Everyone has access to AI, but not everyone has the skill. In this episode, I explain why waiting to adopt AI is becoming a massive risk to your career and productivity. You will learn the three levels of AI mastery and a simple plan to start gaining leverage today before the gap widens further.

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

Try Notion Custom Agents at notion.com/tps.

Links

• Notion Custom Agents
• 25X Productivity Coaching

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!

Is AI just another tech trend, or is the window for competitive advantage closing? In this episode, we explore why waiting to adopt AI is becoming a massive career and business risk. We discuss the widening divide between the “AI fluent” and everyone else, how small daily use compounds into massive leverage, and why you could fall behind in months, not years. Plus, we provide a simple, actionable plan to start using AI today before the gap becomes insurmountable.

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

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

Get the right life insurance for you and save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at SelectQuote.com/TPS.

Try Notion Custom Agents at notion.com/tps.

Masterclass.com/TPS for at least 15% off any annual membership.

Cheat Sheet

• Why your “I'll learn AI later” plan is already backfiring [1:12]
• Top 3 Productivity Resources [2:43]
• The surprisingly useful thing you can do with ChatGPT in your car [4:30]
• What Google's 1998 launch tells us about AI's tipping point right now [5:55]
• It's not AI taking your job — it's the person who knows AI [9:13]
• The college students who can't get hired until they build something [11:35]
• The two everyday skills that predict how fast you'll pick up AI [24:15]
• Why using the tools daily matters more than watching tutorials [26:08]
• Think of AI like a new hire — it's bad at first and that's the point [26:56]
• Stop copy-pasting AI drafts into Gmail — here's what to do instead [29:40]
• How Thanh trained Claude to write emails that sound like him [30:52]
• The curiosity trick that unlocks capabilities you didn't know AI had [32:13]
• Why asking “can AI do this?” beats Googling how to do it yourself [36:57]
• Wrote off AI after one bad experience? Time to try again [38:46]
• The side quests that turned into a real client project a year later [43:34]
• You don't have to build apps — small daily wins count too [47:12]
• From 30-minute manual updates to a fully automated portfolio tracker [49:30]
• Your Mac Mini might become your always-on AI agent server [53:36]

Links

• Shopify
• SelectQuote.com
• Notion Custom Agents.
• Masterclass
• 25X Productivity Coaching
• Claude Cowork
• Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick
• ChatGPT CarPlay App
• Google Maps Ask Maps Feature
• Lovable
• Productivity Academy
• The Productivity Show on Youtube
• The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
• Become a member of TPS+
• Take the Productivity Quiz

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!

Unlock your creative potential and boost productivity by understanding your unique energy rhythms. Discover how to combine diverse skills for unparalleled value and craft an environment that fosters deep work. This episode reveals practical strategies to align your daily actions with your creative peaks, ensuring you get important things done without sacrificing joy or innovation.

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

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.

• Dripdrop
• 25X Productivity Coaching

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!

Is your workspace holding you back? In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology and tactics of creating a clutter-free workspace. We explore why physical clutter leads to mental friction and share practical strategies like the “replacement rule” and multi-purpose tool selection. Whether you're struggling with a messy desk or a fragmented digital workflow, you'll learn how to shift your mindset to view organization as a form of self-respect.

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

Ready to tackle bigger problems? Go to claude.ai/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 [2:27]
• The end-of-day reset that makes tomorrow's you more productive [8:16]
• Why a cordless vacuum changed everything about cleaning habits [11:28]
• The sneaky reason your bookshelf stays neat (hint: it's on camera) [14:00]
• The three levels of clutter — and why the deepest one is hardest to fix [16:13]
• Too many shoes and not enough honesty: when clutter is really about letting go [21:42]
• Why getting a bigger desk (or house) might be the worst thing for your productivity [24:40]
• What downsizing taught Brooks about the junk room trap [26:08]
• The “own less, own better” philosophy that simplifies everything [27:45]
• The two-desk experiment that 99% of Instagram predicted would fail [29:53]
• The thousand-dollar tool in your pocket that replaces a dozen gadgets [31:24]
• One in, one out: the simple rule that keeps clutter from creeping back [32:57]
• Why your app collection might be the biggest source of mental clutter [34:26]

Links:

• DripDrop
• Claude AI
• 25X Productivity Coaching
• Hidden Bar — Free Mac menu bar icon manager
• Bartender — The longtime Mac menu bar manager app Brooks has used for years but is having stability issues with
• Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern — Classic 2004 book on organization systems and the three levels of clutter; Julie has been on the podcast before
• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport — Book on paring back digital distractions for a more focused life; Cal has also been on the podcast before
• Setapp — Mac app subscription service that includes Bartender
• Dyson Cordless Vacuums — The premium cordless vacuum Thanh's brother uses that inspired the “reduce friction” insight
• Courtney Carver / Project 333 — Minimalist wardrobe challenge: 33 items for 3 months; Courtney has been on the podcast before
• Notion — All-in-one workspace app discussed as a great example of multi-purpose software replacing specialized tools
• Barbara Hemphill
• Productivity Academy
• The Productivity Show on Youtube
• The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
• Become a member of TPS+
• Take the Productivity Quiz

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!

Why do we keep sticking with things that clearly aren’t working? Whether it’s a tool you paid for, a project you’ve invested time in, or a commitment you feel guilty dropping, the pull to “see it through” can quietly drain your energy and focus. The real cost isn’t what you’ve already spent—it’s what holding on is preventing you from doing next.

This episode breaks down a simple, practical framework to help you identify what’s no longer serving you—and let it go with confidence. You’ll learn how to spot the hidden red flags, ask better questions about your commitments, and make small, low-risk changes that free up time, clarity, and momentum for what actually matters.

Ready to tackle bigger problems? Go to Claude.ai/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.

• Claude
• 25X Productivity Coaching

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!

Struggling with overwhelming projects that never seem to start? In this episode, we dive deep into actionable strategies for breaking down massive goals into manageable steps. We explore the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), the SMART framework, and the “Eat That Frog” method to create momentum. Learn how to use phased milestones, automated handoffs, and dedicated thinking time to transform your execution strategy and finally get those big projects across the finish line.

Upgrade your denim game with Rag & Bone!. Get 20% off sitewide with code TPS at www.rag-bone.com #ragandbonepod

Ready to tackle bigger problems? Go to Claude.ai/tps.

Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.com/PRODUCTIVITY.

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 [1:50]
• The Step Most People Skip Before Breaking Anything Down [5:16]
• Why Your 3 Available Hours Won't Fit a 20-Hour Plan [9:47]
• The Goal-Setting Framework Everyone Knows, but Nobody Uses [16:17]
• A Project Management Trick That Works for Personal Goals Too [17:43]
• He Asked AI to Break It Down — Then Said “Isn't That Obvious?” [21:41]
• The Daily Number That Predicts Whether You'll Hit Your Goal [22:51]
• Why Everything Feels Obvious After Someone Else Figures It Out [25:29]
• The One Daily Habit That Creates Unstoppable Momentum [28:25]
• What's Quietly Sabotaging Your Most Important Work [30:09]
• The 10-80-10 Rule That Redefines Your Role at Work [31:50]
• When You Realize You're the Weakest Link in Your Own System [33:50]
• The Paradox: Why Cheaper AI Means More Work, Not Less [36:32]
• The Hidden Tasks AI Just Made Worth Doing [40:24]

Links:

• Rag & Bone
• Claude
• Mint Mobile
• Sublime Text — Text editor with excellent color coding and support for markdown and configuration files
• Granola — AI meeting notes app that records and transcribes meetings without joining as a bot
• Jump Desktop — Remote desktop access tool for securely connecting to multiple computers
• The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement — Eliyahu Goldratt's foundational book on Theory of Constraints
• 25X Productivity Coaching
• Laura Roeder Tweet
• Article about Garfield AI law firm
• Wispr Flow
• Productivity Academy
• The Productivity Show on Youtube
• The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
• Become a member of TPS+
• Take the Productivity Quiz

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!

Stop feeling unproductive despite doing everything. Learn why the best weekly reviews focus on your compass (values) rather than the clock (tasks). We explore how to align your actions with what truly matters using the 5 whys and Stephen Covey's philosophy to find real satisfaction in your productivity.

Try Notion Custom Agents at notion.com/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.

• Notion
• 25X Productivity Coaching
• The Most Underrated Productivity Technique
• First Things First by Steven Covey

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!

Discover how to transform AI from a novelty into a powerful productivity partner. In this episode, we share tactical tips for everyday use, from using Perplexity for real-time research to training ChatGPT to write in your unique voice. We also dive into the latest Apple Intelligence features and how workflow-based AI adoption can help you reclaim hours every week. Learn why focusing on principles over features is the key to lasting productivity gains.

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

Try Notion Custom Agents at notion.com/tps.

Masterclass.com/TPS for an additional 15% off any annual membership.

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 Three Productivity Resources [1:56]
• Running 300 Lead Enrichments Autonomously [5:17]
• Why Real-Time Search Still Matters [9:43]
• Finding the Right AI Tool for the Job [11:23]
• Securing Your AI Browser Sessions [17:42]
• Chrome Plugin Workflows That Run Overnight [19:43]
• Voice Mode Goes Everywhere [22:48]
• The Dictation Upgrade Changing Everything [26:20]
• Sounding Human in AI-Generated Writing [29:19]
• Context Files Transform Voice Inputs [30:31]
• Closing the AI Feedback Loop [32:11]
• Skills Beat Generic AI Prompts [34:16]
• Learning AI Through Structured Frameworks [38:07]
• From Beginner to Advanced in Three Stages [41:05]

Links:

• Shopify
• Notion
• Masterclass
• 25X Productivity Coaching
• 4-Day AI Sprint
• AI Workshop in Austin TX
• Perplexity Computer — Autonomous AI agent system for complex task execution
• Airtable — AI-native database platform with native integrations for AI agents
• Gamma — AI presentation and proposal builder with Claude integration
• Google NotebookLM — AI research tool for analyzing documents and generating audio overviews
• ChatGPT — OpenAI's conversational AI
• Claude — Anthropic's AI assistant
• Google Gemini — Google's multimodal AI assistant for images and video
• Grok — xAI's real-time search and reasoning AI
• Claude for Chrome — Browser extension enabling Claude to read, click, and automate web tasks
• Exa AI — AI-powered search and scraper tool for finding people and data; used in recruiting workflows
• Manus AI — Autonomous AI agent that executes complex tasks end-to-end; recently acquired by Meta
• Wispr Flow — AI-powered voice dictation app removing filler words and auto-editing
• OpenClaw — Automation and AI agent platform
• Rick Mulready's YouTube Channel — Recommended YouTuber for accessible AI education
• Productivity Academy
• The Productivity Show on Youtube
• The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
• Become a member of TPS+
• Take the Productivity Quiz

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!

Discover Michael Hyatt's powerful concept of Front Stage vs. Back Stage work. Learn how to differentiate between visible performance and the invisible support systems that make it possible. I'll share how we apply this at Asian Efficiency to optimize delegation, specialization, and team dynamics for maximum impact and freedom.

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

• DripDrop
• 25X Productivity Coaching
• Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less

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!

Are your days driven by constant pings, urgent requests, and whatever happens to land in your inbox? In this episode, we explore the real difference between reactive and proactive work—and why shifting your mindset is the key to feeling calmer, more in control, and ahead of deadlines. We share practical strategies and simple planning habits that reduce decision fatigue. You’ll also learn how tools like your calendar, task manager, and even AI can help you break goals into manageable steps, look ahead, and lay the groundwork so future you isn’t scrambling.

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

Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.com/PRODUCTIVITY.

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.

• Reactive or proactive — which one is secretly running your day? [02:03]
• Top 3 Productivity Resources [02:58]
• What a “reactive day” really looks like (and why it feels so exhausting) [04:52]
• The hidden link between time stress and always playing catch-up [10:25]
• How low energy quietly wrecks your focus and decision-making [19:42]
• A simple planning habit that makes your future weeks feel lighter [24:55]
• Let AI handle the tedious setup work that stops most people from starting [27:52]
• A tiny rule that helps you stay ahead of deadlines without burning out [31:56]

Links:

• DripDrop
• Mint Mobile
• 25X Productivity Coaching
• The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months
• Flight Plan: The Real Secret of Success: How to Achieve More, Faster Than You Ever Dreamed Possible
• Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
• Productivity Academy
• The Productivity Show on Youtube
• The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
• Become a member of TPS+
• Take the Productivity Quiz

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!

Ever feel stuck between getting things done now and building for the future? This Wisdom Wednesday, I'm sharing my secrets to balancing short-term productivity hacks with long-term strategic growth. Discover how to navigate “grind seasons” without burnout, make small daily investments that pay off big, and ensure your immediate efforts contribute to your biggest goals. Learn to work smarter, not just harder, for sustainable success.

Ready to tackle bigger problems? Go to Claude.ai/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.

• Claude
• 25X Productivity Coaching

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!