The Paul Minors Podcast: Productivity, Business & Self-Improvement

Latest Episodes:

TPP #50: Get more done on the Mac with David Sparks Oct 11, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of the Productivity Podcast, I talk to David Sparks from MacSparky.com and co-host of the Mac Power Users Podcast. Being a fan of the Mac Power Users, I’ve learned a lot from David and his co-host Katie Floyd all about how to be more productive and efficient on the Mac. He’s introduced me to some great new tools and changed the way I use my Mac (for the better).

When he’s not talking about Mac’s or writing about technology, David is a self-employed Business Attorney and needless to say, he’s a very productive guy.

For those who don’t know, who is David Sparks and what do you do? (4.00)
How do you balance all the different projects in your life? You’re an Attorney, blogger, podcaster and father. How do you fit it all in? (4.43)
For people getting started with the Mac, what are the first few things you would have people do to use their Mac more effectively? (6.40)
And what about more advanced users? What advice would you give to someone who’s already fairly competent and looking to get more out of their Mac? (16.40)
If you had to delete all third-party apps but one (so you just get the default suite from Apple), which one app would you choose to keep? (28.00)
What are you most excited about the latest updates from Apple? (28.43)

Show notes: PaulMinors.com/50

If you want to be more productive, start my email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast. I'd also love it if you could leave me a review. Doing this will help more people discover the show so they to can get more done and get more out of life.

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #49: Productivity 1,440 minutes at a time with Brittany Joiner Sep 13, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of the productivity podcast, I talk to Brittany Joiner from Project1440.co. Brittany subscribed to my email list about 5 months ago and as many subscribers do, she shared her story and told me her goals and aspirations. She explained how she was in the process of creating a website and it was great to hear of her progress when she followed up a few months later to say she had launched her site on the side, while working full-time.

I wanted to invite Brittany on the show as I’m keen to connect with my audience and put a spotlight on their work. Brittany’s enthusiasm and motivation is really inspiring and I love that she’s executing on her goals, despite a lack of time (we all know how that feels right).

Who is Brittany Joiner and what do you do? (2.40)
What does productivity mean for you? Why’s it a big deal? (8.10)
What do you think are the most common problems that people face when it comes to productivity. (11.20)
With 1,440 minutes in the day and you wanting to use every minute in the best possible way, what does your personal productivity workflow look like? (14.35)
What apps and tools do you use for managing tasks, email, calendar etc… what are you most recommended productivity tools? (25.35)
What’s a less known productivity tool that you love using? (31.04)
How’s the book writing going? What does your writing process look like? (35.30)
Where can people learn more about you? (40.35)

Show notes: PaulMinors.com/49

If you want to be more productive, start my email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #48: How do you compare? Sep 02, 2016

Show notes

Comparing yourself to others is a tricky business. It’s natural to measure our progress against the people we aspire to be like, and yet, this very action can harm our productivity and self-esteem.

Show notes: PaulMinors.com/48

If you want to be more productive, start my email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #47- Why you shouldn't sell your time with Ryan Waggoner Aug 30, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of the Productivity Podcast, I talk to Ryan Waggoner who’s a master freelancer and expert on how to earn more in the time that you have. One of my biggest takeaways from the episode is why and how to move away from charging hourly to using “value pricing” and charging based on the outcomes that clients are looking for.

Even if you’re not a freelancer, I’m sure you’ll get a lot of value from this episode as you listen to Ryan’s productivity processes. And if you’ve ever considered freelancing or earning a side-income from some skill that you have, then be sure to give this episode a listen as it’ll help you to avoid a lot of the mistakes that people often make when charging out their time.

Show notes: PaulMinors.com/47

Who is Ryan Waggoner and what do you do? (3:15)
How did you transition from full-time work to freelancing? (7:59)
If you’re not going to charge hourly, do you charge a unique price per project? (9:09)
How can a full-time worker get started with freelancing "on the side"? (10:50)
As someone new to freelancing and consulting, how can I get started with finding prospecting, qualifying clients and getting paid gigs? What does this process look like? (15:40)
How can people leverage online “communities” to find clients? (20:13)
How many of your clients are new clients you've reached out to vs. referrals or repeat customers? (24:00)
How do you raise your rates as demand for your services increases? (27:35)
What are your recommended tools or apps for managing clients and getting paid? e.g. Harvest, Pipedrive. (33:06)
Tell us about your productivity habits, when it comes to getting work done what is your number one recommendation? (37:51)
How do you structure your days and do your work? e.g. the Pomodoro technique, batching tasks etc… (42:26)

If you want to be more productive, start my email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #46: Are we doing it all wrong? Achievement vs. fulfilment Aug 20, 2016

Show notes

In a recent episode of the Tim Ferriss podcast, Tim interviewed the world famous performance coach, Tony Robbins. In the interview, Tony makes a great case for shifting your focus from achievement and a goal orientated mindset to fulfilment and being happy with what you do (skip forward to 42:08 to listen to this part).

Robbins argues that when you focus on achievement, you’re never going to be satisfied as you want more. That’s the thing with focusing on achievement; if your happiness depends on achieving things, you’ll never be happy as you have to achieve more and more. Now compare this to the idea of feeling fulfiled by the work that you do and making this the goal. Now you’re much more likely to find and sustain happiness.

If you want to be more productive, start my free email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #45: How to overcome adversity with Amy Oestreicher Aug 16, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of the Productivity Podcast, I talk to Amy Oestreicher all about how to overcome the physical and mental challenges that life can throw at you. Amy has survived 27 life threatening surgeries after being in a coma for over a month when her stomach literally exploded. If you've ever felt like you can't move forward because of the obstacles and challenges in your life, then I think you'll enjoy this conversation with Amy.

Who is Amy Oestreicher and how do you currently spend your time? (3:45)
Having had so many setbacks in your life, what have been some of the biggest lessons you've learned that have helped you to keep moving forward. (20:59)
In your TED talk, you share the idea of the "detourist". What is a "detour" and what makes you a "detourist"? (28:30)
This reminds me a lot of what Ryan Holiday talks about in The Obstacle is the Way. He talks about how you perceive things and act afterwards as being so important. What are some practical things people can do to change the way they view bad situations? (31:50)
What does your current productivity workflow look like? (34:00)
What kind of productivity tools and apps do you use? (36:57)
Any final advice or words of wisdom? (43:05)

If you want to be more productive, start my free email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #44: Outsource email and hack corporate with Nick Snapp Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of the Productivity Podcast, I talk to Nick Snapp from the Make it Snappy Productivity Show all about how he’s outsourced 100% of his email and his recommendations on how to “hack corporate” and get more done at work. Nick is a productivity expert who’s passionate about helping Mum and Dad entrepreneurs to create the perfect work-life balance. He talks a lot about productivity with “purpose” and focusing on the work that matter the most.

Who is Nick Snapp and what do you do? (2:30)
What do you do and how do you spend your time right now? (3:20)
You talk a lot about the idea of “hacking corporate”, what is this? (13:00)
Talk us through your favourite strategies and tactics for “hacking corporate”? (21:55)
You’ve managed to outsource all your email. How? (29:20)
You also talk a lot about creating balance in your life and productivity from a parenting standpoint. What productivity advice do you have for any parents listening in? (42:20)
What tools and apps do you use as part of your productivity workflow? (58:00)
What have you read recently that’s really stuck in your head? (54:00)

If you want to be more productive, start my free email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #43: 8 Productivity experts confess the mistakes they still make Jul 19, 2016

Show notes

“I don’t have time” is one of the most common struggles I hear people talk about. It’s easy to feel frustrated and overwhelmed when we try to be more organised and plan out our days only to have the plan ruined by endless distractions. When this happens, focusing and sustaining “deep work” is almost impossible. As we try to catch up, we get further away from actually accomplishing our goals and end up spending less time on the things we really care about.

The good news is, you’re not alone…

Today I’d like to share the mistakes that productivity experts from around the world still get caught out by.

If you want to be more productive, start my free email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #42: How to write a book in 4 weeks with Bryce Bladon Jul 12, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, I talk to Bryce Bladon from ClientsfromHell.net all about his book writing process and how he was able to write a book in just 4 weeks.

Show notes: https://paulminors.com/42

Bryce is a master freelancer and if you’re interested in learning more about how to work with and earn more from your clients, check out his book, Hell to Pay. Use the code, PRODUCTIVEPAUL to get 60% off the book (normally $38). This is the largest discount Bryce has ever offered on the book, so please consider supporting his work.

Bryce is also offering 50% off his online course, The Start Freelancing Course. The course contains a complete guide to starting with freelancing, this course offers everything a first-time freelancer needs to succeed in their new career.

Who is Bryce Bladon and what do you do? (2:39)
How is your time currently divided between your different projects (consulting, blogging, podcasting, writing etc…)? (3:36)
What are you favourite “client from hell” stories? (6:55)
What are some common mistakes freelancers make when working with clients? (14:30)
To date, you’ve written 5 books, one of them took just 4 weeks… when it comes to writing (for a blog or book), what does your process look like? (17:43)
When writing, what is your time best spent on? i.e. what are the 20% of tasks that result in 80% of the value/benefits of the book? (24:50)
What are some tactical things people can do when starting on creative projects? (29:10)
Talk to me about productivity porn. What are some of the things people do to make themselves feel productive but not achieve anything? (38:23)
What tools or apps do you use in your productivity workflow? (42:30)
What are your most common book recommendations? (47:05)
What is something you’ve read recently that’s really stuck in your head? (51:54)

If you want to be more productive, start my free email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

TPP #41: June 2016 monthly report Jul 03, 2016

Show notes

It’s been another action-packed and successful month. I’m very pleased with the progress I’m making with my website. I feel like I’m reaching an inflexion point where things are about to take off…

Key stats from last month:

I worked a total of 67 hours on my side-business. That’s just under 17 hours per week.
My website received 17,507 sessions by 11,998 users who viewed a total of 35,481 pages. That’s about 15–20% more sessions than last month.
I gained 1,002 new email subscribers so now I have a total of 10,776 as of the end of June.

Show notes & action steps: PaulMinors.com/41

If you want to be more productive, start my free email course, the 7-Day Productivity Plan. Receive actionable, easy to follow advice via one email a day for 7 days: PaulMinors.com/7days

Intro/Outro Music: "Synthia" by Scott & Brendo

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/paulminors/message

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Paul Minors Podcast: Productivity, Business & Self-Improvement

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected