Welcome to the ChairLife podcast with Tom Cuthbert. As a CEO, coach, and Vistage Master Chair, Tom shares insights, strategies, and tools to help you build a successful Chair practice where mission and purpose intersect with a balanced work life. This is your guide to leading with impact while living with intention. In this episode, Tom discusses bullet journal power for demanding chaos and shares ten life hacks to enhance energy, focus, and efficiency. Let’s dive in.
The Power of Bullet Journaling
Tom quotes Carol: "The shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory," noting thoughts last 2–3 seconds before vanishing.
Bullet journaling provides a single repository for important information in a busy world (7 groups, 100+ members, coaching, other businesses, boards).
Serves as the place to know where to find info, what to do, and when to do it.
Why Tom Uses Bullet Journal
Tom became a Vistage chair in 2012, starting with a notebook that became messy; tried digital in 2015 but found it distracting in conversations.
Switched to Moleskine hardcover bullet journal 10 years ago for its effectiveness.
Digital devices lessen conversation depth; physical journal is better for private talks.
How Tom Sets Up His Bullet Journal
Tom uses a Moleskine hardcover (French product) with specific setup evolved over years.
During one-to-ones, pulls out journal for notes when appropriate.
Structures member pages with family details, kids' names, leadership team names, and brief notes from encounters.
Bullet Journal Sections
Tom outlines the journal's sections for organization.
Member Pages: Family info, leadership team, one-to-one notes.
Group Meeting Reviews: Notes from meetings, key takeaways.
Other Sections: Future logs, monthly calendars, daily tasks, collections (e.g., books read, ideas).
Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Ten Life Hacks for Energy, Focus, Efficiency
Tom shares ten routines to boost personal and professional performance.
Morning Routine: Wake early, hydrate, exercise, meditate.
Daily Walks: 20 minutes outdoors for clarity and vitamin D.
Power Naps: 15–20 minutes midday for recharge.
Digital Detox: No screens after 8 p.m. for better sleep.
Gratitude Journal: Note three daily gratitudes for positivity.
Meal Prep: Plan healthy meals weekly for nutrition.
Task Batching: Group similar tasks to minimize switching.
Reading Habit: 20 minutes daily for learning.
Breathing Exercises: 4-7-8 technique for stress reduction.
Weekly Review: Sunday reflection on wins and adjustments.
Conclusion
Thank you for tuning into ChairLife. Use bullet journaling to organize chaos and adopt ten life hacks for better energy, focus, and efficiency. Start with one section in your journal and one hack this week. See you next time.
Resources
Explore these resources to support your Vistage Chair practice:
www.tomcuthbert.com
www.chairlifepodcast.com
www.tomcuthbert.com/sleep
www.tomcuthbert.com/longevity
https://www.tomcuthbert.com/bulletjournal
https://sparkmailapp.com/
https://www.followupthen.com/
https://www.voxer.com/
https://braintoss.com/
https://acuityscheduling.com/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UWOpdfndyUI1JLg86i4jdArrsJ1K3SPoom9Vles8J54/edit?usp=sharing