Category Archives: Productivity

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521: The Future of Behavior Design with Dr. BJ Fogg (an Encore Presentation of Episode 324)

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While technically today’s featured book was released in 2019 (December 31 to be exact), I’ve dubbed it my favorite book of 2020!

Upon reading it, I immediately wanted to share it and attempt to teach its concepts to others. That, to me, is the mark of a great book.

bj fogg

What is this amazing book?

Well, it’s the New York Times bestseller Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything by Dr. BJ Fogg. Or, as BJ would now call it if he could rename it, Tiny Habits: The Future of Behavior Design.

The book sleeve on the front cover says confidently, “This book will change your life.” Just yesterday, my wife saw the book on my desk and asked if the claim was true. I answered with a resounding “YES!”

With breakthrough discoveries in every chapter, you’ll learn the simplest proven ways to transform your life. Whether you want to lose weight, de-stress, sleep better, or be more productive each day, Tiny Habits makes it easy to achieve.

Click the play button below to join our conversation now, or keep scrolling for a summary.

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520: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – 30th Anniversary Edition (an Encore Presentation of Episode 319)

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What an honor it is to be asked to participate in the launch of the 30th Anniversary Edition of the #1 business book of the 20th century!

And what a treat it is to talk to the son and namesake of the author himself, Mr. Stephen M. R. Covey.

stephen m r covey

I can honestly say, if the Read to Lead Podcast were to come to an end after today, I would be at complete peace with that.

Why? Because today I am privileged to conduct what is arguably the single most important interview of my 30+ year career.

Not only is Stephen M. R. Covey an accomplished author in his own right (with a New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book under his belt), but he’s agreed to field questions from a handful of those impacted by his father’s book over the years.

By “those impacted” I’m talking about you! That’s right. Every question I’m posing to Stephen was submitted by a listener to the podcast.

Of course, the book I’m referring to is called The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th Anniversary Edition.

This is a ‘can’t miss’ conversation!

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513: How to Do More of What Matters to You with Ali Abdaal

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I’ve been a fan of today’s guest for several years and have probably watched over 100 of his YouTube videos. So, when the good folks over at Readwise reached out about making an introduction, I was elated.

ali abdaal

I’m talking about the world’s most-followed productivity expert, otherwise known as the one and only Ali Abdaal.

Ali has written a brand new book that was released this past December, and I am delighted to feature it, and my chat with Ali, in this week’s episode.

That book is called Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You. It’s already appeared on a few bestseller lists and, at last check, already has over one thousand reviews on Amazon. Go Ali!

We think that productivity is all about hard work, Ali says. That the road to success is lined with endless frustration and toil. But what if there’s another way?

Ali, though, has uncovered an easier and happier path to success. Drawing on decades of psychological research, he has found that the secret to productivity and success isn’t grind – it’s feeling good. If you can make your work feel good, then productivity takes care of itself.

Armed with Ali’s insights, you won’t just accomplish more. You’ll feel happier and more fulfilled along the way.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Ali and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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499: Decision-Making, Project Management, and Workplace Engagement with Gerald Leonard

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The topic of project management has been the focus of only two other episodes of Read to Lead that I can think of: Episode 101 with Cesar Abeid, and Episode 277 with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez.

Gerald Leonard

Frankly, it’s a topic that doesn’t get covered nearly often enough. Today, I work to change that a bit.

Our featured book is by Gerald J. Leonard and is called, A Symphony of Choices: How Mentorship Taught a Manager Decision-Making, Project Management, and Workplace Engagement—and Saved a Concert Season.

The book delivers a fascinating narrative following one Jerry Hall, the new Symphony Orchestra manager at a prestigious symphony concerned about the challenging plans for an upcoming season. In the book, you’ll watch him connect with a former college professor and learn the skills necessary to successfully manage his way through these unprecedented times in his business and personal life.

Does he have all skills necessary for effective decision-making and managing a major symphony’s portfolio of projects? Will his fear of succumbing to daunting challenges prevent him from succeeding?

Of course, you’ll need to read Gerald’s book for the answers. I can assure you it is well worth your time.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Gerald’s and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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478: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age with Dr. Carl Marci

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In the conclusion of my book Read to Lead (BakerBooks, 2021), I argue that the evolution of our brains have been adversely impacted by technology. That books helped rewire our brains in a positive way when they came on the scene hundreds of years ago, and that today’s screens—and the ways in which we interact with them—are undoing much of that rewiring.

dr. carl marci

One only need to read the book written by today’s guest to confirm my not-so-positive assertion.

It’s called, appropriately, Rewired: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age and it’s written by Dr. Carl D. Marci.

He says that living in an age of digital distraction has wreaked havoc on our brains―but there’s much we can do to restore our tech–life balance.

We live in a world that is always on, where everyone is always connected. But we feel increasingly disconnected. Why? The answer lies in our brains.

Dr. Marci, a leading expert on social and consumer neuroscience, reviews the mounting evidence that overuse of smart phones and social media is rewiring our brains, resulting in a losing deal: we are neglecting the relationships that sustain us and keep us healthy in favor of weaker and more ephemeral ties.

As a psychiatrist working at the forefront of research on the impact of digital technology, Dr. Marci has seen this transformation up close and developed a range of responses. 

Rewired provides scientifically supported solutions for everyone who wants to restore their tech–life balance―from parents concerned about their children’s exposure to the internet to stressed workers dealing with the deluge of emails and managing the expectation of 24/7 availability.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Carl and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

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