Task, Time, Energy: The Purpose-Filled Productivity Podcast

What is your dream right now?For the past year and a half, we've been asking our guests that question at the end of these podcast episodes.This episode is all about dreams. As we bid farewell to some dreams, new ones begin.Let's create a cooler world: https://creatingacoolerworld.com/Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

“Our core values are not in a 3-ring binder sitting on a shelf in my office. They're emblazoned on our website. They're in our conference room. We talk about it all the time.”This is one of the things you’ll hear James La Barrie say when he talks about the values that guide his company, Beyond Marketing.James is an accomplished entrepreneur who now serves as president of Beyond Marketing. In this episode, James tells the story of a “crossroads moment” in his life that transformed the way he thinks about work.While on a flight to Antigua in 2012, James learned about a company with an impressive culture and an admirable approach to customer service. That company, Zappos, became his inspiration as he set out to build his own values-based business.What do “values” have to do with time management? Plenty! These values help James decide what’s most important, allowing him to focus his time and energy on producing the results he wants. You’ll also hear James talk about other recent shifts which are helping him manage his time and feel more satisfied with how he uses it.Learn about James’ company at https://beyondmarketing.xyz/James' 20 Minute Call podcast is at https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-20-minute-call/id1700586913Register for the free one-hour online time management workshop that James mentioned in this episode! Details are on our home page: https://scottmillercoaching.comTransform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Can you imagine performing in an energetic, two-person, 90-minute play where you’re on stage for almost the entire show, engaging in fast-paced witty banter with your co-star? Now imagine rehearsing and performing in that play while also performing with an improv team, teaching an Improv 101 course, and helping your mom recover from surgery. And all of this is happening while you’re preparing to move from North Carolina to New York City and start a new job.To do all of this successfully, you’ll probably need to do a pretty good job of managing your energy.In this episode we sit down with Lauren Foster-Lee, a multi-talented actor, vocalist, improviser, and teacher. Lauren shares some of the tricks and tools she uses to manage her time and especially her energy. She talks about the desire for perfection and how she’s personally made peace with it. She also discusses “staying in your lane” and trusting others to do their jobs, which can be particularly valuable in an intricate endeavor like bringing a play to the stage.Lauren’s web site is https://www.laurenfosterlee.com/You can find her on Instagram @laurenfoster_lee (https://www.instagram.com/laurenfoster_lee/)If you're near Durham, NC, check out Mettlesome: https://thisismettlesome.com/Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

How can an organization achieve dramatic growth? And how can a certain level of conflict help a team succeed?What is a "not-to-do" list, and why is it useful to have one?Ganesh Venkataramanan is the Vice President of Presales of a leading industrial software company. He has over 20 years of experience in the simulation and training domain. Ganesh has a proven track record of growing internal businesses from less than $1MM to over $50MM by building talented teams and systems that enable rapid execution.Ganesh is also the author of a fiction book, Let Me Into Heaven, that explores the journey of three computer scientists chasing the truth. In this episode, Ganesh describes how writing that book taught him valuable lessons about creating habits and making choices that allow us to accomplish our goals.He shares what he has learned about building and leading effective teams, including how to delegate effectively and communicate effectively with people who work differently and think differently than we do. He also talks honestly about the "thorny topic" of religion, and how faith helped him find purpose and meaning in his life.Ganesh's web site is https://www.letmeintoheaven.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/cause_firstLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganesh-venkataramanan-1486464/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geevesofficial/Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Traveling for work can be exhausting. How can we stay happy and healthy while doing a job that requires extensive travel?Colin Ryan is a comedic financial speaker who uses humor, storytelling, and motivation to bring the dry subject of personal finance to life. He has spoken to over 500,000 students and adults across North America, and was named one of the top 10 financial presenters in the U.S.It's probably not surprising to hear that Colin travels a lot for work. You might be surprised to hear how much he enjoys it. He hasn't just mastered the art of staying healthy and happy while traveling. His experiences with traveling have actually enhanced his wellbeing.What's his secret? A special diet? A new type of exercise routine?Nope. It's people.In this episode, Colin describes how the sincere connections he creates with other people help him manage his energy and mental health. He shares some of the experiences he's had while traveling, and how they've been so different from all the division and danger that we see in the news.“I’ve had the best conversations ever with shuttle drivers or the Hertz rental desk person," Colin says. "People will surprise you if you make space.”One of the stories he shares is about giving a talk to a group of teen moms in an alternative high school program. Colin describes how that experience allowed him to confront some of his own assumptions and biases. He talks about how those young moms helped him learn to be curious, give respect, and look for the intelligence in people.Learn more about Colin; his book, A Comedic Guide to Money; and his work as a speaker and coach on his website, https://www.colinryanspeaks.com/.You'll also find him on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/colinryanspeaksYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-q1vcKCISJl6f8cajHBL0QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinryanspeaks/Listen to a great conversation with Colin about finance and mental health on Episode 20 of the Casual Nonsense podcast with Marc Diette:Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-comedic-guide-to-money/id1670936556?i=1000620751463Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7AnGk0y0lxG1aYiMHthO63Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

What is Boabom? And what does it have to do with mindfulness?We've talked about mindfulness a lot in recent episodes. We've talked about research involving mindfulness, learned how mindfulness is being used in healthcare settings, and heard from successful people who find that mindfulness practice plays an important role in their lives.But it's useful and interesting to remember that meditation and mindfulness have been studied and practiced for thousands of years. Today, all around the world, people are still learning and exploring mindfulness practices that have roots in these ancient traditions.Yemado is the foremost teacher in North America of Boabom, a system of meditation, relaxation, and self defense. He has brought this practice to thousands of students around the world through more than two decades of teaching.Yemado is the Director of the Boston School of Boabom, the only school dedicated to Boabom in North America. He is the co-translator and editor of a number of books about Boabom, and is the creator of Boabom Journey, a new 5 star app that allows anyone to learn Boabom on their own schedule.In this episode, we talk about developing healthy habits, dealing with stress, and building confidence. Yemado describes how students of Boabom develop these abilities by starting with small challenges and working their way up to greater ones.Boabom Journey app: https://www.boabom.com/gift/Boabom on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boabomInstagram: @boabomjourneyTransform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Yemado is the Director of the Boston School of Boabom and the founder of the Boabom Journey App and Video Course.In this bonus episode, Yemado guides us through a short breathing exercise and breathing meditation.The Boston School of Boabom is at https://bostonboabom.com/Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

How is mindfulness being used in healthcare settings? And what lessons are being learned in those settings that we might apply in other aspects of life?Dr. Isabel Roth is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in the Program on Integrative Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.When she was in high school and college, Dr. Roth developed a unique combination of interests in dance and neuroscience which formed a basis for her interest in mindfulness. Some of her current work focuses on implementing mindfulness practices in health systems to benefit people with conditions such as chronic pain and long COVID.In this episode, Dr. Roth explains how mindfulness is being used in healthcare settings. She talks about the work she does to help more people gain access to mindfulness programs, what she's learning from that work, and how mindfulness practice has helped her as a working parent of an active toddler. When listening to her talk, it's easy to understand how meaningful her work is and the profound sense of purpose that she gains from it.Dr. Roth's website is http://www.isabelroth.com/. You can also find more information about her work on the website for the UNC School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation: https://www.med.unc.edu/phyrehab/.Have you been to the North Carolina Botanical Garden? Visit https://ncbg.unc.edu/.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

We recently had the pleasure of recording a podcast episode with Dr. Isabel Roth, a Research Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Some of Dr. Roth's work focuses on mindfulness practices and ways of making them available to people who might benefit from them.You can hear our whole conversation in the next full episode of the podcast, Episode 32. In the meantime, Dr. Roth graciously agreed to record this short mindfulness meditation for us to share with you and our other listeners.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

“Students with social capital and family networks tend to get the bulk of the meaningful work-based learning opportunities that exist in the world.” District C is working to change that.If you think it's important for high school students to learn practical skills that will help them succeed as adults, you'll like what District C is doing.District C is a nonprofit organization founded by Dan Gonzalez and Anne Jones. Their mission is to prepare the next generation of diverse talent for modern work.Students in District C's Teamship program work together to solve real-world problems for actual businesses and organizations. The students learn to work effectively on a team, investing in each other's thinking and learning to collaborate with people whose ideas and approaches are different from their own.District C’s co-founder and CEO Dan Gonzalez is our guest for this episode. Dan describes some of the important lessons that students learn in District C’s programs, and how those lessons can help us all work together more effectively.He also describes how starting and running District C has been a process of learning and discovery for him.Learn more about Dan, District C, and their Teamship program at https://www.districtc.co.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Jon Kolkin is a doctor who has been practicing medicine for over 30 years. He is also a musician, an experienced international speaker, an award-winning photographer, and has been involved in humanitarian efforts around the globe for 20 years.Jon is president of the Shades of Compassion Foundation, an organization that supports women’s health, education, animal protection, and other initiatives around the world. His recent book, Inner Harmony: Living in Balance has won multiple international photography awards.In this episode, Jon talks about ways that being authentic and being himself have led him to many successes and accomplishments.He talks about being dyslexic, and why he views dyslexia as an asset.He talks about the importance of using down time in a truly satisfying way and shares his thoughts about multitasking.Jon discusses the importance of mindfulness—focusing on the present moment—and how we can all find small ways to consistently practice mindfulness throughout the day.Jon also talks about compassion: what does it really mean? And why is it important?You can learn more about Jon and his work at https://www.shadesofcompassion.org/ and https://kolkinphotography.com/.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

It’s not easy to make a bold decision. That’s especially true if we know that other people in our lives don't approve of the decision.People will often put subtle pressure on us—or not-so-subtle pressure—to encourage us to stick with the status quo.Ten years ago, Amy Knott Parrish decided to be sober. She saw what alcohol was doing to her life. She knew that being sober was the best choice for herself and her family. That didn’t make it an easy decision. Some people in her life were less than 100% supportive.In this episode, Amy and I talk about her decision and similar situations where people choose to go "against the grain.” Amy talks about the value of making choices in our careers and personal lives that we know are right for us. She talks candidly about the critiques and discomfort she faced due to certain decisions she has made, and how courageously facing that discomfort can help us build stronger connections with others.Amy's web site is https://www.amyknottparrish.com/Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Elisabeth Farnsworth Grant grew up in a very religious household where a woman’s role in life was clearly defined for her.She married and started a family at a young age, but soon shifted from focusing solely on her husband and children to finishing her education and developing her own talents as an artist and musician.Building on her love of service and of giving to the community—values that she carried with her from her childhood—she learned to use her talents to support causes that she believed in while still taking care of her kids and, just as importantly, taking care of herself.In this episode, Elisabeth describes some of the challenges of living her very traditional life as a wife and stay-at-home mother. She also shares her story of growing beyond that traditional lifestyle into a new life that has allowed her to explore and express her love of art, music, and teaching while still remaining true to her core values of service and giving.Elisabeth shares tips about planning for the expected while being prepared for the unexpected. She talks about multitasking, using pockets of “down time” productively, and the importance of having genuine down time—time spent resting, decompressing, and enjoying activities that help us stay healthy and happy.Her stories and suggestions might help you find your own “basket of socks” and decide what to do with it.You can see some of Elisabeth’s wonderful art at https://www.facebook.com/Efarnsworthart.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Geshe Gelek Choda became a Buddhist monk when he was seven years old. He traveled from his home in Sikkim in northeastern India to Bylakuppe in the south, where monks who had escaped from Tibet were rebuilding the Sera Je Monastery.When Geshe Gelek arrived to join Sera Je, the beautiful buildings that stand today were not built yet. The monks were living in crude tents. Geshe Gelek  immediately missed his family and his home in Sikkim. But home was thousands of miles away. In this episode, Geshe Gelek describes the monks’ rigorous daily routine: waking early in the morning to spend the day attending classes and debate sessions, studying, meditating, praying, and studying more until late at night. He explains how we can all learn to think in ways that help us face difficulties and challenges, and how thinking can help us reduce anxiety, stress, and fear. Geshe Gelek is the resident teacher at Kadampa Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Learn about Kadampa Center here: https://kadampa-center.org/Learn about Sera Je Monastery here: https://www.serajeymonastery.org/Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Imagine sitting down with a skydiver who has made 16,000 jumps, holds multiple world records, and has been inducted into the Skydiving Hall of Fame. Imagine that she talks you through a world record formation skydiving attempt, from the careful planning on the ground, through the ride up in the airplane, through the jump itself, opening a parachute, landing, and then excitedly gathering with your teammates to find out if you set a new record.Imagine her sharing her story and firsthand experiences, and also sharing lessons from that experience which you can apply in your everyday life.You don't have to imagine. That's exactly what Kate Cooper-Jensen does in this episode.In addition to holding multiple world records, Kate is an entrepreneur who helped found Square One, a successful skydiving equipment store. Kate is also one of the founders of Jump for the Cause, a nonprofit which organized women's world record attempts and raised $1.9 million for breast cancer charities and treatment centers.Kate talks about maintaining focus in extreme situations; how to stay in great shape through your 60s and beyond; and flipping the switch from a "what if?" mindset to a "why not?" mindset.Bonus links: "Jump for the Cause Celebrates 10 Years Unbeaten"https://www.fai.org/news/jump-cause-celebrates-10-years-unbeaten"The 400-way Story"https://www.skydivemag.com/new/the-400-way-story/The skydive photo in the graphic for this episode is by Brian Festi.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Graham Downey is a graduate of Yale Law School who scored a 180—the highest score possible—on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). After law school, Graham taught LSAT prep courses and tutored students for a test prep company, sharing his knowledge with other people striving to master the test.The LSAT is one of the most challenging graduate-level entrance exams. It can be frustrating and stress-inducing. It's frequently confusing and occasionally infuriating.It's also an elegantly crafted exam designed to test the limits of a person's reasoning skills and their ability to think clearly under pressure. It's a test that can teach us valuable lessons about time management.In this episode, Graham shares tips for the LSAT that can also be useful in our everyday lives. We talk about learning to trust confusion, why slowing down is as important as going fast, and the value of having clear intentions.We talk about limits, how to push past them, and how the quest for perfection can get in the way.Graham's Lightweight LSAT guide is at https://lightweightlsat.com/.You'll also find information about the LSAT at https://scottmillercoaching.com/lsat.During this episode we mentioned:The Imperfectionist newsletter published by Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky.How Buildings Learn by Steward BrandTransform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

What happens when the things that give our lives purpose and meaning no longer feel… meaningful?Luke Iorio is the past President and CEO of iPEC, the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Luke was at the pinnacle of a very successful career with iPEC when he completely burned out. In this episode, Luke talks about what led to that personal and professional crisis and what he learned from the experience. You’ll hear how this opened the door to a whole new world of success and satisfaction for him, and how it is now helping him serve others in even more powerful ways.When we’re facing a choice or opportunity, how do we know when it’s best to trust our “inner voice” and when it’s wise to question that voice?If we let go of some very popular ideas about time and instead learn to appreciate its natural flow, what becomes possible?We’ll hear what Luke has to say about these topics, too.Luke’s podcast, On This Walk, is at https://www.onthiswalk.com/.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Why do time management systems so often fail to help people make lasting changes?Why do leaders sometimes have trouble helping team members manage their tasks and time?What responsibilities do leaders have—and what should their employees be doing—to ensure that teams communicate effectively about tasks and deadlines?In this episode, Dr. Beth Banks Cohn talks about these situations and other challenges facing today's leaders. We'll talk frankly about why some people who are people managers should not be managing people. And we'll discuss some creative, 21st century solutions to that problem.Beth is an accomplished Organizational Consultant, Senior Executive Coach, Entrepreneur, and Thought Leader with more than 25 years of success in the healthcare, pharma, bio-tech, IT, hi-tech, retail, engineering and manufacturing industries.  She is a sought-after speaker on key aspects of executing organizational change initiatives that stick.  Beth learned a great deal about managers and managing during her 16-year career at Johnson & Johnson. She holds a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University, and recently had an essay featured in a book titled The Secret Sauce of Leading Transformational Change.Contact Beth by email at beth@adrachange.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-banks-cohn-phd/.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

Why do we procrastinate? And what can we do about it? Want to hear what a neuropsychologist has to say about this? In this episode, Dr. Nicole Byers talks about procrastination, feeling overwhelmed, and taking a healthy approach to developing habits that serve our long-term goals.A self-proclaimed "neuroscience nerd" with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, Dr. Byers is CEO of Rocky Mountain Neurosciences in Calgary, Canada and is an Adjunct Research Assistant Professor with the University of Calgary. She hosts The Bold Life podcast and has published articles in professional journals on the topics of brain health and neuroscience.She helps recovering perfectionists and high achievers get out of the cycle of overwhelming to-do lists, procrastination, and self-doubt so they can achieve their goals without burning out. Learn more about Dr. Byers on her website, www.drnicolebyers.com.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.

I’ve enjoyed the conversations that I’ve had with all of our podcast guests, but this one might qualify as the most fun so far. My guest for this episode is Chris Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Silverquicken.Chris has an infectious and inspiring fascination with knowledge and learning. It’s led him to some impressive successes as a student and educator. He holds a degree in physics from Harvard and an MBA from Duke. He taught physics and chemistry to high school students. As a tutor and teacher with a top test prep company, he helped MBA candidates master the GMAT.His new venture, Silverquicken, provides unique enrichment programs for students in 3rd through 8th grade. They’re taking resources that are usually reserved for students in gifted programs and making them available for anyone.In this episode, Chris and I discuss the value of struggle—why we tend to view struggle as a negative thing, and why and how that should change.Chris shares stories of his own struggles with procrastination and describes the systems that help him stay organized and productive.He shares stories about wanting to control the wind, biking across Ireland, and using a stapler to make an emergency repair on a Ralph Lauren suit.You’ll hear all of this and more in this week’s episode.To learn more about Silverquicken, visit https://www.silverquicken.com/ or email Chis at chris.ryan@silverquicken.com.Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/.