Are You 'Productive' or Just 'Busy?' Answer These 5 Questions (Honestly) to Find Out.

8 feb 2018 · Optimize Yourself

If your livelihood depends on your ability to be creative and generate ideas, you don’t have the luxury of wasting precious mental energy and focus on meaningless tasks, busy work, and constant interruptions. You can’t just “punch the time clock” at 5pm, you work until the job is done. And how you budget your mental energy and focus determines whether or not you’re leaving at a decent hour or chronically putting in late nights fueled by Red Bull and Chinese takeout. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels all day doing “stuff” yet you feel like you never actually accomplish anything, before searching for the next productivity app or time management hack, ask yourself these five questions first:

How distracted are you during a regular workday? How accommodating are you to the “urgent” needs of others? How accommodating are you to your own “urgent” needs? Have you clearly defined WHY your next action is truly important? Are you 100% confident your next action is even the right action?

I was recently chatting with a private coaching client about time management, and she shared with me that her greatest struggle is prioritizing what needs to get done during any given workday. She laid out with me no less than seven huge projects she was contemplating starting or already working on, and she felt frazzled trying to juggle all of the different tasks and goals. Being an ambitious “creative,” she had a tendency towards being distracted easily (Squirrel!!!!), and she would often procrastinate and end up getting nothing done at all. This led to guilt, self-loathing, and unfortunately even a divorce due to all of the unfulfilled promises in her relationship. Her current solution to staying focused was creating an accountability system whereby she would keep track of all the tasks she completed during the day and then email it to someone to prove that she had a productive day and didn’t waste her time. My question to her was: “Does a long list of completed tasks prove that you’ve gotten anything meaningful done during your day?” Silence.

The ‘Theater of Work’

For tens of thousands of years mankind has simply lived in survival mode. There was no such thing as a “schedule,” we worked according to our needs.

Food? Check. Water? Check. Shelter? Check.

Then as culture became more civilized and we became farmers and specialists, it was a matter of working until the job was done.

Are the fences built? Check. Animals fed? Check. Horses shod? Check.

It wasn’t until the industrialization of our society in the 19th century that we began measuring “output” and working year-round for a specified number of hours per day and weeks per year. The term productivity was only first used in an economic sense starting in 1899, defined as “rate of output per unit.”

Made the maximum number of widgets in forty hours per week? Check.

Fast-forward to today and we’ve been conditioned to believe that we must look busy every single minute of the day in order to “appear” productive. God forbid our boss walks by and we’re smiling, laughing, or chatting with a co-worker. Or imagine the sheer horror of our boss looking for us and we’re not even in our office because we’ve taken a quick walk around the block to clear our heads and solve a creative problem (but it’s more than okay to take five smoke breaks per day?). To avoid the embarrassment or outright fear of getting reprimanded for not being “busy,” we’ve conditioned ourselves to constantly be doing something...anything...so it appears as if we’re getting things done.

Looked busy while making widgets for forty (to eighty) hours per week? Check.

We’ve become so consumed with measuring how much we work and how much we’re producing that we’ve lost sight of whether or not the work we’re doing needs to be done at all. We have become actors in the “theater of work.”

Productivity Isn’t About Apps

The 21st century solution to unknowingly getting sucked into the ‘Theater of Work’ has been technology. Because we find ourselves constantly spinning our wheels all day long and not achieving any of the larger goals we set for ourselves, we think the solution is fancy to-do list apps, calendar apps, project management apps, and complicated systems (with apps to help us use those systems). There’s no question that I love me some Trello, and I live and die by David Allen’s ‘Getting Things Done’ productivity system, but lost in all the noise about becoming more productive and maximizing output are the fundamental components of what is necessary to truly consider yourself “productive.”

Omnifocus will absolutely help you get more things done during the day, but are they important things?

BusyCal is an awesome schedule tool, but are you scheduling the right commitments at the right times?

Trello will absolutely help you organize your life, but are you spending time organizing the right things?

You can only call yourself a truly productive person if every single action you take moves you towards your much larger goals.

Otherwise you’re just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

It’s Time to Be Honest With Yourself

If you intend to achieve the goals you set for yourself in life, before running to the App Store and buying the top ten rated productivity apps of the day, try asking yourself these five questions first.

1. How distracted are you during a regular workday?

Busy people pride themselves on being able to multitask. It looks so impressive to be able to simultaneously do creative work, answer emails, respond to text messages and tweets (and Facebook messages and Instagram and Pinterest and Snapchat….ugh I give up), and furthermore keep an “open door policy” because you always want to be available to others. But the reality is the human brain simply isn’t capable of processing more than one complex task at a time. Multitasking has been proven to diminish productivity by up to 40%. While you think you’re masterfully juggling 6 balls at once, consider for a second that you are just rapidly juggling one ball at a time and expending a tremendous amount of energy keeping up the illusion that you are “juggling”...energy that could instead be applied to your creative work instead. As Cal Newport points out in his book Deep Work, there is a cost to switching from one task to the next called “attention residue,” and it can take upwards of 20-25 minutes after a single distraction to get back into a state of creative flow.

Learn more about the concept of ‘Deep Work’ in my interview with author Cal Newport

Instead of going out of their way to appear busy, productive people focus intensely on a single action at a time and protect their attention. If your livelihood depends on doing intense creative work, avoiding multitasking shouldn’t be a luxury - this should be the rule. ACTION STEP: The next time you have a creative task ahead of you, whether it be film editing, writing, drawing, or even just brainstorming ideas, challenge yourself to eliminate all distractions and work in a focused time block for a minimum of 25 minutes (my default time block is 55 minutes and I generally do at least 5 per day). » Here’s a quick primer on how to set up your first productive time block

2. How accommodating are you to the “urgent” needs of others?

Busy people love the word “yes.” It is their default answer whenever someone requests their time, energy, or attention. Accommodating the needs of others is the number one priority of busy people. Emails are answered in 5 minutes or less. They agree to any and all meetings, lunches, and answer all impromptu phone calls. Anything urgent is always prioritized before something important. Busy people live their lives as office firefighters always putting out the next most immediate fire. It’s easy to blame modern society, but the sense of urgency we feel pressured by all day long has nothing to do with the ability of others to reach you instantly via email, phone, social media, or otherwise. This phenomenon is basic human nature. In the American Magazine article ‘Why I Quit Being So Accommodating,’ an uncredited author explains in great detail how being so accommodating to the urgent needs of everyone around him may have anointed him a “Good Fellow” amongst his friends and family, but it ultimately cost him his happiness. By the way...this article was written in 1922. Clearly not much has changed in almost a century.

“You are thirty-five years old,” I said to myself. “More than half of your life has already been spent. Who is living your life, anyway? Is it actually yours? Or is it a kind of public storehouse of odd jobs? A pile of days and hours put on the counter of the world with a sign inviting every Tom, Dick, and Harry to take one?”

While the default answer for busy people is “yes,” to anything urgent the default answer for productive people is almost always “no,” unless the request is important and the clear answer is “hell yes!”

Note: If you’re unaware of the difference between urgent and important, listen to my podcast with Greg McKeown to learn more about the concept of ‘Essentialism.’

A productive person is able to confidently turn down what appear to be great opportunities because they most likely have created a “decision matrix” that allows them to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each opportunity and know almost immediately if it will allow them to achieve their most important goals. ACTION STEP: The next time someone makes an urgent request of you or presents you with what appears to be a fantastic opportunity, rather than immediately rushing to the default answer of “Absolutely!” instead try answering with, “This sounds like a great opportunity. Let me check my calendar and my current priorities and get back to you.” And when all else fails, try this:

“I don’t mean to be rude, but your emergency is not MY emergency.”

3. How accommodating are you to your own “urgent” needs?

Feeling like you’ve reached the end of a 12 hour day with nothing to show for it is demoralizing, and it’s easy to blame the urgent needs of others and their constant requests of your attention for your lack of productivity. But perhaps you are actually your own worst enemy. It’s extremely common to overcommit because you have underestimated how much you can accomplish in any given day, and conversely it’s equally as common to underestimate how much you can accomplish over a longer period of time and assume there’s no point in committing to bigger goals at all.

“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don't let yourself be lulled into inaction.”

- Bill Gates

When faced with an overwhelming amount of stuff that needs to get done, it’s so much easier to either jump into the simple stuff first or outright procrastinate because you don’t have the energy to take on the harder stuff. The number one fallacy of using a “to-do list” to organize your life is that it’s simply a list of random tasks you’d like to complete, but in creating this list have you taken the time to ask:

Which tasks should be completed first? (even if you don’t want to do them first because they’re the difficult tasks) How long will each of these tasks take? Which tasks feel “urgent” but really aren’t “important” to my goals at all?

If you’ve never asked yourself any of these questions before you dive right into checking off a bunch of random tasks, then most likely you haven’t defined your “macro goal” and the “micro goals” that are necessary to lead you closer to that macro goal. Rather than crossing off a bunch of “things” on a random to-do list and feeling busy, productive people measure their output by the weighted importance of a particular task. In order to accomplish important things, they step back and assess how much time a task will take to complete and when the best time is to work on it based on the other important tasks on their list. A productive person would rather complete one important task the entire day than twenty meaningless tasks. Because accomplishing their “One Thing” will make the rest of the day’s tasks either easier or completely unnecessary.

Not familiar with the concept of defining your “One Thing”? Check out my podcast with best-selling author and productivity expert Jay Papasan.

ACTION STEP: The next time you jump into your to-do list, try taking fifteen minutes and organizing your to-do list as blocks of time on your calendar instead, a process I've gamified and like to call “Calendar Tetris.” Doing so forces you to think much more realistically about the time required for your tasks, and it also forces you to think about whether or not the time blocks you’ve chosen will conflict with other commitments during your day.

4. Have you clearly defined WHY your next action is truly important?

As you get ready to take on your next task, if there’s a nagging voice in the back of your head asking, “So….why am I doing this again?” then you’ve already lost the war. Not knowing why you’re about to put your time and energy into any given task is what leads your mouse down the endless black hole of social media, 57 open browser tabs that you will “read eventually,” and videos of cats chasing laser lights (which yields just under 2.4 million search results, by the way).

If you just spent the last 2 minutes watching this, you’re probably procrastinating because you don’t know why you should be doing the task you’re doing right now.

As tasks pile up, as the urgency mounts, and as the sense of dread and overwhelm sets in that you’re simply never going to have an empty to-do list, the tendency for busy people is to kick into overdrive and power through as many tasks as possible with the end goal simply being...a shorter to-do list. Productive people are okay with the fact that life is going to be “messy” and the to-do list will never be empty. The pile of mail might stack up for a while, they might get behind on their laundry, and they might have unanswered emails or phone calls that need to be returned. All of these things are necessary casualties of accomplishing important tasks like writing a book or screenplay, building an online business, editing a film, learning a complicated skill, or painting a masterpiece. A productive person is able to avoid all of the meaningless drudgery of daily life because they have attached a deeper ‘Why’ to their actions. Letting smaller tasks and email accumulate is easy if that time is sacrificed to learn a complicated skill that will lead to a promotion, increased income, and more quality time spent in the evenings with their children because the promotion they will earn affords them a more flexible schedule. ACTION STEP: Before plowing into your to-do list simply for the end goal of making it smaller, instead ask yourself: “WHY is accomplishing my biggest goal right now important to me?”

And then once you have done so...ask yourself why again.

And then once you have done so...ask yourself why yet again.

And then once you have gone as deep as you think you can go, ask yourself how accomplishing your greater goals will benefit the most important people in your life.

If you want to dig deeper into the concept of ‘Why Stacks,’ check out my podcast with high performance coach Jeanette Goodrich.

5. Are you 100% confident your next action is the right action?

The number one thing that determines your true level of productivity is the level of confidence you have when asking yourself the following question:

“Is the next action I’m about to take the right action that will lead me towards my greater goals?”

If your confidence level is not at 100%, you will procrastinate because you are unsure if you should be doing something at all. If your confidence level is not at 100%, you will be easily led to distraction because you don’t want to think about what else you should be doing instead. If your confidence level is not at 100%, you will eventually burnout because you are not passionate about the work you’re doing. I already know what the busy people are thinking: “I don’t have time to stop working and think about which actions are the right actions...I have too much to do!” A busy person assumes the way to maximize productivity is to be “doing” every single minute of the day. Time is something that must always be spent but never invested. It’s the same mindset as thinking, “Why would I maximize the amount of money I’m investing in retirement? I won’t have that money for decades and I have expenses today.” A productive person on the other hand understands that one hour of planning has an infinitely greater effect on their productivity than an equal hour of doing. Because that single hour allows them to strategize an entire week or more of important tasks while also creating space to take care of the busy work. Like investing in a 401k, compound interest applies to your time as well. An hour of planning can yield an additional five-fold increase in your productivity as time progresses. A productive person knows that front-loading the hard work to prioritize their time, energy, and attention will lead to absolute and complete confidence that their next action is unequivocally the right action. FINAL ACTION STEPS:

Before jumping into the next 100 items on your to-do list, block out 60 minutes on your calendar, eliminate all outside distractions, and answer the above five questions about yourself with 100% honesty. This exercise is not about judgment, it’s about developing awareness of how you manage and respond to the requests and expectations of daily life. If you’re not happy with any of your answers and you’re interested in developing laser-sharp focus and taking real action towards the most important goals in your life, having complete clarity on what needs to get done, and having 100% confidence that you are doing what’s necessary, then I invite you to join the waitlist for my ‘Focus Yourself’ program so you are the first to know when beta enrollment opens (and get a steep discount). I’ll even send you my 50 page ‘Ultimate Guide to Optimizing Your Creativity (And Avoiding Burnout)’ as a bonus!

(This article was published using Wordable.io)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content

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Ep266: How to Approach Difficult Conversations In Polarizing Times | with Justin Jones-Fosu
21 jan· Optimize Yourself
Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist
My guest today is Justin Jones-Fosu, who is the CEO of Work. Meaningful., an organization dedicated to transforming corporate culture by fostering mindset, purpose, and performance. Justin is also the author of I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World — a timely guide for navigating the conflicts that seem unavoidable in today’s polarized world.
In our conversation, we explore the growing divisions in workplaces and beyond, unpacking why disagreements so often escalate into toxicity. Justin sheds light on why initiatives like DEI, despite their good intentions, sometimes fall short and how rethinking our approach to conflict could make a difference.
We discuss the core of his philosophy: seeing disagreements not as battles to be won but as opportunities to understand and respect others, even when we don’t see eye to eye. Justin shares actionable strategies and mindset shifts from his book, offering a way to approach disagreements that prioritize respect, collaboration, and mutual understanding.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to engage in conflict with clarity and compassion, whether at work or in everyday life.
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Here's What You'll Learn:Why the DEI initiative isn't workingKEY TAKEAWAY: People are less likely to engage in solutions if they feel they aren't part of it at allHow to engage with someone who has a different perspective from youKEY TAKEAWAY: Conflict management starts before any disagreement occursThe Five Pillars of Bridging the DivideWhat is the Circles of Grace challenge and how it can prepare us in managing conflictsThe type of questions to ask to transform conversations to meaningful onesWhat is disrespectful agreement and how we may be doing it without realizing itHow to respectfully disagree when it's difficult to do soHow our brains work against us in conflicts and what we can do to address thatWhat is listening to the power of three and how it helps in managing conflictsHow to approach and resolve a disagreement when either party are leaning towards avoiding itHow NOT to start the conversation with someone who has a different perspectiveWhat to do if the other person's perspective challenges your core fundamental valuesKEY TAKEAWAY: Even if we're closed-minded we have to be open-heartedSociety's respect versus the Golden Respect: why respect should not be earned but given freelyHow to ask questions to people you have a disagreement withCommon ground versus the middle ground: which one should you seek?What is the 3FA Framework and how it can help you respect someone in the midst of disagreementHow Option C can resolve disagreements and how it's not necessarily a 50-50 agreementWhat are the 3 Selves and how you can talk to themUseful Resources Mentioned:
I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World - Justin Jones-Fosu
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol Dweck
Ep230: The Performance Paradox – How Only Focusing On Performance Leads to Performing Worse | with Eduardo Briceño
Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl
Dialogue: The Art Of Thinking Together - William Isaacs
Ep260: How to Build Collaborative Cultures & Fix Toxic Creative Environments | with Chris Deaver
Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross
Continue to Listen & Learn
Ep227: A Psychologist’s Guide to Building Relationships and Managing Conflict (Both Personally and Professionally) | With Dr. Jessica Higgins
Ep262: How to Work with Challenging Colleagues Without Losing Your Mind (or your job) | with Amy Gallo
Ep259: Overcoming Communication Fears for Introverted Creatives | with Bridget Sampson
Ep261: Meetings Don’t Have to Suck: Learn a Better Way to Create and Collaborate | with Dr. Steven Rogelberg
Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian
Ep139: Fostering Better Relationships and Improving Team Culture | with Jason Barger
Ep138: On Hiring Editors & AE’s, Fostering Creative Collaboration, and Managing Happy Post Teams | with Paul Leonard
Ep154: Using Humility to Cultivate Relationships and Land Your Dream Gig In Network TV | with Scott Powell, ACE
Ep78: How to Build Meaningful Relationships in the ‘Real World’ | with Camille Virginia
Ep217: How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne
Guest Bio:
Justin Jones-Fosu
Justin Jones-Fosu is the embodiment of energy, both at home as a dedicated father to two spirited children and atop the world's highest peaks, having recently conquered one of the famed 7 Summits. But Justin's passion for elevation doesn't end with trekking, it's mirrored in his professional ascent as a captivating business speaker, innovative social entrepreneur, and insightful workplace researcher.
At the helm of Work. Meaningful., Justin is the driving force and CEO behind a movement that empowers organizations across the globe, delivering over 50 keynote addresses a year on the pivotal topics of meaningful work and inclusion. His mission is to ignite a transformation in corporate culture, guiding organizations and individuals to ascend to their peak potential through mastery of mindset, purpose, and performance.
Justin is not only a pathfinder in the wilderness but also in the literary world, authoring essential reads such as "Your WHY Matters NOW," "The Inclusive Mindset," and his latest thought-provoker, “I Respectfully Disagree: How to have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World.” His work is a compass for those seeking direction on creating connections in an often-fragmented society.
With a flair for infusing humor into his well-researched content, Justin doesn't just give a speech; he crafts an experience, leaving his audience not just informed but transformed. His approach is not merely to inform but to inspire, not just to direct but to make a difference.
Show Credits:
This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.
The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content
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Ep265: Unemployed? Burned Out? Or Both? How to Manage a Career Break | with Laura Nguyen
15 jan· Optimize Yourself
Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist
My guest today is Laura Nguyen, a burnout coach and author of Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off. While her book focuses on taking career breaks by choice, we tackle a question that hits close to home for many creatives right now: What happens when the career break chooses you?
Laura and I delve into why even a lack of work can lead to burnout—how the uncertainty, panic, and self-doubt that follow job loss can weigh just as heavily as being overworked. We examine the root of this panic, often tied to feelings of shame and embarrassment, and how these emotions can intensify the experience.
In our conversation, Laura offers actionable steps to regain balance and a sense of purpose, even when downtime feels overwhelming. We also discuss why creatives are especially prone to burnout—exploring the emotional exhaustion, dissatisfaction, and self-imposed pressure. More importantly, Laura reveals the mindset shifts that can make a real difference in moving forward.
Whether you're navigating an unexpected break, feeling stuck, or simply looking for fresh perspectives on burnout, this episode is packed with insights to help you take your next step with clarity and intention.
Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?
» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode
Here's What You'll Learn:The moment of burnout recognition for both Zack and Laura and the important realization that these can teach usHow overwork and self-sacrifice is normalized and how they changed expectationsHow to prioritize self-care in a way that's productive and meaningfulThe difference between voluntary and involuntary career breaksWhy people can be burned out even when they're not workingHow to get past the panic phase of an involuntary career breakThe different types of burnout and where does creative burnout fit inThe different types of restsSigns of burnout and Laura's burnout questionnaireThe personality types that are most prone to burnout and why creatives are among theseThe definition of "purpose" according to LauraWhat is the Judgment Backpack and how it helps manage your inner criticWhat are Antigoals and how do they help you come up with your goalsWhat is a Career Matrix and how it can help you identify where to put your energy into nextWhy it's essential to have a coachHow the power of community helps in the game of burnoutUseful Resources Mentioned:
Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off - Laura Nguyen
The Burnout Quiz
I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.
Continue to Listen & Learn
Ep 264: The Dumpster Fire of 2024, Predictions for 2025, and The Future of Creativity | with Zack Arnold
Ep255: Managing the Burnout, Anxiety, & Depression Created By Your “Busy Brain” | with Dr. Romie Mushtaq
Ep254: The Ugly Truth About Burnout (Even When You’re Unemployed), and How to Build Immunity From It | with Dr. Kandi Wiens
Ep170: How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown
Severance Is Not Only the Dystopian Future of Workplace Burnout…In Many Ways We’re Already There
Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace
Ep47: The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone
Ep64: [CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry
Ep147: [CASE STUDY] From Total Burnout to Shooting for the Moon (Literally) | with David J. Turner
Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker
How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)
[CASE STUDY] “What should I do when I’ve been fired from a gig?” with Chris Salters
Guest Bio:
Laura Nguyen
Laura Nguyen is an experienced marketing executive and entrepreneur with an extensive background in data-driven marketing, digital marketing and communications for Fortune 500 companies. She is the founder of Solle Solutions, a marketing consultancy. Laura is also a certified executive coach, helping mid-career, high-achieving leaders go from burned out to balanced through her coaching program and online community.
Laura received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science at Truman State University, and her Master in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her family.
Show Credits:
This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.
The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content
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Ep264: The Dumpster Fire of 2024, Predictions for 2025, and The Future of Creativity | with Zack Arnold
7 jan· Optimize Yourself
Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist
For this special kickoff episode of the new year, we’re flipping the script: I, Zack Arnold, the usual host of Optimize Yourself, step into the guest seat to give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what 2024 was like for me and my team. My podcast producer, Debby Germino interviews me to give you an inside look at how we dealt with the uncertainty and endless changes that 2024 bestowed upon us. From the challenges of navigating a difficult year in the entertainment industry (as well as my personal life) to the launch of our brand-new Mastermind program, I share the personal and professional journey that brought us here.
We also give you the origin story of the GO FAR framework, my proven method for setting and achieving meaningful goals, and provide a cheat sheet for how you can use it to achieve your goals this year. Whether you’re a creative professional looking for structure in your career or a self-starter ready to take action, this episode is packed with insights and tools to help you move forward in 2025.
Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?
» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode
Here's What You'll Learn:Zack’s 2024 predictions he wrote in last January's newsletterThe biggest challenges Zack faced in 2024, including industry shifts, personal losses, and professional setbacksWhy Optimize Yourself is rebranding and changing the nameWhat the Mastermind program is and how it’s different from anything we’ve offered beforeThe GO FAR framework: how it works and why it’s the foundation of the Mastermind programPractical steps to apply the GO FAR framework to your own career and goals.How to turn adversity into an opportunity for growth.Useful Resources Mentioned:
Ep36: How to Accomplish Your ‘One Thing’ Every Day | with Jay Papasan | Optimize Yourself
Ep230: The Performance Paradox – How Only Focusing On Performance Leads to Performing Worse | with Eduardo Briceño | Optimize Yourself
Continue to Listen & Learn
Ep201: What I’ve Learned About Life From 200 Interviews with Amazing Human Beings | with Zack Arnold | Optimize Yourself
Ep143: Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum
Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker
How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)
Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW
Ep90: How to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino | Optimize Yourself
Ep263: The Art of the Pivot: Going From Freelancer to Entrepreneur | with Nick Milo | Optimize Yourself
The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content
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The eight words that shape my approach to life (especially when the sh*t hits the fan)
6 jan· Optimize Yourself
Today’s mini-episode is the latest edition of my Case of the Mondays newsletter, a free newsletter I send out exclusively to my subscribers every Monday morning with my latest thoughts, strategies, and tips for better managing the crazy balancing act between work & life. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather design a career where I’m excited about Mondays instead of dreading them. To be the first to receive next week’s newsletter, to read today’s episode in addition to listening, and for access to all of the past newsletters in the Case of the Mondays archives, simply visit optimizeyourself.me/newsletter.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content
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We survived til '25. Now what?!
3 jan· Optimize Yourself
Today’s mini-episode is the latest edition of my Case of the Mondays newsletter, a free newsletter I send out exclusively to my subscribers every Monday morning with my latest thoughts, strategies, and tips for better managing the crazy balancing act between work & life. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather design a career where I’m excited about Mondays instead of dreading them. To be the first to receive next week’s newsletter, to read today’s episode in addition to listening, and for access to all of the past newsletters in the Case of the Mondays archives, simply visit optimizeyourself.me/newsletter.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content
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Optimize Yourself Fall 2024 Hiatus
3 jan· Optimize Yourself
Since May of 2014 I’ve done my best to release a brand new long form conversation on a weekly basis, and between my original show Fitness In Post and now Optimize Yourself, I’ve now released just short of 400 episodes. But eventually this thing called life gets in the way. And I had to make the difficult choice to pause recording new interviews for the time being, hence the lack of new long form conversations. But rest assured we’ll be returning in early 2025 better than ever with new guests, new conversations, an updated format, and who knows….maybe even a brand new show altogether (wink, wink, nudge nudge). I won’t say anymore at this point, but needless to say we’re only hitting the pause button for now, certainly not the stop button.
Having said that we’ll continue to release a Hot Seat Friday episode every week for the remainder of the year to give you an insider’s glimpse into how we do things in the Optimizer community so we can continue to help you design the more rewarding, the more fulfilling, and the more sustainable creative career (and life) that you ultimately deserve.
In the meantime you’re welcome to enjoy the over 250 episodes in our archives. And we look forward to being back in your earbuds in early 2025. Thanks so much for being a devoted listener and longtime member of this global community of creative misfits. Take care, and be well.

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Hot Seat Friday: Bouncing Back: Navigating Life After Being Fired
3 jan· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, long-time community member Sam Lavin opens up about an unexpected and deeply challenging moment in her career: being fired for the first time. The experience shook her confidence and left her scrambling to address the immediate financial strain. Feeling scattered and unsure of her next steps, Sam and I worked together to untangle her priorities.
We explored practical strategies to help her focus on what’s most urgent while still carving out time for her long-term goals. Along the way, we discussed how to channel the anger and frustration of this setback into productive actions that move her forward.
I highly encourage you to listen to our conversation about resilience, clarity, and finding balance during times of uncertainty.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
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Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
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Hot Seat Friday: How to Reconnect When the Conversation Has Gone Quiet
27 dec 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member Saarang Vinodh, who’s navigating a delicate challenge: reconnecting with a producer he had previously reached out to. Their last conversation seemed to close the door on potential mentorship, but now Saarang’s goals have shifted, and he’s confident this producer could help. The question is, how can he reach out again without the message feeling purely transactional? Together, we workshop thoughtful strategies to craft an outreach that goes beyond the surface, aiming to spark a meaningful conversation and lay the foundation for a deeper, more genuine connection.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
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Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
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Hot Seat Friday: Trimming down and streamlining your resume to clearly tell your story
20 dec 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member Brett Williams to help him refine his resume and align it with his career goals. Brett is targeting broadcast promos and marketing agencies but finds himself grappling with a resume that's overflowing with information. While he has a good sense of which experiences to emphasize, he's unsure how to organize them in a way that tells a clear, compelling story. Together, we workshop his resume—trimming away the irrelevant details, reordering sections, and focusing on strategies to ensure it resonates with his target audience at a glance.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

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Hot Seat Friday: Identifying the right relationships to build to help you achieve your goal
13 dec 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, community member Stephen Lehman opens up about his goal to edit narrative projects consistently while working as a film teacher. Stephen is trying to navigate the challenges in building the right connections to make this vision a reality. Together, we explore the types of relationships he should focus on and develop strategies to ensure he's on the radar for future opportunities that align with his goals.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content
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Hot Seat Friday: How to reach out cold to a gatekeeper and get a useful response
22 nov 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member David Spragg to tackle the challenge of reaching out cold to a gatekeeper. David wants to connect with a YouTuber known for creating high-quality documentary and travel content, who is now venturing into scripted filmmaking. Drawing on his experience in filmmaking, David hopes to offer his skills and insights to support this person’s project. Together, we craft a thoughtful and compelling strategy to ensure his message stands out and gets a response.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

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The future of Optimize Yourself (a painful lesson in branding)
15 nov 2024· Optimize Yourself
Today’s mini-episode is the latest edition of my Case of the Mondays newsletter, a free newsletter I send out exclusively to my subscribers every Monday morning with my latest thoughts, strategies, and tips for better managing the crazy balancing act between work & life. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather design a career where I’m excited about Mondays instead of dreading them. To be the first to receive next week’s newsletter, to read today’s episode in addition to listening, and for access to all of the past newsletters in the Case of the Mondays archives, simply visit optimizeyourself.me/newsletter.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content
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Hot Seat Friday: How can I show employers I'm the right match even with a different experience?
15 nov 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, longtime community member Tonianne Fleig tackles the challenge of pivoting from film into the brand and agency world. Although her recent years have been in film, Tonianne is confident in her skills and expertise—and now it’s about framing her experience to resonate with potential employers in a new space. Together, we dig into the strategies that will help her highlight her unique strengths and communicate the true value she brings to the table that sets her apart from the others.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

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Hot Seat Friday: Crafting a thoughtful follow-up when your first email goes unanswered
8 nov 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, community member Mark Carr is looking to re-engage a valuable contact he reached out to a few months ago. Knowing the person was previously too busy to respond, Mark wants to follow up in a way that’s both respectful of their time and likely to get a response. Together, we break down the art of a well-crafted follow-up, exploring subtle strategies that go beyond a simple nudge and aimed at making his outreach feel timely, genuine, and worth reading.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

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Hot Seat Friday: Better managing your time and energy so you don't have to "steal" time
1 nov 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, community member Leonardo Oliveira seeks guidance on refining his weekly planning. He often ends up not being able to finish everything he planned for the week and finds himself "stealing" time from other tasks to keep up. Together, we explore the mindset shifts and practical strategies that can help him better manage his time and energy, while building more flexibility into his schedule.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

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Hot Seat Friday: Crafting a pitch deck that draws your audience in
18 okt 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, community member Michael Addis brings his series pitch deck to the table. He wants to refine it so he can capture the interest of the executives. Together, we crawl into the brains of the busy decision-makers to understand how they process ideas, ensuring that he can convey his vision clearly and effectively giving Michael the best chance of making his idea a reality.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

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Hot Seat Friday: How do I answer the 'tell me about yourself' interview question?
11 okt 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member Tristan Felberg for a mock interview to help him craft a compelling response to the classic "tell me about yourself" question. We explore what interviewers are really looking for and how Tristan can shape his answer to draw them in, keeping the conversation flowing. We also dive into a key strategy to stay confident and natural, even when the conversation takes unexpected turns. This hot seat is packed with practical tips to help you navigate interviews with ease and take control of the dialogue.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

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Hot Seat Friday: Identifying your 'one thing' and having enough runway to take a year off
4 okt 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this hot seat session, I sit down with community member Kalika Sharma, whose work has kept her creatively fulfilled. But with so much happening at once, Kalika has lost sight of what her future looks like and how to prepare for it. Together, we take time to pause so she can paint a clearer picture of what it is that she really wants for her future, mapping out the steps to help her find clarity and direction towards where she's going.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

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[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Procrastination and Getting Focused | with Moni Salazar
1 okt 2024· Optimize Yourself
Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
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Moni Salazar is a Mexican assistant editor (and now editor) for feature films who has been KILLING IT since she moved to Los Angeles. In fact her first feature film as an editor, Honey Boy, is about to screen at Sundance! As an assistant editor she has also worked on such films as Netflix’s All Day and a Night, The Beach Bum, and Zoe. In addition to the many hours she spends in dark rooms, she is also the Vice President of Blue Collar Post Collective.
Moni approached me last year because she found it nearly impossible to focus on creative tasks. She was constantly distracted by little things that kept her from doing the creative work that she loved, so much so at one point she didn't get her Visa application done in time...and she was forced to move back to Mexico! We worked together one-on-one for the next 12 weeks to help her clarify her goals and find the most important ‘One Thing’ in her life that she had to accomplish every day in order to get focused, avoid constantly procrastinating, and get her life organized!
My purpose for sharing this case study is to help explain the process that Moni and I worked through and the steps she took to get her life more organized and establish daily habits to help her increase her focus and productivity while actually creating more time in her day to relax. That way you can use some of these same ideas and techniques to move yourself forwards this year, whether or not you’re interested in working with me one-on-one in my coaching program.
If after listening to this interview you do want to learn more and apply to work with me for the next several months and beyond, enrollment is currently open but time slots are extremely limited. To apply just visit optimizeyourself.me/elite-apply.
» Click here to work with me one-on-one
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Here's What You'll Learn:Practicing focus and awareness during work hoursLearning when it's okay to say 'no'Recognizing when you are creating your own obstaclesMoving forward with your necessary tasks even when they seem overwhelmingHow time blocking enhances your creativity even if it feels like having a schedule will restrain itWhat's the 'one thing' you need to focus on to complete your goals?The domino method of task managementDefining the qualities you want to see in yourself before anything elseUseful Resources Mentioned:
www.monisalazar.com
Ep36: Finding Your "One Thing" with Jay Papasan
Our Generous Sponsors:
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Guest Bio:Twitter| Instagram
Mónica Salazar is a Mexican editor and assistant editor for feature films. She enjoys crafting stories on a daily basis, and is usually found hidden in the darkness of an editing room with a cup of coffee serving as her safety blanket. Her editing credits include Honey Boy set to premiere at Sundance in 2019, and the Los Angeles Emmy award winning documentary Montage: Great Film Composers and the Piano. Mónica has also worked as an assistant editor for various films, including Netflix’s All Day and a Night, The Beach Bum, and Zoe.
Monica also serves as the Vice President of Los Angeles for Blue Collar Post Collective, an accessible and focused grassroots non-profit organization that supports emerging talent in post production.
Mónica takes pride in her taco-expertise and has found the best pastor tacos in LA.
Show Credits:
This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

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Hot Seat Friday: How do I make a career pivot (while still making money along the way)?
27 sep 2024· Optimize Yourself
In this hot seat session, community member Brett Williams tells his story of how he lost his creative job and is now working a temporary role to support his family. Brett is eager to return to the work he loves but faces the challenge of balancing that dream with providing for his loved ones. Together, we explore strategies to help him transition back to his creative career, drawing from my own experiences of moving from a job that paid the bills to one that truly fulfilled me. Along the way, we uncover the key mindsets and practical steps Brett can take to get his career back on track while meeting his family’s financial needs.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content
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Visa fler

Avsnitt

Ep266: How to Approach Difficult Conversations In Polarizing Times | with Justin Jones-Fosu

Ep265: Unemployed? Burned Out? Or Both? How to Manage a Career Break | with Laura Nguyen

Ep264: The Dumpster Fire of 2024, Predictions for 2025, and The Future of Creativity | with Zack Arnold

The eight words that shape my approach to life (especially when the sh*t hits the fan)

We survived til '25. Now what?!

Optimize Yourself Fall 2024 Hiatus

Hot Seat Friday: Bouncing Back: Navigating Life After Being Fired

Hot Seat Friday: How to Reconnect When the Conversation Has Gone Quiet

Hot Seat Friday: Trimming down and streamlining your resume to clearly tell your story

Hot Seat Friday: Identifying the right relationships to build to help you achieve your goal

Hot Seat Friday: How to reach out cold to a gatekeeper and get a useful response

The future of Optimize Yourself (a painful lesson in branding)

Hot Seat Friday: How can I show employers I'm the right match even with a different experience?

Hot Seat Friday: Crafting a thoughtful follow-up when your first email goes unanswered

Hot Seat Friday: Better managing your time and energy so you don't have to "steal" time

Hot Seat Friday: Crafting a pitch deck that draws your audience in

Hot Seat Friday: How do I answer the 'tell me about yourself' interview question?

Hot Seat Friday: Identifying your 'one thing' and having enough runway to take a year off

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Procrastination and Getting Focused | with Moni Salazar

Hot Seat Friday: How do I make a career pivot (while still making money along the way)?