David & Mike get caught up on listener feedback as they discuss journaling data, power naps, and choosing the things you aren't going to do.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• CleanMyMac X: Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
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Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Day One

Obsidian

Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith

Mike's Digital Journaling in Obsidian course

How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey

Mac Power Users #685: Fighting Digital Distractions

House of Cribbage Continuous Cribbage Board | Amazon

Areaware Minim Playing Cards | Amazon

Cribbage With Grandpas

Mastermind | Amazon

Sterilite 18 Quart Clear Plastic Stackable Storage Containers | Amazon

Computer scientist & author Cal Newport joins us to talk about the impact of technology and culture on productivity and shares what we can do to protect our ability to focus.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
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Guest Starring:

Cal Newport

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

A World Without Email by Cal Newport

Why Remote Work Is So Hard—and How It Can Be Fixed | The New Yorker

The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker

The Time-Block Planner by Cal Newport

It’s Time to Embrace Slow Productivity | The New Yorker

How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport

Business lawyer Mark Metzger joins David to talk about false urgency, the power of having a coach, and getting back on the wagon when life happens.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• CleanMyMac X: Your Mac. As good as new. Get 5% off today.
• NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer: no interest, no payments for six months.

Guest Starring:

Mark Metzger

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Naperville, IL Business Attorney & Estate Planning Lawyers

Atticus Attorney Law Firm Coaching

10% Happier by Dan Harris

Ten Percent Happier App

Headspace

False Urgency Webinar Video (MacSparky Labs)

ScreenFlow

editor.html">Camtasia

Loom

David & Mike dive deep into the topic of journaling and share their workflows for making it stick.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
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• Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

MACSPARKY Embroidered Tee | Cotton Bureau

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

BeReal

Mike's Digital Journaling in Obsidian course

The Pen Addict | Relay FM

Circa® by Levenger

How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey

Day One

Readwise

Obsidian

Ugmonk Analog

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith

David & Mike discuss communication, project management, and managing expectations to protect your focus.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Nom Nom: Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off.
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Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Time Timer

Mac Power Users #578: Getting to Know Notion, with August Bradley

Mac Power Users #650: Craft Deep Drive

Boox Tab Ultra

A Mindfulness Monday Review of the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra | The Sweet Setup

Digital Journaling in Obsidian course | Faith-Based Productivity

Investigation: How TikTok's Algorithm Figures Out Your Deepest Desires

Focused #78: Changing Defaults with John Zeratsky

Hackschooling makes me happy - Logan LaPlante | TEDxUniversityofNevada

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey

How to Be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport

How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport

Tim Stringer joins us to talk about mortality, reinvention, and the fight to live a focused life.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
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Guest Starring:

Tim Stringer

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Technically Simple | Productivity Coaching, Consulting & Training

Learn OmniFocus | OmniFocus Video Tutorials, Articles & Webinars

A Chinese Farmer Story | YouTube

Getting Things Done

Holistic Productivity

Day One

Tim Stringer (@timstringer) | Twitter

Tim Stringer (@timstringer@mastodon.social) | Mastodon

Chris Bailey is back to talk about dopamine, burnout, and finding calm in these anxious times.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Nom Nom: Healthy, fresh food for dogs formulated by top Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Prepped in our kitchens with free delivery to your door. Get 50% off.

Guest Starring:

Chris Bailey

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey

Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey

How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey

How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey

Maslach Burnout Inventory

Chris Bailey's website

Time & Attention Podcast

David & Mike share their words for the year and discuss their plans to live out the first quarter of 2023 with intentionality and focus.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

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The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran & Michael Lennington

Cortex #136: 2023 Yearly Themes

How to do what you love and make good money | Derek Sivers

Ship 30 for 30

Part-Time Youtuber Academy with Ali Abdaal

The 2023 Focused Calendar

David & Mike reflect on the last year and share what went well, what could have gone better, and their lessons learned.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The 2023 Focused Calendar

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content

Faith-Based Productivity community

Part-Time Youtuber Academy with Ali Abdaal

Ship 30 for 30

Readwise

reMarkable

Mind Management, Not Time Management by David Kadavy

GoodNotes

Kindle Scribe

Freewrite

AlphaSmart NEO: Why this crappy portable word processor is GREAT for writing

Glocusent Upgraded LED Neck Reading Light

Keychron Q1

Drop + biip MT3 Extended 2048 Custom Keycap Set

David & Mike walk through their planning processes and make their best case for leaving social media altogether.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

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Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The 2023 Focused Calendar

Give the Gift of Relay FM

Focused #164: Mind Mapping

Command Strips | Amazon

Focused #138: Hyper-Scheduling Revisited

Mind Management, Not Time Management by David Kadavy | Amazon

The Social Dilemma

Elon Musk's Midnight Email Telling Twitter Staff to Work 'Long Hours'

Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday | Amazon

Chris Upchurch joins us to talk about his recent career change from metropolitan transportation planner to whitewater rafting guide.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.

Guest Starring:

Chris Upchurch

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Grand Adventure Blog

The 2023 Focused NeuYear Calendar

Personal Retreat Handbook

Dataview

Due

The Theme System Journal

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Soft Cover Pocket Notebook

Rite in the Rain All-Weather RevMark Pen

Mac Power Users #470: From Computing to Sheep Farming, with Oogie McGuire

How to Start Your Own Mastermind Group

David & Mike consider the focus benefits of mind mapping and discuss the tools and methods they use to think beyond the outline.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
• Sofa: Organize your downtime. Download now.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The 2023 Focused Calendar | NeuYear

Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan

Mac Power Users #82: Cooking Ideas

MindNode

How (and Why) I Take Notes on Books That I Read | Faith-Based Productivity

152: Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan | Bookworm

How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler

The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham

The Best Mind Mapping App — The Sweet Setup

OmniGraffle

Miro

MindMeister

Xmind

iThoughts

Baron Fig CEO Joey Cofone joins us to talk about creativity, embracing constraints, and finding your own way.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

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Guest Starring:

Joey Cofone

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Laws of Creativity by Joey Cofone

Baron Fig

Confidant Hardcover Notebook

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

@joeycofone | Twitter

@joeycofone | Instagram

David & Mike discuss perfectionism, procrastination, and overcoming the urge to get everything just right.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
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Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Focused #146: The Extended Mind, with Annie Murphy Paul

The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul | Amazon

Mac Power Users #661: Our Desks & Bags

Contemporary, Mid Century & Modern Furniture | Article

David's Chair

iPad Status Board, Part 2 | MacSparky

Good to Great by Jim Collins | Amazon

A Guide to Sketchnoting on iPad (using GoodNotes) | The Sweet Setup

Mindset by Carol Dweck | Amazon

Part-Time Youtuber Academy with Ali Abdaal

How to be a YouTuber? Ask MKBHD V10! | YouTube

42 Creativity Tips to Get Unstuck, Overcome Resistance, & Make Your Art | YouTube

Journaling in Obsidian Using Daily Questions | YouTube

Jean MacDonald joins us to talk about social media, the M.E.O.W. system, and reading books.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
• Ethos: Life insurance that fits your budget.

Guest Starring:

Jean MacDonald

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Relay FM for St. Jude

Micro.blog

meow-review.html">The Weekly Review #219: A MEOW Review 😺

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari | Amazon

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Amazon

The Social Dilemma

The Light Phone

Reclaiming Conversation by Sherry Turkle | Amazon

Libby App

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle | Audible

Building a Second Brain

Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday | Amazon

David Allen's GTD® Methodology

the-productivity.html">M.E.O.W: The Productivity System Just For Me 😸 | Jean MacDonald

Focused #156: The State of GTD

David & Mike compare calendars and task lists, the jobs to be done by each, and the resistance that will inevitably appear in your quest to get things done.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

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Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul

Focused #157: Non-Traditional Measures of Productivity, with Mike Vardy

MacSparky Labs

MacSparky Labs Calendar screenshot

Hyper-Scheduling Archives | MacSparky

The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande

OmniFocus Field Guide

Gestimer

Focused #74: Moving the Needle

Focused #71: Hyper-Scheduling

Focused #138: Hyper-Scheduling Revisited

Relay FM for St. Jude

David & Mike consider note-taking and its role in the creative process.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Join more than three million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
• Ethos: Life insurance that fits your budget.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte | Amazon

Readwise

Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan | Amazon

reMarkable

Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray | Amazon

Rob Krecak joins us to talk about the psychology behind email, the importance of communication norms, and tips from his experiences helping organizations move to a 4-day work week.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Guest Starring:

Rob Krecak

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Humans First | Technology Mindfulness and Behavioral Change

Shorter by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang | Amazon

The 4 Day Week by Andrew Barnes | Amazon

4 Day Week Global

Inbox When Ready

SaneBox

The Social Dilemma

The Five Minute Journal

The Enneagram Institute

Contact Rob

Get a free 30-minute consultation to see if a 4-day work week is right for your organization.

Mike Vardy is back to talk about the rhythm of work and why some people feel "productivity" is becoming a dirty word.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Guest Starring:

Mike Vardy

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker

Focused #156: The State of GTD

Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith | Amazon

Journaling in Obsidian Using Daily Questions | YouTube

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius | The Internet Classics Archive

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey | Amazon

Greenlights journal | Amazon

Drafts

Reflection

Hyper-Scheduling | MacSparky

Hemingwrite

Personal Retreat Video | MacSparky

Personal Retreat Handbook | Faith-Based Productivity

Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez | Amazon

The Productivity Diet | The Productivityist

@mikevardy | Twitter

Inspired by a Cal Newport article on Getting Things Done, David & Mike go through an audit of the (in)famous productivity system.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer.
• Setapp: More than 240 powerful apps. Try it free for a week.
• Indeed: Start hiring now and only pay for quality applications matching the sponsored job description.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker

Getting Things Done by David Allen

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte

Focused #154: Building a Second Brain, with Tiago Forte

Mike's Input Workflow | Faith-Based Productivity

Personal Retreat Handbook | Faith-Based Productivity

Hazel Field Guide | MacSparky

Journaling in Obsidian Using Daily Questions | YouTube

David & Mike explore the idea of favorite problems and identify a dozen of their own in a quest for self-discovery.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Setapp: More than 240 powerful apps. Try it free for a week.
• NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Get a special one-of-a-kind financing offer.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Focused #154: Building a Second Brain, with Tiago Forte

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte

Mac Power Users #82: Cooking Ideas

Richard Feynman's Letter on What Problems to Solve | Farnam Street

Focused #149: Asking Questions, with Marc Champagne

How to do what you love and make good money | Derek Sivers

Sabbaticals, Long and Short | MacSparky

Focused #101: Taking a Sabbatical, with Sean McCabe

Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray

Tiago Forte joins us to talk about his new book, building knowledge assets, and flipping the switch from consumer to creator.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• Setapp: Curated playlists to help you get things done. Search and follow ‘Setapp’ on Spotify.

Guest Starring:

Tiago Forte

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Building a Second Brain

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte | Amazon

Focused #146: The Extended Mind, with Annie Murphy Paul

How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler | Amazon

What is GTD? | Getting Things Done

Tiago Forte (@fortelabs) | Twitter

Kourosh Dini is back to talk about being with the work and the dark side of flow.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
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Guest Starring:

Kourosh Dini

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Shortcuts for Mac Field Guide | MacSparky

Focused #135: Don't Eat the Frog, with Jesse J. Anderson

Miller’s Law

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Amazon

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon

The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin | Amazon

Waves of Focus (Kourosh's course)

Being Productive

Kourosh Dini

David & Mike share some of their favorite mental models and how to use them for better sensemaking.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Kolide: Endpoint Security Powered by People. Try Kolide for 14 days free; no credit card required.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Linking Your Thinking

The Great Mental Models Volume 1 by Shane Parrish & Rhiannon Beaubien

Bookworm #113: The Great Mental Models, Volume 1

The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull

Ship 30 for 30

Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray

Think Again by Adam Grant

Francesco D'Alessio joins us to talk about the state of productivity apps, picking the right tools, and his new app, Bento.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Kolide: Endpoint Security Powered by People. Try Kolide for 14 days free; no credit card required.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Guest Starring:

Francesco D'Alessio

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Keep Productive | YouTube

The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan

Bento: The Do Less Todo List

The Story of the Chinese Farmer | YouTube

David & Mike celebrate episode 150 by talking about focus traps and answering a bunch of listener questions.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Kolide: Endpoint Security Powered by People. Try Kolide for 14 days free; no credit card required.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky

Focused #149: Asking Questions, with Marc Champagne

Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne

Esington Glass

PARKS Board Game

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

circa-1233.aspx">About the Circa Discbound Notebook System | Levenger

Discbound Heirloom Journal (Brown) | Ugmonk

Part-Time YouTuber Academy with Ali Abdaal

Marc Champagne (author of Personal Socrates) joins us to talk about mental fitness, journaling, and why simply asking the right questions can change your life.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Microsoft Lists – MSA Preview: Sign up, sign in and track what matters most.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Guest Starring:

Marc Champagne

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Marc Champagne

Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne

Behind the Human podcast

Better Questions Newsletter

Day One

Improve Your Focus and Productivity with Interstitial Journaling

Chris Bailey is back to talk about his dopamine fast, the art of savoring, and avoiding the productivity racket.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Ahrefs: Improve your website’s SEO performance and get more traffic from search. Free for website owners.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Guest Starring:

Chris Bailey

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey

Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey

How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey | Audible

The Time and Attention Podcast | A Life of Productivity

Freedom - Block Websites, Apps, and the Internet

The Molecule of More by Daniel Lieberman

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Billy Joel - Vienna | YouTube

Savoring by Fred Bryant

Getting Things Done

A Life of Productivity

David & Mike revisit the topic of task management to talk about Mike's Obsidian task management experiment and their (very different) use of checklists.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• Shopify: Grow your business with Shopify. Start your 14-day free trial today.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Getting Things Done by David Allen

Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System | The Sweet Setup

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Analog | Ugmonk

Linking Your Thinking

Obsidian Tasks plugin

Obsidian Dataview plugin

Obsidian Calendar plugin

Obsidian Kanban plugin

reMarkable

Rocketbook

The Light Phone

The Social Dilemma

LEGO MOC Patriot Puzzle Box by ThePuzzler | Rebrickable

Author Annie Murphy Paul joins us to talk about playing with ideas, working in groups, and other ways to extend the mind.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Ahrefs: Improve your website’s SEO performance and get more traffic from search. Free for website owners.

Guest Starring:

Annie Murphy Paul

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul

Annie Murphy Paul's website

David & Mike consider how the environment affects our ability to focus and share the very different ways they set up their workspaces.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• Shopify: Grow your business with Shopify. Start your 14-day free trial today.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Virtual Tour | Salk Institute for Biological Studies

The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul | Amazon

Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull | Amazon

Drew Coffman's Messy Desk Thread | Twitter

Widgetsmith

Mike's Studio Tour

MacSparky's Studio Tour

MKBHD's Studio Tour | YouTube

CordaRoy's Beanbag Chair

Patrick Rhone joins us to talk about analog productivity, knolling, mise en place, and staying focused while wearing many hats.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Ahrefs: Improve your website’s SEO performance and get more traffic from search. Free for website owners.

Guest Starring:

Patrick Rhone

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Enough by Patrick Rhone

Whoa to Wow

Mental Health Minnesota

Circus Juventas

Brené Brown

Lore

Frictionless Tools - Capture Cards and Planning Pad | The Pen Addict

Analog | Ugmonk

The Dash/Plus System

Hobonichi Techo Planner | JetPens

What is Mise en Place? | Real Simple

Knolling

Work Clean by Dan Charnas | Amazon

@patrickrhone | Twitter

@patrickrhone | Instagram

Rhoneisms | by Patrick Rhone

Patrick Rhone | Website

David and Mike share some thoughts about what they’re up to in the new year and the personal changes they’re making to their routines.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Shopify: Grow your business with Shopify. Start your 14-day free trial today.
• Ahrefs: Improve your website’s SEO performance and get more traffic from search. Free for website owners.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

MacSparky Labs

Focused #141: You Never Arrive

Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg | Amazon

BJ Fogg at TEDxFremont | YouTube

Las Vegas Elvis Weddings

Personal Retreat Handbook

The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington | Amazon

Year-End Reflection Prompts | MacSparky

media-group.ck.page/posts/the-best-book-s-i-read-this-year">The Best Book(s) I Read This Year | Mike's Newsletter

The Great Mental Models Volume 1 by Shane Parrish & Rhiannon Beaubien | Amazon

Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne | Amazon

The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday | Amazon

Cortex #123: 2022 Yearly Themes

The Theme System

The Theme System Journal

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman | Amazon

The Focused Calendar | NeuYear.net

Personal Retreat Video and Planning PDF | MacSparky

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug | Amazon

YETI Rambler 20oz Tumbler, Stainless Steel | Amazon

Sparky finally put his money where his mouth is and he's doing just one thing now. In this episode, Mike has questions and David has answers.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Why I'm No Longer Practicing Law - MacSparky

Mac Power Users #621: Sparky Freedom - MacSparky

Year-End Reflection Prompts - MacSparky

Moving the Needle - MacSparky

20 Years A Lawyer - MacSparky

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday

Focused #134: Finding Space with Sean McCabe - Relay FM

CordaRoy's Convertible Bean Bags

Sparky's Time Timer

David & Mike discuss the arrival fallacy and the importance of finding joy in the journey.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Setapp: More than 200 powerful apps for your Mac. Try it free for a week.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Micronauts | Wikipedia

The Practice by Seth Godin | Amazon

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman | Amazon

The Power of Positive Thinking by Normal Vincent Peale | Amazon

Soundtracks by Jon Acuff | Amazon

Focused #135: Don't Eat the Frog, with Jesse J. Anderson

reMarkable

Engineering professor Cory Hixson joins the Focused crew this week about staying on target, not letting your kids eat take your brain, and why you are not a computer.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Setapp: More than 200 powerful apps for your Mac. Try it free for a week.
• The Intrazone, by Microsoft SharePoint: Your bi-weekly conversation and interview podcast about SharePoint, OneDrive and related tech within Microsoft 365.

Guest Starring:

Cory Hixson

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Talking To The Internet

Business Model Canvas - Wikipedia

Stillness is the Key - Ryan Holiday

Make Yourself Write Project Proposals — anchored thought

Scrum (software development) - Wikipedia

David & Mike consider the source of negative self-talk, the power of positive thinking, and taming the rebellious brain.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Privacy: Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams | Amazon

Courage Is Calling by Ryan Holiday | Amazon

The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul | Amazon

How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie | Amazon

Soundtracks by Jon Acuff | Amazon

Focused #73: Productivity and Art with Bob Reynolds

Mike and David return to the subject of hyper-scheduling after they've both been at it a few years. What works? What doesn't? And how did Mike's experiment go where he stopped blocking time?

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Privacy: Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

David's Focused Webinar

MacSparky Hyper-Scheduling Posts

Focused #71: Hyper-Scheduling

Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day

Focused #78: Changing Defaults with John Zeratsky - Relay FM

GoodNotes | Best Note-Taking App for iPad

Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System – The Sweet Setup

Focused #107: The Bullet Journal Method, with Ryder Carroll - Relay FM

Flexibits | Fantastical | The calendar and tasks app you won't be able to live without.

Analog – Ugmonk

Clairefontaine Triomphe Notepads & Envelopes | JetPens

Amazon.com : Clairefontaine "Triomphe" Stationery Tablet, Blank, A4 (8.25" x 11.75") : Writing Paper : Office Products

Amazon.com : Rhodia Webnotebook, A5, Dot - Orange : Drawing Pads And Books : Office Products

Sorted³ – Hyper-schedule your entire day in one place

Amazon.com: Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time eBook : Vaden, Rory: Kindle Store

Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave: Holiday, Ryan: 9780593191675: Amazon.com: Books

Mike and David return to the insidious problem of "busy". Mike and David are not beyond getting caught in this trap and share some ideas about how to avoid it.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Privacy: Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• Setapp: More than 200 powerful apps for your Mac. Try it free for a week.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

(1) The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net

Fear-Setting: The Most Valuable Exercise I Do Every Month – The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss

Personal Retreat Handbook | Faith-Based Productivity

Journaling Workflow for Appending to Daily Notes with QuickAdd (VIDEO) – The Sweet Setup

Journaling Using Daily Questions in Obsidian – The Sweet Setup

About Page

Focused #134: Finding Space with Sean McCabe - Relay FM

Focused #135: Don't Eat the Frog, with Jesse J. Anderson - Relay FM

Focused #136: Social Focus, with Taylor Jacobson - Relay FM

Obsidian

Triggers: Marshall Goldsmith

Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave: Holiday, Ryan

Taylor Jacobson joins us to talk about groundedness, vulnerability, and accountability on his journey to founding Focusmate.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Novo: Powerfully simple business banking. Sign up for free.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Guest Starring:

Taylor Jacobson

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Focusmate

The 2022 FOCUSED Calendar

Focused #78: Changing Defaults with John Zeratsky

Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky | Amazon

Focused #119: Productivity & Meditation, with Chris Bailey

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey | Amazon

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Amazon

Taylor Jacobson | LinkedIn

Taylor Jacobson (@TaylorJacobson) | Twitter

Jesse Anderson joins us to talk about self-awareness and the struggles with being productive while battling ADHD.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Novo: Powerfully simple business banking. Sign up for free.
• Privacy: Smarter payments. Get $5 to spend on your first purchase.

Guest Starring:

Jesse Anderson

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Don't Eat the Frog First! | Jesse J. Anderson

Why Is It So Hard to Do Something That Should Be Easy? | YouTube

Kourosh Dini | Mind, Music, and Productivity

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg | Amazon

Due: The Superfast Reminder App for iPhone & iPad

Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky | Amazon

DSM-5

William Dodson, M.D. | ADDitude

Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell M.D & John J. Ratey M.D. | Amazon

Jesse J. Anderson

Refocus: A Practical Guide to ADHD

@jessejanderson | Twitter

@jessejanderson | TikTok

@jessejanderson | Instagram

Time Timer | Amazon

Sean McCabe comes back to report in on what happened when his year-long sabbatical smacked into a pandemic and how he keeps his focus while winding up a new business.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Guest Starring:

Sean McCabe

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

seanwes - Business Community for Creative Professionals

Daily Content Machine | seanwes

Craft and Commerce 2020 - Email Marketing Conference for Creators by ConvertKit

bot.com/products/switchbot-bot">SwitchBot Bot - The Iconic Button Presser – SwitchBot Global

Weekend Sabbatical – sabbatical.blog

Ulysses

The all-new Things. Your to-do list for Mac & iOS

RescueTime

Automatic Mac Time Tracker – Start/Stop Timers Optional – Timing

Motion: Manage calendars, meetings, & tasks in one app

Free Online Appointment Scheduling Software - Calendly

Save Time Blog - Quick Tips for Doing Things Faster on Apple Devices

David & Mike do an audit of their productivity workflows and share what's working (and what isn't).

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• Gabi: Get a better insurance. It’s totally free to check and there’s no obligation. Click this link to get started.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

David's Apple Mail webinar

Relay FM for St. Jude 2021

ScreenFlow

juice.com/products/ferrite/">Ferrite Recording Studio

Deep Work by Cal Newport | Amazon

Focused #118: Tasks and Habits

The Best Habit App | The Sweet Setup

Streaks

DLR Field Guide | YouTube

Bookworm

The Intentional Family

Focused #101: Taking a Sabbatical, with Sean McCabe - Relay FM

Hell Yeah or No | Derek Sivers

The Best Time Tracking App | The Sweet Setup

Timery for Toggl

Timing

Obsidian

Todoist

Obsidian & Todoist Plugin | Jamie Brynes

tq Obsidian plugin

Is willpower enough to plow through? In this episode, Mike and David look into that question.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Willpower Doesn't Work

Great Mental Models V1

The Extended Mind

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Haruki Murakami: Daily Routine - Balance The Grind | Conversations On Work, Life & Balance

Happy creativity: Listening to happy music facilitates divergent thinking

The Art of Gathering

Creativity Inc.

Environment Design: How to Improve Without Thinking

Indistractable

We're all a lot less objective than we give ourselves credit for. David & Mike attempt to figure out why by considering limiting beliefs, learning loops, and the slippery slope of self-sealing logic.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Discourse: Modern forum software for your community. Get 50% off your first 2 months.
• Memberful: Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray | Amazon

Bookworm #124: Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray

Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy | Amazon

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon | Amazon

Mindset by Carol Dweck | Amazon

Getting Things Done by David Allen | Amazon

Die Empty by Todd Henry | Amazon

The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen | Amazon

MacSparky

You are Now Less Dumb by David McRaney | Amazon

Think Again by Adam Grant | Amazon

At what point does your quest for productivity and efficiency become toxic? It's a good question and an easy trap. Mike and David have a few ideas.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Literati: A bestselling book subscription service that offers curated book clubs for all readers. Start your trial today.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Sign up for Deep Focus

Cal Newport: How to Become a Straight A Student

TikTok, pink stationery, and crowded planners: Gen Z’s toxic productivity - Vox

So the goal, it seems, isn’t necessarily to be productive, but rather to look productive.

The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker

Inbox Zero - YouTube

How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler

Thirty Lessons for Living

Ikigei

Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden

Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt

Important and Urgent — MacSparky

Gmail ninja Colleen Wainwright joins us to talk about delegating work to others, the evolution of the attention economy, and working out of email without going crazy.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• talk.html">HPE Tech Talk: HPE news, tech Insights and world-class innovations. Listen now.
• Memberful: Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required.

Guest Starring:

Colleen Wainwright

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Mac Power Users #72: Workflows with Colleen Wainwright

A World Without Email by Cal Newport | Amazon

DragApp

Notion

Jira

Airtable

Focused #127: Focusing a Team, with Ken Case

TextExpander

MailSuite

Digital Body Language by Erica Dhawan | Amazon

Communicatrix

Mike and David tackle one of the most difficult subjects of focus, Communication.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• TextExpander, from Smile: Communicate Smarter. Get 20% off.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Literati: A bestselling book subscription service that offers curated book clubs for all readers. Start your free trial.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Focus Mode and Contextual Computing — MacSparky

322: The Communication Episode | seanwes podcast

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

How to Win Friends & Influence People

Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

Ken Case joins us to talk about how the Omni Group focuses their work teams, the lessons they've learned from forced changes due to COVID, and the benefits of planning for disruption.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Memberful: Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.

Guest Starring:

Ken Case

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Omni Group

OmniFocus

Getting Things Done by David Allen | Amazon

A World Without Email by Cal Newport | Amazon

Mac Power Users #254: Reviewing GTD with David Allen

Focused #116: The Big Reset

Richard Feynman | YouTube

Omni Roadmap 2021

Mike and David get into note-taking (and note-making), listener feedback, and the pesky problem of productivity vs. grinding.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• TextExpander, from Smile: Communicate Smarter. Get 20% off.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Gabi: Get a better insurance. It’s totally free to check and there’s no obligation. Click this link to get started.
• * Cross Promo: Parallel: A tech podcast with accessibility sprinkles. Listen now.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Readwise

renehernandez/obsidian-readwise: Sync Readwise highlights into your obsidian vault

Focused #73: Productivity and Art with Bob Reynolds - Relay FM

Line 6

Freewrite: Distraction-Free Writing Tools

Is the cult of productivity finally over? - Focused - MPU Talk

008484.html">Logitech Craft Wireless Keyboard for Advanced Creativity & Productivity

The Power of Obsidian's Local Graph – The Sweet Setup

PKM Primer: An Introduction to Personal Knowledge Management for Creatives – The Sweet Setup

Focused #122: Linking Your Thinking with Nick Milo - Relay FM

The Now Habit by Neal Fiore

Ikigai

Rosemary Orchard joins us to talk about juggling projects, automation, kanban boards, and keeping the jobby job.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.

Guest Starring:

Rosemary Orchard

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Nested Folders Podcast

Automators | Relay FM

iOS Today | TWiT

How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport | Amazon

Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey | Relay FM

Yoda's Hut | YouTube

Dark Noise

‎Piano Peace | Apple Music

Maker, Manager, Consumer | MacSparky

Journaling Using Daily Questions in Obsidian | The Sweet Setup

Effortless by Greg McKeown | Amazon

The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande | Amazon

Project Status Board | MacSparky

Nested Folders Episode 52: Juggling Projects

Airtable

Obsidian Dataview plugin

Obsidian Kanban plugin

A World Without Email by Cal Newport | Amazon

M.C. Squares

Magic Whiteboard | Amazon

Obsidian vs. Roam | The Sweet Setup

In this episode, Mike and David talk about PKM planets and how they read, process, and learn from books and other media.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Memberful: Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required.
• PDFpen, from Smile: Powerful PDF editing on your Mac.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

What is PKM? What is Personal Knowledge Management? - YouTube

Focused #122: Linking Your Thinking with Nick Milo - Relay FM

Mac Power Users #583: The Obsidian Deep Dive - Relay FM

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Kleon, Austin: 8601300471914: Amazon.com: Books

Pensieve | Harry Potter Wiki | Fandom

Focused #117: Roles & Goals - Relay FM

Journaling Using Daily Questions in Obsidian – The Sweet Setup

Craft - Create Amazing Documents

Roam Research – A note taking tool for networked thought.

Obsidian

DEVONtechnologies | DEVONthink, professional document and information management for the Mac and iOS

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World: Newport, Cal: 9781455586691: Amazon.com: Books

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time eBook: Tracy, Brian: Books

Blinkist: Big ideas in small packages

Shortform - The World's Best Book Summaries

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration (8601400995709): Catmull, Ed, Wallace, Amy: Books

How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey | Audiobook | Audible.com

Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less eBook: Carpenter, Sam: Kindle Store

How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading: Mortimer J. Adler, Charles Van Doren: 0042516291251: Amazon.com: Books

Readwise

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: Clear, James: 9780735211292: Amazon.com: Books

XXL Hammock Chair Swing by Hammock Sky

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success: Dweck, Carol S.: 9780345472328: Amazon.com: Books

Bookworm – Podcast Book Club

David & Mike talk about the different ways they track their time, what tools they use, and share the focus & productivity benefits they glean from the process.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Spox: The best story wins. Get 25% off when you mention this show.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Best Time Tracking App | The Sweet Setup

Focused #121: Analog Focus, with Jeff Sheldon

Focused #122: Linking Your Thinking, with Nick Milo

Mac Power Users #583: The Obsidian Deep Dive

Obsidian

Focused #118: Tasks and Habits

Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey

Streaks

Timing

Timing on Setapp

Timery

Mike's iOS Time Tracking Dashboard | The Sweet Setup

RescueTime

A Review of the Timeular Time Tracker | The Sweet Setup

Toggl

Automators #15: Automated Time Tracking

The Intentional Family podcast

Focused #74: Moving the Needle

Fantastical

Sorted³

The Time-Block Planner by Cal Newport | Amazon

Due

The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net

The Hyper-Scheduling Experiment | MacSparky

Simple Time Management course | The Sweet Setup

Nick Milo from Linking Your Thinking joins this week to consider the role of focus in idea development and knowledge management.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• Spox: The best story wins. Get 25% off when you mention this show.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Guest Starring:

Nick Milo

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Nick Milo (@NickMilo) / Twitter

Linking Your Thinking Workshop

Linking Your Thinking - YouTube

Why Obsidian Will Overtake Roam - YouTube

Craft - Create Amazing Documents

Obsidian

Roam Research – A note taking tool for networked thought.

Drafts | Where Text Starts

Building My Personal Cross-Reference Library in Obsidian

PKM Primer: An Introduction to Personal Knowledge Management for Creatives – The Sweet Setup

The Practice: Shipping Creative Work eBook: Godin, Seth: Kindle Store

Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day: Henry, Todd: 9781591846994: Amazon.com: Books

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business: Duhigg, Charles: 8601406381322: Amazon.com: Books

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: Clear, James: 9780735211292: Amazon.com: Books

The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts eBook: Parrish, Shane, Beaubien, Rhiannon: Kindle Store

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Kleon, Austin: 8601300471914: Amazon.com: Books

Foundation series - Wikipedia

Foundation — Teaser | Apple TV+ - YouTube

Jeff Sheldon from Ugmonk joins us to talk about his Analog productivity system, connecting dots, intentional constraints, and being a geek for the details.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• TextExpander, from Smile: Work smarter, not harder. Get 20% off your first year.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.
• Microsoft Lists: A Microsoft 365 app that helps you track information and organize work.

Guest Starring:

Jeff Sheldon

Links and Show Notes:

Focused listeners can save 10% at ugmonk.com using this link. (This is an affiliate link.)

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Ugmonk

Analog system

The Practice by Seth Godin | Amazon

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon | Amazon

Getting Things Done by David Allen | Amazon

Discbound Heirloom Journal (Brown) | Ugmonk

Bullet Journal

Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System | The Sweet Setup

Analog Tips | Ugmonk

Due

Gather | Ugmonk

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor | Amazon

Jeff Sheldon (@ugmonk) | Twitter

Jeff Sheldon (@ugmonk) | Instagram

Jake Kahana from Caveday joins to talk about his journey and how Cavedays can help you get your focus mojo back.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Guest Starring:

Jake Kahana

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

Jake on the Web

About Jake

Email Refrigerator sign up at the bottom of the page.

Jake's Writing

Caveday

Use this link for a Caveday discount.

Learn More About Caveday

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World - Cal Newport

Author Chris Bailey joins us to talk about the productivity benefits of meditation, conquering resistance, and the path of least regret.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• PDFpen, from Smile: The all-purpose PDF editor for Mac, iPad & iPhone.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Guest Starring:

Chris Bailey

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

A Life of Productivity

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey | Amazon

30 Lessons for Living by Karl Pillemer | Amazon

Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey

Focused #117: Roles & Goals

Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith

The Molecule of More by Daniel Lieberman | Amazon

How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey | Audible.com

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor | Amazon

Insight Timer

Calm

Headspace

Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana | Amazon

Streaks

The Best Habit Tracking App for iOS | The Sweet Setup

Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy | Amazon

Toggl

Becoming Better Podcast | A Life of Productivity

Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey | Amazon

Tasks are great but sometimes the wrong tool. Mike and David make the case that habits are underrated and can help you where projects can not.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits

The Hosts Mike Schmitz David Sparks

The Editor Jim Metzendorf

The Fixer Kerry Provanzano

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

SA Granite Keycap Set — Kono Store

Linking Your Thinking Workshop

Obsidian

Roam Research – A note taking tool for networked thought.

Craft - Create Amazing Documents

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Wikipedia

How to Win Friends and Influence People - Wikipedia

Think and Grow Rich - Wikipedia

Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear

The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg

Habit Tracking: The Best Habit Apps For Your iPhone — The Sweet Setup

Goals are great, but they aren't enough. In this episode, David & Mike talk about how roles & goals work together and how the hats that you decide to wear are the real foundation of a solid personal productivity system.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• TextExpander, from Smile: Recall your best words. Instantly, repeatedly. Get 20% off your first year.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The Big Ready

Atomic Habits by James Clear | Amazon

The Intentional Family podcast

Personal Retreat Handbook

Daily Questions in Roam Research

Mike's Input Workflow diagram

roam42

Mike's Roam Research Email KM Macro

Star Wars Rebels | Disney+

SaneBox

Why you should keep a journal and why I keep mine in Roam Research | YouTube

How I Use Roam Research for Journaling | The Sweet Setup

Readwise

Webinar Replay: How I Use Mind Mapping to Take Book Notes | The Sweet Setup

Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System | The Sweet Setup

Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster in Olympic White with Maple Fingerboard | Sweetwater

Mike and David take on the new year in their own focused ways as they talk through a workflow for change.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Indeed: Get a free $75 credit to boost your job post.

Links and Show Notes:

Mike and David take on the new year in their own focused ways as they talk through a workflow for change.

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net

Lockdown Productivity: Spaceship You | CGP Grey

Weekend Wednesday | YouTube

The Practice by Seth Godin | Amazon

Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam | Amazon

Cortex #110: 2021 Yearly Themes | Relay FM

Ernie Svenson joins us to talk about how focus inspired his career change from lawyer to small firm consultant, the importance of getting help, and the value of journaling.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Woven: The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days.

Guest Starring:

Ernie Svenson

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net

Mac Power Users #230: The Power of PDFs

The Practice by Seth Godin | Amazon

This is Marketing by Seth Godin | Amazon

Focused #110: Focus with Michael Hyatt

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron | Amazon

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon

Song Exploder: A Netflix Documentary Series

Ernie The Attorney

Inputs! We all have too many of them and not enough of us have a plan for them. In this episode, Mike and David talk about those pesky inputs and how to deal with them.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Woven: The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net

Smart Water Bottle - HidrateSpark Bluetooth Water Bottle

Mac Power Users #562: The First Apple Silicon Macs

Focused #112: Productivity & Creativity - Relay FM

Using Roam Research for GTD-Style Task Management – The Sweet Setup

The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done | The New Yorker

Cortex #109: State of the Apps 2021 - Relay FM

Brain Wash: Detox Your Mind for Clearer Thinking

106: Brain Wash by David & Austin Perlmutter – Bookworm

The Practice: Ship creative work | Seth's Blog

The Social Dilemma - Wikipedia

Hyperfocus | A Life of Productivity

Brittany Smith is a cognitive scientist and very focused. She's also diagnosed with ADHD and she has a lot of wisdom to share in this week's episode.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Woven: The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days.

Guest Starring:

Brittany Smith

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net

Devise & Conquer Productivity Coaching

Brittany on Twitter

Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey

Tech Tips with Brittany - YouTube

Focused #70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad - Relay FM

Esington - Inspired Productivity

Stop Procrastinating, Boost Productivity & Get Focused on Work - Focusmate

Brain Wash Book

Home | ADDA - Attention Deficit Disorder Association

CHADD - Improving the lives of people affected by ADHD

ACO Home

David & Mike consider the relationship of productivity & creativity and how it shapes the work that they do. They dive into their personal knowledge management stacks and the tools they currently use, share some tips for tagging, and discuss where to draw the lines between tools for managing tasks and ideas.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Woven: The calendar with the most powerful scheduling tools. Try it free for 21 days.

Links and Show Notes:

Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.

The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net

Personal Retreat Video | MacSparky

Spark Guitar Amp | Positive Grid

How I Play Guitar Live From My iPad | The Sweet Setup

YDS-150 Digital Saxophone

Readwise

Using Roam Research for GTD-Style Task Management | The Sweet Setup

Jason Fried: "Productivity is for machines, not for people." | Twitter

MacPaint - Wikipedia

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon | Amazon

Mac Power Users #559: Research Apps

How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens | Amazon

The state of personal knowledge management | Ness Labs

The 4 Levels of Personal Knowledge Management | Forte Labs

Mike's Sermon Sketchnotes Archive

Setting up a Quotebook in Roam Research

Daily Questions in Roam Research

Cross-Reference Library in Roam Research

Maker, Manager, Consumer | MacSparky

Erik Fisher joins us to talk about internal and external distractions, setting up your environment for focused work, dealing with unexpected changes, and building self-awareness.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Teamistry: The stories of unsung teams who pioneered new ways of working to achieve the unexpected. Listen now.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

Guest Starring:

Erik Fisher

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear.net

Atomic Habits by James Clear | Amazon

Beyond the To-Do List #347: Top 5 Personal Productivity Books

Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg | Amazon

Deep Work by Cal Newport | Amazon

Focused #110: Focus with Michael Hyatt

How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport | Amazon

Brain.fm

Full Focus Planner

Shorter by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang | Amazon

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon

Muse Headband

Beyond the To-Do List | Erik's podcast

@ErikJFisher | Twitter

Michael Hyatt joins in to talk about staying focused, drift, scaling back on social media.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.

Guest Starring:

Michael Hyatt

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System by Michael Hyatt

Win at Work and Succeed at Life | Michael Hyatt

Full Focus Store – Full Focus by Michael Hyatt and Co.

Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want eBook: Hyatt, Michael, Harkavy, Daniel: Kindle Store

LeaderBooks™ - Michael Hyatt's Book Club for Leaders

The Vision Driven Leader - Michael Hyatt

Stephen Covey - Wikipedia

Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less eBook: Pang, Alex Soojung-Kim: Kindle Store

Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less—Here's How eBook: Pang, Alex Soojung-Kim: Kindle Store

David & Mike revisit the topic of email and discuss their current workflows. They share how and when they process email, what they use to do it, and the strategies they use to break free from their inboxes long enough to do some actual work.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Relay FM for St. Jude 2020

Calm Inbox course | The Sweet Setup

Focused #107: The Bullet Journal Method, with Ryder Carroll

Focused #108: Pruning with Ian Byrd

Maker, Manager, Consumer | MacSparky

Mike's Hybrid BuJo System | The Sweet Setup

Discbound Heirloom Journal | Ugmonk

Keychron K8 Tenkeyless Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

Drop + Invyr Holy Panda Mechanical Switches

MT3 Extended 2048 Keycaps

Mac Power Users #539: Back to Email

The Best Email App for iPhone and iPad | The Sweet Setup

MailSuite | SmallCubed

SaneBox | Email Management for Any Inbox

Email Lessons from Napoleon Bonaparte | The Sweet Setup

Ralph Waldo Emerson: Napoleon or, The Man of the World

Notion First Impressions: Thoughts After Two Weeks with Notion and our Content Calendar | The Sweet Setup

Feedbin

Educator, speaker, and online course creator Ian Byrd joins Mike and David to talk about quarterly retreats, technology, and focus. David makes a commitment.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

Guest Starring:

Ian Byrd

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Byrdseed.TV is open for new memberships!

Byrdseed: Lessons to get kids' brains sweating! 🧠💦

Episode 2: How to Structure Your Founder's Retreat - ZenFounder

How to Conduct Your Own Annual Review : The Art of Non-Conformity

BJ Fogg | Tiny Habits

Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

is-Singular.png?dl=0">Priority is Singular

From Essentialism

Maker, Manager, Consumer — MacSparky

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success: Dweck, Carol S.: 9780345472328: Amazon.com: Books

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It: Gerber, Michael E.: 0099455020992: Amazon.com: Books

Brilliant Weekly Scheduler | mochithings

Bullet Journal Method founder Ryder Carroll joins us to talk about taking time offline, asking the right questions, and finding the the balance between style and substance in getting the right things done.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Guest Starring:

Ryder Carroll

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

How to declutter your mind -- keep a journal | Ryder Carroll | TEDxYale

Bullet Journal Tutorial

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll | Amazon

Relay FM for St. Jude

Laura Vanderkam joins the podcast this episode to talk about challenges and opportunities in working from home. Mike and David also break down their ever-evolving shut down routines.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

Guest Starring:

Laura Vanderkam

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Laura Vanderkam | Writer, Author & Speaker | Time Management

The New Corner Office: How The Most Successful People Work From Home

Questions That Make A Difference: The Daily Question Process – Marshall Goldsmith

Marshall Goldsmith

Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts--Becoming the Person You Want to Be: Goldsmith, Marshall, Reiter, Mark: 9780804141239: Amazon.com: Books

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Wikipedia

Jay Miller joins us to talk about balancing many interests, transferring your focus as you switch between them, and what it means to live the multipotentialite lifestyle.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.

Guest Starring:

Jay Miller

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Productivity in Tech Podcast

Cowboy Bebop | IMDb

How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick | Amazon

Better than Fixing Computers with Cecil Phillip | Productivity in Tech Podcast

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna | Amazon

Focused #87: Nerds Like Us, with Myke Hurley

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert | Amazon

@kjaymiller | Twitter

kjaymiller.com

Mike and David cover a lot in this week's episode ranging from David's attempt at a sabbatical to sleep to productivity in virtual reality.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.
• A Fine Start: The new tab page you’ll actually use.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Sign up for Focused Membership

sabbatical.blog – Seventh Week Sabbaticals

Preparing for a Sabbatical — MacSparky

Mike's Super-Charger

Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts–Becoming the Person You Want to Be – Marshall Goldsmith

Roam Research – A note taking tool for networked thought.

Daily Questions in Roam Research

Drafts | Where Text Starts

Oculus Quest: All-in-One VR Headset | Oculus

The ultimate productivity tool.

David tweaks his shutdown routine and preps for his sabbatical, Mike unpacks his hybrid productivity system, and they each have their own productivity challenge to complete.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Drafts: Where Text Starts. Try it free now.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.

Links and Show Notes:

Overview of Mike's hybrid system

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Focused #102: Analog Productivity with Brad Dowdy

GoodNotes

Moshi iVisor AG Screen Protector for iPad Pro | Amazon

Sonos Move

The Olympians | Apple Music

Snarky Puppy

Focused #73: Productivity and Art with Bob Reynolds

Mike's Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System | The Sweet Setup

Roam Research

How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens | Amazon

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll | Amazon

Obsidian

Ulysses

Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith | Amazon

Daily Questions in Roam Research | Faith-Based Productivity

Focused #101: Taking a Sabbatical, with Sean McCabe

Seventh Week Sabbaticals | sabbatical.blog

The Pen Addict Brad Dowdy joins in to explain how he struggles to stay focused and discovers that he's a time blocker. We also get very nerdy about pens and paper toward the end.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.
• Focus at Will: Personalized focus music to help you get stuff done. Get 60% off.

Guest Starring:

Brad Dowdy

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

The Pen Addict

Building My Bullet-Journal-Based Hybrid Productivity System – The Sweet Setup

Brad Dowdy (@penaddict) • Instagram photos and videos

Architect Nib vs. Stub Nib — The Pen Addict

LEUCHTTURM1917 | Premium stationery from a traditional family run company – LEUCHTTURM1917

Rhodia Notebooks & Writing Pads | Official U.S. Distributor

japan.co.jp/english/">MIDORI | Japanese Design Stationery Company

A Brief Guide to Keeping a Commonplace Book – Notebook of Ghosts

Anderson Pens

326.aspx">Circa Discbound Notebooks Planner Discs & Accessories | Levenger

Levenger Disc System

GoodNotes Homepage

Sean McCabe is back to talk about sabbaticals - and to convince David to take one of his own.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Guest Starring:

Sean McCabe

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Focused #56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe

Overlap by Sean McCabe

076: Growth Scaling Part 1 of 3: Systems & Superhero Syndrome | seanwes podcast

322: The Communication Episode | seanwes podcast

It’s A Strange Time To Have No Home | sabbatical.blog

My Crazy AirBnb Story | sabbatical.blog

Maintaining Routine Through Sabbatical | sabbatical.blog

Photos Video Field Guide | MacSparky

The Intentional Family podcast

Sabbatical Book | sabbatical.blog

seanwes.com

Sean McCabe (@seanwes) | Twitter

Sean McCabe (@seanwes) | Instagram

It's Episode 100 and Mike and David are looking back and looking forward in terms of focus.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Brand New: Simple Habits (A TSS Course) – The Sweet Setup

Photos Field Guide (2nd Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides

Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear

Dave Caolo joins us to talk about games & productivity, how his bullet journal helps him stay focused, and working from home without going crazy.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Guest Starring:

Dave Caolo

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

David Caolo (@davecaolo) | Twitter

Home Work Podcast | 5by5

Reboot Game Lab

Lockdown Productivity: Spaceship You | YouTube

The Note | Shawn Blanc

Bullet Journal

Notion

Keyboard Maestro

King of Tokyo: Dark Edition

Sushi Go!

Jackbox Games

Forbidden Island

Forbidden Desert

Pandemic

Dave's Blog

Dave Hamilton joins in to talk about how to keep your focus in the workplace and during a pandemic. Also, Dave uses an isolation tank and we have questions.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021.
• Agenda: Date-focused note taking. Download now for free.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

Guest Starring:

Dave Hamilton

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Dave Hamilton (@DaveHamilton) / Twitter

The Mac Observer - Apple iPhone, Mac, Watch and iPad News, Opinions, Tips and Podcasts

A Weekly Podcast For Entrepreneurs Who Do The Work - The Small Business Show

Mac Geek Gab Podcast Archives - The Mac Observer

Isolation tank - Wikipedia

David & Mike continue the overload series with a look at emotional overload. They consider the value of introspection, share some fun distractions, and discuss being ok with not being productive.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Matt Ragland's Journaling Course

Day One in Depth (The Sweet Setup course)

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (Amazon)

coronavirus.html">Stop Trying to Be Productive (The New York Times)

The Intentional Family (Mike's new podcast)

The IT Crowd (Netflix)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Amazon)

Temeraire 9 Book Series (Amazon)

Mike and David consider keeping your focus while working from home.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Agenda: Date-focused note taking. Download now for free.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Focused #95: Five Years of Freedom - Relay FM

Working From Home — MacSparky

Staying Focused at Home Webinar Replay — The Focus Course

Take Control of Working from Home Temporarily – Take Control Books

Fun and Useful Apps (and more) for Working from Home – The Sweet Setup

David shares the big lessons he's learned from five years of working independently. He and Mike talk about the fear of failure, intentional constraints, effective delegation, and the impact David's furry new coworker has on his productivity.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Five Years — MacSparky

My Shortcuts Home Screen, Evolved — MacSparky

Mac Power Users #526: I Don’t Aspire to Anything Else - Relay FM

Focused #56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe - Relay FM

Matt Ragland explains how he uses his paper bullet journal to stay focused.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Indeed: Post your job today and get a free sponsored job upgrade.

Guest Starring:

Matt Ragland

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Matt Ragland - YouTube

Matt Ragland — Minimalist Bullet Journal & Time Tracking

Freed & Bound - Notebooks, Journals, and Analog Tools for Productivity – freedandbound

My Field Notes to Bullet Journal system || Why it's a great EDC notebook for logging & time tracking - YouTube

In this second part of the overload series, David & Mike discuss emotional hijacking, the myth of multitasking, and how to tame the lizard brain.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.
• Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Mac Power Users #521: Taming Notifications - Relay FM

Margin by Richard Swenson - Amazon

Focused #79: Reclaiming Margin, with Shawn Blanc - Relay FM

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - Amazon

Focused #70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad - Relay FM

Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey - Amazon

Author, physician, and busy guy Kourosh Dini joins us to talk about how to stay focused when you have a lot of things going on.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.

Guest Starring:

Kourosh Dini

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Kourosh Dini | Mind, Music, and Productivity

Course & Books | Kourosh Dini

Music | Kourosh Dini

David and Mike kick off a new series on overload by examining their own FOMO triggers and make the productivity case for intentionally missing out.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.
• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Habits > Goals Thread | Focused Forum

The Focused Calendar | Focused Forum

Digital Minimalism thread | Focused Forum

Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky | Amazon

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport | Amazon

Digital Declutter Kickoff | The Focus Course

David and Mike are not fans of New Year's resolutions but they are fans of creating new habits.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code FOCUSED to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31 2021.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Atomic Habits

The Power of Habit

The Infinite Game

Cortex #95: 2020 Yearly Themes - Relay FM

MindNode designer Harald Eckmüller joins us to talk about using mind mapping as a focus tool.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.

Guest Starring:

Harald Eckmüller

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Mac Power Users #82: Cooking Ideas - Relay FM

David's MindNode Screencasts

An Example of Mike's Book Notes Mind Map (Flow)

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon - Amazon

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron - Amazon

How Thomas Shows Clients the Bigger Picture – MindNode

Mac Power Users #319: Teaching Workflows with Teddy Svoronos - Relay FM

Mac Power Users #383: More Education Workflows with Teddy Svoronos - Relay FM

podcast.com/podcast?tag=English">3W6 Podcast

Aces in Space by Christian Vogt — Kickstarter

As we approach the end of the year, Mike and David check in on their own Focus journeys. Also, David has a secret life as a Jedi and Mike is using coffee to hack focus.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net

Cortex #94: State of the Apps 2020 - Relay FM

Mindfulness Monday: Meditation (& Our Pick for the Best Meditation App) – The Sweet Setup

Relay co-founder Myke Hurley joins us to talk about the power of yearly themes, becoming more intentional, and working with other humans.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
• UpHabit: The app that makes connecting with people you care about part of your routine. Try it for free or take advantage of 25% off for new subscribers.

Guest Starring:

Myke Hurley

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

The Pen Addict - Relay FM

Cortex - Relay FM

The Theme System

The Theme System Journal

Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter - Amazon

In this episode, Mike and David tackle sleep, napping, and how important they are to Focus.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

The FOCUSED Calendar – NeuYear.net

Sleep Cycle alarm clock

Amazon.com: Mirari Teach Me Time Educational Alarm Clock Night Light: Home & Kitchen

Amazon.com: RelaxBlanket King Size Weighted Blanket | 80''x90'',25lbs | for Single or Double | Premium Cotton Material with Glass Beads | Dark Grey: Home & Kitchen

16-inch-cordless-blackout-shade.html?ColorId=9018&utm_campaign=orderconfirmation&utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email">SelectBlinds.com Classic Cordless Blackout Shades

ARIANNA HUFFINGTON - The Sleep Revolution - Hardcover

David and Mike reveal their obsession with calendars. They discuss time and tasks, maintaining motivation, and their own calendaring workflows for how they plan their day.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
• Bottomless: Re-ordering coffee based on your consumption. Get 3 months of free shipping and your first bag offer $10.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

The FOCUSED Calendar | NeuYear

My NeuYear Calendar | Mike Schmitz

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon

Focused #71: Hyper-Scheduling

BusyCal

Fantastical

My Six Month Planning Wallpaper | MacSparky

Setapp

GoodNotes

All The Things | The Sweet Setup

circa-1233.aspx">About the Circa Discbound Notebook System | Levenger

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey | Amazon

Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky | Amazon

Timing

In this episode, Mike and David dive deep on why Focus is so important. They also share thoughts about Ultralearning and why sometimes survival alone is good enough.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
• Bottomless: Re-ordering coffee based on your consumption. Get 3 months of free shipping and your first bag offer $10.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Jason Fried on Twitter: "Q: #askJF is staying focused overrated? - @DrRachelRamsey1 A:… "

The Bezos way: sleep, puttering, and three high-quality decisions a day - Focused - MPU Talk

Scott H Young | Learn faster, achieve more

Apply Intentionality to Your Downtime with Duolingo – The Sweet Setup

A Weekly Podcast For Entrepreneurs Who Do The Work - The Small Business Show

Full Focus Planners (Michael Hyatt) - Focused - MPU Talk

Focused #83: Ideas Over Art, with Mike Rohde - Relay FM

Tom Solid's Digital Journal 2019 - Landscape + Portrait Format – #PaperlessMovement Shop

Author and Designer Mike Rohde joins us to discuss the practice and process of sketchnoting. We talk about choosing the right tools, the benefits and drawbacks of analog vs. digital, and why sketchnoting is for everyone - even if you don't think of yourself an artist.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.
• Setapp, from Macpaw: More than 100 powerful apps for your Mac.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Guest Starring:

Mike Rohde

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Rework

Mac Power Users #120: Taking Notes with Mike Rohde

The Sketchnote Handbook

The Sketchnote Workbook

Email Field Guide | MacSparky

GoodNotes

Procreate

The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking | Study

Cryptonomicon | Amazon

Logbook Your 2019 | Medium

Rohdesign.com

Sketchnote Army

In this episode, Mike and David tackle The Hustle. Is that a good thing or bad thing? The hosts also get around to gratitude and virtual help.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Events Donation Form - St. Jude Heroes Donation Form

Moments – 512 Pixels

Two Years – 512 Pixels

Recovery Day — MacSparky

Anyone using Zirtual? - Focused - MPU Talk

How to use your iPhone less - Focused - MPU Talk

A Mindful Approach to Technology – The Sweet Setup

Leaders Eat Last: Simon Sinek

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World - David J. Epstein

The New Shortcuts Field Guide

Anthony Ongaro joins us to talk about practical minimalism, designing an intentional life, and his multipotentialite career which covers everything from musician to log roller.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Daylite: Learn more about Daylite and start a free 30 day trial.

Guest Starring:

Anthony Ongaro

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Break the Twitch

Break the Twitch | YouTube

Focused #79: Reclaiming Margin, with Shawn Blanc

Momentum App

Atomic Habits by James Clear | Amazon

The Puttytribe

Essentialism by Greg McKeown | Amazon

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert | Amazon

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi | Amazon

Anthony's TEDx Talk | YouTube

Hooked by Nir Eyal | Amazon

Forest App

xTab

Designing Your Life Based On Intentional Living Values | Break the Twitch

The Break the Twitch Member Community

Mike and David tackle the challenges that come with saying "No" and why a well-intentioned decline can make all the difference.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Membership - Relay FM

Lifeonaire: Steve Cook, Shaun McCloskey: 9780986322808: Amazon.com: Books

no-journal.html">The No Journal — MacSparky

That's right. David was still struggling with this stuff back in 2011.

The Margin Course — The Focus Course

Focused #79: Reclaiming Margin, with Shawn Blanc - Relay FM

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results: Gary Keller, Jay Papasan: 9781885167774: Amazon.com: Books

73: The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss – Bookworm

Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Mayday, SOS, Raising the white flag - Focused - MPU Talk

The Focus Course founder Shawn Blanc is back to talk about the importance of margin, how it gave him the space he needed to work through a personal crisis, and life lessons learned from his orange 1984 Jeep CJ-7.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.

Guest Starring:

Shawn Blanc

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

The Margin Course

Margin by Richard Swenson | Amazon

Essentialism by Greg McKeown | Amazon

Make Time by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky | Amazon

Hurry Slowly by Jocelyn K. Glei

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport | Amazon

Shape Up | Basecamp

Seventh Week Sabbaticals | Sean McCabe

The Tumor | Shawn Blanc

Tools and Toys

The Sweet Setup

John Zeratsky had the dream job at Google but left it all to write a book, Make Time, and reset his defaults. Learn about John's journey and how resetting your own defaults can make all the difference.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

Guest Starring:

John Zeratsky

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Make Time – Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky

John Zeratsky (@jazer) | Twitter

Make Time on Amazon

Company of One

Focused #70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad - Relay FM

John Zeratsky

David and Mike are sick and tired of being sick and tired, so in this episode they share some things they've learned about managing energy. They discuss staying positive, Mike continues his digital Bullet Journal experiment, and David spends some time "reseaching" the perfect notebook.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Hover: Get 10% off any domain name - extensions for anything you’re passionate about.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Focused #72: Heart-Centered Productivity, with Jocelyn K. Glei

Focused #65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey

The Power of Full Engagement | Amazon

@batuu_rebel | Instagram

The Ultimate Jim Rohn Library | Audible

Confidant Hardcover Notebook (Plus Size) | Baron Fig

Rhodia Webnotebook | Amazon

My Six Month Planning Wallpaper | MacSparky

In this episode, David and Mike dispel a myth about their feelings toward time tracking and David outs himself about exactly how unproductive he was on his last trip. Mike's getting serious about bullet journaling and also has a distinction between Personal Retreats and Greycations. Also, imposter syndrome is still a thing.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FOCUSED at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
• Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

The Focused Forum

Mac Power Users #485: WWDC and Interview with the Mac Pro Product Manager - Relay FM

Craft and Commerce 2019 - The Email Marketing Conference for Creators by ConvertKit

Bullet Journal

Matt Ragland — Minimalist Bullet Journal & Time Tracking

Cortex #23: Business Monk - Relay FM

s-6-Month-Plan-Desktop.jpg?dl=0">David's Planning Wallpaper