Episode 69 -  We look ahead at what's coming this year, and what our thoughts are for making the podcast EVEN BETTER than it is now. Tell us what you think, we're gonna do a Q&A episode in the future. So ask us your questions in the comments on the website, on social media or by e-mail [email protected] Look at all this stuff we covered: * Moving house* Building the new studio* Top tips to use ToDoIst with a big project* Friend of the show Laurie pops in to say hi* Our ideas for the coming year* The kitchen table - new house, new ideas* Dealing with change* Nothing's perfect* Nothing's permanent* Nothing's personal* Q&A - send us your questions, ask us anything As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Buy me a coffee (I'd be ever so grateful)* Rate or subscribe on apple podcasts by going here - apple podcasts* Contact us on Twitter - we are @sharppodcast here* Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sharppodcast/* Share with at us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharppodcast/* Post comments on the website. This link will take you to the home page, and then you can go onto the episode you'd like to comment on here Thanks EVER SO MUCH for listening. If we help you to BE BETTER at what you do, then it's all been worth it!

Episode 68 -  We have a look back at 2020. An awful year for many. So we decided to focus on what's happened with the podcast. There are 3 sections: we look at what changed for 'sharppodcast' in 2020, we quickly revisit each episode with a tiny sample, and then end with Steve and Lisa at the table. Look at all this stuff we covered: * What's new for sharppodcast:* Making videos* New formats for some episodes* Covering current subjects* Then we do a quick visit to each episode, like a taster menu, but better:* January - STP058 Mind Maps* February - Sharing Is Caring* March - STP059 Laurie Jeffery* April - STP060 Help With Change* May - STP061 To Do With Todoist* May - STP062 To Do With Todoist 2* June - STP063 Todo Level 3 and Top Tips* August - STP064 10 Cognitive Biases Spoiling Your Thinking* August - STP065 Resource Roundup* October - STP066 The ALPEN Method* November - STP067 Resource Roundup* December - STP068 Reflecting...oh hang on, that's this episode!* Steve and Lisa back at the Kitchen Table* Sharppodcast episodes from 2020* How 2020 has demanded more focus on home life* Moving house* The weekly planner* Our weekly 'meeting' (if you want to know more about this, let us know)* Walking to work* Why winning the lottery doesn't necessarily make you happy* Treating personal goals the same as work goals* Getting vaccinated* Hugs!* Jeff Wayne's War of The Worlds - Here's the official website, if you haven't heard this, you DEFINITELY need to find out about it As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Buy me a coffee (I'd be ever so grateful)* Rate or subscribe on apple podcasts by going here - apple podcasts* Contact us on Twitter - we are @sharppodcast here* Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sharppodcast/* Share with at us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.

Episode 67&nbsp;-&nbsp; We've collated the best of the resource we've shared on social media in the past few weeks. We're aiming to give you a selection of things to look at for yourself, and hopefully you'll find something that works for you. Look at all this stuff we covered: * Procrastination* Time chunks* Your 'why' and your 'how'* Mindsets and self-sabotage* Damaging your brain* Dealing with overwhelming to-do lists* Recharging* Taking things personally* Meditation Here are the links to the resource where you can find out more: * Robert Taibbi - 8 Steps to Overcome Procrastination* Bryan Robinson - Procrastination a Friend Without Benefits* Accidental Creative - Time Chunks* My Instagram post - Work on your 'why' to help your 'how'* Celine Da Costa - Stop Self Sabotage* Best Brain Possible - 7 Modern Lifestyle Habits Damaging Your Brain* Zen Habits - Overwhelming Todo Lists* My Instagram post - Recharging* Lachlan Brown - 11 Tips to Stop Taking Things Personally* Hackspirit - 25 Surprising Meditation Tips* (And as promised, just for you, here are the links):* Headspace* Ten Percent Happier* Jessica Abel - Hell Yeah! Or Hell No!* My pic of the tree inspiring my thoughts on change As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Buy me a coffee (I'd be ever so grateful)* Rate or subscribe on apple podcasts by going here - apple podcasts* Contact us on Twitter - we are <a rel="noreferrer noopene...

Episode 66&nbsp;-&nbsp; If you struggle to get things from your to-do list actually done, then ALPEN is for you. We have a look at this great method... Look at all this stuff we covered: * Why it's different from other to-do list methods* You don't have to work long hours to be effective* Professor Lothar J Seiwert - who is he?* Why we don't like the word 'productivity' (again)* Two acronyms (depending on your language):* Activities* Length* Plan Buffer* Establish Priorities* Note Success* OR:* Aufschreiben* Lange schatzen* Pufferzeit einplannen* Entscheidungen Treffen* Nachkontrolle* Activities - Get them written down* Length - Work out how long each one will take* Plan Buffer - Add in 40% (we tell you why)* Establish priorities - Decide on which ones you're going to focus on* Note Success - Review the day and identify what worked well* The Sydney Opera House planning disaster * What Helmuth Von Moltke the Elder said* Reviewing your list every week* The Two Minute Rule Here are the links to the resource where you can find out more: * OECD stats working hours across the world* How to prioritise* Episode 7 - Habits and the Write Stuff (featuring Eisenhower Matrix)* Professor Lothar J Seiwert talking about what he does* Find out more about Lothar J Seiwert* Yodelling: Astounded Christopher J Astbury Switzerland As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Buy me a coffee (I'd be ever so grateful)* Rate or subscribe on apple podcasts by going here - apple podcasts* Contact us on Twitter - we are @sharppodcast here* Connect with us on Facebook -&nbsp;https://www.facebook.com/sharppodcast/* Share with at us on Instagram -&nbsp;https://www.instagram.com/sharppodcast/* Post comments on the website. This link will take you to the home page, and then you can go onto the episode you'd like to comment on here Thanks EVER SO MUCH for listening. If we help you to BE BETTER at what you do, then it's all been worth it!

Episode 65&nbsp;-&nbsp; A different approach in this episode. We've collated the best of the resource we've shared on social media in the past few weeks. We're aiming to give you a selection of things to look at for yourself, and hopefully you'll find something that works for you. Look at all this stuff we covered: * Brain hacks* 3 daily habits* Goals* Today is unique* Stop taking things personally* Can we trust our brain* Stress and burnout* Habits and streaks* Doing more* Past present and future* Stress* Process instead of goals and targets Here are the links to the resource where you can find out more: * Entrepreneur.com - Brain Hacks to boost motivation/beat the work from home blues* Success.com - 3 things successful people do daily* Psychology Today - Wide awake at 2 am? * Michael Hyatt - 4 ways to make daily progress on goals* Sharppodcast on Instagram - Today is never going to happen again* Hackspirit.com - 11 ways to stop taking things personally* Psychology Today - Can we trust our brains?* Psychology Today - I miss the old 'me'* Lifehacker - You don't truly build a habit until you break your streak* Psychology Today - Do more by doing less* Sharppodcast on Instagram - thoughts about the past and future are all in the present moment * Psychology Today - <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Stress can be good for you (opens in a new tab)" href="...

Episode 64 -  Your thinking isn't as rational or balanced as you think. Let us tell you why, and how you can be more aware of what's stuffing it up. Look at all this stuff we covered: * What cognitive biases are* How they affect us* Why your brain is SO effective - and that's the problem* How not to make a cup of tea* Our top 10 chart of biases* The difference between sharks, selfies and coconuts* THE IDIOT (and his lockdown diary) Here are the links to the resource where you can find out more: * Buster Benson's image showing 200 cognitive biases* The Visual Capitalist - 24 Cognitive Biases* The Scientific American article on the role of luck in success* "Thinking Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman * The excellent VeryWellMind article on biases* Ted-X talk on the Dunning Kruger effect* Myles on the Just World hypothesis* Vicky and her amazing art at Etsy* Jessica Abel's Creative Focus Workshop* Laura Gassner Otting* The Woo Long Talks podcast* Run With Me On This podcast As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Buy me a coffee (I'd be ever so grateful) (opens in a new tab)" href="http...

Episode 63&nbsp;-&nbsp; The final episode in our kind of 'trilogy' on using Todoist. We briefly explore how to use Todoist at an advanced level. We also share great disciplines for managing tasks regardless of whether you use paper, Todoist or something else. Look at all this stuff we covered: * We meet Theresa - she's a 'Level 3' kind of person* Sharing files - so others can help you on the project* Filters - to keep track of everything* Needless references to Findus Crispy Pancakes AGAIN* The 'Teams Plan' on todoist* Summarising Level 1 - The things Wanda might do:* Simple to-do lists* Shopping Lists* Summarising Level 2 - What Emma could use it for:* Projects* Actions* Recurring tasks* Labels* Prioritising* Karma* Gamification* Productivity* Summarising Level 3 - The sophisticated stuff for Theresa:* Sharing files* Uploading files* Complex projects* Assigning tasks* Using Slack and Dropbox* Filters to manage it all* Whether you use todoist or not - our Ten Task Managing Take-Aways:* Capture things well - either in a notebook, on paper, or electronically* Keep a master list of ALL your tasks somewhere* Review it regularly once a week moving things from your master list to places where you will come across them when you need to on an app, a calendar or a diary* Use 'Projects' if something has 2 or more actions* For each action, write it down starting with the verb (the action word) e.g. "Write the..." "Call..." "List..."* Group tasks together by contexts - where you will do them* Carry out the tasks in batches - do similar things together (phone calls, check e-mails, brain dead stuff, focus stuff etc.)* Keep a record of what you've done and reflect at the end of the day* Review what you've got for the next day - plan to do the task you enjoy LEAST first* Plan the good stuff in too - don't assume it will just happen The resource and links to find out more * Real people doing real things with todoist* Uploading files in todoist* Using Slack* David Allen on projects* Why using 'contexts' is a good idea* The benefits of journaling and reflecting at the end of each day* Eating the frog As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * You could buy me a coffee (that would be nice!

Episode 62&nbsp;-&nbsp; This is a great episode! In our second look at todoist, we move up to Level 2. Our survey said most of you use paper to manage your tasks. Todoist Level '2' could really help YOU too! Look at all this stuff we covered: * We meet 'Emma' who has different stuff going on in her life - work stuff, hobby stuff, home stuff - and she manages it all with todo lists on paper and spreadsheets* Projects - they're not just for big things like building hospitals* Preparing Lucy's birthday celebration is a project* Learning the guitar is a project* Be clear on what the tasks are for your project* Why you MUST get flames painted on the Volvo* How todoist can help you manage projects* Why you might consider the premium package* A sentimental 'lockdown' reminiscence of going for a coffee* Labels - grouping 'like' tasks together* Batching - a great way to work * Deciding which tasks to do when* My labels:* 5 min job* 10 min job* full focus* low energy* phone* pc* Using todoist's fabulous 'natural language' to set up multiple recurring tasks and put them in the right place at the right time:* "Choose colour of #flames @pc on Saturday at 3 pm"* "Check Facebook every weekday at 9 am #social @mobile"* Karma - why it's vital, but all other task managers miss it out* Gamification* Neopolitan Ice Cream bar charts (this is mine)...* * Emma has now:* Grouped all her different activities into projects* Set up recurring tasks* Created labels so she can batch tasks together* Learned guitar* Gained a sense of accomplishment and achievement Here are the links and the resource we used: * Projects - a great video guide from Carl Pullein* Todoist's video on labels* Foundations video - including viewing tasks in context* An overview of what you can do with Premium* A good article on batching. Note the name of the provider - I read it as "Metal Learners!" As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Rate or subscribe on apple podcasts by going here - apple podcasts* Contact us on Twitter - we are @sharppodcast here* Connect with us on Facebook -&nbsp;https://www.facebook.com/sharppodcast/* Share with at us on Instagram -&nbsp;https://www.instagram.com/sharppodcast/* Post comments on the website. This link will take you to the home page, and then you can go onto the episode you'd like to comment on here

Episode 61 -  Do you keep your tasks on a post-it note? Or are you happy using technology? We look at how "todoist" can help a range of people across a variety of situations. (Warning - episode features multiple references to Findus Crispy Pancakes.) Look at all this stuff we covered: * Amir's story - the brains behind todoist* How a 'rootless' upbringing seems to have resulted in a great business ethos* If you're using pen and paper what could an app like todoist do for you?* Freeing up your mental space* Keeping track of what you've got on* Introducing the 3 levels we're going to explore:* Wanda - who doesn't like technology and has simple needs* Emma - with a more sophisticated life, Emma has a need for something more structured to help her manage lots of variety* Theresa - a full project and team manager who has complex needs* Why I converted to todoist* Level 1 (Wanda)* Creating a shopping list* Using Alexa - (if you have one, you might wanna turn it off while you're listening)* Sharing lists with people (unless you've bought fungal foot powder)* Setting up folders for her other stuff * Setting up tasks for future activity - cutting the grass* Recurring tasks - recycling and cuddles* Using todoist's amazing 'Natural Language' to easily set tasks up* The tasks we created looked like this:* "Alexa - add Findus Crispy Pancakes to my shopping list"* "Cut the grass on Saturday"* "Take the recycling bins out every other Thursday at 7pm"* "Cuddle my partner every other Wednesday" (perhaps don't do this)* How todoist uses this natural language to put everything exactly where you need it, ready for action* Using your inbox as your master list (this is level 1 don't forget)* How all this can give Wanda (and you) clarity of mind* Letting you try this all out before we move onto Level 2 in the next episode where we'll meet Emma Here are the links to what you need, and where we did our research for the episode: * Todoist features* Integrating with Alexa* Integrating with Google Assist* Using Siri* The difference between the inbox and a project (folder)* Sharing folders like your shopping list (and other projects)* Amir's interview on Founder Chats at Baremetrics As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Rate or subscribe on apple podcasts by going here - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sharp-the-podcast/id1207039552" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer...

Episode STP060 -  With the whole corona-virus and lock-down thing going on, we wondered how we can help. It turns out there are three areas we know about that could be useful to you. How we do the 'home' thing, dealing with change, and learning new things. Look at all this stuff we covered: * We chatted at the table and talked about * Working from home - this is what can help: * Set aside a dedicated area * Plan your day with a structure * Agree boundaries with the family * Set a definite end time to the day * Wear something different * Doing 'Not-Work' from home: * Set a schedule anyway - avoid the Netflix trap! * Take baby steps * Exercise * Have a look at some online courses * Be kind to others and yourself * Change * The change curve from Elizabeth Kübler-Ross * The difference between a change, and the emotion it brings * 5 stages of change * Denial and shock * Anger * Bargaining * Depression * Acceptance and integration * What all this has to do with toilet paper * Some practical steps you can take * Identify the positives * Think about change that you've experienced before * Talk it out with someone * Consider the worst that could happen * Focus on what you CAN control * Protect your well-being * Doing some self-development or online courses * Not all online courses are the same * We looked at 5 different providers * YouTube (you don't need a link do you?) * The Open University * The Great Courses (Plus) * LinkedIn Learning * Udemy * You can also consider TedEd, Coursera, Alison, the Forum and more. Links to those and others can be found in this article from Lifehack Further reading and information is available from the following places: * Businessballs * The University of Exeter * TedX - The Kate Braestrup talk * Harvard Business Review * Reachout Australia As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Rate or subscribe at i-tunes by going here - i-tunes * Contact us on Twitter - we are <a href="https://twitter.com/sharppodcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"...