity nerd and thinks deeply about his personal productivity. In today's show, he shares a tonne of really practical tips, from his email processing strategies and how he organises his calendar as a hyper busy CEO, through to how he manages to read two books every week and his quarterly Think Week ritual.Check out Levels at: https://www.levelshealth.com/Connect with Sam on Linkedin and Twitter. Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coCREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Should” is one of the most problematic words when it comes to self-talk. I should go to the gym. I should accept this event invitation. I should call this friend and see how she's going, I should spend less time on social media.Shoulds are very, very unhelpful. They have the double whammy of making us feel guilty AND they don’t actually help us change our behaviour.So today I want to share with you two alternative words or phrases to replace the shoulds in your life.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kara Swisher is a no-nonsense journalist with a reputation as both the most feared and the most respected journalist to cover Silicon Valley. When she interviews the biggest names in tech, including Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla’s Elon Musk, they’re usually visually nervous and on their toes. She's been covering the industry since the early 90s and knew many giants in the tech world when they were just starting up.  Kara is widely connected, well-read and always prepared for an interview. She knows just how to get what she wants out of her guests, and has never suffered from imposter syndrome.  She’s an opinion writer for the New York Times, podcast host of Sway and Pivot, and an editor-at-large for New York Media.  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are your routines still serving you? Maybe they were when you first made them, but are you still getting the same results as when you started?I’ve recently been revising my own rituals and routines in my day, week, and month. I’ve discovered that by mixing up some of my routines, such as my workout and weekly psychologist appointment, I’ve been more energised and productive. So I’m challenging you to take a look at your own routines and ask yourself if there’s a better way to achieve the outcomes you’re striving for. CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin Imber Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you become happier in your job simply by managing your time better? At Inventium, our Workday Reinvention Program is one of our most popular programs with clients. The program increases productivity by teaching people to prioritise deep work over shallow work. This can lead to 20% more productivity and a huge increase in job satisfaction. A recent study published in PLOS One looked at the outcomes of better time management. I was surprised to find out that time management was also linked to reduced feelings of distress and better well-being overall.So time management and productivity can do more than just improve your work performance; it can also give you better quality of life. CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound engineer: Martin Imber Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you hate email? Are you sick of being a slave to your inbox? Are you like the "average" knowledge worker and check your email or chat messages every six minutes? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, I think you will love today's show. Cal Newport is a Computer Science Professor at Georgetown University and also the bestselling author of Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and most recently, A World Without Email. And Cal has been thinking a lot about how to overcome what he calls the "hyperactive hive mind".In this chat, we talk about practical strategies to dramatically reduce the amount of unscheduled communication (i.e. email) you receive, both as an individual, but also as an entire organisation.Connect with Cal at calnewport.comGrab a copy of A World Without Email: https://www.calnewport.com/books/a-world-without-email/Listen to the Deep Questions podcast: https://www.calnewport.com/podcast/Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?  A great piece of advice can be life-changing. It can set you on a whole new trajectory, land you a new job, or even prompt you to make a big career change. Group Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil, and self-described overachiever Alison Watkins shares how to make sure the advice you receive is right for you.  Global leader in innovation Scott D Anthony wants you to flirt with possible career moves through advice and curiosity.  Organisational psychologist Adam Grant outlines the benefits of scheduling a regular life check-up for yourself. Wendy Stops, non-executive director on the board of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, shares the best piece of advice she’s ever been given.  While good advice is helpful, it’s also worth noting that there is plenty of bad advice going around. For Kendra Banks, Managing Director of SEEK, this came in the form of parenting and career advice. Listen to the full interviews: Alison Watkins - https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/coca-cola-amatils-group-managing-director-alison-watkins-on-why-doing-great-work-isnt-enough-to-get-ahead-in-your-career/ Scott D Anthony - https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/scott-d-anthony-on-how-he-removed-70-of-recurring-meetings-from-his-diary-balancing-manager-time-with-maker-time-and-his-go-to-locations-for-doing-focused-work/ Adam Grant - https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/why-adam-grant-wants-you-to-schedule-a-regular-life-check-up/ Wendy Stops - https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/commbank-board-director-wendy-stops-on-the-biggest-challenges-of-sitting-on-high-profile-boards/ Kendra Banks - https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/managing-director-of-seek-kendra-banks-on-how-her-leadership-team-make-their-most-important-decisions/ Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hate networking but know you need to get better at it?  Career entrepreneur Emma Isaacs has built her professional network of people - including Richard Brandson, Nicole Kidman, and Arianna Huffington - from the ground up. She bought her first business at the age of 18 and has never looked back.  Today Business Chicks is a global social networking group with over 44,000 members, hosting events across Australia and the US. Emma now runs her company from the US, where she lives with her family, including six children under 11.  Connect with Emma - https://www.emmaisaacs.com/, https://businesschicks.com/ Winging It - Why Action Beats Planning Every Time - https://www.emmaisaacs.com/winging-it  Emma’s next book on time management called, The Right Hustle, comes out in August 2021.  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I place a huge value on my health. It’s my number one priority.  If you’re not healthy, chances are you’re less productive.Using these tools helps me incorporate physical activity into my day, understand my health patterns so I know where I can make improvements, and trains my brain. I use the Apple Smart Rope to count reps when I’m skipping. The rope connects to an app on my phone and lets me know when I have reached my goal. Smart Rope: https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/HL6M2ZM/A/tangram-factory-smart-rope-led-jump-rope-medium  I use the Whoop band to optimise the way I recover, train, and sleep. It features daily reporting on mobile and desktop apps.  Whoop: https://www.whoop.com/ I use the Apple Watch with pedometer++ app to count my steps throughout the day: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/pedometer/id712286167 I can now walk and work on my computer with the Walkingpad Pro Treadmill and Ergodesk Automatic Standing Desk (1500mm): https://www.lifespanfitness.com.au/products/walkingpad%E2%84%A2-pro-treadmill-with-ergodesk-automatic-standing-desk-1500mm I love being mentally active with these great puzzles from Magic Puzzle: https://www.magicpuzzlecompany.com/ Check out Lady Startup Stories: Michelle Battersby: https://omny.fm/shows/lady-startup/sunroomCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you left your job, could your company go on without you? Booktopia’s CEO Tony Nash believes a company should be more robust than the people working for it. When someone walks into his office to resign, they don’t get the reaction they expect. Instead of alarm, Tony feels excitement when someone decides it’s time to move on.  Before starting Booktopia in 2004, Tony ran his own online recruitment company, Best People International, and still enjoys the process of recruitment, even from the top.  Despite running Australia’s largest online bookstore, Tony’s a confessed non-reader. He’s only recently been diagnosed with ADHD, which explains why he prefers audio books. It’s also made clear for him why his relationship with his executive assistant is so important - she keeps him organised and on track.  Connect with Tony - www.booktopia.com.au  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to my home office. Since Inventium officially became a remote-first organisation, I’ve been making improvements to my set up with the help of my dad, who’s very tech savvy.By using a semi-professional camera as a webcam, I get amazing clear images for online meetings and presentations. I can control the lighting and make sure I look great, without lights shining in my eyes. I’ve turned my office into a mini-recording studio for podcast and presentation recordings. I’ve even started to exercise while I work. My set-up includes:  Computer - iMac 27"Monitor - Dell 27" 4kCamera - Canon XA20I turn my video camera into a webcam with - Elgato Cam Link 4KMicrophone - Shure KSM8 dynamicI connect my mic to my computer with - Focusrite Scarlett2 2i2Recording - Sound Devices MixPre-6Lighting - Elgato Key Light Air x 2Controller - Elgato Stream DeckTeleprompter - Glide Gear TMP100 Camera Monitor - LILLIPUT A11 10.1 inch 3G-SDI VGA MonitorTreadmill desk - Lifespan Fitness Walkingpad Pro TreadmillCheck out Lady Startup Stories: Hannah and Rachel Vasicek: https://omny.fm/shows/lady-startup/francescaCREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're anything like me, your inbox is cluttered with e-newsletters that you don't read. But there are a handful I actually look forward to reading. One of them is called Recomendo, co-written by Wired co-founder Kevin Kelly. As you would expect from someone who founded arguably the most influential tech magazine on the planet, Kevin epitomises the phrase "finger on the pulse".I interviewed Kevin last year and he has kindly offered to come back on again. If you're interested in Kevin's favourite apps, websites, e-newsletters and predictions for the next big thing, we cover all that and more in this chat.Articles and e-newsletters: KK's 1000 true fans article: https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/ Recomendo e-newsletter: https://www.recomendo.com/ Tim Ferriss Five Bullet Friday: https://go.tim.blog/5-bullet-friday-1/ David Perell - Monday Musings: https://davidperell.substack.com/p/monday-musings-21119 Austin Kleon: https://austinkleon.com/newsletter/ The Browser: https://thebrowser.com/ Apps: Seek: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/seek-by-inaturalist/id1353224144 Google Translate: https://translate.google.com/ Websites: Art Breeder: https://www.artbreeder.com/ Sci Hub: https://sci-hub.se/ Learning resources: Journal Clubs on Youtube Two Minute papers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbfYPyITQ-7l4upoX8nvctg Twitter Noah Smith: https://twitter.com/Noahpinion Tyler Cohen: https://twitter.com/briantylercohen Connect with Kevin: kk.orgTwitter: https://twitter.com/kevin2kellyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevin2kelly/?hl=enVanishing Asia on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kk-org/vanishing-asiaVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want to nail engaging virtual meetings?Make presentations feel more like they do in real life. The mmhmm app helps you to configure your screen for more effective presentations. By appearing next to your slides instead of being replaced by them, you’ll enhance human connection and communicate more naturally.  Increase interaction with your audience with fun polls and live voting. The Slido app integrates seamlessly with Google Slides and even displays live results - adding that little something extra to your presentations.   Green screen your way into better virtual backgrounds for that super clean and professional look. You’ll be surprised what a difference this simple screen can make. Have better video meetings with these three tools: mmhmm - https://www.mmhmm.app/hvs Slido - https://www.sli.do/Green screen - https://amzn.to/3dRglmMVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have a meeting with Cameron McIntyre there are a few things about him that might surprise you.  The first one is he will remember your name and the second is that he’s always present, prepared, and not easily shaken.  But how does he manage to do this?  What is his trick for recalling names in a meeting full of people he’s never met before?  Cameron shares his hacks for always being composed, never sending an email you may regret, and making a good impression.  Cameron’s favourite books:Leading Change – John KotterThe 4th Industrial Revolution – Klaus SchwabGood to Great – Jim CollinsThe Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell Get in touch with Cameron at cameron.mcintyre@carsales.com.au Connect with Cameron on Twitter and on Linkedin Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want to improve your writing?Writing is one of the fundamental ways we persuade people to take up our ideas, meet with us, or buy the thing we are selling. Want a snappier headline or to make sure you are communicating to the right audience. Want to find those pesky grammatical errors before you send your email? What if you see a nice font you like, but don’t know how to find out which one it is?Text analyser Hemingway, writing assistant Grammarly, headline improver CoSchedule and font finder MyFonts are four writing tools I couldn’t work without. Become a better writer with these four easy-to-use writing tools: Hemingway App: https://hemingwayapp.com/     Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com/  CoSchedule (Headline Analyser): https://coschedule.com/headline-analyzer MyFonts: https://myfonts.com/whatthefont CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you be creative when you have a time limit?  A new life for ABC breakfast radio presenter, TV writer and comedian Sammy J means more demands on his time. Gone are the days of creatively exploring ideas all day before performing at night.  Sammy J has to organise his home and work life precisely to keep up with the demands of several jobs and his new role as a father.  How has he learned to manage his creativity to deliver within strict time limits? Sammy J also shares his personal check-list that helps him have the energy to deliver on a huge workload each week.  Listen to Sammy J - ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast  Watch Sammy J - weekly comedy sketch on ABC TVVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If there’s one thing leaders and entrepreneurs know, it’s that business is a rollercoaster. And sometimes you’re hit by something you couldn’t even see coming.   There’s extreme highs and some devastating lows, and yet somehow you have to keep going. You need to adapt, pivot, and keeping moving.  If you love How I Work, chances are you’ll enjoy Curveball. In revealing, personal conversations with leaders, host Kellie Riordan asks them how they tackle life’s toughest moments — and come out on top.  Kellie Riordan joins Amantha Imber for a chat about leadership, productivity, and the rituals the best in business swear by.  You can find Curveball by searching for it in your podcast app, and find out more at www.curveballshow.com Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does business really need to be so serious? Stanford Business School humour lecturer Naomi Bagdonas believes there’s always room for humour, even when you’re trying to accomplish very serious things.  She’s found utilising humour can boost innovation, foster creativity, and bolster resilience through hard times.  Naomi says bringing levity into your day-to-day exchanges can diffuse tension and help your colleagues understand you on a deeper level.  She shares tips from her book Humor, Seriously, written with Jennifer Aaker, on how to incorporate humour into presentations and meetings, how to write a joke, and tips for bringing comedy into your emails.  Naomi teaches humour as part of a purpose and leadership course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. She also coaches top executives in the art of comedy.  Assess your own personal humour style: https://quiz.humorseriously.com/ Get your copy of Humor, Seriously: https://www.humorseriously.com/ Sign up for the 21 day Humour Bootcamp: https://bootcamp.humorseriously.com/  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you looking for ways to save time? There are plenty of tools out there to help streamline your work processes, but how do you know which ones work best?Find out what websites are causing you too many minutes of distraction, and learn how to batch check your emails rather than becoming a slave to the inbox. Website time tracker Rooster, time calculator Erik Rood, and email client Tempo are the three tools that help me get more out of my week. I’ll explain how I use them and how you can incorporate them into your work week.Tame your email addiction and get your web browsing working for you. Links to tools:Rooster: http://getrooster.in/ Erik Rood: https://erikrood.com/Posts/free_time_calc.html Your Tempo: https://www.yourtempo.co/Superhuman: https://superhuman.com/ Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How often do you stop and check-in about how you’re tracking with your career and the job you are in? How do you know you're not blindly following a career path you’re going to regret years down the track?  Organisational psychologist and best-selling author Adam Grant says we should all be scheduling life check-ups. A life check-up is just like scheduling an appointment with a doctor, even if you don’t suspect anything is wrong. By putting a reminder in your calendar twice a year to review where you’re at, you’ll be more likely to see the vital signs before it’s too late.  He also shares his hacks for effective remote collaboration and the benefits of setting up your own ‘challenge network’ and how to start one. Connect with Adam here: https://www.adamgrant.net/Take the Think Again quiz here: https://www.adamgrant.net/quizzes/think-again-quiz/And grab a copy of Think Again here: https://www.adamgrant.net/book/think-again/Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have Zoom fatigue? What if you could cut your meetings down by 50%?Gitlab’s head of Remote, Darren Murph, believes time spent face-to-face is precious and should be reserved for informal communication and team bonding. So he’s created a four-step barrier to scheduling a meeting that means only the most important meetings make it onto his calendar. By preferencing documentation over meetings Murph has made his virtual meetings dramatically more effective. You can find the full interview here: GitLab’s Head of Remote, Darren Murph, on how to create corporate culture when no one works from the office CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberSound engineer: Martin ImberIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 15, 2020 Ben Shewry woke up knowing his business was going to collapse. It was his birthday and also the worst day of his life. Melbourne was going into lockdown, forcing him to close the doors of his restaurant Attica, and to cancel thousands of bookings for his $300 a head tasting menu. But instead of giving up, Shewry decided to make a commitment to his 40 full-time staff to keep going. Now, not only is Attica still open, but Ben is about to open another restaurant in the Yarra Valley, Attica Summer Camp. How did Shewry use the chaos of 2020 to feed his creativity? How has his commitment to a fun working environment and a positive attitude kept his team afloat? Ben sees problems as the definition of business and likes to deal with them as they come, with positivity.  Shewry also shares his tips to help you turn every meal at home into a great one, from selecting the best ingredients to cook with, knife tips, and how to make amazing eggs. Ben’s favourite cookbooks: Anything by Fergus Henderson  Stephanie Alexander  Maggie Beer  Neil Perry  Adam Liaw  Ben’s favourite kitchen products: Gippsland jersey butter 20cm All-Clad Copper Core Fry Pan Victorinox knives  Links to Ben’s Restaurants:  Attica Attica Summer Camp Instagram: @benshewry and @atticamelbourne and @atticasummercamp  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co   CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction support from Deadset StudiosEpisode producer: Jenna KodaSound engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want more time for creative and strategic work? Inventium’s CEO Michelle Le Poidevin says removing the idea of ‘managers’ from a team structure is one of the best things she’s done for the company.  When looking into the holacracy structure, Michelle realised the most senior people in the company were spending most of their time managing people, instead of doing the work that really mattered.  By changing the work culture and building a founder-like mindset, her staff were able to focus more on mastery of their role, and were able to have more fulfillment in the long term. You can find the full interview here: Inventium’s CEO Michelle Le Poidevin on our secret weapon for recruitment, being a remote CEO, and working a four day weekConnect with Mish on Linkedin and at inventium.com.auSubscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever felt like an imposter?  Of course you have! Because 82% of people have experienced it at some point. Imposter syndrome is the persistent thought we are undeserving of our achievements. People fear they might be ‘found out’ or that they ‘don’t know what they are doing’.  How can you rethink or reframe these thoughts so they don’t have so much power over you? How I Work guests share their experiences with feeling like an imposter and how to use it to your advantage.  Envato co-Founder Cyan Ta’eed says asking questions can help you be the smartest person in the room.  Head of Research and Development at Atlassian Dom Price has learned to use imposter syndrome to his advantage by embracing feedback to stay motivated.  Abbi Jacobson, co-creator and writer of critically-acclaimed Comedy Central show Broad City, harnesses her nerves to keep her grounded.  Wendy Stops sits on some of the highest profile boards in Australia including CommBank and Coles Group. She explains how sticking through the toughest of times can teach you the most.   Listen to the full episodes:Cyan Ta’eed - https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcasts/envato-co-founder-cyan-taeed-on-spending-just-15-minutes-a-day-on-her-phone/  Dom Price - https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcasts/atlassians-dom-price-on-how-he-uses-imposter-syndrome-to-his-advantage/  Abbi Jacobson - https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcasts/broad-citys-abbi-jacobson-on-productive-procrastination-imposter-syndrome-and-how-a-dog-changed-her-headspace/  Wendy Stops - https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcasts/commbank-board-director-wendy-stops-on-the-biggest-challenges-of-sitting-on-high-profile-boards/  Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  CREDITS Produced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with tech journalist Peter Wells was on how anyone can use software to automate their job.You can find the full interview here: Tech journalist Peter Wells on how to automate your jobConnect with Peter: Twittercom/peterwells Meta podcast The Helpdesk podcast Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With just $12,000 borrowed from her boyfriend’s father, Adore Beauty founder Kate Morris started Australia’s first beauty e-commerce site in 1999.Adore Beauty has expanded its offer to more than 200 brands and 13,000 products, earning Kate the Business Innovation Award for Victoria at the Telstra Business Women’s Awards in 2014, and an induction into the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Hall of Fame in 2015.Adore Beauty floated on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2020 for a reputed $600 million price tag.But how has Morrish achieved such growth? How does she structure her time, her business operations, and even her daily beauty routine for maximum effectiveness?Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you’re looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up at http://howiwork.co Kate’s beauty products: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serumhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/skinceuticals/skinceuticals-c-e-ferulic-serum.htmlUltra Violette Supreme Screenhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/ultra-violette/ultra-violette-supreme-screen-spf-50-50ml.html?queryID=973585asap gentle cleansing gelhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/asap/asap-gentle-cleansing-gel-200ml.htmlDermalist Ultra Hydrating Lactic Cleanserhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/dermalist/dermalist-ultra-hydrating-lactic-cleanser-200ml.html?queryID=1050597Sodashi Clay Cleanser With Lavenderhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/sodashi/sodashi-clay-cleanser-with-lavender.html?queryID=439143SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifierhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/skinceuticals/skinceuticals-hyaluronic-acid-intensifier.html?queryID=957961PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serumhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/pca-skin/pca-skin-hyaluronic-acid-boosting-serum-28g.html?queryID=909143Clarins Instant Light Brush-On Perfectorhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/clarins/clarins-instant-light-brush-on-perfector-new.htmlMAKE UP FOR EVER ULTRA HD CONCEALERhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/make-up-for-ever/make-up-for-ever-ultra-hd-concealer-27.html?queryID=964867MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Blushhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/make-up-for-ever/make-up-for-ever-ultra-hd-blush-refill.html?queryID=977785Aspect Probiotic Maskhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/aspect/aspect-probiotic-sleep-mask-118ml.html?queryID=1014659Sodashi Brightening Marine Mineral Maskhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/sodashi/sodashi-brightening-mineral-mask.html?queryID=439167SK-II Facial Treatment Maskhttps://www.adorebeauty.com.au/sk-ii/sk-ii-treatment-mask-6-piece.html?queryID=20459CREDITSProduced by InventiumHost: Amantha ImberProduction Support from Deadset StudiosEpisode Producer: Jenna KodaSound Engineer: Martin ImberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with global innovation thought leader Scott D Anthony was on his new rituals for Deep and Shallow work.This extract is from my second time having Scott on the show - you can check out the full interview here.And check out my first interview with Scott here.Get your copy of Scott’s latest book Eat, Sleep Innovate and check out the book's companion website here. Check out Scott’s firm Innosight. And connect with Scott on LinkedIn and Twitter.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even before we fled our workplaces amid the Covid pandemic to set up at home, Job van der Voort was convinced that remote working was the future.He’s the CEO of Remote (and the former VP of Product for GitLab), which assists other companies to set their employees up, which he says allows them to live a better life. But it’s not as easy as just letting some of your employees work from home. Job says the key to running a remote team is to intentionally create moments for connection and bonding.Remote’s philosophy is the easier it is to start doing work, the easier it is to do your work. Home offices should be built for comfort, efficiency, and reliability. “The better your set-up is around these kinds of things, the more data you can transmit between each other.”Job’s office set up: Camera Sony a640000 Automating actions through a Elgato Stream Deck Keyboard Ergodox EZ Lighting Philips Hue spotlights Microphones Electoral Force RE20 or  Audio Technica ATR2100 (more affordable) Headphones Bayerdynamic DT 1990 Mouse Logitech MX Master 3 and a Magic Trackpad Chair Herman Miller Aeron.  For a detailed look at his office: https://remote.com/blog/maximum-productivity-home-office You can connect with Job on Twitter and Linkedin and the Remote website - remote.com Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to complete tasks quicker and fit more into your day?Productivity nerd Ashutosh Priyadarshy says effective and productive behaviour comes from setting a goal for your time. He’s the founder of productivity software company Sunsama, the makers of a daily planner tool that helps you plan out a focused work day by pulling together your tasks from all of your tools.During the early days building Sunsama software, Ashutosh set a 1.5-day turn around from demo to delivery. This forced the team to find creative solutions which allowed them to more rapidly ship iterations of their product.  You can find the full interview here: Ashutosh Priyadarshy on how he deliberately removes bulls@*t from his diary Find out more about Ashutosh at Twitter or email ashutosh@sunsama.com Check out Sunsama here. Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March 2020, Simon Griffiths was watching as toilet paper sold out across Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Even as the CEO of toilet paper innovators Who Gives A Crap, he never imagined the same thing was about to happen in Australia, UK and the US.  But on March 4th, things took a dramatic turn. As the great toilet paper wars broke out across supermarket aisles, sales rose by 30-40%. Who Gives A Crap sold out, with half a million buyers on their waitlist.  The challenge excited Simon Griffiths, and over an eight week period the company pushed its systems to the absolute limit.  So how did Griffiths keep his team motivated? Who Gives A Crap donates 50% of profits towards building toilets and providing sanitation to those in need, so Simon and his team knew this was their moment to shine. Having a purpose at the heart of the company propelled the team into action.  As a remote-first organisation, Griffiths says focusing on autonomy, mastery and purpose, combined with clear goal-setting, can motivate a team to tackle anything. Simon Griffith’s recommended reading: - The Lean Startup Amantha’s recommended reading:- Measure What Matters Podcasts he listens to: - The Journal by the Wall Street Journal - How I Built This- 20VC And Amantha’s current favourite podcast:- Pivot You can connect with Simon on Twitter and Linkedin and the Who Give’s A Crap website - whogivesacrap.orgVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to transform your day by creating a more resilient and positive mindset? Engineer, athlete and burns survivor Turia Pitt has quick gratitude techniques that offer an easy way to take control so you’re not at the mercy of a bad mood.  In the morning, think of three things you are grateful for. It’s that simple.For Turia, she likes to think about her son, or how nicely her new surfboard rides. You can find the full interview here: Turia Pitt’s Next Tuesday rule, hacks for dramatically improving self-talk, and how to be useful when someone is going through a rough time Connect with Turia: Turiapitt.com/letter Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would you do if your boss suggested that you cut your working hours down to just four normal length days but said to you, I'll still pay you for five? Would you pinch yourself to check you weren't dreaming? Well this is what happened last April at Inventium. Our CEO, Michelle Le Poidevin, suggested to the team that we should try out the Four Day week. This lead to us running a six-month experiment where the team all worked four days per week and had Friday off. As a participant in this experiment, I can tell you it was bloody awesome. And today, we are going to learn exactly why Mish even suggested this idea and how she manages to be a CEO in just four normal length working days a week.Now you might have heard my chat with Inventium's Head of Learning, Charlotte Rush, last week where we got into the nitty gritty details of how our four day week experiment worked, what we measured and we also addressed what some of the skeptics might be thinking. So go back and listen to that show if you're keen to go deep into the four day week concept.In my chat with Mish today, we talk about how on earth do you lead a business where people only work four days but we pay them for five, how we balance the need to collaborate with also working super efficiently, and what the biggest challenges have been in making the four day week work.Connect with Mish on Linkedin and at michelle@inventium.com.auVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Coca-Cola Amatil's Managing Director Alison Watkins was on how to receive negative feedback.You can find the full interview here: Coca-Cola Amatil’s Group Managing Director Alison Watkins on why doing great work isn’t enough to get ahead in your careerConnect with Alison on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine it's 6am on a Friday morning. You wake up, about to get ready for work, but then you remember - you don't have to go to work. Instead, you have a blissful three day weekend ahead. Now imagine that you get to experience this feeling every single Friday morning. Yet, you're still on a full-time salary.This is what life is now like at my consultancy Inventium. Back in July last year, we ran an experiment to see if we could improve our productivity and fit our work into four normal, eight-hour days - yet still get paid for five. Seven months on, the experiment has been a huge success. And on today's episode, and also on next Thursday's episode, I'm unpacking how on earth we have managed to make this work.On today's show, I speak to Inventium's Head of Learning and Organisational Psychologist Charlotte Rush. Char lead Inventium's approach to implementing the four day work week. Inventium is definitely not the first company to do this, and we are still one of only a handful globally. So how did this idea for having a four day week even come up? How did we make it happen? And how did Char manage to fit all her work into just four days? We cover all these questions and more. And on next week's show, I'll be speaking to Inventium's CEO to uncover how you run a business when staff only work four standard days yet we pay them for five.Check out: Four Day Week pioneer Andrew Barnes on How I Work Peakon (employee engagement software) Inbox when ready (software to help with batch checking your email. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with SEEK's Managing Director, Kendra Banks, was on how her executive team make their biggest decisions.You can find the full interview here: Managing Director of SEEK, Kendra Banks, on how her leadership team make their most important decisionsConnect with Kendra at kbanks@seek.com.au and on Linkedin.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Darren Murph who is GitLab’s Head of Remote. If you have never heard of GitLab, it's the world’s largest all-remote company, with over 1,300 team members in 67+ countries with no company-owned offices. Darren has spent his career leading remote teams and charting remote transformations and authored GitLab’s Remote Playbook. Darren also holds a Guinness World Record as the planet's most prolific professional blogger, having published 10 million words.In this chat, we cover: How crisis-induced remote work is different from true remote work Darren’s favourite tips from Gitlab’s Remote Working handbook Why companies need to change their default to asynchronous communication How to create a corporate culture in a remote working environment The importance that values play in company culture How to recruit for people who are suited to remote work The key software that you need to make remote work, work How to design for serendipitous moments when everyone works remote How to replace water cooler conversations in the remote environment How to have effective meetings - and more importantly - deciding when NOT to meet Darren’s one page operating manual Darren’s favourite gadgets Companies that he looks to for remote working inspiration. Connect with Darren on Linkedin and Twitter. Check out Darren’s personal operating manual, GitLab’s remote playbook, and Darren’s book Living the Remote Dream.  Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Rice University Professor Scott Sonenshein was on to dramatically improve meetings.You can find the full interview here: Rice University Professor Scott Sonenshein on how to clean up your meetings, decisions and inboxLearn more about Scott right here.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Cal Newport. Cal is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. Cal is the author of six books, including, most recently, the New York Times bestseller, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Cal’s work has been published in over 20 languages and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Washington Post, and the Economist.It’s probably an understatement to say I was excited for this chat because I am a complete and utter fan girl of Cal’s and it’s fair to say that his work has had an enormous impact on how I work. We cover a bunch of different aspects of the way Cal approaches his work including: Cal’s different Deep Work rituals and why he recommends having different rituals for different types of Deep Work How to know if you are actually doing Deep Work Strategies to break your Shallow Work habit The critical conversation to have with your manager to get them supporting you doing more Deep Work Cal’s ritual for "shutting down” his work day Why Cal rejects the idea that we need to have a phone on us at all times How Cal deliberately builds solitude into his day Why changing workflows is more effective than changing habits when trying to increase productivity The workflow Cal designed while on his book tour to minimise back and forth communication Why giving your time a job is better than using a to-do list How Cal uses weekly and daily time blocking to use his time effectively How to take a “Deep Break" The two key elements of Cal’s email system to minimise communication The topic Cal is exploring for his next book You can find Cal at http://calnewport.com/ and grab his books Deep Work and Digital Minimalism.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Shameless' Michelle and Zara was on how they make tough business decisions.You can find the full interview here: Shameless' Michelle and Zara on their process for making one of the most popular podcasts in AustraliaGrab your copy of Michelle and Zara’s book The Space In-between, follow Shameless on Instagram, join the Shameless Book Club, and listen to the Shameless podcast on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Dan Pink. Dan is the author of six bestselling books, including Drive, A Whole New Mind, and his latest book "When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing", which has spent four months on the New York Times bestseller list. You might also be familiar with Dan through his TED talk about the surprising science of motivation, which has been viewed over 20 million times.I am a big Dan Pink fan so I was very excited to be able to chat with him. I think he has such a knack for dissecting complex science and finding a way to make it not just accessible, but memorable and impactful for his readers.We cover a bunch of things during this chat, including: How Dan works out whether an idea is great or whether it stinks How the idea behind his latest book "When" came to be The importance of the structure of a book, and Dan’s approach to mapping out a book’s structure Dan’s process for coming up with the title for a book or project How he came up with the title for Adam Grant’s bestselling book Give and Take Why Dan structures his work day into three distinct sections Why Dan isn’t a big believer in willpower How Dan constructs his working environment to make it easy to stay off digital distractions Dan’s approach to radically reducing the amount of emails he receives How Dan decides what to say yes to and what to say no to Dan’s approach for saying no politely Dan’s process for translating a book into a keynote speech Why Dan asks his wife to read his books out loud to him during the editing process Find out more about Dan at danpink.com and subscribe to his newsletter right here. And you can check out his latest book When here.For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcastGet in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Rachel Botsman was on her strategies for creating a brilliant start to virtual presentations.This extract is from my second time having Rachel on the show - you can check out the full interview here.And check out my first interview with Rachel here.Follow Rachel on Linkedin to get her biweekly newsletter Rethink.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Cyan Ta’eed. Cy is one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, having co-founded Envato in 2006 and growing it to being valued at over $1 billion. Last year she tried her hand at chocolate (why not?!) and Hey Tiger is now one of Australia’s fastest growing purpose-driven brands. Oh, and in her spare time, she recently launched Milkshake.app, which allows users to make a free website for their Instagram profile all on their phone, instantly.In this chat, we cover: How Cy went from spending four hours a day on her phone to just 15 minutes How Cy changed her mobile phone to make it less addictive The game that Cy’s family play on January 1, every year The five minute activity that Cy does every morning to set herself up for the day How Cy manages her energy levels as a self-described introvert who presents as an extravert. Cy’s approach to constant learning and development How and where Cy has found great people to work in her businesses. Cy’s strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome How Cy mentally prepares herself for stressful events Why Cy had an app on her phone that reminded her she is going to die 5 x per day Cy’s go-to apps and gadgets What happened when Cy had an eyesight-threatening ulcer and had to rest in darkness for several weeks. Balancing sprints with periods of rest Find Cy on Instagram at @cyantaeed, check out her amazing chocolate social enterprise Hey Tiger and her most recent business Milkshake that allows users to create a webpage from their Instagram account.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Dr Jason Fox was his 7-day rhythm for work and life.This extract is from my second time having Jase on the show - you can check out the full interview here.And check out my first interview with Jase here.Connect with Jason at fox.substack.comSubscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!Rachel Botsman is a world renowned expert on technology and trust, and the author of bestselling books “Who Can You Trust?” and “What’s Mine Is Yours". Rachel is a Trust Fellow at Oxford University and has been recognised as one of the “Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company and as one of the 50 most influential management thinkers in the world.We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, including: Why Rachel never sleeps near her phone “Big stride days” and how to have one How the weather effects her productivity Her unusual but very awesome way of crafting presentations How Rachel hit a ridiculously tight book deadline Why she finishes her day midway through writing a paragraph Her one minute mindfulness routine Rachel’s “tips” to make it easier to say no And a whole lot more. You can find Rachel on Twitter and Linkedin at @Rachelbotsman and via her website.Comprehensive show notes on this episode can be found right here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that here.Want to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Rice University Professor Scott Sonenshein was on to dramatically improve meetings.You can find the full interview here: Rice University Professor Scott Sonenshein on how to clean up your meetings, decisions and inboxLearn more about Scott right here.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!On today’s show, I speak to organizational psychologist, best-selling author and Wharton’s highest-rated professor, Adam Grant. His books Give and Take, Originals, and Option B have sold over one million copies and have been translated into 35 languages. Adam has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most influential management thinkers, was named one of Fortune’s 40 under 40, and he also happens to be the host of one of my favourite podcasts, WorkLife which is a TED original podcast.In this conversation, we cover a whole bunch of topics such as: How to make email more bearable How becoming a parent completely changed Adam’s way of working How Adam approaches social media usage How Adam starts every week Why meetings kill productivity The podcasts Adam is listening to and books he is reading And a whole lot more.You can sign up to Adam’s e-newsletter Granted (one of my faves!) here: https://www.adamgrant.netFor comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to www.amanthaimber.com/podcastIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Atlassian's Dom Price was on making virtual meetings not suck.This extract is from my second time having Dom on the show - you can check out the full interview here.And check out my first interview with Dom here.Connect with Dom: Twitter Linkedin Atlassianteamplaybook.com Atlassian.com/remote Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perry Marshall is one of the most expensive business strategists in the world. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labs use his 80/20 Curve as a productivity tool. His reinvention of the Pareto Principle is published in Harvard Business Review. He founded the $10 million Evolution 2.0 Prize, with judges from Harvard, Oxford and MIT, it is the world’s largest science research award. And his book the Ultimate Guide to Google Ads is the world’s best selling book on internet advertising. Perry’s latest book is called Detox, Declutter, Dominate.In this chat, we cover: How to apply the 80/20 rule to business How to do more $10,000 per hour tasks and less $10 per hour tasks How to do less of your $10 per hour tasks Why you need to get a virtual assistant - no matter what your role Perry’s top tips on how to write persuasive copy The importance of understanding and leveraging your natural selling modality Perry’s favourite structure for writing persuasive copy Perry’s daily "Renaissance time” ritual Get your copy of Detox, Declutter, Dominate and connect with Perry here and here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Jake Knapp was on winning the battle against email (and why it's so addictive) .This extract is from my second time having Jake on the show - you can check out the full interview here.And check out my first interview with Jake here.Find out more about Jake here: Running remote Sprints The Jake and Jonathon podcast Jake’s website Jake’s books Sprint and Make Time Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Tim MacKinnon. Tim is the Managing Director and Vice President for eBay Australia, a role that he has had for the last three years. At eBay, Tim’s purpose is to help Australian retailers grow and take advantage of opportunities in online, mobile, local and global commerce. Enabling businesses and entrepreneurs has been the connecting thread in his career at eBay, Intuit in Silicon Valley, and before that Advising the Minister responsible for IT industry and as a corporate lawyer.We cover:* How Tim approaches Deep work and his Deep work rituals* How Tim dramatically improved how people at eBay make decisions* How Tim’s leadership team approaches decision-making* Some of the unusual policies eBay has around meetings and interruptions* Unique ways Tim has built a “one team culture” at eBay* eBay’s version of virtual hot desking* How to be a truly authentic leader* How to show vulnerability as a leader* And much more.Check out the Frances Frei TED talk we spoke about.Connect with Tim on LinkedIn or via email at tmackinnon@ebay.comVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Mia Freedman was on how to get a quick read on staff's mental wellbeing.This extract is from my second time having Mia on the show - you can check out the full interview here.And check out my first interview with Mia here.Check out: Mia on Instagram Mia’s podcasts: No Filter, Mamamia Outloud, and Lady Startup. And on her website. Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Rahul Vohra. Rahul is the founder and CEO of Superhuman, the fastest email experience in the world. Users get through their inbox twice as fast — and many see Inbox Zero for the first time in years. Previously, Rahul founded Rapportive, the first Gmail plugin to scale to millions of users. Rapportive was acquired by LinkedIn.In our chat, we cover: Rahul’s approach to becoming as efficient as possible with the software he uses Rahul’s email workflow How Rahul divides his inbox into different sections to help him prioritise his day Why Rahul only checks email twice a day Why Rahul never checks his email on the weekend How Rahul uses automation to reduce time in his inbox Why learning the keyboard shortcuts in software is critical to productivity How Rahul designed the most joyful software induction process I have ever experienced How Rahul batches and staggers his meetings Rahul’s method for time tracking and how he uses the data Rahul’s method for running effective meetings at Superhuman How to create a great pitch Rahul's favourite software for being more productive Rahul’s favourite new software Connect with Rahul at rahul@superhuman.com and on Twitter.Check out Superhuman at: https://superhuman.com/ and enter How I Work podcast for how you found out about Superhuman.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode answers a listener question about how to have a tough conversation with your boss.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSubscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Kevin Kelly. Kevin is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded Wired in 1993, and served as its Executive Editor for its first seven years. His most recent book is The Inevitable, which is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He co-founded the Hackers’ Conference and also the Quantified Self movement. He writes one of my favourite newsletters, Recomendo, hosts the Cool Tools podcast, and also founded the very popular Cool Tools website back in 2003, in which a new tool is reviewed every single day.We cover: Kevin’s approach to learning about new topics How Kevin approaches buying new tools and gadgets Kevin’s search hacks when trying to find something on Youtube Kevin’s views on why Youtube is under-appreciated The new habits Kevin is trying to build Why Kevin embraces interruptions Kevin’s trick for getting himself in flow How Kevin decides which requests to say yes to What Kevin lacks that makes him a great listener What makes a great question The best thing Kevin invested in after leaving Wired The number one thing Kevin looks for when recruiting new team members or collaborators The gadgets that bring Kevin the most joy Kevin's favourite apps Links to things Kevin mentioned: Minimalism Notebooks Tide Trac Seek Subscribe to Recomendo Cool tools podcast Cool tools website Vanishing Asia 68 bits of unsolicited advice Follow Kevin on Twitter Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode answers a listener question about how to uncover your chronotype and using it to boost productivity.Uncover your chronotype here: https://inventium.typeform.com/to/E8Kp7jVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSubscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Peter Wells. Peter is a technology journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald, where he writes about tech and podcasts. Peter is also the host of two podcasts which are Meta (a podcast about podcasts) and The Helpdesk (a daily tech podcast).In this chat, we cover: Peter’s favourite gadgets How to get the most out of voice-activated assistants Peter’s favourite productivity software How Peter uses time tracking software to improve his productivity How Peter uses automation to save huge chunks of time and avoid repetitive tasks What goes on behind the scenes of making a podcast How Peter decides which guests to have on his podcast Meta How Peter prepares for interviews Advice on how to create a great pitch Peter’s go-to newsletters for staying up-to-date with the latest tech news Peter’s favourite people to follow on Twitter Peter’s favourite podcasts Check out the things Peter mentioned: Spark email Oh no with Ross and Carrie Thesizzle.com.au twitter.com/Siracusa Connect with Peter On Twitter Meta podcast The Helpdesk podcast Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at three simple strategies to avoid virtual meeting fatigue.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSubscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Ashutosh Priyadarshy. Ashutosh is the founder of Sunsama (YC W19). Sunsama is a daily planner for elite professionals that helps you plan out a focused work day by pulling together your tasks from all of your tools. Ashutosh has spent most of the last decade building and launching productivity hardware and software. His goal is to build products that help us navigate our work and life mindfully and intentionally. We cover: Ashutosh’s daily productivity rituals Ashutosh’s approach to getting a good night’s sleep Why Ashutosh plans his day twice The process Ashutosh uses to plan his day out  Ashutosh’s weekly rhythm Why Ashutosh doesn’t do long-term planning or goal setting How Ashutosh prioritises what to work on How Ashutosh deliberately removes bullish*t from his diary Applying Parkinson’s law to running Design Sprints Using artificial time constraints to force productivity Ashutosh’s unusual approach to managing digital distractions How Ashutosh approaches days of low motivation The new software Ashutosh is most excited about Find out more about Ashutosh at Twitter or email ashutosh@sunsama.comCheck out Sunsama here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at four simple strategies to replace serendipitous conversations in the virtual world.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSubscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's show is an interview I did for the podcast Meta with Peter Wells. With Peter, we go behind the scenes of How I Work and my own productivity routines and hacks. I talk about why and how I started How I Work, some of my favourite productivity software, and other geeky productivity hacks.Check out the Meta podcast.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at three ways that work might change thanks to COVID-19.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Scott D Anthony. Scott is global authority on innovation and the former managing partner of Innosight, the innovation and strategy consulting firm co-founded by Clayton Christensen. Scott has written several bestselling books and writes regularly for Harvard Business Review. Scott has been awarded the Thinkers50 Innovation Award, which recognises the world’s leading thinkers on innovation. This is my second time having Scott on the show. I was keen to have him back to check in with how he has adapted the way he works during COVID.Check out my first interview with Scott here.In this chat, we cover: New rituals Scott has developed in lockdown How he is using time previously spent travelling How Scott moved his body clock to a different time zone to where he lives Scott’s strategies for creating more engaging virtual meetings and workshops Where he gets his best thinking done at home Scott’s daily practice for creative thinking How Scott uses music to focus Why Scott doesn’t accept meetings on Monday mornings or Friday afternoons Scott’s predictions for the future of work And much, much more. Get your copy of Scott’s latest book Eat, Sleep Innovate and check out the book's companion website here. Check out Scott’s firm Innosight. And connect with Scott on LinkedIn and Twitter.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at several strategies to organise your inbox, documents, photos, articles and other digital assets.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Turia Pitt. Caught in a grassfire while competing in a 100 km ultramarathon in 2011, Turia suffered full thickness burns to 65 per cent of her body. But surviving is the least of her achievements. As one of Australia’s most admired and widely recognised people, Turia has gone on to become a bestselling author, a two-time Ironman and a humanitarian - raising well over a million dollars for not-for-profit Interplast. Through her online presence, books and online programs, Turia has inspired millions to live with more confidence, conquer their fears and chase down their wildest dreams.Turia’s latest project is her book Happy, where she explores the question: can you actually get happier? In Happy, Turia interviews high-profile athletes, comedians, scientists and world experts to explore how everything from money to our relationships has an impact on how happy we can be.We cover: Turia’s strategy for reading an enormous amount of books The books that have had the biggest impact on Turia’s life Turia’s "Next Tuesday" rule How Turia decides whether to say “Yes" or “No" to opportunities How Turia approaches saying “No” to requests Turia’s gratitude practice Turia’s morning routine How Turia thinks about anticipation to improve happiness How to make your phone boring How Turia manages her social media usage and output Turia’s hacks for improving her self-talk The three questions Turia asks herself to manage her nerves before big speeches How to be useful when someone you know is going through a hard time Turia’s strategy for setting and working towards goals Subscribe to Turia's musings here: Turiapitt.com/letterAnd buy Turia's new book Happy.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at how to create boundaries between work and life when you love what you do for work.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is...me! We had hundreds of questions come in for this Ask Me Anything, which is based around how to work from home efficiently and productively. With the help of organisational psychologist Charlotte Rush, we answer your questions around workplace creativity, innovation, energy, productivity, wellbeing, motivation and more. This is especially relevant to lockdown or work from home setups, which many people are still adapting to. You’ll walk away from today with a few tips of things you might be able to do differently, or pass on to people in your life who might be struggling. In this chat, we cover: The three key ingredients of staying motivated The best way to set goals Building relationships and team connections while working remotely How to recreate those random workplace moments that lead to amazing opportunities Maintaining your professionalism away from the office Why joining work meetings from your bedroom is OK How to manage difficult conversations virtually Casual team catch-ups from a distance Why lowering expectations is important My favourite book for handling stress Handling increased email traffic while working remotely The best way to take a work break to stay energised My top tip to help you stop procrastinating And more  You can connect with my co-pilot in this chat, Charlotte Rush, on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my new podcast How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Michelle Poler was on the key question she asks herself to conquer her fears.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing my latest podcast, How To Date!How to Date is a show about to master the messy, complex, and downright bizarre world of dating, when you really didn't think you'd be back here again. Your hosts Dr Amantha Imber and Monique Robin speak to psychologists, dating coaches, professors, data crunchers at Bumble, and even sex workers to learn how to get better at dating.You’ll learn about how to improve your chances of finding love online, how to date during a pandemic, and the latest science on how to attract a great mate. If you’re keen to improve your odds on the dating front and get some practical advice on how to get better at it, subscribe to How To Date wherever you listen to your podcasts. Subscribe to How To Date in Apple Podcasts or Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Alison Watkins. Alison joined Coca-Cola Amatil as Group Managing Director in March 2014. Prior to joining Coca-Cola Amatil Alison was the CEO of agribusiness GrainCorp and of Berri, the market leader in Australian juice, and she was also the Managing Director of Regional Banking at ANZ.  Alison also spent 10 years at McKinsey & Company and became a partner of the firm before moving to ANZ as Group General Manager Strategy.  Alison has been a non-executive director of ANZ, Woolworths and the Just Group.We cover: How the way she works has changed dramatically since COVID Her strategy for delivering bad news The best and worst career advice she has been given Deciding when to take on board negative feedback, and when not to Alison’s approach to influencing others - and why doing good work isn’t enough to get ahead in your career And much more. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at why you need to stop asking for feedback, and instead, ask for advice.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Darren Murph who is GitLab’s Head of Remote. If you have never heard of GitLab, it's the world’s largest all-remote company, with over 1,300 team members in 67+ countries with no company-owned offices. Darren has spent his career leading remote teams and charting remote transformations and authored GitLab’s Remote Playbook. Darren also holds a Guinness World Record as the planet's most prolific professional blogger, having published 10 million words.In this chat, we cover: How crisis-induced remote work is different from true remote work Darren’s favourite tips from Gitlab’s Remote Working handbook Why companies need to change their default to asynchronous communication How to create a corporate culture in a remote working environment The importance that values play in company culture How to recruit for people who are suited to remote work The key software that you need to make remote work, work How to design for serendipitous moments when everyone works remote How to replace water cooler conversations in the remote environment How to have effective meetings - and more importantly - deciding when NOT to meet Darren’s one page operating manual Darren’s favourite gadgets Companies that he looks to for remote working inspiration. Connect with Darren on Linkedin and Twitter. Check out Darren’s personal operating manual, GitLab’s remote playbook, and Darren’s book Living the Remote Dream.  Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Google’s Executive Productivity Advisor Laura May Martin was on how she manages her inbox.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guests on today’s show are Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald. Michelle and Zara are Melbourne-based journalists and broadcasters, aged 26. They met working as writers for Mama Mia, and in March 2018 launched Australia’s top pop-culture podcast Shameless, ‘for smart women who like dumb stuff.’ They now run Shameless Media and are the producers of three other highly popular podcasts.Shameless has been downloaded over 10 million times and was crowned Australia’s Most Popular Podcast of 2019 at the Australian Podcast Awards. Michelle and Zara and their podcast have been written about in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Age and Marie Claire. In this chat, we cover: What goes on behind the scenes of making the Shameless podcast Where they get their inspiration for content from Their process for preparing for interviews How they keep their podcast banter feeling fresh How Michelle and Zara decide how much personal information to share with listeners - and what not to disclose How they manage their time on social media Why they deleted their 40,000+ member Facebook group How they decide which projects to say Yes versus No to Michelle and Zara’s guiding principle for key business decisions How they deal with negative feedback  Their favourite podcasts And much more. Grab your copy of Michelle and Zara’s book The Space Between, follow Shameless on Instagram, join the Shameless Book Club, and listen to the Shameless podcast on Apple Podcasts.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Finder.com co-founder Fred Schebesta was on how he identifies top talent.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's BEST OF episode, my guest is Dan Heath. Dan is the co-author, along with his brother Chip, of four New York Times bestsellers: Decisive, Switch, Made to Stick, and The Power of Moments. The Heath Brothers’ books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide and been translated into 33 languages.Dan is a Senior Fellow at Duke University’s CASE center, which supports social entrepreneurs. I am a HUGE fan of Dan's work and we cover a lot of ground in this interview, including: The importance of trying to solve problems before they happen - and why this is so hard to do How Dan thinks about coming up with titles for his books Why he saw the title of his new book, Upstream, as incredibly risky The value in focusing on recurring irritants to focus upstream thinking Why Dan tracks his time, and the changes this lead to in his life How tunneling gets in the way of solving problems How Dan overcame his procrastination tendencies The importance of momentum in writing The pros and cons of not working with his brother Heath for writing Upstream Dan’s approach to soliciting feedback and the ideal time to seek it Where Dan’s book ideas come from What makes a great business book How Dan develops the frameworks for his books The strategies Dan has written about that have had the biggest impact on his own life. Find out more about Dan at Heathbrothers.com and grab a copy of Upstream here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at a simple word that will dramatically improve your day. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's BEST OF episode, my guest is Paul Migliorini. Paul leads the Amazon Web Services business across Australia and New Zealand - a role that he has been in for the last four years. Prior to joining AWS Paul held leadership roles in Asia and Australia with BT, Motorola, Regus and Ernst & Young, most recently as the CEO for Regus ANZ and Regional Managing Director for South Asia at BT.I was keen to speak to Paul because I have heard a lot of things about Amazon’s culture and ways of working that fascinated me. And there is nothing better than being able to get an insider’s perspective on how it all works.So if you have ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of one of the world’s fastest growing and most powerful companies, I think you’ll love my chat with Paul.We cover: How Paul has dramatically changed his mobile phone behaviour Amazon’s 14 key leadership principles How being frugal leads to innovative The importance of “two pizza teams" Why leaders at Amazon do more coaching rather than managing Why input measures matter more than output measures The two types of decisions that can be made at Amazon and how this impacts decision-making speed The importance of disagreeing and committing to decisions How strong opinions are encouraged at Amazon How Amazon identifies people who will fit with the culture during the recruitment process The 50% test that Amazon use in their recruitment process Why Powerpoint is banned at Amazon The critical role of long form narratives at Amazon Why the first 15-20 minutes of meetings at Amazon are spent reading Why Amazon create fictitious press releases for products that don’t exist Amazon’s working backwards process Why Paul sees it as his job to say yes to as many requests as possible.  Learn more about Amazon's Summit, check out career opportunities at Amazon and connect with Paul on Linkedin.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner was on scheduling time for spontaneity.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Kendra Banks, the Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at SEEK. If you live in Australia, you have probably used SEEK at some point in your career, and for overseas listeners, SEEK is Australia's number one employment marketplace.Kendra has had an amazing career and has worked in senior marketing roles at Coles where she was General Manager, Customer Insight & Coles Brand and also in London at Tesco. Kendra holds a Masters in European Politics at the College of Europe, where she was a Fulbright scholarship recipient. Prior to this, Kendra completed a Bachelor of Economics and Mathematics at Yale University.We cover: What it was like moving from working from home once a month to every single day How Seek has changed the timing and length of regular meetings in the virtual world Tools that Kendra uses to see how her messages are landing in all-staff meetings On having retrospectives to optimise meetings Balancing virtual schooling three kids with trying to work Managing staff who are trying to juggle homeschooling with work Providing unlimited carer’s leave The importance of coming back to purpose to drive motivation How Kendra manages her own stress How Kendra has deliberately chosen to take the riskier path for her career Strategies Kendra uses to make good decisions How Kendra’s leadership team approach decision-making The best and worst career advice Kendra has received Kendra’s peer support group and the role they play in her life Connect with Kendra at kbanks@seek.com.au and on Linkedin.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at three simple strategies to kick your procrastination habit while working from home.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's guest is Michelle (Mish) Le Poidevin. Mish has been the CEO of leading behavioural science and innovation consultancy, Inventium (the consultancy I founded and still work in) since May 2019. Mish is passionate about creating the environment and structures for people to do their best work. She has led (and learnt from!) many of Inventium's pioneering people practices such as the move to a holocracy structure, unlimited annual leave, and most recently, the four day work week and the compilation of the Australian Financial Review Best Places to Work list. She has also led the strategic transformation of Inventium and the development of new digital business models. She holds an MBA specialising in innovation and technology from The University of New South Wales (AGSM) and has been successfully working remotely full-time since 2018.This episode is like a behind-the-scenes look at how Inventium functions and the various experiments we have trialled over the years to make Inventium an awesome place to work.We cover: Why Mish loves being a “remote” CEO How working remotely helps Mish think upstream Carving out time for creative and strategic thinking Inventium’s Four Day Week experiment How Mish has reduced the amount of Shallow Work in her life The benefits of having a Virtual Assistant Working to your chronotype How we managed staff redundancies via Zoom during COVID The importance of bringing back routines to work during a time of uncertainty Why we fired all our managers at Inventium Mish’s biggest learnings in running a holocracy Inventium’s secret weapon for recruitment How we use OKR’s for setting company and individual goals Why we deliberately link OKRs to pay rises How we can replace water cooler moments in the remote working world How the idea for the AFR Most Innovative Companies list came about Inventium’s latest project: the AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list. Nominate your company for the AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list.Connect with Mish on Linkedin.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Four Day Week pioneer Andrew Barnes was on how to spend less time in meetings.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Scott Sonenshein. Scott is a New York Times Best-Selling Author and Professor of Management at Rice University. I came across Scott’s work a few months ago when I read his second book, Joy at Work. Scott wrote Joy At Work with bestselling author and Netflix star Marie Kondo, whose cleaning methods I’ve used in my own home over the years. In Joy At Work, Scott and Marie offer stories, studies, and strategies to help you eliminate clutter and make space for work that really matters.In this interview, we cover: Three questions to ask yourself to figure out if a meeting really matters How to dramatically reduce the number of meetings in your work life How to diplomatically extract yourself from meetings The one thing you need to ask for before every meeting How to decrease the number of low stakes decisions in your life How delegation can improve decision-making How to activate the subconscious part of your brain to make better decisions Scott’s daily problem solving ritual How Scott uses routines to boost creativity How Scott cleaned up all the digital clutter from his phone  Why it’s so hard to change your behaviour around email How to clean up your inbox How to make it easier to stick to “batch checking” emails Scott’s “spark joy” folder Learn more about Scott right here. And grab your copy of Joy At Work.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Glen Dolman was about his strategies for injecting creativity into a room full of writers.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, I cover 10 science-backed strategies to boost mental health. And here is a link to Worry Time (as mentioned on the show).Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Guardian columnist Oliver Burkeman was on how to stop procrastinating and get in flow.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Rachel Bostman. Rachel is a world-renowned expert on technology and trust, and author of two bestselling books. Her first book was called "What’s Mine is Yours” which was all about collaborative consumption, and her second book, Who can you trust, explores how technology is transforming trust and what this means for life, work and how we do business. Rachel is a Trust Fellow at Oxford University and has been recognised as one of the “Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company and as one of the 50 most influential management thinkers in the world. She is also the host of the podcast Trust Issues. And where you might have come across Rachel is via her TED talks that have been viewed by literally millions of people. This is the second time Rachel has been on How I Work. Check out the first interview here.In this chat, we cover: The biggest challenges for her of working during lockdown Designing virtual experiences How Rachel has iterated her teaching at Oxford to create a great virtual experience for her students The very first thing to get right before delivering virtual experiences How to create the space for learning and thinking in the virtual classroom  How to give introverted people a voice in virtual workshops How Rachel has made the switch from face-to-face keynote presentations to virtual ones “Settling” people into the room for virtual presentations How to create great poll questions How Rachel structures a one hour presentation How to finish a presentation so it promotes action On being a teacher versus a preacher Follow Rachel on Linkedin to get her biweekly newsletter RethinkCheck out her virtual experience design documents here:- A Guide to Designing and Delivering Virtual Experiences - A special edition of Rachel's Rethink Newsletter on the topic which can be read here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at three simple strategies to improve collaboration in the remote working world.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is…me! For the second time in the history of this show, I thought I’d turn the tables and share with you how I run my own workday. It's changed quite a bit in light of some very big changes in my life in 2019. The delightful and wise Dr Jason Fox joins me on the show to sit in the interviewer chair.We cover all sorts of ground, including:* The huge changes I have experienced in my work and life over the last year and how that has impacted my productivity* Why I prefer smaller teams to bigger teams* My team’s weekly rhythms* The different work experiments Inventium is currently running* Inventium’s move to a four day week and how the guidelines have been co-created by the team* How I balance work and parenting as a single mother* How digital distraction crept back into my life and how I dealt with it* How we do goal setting at Inventium* My daily and weekly rhythms* Why I create rules for myself* How I’m changing my email workflow* How I think about downtimeConnect with me via Inventium, and on Linkedin and Twitter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with ex-Google Ventures designer John Zeratsky was on the calendar template he uses to plan his ideal day.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Dr Jason Fox. I’ve known Jason for the best part of a decade. Like me, he is a scientist at heart and has a bias for strategies that are grounded in research. Jason travels the world helping leaders from companies such as Microsoft, Salesforce, McDonalds, and Toyota in the area of motivation design.Jason is also the bestselling author of The Game Changer and How to Lead a Quest, and in 2016 was awarded Keynote Speaker of the Year.Check out the first time I had Jason on the show.In this chat, we cover:* Why Jason hates the concept of “discipline"* Trialling a 7 day rhythm for work and life* How Jason assigns different “modes” to different days of the week* Jason’s daily rituals that set up his work day for success* The value of keeping a daily journal* What’s NOT working well in the world of virtual events and workshops* How to elicit great comments and questions from virtual workshop and keynote participants and audiences* Why virtual events shouldn’t be recorded* Why Jason never finishes a keynote with Q&A* How Jason is seeing companies innovate the experience of virtual keynote presentations* Jason’s favourite questions to ask audiences* The importance of the first five minutes of a virtual experience and how to make the most of them* The apps that Jason is currently lovingConnect with Dr Jason Fox here.And here are some other links to things we mentioned:The Discipline by William van HeckeThe Museletter by Dr FoxThe Character Handbook (featuring the ‘Ritual of Becoming’) by Dr FoxAnd here are the apps Jase spoke about: roamresearch.com, obsidian.md, ulysses.app and ia.net (iA writer).Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Auctioneer-extraordinaire Phillip Kingston was on how to fast track getting to know someone.You can find the full interview here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Dom Price. Dom is the Head of Research & Development and also the resident Work Futurist at Atlassian, one of the world’s biggest and fastest growing tech companies. Dom has responsibilities spanning 5 global R&D centres, and is the in house “Team Doctor” who helps Atlassian scale by being ruthlessly effective, all while keeping one eye on the future.This is my second time having Dom on the show. I was keen to have him back to check in with how he has adapted the way he works during COVID.Check out my first interview with Dom here.In this chat, we cover: Why Dom has found the shift from working at home some of the time to 100% of the time How Dom starts his management meetings now they are virtual to boost interpersonal connections How Dom is reducing Zoom meetings How a virtual art class helped the Atlassian management team bond How the Atlassian executive team are structuring their virtual meetings How allocating clear roles is critical to having effective meetings Making quick decisions rather than perfect ones The optimal size for meetings How Dom uses the chat box in virtual presentations and workshops How Dom makes sure he gives introverts a voice in virtual meetings Atlassian’s 80/20 approach to helping its 4000+ employees cope during COVID What Dom learnt from Trello about remote working How to do water cooler conversation in the remote working world How Atlassian are doing onboarding during COVID Connect with Dom: Twitter Linkedin Atlassianteamplaybook.com Atlassian.com/remote Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Dan Health was on removing recurring irritants from your life.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Stanford behaviour change expert BJ Fogg was on making habits stick.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Amazon executive Paul Migliorini was on banning PowerPoint decks.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is part 2 of my chat with Jake Knapp. If you didn’t listen to last week’s episode, Jake spent the last 10 years at Google and Google Ventures where he created the Design Sprint, which is a method for building and testing a prototype in five days. He then went on and wrote a book about the process, called Sprint, which was a New York Times bestseller. He recently wrote another book called Make Time, which I mentioned on a previous episode. I personally loved Make Time, which is all about strategies to help make time for doing your most important work and really getting the most out of each day.Check out my very first interview with Jake.And check out Part 1 of this interview here.We cover: How Jake and his wife deliberately design each day in 15-30 minute increments The importance of planning his morning to set himself up for the rest of the day Our favourite calendar software On sharing “news duty” with his wife and how it has completely changed the way Jake consumes news Daily dancing to improve mood Using phone calls instead of video calls On trying to be a better listener and stop solving people’s problems. BooksYou’re Not ListeningFind out more about Jake here: Running remote Sprints The Jake and Jonathon podcast Jake’s website Jake’s books Sprint and Make Time Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Columbia Professor Rita McGrath was on how she decides what projects to take on.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Jake Knapp. Jake spent the last 10 years at Google and Google Ventures where he created the Design Sprint, which is a method for building and testing a prototype in five days. He then went on and wrote a book about the process, called Sprint, which was a New York Times bestseller. He recently wrote another book called Make Time, which I mentioned on a previous episode. I personally loved Make Time, which is all about strategies to help make time for doing your most important work and really getting the most out of each day.Check out my very first interview with Jake.And in this chat, we cover: What working from home during COVID is like when you are a solo worker What it was like having all keynotes and workshops cancelled when COVID hit How working from home right now is completely different to working from home pre-COVID How to build self-worth when the majority of your client work has been cancelled Running remote Sprints The importance of planning a highlight for every day Jake’s favourite new mobile app for daily reflection Jake’s biggest struggle in trying to be productive Why email is so addictive and how to kick the addiction Balancing communicating with fans of his work and dedicating time to getting new work done Jake’s new email auto-responder Find out more about Jake here: Running remote Sprints The Jake and Jonathon podcast Jake’s website Jake’s books Sprint and Make Time Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Sandra Sully was on how to conduct a great interview.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Mia Freedman. Mia is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Mamamia Women’s Media Company in Australia. Mamamia has an audience of more than five million women each month and includes the largest women’s podcast network in the world with over 67 million listens and 28 different shows. As many Australian listeners would know, Mia was the youngest editor of Australian Cosmo at 24 years old back in the mid 90s. And because I was one of many loyal Cosmo readers as a teenager, I feel like I grew up with Mia. I’ve also lapped all of her books and I just love how she speaks so honestly and is such a raw way about her life.This is Mia’s second time on How I Work. (Listen to her first time here). I loved her so much the first time that I was keen to check in with her during COVID to see how she was going and how her working life has changed.We cover: Mia’s plan for transitioning back to the office Why her first day back was exhausting New rituals that helped Mia thrive during lockdown The most challenging thing about running a media company during COVID The rules and rituals Mia set for herself around news consumption  How Mia maintained social connections during lockdown Mia’s strategy for getting a quick read on how all her staff members were coping during lockdown Check out: Mia on Instagram Mia’s podcasts: No Filter, Mamamia Outloud, and Lady Startup. And on her website.  Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Dropbox executive Dean Swan was on finding the ideal structure for his day.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with CommBank board director Wendy Stops was on the best career advice she has received.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Scott Young was on the best ways to give and respond to feedback.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Fred Schebesta. Fred is an award-winning business leader, best known for co-founding one of the world’s leading comparison websites, Finder.com. Finder.com was born out of a simple concept: to educate people and directly compare student credit cards. Over the years, it expanded and evolved to compare a range of products across different industries. Today, Finder.com compares virtually everything from cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets, credit cards and insurance to savings, travel, technology and electronics. Finder.com attracts over 8-10 million visitors per month and now operates in over 80 countries.We cover: The most challenging parts of working from home during COVID Using narratives to communicate with his staff How Fred segments his sleep Fred’s approach to eliminating digital distractions Why Fred doesn’t have a TV How Fred consumes the news Having an emotional coach What self-care looks like in Fred’s life Why Fred frequently reminds himself he will die How Fred creates space for creativity in his calendar Fred’s strategies for identifying the best talent in recruitment You can connect with Fred on Linkedin and Instagram. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Adam Ferrier was about how he has built his own personal brand.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Harris Faulkner. Harris is a multiple Emmy award-winning newscaster, anchor, and trailblazer in her field. Harris currently leads two daily programs on Fox News - Outnumbered Overtime with Harris Faulkner (weekdays, 1-2PM/ET) and she serves as the co-host of Outnumbered (weekdays, 12-1PM/ET). Harris joined the Fox News Channel in 2005.Throughout her career, Harris has interviewed many notable figures, including President Trump, Senator John McCain, and Bill Clinton, to name a few.We cover: What it’s like broadcasting nationally across America from her basement. The biggest challenges in broadcasting from home How Harris switches off from the news, and why this is critical to her wellbeing Why Harris schedules time for spontaneity Harris’ approach to homeschooling without going insane Why breakfast is the most important meal of the day for Harris’ family Harris’ approach to creating a great interview How Harris’ builds rapport with her guests in the virtual environment How Harris was able to build rapport with President Trump The most challenging thing about interviewing President Trump Why Harris studies people before she interviews them Harris’ rules for engaging with social media You can connect with Harris on Twitter and Instagram. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Michael Stutchbury was about how to conduct a great interview.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Laura Mae Martin. Laura is the Executive Productivity Advisor at Google. So how did this happen?Laura Mae Martin started at Google almost 10 years ago in the Ann Arbor office. Shortly after joining she started a 20% project and developed an internal training on how to manage your inbox effectively. Her continued passion for productivity has developed into a full-time role working 1:1 with Executives at Google and running the Productivity@Google program for all employees.We cover: How Laura scored the job of Executive Productivity Advisor at Google Laura’s top tips for working from home during COVID while being a parent How Laura sets her day up for success Laura’s template for planning her day the night before Laura’s weekly ritual for planning her work How Laura reflects on her energy levels over a week and plans her week based on these insights How Laura has set mental and physical boundaries while working from home during COVID Laura’s approach to making meetings as efficient as possible and her default meeting length time Laura’s email management strategies to dramatically reduce the amount of time she spends in her inbox How Laura manages digital distractions Laura’s favourite productivity apps How Laura and other Googlers are improving social connectedness during COVID. Find out more about Laura here: Laura's blog post about working from home  Laura's blog post about mastering email The Suite Life YouTube series, where Laura shares GSuite hacks on a weekly basis Laura's LinkedIn Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with David "Kochie" Koch was about his morning and evening routines.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Michelle Poler. While doing her Masters in Branding back in 2015, Michelle started a project where she would conquer 100 fears in 100 days. This Masters project turned into a global movement that impacted millions of people and received coverage on The NBC Today Show, Fox News, CBS, CNN, to name a few.Since that project, Michelle now travels the world speaking to people at companies such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Netflix, Microsoft, P&G, Toyota, Coca-Cola, and many more, about getting out of their comfort zone. Michelle’s first book, Hello Fears, is coming out on May 5, and teaches readers how to create their own 100 days of fear project.In this chat, we cover: How her life as a keynote speaker has changed dramatically post-COVID How she reacted when her diary was literally wiped of all speaking events and work The detail Michelle goes into when constructing and improving her keynote speeches How she keeps her keynote speeches fresh for every audience Her process for helping her 100 Days of Fear project go viral to millions of people The one question Michelle recommends asking to help overcome fears. Get Michelle’s book Hello Fears, follow her on Instagram, and find out more about her here. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's mini-episode, I explore three science-backed ways to foster social connections in virtual meetings.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today...is me! A week ago, my team mate Charlotte Rush and I hosted an Ask me Anything webinar on the topic of Working From Home. We had over 700 people join us and submit questions and we tried to get through as many as possible. This is a recording of the live event and we cover all sorts of tips for working from home, such as: the ideal home office set up how to stay connected with co-workers how to run better virtual meetings how to maintain motivation during this challenging time how to keep your energy levels high when it feels like Groundhog how to juggle homeschooling with your other full-time job and much, much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Cyan Ta’eed. Cy is one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, having co-founded Envato in 2006 and growing it to being valued at over $1 billion. Last year she tried her hand at chocolate (why not?!) and Hey Tiger is now one of Australia’s fastest growing purpose-driven brands. Oh, and in her spare time, she recently launched Milkshake.app, which allows users to make a free website for their Instagram profile all on their phone, instantly.In this chat, we cover: How Cy went from spending four hours a day on her phone to just 15 minutes How Cy changed her mobile phone to make it less addictive The game that Cy’s family play on January 1, every year The five minute activity that Cy does every morning to set herself up for the day How Cy manages her energy levels as a self-described introvert who presents as an extravert. Cy’s approach to constant learning and development How and where Cy has found great people to work in her businesses. Cy’s strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome How Cy mentally prepares herself for stressful events Why Cy had an app on her phone that reminded her she is going to die 5 x per day Cy’s go-to apps and gadgets What happened when Cy had an eyesight-threatening ulcer and had to rest in darkness for several weeks. Balancing sprints with periods of rest Find Cy on Instagram at @cyantaeed, check out her amazing chocolate social enterprise Hey Tiger and her most recent business Milkshake that allows users to create a webpage from their Instagram account.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is entrepreneur and philanthropist Andrew Barnes. What you might know Andrew for is the person behind creating the Four Day Work Week, where as the founder of Perpetual Guardian, he trialled having his 200+ staff do a four day work week - that is, fit five days worth of work into four. Andrew now consults to companies around the world, helping them do what he did at Perpetual Guardian.Andrew also wrote a book about his experience with implementing the four day work week, called, The Four Day Week, which looks at the results the firm has achieved and how you can create a shorter week at your organisation.We cover: How Andrew sets boundaries between work and non-work life Andrew’s morning routine Andrews strategies for staying off email on his weekends How Andrew helps his staff stay off their mobile phones at work Andrew’s rules for making meetings more efficient Why Andrew has banned people from eating lunch at their desk How Andrew links meetings to individual productivity outcomes How Andrew transformed his office environment to make it more conducive to productivity Why Andrew’s down time is when he does his best creative and strategic thinking How Andrew’s staff are maintaining connectedness during COVID Learn more about the Four Day Week here. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Cal Newport. Cal is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. Cal is the author of six books, including, most recently, the New York Times bestseller, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Cal’s work has been published in over 20 languages and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Washington Post, and the Economist.It’s probably an understatement to say I was excited for this chat because I am a complete and utter fan girl of Cal’s and it’s fair to say that his work has had an enormous impact on how I work. We cover a bunch of different aspects of the way Cal approaches his work including: Cal’s different Deep Work rituals and why he recommends having different rituals for different types of Deep Work How to know if you are actually doing Deep Work Strategies to break your Shallow Work habit The critical conversation to have with your manager to get them supporting you doing more Deep Work Cal’s ritual for "shutting down” his work day Why Cal rejects the idea that we need to have a phone on us at all times How Cal deliberately builds solitude into his day Why changing workflows is more effective than changing habits when trying to increase productivity The workflow Cal designed while on his book tour to minimise back and forth communication Why giving your time a job is better than using a to-do list How Cal uses weekly and daily time blocking to use his time effectively How to take a “Deep Break" The two key elements of Cal’s email system to minimise communication The topic Cal is exploring for his next book You can find Cal at http://calnewport.com/ and grab his books Deep Work and Digital Minimalism.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Glen Dolman. Glen is one of Australia’s most sought-after screenwriters. Glen most recently wrapped on the second season of his supernatural series for Stan, Bloom, which he created and executive produced. The first season was nominated for an AACTA for Best New Drama Series and the second season kicks off on April 9.Glen has written for a variety of different shows including Britain’s longest running crime drama, The Bill (ITV). He also wrote the highly acclaimed telemovie Hawke for Network Ten, about the controversial life of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, which won the AWGIE Award for Best Original Telemovie and three AFI’s (Australian Film Institute Awards), including for Best Telemovie or Mini-Series in 2010. In this chat, we cover: What the role of a Showrunner entails How to recruit for a writer’s room Glen’s strategies for building the optimal dynamic in a writer’s room Where the idea for Bloom came from Tips for overcoming writer’s block when working in a team Knowing when to trust your ideas The best writing advice he has received. You can check out Bloom on Stan. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Ask Me Anything: Working From Home***On Tuesday April 21, at 10am, I’ll be hosting an Ask Me Anything Webinar dedicated solely to the topic of working from home. I’ll be drawing on my two decades of experience as an Organisational Psychologist, tips and tricks I have picked up from my guests on the How I Work podcast, and the thousands of scientific journal articles and books I have read on productivity, connectedness, and motivation. All I need are questions to answer!I imagine we will cover topics such as: How to create the ideal physical space for your "home office" How to overcome feelings of social isolation How best to structure your day when working from home Hacks, tips and rituals to help you be more productive Setting boundaries between work and non-work life How to get work done when you are also trying to be a pseudo school teacher And much, much more. So if you are struggling with home working life, or perhaps you are just looking to further optimise what you are already doing, register for the Ask me Anything - Working From Home Webinar and then send over any questions you would like answered.Oh - and it’s completely free to attend! ***Here are links to the six apps from today's show:SereneForestSuperhumanWovenPocketSend from GmailVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oliver Burkeman is a Guardian writer based in New York. He writes the weekly psychology-based column This Column Will Change Your Life. He is also the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking.In this interview, we cover: Oliver’s tips for parenting in the age of COVID Oliver’s personal method for time management How Oliver decides which projects to prioritise Oliver’s personal Kanban system to planning his time How to overcome procrastination using self-talk Strategies for overcoming writer’s block How Oliver trick’s his brain into getting into flow How Oliver find’s new ideas for his columns every single week Oliver’s go-to sources for inspiration and information Get Oliver’s book The Antidote, follow him on Twitter @oliverburkeman, and check out Oliver’s column for The Guardian.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this How I Work From Home episode, I explore the science behind how to Shut Down your work day.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this How I Work From Home episode, I explore the science behind how to Shut Down your work day.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Book in for Inventium's Thriving at Home program***Our most recent cohort achieved the following results in just six weeks: 21% increase in productivity 20% increase in job satisfaction 28% increase in energy levels Overall, the program delivered productivity increases to the value of $10,250 per participant, which represents 20x ROI on the $495 per person investment.If you are struggling with working from home and feeling your productivity plummet - or worse - that of your team - get yourself enrolled in our next Workday Reinvention: Thriving at Home program, starting on May 4.The Thriving From Home program has been designed by psychologists who are experts in how to create behaviour change that lasts. Every program design decision has been made with the purpose of creating long-lasting change.If you would like more details on what the Thriving at Home program entails, read more here.***In this How I Work From Home episode, I explore the science behind how to structure your day.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is John Zeratsky, otherwise known as JZ. JZ is a veteran technology designer, keynote speaker, and the bestselling author of Sprint and Make Time.JZ has worked with more than 200 of the world’s most important and innovative organizations, including Google, Harvard University, Slack, IDEO, and Netflix.For nearly 15 years, JZ was a designer for technology companies. At Google Ventures, he helped develop the Design Sprint and worked with startups like Uber, 23andMe, Flatiron Health, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Nest. Previously, he was a designer at YouTube, Google, and FeedBurner.I am a huge fan of both of JZ’s books and had his co-author, Jake Knapp, on How I Work about a year ago which is an interview you might want to check out too. I think you will find this interview super practical - and note, it was conducted BC (before corona), so if some things seem out of context, like our talk about travel, just keep that in mind.In this interview, we cover: The problematic default behaviours we have at work How JZ structures his workdays Creating a distraction-free phone JZ’s daily reflection ritual Making sure every day has a “highlight” - and how to work out what your highlight should be How JZ’s approach to structuring his day has changed from leaving Google Ventures to working for himself  JZ’s approach to making email processing as efficient as possible Why JZ doesn’t have a to-do list, and instead, has a “might-do” list The pro-human smart phone JZ’s litmus test as to whether he is using his phone wisely How JZ schedules walking breaks into his day How JZ uses a calendar template to help optimise his day JZ’s home game routine versus his away game routine (for when he is travelling) JZ’s go-to apps and software You can find JZ here and here, and on LinkedIn and Twitter. Buy Make Time and Sprint and enrol yourself in the Highlight Course here. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this How I Work From Home episode, I explore the impact of greenery in your home office.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with FrankBody co-founder Jess Hatzis was on how she overcame her fear of feedback.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Nir Eyal was about why and how he puts every single activity he does in his calendar.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Phillip Kingston. Phillip is the co-founder of one of the most successful real estate agencies in Australia, Gary Peer. I first became aware of Phillip about 15 years ago when I randomly encountered an auction he was running. And it was the most entertaining 20 minutes of my week. Phillip is hands down the best auctioneer I have ever seen - it’s like going to outdoor theatre. Over the years, Phillip has sold properties for me and I also recently bought one from him too.I wanted to have Phillip on the show as he is one of the best salespeople I have ever met. We talk about his sales strategies quite a bit during this interview, and if you are planning on bidding at an auction at some time in the future, then we also get into the nitty gritty of how to give yourself the best chance of success. More specifically, we cover: Phillip’s number one strategy for being effective at sales How he optimises his energy levels throughout the day How to ask effective questions in a sales meeting How to fast track rapport How to create a sense of urgency in the sales process Phillip’s strategy for bidding effectively at an auction How Phillip creates an atmosphere of pressure and energy on auction day How Phillip introduced theatre into auction day The style of auctioneer Phillip aspires to be How Phillip has gone about trying to create the optimal environment for auction day The critical role of humour in the sales process Phillip’s process for reflection and learning The power of the unsolicited gift Phillips template for an ideal day Check out Phillip’s agency Gary Peer, follow Gary Peer on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Nigel Marsh was about why he responds to every single email he receives.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Dan Heath. Dan is the co-author, along with his brother Chip, of four New York Times bestsellers: Decisive, Switch, Made to Stick, and The Power of Moments. The Heath Brothers’ books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide and been translated into 33 languages.Dan is a Senior Fellow at Duke University’s CASE center, which supports social entrepreneurs. I am a HUGE fan of Dan's work and we cover a lot of ground in this interview, including: The importance of trying to solve problems before they happen - and why this is so hard to do How Dan thinks about coming up with titles for his books Why he saw the title of his new book, Upstream, as incredibly risky The value in focusing on recurring irritants to focus upstream thinking Why Dan tracks his time, and the changes this lead to in his life How tunneling gets in the way of solving problems How Dan overcame his procrastination tendencies The importance of momentum in writing The pros and cons of not working with his brother Heath for writing Upstream Dan’s approach to soliciting feedback and the ideal time to seek it Where Dan’s book ideas come from What makes a great business book How Dan develops the frameworks for his books The strategies Dan has written about that have had the biggest impact on his own life. Find out more about Dan at Heathbrothers.com and grab a copy of Upstream here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am running a year-long experiment called My Year of Better. It’s my attempt to test out some science-backed strategies in my own life to become happier, more productive, more creative, and less stressed. If you would like to play along at home, join my pack of 1000+ lab rats at: https://amantha.substack.com/On today’s show, I describe Experiment 3: Minor Acts of Kindness, which has been shown to be a very effective strategy to boost happiness and relationship satisfaction. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Nir Eyal was about why and how he puts every single activity he does in his calendar.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with NYU Marketing Professor Adam Alter was on why he doesn't believe in goal setting - and what he does instead.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Stanford behaviour change expert BJ Fogg was on making habits stick.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am running a year-long experiment called My Year of Better. It’s my attempt to test out some science-backed strategies in my own life to become happier, more productive, more creative, and less stressed. If you would like to partake in the fun, join my pack of 1000+ lab rats at: https://amantha.substack.com/On today’s show, I describe Experiment 2: Failure Resume, which has been shown to be a very effective strategy to boost resilience. If you are playing along at home, complete the pre-experiment survey here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Rita McGrath. Rita is a world-renowned professor at Columbia Business School, where she directs the popular Leading Strategic Growth and Change program. She is widely recognized as a premier expert on leading innovation and growth during times of uncertainty. She has received the #1 achievement award for strategy from the prestigious Thinkers50 and has been consistently named one of the world’s top ten management thinkers in its bi-annual ranking.Rita is the author of the best-selling The End of Competitive Advantage and her new book is Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen.Rita has been rated one of the 25 smartest women to follow on Twitter by Fast Company and was voted HR Magazine’s “Most Influential International Thinker.”I’ve followed Rita’s work for several years and got connected with her personally after one of my team mates was lucky enough to be taught by her at Columbia.In this chat, we cover:* How she prioritises what projects she decides to work on* How Rita minimises decisions* How Rita gets the most out of her assistant* Where her book ideas come from* How to make something interesting* Rita’s approach to deciding what to read and maximising the impact of what she does read* Having a personal board of directors* On how failure can lead to a better future* How she arrived at the title for her latest book* Rita’s approach to doing Deep Work* How Rita’s approach to writing has changed over the last year* Rita’s go-to sources for informationFind out more about Rita at https://www.ritamcgrath.com/, follow Rita on Twitter, and get your copy of Seeing Around Corners.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am running a year-long experiment called My Year of Better. It’s my attempt to test out some science-backed strategies in my own life to become happier, more productive, more creative, and less stressed. If you would like to play along at home, join my pack of 1000+ lab rats at: https://amantha.substack.com/On today’s show, I describe Experiment 1: Worry Time, which has been shown to be a very effective strategy to significantly reduce stress. Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Paul Migliorini. Paul leads the Amazon Web Services business across Australia and New Zealand - a role that he has been in for the last four years. Prior to joining AWS Paul held leadership roles in Asia and Australia with BT, Motorola, Regus and Ernst & Young, most recently as the CEO for Regus ANZ and Regional Managing Director for South Asia at BT.I was keen to speak to Paul because I have heard a lot of things about Amazon’s culture and ways of working that fascinated me. And there is nothing better than being able to get an insider’s perspective on how it all works.So if you have ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of one of the world’s fastest growing and most powerful companies, I think you’ll love my chat with Paul.We cover: How Paul has dramatically changed his mobile phone behaviour Amazon’s 14 key leadership principles How being frugal leads to innovative The importance of “two pizza teams" Why leaders at Amazon do more coaching rather than managing Why input measures matter more than output measures The two types of decisions that can be made at Amazon and how this impacts decision-making speed The importance of disagreeing and committing to decisions How strong opinions are encouraged at Amazon How Amazon identifies people who will fit with the culture during the recruitment process The 50% test that Amazon use in their recruitment process Why Powerpoint is banned at Amazon The critical role of long form narratives at Amazon Why the first 15-20 minutes of meetings at Amazon are spent reading Why Amazon create fictitious press releases for products that don’t exist Amazon’s working backwards process Why Paul sees it as his job to say yes to as many requests as possible.  Learn more about Amazon's Summit, check out career opportunities at Amazon and connect with Paul on Linkedin.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's mini-episode describes a brand new project I am launching - My Year of Better. I'd love you to be a part of it.Sign up here (it's free!).Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2019**My guest today is Dan Pink. Dan is the author of six bestselling books, including Drive, A Whole New Mind, and his latest book "When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing", which has spent four months on the New York Times bestseller list. You might also be familiar with Dan through his TED talk about the surprising science of motivation, which has been viewed over 20 million times.I am a big Dan Pink fan so I was very excited to be able to chat with him. I think he has such a knack for dissecting complex science and finding a way to make it not just accessible, but memorable and impactful for his readers.We cover a bunch of things during this chat, including: How Dan works out whether an idea is great or whether it stinks How the idea behind his latest book "When" came to be The importance of the structure of a book, and Dan’s approach to mapping out a book’s structure Dan’s process for coming up with the title for a book or project How he came up with the title for Adam Grant’s bestselling book Give and Take Why Dan structures his work day into three distinct sections Why Dan isn’t a big believer in willpower How Dan constructs his working environment to make it easy to stay off digital distractions Dan’s approach to radically reducing the amount of emails he receives How Dan decides what to say yes to and what to say no to Dan’s approach for saying no politely Dan’s process for translating a book into a keynote speech Why Dan asks his wife to read his books out loud to him during the editing process Find out more about Dan at danpink.com and subscribe to his newsletter right here. And you can check out his latest book When here.For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcastGet in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2019**My guest today is Marcus Buckingham. Marcus is the author of a stack of best-selling books, including First, Break All the Rules, Now, Discover Your Strengths, The One Thing You Need to Know, and Stand Out, to name a few. His latest book, Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World (Harvard Business Publishing, 2019) takes an in-depth look at the lies that pervade our workplaces and the core truths that will help us change it for the better.Marcus has appeared on “Larry King Live,” “The Today Show” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and now leads People + Performance research at the ADP Research Institute and remains CEO The Marcus Buckingham Company (TMBC).I was keen to get Marcus on the show as he is someone who challenges the status quo of how organisations operate, and I was keen to see how he had applied his advice in his own life.In our chat, we cover: The four questions Marcus asks himself every week Why "do what you love" is bad advice Why “work-life balance” is an unhelpful concept How Marcus has reduced the amount of work he loathes and increased the amount of work he loves How Marcus reframed how he thinks about networking and mingling to find it more enjoyable How Marcus made firing people a less awful task Marcus’s process for creating great keynote presentations How Marcus thinks about the opening of his speeches Why the annual planning process organisations use is broken - and how to fix it Why Marcus thinks about work as a collection of projects Find out more about Marcus via his website, get your hands on his most recent book Nine Lies About Work, and sign up to the Freethinking Leader Coalition.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**BEST OF 2019**My guest today is Abbi Jacobson. Abbi is a co-creator, writer, director, executive producer and star of the critically-acclaimed Comedy Central show Broad City, with Ilana Glazer. And that’s how I first became familiar with her work. I am a hard core fan of Broad City and would go so far to say I think it’s the funniest show on TV right now (although it recently wrapped it’s fifth and final season). Seriously, if you have not watched Broad City or have no idea what I am talking about check it out.Aside from Broad City, Abbi has done a stack of things ranging from voicing the character “Bean” in Netflix’s series Disenchantment by Matt Groenig, hosting the podcast A Piece of Work with WNYC and MoMA, in which she discusses modern and contemporary art.Oh and she has also written and illustrated a stack of NYT best-selling books, ranging from, I Might Regret This (a memoir style collection of essays), her illustrated book, Carry This Book, and two coloring books called: Color This Book: New York City and Color This Book: San Francisco.We cover: Her strategies for keeping herself accountable and meeting deadlines Abbi’s form of productive procrastination How Abbi tricks herself into getting work done Abbi’s strategies for overcoming writer’s block Abbi’s preference for going analogue rather than digital How getting a dog has helped Abbi get out of her head Abbi’s love-hate relationship with social media Why Abbi still transitions in and out of Imposter Syndrome Why Abbi and Ilana would shake hands before filming big scenes for Broad City How Abbi manages her nerves before big events and moments Find out more about Abbi via her books (I Might Regret This, Carry This Book, Colour This Book), watch her shows (Broad City, Disenchantment), listen to her podcast A Piece of Work, and you can follow Abbi on Instagram.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***BEST OF HOW I WORK***I'm currently taking a few weeks off, so today's episode is a Best Of episode. I've gone back through the archives of the last 2.5 years of hosting How I Work and picked out my absolute favourite episodes!My guest today is Cyan Ta’eed. Cy is one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, having co-founded Envato in 2006 and growing it to being valued at over $1 billion. Last year she tried her hand at chocolate (why not?!) and Hey Tiger is now one of Australia’s fastest growing purpose-driven brands. Oh, and in her spare time, she recently launched Milkshake.app, which allows users to make a free website for their Instagram profile all on their phone, instantly.In this chat, we cover: How Cy went from spending four hours a day on her phone to just 15 minutes How Cy changed her mobile phone to make it less addictive The game that Cy’s family play on January 1, every year The five minute activity that Cy does every morning to set herself up for the day How Cy manages her energy levels as a self-described introvert who presents as an extravert. Cy’s approach to constant learning and development How and where Cy has found great people to work in her businesses. Cy’s strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome How Cy mentally prepares herself for stressful events Why Cy had an app on her phone that reminded her she is going to die 5 x per day Cy’s go-to apps and gadgets What happened when Cy had an eyesight-threatening ulcer and had to rest in darkness for several weeks. Balancing sprints with periods of rest Find Cy on Instagram at @cyantaeed, check out her amazing chocolate social enterprise Hey Tiger and her most recent business Milkshake that allows users to create a webpage from their Instagram account.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Chris Guillebeau was on how perfectionism gets in the way of success.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with award-winning magician Simon Coronel was on how he pays people to give him negative feedback.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest on today’s show is Dean Swan. Dean is the Country Manager of Dropbox, where he oversees Dropbox's business operations across Australia and New Zealand. And in case you haven’t heard of Dropbox, it’s one of Silicon Valley’s unicorns, which is a company valued at over $1 billion. Dropbox provides file hosting and I’ve been a customer of Dropbox for many years.I got connected with Dean as Dropbox Australia have been experimenting with how they work and challenging a lot of the working norms that exist. This has resulted in the launch of Dropbox's ‘Enlightened Summer’, which is a summer-long initiative encouraging workplaces across Australia to reimagine a more enlightened way of working.In my chat with Dean, we start by talking about how Dropboxers have changed their approach to work, and we then delve into how Dean has adapted his own working behaviours too. And if you like the sound of what Dropbox is doing, I finish my chat with Dean talking about advice he has for listeners who are trying to influence their boss on changing the working norms. So on that note, over to Dean to hear about how he works.We cover: Dropbox’s Enlightened Summer campaign How Hack Week’s work at Dropbox The range of productivity techniques that Dropbox Australia have been trialling Why Dean moved the Dropbox office to the Bondi Surf Life Saving club for a day Why Dean had to unlearn everything he learned in his corporate life at Microsoft when he moved to being a start-up founder How being a chef helped Dean think about how he manages his energy during the day How Dean uses his runs for problem solving How Dean combined Manager and Maker time when he moved to Dropbox as head of sales for Asia-Pac Dean’s ideal weekly schedule How Dean uses walking meetings to change energy levels The importance of retrospectives at Dropbox Tips on how to convince your boss that the current way of working is broken and that change needs to happen. Find out more about Dropbox’s Enlightened Summer campaign and download the toolkit.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Marcus Buckingham was about why work-life balance is a useless concept - and how we should think about it instead.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Wendy Stops. Wendy is a Non Executive Director at the Commonwealth Bank (Australia’s largest bank), Coles Group, and Fitted for Work. Prior to her board career, she spent sixteen years with Accenture, most recently as the Senior Managing Director for Technology in Asia-Pacific.I was really keen to have Wendy on the show to understand more about what it’s like to have such high profile board positions. If you have ever wondered what it’s like to be a board director, or perhaps you are considering this kind of career for yourself, I think you’ll get a lot out of this interview with Wendy.We cover: How to get onto a high profile board The recruitment process for becoming a board member How Wendy coped with being on the board of Australia’s biggest bank during the royal commission Wendy’s surprising approach to managing stress Wendy’s approach to protecting her personal time How Wendy makes sure her voice is heard in amongst the other confident, capable and dominant personalities on the boards she sits on Wendy’s approach to influencing people The role of intuition versus data in making big decisions Wendy’s “should we” test for ethical behaviour Wendy’s experience with Imposter Syndrome, and her approach to overcoming it The most challenging thing about sitting on a board Wendy’s top tips for having a great career. Connect with Wendy on Linkedin.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Clinical Psychologist Dr Doris Brett was on how stories can help us deal with failure.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Scott Young. Scott is a writer who undertakes interesting self-education projects, such as attempting to learn MIT's four-year computer science curriculum in twelve months and learning four languages in one year. Both of which he did successfully.Scott is a fascinating person who has basically dedicated his adult life to hacking learning and challenging a lot of the assumptions and beliefs that are held about how best to learn something. Scott is a science nerd like me and one of the many things I loved about Ultralearning is that it pairs a lot of scientific research with some fascinating real world case studies of ultralearners.If you have ever wanted to get better at learning something, or if perhaps at this point in your life you are looking at getting better at a new skill or maybe taking up a new project or hobby, I think you will find my chat with Scott incredibly helpful. We unpack quite a few different learning strategies that Scott has applied in his own life, and which after reading Ultralearning, I’ve now been applying to my own life.We cover: Why Scott spends time learning skills that he has already mastered Why retrieval is a critical skill for learning, and how to get better at it Scott’s approach to reading non-fiction books to optimise learning The importance of “directness” when it comes to learning a new skill The big problem with many training programs The best way to start a learning project How Scott mastered portrait drawing The importance of creating procedural memories and how to do this How Scott has improved his ability to stay focused Why focus comes down to managing emotions and developing good habits Scott’s tips to push through difficult tasks when you just want to give up The keys to giving effective feedback - and why most people who ask for feedback don’t actually want it How to solicit useful feedback How Scott decides which feedback to take on and which to ignore Find out more about Scott right here, and grab a copy of Ultralearning here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Broad City co-creator and star Abbi Jacobson was on why imposter syndrome can be a good thing.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Sandra Sully. Sandra is one of the most recognised and respected faces on Australian television. A journalist, senior editor and presenter with Ten Eyewitness News First at Five, she has been part of the TEN News team since 1990. Since 2018, she has also been the Managing News editor at ten daily. And she recently launched a podcast called Short Black through Network Ten, where she chats to various women who have something interesting to say.We cover: How Sandra manages her calendar and why she puts exercise time in her diary How Sandra decides what to say yes to and what to say no to Sandra’s strategy for saying “no” politely Sandra’s approach to social media, and which channels she finds the most useful How Sandra gets across the news in the morning Sandra’s cure for insomnia and winding down from the rush of reading the late news The hardest part about reading the news Why Sandra watches most of her news reading “performances” back Why being as inoffensive as possible is critical when it comes to visual appearance on television How Sandra manages criticism on social media Sandra’s approach to preparing for interviews How Sandra builds rapport quickly with her interview subjects Find Sandra on Twitter and check out her podcast Short Black.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with New York Times editor Tim Herrera was on his strategies for beating procrastination.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s show was recorded live in Melbourne in October at Inventium’s HQ in Melbourne. And it was with Adam Ferrier, someone who I have known for over a decade and I was very excited to have on the show. Adam is a consumer psychologist and the co-founder of Thinkerbell - an agency that fuses together marketing sciences and hard-core creativity – or as they like to put it – ‘Measured Magic’. Thinkerbell also happens to be the current 2018 Adnews' Creative Agency of the Year.Adam is also the author of 'The Advertising Effect: How to change behaviour, sits on the boards of Tribe, Good Thnx and PIJI.Where you might have seen Adam is on your TV set because he is a weekly guest on Australian national TV shows Sunrise and Your Money, and regular panellist on others such as Gruen and The Project.I found this chat with Adam an absolute delight. Adam has very contrarian but also very useful views on things. And if you have ever thought about your own personal brand (and if you haven’t, you probably should), I think you’ll find this chat incredibly helpful in refining what it is what you stand for.Follow Adam on Twitter and Linkedin, and check out Adam's agency Thinkerbell.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Psychology Professor Elizabeth Dunn was on her strategies for using money to buy time (and happiness).You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David "Kochie" Koch is one of Australia’s most recognised faces, because he is on TV every morning as the co-host of Seven Network's Sunrise, a job he has had for the last 17 years. And for most of those 17 years, Sunrise has been Australia’s number one rating breakfast show. Kochie is also the Chairman of Port Adelaide and is the director of Pinstripe Media. And a Reader’s Digest survey found that Kochie is one of the top 25 most trusted people in Australia.I was keen to have Kochie on the show because I wanted to understand how he balances his world as a breakfast TV host with his other business commitments. In person, Kochie was exactly how you expect him to be - super friendly and chatty, and also very thoughtful.If you have ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of breakfast TV, and how the rest of the working day fits in around this commitment, then I think you’ll enjoy my chat with Kochie.We cover: Kochie’s morning and evening routines How Kochie prioritises his health What goes on behind the scenes at Sunrise Kochie’s go-to news sources The hardest thing about doing breakfast TV Kochie’s least favourite day of the week Why Kochie still gets nervous before big interviews Getting behind the facade that celebrities put up in interviews How the Sunrise team maintain energy for the 3.75 hours they are on air every morning How Kochie “decompresses” after going off-air Kochie’s approach to email, Slack and social media Why Kochie will stay off social media for several days after a Port Adelaide football loss Kochie’s campaign for optimism Follow Kochie on Twitter and check out Sunrise here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few weeks ago, I hosted my very first Ask Me Anything webinar where I invited a whole bunch of people to ask me any question they want. Today’s episode is a recording of this session. I cover a whole range of topics, ranging from how to become unstuck, how to create a best place to work culture, looking at my own personal working rhythms, through how to start a podcast, and how I transitioned from being a manager to a maker. Enjoy!02:00 - What skills or characteristics do you look for most when hiring a new employee or partnering on a project with a consultant organization or team?05:30 - How’d you get people engaged with innovation when they constantly say they’re too busy?07:03 - Do you have any insights or tips on managing emails?08:50 - How to work more effectively on an open plan office?11:37 - How'd you recommend identifying and approaching a mentor as an introvert?15:23 - What are the key elements of the peer support group and what do you think makes it work particularly well?18:50 - What strategies do you use to break yourself out of feeling like you're in an innovation trap? How do you personally ensure that you are primed and best positioned to think and act innovatively?21:26 - How can incremental and disruptive innovation live side by side in an organization?22:43 - Is there a quick and short way of making sure the right solutions and ideas are being carried forward that you can recommend?25:16 - Do you give yourself worktime boundaries? How do you ensure you get all of your work done but then you aren't eating into home/family time and or working all the time?27:14 - What initiatives do you have to reduce workplace stress and increase employee well-being?28:20 - How do unlimited annual leave work?30:10 - How to start a podcast?32:29 - How do you convert to a Holacracy model? What are the challenges?35:05 - How do you, as a middle manager, help to get the director onboard for more flexibility and trust in working arrangements?37:34 - Should you use Timesheets software for work reporting?38:56 - How to build a best place to work culture with very limited resources?40:30 - When have you had the most success scheduling tasks you've been procrastinating on? When is the best time to do hard tasks?41:20 - What was your thought process as you contemplated going from a manager to a maker and how long did it take you to come to that decision?If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Google VP Jerry Dischler was on his tips for identifying top talent.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Nir Eyal. Nir is an international bestselling author, former Stanford lecturer, successful tech investor, and behavioral design expert. Five years ago, Nir wrote what is widely considered to be Silicon Valley’s handbook for making technology habit-forming - a book called Hooked. This week, his latest book Indistractible is coming out, which reveals the hidden psychology driving us to distraction. He describes why solving the problem is not as simple as swearing off our devices. Nir claims that abstinence is impractical and often makes us want more.I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of Indistractable, which I devoured in one sitting. It is such a great book and such a fresh and unique take on the productivity genre. And so as you can imagine, I was very excited to chat to Nir about the ideas in the book and how he has applied them in his own life. If you are finding yourself constantly distracted by digital, and even non-digital distractions throughout your day, then I am sure you will learn some really great strategies to help become indistractable in this chat.We cover: Nir’s four step model to becoming indistractable What he found hardest about changing his own relationship with distractions Identifying the root cause of distraction The best way to make boring tasks more engaging What Nir’s calendar looks like and why he schedules literally everything Nir’s approach to scheduling time with friends and family How Nir has helped his daughter develop a healthy relationship with technology Nir’s favourite apps that help him stay focused And much, much more. Check out Indistractable here. And find out more about Nir here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Ella Bache CEO Pippa Hallas was her strategy for turbo-charging meeting effectiveness.You can find the full interview here:If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Chase Jarvis. Chase is an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential photographers of the past decade. He has created campaigns for Apple, Nike, Red Bull and others, was a contributor to the Pulitzer-winning New York Times story Snowfall, and earned an Emmy nomination for his documentary Portrait of a City. He also created Best Camera–the first photo app to share images to social networks, and is the Founder of CreativeLive, where more than 10 million students learn photography, video, design, music and business from the world’s top creators and entrepreneurs.I’ve been a fan of Creative Live and also Chase’s podcast The Case Jarvis Show, for quite some time - and I recommend checking both those things out. Chase has also just released a book called Creative Calling, about how we can supercharge our creativity and it just has a tonne of really fascinating ideas and strategies in it.So I was very excited to have Chase on the show after following his work for so long. We cover a bunch of things from fostering creativity, through to how to become a better photographer, through the books that have impacted Chase the most.Get your copy of Creative Calling here. Check out Creative Live here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with time management expert Laura Vanderkam was on how she has tracked her time for four years - and what she learnt from it.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Book yourself in for Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, kicking off on October 21. Enter HOWIWORK at checkout to save $75***My guest today is Jake Knapp. Jake spent the last 10 years at Google and Google Ventures where he created the Design Sprint, which is a method for building and testing a prototype in five days. He then went on and wrote a book about the process, called Sprint, which was a New York Times bestseller. He recently wrote another book called Make Time, which I mentioned on a previous episode. I personally loved Make Time, which is all about strategies to help make time for doing your most important work and really getting the most out of each day.I was so excited to have Jake on the show, as I’ve followed his work for several years. What I particularly loved about this chat was how practical Jake is in his strategies and how he applied them during his time at Google. Now I should warn you that this chat somehow ended up starting with a story about a near-death experience - but don’t worry, it gets more upbeat from there!We cover a whole lot of things, including: How a near death experience lead to Jake becoming a self-confessed “time dork" Jake’s number one tip for creating a great day Why Jake hates the traditional to-do list How Jake created a distraction free phone - and how it changed his life The importance of boredom How to take back control of your calendar How Jake managed his calendar at Google Ventures How Jake approaches his email Being productive versus being purposeful Why you need to be prepared to let little bad things happen in the pursuit of using time well Find out more about Jake at https://jakeknapp.com/, and get a copy of Make Time. You can also listen to Jake’s awesome podcast, the Product Breakfast Club.For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcastGet in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with The Chaser's Julian Morrow is on how to write a joke.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Book yourself in for Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, kicking off on October 21. Enter HOWIWORK at checkout to save $75***My guest today is Dr Catriona Wallace, who is the Founder and CEO of high-profile FinTech and ASX Listed company Flamingo. Flamingo provides a Cognitive Virtual Assistant (Artificial Intelligence) called ‘ROSIE’ that helps Financial Services companies across the world improve online sales conversion rates and the better servicing of customers.Based between NYC and Sydney, Dr Catriona Wallace is one of the world’s most cited experts on the Future of Customer Experience, Artificial Intelligence and Bot Strategy.Catriona was recently named one of the AFR’s 100 Women of Influence and topped the Business and Entrepreneur category. Catriona also happens to be one of my most influential mentors and a really good friend.We cover so much ground in this interview, including:* The difference between being a CEO of a private company versus a publicly listed company - and why it requires a completely different skill set* How Catriona became a "gun" salesperson* Catriona’s secret to building rapport in sales meetings* How she structures a typical one hour sales meeting* How to build credibility quickly* Catriona’s counterintuitive strategies for engaging prospects* How to pack three week’s worth of clothes in a carry-on suitcase* Catriona’s secret for getting over jet lag* Why Catriona doesn’t believe in work-life balance* How to build deep connections quickly when networkingAnd much more.You can find Catriona at flamingo.ai, on Twitter, and on LinkedIn.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcasts for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Book yourself in for Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, kicking off on October 21. Enter HOWIWORK at checkout to save $75***My guest today is Cal Newport. Cal is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. Cal is the author of six books, including, most recently, the New York Times bestseller, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Cal’s work has been published in over 20 languages and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Washington Post, and the Economist.It’s probably an understatement to say I was excited for this chat because I am a complete and utter fan girl of Cal’s and it’s fair to say that his work has had an enormous impact on how I work. We cover a bunch of different aspects of the way Cal approaches his work including: Cal’s different Deep Work rituals and why he recommends having different rituals for different types of Deep Work How to know if you are actually doing Deep Work Strategies to break your Shallow Work habit The critical conversation to have with your manager to get them supporting you doing more Deep Work Cal’s ritual for "shutting down” his work day Why Cal rejects the idea that we need to have a phone on us at all times How Cal deliberately builds solitude into his day Why changing workflows is more effective than changing habits when trying to increase productivity The workflow Cal designed while on his book tour to minimise back and forth communication Why giving your time a job is better than using a to-do list How Cal uses weekly and daily time blocking to use his time effectively How to take a “Deep Break" The two key elements of Cal’s email system to minimise communication The topic Cal is exploring for his next book You can find Cal at http://calnewport.com/ and grab his books Deep Work and Digital Minimalism.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcasts for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Book yourself in for Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, kicking off on October 21. Enter HOWIWORK at checkout to save $75***My favourite tip from my chat with Priya Parker was the way she analyses language in meetings.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*** Book in for How I Work LIVE with Adam Ferrier on October 8 in Melbourne:http://bit.ly/howiworkadam ***My favourite tip from my chat with Kevin Rose were his strategies for thriving at conferences, despite being socially awkward.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*** Book in for How I Work LIVE with Adam Ferrier on October 8 in Melbourne: http://bit.ly/howiworkadam ***My favourite tip from my chat with 1800-GOT-JUNK CEO Brian Scudamore was his extreme method for staying off email and social media during holidays.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Michael Stutchbury. Michael - or Stutch as he is known as - has been writing and editing on business, economics and politics for national newspapers in Australia for the past three decades, working out of Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Washington DC. Since October 2011, he has been Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Financial Review. So Stutch is basically the guy the sits at the top of the most powerful business newspaper in Australia.My firm Inventium has had a long relationship with the AFR, having run the AFR Most Innovative Companies list for the last eight years, which compiles a list of the 100 most innovative companies across Australia and New Zealand.I was keen to chat to Stutch to find out what goes on behind the scenes in his world. In this chat, we cover: What his morning looks like The daily and weekly news cycle The four papers Michael reads every day How Michael stays on top of the news Why Michael has 43,000 emails in his inbox Why downtime is non-existent in Michael’s life The hardest part of Michael’s job How Michael prepares for interviews and why he would never go into an interview with a blank slate Michael’s strategies for building rapport quickly in interviews Michael’s approach to his own social media channels Where Michael’s best ideas come from You can read the Australian Financial Review at www.afr.comVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Book in for my first Ask Me Anything webinar***Join me on September 19 at 12PM where I will spend 45 minutes answering all of your questions! For free :)Nothing is off limits! And here are some example topics that I might cover: Creating an innovation culture Trying to create the world’s best workplace Unlimited leave - and how to do it well My daily habits and rituals to improve performance And much, much moreBook in here (https://amanthaimber.lpages.co/ama-with-amantha/).***This episode looks at switching up your work location to improve performance.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Jess Hatzis. In 2013, Jess co-founded Frank Body, which six years later has become a $20 million dollar global beauty brand, distributed through retailers like Sephora and Ulta and is sold in 141 countries. Jess was named one of Forbes magazine’s “30 under 30” and was named Woman of the Year by Cosmopolitan in 2017.Jess’s role at FrankBody now is as the Chief Marketing Officer, and as well as her role at FrankBody, she is also the co-founder of communications agency Willow and Blake.We cover so many things in this chat, including: How Jess gets into the “voice” of Frank when writing copy for the brand How Jess uses music to help her write Becoming a better delegator Making the transition from being a Maker to a Manager Why Jess used to be scared of feedback The books that have had the biggest impact on her thinking The pros and cons of starting a business with your best friend How Jess approaches difficult conversations How Jess manages her nerves before big events as a self-confessed shy person Jess’s approach to her own social media accounts Going to a health retreat for a digital detox Jess’s approach to managing her inbox How Jess rearranged the apps on her mobile phone How Jess kicked her habit of checking her phone first thing in the morning Strategies Jess has used to conquer insomnia Getting a sleep divorce You can find Jess at Frank Body and also on Frank's instagram page, and via her communications agency Willow and Blake.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Book in for my first Ask Me Anything webinar***Join me on September 19 at 12PM where I will spend 45 minutes answering all of your questions! For free :)Nothing is off limits! And here are some example topics that I might cover: Creating an innovation culture Trying to create the world’s best workplace Unlimited leave - and how to do it well My daily habits and rituals to improve performance And much, much moreBook in here.***This episode looks at five simple strategies to have more productive (and less) meetings.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Simon Coronel. Simon was originally an IT consultant working at Accenture in Melbourne. But he quit his day job several years ago to become a full-time magician. Simon is now based in Los Angeles and is the winner of more than a dozen international awards, including two separate prizes at the FISM World Championships of Magic and Illusion (which is like the Olympics of Magic) and has appeared on Penn & Teller's TV show Fool Us, where he did in fact manage to fool Penn & Teller. Simon is also one of the few Australians to be regularly invited to perform at the world famous Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood.Simon is incredibly eloquent and thoughtful about how he thinks about his profession, and we cover a bunch of different topics, including: How Simon worked up the courage to go from working as an IT consultant at Accenture to being a full-time magician Why Simon doesn’t like goal setting, and what he uses instead How Simon prepares for a magic show Where his ideas for magic tricks come from Simon’s novel methods for getting audience feedback Why Simon thinks about practice in units of minutes, not hours How Simon can predict which of his students will become great at magic How Simon manages his emotional state pre-show How to get better at almost any skill How you can differentiate an amateur magician from a professional one Dealing with on stage injuries How magic actually works and why it’s harder to “trick” kids than adults. Find out more about Simon on his website, Facebook and Twitter.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Red Balloon founder and Shark Tank shark Naomi Simson is on her daily and weekly rituals.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Cyan Ta’eed. Cy is one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, having co-founded Envato in 2006 and growing it to being valued at over $1 billion. Last year she tried her hand at chocolate (why not?!) and Hey Tiger is now one of Australia’s fastest growing purpose-driven brands. Oh, and in her spare time, she recently launched Milkshake.app, which allows users to make a free website for their Instagram profile all on their phone, instantly.In this chat, we cover: How Cy went from spending four hours a day on her phone to just 15 minutes How Cy changed her mobile phone to make it less addictive The game that Cy’s family play on January 1, every year The five minute activity that Cy does every morning to set herself up for the day How Cy manages her energy levels as a self-described introvert who presents as an extravert. Cy’s approach to constant learning and development How and where Cy has found great people to work in her businesses. Cy’s strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome How Cy mentally prepares herself for stressful events Why Cy had an app on her phone that reminded her she is going to die 5 x per day Cy’s go-to apps and gadgets What happened when Cy had an eyesight-threatening ulcer and had to rest in darkness for several weeks. Balancing sprints with periods of rest Find Cy on Instagram at @cyantaeed, check out her amazing chocolate social enterprise Hey Tiger and her most recent business Milkshake that allows users to create a webpage from their Instagram account.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with New York Times journalist Nellie Bowles is on her strategies for becoming a better writer.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Nigel Marsh. Nigel is the host of the internationally acclaimed podcast Five of My Life, the author of three books – Fat, Forty and Fired, Overworked and Underlaid and Fit, Fifty and Fired-Up and he is also the co-founder of Earth Hour and the founder of the Sydney Skinny. His TED speech on work/life balance remains the most viewed ever given outside of America with well over four million hits.And outside of all that, Nigel spent many years in some very senior corporate roles. And that is how I know Nigel - he was my CEO at advertising agency Leo Burnett, which was my last role before I started Inventium 12 years ago.In this chat, we cover: Nigel’s approach to giving great speeches The three things that matter most when constructing a speech How Nigel manages his nerves before presentations Why Nigel doesn’t like giving people advice - and doesn’t like other people giving advice The two skills required to be successful in corporate life How Nigel came up with the idea for his Podcast, Five of My Life How he prepares for his podcast and decides which guests to have on the show Nigel’s approach to social media and email Check out Nigel’s podcast Five of My Life and find out more about Nigel on his website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Dr Catriona Wallace, Founder and CEO of high-profile FinTech and ASX Listed company Flamingo, is on her strategies for building connections quickly.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Doris Brett, also known as Doris Imber - my mum! As well as being my mum, Doris Brett has practised as a clinical psychologist for nearly four decades, and is also a multi-award-winning poet and critically acclaimed memoirist and writer. Her books range through various genres, including therapeutic stories for children, fiction, memoir and poetry. She even wrote a bread baking book back in the 80s.Doris' latest book is The Sunday Story Club, co-written with Kerry Cue, about conversation being the new hot conversation topic. It taps into the global movement towards reclaiming face-to-face meaningful conversation and personal stories, rather than living our lives online.In this chat, we cover: What happens in a client’s very first therapy session How Doris identifies patterns and themes in therapy sessions How to build rapport and trust quickly The impact of writing about trauma to help gain insight Questions to ask yourself to elicit stories that you haven’t thought about in years How to construct a great discussion question How stories can help us reframe our experiences around failure How stories can help us overcome procrastination How to construct a great story How to identify personality disorders in the workplace What to do if you are working with a Narcissist or Psychopath How to find a great therapist Get your copy of The Sunday Story Club right here. And check out Doris talking about the book here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Jake Knapp was on the magic word he uses to get more control over his schedule.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Chris Guillebeau. Chris is a New York Times bestselling author and modern-day explorer, having visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday. You might have come across Chris’s work into side hustles because he is the author of The $100 Startup, Side Hustle and most recently, 100 Side Hustles. And his daily podcast Side Hustle School is downloaded more than 2 million times a month.In this chat, we cover:* Why Chris starts his day with email* Why Chris has finally put on an email auto-responder after ten years of avoiding doing it* How Chris manages a daily release schedule for his podcast - and why he doesn’t batch the recording of episodes* How perfectionism can get in the way of success* The importance of daily habits* Why Chris didn’t find time tracking a useful activity* Using waiting time productively* Tips for better travelLearn more about Chris here, grab a copy of his books, and check out his daily podcast Side Hustle School.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Carman's Museli founder Carolyn Creswell was her annual self-improvement routine.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Marcus Buckingham. Marcus is the author of a stack of best-selling books, including First, Break All the Rules, Now, Discover Your Strengths, The One Thing You Need to Know, and Stand Out, to name a few. His latest book, Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World (Harvard Business Publishing, 2019) takes an in-depth look at the lies that pervade our workplaces and the core truths that will help us change it for the better.Marcus has appeared on “Larry King Live,” “The Today Show” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and now leads People + Performance research at the ADP Research Institute and remains CEO The Marcus Buckingham Company (TMBC).I was keen to get Marcus on the show as he is someone who challenges the status quo of how organisations operate, and I was keen to see how he had applied his advice in his own life.In our chat, we cover: The four questions Marcus asks himself every week Why "do what you love" is bad advice Why “work-life balance” is an unhelpful concept How Marcus has reduced the amount of work he loathes and increased the amount of work he loves How Marcus reframed how he thinks about networking and mingling to find it more enjoyable How Marcus made firing people a less awful task Marcus’s process for creating great keynote presentations How Marcus thinks about the opening of his speeches Why the annual planning process organisations use is broken - and how to fix it Why Marcus thinks about work as a collection of projects Find out more about Marcus via his website, get your hands on his most recent book Nine Lies About Work, and sign up to the Freethinking Leader Coalition.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Book your ticket for How I Work LIVE with Cyan Ta'eed on July 31, Melbourne**This episode looks at the best types of breaks to take at work, according to science.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Book yourself in for Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, kicking off on July 22. Enter HOWIWORK at checkout to save $100**This episode looks at unlimited paid leave - and how to make it work for your business.To assess your Chronotype, check out the Morningness-Eveningness questionnaire.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Book yourself in for Inventium's Workday Reinvention program, kicking off on July 22. Enter HOWIWORK at checkout to save $100**This episode looks at a simple hack for making all productivity advice work better.To assess your Chronotype, check out the Morningness-Eveningness questionnaire.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with global authority on storytelling and presentations, Nancy Duarte, on her own process for creating and delivering presentations.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with singer/actor/writer Eddie Perfect was his strategies for coping with negative feedback.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Abbi Jacobson. Abbi is a co-creator, writer, director, executive producer and star of the critically-acclaimed Comedy Central show Broad City, with Ilana Glazer. And that’s how I first became familiar with her work. I am a hard core fan of Broad City and would go so far to say I think it’s the funniest show on TV right now (although it recently wrapped it’s fifth and final season). Seriously, if you have not watched Broad City or have no idea what I am talking about check it out.Aside from Broad City, Abbi has done a stack of things ranging from voicing the character “Bean” in Netflix’s series Disenchantment by Matt Groenig, hosting the podcast A Piece of Work with WNYC and MoMA, in which she discusses modern and contemporary art.Oh and she has also written and illustrated a stack of NYT best-selling books, ranging from, I Might Regret This (a memoir style collection of essays), her illustrated book, Carry This Book, and two coloring books called: Color This Book: New York City and Color This Book: San Francisco.We cover: Her strategies for keeping herself accountable and meeting deadlines Abbi’s form of productive procrastination How Abbi tricks herself into getting work done Abbi’s strategies for overcoming writer’s block Abbi’s preference for going analogue rather than digital How getting a dog has helped Abbi get out of her head Abbi’s love-hate relationship with social media Why Abbi still transitions in and out of Imposter Syndrome Why Abbi and Ilana would shake hands before filming big scenes for Broad City How Abbi manages her nerves before big events and moments Find out more about Abbi via her books (I Might Regret This, Carry This Book, Colour This Book), watch her shows (Broad City, Disenchantment), listen to her podcast A Piece of Work, and you can follow Abbi on Instagram.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with ex-President of Pinterest (and now CEO of Moment) Tim Kendall on using your clothes as a communication tool.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Adam Alter. Adam is an Associate Professor of Marketing at New York University’s Stern School of Business.Adam is the New York Times bestselling author of two books: Irresistible, which considers why so many people today are addicted to so many behaviors, from incessant smart phone and internet use to video game playing and online shopping, and Drunk Tank Pink, which investigates how hidden forces in the world around us shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.Adam has also written for the New York Times, New Yorker, Washington Post, Atlantic, WIRED, Slate, Huffington Post, and Popular Science, among other publications.We cover: How Adam reduced his own mobile phone usage by 30% Adam’s extreme techniques for staying off his mobile How to use stopping cues to reduce mobile phone usage The retromania trend and how that is helping with digital addictions The ZZZ-mail approach to managing your inbox How Adam overcomes “stuck points” when he is working Why Adam doesn’t set goals, and what he does instead Adam’s hack for enjoying running more How Adam thinks about boredom and its relationship to his own creativity Why Adam never listens to music on his runs Adam's approach to screens with his two and three year old children You can find Adam on his website, Twitter, and get a copy of Irresistible here.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

***Book in for the Workday Reinvention program here (http://bit.ly/howiworkprogram). The program starts on July 22 and is accessible from anywhere in the world. Enter code HOWIWORK at checkout to get $100 off.***This episode looks at how to have deep conversations, why this matters, and a book, The Sunday Book Club, that will help.Here are some discussion questions to try out yourself:What people, events or things in your life have you been certain about, only to be proved wrong? What impact has this had on your life?The fairy godmother is able to make it to your birth – and she has remembered to bring her magic wand. She can bestow upon you one gift, and one gift only. What do you want it to be?Has there been a time in your life when you were lost – geographically, emotionally or spiritually – and how did you find where you needed to be?What is the best and/or the worst advice that you were given at any stage of your life?What is something you do that you know is irrational, and yet you keep on doing it?Grab a copy of The Sunday Story Club by Doris Brett and Kerry Cue, available now at all good bookstores in Australia.Visit https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Tim Herrera. Tim is the founding editor of Smarter Living for the New York Times, where he edits and reports stories about living a better, more fulfilling life. Before coming to The Times, he was a reporter and editor at The Washington Post, where he wrote about digital culture.I am a regular subscriber to Smarter Living and I thought that surely the person editing this section of the times must have some awesome practices in his own life for living smarter. And Tim totally did. He has thought a lot about how he works and I think you’ll find a heap of really practical ideas in this interview.We cover: Tim’s favourite piece of advice from editing Smarter Living at the New York Times Why Tim refuses to go to meetings Why Tim prefers receiving messages on Twitter instead of email Tim’s methods for managing his inbox How to create a great story pitch to the New York Times Common mistakes people make when pitching their ideas How Tim works in bursts of productivity Tim’s approach to managing his time on social media The role Twitter plays in Tim’s work life Tim’s advice for becoming a better writer Common mistakes Tim sees writers make How to craft a great headline How Tim reframed the way he thinks about his own procrastination Creating habits to eliminate the need for willpower You can find Tim at Smarter Living, subscribe to Smarter Living here, and you can follow Tim on Twitter.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Mamamia co-founder Mia Freedman are her strategies for overcoming procrastination.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Elizabeth Khuri Chandler. Elizabeth is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Goodreads, a website that helps people find and share books they love. Goodreads has over 90 million members and was acquired by Amazon in 2013.Elizabeth is also the host of the podcast Books of Your Life with Elizabeth, in which she interviews some of the most creative people in the world about books that have had an impact on their life.In this interview, we cover: How Elizabeth uses calendars to organise her life Elizabeth’s approach to prioritisation The role unstructured time plays in Elizabeth’s life How Elizabeth overcomes writer’s block How to write well How to write a great headline Where she gets her best book recommendations from How she prepares for interviews Where her best ideas com from. You can listen to Elizabeth’s podcast Books of Your Life right here.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at four science-backed strategies for turning your FOMO into JOMO - the joy of missing out.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Dr. Elizabeth Dunn. Elizabeth is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Elizabeth’s research looks at how time, money, and technology shape human happiness. She is the co-author of “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending” with Dr. Michael Norton. Her research has been featured in hundreds of media outlets around the world, including The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, The London Times, Maclean’s, Time, and CNN.I connected with Elizabeth at TED2019 in Vancouver recently where she gave one of my favourite talks of the week on how helping others makes us happier. In this chat with Elizabeth, we talk about how she has applied a lot of her own research to lead a happier life. And as well as sharing some great insights on how to spend money to be happier, she also has some also tips around making the act of saying no to people much easier.We cover: How to use money to increase happiness How Elizabeth uses money to buy time How to avoid feeling guilty when hiring someone to do jobs that you could be doing yourself How changing the way you check your email can reduce stress levels Elizabeth’s research into how smart phones are impacting our social interactions Where Elizabeth’s ideas for research experiments come from Elizabeth’s rules for deciding which projects to take on How Elizabeth is trying to be more proactive with saying no To consume more of Elizabeth's work, you can watch her TED talk, grab a copy of Happy Money, follow her on Twitter, or visit her website.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Botsman is a world renowned expert on technology and trust, and the author of bestselling books “Who Can You Trust?” and “What’s Mine Is Yours”. Rachel also happens to have delivered a couple of TED talks that have been viewed by literally millions of people.In this My Favourite Tip episode, I ask Rachel about how she goes about preparing for a talk.Listen to the full interview with Rachel here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Kevin Rose. Kevin founded the social news site Digg, and was a General Partner at Google Ventures, where he invested in companies like Ripple, Blue Bottle, Medium, and NextDoor. Prior to that, Kevin began his investing career as an Angel investor in Twitter, Facebook, and Square.Kevin also hosts the podcast The Kevin Rose Show where he dissects how high performers like Tony Robbins, Tim Ferris, and Elon Musk have achieved such great performance.In this interview, we cover: Why Kevin has been trying to cut down on mobile phone use - and how he has achieved this Kevin’s approach to keeping people off their mobile phone in meetings His approach to making meetings more productive How Kevin manages his self-confessed social awkwardness at conferences like TED How he avoids small talk when meeting people for the first time Kevin’s approach to being a lifelong learner How Kevin consumes books Using nature to boost creativity When Kevin’s best ideas come to him Strategies for sleeping better You can find Kevin right here and check out his podcast The Kevin Rose Show.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with best-selling author Dan Pink on his science-backed strategy for structuring his workdays.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Brian Scudamore. Brian is the founder and CEO of O2E Brands (a $400 million business) which is the umbrella company for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, You Move Me, and Shack Shine.Brian's companies have been featured on ABC Nightline, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, CNN, The Today Show, Oprah, and CNBC. Brian’s story has been featured in Fortune Magazine, The New York Times, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and he contributes regularly to Forbes, among other publications.He is also the author of WTF?! (Willing to Fail): How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success.In this chat, we cover: Brian’s weekly rhythm and rituals Why Brian doesn’t accept one hour meetings Why Brian never goes into the office on Mondays Brian’s hacks for being efficient with his inbox How Brian optimises his commuting time How the type of work Brian is doing determines where he works from How Brian structures every single one of his meetings Brian’s trick for staying off email during weekends and holidays Why he insists that staff stay off email during their holidays Brian’s approach to protecting his mental health How Brian manages digital distractions Brian’s approach to getting the most out of TED Brian’s technology hacks for being more productive You can grab a copy of Brian’s book, WTF? here, and find him on Instagram and Twitter.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at three science-backed strategies for having a great night’s sleep.If you are a Sydney or Melbourne listener, sign up for our Workday Reinvention Program. Register for the Sydney program here and Melbourne here. Enter the code HOWIWORK at checkout.Are you the parent of a little person? Check out my sleep school blog here.Grab yourself an Oura ring to track your sleep.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wanted to write a book and get it published? Or maybe you have already done so? If you have any interest in this field, I think you’ll like today’s interview which is with Adrian Zackheim. Adrian is the founder and publisher of Portfolio, a business book imprint at Penguin Random House.At Portfolio, Adrian has published bestselling books, such as Purple Cow by Seth Godin, Start With Why by Simon Sinek, and The Smartest Guys in the Room by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind. More recently, he published Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, who I had on the show recently, and they have also published many of Ryan Holiday’s books, one of my favourite writers.I feel like every second great business book I read is published by Portfolio, so I was very keen to talk to Adrian about his approach to book pitching and making decisions.This is a shortish interview episode, and I think it’s a really relevant one to current and aspiring writers. I hope you enjoy it.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my interview with lie-spotting expert Pamela Meyer was her strategy for organising her day on index cards.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Jerry Dischler. Jerry is the VP of Product Management at Google, where he leads the product team for Google's search ads business, the product and engineering teams for YouTube advertising, and the product and engineering teams for Google's home-grown sales and support tools.We cover a lot of ground in this interview, including: How Jerry balances Maker and Manager time Where Jerry’s best ideas come from Jerry’s approach to managing his inbox Jerry’s morning ritual What Jerry’s annual, quarterly and weekly planning process looks like How Jerry uses OKRs in his family life Jerry’s insights for identifying top talent in the recruitment process Jerry’s go to sources for inspiration How Jerry decides on which books to read Jerry’s approach to getting the most out of his week at TED You can find Jerry on LinkedIn and Twitter.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk about seven (lesser-known) apps that make me more productive at work. Check them out at:SuperhumanWovenPocketSend from GmailFreedomOvercastContactOutVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I recently attended TED2019 in Vancouver and recorded a bunch of interviews with some very inspiring speakers and attendees while I was over there.My first interview in this series is with Priya Parker.Priya Parker teaches people to gather better at home, work, school and in our communities. She is the bestselling author of The Art of Gathering and is also a strategic facilitator with a background in conflict-resolution. Her company Thrive Labs has worked with organisations as varied as MoMA, the World Economic Forum and the International Finance Corporation on strategy, vision and purpose.In this interview, we cover: Priya’s advice for how to have great sales meetings How Priya approaches her own client meetings The role language plays in how Priya gets to know her clients’ motivations Priya’s favourite questions to ask at gatherings How to get better at "holding the silence" in group work Priya’s process for creating her TED talk How Priya manages her nerves before high stakes events How Priya would improve the TED conference experience. You can learn more about Priya at priyaparker.com and sign up to her newsletter. Get your hands on a copy of Priya’s bestselling book The Art of Gathering.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at three strategies for effortlessly changing your behaviour - no willpower required.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my interview with Dr Jason Fox was on how he identifies fulfilment factors - critical things that need to be present in our lives for us to feel happy, energised and fulfilled.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my interview with comedian/writer/performer/producer Baratunde Thurston was hearing about his Sunday reflection ritual.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jocelyn literally wrote the book on good email habits - it’s called Unsubscribe. So my favourite tip from this interview was hearing about Jocelyn’s own email habits, especially after writing that book.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Cal Newport. Cal is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. Cal is the author of six books, including, most recently, the New York Times bestseller, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Cal’s work has been published in over 20 languages and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Washington Post, and the Economist.It’s probably an understatement to say I was excited for this chat because I am a complete and utter fan girl of Cal’s and it’s fair to say that his work has had an enormous impact on how I work. We cover a bunch of different aspects of the way Cal approaches his work including: Cal’s different Deep Work rituals and why he recommends having different rituals for different types of Deep Work How to know if you are actually doing Deep Work Strategies to break your Shallow Work habit The critical conversation to have with your manager to get them supporting you doing more Deep Work Cal’s ritual for "shutting down” his work day Why Cal rejects the idea that we need to have a phone on us at all times How Cal deliberately builds solitude into his day Why changing workflows is more effective than changing habits when trying to increase productivity The workflow Cal designed while on his book tour to minimise back and forth communication Why giving your time a job is better than using a to-do list How Cal uses weekly and daily time blocking to use his time effectively How to take a “Deep Break" The two key elements of Cal’s email system to minimise communication The topic Cal is exploring for his next book You can find Cal at http://calnewport.com/ and grab his books Deep Work and Digital Minimalism.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with award-winning writer/director Natasha Pincus, in which she talks about how she uses location and clothing to delineate the different parts of her day and get in the “zone".You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Laura Vanderkam. Laura is a global expert on time management, and helps people spend more time on what matters, and less on what doesn’t. She is the author of a bunch of bestselling books, ranging from Off the Clock, 168 Hours, What the Most Successful People do Before Breakfast, and her latest book, Juliet’s School of Possibilities.Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fortune, and Fast Company. And her TED talk, “How to gain control of your free time,” has been viewed more than 5 million times.I’ve followed Laura’s work for several years and I’ve always felt that she takes a really novel view of the whole time management concept. I think you’ll find this a really practical interview as Laura goes through a bunch of different strategies that she uses to make the most of not only her work time, but also her leisure time.We cover: Why Laura has tracked her time in 30 minute increments for four years Why many people overestimate how many hours they work per week Why Laura runs every day How Laura creates new habits that stick Where Laura’s ideas come from Laura’s Friday afternoon planning ritual Laura’s tricks to creating a great weekend The importance of scheduling “anchor” events Why planning things in advance increases happiness How Laura managed to read over 100 books in 2017 And a whole lot more. Find out more about Laura on her website, and listen to her podcasts Best of Both Worlds and Before Breakfast.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at three very simple words that psychologists have found create huge change.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Pippa Hallas. Pippa was just 33 when she became the CEO of Ella Bache. Ella Bache is one of the leading skincare brands in Australia, has over 150 salons. When Pippa is not busy being CEO, she is the mum of two young boys aged 3 and 6 and has also just released her first book called "Bold Moves: How to stand up, step out and make your next bold move".I first met Pippa maybe 7 or 8 years ago when my company Inventium worked with Ella Bache on an innovation project. We talk about a bunch of things in this chat ranging from: Pippa’s annual reflection ritual What Maker versus Manager time looks like in Pippa’s world How Pippa organises her diary How Pippa is trying to get better at saying ’no’ and her strategy for saying no politely How Pippa uses her time while driving Pippa’s framework for making sure meetings are always productive How Pippa balances being a CEO with being a mum of two little people Why Pippa doesn’t believe in work-life balance, and instead sees being a CEO as a lifestyle choice Why Pippa ends her workday at 4pm How she manages her nerves How she found mentors for her role as CEO And more!You can read Pippa’s new book Bold Moves here and find out more about Ella Bache here.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Netflix’s ex Chief Talent Officer Patty McCord was her advice about how to be radically honest at work and why this is so critical.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Julian Morrow. Julian is co-founder of The Chaser and Giant Dwarf. He has been the executive producer, writer and performer on various shows including The Chaser's War on Everything, Hamster Wheel, and the The Checkout.I was keen to have Jules on the podcast to unpack his approach to writing comedy. Jules is a master of this and we talk about a number of different topics in this episode. We spend the first little bit talking about what The Chaser are probably most well known for, which was how they snuck into APEC with Chas dressed as Osama Bin Laden over a decade ago and we talk about what was involved in creating that stunt. We then move on to talking about: How to write a joke Julian’s favourite definition of comedy How to know whether something is funny How Julian overcomes writer’s block How Julian records and files his ideas What procrastination looks like for Julian And a whole lot more You can find out more about Julian and his adventures at Giantdwarf.com.auGet in touch with me at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with innovation guru Scott D Anthony was his advice around finding and killing zombies at work.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Naomi Simson. Naomi is one of Australia’s most well known entrepreneurs. She is the founder of RedBalloon and co-founder of the Big Red Group, which turns over more than $100m. Naomi is also the shark that wears red on Shark Tank, and happens to be the most followed Australian on LinkedIn, with over 2.7 million followers.I caught up with Naomi at her office in Sydney to chat about her approach to work, which she clearly has thought a lot about. One of the things that I loved about her philosophy is that structure and rhythm will set you free. We talk about the different structures she has built into her working week and a bunch of other really practical stuff.Topics we cover include: Naomi’s morning routine Why Naomi doesn’t have meetings on Fridays How Naomi finds time to write Why Naomi sees everywhere as an office How Naomi decides what to say no to How Naomi wrote a book in 14 days Naomi’s approach to social media When Naomi’s best ideas come to her The role Naomi’s blog plays in her life Why Naomi unpublished 500 blog posts over the summer You can find out more about Naomi at Naomisimson.com and sign up to Naomi’s Monday espresso for weekly inspiration. You can also follow Naomi on LinkedIn.Get in touch with me at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Adam Grant came about when I asked him what was his favourite research study into productivity. Turns out it’s one to do with meetings, and how to improve them.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Matt Mullenweg where he talks about some really practical strategies for tuning out digital distractions and creating healthy tech habits.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is journalist Nellie Bowles. Nellie covers tech and internet culture for The New York Times. Before joining The Times, she was a correspondent for “VICE News Tonight.” She has written for Recode, The Guardian, and started her writing career at the San Francisco Chronicle.I met Nellie because she interviewed me for a story a couple of months ago and I thought it would be fascinating to hear about how a NYT journalist actually spends their days. We cover lots of topics in this interview, including: How Nellie scored herself a job at the NYT Nellie’s quirky strategies for becoming a better writer Where Nellie finds ideas for stories How Nellie prepares for an interview Nellie’s go-to interview questions Why Nellie doesn’t like reading about people before she interviews them Nellie's approach for tuning out digital distractions Nellie’s Digital Shabbat Nellie’s go-to websites for staying up-to-date with tech news Why Nellie doesn’t listen to podcasts And much more.Find Nellie on Twitter at @NellieBowles https://twitter.com/nelliebowlesVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at challenging the standard 9-5 default that most businesses run by, and instead, using neuroscience to guide how we structure our workdays.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Dr Catriona Wallace, who is the Founder and CEO of high-profile FinTech and ASX Listed company Flamingo. Flamingo provides a Cognitive Virtual Assistant (Artificial Intelligence) called ‘ROSIE’ that helps Financial Services companies across the world improve online sales conversion rates and the better servicing of customers.Based between NYC and Sydney, Dr Catriona Wallace is one of the world’s most cited experts on the Future of Customer Experience, Artificial Intelligence and Bot Strategy.Catriona was recently named one of the AFR’s 100 Women of Influence and topped the Business and Entrepreneur category. Catriona also happens to be one of my most influential mentors and a really good friend.We cover so much ground in this interview, including: The difference between being a CEO of a private company versus a publicly listed company - and why it requires a completely different skill set How Catriona became a "gun" salesperson Catriona’s secret to building rapport in sales meetings How she structures a typical one hour sales meeting How to build credibility quickly Catriona’s counterintuitive strategies for engaging prospects How to pack three week’s worth of clothes in a carry-on suitcase Catriona’s secret for getting over jet lag Why Catriona doesn’t believe in work-life balance How to build deep connections quickly when networking And much more.You can find Catriona at www.flamingo.ai, and also on Twitter and LinkedIn.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at performance reviews, and why it’s more important to have your team review their own performance.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Dan Pink. Dan is the author of six bestselling books, including Drive, A Whole New Mind, and his latest book "When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing", which has spent four months on the New York Times bestseller list. You might also be familiar with Dan through his TED talk about the surprising science of motivation, which has been viewed over 20 million times.I am a big Dan Pink fan so I was very excited to be able to chat with him. I think he has such a knack for dissecting complex science and finding a way to make it not just accessible, but memorable and impactful for his readers.We cover a bunch of things during this chat, including: How Dan works out whether an idea is great or whether it stinks How the idea behind his latest book "When" came to be The importance of the structure of a book, and Dan’s approach to mapping out a book’s structure Dan’s process for coming up with the title for a book or project How he came up with the title for Adam Grant’s bestselling book Give and Take Why Dan structures his work day into three distinct sections Why Dan isn’t a big believer in willpower How Dan constructs his working environment to make it easy to stay off digital distractions Dan’s approach to radically reducing the amount of emails he receives How Dan decides what to say yes to and what to say no to Dan’s approach for saying no politely Dan’s process for translating a book into a keynote speech Why Dan asks his wife to read his books out loud to him during the editing process Find out more about Dan at danpink.com and subscribe to his newsletter right here. And you can check out his latest book When here.For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcastGet in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Janine Allis was how she structures her working week with some very interesting rules.You can find the full interview here: https://www.amanthaimber.com/blog/janine-allis-on-her-rules-for-the-work-week-her-trick-for-making-emailIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Dr Jason Fox. I’ve known Jason for the best part of a decade. Like me, he is a scientist at heart and has a bias for strategies that are grounded in research. Jason travels the world helping leaders from companies such as Microsoft, Salesforce, McDonalds, and Toyota in the area of motivation design. Jason is also the bestselling author of The Game Changer and How to Lead a Quest, and in 2016 was awarded Keynote Speaker of the Year.Something I really like about how Jason organises his working life is that he thinks a lot about rhythms and rituals. In this chat, we talk about many of the ones he has incorporated into his life, from his daily rituals through to weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually.Here are some of the other things we cover in this chat: Why he picks a one-word theme at the beginning of every year, and his process for picking one Why Jason and his partner Kim track progress against their “fulfilment factors” - and how to identify your own fulfilment factors Jason’s process for making small versus big decisions Jason’s daily, weekly, quarterly and annual rhythms and rituals for work Jason’s morning routine Gratitude Calendars and how Jason uses one How Jason uses his time on planes Jason’s experiments into how to make email more bearable Jason’s strategy for saying "no" politely Jason’s process for reading non-fiction books Find Jason at drjasonfox.com and you can subscribe to his muse letter at drjasonfox.com/ahoy. And you can listen to Jason’s podcast The Cleverness at drjasonfox.com/podcastFor comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcastGet in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Amanda Palmer was how she has three basic benchmarks or rituals that she uses to check in with herself about how she is going.You can find the full interview here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode looks at three simple changes managers can make to help their team’s productivity skyrocket.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Jake Knapp. Jake spent the last 10 years at Google and Google Ventures where he created the Design Sprint, which is a method for building and testing a prototype in five days. He then went on and wrote a book about the process, called Sprint, which was a New York Times bestseller. He recently wrote another book called Make Time, which I mentioned on a previous episode. I personally loved Make Time, which is all about strategies to help make time for doing your most important work and really getting the most out of each day.I was so excited to have Jake on the show, as I’ve followed his work for several years. What I particularly loved about this chat was how practical Jake is in his strategies and how he applied them during his time at Google. Now I should warn you that this chat somehow ended up starting with a story about a near-death experience - but don’t worry, it gets more upbeat from there!We cover a whole lot of things, including: How a near death experience lead to Jake becoming a self-confessed “time dork" Jake’s number one tip for creating a great day Why Jake hates the traditional to-do list How Jake created a distraction free phone - and how it changed his life The importance of boredom How to take back control of your calendar How Jake managed his calendar at Google Ventures How Jake approaches his email Being productive versus being purposeful Why you need to be prepared to let little bad things happen in the pursuit of using time well Find out more about Jake at https://jakeknapp.com/ and get a copy of Make Time here. You can also listen to Jake’s awesome podcast, the Product Breakfast Club.For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcastGet in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My favourite tip from my chat with Dom Price was the strategy he used to eliminate a tonne of meetings from his diary.You can find the full interview here: https://www.amanthaimber.com/blog/atlassian-s-dom-price-on-how-he-uses-imposter-syndrome-to-his-advantageIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This mini-episode will help you re-think the seemingly innocuous "out of office" auto-responder and make yours be impactful and memorable.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Eddie Perfect. Eddie is a singer-songwriter, an actor, a comedian, and currently has not one, but two shows on Broadway - King Kong and Beetlejuice. Australian listeners might know Eddie from playing Mick Holland in Offspring, and theatre-goers might be familiar with some of Eddie’s work such as Shane Warne the Musical and Vivid White.When Eddie and I spoke, King Kong had literally just launched on Broadway and he was deep in re-writes for Beetlejuice. This interview really deep dives into what goes on behind the scenes in writing a musical, which for a musical theatre boffin such as myself, was delightful.And here are some other things we cover during the chat: How Eddie came to be working on not one, but TWO Broadway musicals at the same time How he wrote Beetlejuice’s introduction song for Beetlejuice The Musical His process for coming up with titles for songs Where Eddie does his best writing Why Eddie aims to complete with himself, and not with others How Eddie deals with criticism and bad reviews The role social media plays in Eddie’s life You can find Eddie on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. And you can learn more about Beetlejuice the musical here and King Kong on Broadway here.For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcastGet in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first mini-episode for 2019, I talk about the absolute quickest way to boost your mood and productivity at work (it will only take you 40 seconds!)Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How I Work: Summer SeriesMy guest today is Carolyn Creswell. As Australian listeners probably know, Carolyn is the founder of Carman’s muesli, which is in pretty much every supermarket in Australia and is exported to 32 countries around the world. Over the last 25 years, Carolyn has built Carman’s into a $100 million dollar business.But there is so much more to Carolyn that just delicious tasting muesli. She has given so much thought to the way she works and this interview is full of really practical gems. We talk about: Her morning routine Why she doesn’t do coffee meetings - and what she does instead Her trick to making new year’s resolutions stick Her annual self-reflection ritual The role self-discipline plays in her life Why Carolyn doesn’t listen to the news Carolyn’s happy place How she plans her year in advance Why she books all her hair appointments for the whole year in January How she protects family time Why Carolyn never eats lunch at her desk Her favourite productivity apps Carolyn’s novel way of using to-do list software Why you will never catch Carolyn in a lie Carolyn’s approach to giving feedback You can find more about Carolyn and Carman’s at https://www.carmanskitchen.com.au/Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How I Work: Summer SeriesRachel Botsman is a world renowned expert on technology and trust, and the author of bestselling books “Who Can You Trust?” and “What’s Mine Is Yours”.Rachel is a lecturer at Oxford University and has been recognised as one of the “Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company and as one of the 50 most influential management thinkers in the world.We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, including: Why Rachel never sleeps near her phone “Big stride days” and how to have one How the weather effects her productivity Her unusual but very awesome way of crafting presentations How Rachel hit a ridiculously tight book deadline Why she finishes her day midway through writing a paragraph Her one minute mindfulness routine Rachel’s “tips” to make it easier to say no And a whole lot more.You can find Rachel on Twitter and Linkedin at @Rachelbotsman and via her website https://rachelbotsman.com/For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: https://www.amanthaimber.com/podcastIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How I Work: Summer SeriesMia Freedman is the co-founder and creative director of the Mamamia Women’s Network, Australia’s largest digital women’s media company. They reach 4 million women per month and also have the world’s largest women’s podcast network, with eight shows that reach millions of women.As many Australian listeners would know, Mia was the youngest editor of Australian Cosmo at 24 years old back in the mid 90s. And because I was one of many loyal Cosmo readers as a teenager, I feel like I grew up with Mia. I’ve also lapped all of her books and I just love how she speaks so honestly and is such a raw way about her life.I found it fascinating to sit down with Mia and learn more about how she structures her days and the routines that she has. I particularly loved hearing about her methods for overcoming procrastination, which I think every listener can benefit from.We covered a whole range of topics in our chat, including: How Mia carves out time to write books Why Mia hates long deadlines Mia’s daily rituals to stay on top of her mental health Why Mia has stopped reaching for her phone first thing in the morning Mia’s favourite podcasts Why Mia’s productivity peaks after 9pm Why Mia is spending less time on Facebook How Mia is rethinking her inbox How Mia reduces the amount of decisions she needs to make Mia’s top parenting hacks How Mia re-energises herself during the workday And a whole lot more.If you want to learn more about Mia, you can find her at www.miafreedman.com or via www.ladystartup.com.au which is her brand new project that includes an Online Bootcamp will help you activate your business idea in just 6 weeks.Full show notes and a transcript of this episode can be found at www.amanthaimber.com/podcastWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How I Work: Summer SeriesOn today’s show, I speak to organizational psychologist, best-selling author and Wharton’s highest-rated professor, Adam Grant.His books Give and Take, Originals, and Option B have sold over one million copies and have been translated into 35 languages. Adam has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most influential management thinkers, was named one of Fortune’s 40 under 40, and he also happens to be the host of one of my favourite podcasts, WorkLife which is a TED original podcast.In this conversation, we cover a whole bunch of topics such as: How to make email more bearable How becoming a parent completely changed Adam’s way of working How Adam approaches social media usage How Adam starts every week Why meetings kill productivity The podcasts Adam is listening to and books he is reading And a whole lot more.You can sign up to Adam’s e-newsletter Granted (one of my faves!) here: https://www.adamgrant.netFor comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to www.amanthaimber.com/podcastIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at http://howiwork.coSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jocelyn K. Glei is a writer who is obsessed with how we can find more creativity and meaning in our daily work. She is the author of several books and was formerly the editor in chief of 99U. She also hosts the podcast Hurry Slowly, which is about how you can be more productive, creative, and resilient through the simple act of slowing down.Not surprisingly, Jocelyn thinks very deeply about how she works. And she is very deliberate about how she structures her day.In this episode, we cover:* Jocelyn’s number one tip for not letting email take over your life* How Jocelyn uses the VIP feature of email* The big problem with the majority of productivity advice* The two hours of the day when Jocelyn produces her best work* Why Jocelyn works in sprints rather than marathons* What Jocelyn does to reenergise* Why taking breaks is so important, and what Jocelyn does to refresh her mind* How to carve out time for unstructured thinking* The best time of day to think creatively* What happens behind the scenes to create an episode of Jocelyn’s podcast Hurry, Slowly.* Tender discipline - what it means and how to do it* How she builds in time for reflection into her day* The role important journaling plays for JocelynSign up for Jocelyn's Reset course, which is like a cosmic tuneup for your workday. And you can read more about Jocelyn here and follow her on Twitter @jkgleiCheck out amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is…me! I thought I’d turn the tables and share with you how I run my own workday. The delightful and wise Dr Jason Fox joins me on the show to sit in the interviewer chair. We cover all sorts of ground, including: My morning routine My system for to-do lists How I try to minimise morning decisions How I fit both Deep Work and Shallow work in my life My Deep Work “rituals" Why I left Facebook and Instagram My favourite go-to productivity and time management apps How I transition from Deep Work to Shallow Work The work that goes on behind the scenes of creating How I Work How to design a better workday if you don’t feel like you have control over your diary How to persuade your boss to give you more time for Deep Work. You can find more about Dr Jason Fox at drjasonfox.com and I highly recommend checking out his podcast “The Cleverness with Dr Jason Fox”.Check out amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you planning on setting new year's resolutions for 2019? If you are, this episode will give you the best chance of success.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staying focused on work that matters and resisting digital distractions can be a big challenge for the best of us. In this mix-tape episode, you’ll get to hear several guests’ strategies for how they maintain focus in a world full of digital temptations.This episode covers:* Why bestselling author and Wharton Professor Adam Grant doesn’t recommend going cold turkey on social media and other “distractions"* Adam Grant’s “rules" for checking social media* Why Rachel Botsman, the world’s leading authority on technology and trust, stopped using her mobile phone as an alarm clock* How planning ahead helps WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg resist the temptation of digital distractions* How Matt Mullenweg creates healthy habits and hacks to minimise unhelpful temptation* Why Sarah Green Carmichael, Executive Editor at HBR, loves working from home* How Sarah Green Carmichael deals with procrastination* Moment CEO Tim Kendall’s tactics for staying focused, including a very extreme method* Where Tim Kendall leaves his phone at night.Check out amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you planning on making any decisions today? Listen to this episode first.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Janine Allis. Janine is the founder of Boost Juice, which now has over 500 stores globally. You might also know Janine as an investor on the TV show Shark Tank. Janine has received a tonne of awards including the Telstra Business Women of the Year. She is also a mother of four kids. Needless to say, she is a very busy person.We cover a heap of different topics in this chat, including: How Janine structures her week to maximise productivity Why Janine doesn’t believe in work-life balance Why Janine doesn’t do back-to-back meetings Why Janine doesn’t come to the office before 11am Janine’s system for remembering everything - and letting nothing slip through the cracks The role that yoga plays in Janine’s life, and how to find a great teacher Her “trick" for making email checking fun Why Janine is more likely to pick up the phone that have a conversation by email Her mobile phone rules for her family The last thing Janine does on her phone every day to help switch off Why Janine prefers audiobooks to physical books And so much more.You can find Janine at https://www.janineallis.com.au/ and on Twitter at @janineboostVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you currently use your mobile phone as your alarm clock? If so, you might rethink that after listening to today’s mini episode.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is Tim Kendall. Tim is the former President of Pinterest, where he led global sales, marketing and product development. Prior to Pinterest, Tim was Facebook’s Director of Monetization, where he led the development of Facebook’s advertising business.During his last year at Pinterest, Tim began noticing his own “bad” phone habits, not to mention the poor habits of everyone around him. Tim is now the CEO of Moment, a mobile app that helps you to use your phone in a healthy way, giving you back time for the parts of life that matter most.We cover a bunch of things in this chat, including: Tim’s quirky technique for keeping staff focused while he was President at Pinterest Tim’s extreme tactic for controlling mobile phone usage Tactics that Tim uses for setting himself up to have a productive day The role sleep plays in Tim’s life Why Tim takes ice baths most mornings, and what lead to this being a part of his routine Tim’s email hack that helps him stay focused The email software that has dramatically sped up the amount of time Tim spends responding to email Tim’s email rules for employees at his company, Moment. The damaging culture that exists in many Silicon Valley tech companies Why Tim is contemplating moving Moment to a four day work week and having parent-friendly hours Two books that have had a profound impact on Tim’s thinking Why Tim stays away from consuming the news And a whole lot more.You can find out more about Tim and Moment at http://inthemoment.ioDownload Moment on the iTunes Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moment-track-how-much-you/id771541926?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Christmas holidays nearly upon us, this mini-episode reveals five science-backed (and counterintuitive) ways to create the perfect break.Warning: after listening to this episode, you might want to change your Christmas holidays plans.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Patty McCord. Patty McCord served as chief talent officer of Netflix for 14 years and helped create the Netflix Culture Deck, which has been viewed on Slideshare over 15 million times (Sheryl Sandberg has referred to this deck as “ the most important document ever to come out of the Valley.”). She is also the author of "Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility". In this episode, we talk about: How Patty uses her time on planes How her life is different post-Netflix How Patty prepares for presentations The key to making unlimited paid leave work Her commutes to work with Reed Hastings and the critical role this played Where she conducted most of her one-on-one meetings The importance of being radically honest at work - and how to get better at it How to change a culture Why many companies’ bonus systems are broken What executives need to expect from their HR people Find Patty at pattymccord.com, check out her book Powerful (https://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Building-Culture-Freedom-Responsibility/dp/1939714095) and take a look at the Netflix Culture deck (https://jobs.netflix.com/culture).Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you need to get your creative juices flowing this week, I cover four incredibly simple-to-apply tips to instantly boost your creativity on today's show. All backed by science.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I thought I’d try something different this week and share some cool stuff I learnt from a book I just read this weekend. It’s called "Make Time” (https://maketimebook.com/) by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky. These are the guys that wrote Spring and used to work at Google Ventures.The book was awesome and has inspired me to try a bunch of experiments to improve my own working days. I outline five of those experiments in this episode.One of those experiments involves Freedom - so here is the link if you are curious: https://freedom.toVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you decide what to say "yes" to and what to say “no" to? And how do you say “no" in a way that doesn’t offend?Guests on the How I Work podcast struggle with like the rest of us. They literally get hundreds of requests on their time and can’t possibly say yes to everyone. So they develop methods to make the decision-making process easier, and have specific strategies for saying no nicely.This episode covers the following: Adam Grant’s strategy for prioritising requests The two types of requests Adam Grant loves receiving How Mia Freedman learnt to become great at saying no Mia Freedman’s rules for saying no Why Mia Freedman tries to say no quickly Rachel Botsman and the “clean” no How Sarah Green Carmichael frames her “no’s” when rejecting submissions to HBR How Nancy Duarte uses her assistant to say no. And much, much more! Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love to-do lists. But the problem with most to-do lists is that they don’t discriminate between the type of thinking different tasks require and the fact that our brain is suited to different types of thinking depending on the time of day. This episode will teach you how to re-think your to-do list.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is a blast from the past (and by that, we mean one from a few months ago because Amantha is on holidays right now!).This episode features Matt Mullenweg. Matt is kind of like internet royalty because he is a founding developer of WordPress, which is the Open Source software used by over 31% of the web. He also founded Automattic which now employs around 700 people. Matt has been named one of PC World's Top 50 People on the Web and Business Week's 25 Most Influential People on the Web.In this conversation, we cover a whole bunch of topics such as: Matt's innovative approach to consuming books How Matt stays focused on important tasks Matt's approach to meetings Techniques to create healthier habits What's on Matt's smart phone home screen Matt's favourite productivity apps Why Matt still uses a paper notebook The podcasts Matt is listening to and books he is reading And a whole lot more.You can find out more about Matt via his blog https://ma.tt/ or via https://automattic.com/For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: www.amanthaimber.com/podcastIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at howiwork.coWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Email gets a bad rap. People complain that email is the biggest drain on their productivity. But it’s only bad because of the mindless way most people approach their inbox. Instead of checking email willy-nilly throughout the day, there is actually an optimal time of the day to be dipping into your inbox.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is a blast from the past (and by that, we mean one from a few months ago because Amantha is on holidays right now!).Amanda Palmer is a singer-songwriter, rule-breaker, disruptor, and all round rockstar.You might know Amanda from being one half of the Dresden Dolls. Or you might know her, as I did, through her TED talk "The art of asking" which has been viewed by over 10 million people. Amanda is a total innovator in the world of music, and raised $1.2 million on a kickstarter campaign several years ago to be able to produce her own solo album, independent from a record label.One of the things I loved most about this chat with Amanda is hearing her very intensive step by step process for creating and delivering her amazing TED talk.In this conversation, we cover topics such as: How Amanda writes songs Why she insists on staying in a separate hotel room to her husband when on tour The enormous amount of work that went into her TED talk The signals she uses in her life to work out whether she is on or off balance The podcasts Amanda is listening to and books she is reading And a whole lot more.You can find Amanda on all the usual social channels at @amandapalmer, via her website amandapalmer.net, and find out more about her my Patreon community right here: www.patreon.com/amandapalmerFor comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: www.amanthaimber.com/podcastIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at howiwork.coWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much time did you spend this morning making decisions about what to eat, what to wear and how to get to work? While these may seem like small and inconsequential decisions, it turns out they could be doing damage to the rest of your day.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Natasha Pincus. Natasha is a Writer and Director who is probably most well known for her very distinctive music videos that she has created for artists including Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, and Powderfinger. Where you are probably most familiar with her work though is through her video for Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know”, which has been viewed over 1 billion times on YouTube and was awarded the first of Natasha’s back-to-back ARIAs for Best Music Video, and nominated for the MTV award for Best Music Video.We delve into how the Gotye video clip came to be, including: How Natasha came up with the idea for the clip Why the final video idea was actually her Plan B How you “train” for a 26 hour shoot The record label’s initial reaction to the clip And a whole lot more.And we also explore the many quirks about the way Natasha works, including: How Natasha uses the setting of daily goals to maintain motivation How she comes up with her best ideas The part of projects that she finds the most terrifying Her strategy for gaining momentum at the very beginning of projects When and where she comes up with her best ideas The times of day she reserves for creative work versus meetings How Natasha manages to keep the first three hours of her day distraction free. The critical role that Voice Memos play in her work How she uses wardrobe changes to partition her day How she uses repetitive tasks to overcome writer’s block How she builds exercise into her work You can find Natasha on Twitter @natashapincus, via her website Stark Raving Productions (http://starkravingproductions.com.au/), and on her Vimeo channel (https://vimeo.com/starkravingproductions).Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us don’t think very much about how we end our workday. We simply close our laptop, run to catch our train, go home and have some dinner, and often, re-open our laptop again while watching Netflix. By not having a proper “end” to our day, we are missing out on a big opportunity to boost our happiness and engagement in our work. This mini-episode describes four quick tasks that you can do to finish your workday on a high.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Scott D Anthony. Scott is global authority on innovation and the former managing partner of Innosight, the innovation and strategy consulting firm co-founded by Clayton Christensen. Scott has written several bestselling books and writes regularly for Harvard Business Review. Last year, Scott was awarded the Thinkers50 Innovation Award, which recognises the world’s leading thinkers on innovation.I’ve known Scott for a little while now because our innovation consultancies are starting to partner up on some projects, but up until now, I’d never had the chance to quiz Scott about how he works. We cover lots of different topics including: The places Scott goes to get his most focused work done How Scott makes the most out of time spent on airplanes How he breaks his day up into three shifts Why Scott finds his office the worst place to do creative work How Scott manages his energy when doing long focused blocks of work Scott’s process for coming up with his best ideas What Zombie projects are - and what to do about them How Scott removed 70% of his regular meetings from his diary Scott’s strategies for dealing with rejection When co-authoring works well - and when it doesn’t The advice that Clayton Christensen gave Scott that helped him become a better writer How Scott tests his new ideas You can find Scott on Twitter, on LinkedIn, at innovation and strategy consultancy Innosight, and you can drop him a note at santhony@innosight.comVisit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am yet to meet a person who loves attending meetings. Most people hate them, yet they are seen as a necessarily evil of corporate life. But while meetings may often be dull and sometimes yield few tangible results, they may be causing more harm than you think.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Dom Price. Dom is the Head of Research & Development and also the resident Work Futurist at Atlassian, one of the world’s biggest and fastest growing tech companies. Dom has responsibilities spanning 5 global R&D centres, and is the in house “Team Doctor” who helps Atlassian scale by being ruthlessly effective, all while keeping one eye on the future.I’ve known Dom for a few years now and one of the things I like most about Dom is that he is so contrarian in his views and he is not afraid to share them. We cover a lot of different topics in this chat ranging from: Dom's four L strategy to help make decisions on which projects to take on and when to say no Dom’s rhythm for goal-setting and staying focused on what matters The three questions Dom uses to find great stories How Dom removes his own personal bias when trying to solve customer problems Dom’s “deep work” ritual around disconnecting from digital distractions. Why music helps Dom do better creative and focused work How Dom uses his mood to decide which task to focus on Dom’s method for building a great presentation The two questions Dom asks when he is booked to deliver a presentation Dom’s favourite question to ask in an interview Why Dom prefers negative feedback to positive feedback. What happened when Dom deleted every single meeting from his diary. You can find Dom on Twitter @domprice, on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-price-0892243/), and you can discover Atlassian's team playbook right here (https://www.atlassian.com/team-playbook).Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you take notes in meetings and presentations on your laptop or in a notepad? I definitely fell into the former category until I discovered research that made me want to go out and buy a Moleskin. This mini-episode might convince you to do the same thing.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Sarah Green Carmichael. Sarah is an executive editor at Harvard Business Review where she works out what to publish on the site and edits the articles that you may have read there. Sarah is also the host of HBR’s IdeaCast podcast which gets over one million downloads every month.I was very excited to speak to Sarah as I am a voracious HBR reader and given the amount of ideas and tips she is exposed to on a daily basis given her role, I was very keen to explore what she had applied in her own life. We cover a heap of ground in this interview, including: The best pieces of advice Sarah has learnt from editing HBR articles and books for six years Her approach to managing emails Sarah’s strategy for making work days easier to start The classic productivity tips that failed for Sarah Her approach to decision-making, and where she has got it wrong How she prepares for her interviews on the HBR IdeaCast podcast How to read a business book in under 30 minutes When "winging it" can be a great productivity strategy How she deals with interviewing people she doesn’t like or agree with Sarah’s top tips for being a better writer and editor How she wards off distractions to get focused work done How to write a great rejection letter And much, much more.Find Sarah on Twitter, or check out her interviews on the HBR IdeaCast podcast, and HBR’s Women at Work podcast.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you addicted to email? Are you guilty of doing a “just check” of your inbox every 10-15 minutes? Is checking email getting in the way of you doing deep, focused work? This mini-episode gives you three research-backed strategies for kicking your email habit for good.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Carolyn Creswell. As Australian listeners probably know, Carolyn is the founder of Carman’s muesli, which is in pretty much every supermarket in Australia and is exported to 32 countries around the world. Over the last 25 years, Carolyn has built Carman’s into a $100 million dollar business.But there is so much more to Carolyn that just delicious tasting muesli. She has given so much thought to the way she works and this interview is full of really practical gems. We talk about: Her morning routine Why she doesn’t do coffee meetings - and what she does instead Her trick to making new year’s resolutions stick Her annual self-reflection ritual The role self-discipline plays in her life Why Carolyn doesn’t listen to the news Carolyn’s happy place How she plans her year in advance Why she books all her hair appointments for the whole year in January How she protects family time Why Carolyn never eats lunch at her desk Her favourite productivity apps Carolyn’s novel way of using to-do list software Why you will never catch Carolyn in a lie Carolyn’s approach to giving feedback You can find more about Carolyn and Carman’s at https://www.carmanskitchen.com.au/Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you work in an open plan office? It turns out they are not all fun and games and collaboration. This episode reveals research into the dark side of the open plan office and why it might be killing your productivity.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Baratunde Thurston. Baratunde is a particularly hilarious comedian, he wrote the bestselling book How to be Black as well as many feature articles for places like Fast Company and Medium. He helped to re-launch the Daily Show with Trevor Noah through building the digital expansion team. And he used to write for the Onion and has been nominated for an Emmy award.This conversation is a little different in that we deep dive into a very specific work project of Baratunde’s and it was one that I witnessed a few months ago. It was the closing keynote of the TED 2018 conference. While the footage is not yet live, you can get a feel for what this looked like when he did the same thing at TED2015.To set the scene, the 2000 TED delegates had just experienced around 100 talks over the course of five days. Imagine the impact of watching just one TED talk and multiply that by 100. It’s an amazing and immersive experience and feels like you have been blasted by a fire hose with ideas. And the very last talk was Baratunde Thurston who summed up the entire conference experience - from the 100 or so talks to the snack foods to the parties - in 20 hilarious minutes.But here is the thing - Baratunde wrote this phenomenal presentation during TED. So while experiencing the five day event he also wrote his talk. And then he memorised it. And then he presented it. In front of the entire TED audience. It was one of the most mind-blowing performances I have seen in my life. So I reached out to Baratunde to speak to him about how we did this. We delve into: Preparation - and why its almost impossible to prepare for a performance like this The technology he used to record and collaborate His physical / health routine The different ways to structure a joke Unpacking some of the jokes and how they came together How he memorised a 20 minute talk in the space of a few hours How he manages nerves We also cover a heap of other things, including: Baratunde’s quirky (but effective) email autoresponder Baratunde’s weekly reflection ritual How he writes articles Why working on the Daily Show with Trevor Noah was the hardest job he has ever job The key question to ask your employer when accepting a new job Why he is so frustrated with the social media companies Find more about Baratunde at www.baratunde.com, on Medium, on Facebook, and on Twitter.SMS Baratunde at +12029027949 (and use #howiwork).Visit www.amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How would you like to leave work at 2.30pm today having achieved a full day’s output? This mini-episode explains a very simple change you can make to the way you work that will allow you to do just that.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Pamela Meyer. You might know Pamela from her very famous TED talk about How To Spot a Liar, which has been viewed by 20 million people. She also wrote the bestselling book Liespotting: Proven techniques to detect deception. Pamela is also the founder and CEO of Calibrate, a leading training company that teaches people how to spot lies.Pamela is someone who thinks a lot about how to get the most out of each day, and I particularly liked hearing about her rather counter intuitive strategy for time management which I am trying to now apply in my own life.Some of the topics we covered in this chat include: How Pamela structures her to-do list Pamela’s strategies for preparing for the day ahead Pamela’s counter-intuitive time management technique Pamela’s must-have tool for keeping focused Pamela’s “burst” method for getting things done How Pamela uses self-rewards to drive motivation How Pamela decides what to say yes to versus what to say no to Pamela’s rules for having “clean” email Pamela’s go-to places for creative work And a whole lot more.You can find more about Pamela at http://liespotting.com/ and via her company Calibrate.Full show notes and a transcript of this episode can be found at www.amanthaimber.com/podcastWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost every one of us has experienced a 10 point drop in IQ from something that happens many times a day. And if you are wondering: is 10 IQ points a lot to lose? The answer is most definitely yes - it’s the equivalent of losing a night’s sleep. This mini-episode explains how to never experience this drop in IQ again.Visit amanthaimber.com/podcast for full show notes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia Freedman is the co-founder and creative director of the Mamamia Women’s Network, Australia’s largest digital women’s media company. They reach 4 million women per month and also have the world’s largest women’s podcast network, with eight shows that reach millions of women.As many Australian listeners would know, Mia was the youngest editor of Australian Cosmo at 24 years old back in the mid 90s. And because I was one of many loyal Cosmo readers as a teenager, I feel like I grew up with Mia. I’ve also lapped all of her books and I just love how she speaks so honestly and is such a raw way about her life.I found it fascinating to sit down with Mia and learn more about how she structures her days and the routines that she has. I particularly loved hearing about her methods for overcoming procrastination, which I think every listener can benefit from.We covered a whole range of topics in our chat, including: How Mia carves out time to write books Why Mia hates long deadlines Mia’s daily rituals to stay on top of her mental health Why Mia has stopped reaching for her phone first thing in the morning Mia’s favourite podcasts Why Mia’s productivity peaks after 9pm Why Mia is spending less time on Facebook How Mia is rethinking her inbox How Mia reduces the amount of decisions she needs to make Mia’s top parenting hacks How Mia re-energises herself during the workday And a whole lot more.If you want to learn more about Mia, you can find her at www.miafreedman.com or via www.ladystartup.com.au which is her brand new project that includes an Online Bootcamp will help you activate your business idea in just 6 weeks.Full show notes and a transcript of this episode can be found at www.amanthaimber.com/podcastWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How would you like to add 30 extra days to your year? Imagine all the things you can achieve. Today’s mini-episode shows you how to do just that. All it takes is one simple change.Click here for full show notes from all episodes.Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy Duarte is the world expert on designing and delivering presentations. Nancy’s firm Duarte, is the largest design firm in Silicon Valley. They help very big and famous companies and people, from Apple through to Al Gore, design and deliver great presentations.Nancy has also written several books about storytelling and presentations, including the Harvard Business Review guide to creating persuasive presentations.I’ve been a fan of Nancy’s work for a long time so I was very excited to chat with her. We covered a heap of ground in this interview, including: How Nancy overcomes writer’s block How email changes her body chemistry Why Nancy hasn’t been on facebook for three months Why Nancy always has a major and a minor work on the go at all times How she decides which opportunities to say yes to Nancy’s ultra organised approach to managing her inbox Why Nancy has reduced the amount of emails she sends Her favourite “productivity” app How Nancy prepares for her own presentations Nancy’s pre-presentation ritual And a whole lot more.If you want to read more about Nancy, you can find her on Twitter or via her firm Duarte.Full show notes and a transcript of this episode can be found at www.amanthaimber.com/podcastWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have a behaviour (or maybe several) that you are trying hard to change? Today’s mini-sode will reveal some fascinating research on a single word that you can use that doubles the chance of creating real behaviour change.Check out the research study cited in this episode right here.For comprehensive show notes and a transcript of this episode, click here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Botsman is a world renowned expert on technology and trust, and the author of bestselling books “Who Can You Trust?” and “What’s Mine Is Yours".Rachel is a lecturer at Oxford University and has been recognised as one of the “Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company and as one of the 50 most influential management thinkers in the world.We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, including: Why Rachel never sleeps near her phone “Big stride days” and how to have one How the weather effects her productivity Her unusual but very awesome way of crafting presentations How Rachel hit a ridiculously tight book deadline Why she finishes her day midway through writing a paragraph Her one minute mindfulness routine Rachel’s “tips” to make it easier to say no And a whole lot more.You can find Rachel on Twitter and Linkedin at @Rachelbotsman and via her website.Comprehensive show notes on this episode can be found right here.If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that here.Want to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Palmer is a singer-songwriter, rule-breaker, disruptor, and all round rockstar.You might know Amanda from being one half of the Dresden Dolls. Or you might know her, as I did, through her TED talk "The art of asking" which has been viewed by over 10 million people. Amanda is a total innovator in the world of music, and raised $1.2 million on a kickstarter campaign several years ago to be able to produce her own solo album, independent from a record label.One of the things I loved most about this chat with Amanda is hearing her very intensive step by step process for creating and delivering her amazing TED talk.In this conversation, we cover topics such as: How Amanda writes songs Why she insists on staying in a separate hotel room to her husband when on tour The enormous amount of work that went into her TED talk The signals she uses in her life to work out whether she is on or off balance The podcasts Amanda is listening to and books she is reading And a whole lot more.You can find Amanda on all the usual social channels at @amandapalmer, via her website amandapalmer.net, and find out more about her my Patreon community right here: www.patreon.com/amandapalmerFor comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: www.amanthaimber.com/podcastIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at howiwork.coWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, I speak to Matt Mullenweg. I feel like Matt is kind of like internet royalty because he is a founding developer of WordPress, which is the Open Source software used by over 31% of the web. He also founded Automattic which now employs around 700 people. Matt has been named one of PC World's Top 50 People on the Web and Business Week's 25 Most Influential People on the Web.In this conversation, we cover a whole bunch of topics such as: Matt's innovative approach to consuming books How Matt stays focused on important tasks Matt's approach to meetings Techniques to create healthier habits What's on Matt's smart phone home screen Matt's favourite productivity apps Why Matt still uses a paper notebook The podcasts Matt is listening to and books he is reading And a whole lot more.You can find out more about Matt via his blog https://ma.tt/ or via https://automattic.com/For comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: www.amanthaimber.com/podcastIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at howiwork.coWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, I speak to organizational psychologist, best-selling author and Wharton's highest-rated professor, Adam Grant.His books Give and Take, Originals, and Option B have sold over one million copies and have been translated into 35 languages. Adam has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most influential management thinkers, was named one of Fortune's 40 under 40, and he also happens to be the host of one of my favourite podcasts, WorkLife which is a TED original podcast.In this conversation, we cover a whole bunch of topics such as: How to make email more bearable How becoming a parent completely changed Adam's way of working How Adam approaches social media usage How Adam starts every week Why meetings kill productivity The podcasts Adam is listening to and books he is reading And a whole lot more.You can sign up to Adam's e-newsletter Granted (one of my faves!) here: www.adamgrant.netFor comprehensive show notes on this episode, go to: www.amanthaimber.com/podcastIf you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work, I write a short monthly newsletter that contains three cool things that I have discovered that help me work better, which range from interesting research findings through to gadgets I am loving. You can sign up for that at howiwork.coWant to get in touch? Reach out at amantha@inventium.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to a sneak peek of How I Work, a show about the tactics used by leading innovators to get so much out of their day. It's hosted by Dr Amantha Imber, who is an organisational psychologist, contributor to HBR, Entrepreneur and Fast Company, and is the CEO of Inventium. Guests include Adam Grant, Amanda Palmer, Matt Mullenweg, Nancy Duarte, Rachel Botsman and many others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.