The Productivity Show

Asian Efficiency

Asian Efficiency

  • 9 minutes 10 seconds
    Stop Sabotaging Your Focus: Deep Work Mistakes to Avoid

    Deep work isn’t just about willpower… it’s about strategy. In this episode, I’m breaking down the common mistakes that kill your focus, from poor energy management to environment design that works against you. Learn how to align your tasks with your natural rhythms and set realistic expectations so you can finally get the important things done.

    Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

    Links:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    28 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 44 minutes 18 seconds
    Evolution, Not Revolution: How to Supercharge Your Existing Routines (TPS597)

    Stop trying to build new habits from scratch. In this episode, we explore why upgrading your current routines is the secret to sustainable productivity. We dive into the science of the 1% rule, habit stacking, and energy management. Learn how to identify what’s already working and apply small, strategic tweaks (like the “Never Miss Twice” rule) to get massive results without the burnout.

    Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

    Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.com/PRODUCTIVITY.

    Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll.

    Visit asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

    Cheat Sheet:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    • 🧰 Top 3 Productivity Resources [02:07].
    • 🧱 Why “build on what you already do” can beat a full reset—and how to spot the easiest upgrades [05:06].
    • 🧠 Habit stacking in real life: the tiny pairing that makes a habit finally stick [05:46].
    • 🔁 The “start messy, then iterate” story that turns a good intention into an automatic routine [18:55].
    • ⚙ Friction is the hidden lever: remove it to do more, add it to do less (with surprisingly simple examples) [21:53].
    • 🧾 A quick habit audit you can do when things feel off—without overhauling your whole system [28:44].
    • 🚀 How to supercharge what’s already working (and the one-tweak mindset that compounds fast) [36:57].

    Links:

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    26 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 8 minutes 18 seconds
    Stop Living at Work: Boundaries That Actually Work

    When does your workday actually end—and who gets to decide? In a hybrid world where home and office blur together, it’s easy to feel like you’re always “on,” answering one last email at night and checking Slack before your feet hit the floor in the morning. That constant low-level pull can quietly drain your energy, focus, and enjoyment of work, even when flexibility was supposed to make life better.

    This episode breaks down a simple but powerful shift that helps you reclaim your time without sacrificing performance. You’ll learn how setting clear, intentional boundaries around your work hours can reduce stress, restore separation between work and life, and make you more effective when you are working. If hybrid work has started to feel like work without an off switch, this conversation will help you put one back in place.

    Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll.

    Links:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    21 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 53 minutes 10 seconds
    From Ideas to Execution: A Creative Workflow w/ Jeffrey Madoff (TPS596)

    How do some people consistently turn raw ideas into real, finished work—while others stay stuck waiting for inspiration to strike? In this encore conversation, Thanh sits down with legendary creative entrepreneur and Parsons professor Jeffrey Madoff to unpack the mindset and structure behind sustainable creativity. From building a fashion company at 22 to producing campaigns for Ralph Lauren and Tiffany, Jeffrey shares how curiosity—not talent alone—has fueled every chapter of his career.

    You’ll hear why creativity is less about magic and more about systems, how organizing principles help tame chaos, and why delegation is the secret weapon behind high-level creative output. Whether you’re a founder, maker, or someone with big ideas you haven’t yet shipped, this episode reveals the practical workflow that turns vision into execution—and makes a living from it.

    Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/tps.

    Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll.

    Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps.

    Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

    Visit asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

    Cheat Sheet:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    • 🎬 From Madison storefronts to global campaigns—meet the mind behind the work, Jeffrey Madoff. [01:19]
    • 🧰 The surprisingly simple tools Jeffrey relies on to keep creative chaos under control. [01:59]
    • 👔 How a spontaneous leap into fashion launched a career that later pivoted into film and storytelling. [05:56]
    • 💡 A refreshing definition of creativity that expands far beyond artists and into everyday builders. [16:52]
    • 🚀 Why waiting for inspiration is a trap—and what actually moves creative projects forward. [23:28]
    • 🗂 The organizing principles and delegation strategies that make big creative visions executable. [35:14]
    • 💰 How to price your ideas, validate them in the real world, and prove they’re worth paying for. [42:10]

    Links:

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    19 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 7 seconds
    Productivity Systems: Why Systems Beat Goals Every Time

    Why do goals fail while systems succeed? This productivity systems episode reveals how small structural changes create consistent progress without relying on motivation or willpower. Learn the “never skip twice” rule, build habit stacks that stick, and start creating the engine that powers your productivity every single day.

    Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps.

    Visit www.asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

    Links:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    14 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 38 minutes 46 seconds
    Systems Thinking for Productivity: Why Goals Fail & Systems Win (TPS595)

    Tired of the goal-chasing treadmill? This systems thinking episode reveals why goals often lead to “pre-success failure” and how building daily productivity systems creates lasting results. Learn to decompose complex tasks, create feedback loops, and make structural changes that transform your efficiency and build the ultimate form of consistency.

    Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps.

    Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

    Visit www.asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

    Cheat Sheet:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    • 🤯 How did we get ourselves into this situation?! [00:29]
    • 📚 Top 3 Productivity Resources [02:30]
    • 🎯 Why traditional goal-setting might actually be holding you back [04:25]
    • 🧩 The hidden mechanics behind systems that actually work [13:34]
    • 🤖 How Thanh uses AI to turn reflection into a real-time feedback loop [28:49]
    • 🔁 The real reason most systems fail—and how to make yours stick [32:09]

    Links:

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    12 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 9 minutes 24 seconds
    Weekly Planning System: Manage Multiple Roles & Priorities

    Struggling to balance multiple roles at work and home? This weekly planning episode shares practical time management strategies to help you stay on top of everything without feeling overwhelmed. Discover how to free up mental space, make time for deep work, and build flexibility into your schedule so you can thrive in all your responsibilities and reclaim your weekends.

    Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

    Links:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    7 January 2026, 10:03 pm
  • 35 minutes 55 seconds
    Fresh Start Effect: Use Psychology to Boost Your Productivity (TPS594)

    Why do New Year’s resolutions fail by February? The answer lies in the psychology of fresh starts. In this productivity episode, we explore Katy Milkman’s research on the “Fresh Start Effect” and how psychological clean slates—like Mondays, birthdays, or a new notebook—can reset your identity and boost motivation.

    We explore how psychological clean slates—like Mondays, birthdays, or even a new notebook—can reset your identity and boost motivation. However, fresh starts have a hidden downside: they can actually derail high performers. We’ll show you how to strategically time your resets and use environmental changes to unlock new behaviors without losing your hard-earned momentum.

    Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/tps.

    Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

    Visit asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

    Cheat Sheet:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    • 📚 Top 3 Productivity Resources
    • 🧠 Why certain moments in your life make change *dramatically* easier—and how to spot them [05:18].
    • ⚠ When a “fresh start” can actually backfire and slow you down [23:10].
    • 🚀 How to engineer your own fresh start—without waiting for January 1st [27:47].

    Links:

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    5 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 33 minutes 38 seconds
    Weekly Review Guide: Focus on Values, Not Tasks (TPS593)

    Productive but still unfulfilled? Your weekly review might be tracking the wrong things. Most people focus on tasks and efficiency, but the most effective weekly planning focuses on values and direction. In this productivity episode, learn Scott Young’s values-based weekly review technique, use the “5 Whys” to connect tasks to deeper motivations, and apply Stephen Covey’s “First Things First” philosophy to finally feel satisfied with how you spend your time.

    Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll.

    Visit asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

    Cheat Sheet:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    • 🚨 The one ground rule that keeps this episode from going completely off the rails [00:29]
    • 📚 Top 3 Productivity Resources [02:51]
    • 🧠 Why checking off tasks can still leave you feeling behind (and what fixes it) [04:17]
    • 🧭 The five rules Thanh uses to design a “perfect week” no matter how busy life gets [24:47]
    • ⚡ How to make the weekly review fast, sustainable, and impossible to skip [29:59]

    Links:

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    29 December 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 5 minutes 57 seconds
    Mindful Productivity: Being Present During the Holidays

    Struggling to enjoy the holidays without feeling rushed? The secret to a meaningful season isn’t doing more—it’s being more present. In this mindful productivity episode, discover why divided attention makes time feel shorter, how presence actually slows life down, and one simple technique to enjoy your holidays more without adding anything to your schedule.

    This episode is brought to you by 25X Productivity Coaching – double your personal productivity, be happier at work, and have an extra 5 hours a week of free time.

    Links:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    24 December 2025, 6:07 pm
  • 47 minutes 22 seconds
    Organizing Your Digital Life: Practical Tips For Files, Notes, And Photos (TPS592)

    Feeling overwhelmed by digital clutter? In this episode, Thanh and Brooks share practical tips to organize your files, meeting notes, and photos across all your devices and cloud storage. Learn how to centralize your assets, create smart folder structures, use consistent naming conventions, and leverage AI tools for effortless organization. Discover the 3-2-1 backup strategy and simple declutter habits to keep your digital life streamlined and stress-free.

    Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps.

    Visit www.asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics.

    Cheat Sheet:

    Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

    • ⚽ World Cup plans… and a sneak peek at how big events can hijack your focus [01:02].
    • 📚 Top 3 Productivity Resources [03:44].
    • ☁🖥 Local vs cloud isn’t either/or—here’s the hybrid approach that keeps things fast and safe [06:03].
    • 🧠 Files aren’t “files” anymore… so what are you actually organizing now? [07:33].
    • 🏷 The naming move that makes “future you” grateful (and searching effortless) [15:37].
    • 📸 Confession time: why even the organized people stop naming photos—and what they do instead [16:47].
    • 🔎 Clicking folders is dead—this is how to jump to anything in seconds [23:49].
    • 🧩 The “3 keywords” trick that quietly turns chaos into instant retrieval [25:04].
    • 🗂 Version clutter is real—how to keep drafts without drowning in V12_final_FINAL [25:51].
    • ❤ Your most irreplaceable digital assets might not be what you think… and why backups matter more than ever [30:27].
    • 🛟 The 3-2-1 rule explained with a real-world disaster scenario you’ll actually remember [31:18].
    • 📄 PDFs, transcripts, and the “digital filing cabinet” strategy that keeps everything accessible [33:25].
    • 🤖 Meeting transcripts + AI = a productivity unlock most people haven’t noticed yet [34:21].
    • 🧠✨ The “Weekly Synthesizer” workflow that finds patterns you’d miss—even if you took perfect notes [41:08].
    • ✅ One small action this week that starts compounding immediately [46:15].

    Links:

    If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

    22 December 2025, 12:00 pm
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