A Productive Conversation

Latest Episodes:

Adii Pienaar talks about Measuring Life Profitability Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

My book, Productiveness, is now available. It's about the difference between doing more and doing what matters, and how we lost the ability to tell them apart. I'll send the release date the day it's set. Visit https://mikevardy.com/productiveness to learn more and get your copy today.

Today’s guest, Adii Pienaar, is not a fan of labels, but he’s a true life-first entrepreneur and avid writer. He also co-founded WooThemes in 2007, founded Conversio in 2014. His latest book, Life Profitability: The New Measure of Entrepreneurial Success distills a new perspective for becoming self-aware, recognising your values, and understanding your impact. I found it really impactful, so I couldn’t wait to bring Adii on to the show.

Listen to this conversation as we take a step back and review how to live an enriched life AND run a successful business. We discuss the power of language, journaling, what ‘harmony’ means to Adii – and cultivating ‘breadcrumbs’ of writing.

Talking Points

Being a seeker
The pros and cons of ambition
Why we shouldn’t strive for ‘work-life balance
Measuring qualitative goals
How to maintain and sustain your life profitability
How journaling has helped Adii
Breaking old patterns

Quote

"Seek the newer versions of your truths."

Helpful Links

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yvonne Heimann talks about ClickUp, Project Management and Patience Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

It’s personal building the right process for your business. ClickUp expert and business coach Yvonne Heimann shares how choosing the right tool will shift your business. From having been a German pub owner to now being a Californian business coach, Yvonne Heimann “sees systems everywhere”. I discovered her work on YouTube when I wanted to move over from Asana to ClickUp – and she massively helped me with this transition. Yvonne helps digital entrepreneurs increase profits and reclaim lost time by teaching how to implement proven processes, systems, using project management tools like ClickUp. As you can tell from our conversation, Yvonne knows her stuff when it comes to simplifying systems and building processes. Listen to find out more about her ‘Daily Method of Operation’, building a successful YouTube channel, why ClickUp is her favorite tool, using visual flow charts – and what it was like being brought up near the Berlin wall. Talking Points Be clear on your ‘Why’ and ‘What’ Being a woman in the productivity industry How to find common values within your workflow Having patience with setting up your process Defining productivity across the US vs European culture Journaling and daily routines Tips on moving to a different project management tool Having a bigger picture with your process Quote "Look at the bigger picture, then drill down." Helpful Links Ask Yvi YouTube Ask Yvi Facebook Group AskVi.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vernon Foster II talks about the Soul Manual Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

It’s time to take a pause. Athlete, author, podcaster and mentor Vernon Foster II shares his steps to mindful living. What’s clear from my conversation with Vernon Foster II is that living a fulfilling life is a lifelong journey. There is no silver bullet or magic pill. Through Vernon’s own personal hardship, and working closely with others, he’s put together all that he has learnt in ‘The 7 Laws of Mindful Living: A Soul Manual’. I first met Vernon a few years ago at the Podcast Movement, so I couldn’t wait to learn more about this latest book. Join our reflective discussion as we spoke about Vernon’s ‘laws’ of mindful living, the power of taking a break, overcoming limiting beliefs, how to not get caught up in the doing – and a potential 8th Law... Talking Points The Law of Letting Go Limiting identities The art of embracing experiences Removing judgment The Law of Abundance The impact of releasing ‘The 7 Laws of Mindful Living: A Soul Manual’ Overcoming overwhelm with where to start Quote "Craft the narrative that supports who you want to become." Helpful Links VeronTFoster.com The 7 Laws of Mindful Living (Book Website) The 7 Laws of Mindful Living (Amazon / Audible) Podcast Movement ‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller ‘Greenlights’ by Matthew McConaughey Put Up A Pretty Light (w/ Matthew McConaughey) ‘Eat That Frog’ Brian Tracy Episode 351: Eating Frogs with Brian Tracy Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marli Williams talks about Retreats, Transformation and Epic Events Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

Master facilitator Marli Williams shares what you can get out of a retreat – and the real-life transformations you can expect from connecting with the right people. Marli is a master facilitator of transformation who creates magic in beautiful epic places. She’s the founder and director of Camp YES! – a summer camp for women entrepreneurs, leaders and change-makers. She is also a wilderness guide, educator and mentor. Her mission is to create epic, transformational experiences. Join our productive conversation as we discuss the power of taking a retreat, how to stay energized as a facilitator, being creative with virtual retreats, having informal hangout time – and sharing bourbon with Neal Pollack. Talking Points The tipping point for taking a retreat Retreats vs conferences What makes a retreat stand out from the rest Co-creating experiences Manufacturing transformational experiences online Quote "Pay attention to what captures your attention." Helpful Links Camp YES! Episode 187: More Fun in Done with Marli Williams Episode 361: Being a Multipotentialite with Vanessa Tharp The BIG Ready World Domination MaxFunCon Think Better, Live Better ‘Jewball’ by Neal Pollack Marli’s Instagram Marli’s Facebook MarliWilliams.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Sturm talks about the Wabi-sabi Way Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

Buddhism and Taoism expert Mike Sturm joins the show to uncover how to develop a deep personal relationship with yourself – the Wabi-Sabi way. Mike Sturm has taught philosophy at college level for several years and researched Buddhism and Taoism extensively. He writes about self-improvement and productivity from the perspective of spirituality and first principles. In this reflective conversation, we focus in particular on ‘Wabi-Sabi’, an ancient Japanese philosophy that centres on appreciating the beauty in imperfection and accepting the more natural cycle of life. Join us as we explore some of the key insights from his book The Wabi-sabi Way: Simple Principles to Bring Calm, Meaning & Authenticity to Your Daily Life. We discuss personal authenticity, reviewing habits, the power of validation and embracing imperfection – and Captain America. Talking Points What is Wabi-sabi? The Western challenges with meditation and stillness The notion of time Ease vs. easy Where to get started with the Wabi-sabi mindset The practice of impermanence Simple steps to live the Wabi-sabi way Quote "Accepting where you’ve been is the only way of getting to where you want to go." Helpful Links ‘The Wabi-sabi Way’ by Mike Sturm Muse Headband “The Dexterous Butcher” by Chuang Tzu ‘The Seven Day Circle’ by Eviatar Zerubavel Episode 354: How To Decide with Annie Duke ‘How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices’ by Annie Duke Episode 243: The Art of Noticing with Rob Walker Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen Episode 360: A World Without Email with Cal Newport Episode 286: Doing Project 333 with Courtney Carver Captain America video essay ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’ by Alex Haley and Malcolm X Mike’s Medium Mike’s Twitter MikeSturm.net Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeffrey Shaw talks about The Self-Employed Life Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

Small business expert and former photographer Jeffrey Shaw unpacks how live the best self-employed life. Jeffrey Shaw became one of the most preeminent portrait photographers in the United States. He decided to share his knowledge of business, branding, and marketing to support self-employed and small business owners as well as progressive-minded companies. I had a great time learning more about his strategies that have helped small businesses scale their big dreams. We unpack the insights from his latest book The Self-Employed Life: Business and Personal Development Strategies. We also explore personal development, redefining what we mean by ‘niche’, owning your area of expertise, and lessons from sea kayaking. Talking Points What’s needed to be successfully self-employed The ecosystem analogy The business model of multiples Daily habits for small business owners ‘The What’s Going Right’ journal Being clear with your meaning and marketability Quote “Set up your business for the capacity that is to come, not for it currently is.” Helpful Links The Self-Employed Life Podcast The Membership Guys Self-Employed Ecosystem Coaching ‘LINGO’ by Jeffrey Shaw Episode 227: Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear Clear Habit Journal SelfEmployedAssessment.com TheSelfEmployedLife.me Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Meyer talks about No Rules Rules Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

From virtually no spending controls to ‘just take some’ vacation, Netflix’s innovation has stemmed from a simple set of rules. Erin Meyer uncovers how you can foster a culture of freedom and innovation. Erin Meyer is an author and professor at INSEAD Business School, based in Paris. She is most known for writing the book, The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business. Her work focuses on how the world’s most successful leaders navigate the complexities of cultural differences in a multicultural environment. Erin joins the show to share how we can all lead with a culture of innovation. In this conversation, I go through her latest book that she co-authored with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention. Tune in to learn more about what frameworks foster freedom, how a workplace can operate with no policies, and what you can learn from the ‘Keeper Test’. Talking Points The kind of ‘no rules ethos’ Netflix follows The impact of freedom and how it fosters high-density talent Having thick skin Building a culture of candor and feedback The ‘take some’ vacation policy How to build a culture similar to Netflix Quote “Feedback is rarely comfortable but it helps us in incredible ways.” Helpful Links ‘No Rules Rules’ by Erin Meyer and Reed Hastings ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer ErinMeyer.com Erin’s LinkedIn Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Kim Talks About You Are the Brand Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

Mike Kim joins the show as I rebrand the podcast into ‘A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy’. Find out how and why your brand evolves over time. I’m super excited to announce the rebrand of the Productivityist Podcast as ‘A Productive Conversation With Mike Vardy’, and in the spirit of this change I bring on brand and marketing strategist Mike Kim. Mike specializes in personal branding, product launch strategies, and copywriting. In his latest book, You Are The Brand, Mike shares his proven 8-step blueprint that has helped build the brands for some of today’s most influential thought leaders — as well as his own personal brand. I set out to find out from Mike how to best approach changing your brand. We discuss finding ways to express yourself, logging your progress, his successful (and failed) business pivots, and campfire moments. Enjoy my productive conversation with Mike Kim! Talking Point Losing control vs influence of your brand Why you should not rebrand at all once The PB3 framework to get business clarity Being a how-to-preneur vs idea-preneur How to build meaningful relationships through your marketing Quote “Attention is not owed, it’s earned.” Helpful Links YouAreTheBrandBook.com ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ by Marie Kondo The Five Minute Journal Brand You podcast Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Athlete’s Mindset with Dre Baldwin Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

Former professional basketball player Dre Baldwin shares how you can build repeatable success through systems he learnt from his athletic career. After having played basketball professionally for nine years in eight different countries, Dre Baldwin is now a full-time entrepreneur, author of 27 books, and has done four TEDxTalks on topics ranging from mental toughness to discipline. I catch up with Dre to learn more about his work ethic and his latest book The Mirror of Motivation: the Self-Guide to Self-Discipline. In this interview we explore Dre’s mental tools, why he chronicles his journey, documenting your systems, what non-athletes can learn from professional basketball – and what I have in common with Dre’s dad. Talking Points The athlete’s mindset for non-athletes Journaling and chronicling your journey Systemizing success Establishing your foundations to be working from Building mental toughness and resilience The power of documentation Quote “Who do I need to be?” Helpful Links MirrorOfMotivation.com Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Create Your Clean Home Nirvana with Becky Rapinchuk Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

Approach your home with some mindfulness and find out how some simple cleaning routines can go a long way with cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk. From a messy kitchen to ‘junk’ drawers – ever find your home is not the nirvana that you would like it to be? Today I’m joined by Becky Rapinchuk, aka the Clean Mama, who is a cleaning expert, a wife and mom, a successful entrepreneur, and a former art teacher. I find out what it takes to create a home that’s effortlessly peaceful. We dive into her book Clean Mama’s Guide to a Peaceful Home: Effortless Systems and Joyful Rituals for a Calm, Cozy Home, and unpack some of her key insights. We explore the power of rituals, keeping your home clean alongside a busy family, and her seven peaceful home guidelines we all need to follow. Talking Points Why creating a peaceful home needs to be effortless Identify your pain point and happy tasks Maintaining a peaceful home as a family The Clean Home Reset Checklist The Seven Peaceful Home Guidelines Quote “I’d rather do a task well than do it half-way.” Helpful Links CleanMama.com ‘Clean Mama’s Guide To A Peaceful Home’ by Becky Rapinchuk Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected