Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] discussed Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything—Even Things That Seem Impossible Today [ https://amzn.to/48Hv3Y9 ] by Jane McGonigal, PhD. Enjoy the discussion!

The Amazon book description states:

* 2023 Nautilus Book Award Winner: Rising to the Moment: Gold *

World-renowned future forecaster, game designer, and New York Times bestselling author Jane McGonigal gives us the tools to imagine the future without fear. 

“An accessible, optimistic field guide to the future.”—San Francisco Chronicle 

“Reading this book is like sitting down with a creative, optimistic friend—and getting up as a new version of yourself.”—Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When 

The COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly frequent climate disasters, a new war—events we might have called “unimaginable” or “unthinkable” in the past are now reality. Today it feels more challenging than ever to feel unafraid, hopeful, and equipped to face the future with optimism. How do we map out our lives when it seems impossible to predict what the world will be like next week, let alone next year or next decade? What we need now are strategies to help us recover our confidence and creativity in facing uncertain futures.

In Imaginable, Jane McGonigal draws on the latest scientific research in psychology and neuroscience to show us how to train our minds to think the unthinkable and imagine the unimaginable. She invites us to play with the provocative thought experiments and future simulations she’s designed exclusively for this book, with the goal to: 

1. Build our collective imagination so that we can dive into the future and envision, in surprising detail, what our lives will look like ten years from now
2. Develop the courage and vision to solve problems creatively
3. Take actions and make decisions that will help shape the future we desire
4. Access “urgent optimism,” an unstoppable force within each of us that activates our sense of agency

Imaginable teaches us to be fearless, resilient, and bold in realizing a world with possibilities we cannot yet imagine—until reading this transformative, inspiring, and necessary book.

Our next reading selection is:

6/26/2024Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for ChangeTimothy A. Pychyl, PhDhttps://amzn.to/3RKuZ3a

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

Episodic Future Thinking
The group got into the discussion with this concept called “episodic future thinking” from Jane McGonigal’s book “Imaginable.” It’s all about mentally prepping yourself for challenges, setting goals, and building resilience when things change. Raymond compared it to Gabriele Oettingen’s “WOOP” strategy for anticipating obstacles when pursuing goals.

Creating Future Scenarios
They explored McGonigal’s idea of creating simulations or scenarios to envision potential future outcomes. Raymond related it to mental practice in sports, where purposefully picturing different drills can improve game performance.

Overall Reflections
Overall, the crew liked the future scenarios McGonigal explored, reflecting on their own experiences with forecasting and how tech is reshaping society.

Future Forecasting
Raymond emphasized considering future changes when tackling work or life projects, stressing the need for creative thinking and tangible outcomes to feel satisfied. He suggested printing out a client’s digital report to have that physical sense of accomplishment. Quoting from the book, he encouraged being playful when brainstorming future possibilities and preparing for seemingly unthinkable changes.

Adapting to Technological Changes
He illustrated how tech has transformed daily activities like grocery shopping, driving home the point that people need to anticipate and embrace these kinds of changes. He used the evolution of payment methods at checkout as an example of remarkable tech-driven progress.

Scenario Planning
The group explored scenario planning using the premise of an asteroid headed for Earth as an example. Raymond emphasized looking at potentially catastrophic events that could impact families, highlighting major life milestones as opportunities for bonding and collaboration.

Social Implications of Cash Payments
When discussing a scenario where people receive $2000 but have to give away half, it sparked thoughts about the societal implications surrounding cash payments and fostering a sense of community beyond one’s immediate circle by helping others.

Science Fiction & Future Thinking
The convo expanded into how science fiction inspires future thinking, with references to Star Trek’s ideas like handheld communicators connecting distant places or voice-controlled computer assistants providing info.

Adapting to Change
He discussed the concept of identifying “signals of change” or clues about impending changes to spark curiosity and enable proactive forecasting. Raymond related this to his own use of productivity tools like Notion Calendar as indicators for optimizing scheduling efficiency.

Future Forces Planning
Expanding on one of McGonigal’s principle of “future forces,” Raymond emphasized identifying external forces expected to impact lives over the next decade – both exciting positive developments and potential risks to prepare for.

Practicing Hard Empathy
The discussion turned to “hard empathy” and applying it individually, similar to GTD practices. Raymond suggested tapping into empathetic qualities could boost performance. He reflected on book scenarios addressing population growth and environmental challenges, expressing interest in creating local mechanisms to welcome new residents into his neighborhood and tackle these global issues locally.

Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Spotify or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to give the episode or show a rating or review! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

Also, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen.

Finally, we have a digital community where we can discuss the productivity books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit https://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there!

And with that, thanks, everyone for listening to Productivity Book Group.

I’m Ray Sidney-Smith. Here’s to your productive life!

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

FTC Disclosure: We may earn money or credits from the companies mentioned in this post by clicking on links for items or services you purchase.

Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] hosted our group book discussion for Work Clean: The life-changing power of mise-en-place to organize your life, work, and mind by Dan Charnas. Buy a copy on Amazon, bring a copy home from your local, independent bookstore, or borrow a copy from your local library, and enjoy the replay of the discussion!

About Dan Charnas (Website)

Dan Charnas is an award-winning music and business journalist; producer of records and television; and professor. Recipient of the 2007 Pulitzer Fellowship for Arts Journalism, he is the author of four books; was the co-creator and executive producer of the VH1 TV series The Breaks; and is an Associate Arts Professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University. 

Charnas’s upcoming book, Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, The Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm (2022), is the product of four years of research and nearly 200 interviews. The book was an outgrowth of a course on J Dilla developed by Charnas at NYU in 2017, but its roots go back to Charnas’s time in the record business, when he first made the trip to Detroit to work with the producer then known as Jay Dee. In early praise for Dilla Time, the book has been called “one of the few hip-hop sagas to take the music as seriously as its maker,” by Publishers Weekly; and “detailed, well- researched, and passionate” by Booklist. For more information, visit the Dilla Time site at www.dillatimebook.com.

Dan’s first book, The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop (2010) was called “a classic of music-business dirt digging as well as a kind of pulp epic” by Rolling Stone. The Big Payback inspired the 2016 pilot for the VH1 series, The Breaks. He is also the author of Work Clean: The Life-Changing Power of Mise-En-Place to Organize Your Life, Work, and Mind (2016), exploring what great chefs can teach the rest of us about their particular way of relating to time, space, motion, and resources. Work Clean arose from two years of research and over 100 interviews with culinary professionals. Charnas is the coauthor of Def Jam: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label (2011) with Bill Adler and Cey Adams. He has been a contributor to NPR, Billboard, and the Washington Post; and his writing has appeared in the Financial Times, the Chicago Tribune, Complex, Village Voice, Spin, and more. He has appeared as a guest on CNN, the BBC, PRI, and Bloomberg, and in a number of documentaries.

At the Clive Davis Institute, he teaches Creative Music Entrepreneurs, a history of the pop music business; Recycling Pop Music, exploring the relationship between creativity and copying; and topics courses on hip-hop and other artists and subjects. 

In the early 1990s, Dan Charnas was one of the first writers for The Source, becoming part of a generation of young writers who helped create hip-hop journalism. He penned cover stories, features, reviews and columns for a variety of publications on artists like L.L. Cool J, Ice Cube, A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A. and Public Enemy. During this time, Charnas began his music business career in the mailroom of the seminal rap label Profile Records, eventually becoming Rap A&R and Promotion Manager — working on projects from Run-D.M.C., Dana Dane, Special Ed, Rob Base, Special Ed and DJ Quik. In 1991, he was recruited by Def Jam-founder Rick Rubin to run the rap department of his new Warner Bros. joint venture, American Recordings.  Charnas, as VP of A&R and Marketing, oversaw projects including Sir Mix-A-Lot’s double-platinum single “Baby Got Back” (the #2 Billboard Pop Single of 1992), DJ Kool’s gold anthem “Let Me Clear My Throat,” and Chino XL’s acclaimed “Here To Save You All,” which influenced emcees from Eminem to 50 Cent.

Charnas received his Master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. He was born in New York City, and lives there with his wife, the poet and essayist Wendy S. Walters, and their son.

About the Book (Amazon)

The first organizational book inspired by the culinary world, taking mise-en-place outside the kitchen.

Every day, chefs across the globe churn out enormous amounts of high-quality work with efficiency using a system called mise-en-place—a French culinary term that means “putting in place” and signifies an entire lifestyle of readiness and engagement. In Work Clean, Dan Charnas reveals how to apply mise-en-place outside the kitchen, in any kind of work.

Culled from dozens of interviews with culinary professionals and executives, including world-renowned chefs like Thomas Keller and Alfred Portale, this essential guide offers a simple system to focus your actions and accomplish your work. Charnas spells out the 10 major principles of mise-en-place for chefs and non chefs alike: (1) planning is prime; (2) arranging spaces and perfecting movements; (3) cleaning as you go; (4) making first moves; (5) finishing actions; (6) slowing down to speed up; (7) call and callback; (8) open ears and eyes; (9) inspect and correct; (10) total utilization.

This journey into the world of chefs and cooks shows you how each principle works in the kitchen, office, home, and virtually any other setting.

This is an interview with the author by Tiago Forte!

Our next reading selection is:

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to give the episode or show a rating or review! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

Also, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen.

Finally, we have a digital community where we can discuss the productivity books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit https://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there!

And with that, thanks, everyone for listening to Productivity Book Group.

I’m Ray Sidney-Smith. Here’s to your productive life!

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

FTC Disclosure: We may earn money or credits from the companies mentioned in this post by clicking on links for items or services you purchase.

Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] hosted our book discussion for The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande, MD. Buy a copy on Amazon, bring a copy home from your local, independent bookstore, or borrow a copy from your local library, and listen to the discussion. Enjoy!

About Atul Gawande, MD (Wikipedia)

Atul Gawande is the author of three bestselling books: Complications, a finalist for the National Book Award; Better, selected by Amazon.com as one of the ten best books of 2007; and The Checklist Manifesto. He is also a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1998, and a professor at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. He has won two National Magazine Awards, a MacArthur Fellowship, and been named one of the world’s hundred most influential thinkers by Foreign Policy and TIME. In his work as a public health researcher, he is Director of Ariadne Labs a joint center for health system innovation. And he is also co-founder and chairman of Lifebox, a global not-for-profit implementing systems and technologies to reduce surgical deaths globally. He and his wife have three children and live in Newton, Massachusetts.

You can find more at http://www.atulgawande.com.

About the Book (Amazon)

The New York Times-bestselling author of Being Mortal and Complications reveals the surprising power of the ordinary checklist.

We live in a world of great and increasing complexity, where even the most expert professionals struggle to master the tasks they face. Longer training, ever more advanced technologies—neither seems to prevent grievous errors. But in a hopeful turn, acclaimed surgeon and writer Atul Gawande finds a remedy in the humblest and simplest of techniques: the checklist. First introduced decades ago by the U.S. Air Force, checklists have enabled pilots to fly aircraft of mind-boggling sophistication. Now innovative checklists are being adopted in hospitals around the world, helping doctors and nurses respond to everything from flu epidemics to avalanches. Even in the immensely complex world of surgery, a simple ninety-second variant has cut the rate of fatalities by more than a third.

In riveting stories, Gawande takes us from Austria, where an emergency checklist saved a drowning victim who had spent half an hour underwater, to Michigan, where a cleanliness checklist in intensive care units virtually eliminated a type of deadly hospital infection. He explains how checklists actually work to prompt striking and immediate improvements. And he follows the checklist revolution into fields well beyond medicine, from disaster response to investment banking, skyscraper construction, and businesses of all kinds.

An intellectual adventure in which lives are lost and saved and one simple idea makes a tremendous difference, The Checklist Manifesto is essential reading for anyone working to get things right.
(Source: Amazon)

Our next reading selection is:

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to give the episode or show a rating or review! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

Also, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen.

Finally, we have a digital community where we can discuss the productivity books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit https://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there!

And with that, thanks, everyone for listening to Productivity Book Group.

I’m Ray Sidney-Smith. Here’s to your productive life!

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

FTC Disclosure: We may earn money or credits from the companies mentioned in this post by clicking on links for items or services you purchase.

Productivity Book Group [https://productivitybookgroup.org] hosted our group book discussion for First Things First by Stephen R. Covey, PhD . Buy a copy on Amazon, bring a copy home from your local, independent bookstore, or borrow a copy from your local library, and listen to the discussion! Enjoy!

About Stephen R. Covey (Wikipedia)

Stephen R. Covey, PhD, was an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker. His most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, Time magazine named him one of the 25 most influential people. He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University at the time of his death.

About the Book (Amazon)

From the author that brought you the New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes a guide to prioritizing your personal and professional goals.

I’m getting more done in less time, but where are the rich relationships, the inner peace, the balance, the confidence that I’m doing what matters most and doing it well?

Does this nagging question haunt you, even when you feel you are being your most efficient? If so, First Things First can help you understand why we so often prioritize things that are unimportant to both our larger goals and our inner happiness. From the author that brought you the New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes a guide to building your work on the principles of effectiveness so that your life can spent cultivating genuine relationships, investing in pursuits you enjoy, and achieving balance in both your personal and professional lives.

In First Things First, Stephen M. R. Covey advocates categorizing tasks by urgency and importance so that you can focus on what actually needs to be done in the limited amount of time that you have. Using personal examples and insight from years of business experience, he argues for a new way of looking at your “to-do” list. Rather than offering you another clock, First Things First provides you with a compass, because where you’re headed is more important than how fast you’re going.
(Source: Amazon)

Our next reading selection is:

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

The callers you hear in this episode are readers just like you, and you are more than welcome to join us on the live calls to discuss productivity books too! Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit iTunes, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen.

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] discussed The Psychology of Procrastination by Hayden Finch, PhD. Buy a copy on Amazon, bring a copy home from your local, independent bookstore, or borrow a copy from your local library. Enjoy the discussion!

About Hayden Finch PhD (Amazon)

Part Lisa Ling, part Reese Witherspoon, and part Mary Poppins, Dr. Hayden Finch is a licensed clinical psychologist, behavior change expert, and dessert enthusiast originally hailing from North Carolina. Duke and Nebraska educated, she is a go-getter with a passion for translating research into practical coping skills. Dr. Finch treats clients at her Center for High Functioning Anxiety and is the CEO and founder of the educational platform Master Your Mental Health. Her goal is to equip people with the skills to master mental health, discover self-acceptance, and find meaning in a busy life through research-based strategies. Prior to launching her own businesses, she had adventures working with incarcerated juveniles, Veterans, and individuals who had been found not responsible for crimes by reason of insanity. In her personal life, Dr. Finch is a waterslide enthusiast, a musical theater aficionado, and an ice cream connoisseur.

About the Book (Amazon)

Understand your procrastination and break through to productivity

Many different factors can trigger procrastination. The good news is, you’re not lazy or undisciplined, and you can achieve real productivity. Discover the psychological factors that drive your procrastination habits and unlock the secrets to overcoming them. With this research-based approach, you can learn to stop procrastinating, finish projects, and accomplish your goals.

Begin by unpacking the common thought processes and emotional roadblocks that trap you in cycles of problematic behavior. Apply that awareness to each step of getting things done, using practical evidence-based techniques that address the root causes of procrastination and time management problems. When you are empowered to work along with your brain, rather than against it, you’ll be able to take control and create lasting change.

This empowering choice in psychology books helps you:

• Examine core issues―Look at possible mental health issues that often exacerbate procrastination, like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and others.
• Succeed step-by-step―Work through procrastination one step at a time: prioritize, find motivation, overcome avoidance, get started, focus, follow through, and finish.
• Get perspective―Explore real-life anecdotes of people struggling with procrastination to gain insight into how it works in your life―and help you identify its causes.

Our next reading selections are:

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

• The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done by Piers Steel, PhD
• The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated by Timothy Ferriss
• Tribe Of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Timothy Ferriss

The callers you hear in this episode are readers just like you, and you are more than welcome to join us on the live calls to discuss productivity books too! Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit iTunes, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen.

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

Get Organized Digitally!: The Educator’s Guide to Time Management

I had the pleasure of interviewing yet again Dr. Frank Buck, author of Get Organized! Time Management for School Leaders [ http://amzn.to/2kfhJap ] and his newly-published book, Get Organized Digitally!: The Educator’s Guide to Time Management [ https://amzn.to/3ony6jk ]. Frank Buck, Ed.D., is a veteran school administrator, public speaker, productivity coach, and author. Most people are overwhelmed by the amount of paper and digital information in their lives. Dr. Buck makes organization easy so you can increase productivity, decrease stress, and enjoy life. Global Gurus ranked him #1 in the world in the “Time Management” category for 2019, 2020, and 2021. His career path took him from band director to principal to central office administrator and now to productivity coach, writer, and speaker.

Productivity Book Group Author Interview Series is an opportunity to learn about new and interesting productivity books and authors. We interview authors that we have read or will be reading here on Productivity Book Group as well as other authors we think you might like. These podcast interviews are injected between our normal discussion-format episodes that are published here on Productivity Book Group.

Enjoy the interview!

The Amazon book description states:

In today’s world, we’re often overwhelmed by our digital devices and the volume of available digital information. Get Organized Digitally! outlines a complete digital organizational system for the busy educator and helps you harness the power of technology to save time.

This book is your go-to source, presenting the “nuts and bolts” of exactly how to make technology work for you in both your personal and professional life.

Amazon.com

Our next reading selections are:

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

• Find Frank Buck at frankbuck.org

Please visit our Upcoming Books to find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls.

Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to rate and review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a group discussion and want to review it, feel free to head over and give it a listen.

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

Dr. Frank Buck sat down to interview Penny Zenker, author of The Productivity Zone: Stop the Tug of War with Time [ https://amzn.to/323FjNI ], for Productivity Book Group’s Author Interview Series.

Productivity Book Group Author Interview Series is an opportunity to learn about new and interesting productivity books and authors. Dr. Buck and I will be interviewing some of the authors that we have read or will be reading here on Productivity Book Group as well as other authors we think you’d like to hear from. These shorter podcast interviews will be injected between our normal discussion-format episodes that are published here on Productivity Book Group.

Enjoy the interview!

The Amazon book description states:

We’ve all experienced days where we’re “in the zone,” effortlessly meeting our objectives and feeling amazing. Wouldn’t it be great if we could experience this feeling every day? With this book you can discover how. The Productivity Zone takes you through the 10 Core Drivers that help you avoid procrastination and perfectionism and perform in the Productivity Zone. These 10 drivers are grouped into three core segments: Championship Psychology, Winning Strategies, and Sustainable Results. This is the only resource that combines both the skills and the mindset together in these 10 Core Drivers into one package. A deficiency in any one of the elements will stand between you and your best results.

Our next reading selections are:

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

The Productivity Zone: Stop the Tug of War with Time [ https://amzn.to/323FjNI ]

Take Back Time with Penny Zenker podcast

To find Penny Zenker and all that she discussed on the show, check out PennyZenker360.com.

Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to give the episode or show a rating or review! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

Also, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen.

Finally, we have a digital community where we can discuss the productivity books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit https://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there!

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

On December 29, 2021, Productivity Book Group hosted its final book discussion of the year, The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness by Stephen R. Covey, PhD.

Buy a copy on Amazon, bring a copy home from your local, independent bookstore, or borrow a copy from your local library, and listen to the discussion above! (Note: Amazon is showing the cover of the The 8th Habit Personal Workbook for the book, so it’s a bit confusing. But, the links here to the Amazon listings are for the book (you’ll see the title is correct), not the personal workbook. However, I also recommend that if you want to work through the 8th habit materials, the personal workbook is worth getting also!) 

Enjoy the discussion!

About Stephen R. Covey, PhD (Adapted from Wikipedia)

“Stephen R. Covey was an American educator, author, business leader, [co-founder of FranklinCovey Co.,] and keynote speaker. [Author of more than a dozen works, h]is most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, TIME magazine named him one of the 25 most influential [Americans]. He was a Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Leadership and professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University at the time of his death [in April 2012 from complications from a bicycling accident].” Covey is survived by his wife, nine children and 55 grandchildren.

About the Book (Amazon)

Over half a million copies sold.

From the author that brought you the New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes a guide to accessing and encouraging the human potential for greatness.

In the more than twenty-five years since its publication, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has become an international phenomenon with more than twenty-five million copies sold. Tens of millions of people in business, government, and schools have dramatically improved their lives and organizations by applying the principles of Stephen R. Covey’s classic book.

The world, however, is a vastly changed place. Being effective as individuals and organizations is no longer merely an option—it’s a requirement for survival. But in order to thrive, innovate, excel, and lead in what Covey calls the “New Knowledge Worker Age,” we must build on and move beyond effectiveness. In this era of human history, our call is for greatness—holistic fulfillment, passionate execution, and significant contribution.

Accessing the higher levels of human genius in today’s new reality requires a change in thinking: a new mindset and a new skill-set—in short, a new habit. The crucial challenge of our world today is this: to find our voice and inspire others to find theirs. It is what Covey calls the 8th Habit. The 8th Habit is the answer to the soul’s yearning for greatness, the organization’s imperative for significance and superior results, and humanity’s search for its “voice.”

Covey’s books have transformed the way we think about ourselves, our purpose in life, our organizations, and about humankind. Just as The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People helped us focus on effectiveness, The 8th Habit shows us the way to greatness.

Our next reading selections are:

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

• Empowerment Takes More Than a Minute by Ken Blanchard, PhD
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, 30th Anniversary Edition by Stephen R. Covey, PhD with Sean Covey
  • Book Discussion for 7 Habits
• The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Revised and Updated: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling with Scott Thele and Beverly Walker
  • ProductivityCast‘s book discussion for 4 Disciplines of Execution

The callers you hear in this episode are readers just like you, and you are more than welcome to join us on the live calls to discuss productivity books too! Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to give the episode or show a rating or review! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

Also, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen.

Finally, we have a space digital community where we can discuss the books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit http://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there!

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

On September 29, 2021, Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] hosted its penultimate 2021 book discussion in which we discussed, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (30th Anniversary Edition) by Stephen R. Covey, PhD with additions by Sean Covey.

About the Author (Wikipedia)

“Stephen R. Covey was an American educator, author, business leader, [co-founder of FranklinCovey Co.,] and keynote speaker. [Author of more than a dozen works, h]is most popular book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His other books include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. In 1996, TIME magazine named him one of the 25 most influential [Americans]. He was a Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Leadership and professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University at the time of his death [in April 2012 from complications from a bicycling accident].” Covey is survived by his wife, nine children and 55 grandchildren.

About the Book (Amazon):

*New York Times bestseller—over 40 million copies sold*
*The #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century*

One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for nearly three decades. It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents—millions of people of all ages and occupations. Now, this 30th anniversary edition of the timeless classic commemorates the wisdom of the 7 Habits with modern additions from Sean Covey.

The 7 Habits have become famous and are integrated into everyday thinking by millions and millions of people. Why? Because they work!

With Sean Covey’s added takeaways on how the habits can be used in our modern age, the wisdom of the 7 Habits will be refreshed for a new generation of leaders.

They include:
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

This beloved classic presents a principle-centered approach for solving both personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and practical anecdotes, Stephen R. Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity—principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.

Here Dr. Covey speak about Habit 1 – Be proactive. Here’s a brief book summary of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People!

Our final 2021 reading selection is:

Join us on December 29, 2021 for our discussion of The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness by Stephen R. Covey, PhD.

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness by Stephen R. Covey, PhD

The callers you hear in this episode are readers just like you, and you are more than welcome to join us on the live calls to discuss productivity books too! Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to rate and review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you!

Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give it a listen.

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.

Productivity Book Group [ https://productivitybookgroup.org ] discussed The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals [ https://amzn.to/3ql2x98 ] by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin. Enjoy the discussion!

The Amazon book description states:

Believe this: every single space in your house has the potential to function efficiently and look great. The mishmash of summer and winter clothes in the closet? Yep. Even the dreaded junk drawer? Consider it done. And the best news: it’s not hard to do—in fact, it’s a lot of fun.

From the home organizers who made their orderly eye candy the method that everyone swears by comes Joanna and Clea’s signature approach to decluttering. The Home Edit walks you through paring down your belongings in every room, arranging them in a stunning and easy-to-find way (hello, labels!), and maintaining the system so you don’t need another do-over in six months. When you’re done, you’ll not only know exactly where to find things, but you’ll also love the way it looks.

A masterclass and look book in one, The Home Edit is filled with bright photographs and detailed tips, from placing plastic dishware in a drawer where little hands can reach to categorizing pantry items by color (there’s nothing like a little ROYGBIV to soothe the soul). Above all, it’s like having your best friends at your side to help you turn the chaos into calm.

Our next reading selections are:

Show Notes:

(Please listen to understand the context of the resources provided. If we missed something, please comment on the episode and let us know!)

• The Home Edit (Instagram)
• Avery Labels (5429)
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
• Work Clean: The life-changing power of mise-en-place to organize your life, work, and mind by Dan Charnas
• Organizing from the Inside Out, second edition: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life by Julie Morgenstern

The callers you hear in this episode are readers just like you, and you are more than welcome to join us on the live calls to discuss productivity books too! Please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and find out the details and the schedule for upcoming book discussion calls. If you plan to read ahead or read a little more slowly, please visit ProductivityBookGroup.org and check out the schedule on the “Upcoming Books” page.

Please feel free to visit iTunes, Stitcher or whichever podcast directory or app you prefer to access Productivity Book Group…and feel free to review us there! This helps expand our readership and bring new discussion callers into the fold. Thank you.

We have a digital community where we can discuss the books we’re reading. You can access it on the Web, as well as via Android and iOS apps, and we’re very excited to have you join us there. Please visit http://productivitybookgroup.org/community and you will be taken to the new digital community to join. See you there!

Finally, all podcast episodes are archived at ProductivityBookGroup.org under “Episodes” so if you missed a call and want to review it, feel free to head over and give them a listen.

Note: All registered service marks, trademarks and other copyrighted materials mentioned on the podcast are that of their respective owners. This group is not affiliated with or officially endorsed by those copyright owners.