Extreme Productivity with Kevin Kruse

On today's episode, I interview a 12-year-old novelist, who increased her productivity so much that she now writes over 2500 words per hour and finished the first draft of her book in only one month.

Pete Mockaitis is a former Bain consultant who now coaches top executives in extreme productivity. He is also the host of the How To Be Awesome At Your Job podcast.

NY Times bestselling author, Kevin Kruse answers questions from business students in June Covington’s Leadership and Motivation class at Chico State.

NY Times bestselling author, Kevin Kruse discusses the shadow side of having a growth mindset and more.

Michael Hyatt is a New York Times bestselling author of three books and his newest is Free to Focus.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse talks about the key ideas in his new book, Great Leaders Have No Rules. Buy the book here: http://norulesleadership.com

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

NY Times best selling author, Kevin Kruse, answers listener questions about productivity.

In this episode, I’ll teach you how to beat procrastination and become productive. What you’re going to learn: The four types of procrastination The best tips to cure procrastination Key Quotes: “Leaders often get promoted in their careers because they get things done.” “Ultra-productive people don’t use to-do lists.” “Be clear on your MIT.”

In this episode, I’ll tell you what’s the best type of notebook to use. What you’re going to learn: What type of notebook to use to improve your productivity. Key Quotes: “Go from being a lister to a scheduler.” “Lines (in a notebook) mess all that up.”

In this episode, I’ll give you tips on staying focused while working in a noisy open office. What you’re going to learn: Tips on how to develop focused attention while staying in a noisy open office. Key Quotes: “Play non-distracting music or sounds.” “The most productive people are those who take more breaks.”

In this episode, I’ll teach you how to accomplish all the list of things that you want to do. What you’re going to learn: Tips on how to develop a process on all the things that you need to be doing to actually get them done. Key Quotes: “We cannot make more minutes.” “Give time as a gift to yourself first.”

In this episode, I’ll teach you the right way of note-taking. What you’re going to learn: Practical tips in note-taking to improve productivity. Key Quotes: “Jot down with bullets, asterisks or arrows on key points.” “Just jot down what you need.”

In this episode, I’ll share with you tips on making sure your team remains productive. What you’re going to learn: The four ways to ensure productivity in your team Key Quotes: “Set a cultural norm that meetings get scheduled in the afternoons, not in the mornings.” “Make sure you’re rewarding your team for productivity.”

In this episode, I’ll teach you how to avoid distractions while working at home. What you’re going to learn: How to use your free time more at home more productively How to live off from your calendar, block distracting websites, and stay focused on your motivation. Key Quotes: “Control your environment during your 30-minute breaks.” “Make your plan, block your environment… and get clear on the things that you’d rather be doing with that time.”

In this episode, I’m going to share how new parents who are career-driven learn how to observe time management. What you’re going to learn: Ways to maximize energy to achieve higher productivity How to be clear on your Most Important Task (MIT) Key Quotes: “Be okay if you can’t optimize everything.” “Sleep is an investment in your career, marriage and sanity.”

In this episode, I’m going to reveal five steps to get you out of bed alert, awake and productive. What you’re going to learn: The Five-Minute Snooze-Proof Wake-Up Strategy Key Quotes: “If you want to win the day, it starts the night before.” “Ultra-productive people know that dehydration impacts our productivity.”

In this episode, I’m going to share habits and techniques on writing to make your life better. What you’re going to learn: The Five-Minute Snooze-Proof Wake-Up Strategy The daily habits to help you to become more, so you can achieve more. Key Quotes:  “Creating a successful morning routine is the core value of the book.” “Athletes don’t pick the days they will play in games; they are told which days to play and they play to their best ability whether they feel like it or not.”

In this episode, I’m going to explain how to prioritize the opportunities that come your way. What you’re going to learn: Identify what your real priorities are How to manage your schedule today to avoid conflict in the future Key Quotes: “The future you will be is just as busy as the present you. If not more.” “Just because your calendar is empty now, doesn’t mean it will be when the time comes.”

In this episode, I’m going to teach you how to turn your goals into MITs. What you’re going to learn: The Importance of the Most Important Task (MIT) MITs For Big Company Workers Key Quotes: “Identifying your MIT makes your scheduling decisions much easier.” “Simply, the most important things are to know what to focus on and how you are going to get it done.”

In this episode, I’m going to explain how to manage your most important asset — time. What you’re going to learn: Why time is a more valuable asset compared to health, money and friends How you can guard yourself from the so-called “time thieves” that rob you of valuable time. Key Quotes: “You can never lose time and get it back again. “ “Meetings are notorious for killing time.”

In this episode, I’m going to teach you how to fix your broken meetings. What you’re going to learn: The top reasons behind bad meetings in the workplace How to change bad meeting culture that affects productivity Key Quotes: “Bad meeting culture is like a disease to your organization.” “When in doubt, leave them out.”

In this episode, I’m going to teach you how to talk to your boss about productivity in the way that she’s going to listen. What you’re going to learn: How to discuss productivity issues with your boss How can you talk to your boss about new productivity strategies Key Quotes: “There are also plenty of leaders who rely on their team members to challenge them.” “Seek to proactively partner with your boss so they can benefit from your improved productivity.”

In this episode, I’m going to completely shift your mindset on task delegation. What you’re going to learn: The value of delegating your work to get more things done How you can balance your work and family time by hiring an assistant Key Quotes: “When you outsource work to others, you free up the time you need to work on your passions—and take advantage of your abilities and strengths.” “People who actively look for things to delegate report higher levels of productivity…”

In this episode, I’m going to share with you how you can apply the Dalai Lama’s attitude on minimalism to business. What you’re going to learn: How minimalism can provide positive effects to your life How the Dalai Lama’s attitude on minimalism is connected to the Pareto Principle Key Quotes: “We can probably take inspiration from the Dalai Lama, who clearly doesn’t need objects to feel happy.” “Develop your skills to be exceptional in a few targeted areas; don’t try to master everything.”

Today, I’m going to reveal how you can get more stuff done with less stress. What you’re going to learn: The secrets to increasing your productivity through “energy management” instead of time management. How to use your energy efficiently to get more things done during the day. Key Quotes: “The key is to effectively use the energy you already have.” “Identify when you work best, and focus on these high-level activities during your ‘maximum productivity window.'”

In this episode, I’m going to teach you how you to refuse meeting requests without making people angry. What you’re going to learn: How to politely decline meetings from strangers What to write on your email when saying “no” to strangers who want to meet Key Quotes: “Every “yes” is a “no” to something else.” “The word “deadline” has a magic to it, a power that most people can relate to.”

Today, I’m sharing the details of my first cryotherapy chamber experience. What you’re going to learn: How I found myself getting into a sophisticated machine that engulfed me in sub-freezing liquid nitrogen My evaluation on the physical effects of cryotherapy Key Quotes: “I start shivering and think it’s kind of like running outside in your underwear in the middle of the night during winter.” “I started a breathing meditation to keep my mind off the cold.”

In this episode, I’m spilling the beans on how you can maximize your sleep results. What you’re going to learn: The strategies to help you achieve quality sleep How to create a sleep sanctuary Key Quotes: “We can’t actually manage time, but we can manage our energy, focus and attention.” “As a rule, you should consider a caffeine ban after 2 PM.”

Today, I’m going to explain how you can solve the meeting problem in your organisation. What you’re going to learn: How meeting overload is affecting your organization’s productivity The solutions organizations can implement to fix the meeting problem Key Quotes: “Meetings get in the way of real productivity.” “Employees attend 62 meetings per month, with half of those considered to be ‘time wasted’ by participants.”

In this episode, I’m sharing the practices that are better than an open door policy, which actually accomplish the same goals but with less downside. What you’re going to learn: The methods that can be used to promote transparency, collaboration, and trust without the negatives that come along with leaving the door open How to set effective communication to all employees that will prevent them from coming into your office unscheduled Key Quotes: “If your door is always open, even figuratively, you never know what your day is going to look like. “ “Weekly meetings enable you to build rapport and to stay in touch on big personal items on an ongoing basis.”

Today, I’m going to discuss why the “open door policy” is harmful to managers and contributors alike. What you’re going to learn: The organizational problems associated with an open door policy How an open door policy contributes to a decline in productivity Key Quotes: “Certain employees will naturally resist sharing their input.” “Leaving the door open discourages your people from appropriate bias-to-action, and limits the opportunities they need to grow.”

In this episode, I’m going to reveal the details on my $25,000 bet with Sir Richard Branson. What you’re going to learn: Why a calendar is more effective than a to-do list Why it is important to stop listing and start scheduling the things you need to accomplish Key Quotes: “Different productivity tools will work up to a certain level of productivity demands.” “If you want to move from average levels of productivity to extreme productivity, ditch your to-do list and live from your calendar.”

On today’s episode, I’m answering a reader’s question. How do you deal with the unexpected things that happen at work? What you’re going to learn: How to maintain a schedule and still allow for flexibility Why scheduling back-to-back meetings may actually be hurting your productivity A CEO scheduling system that will give you more time for strategic thinking The difference between your client time and your MIT time Key Quotes: “True productivity ninjas actually leave some padding in their schedule.” “Your MIT should be the task that is going to have the greatest long-term impact at your firm.”

Today I’m giving you 4 simple ways to maximize your energy. What you’re going to learn: How to maximize your energy without drinking caffeine or taking other stimulants Why taking more breaks at work will actually increase your productivity The amount of exercise you need daily to increase your ability to focus, be creative, make decisions, and stay alert (it’s not as much as you might think) How to use technology to increase your productivity Key Quotes: “You can’t manage time at all. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. “

In this episode, I’m going to give you 3 Harvard questions that can save you 8 hours each week on average. What you’re going to learn: The results of a productivity experiment conducted by Harvard professors Julian Birkinshaw and Jordan Cone that helped participants achieve massive time gains How to delegate your tasks (even if you don’t have a staff to delegate to) Online services you can use to take over annoying tasks like grocery shopping, internet research, making doctor appointments (the list goes on and on) How I manage my own company with a completely virtual team Key Quotes: “41% of knowledge workers time is spent on discretionary activities that weren’t very satisfying and could also be done by others.” “From general freelancers to miscellaneous chores, you can get help for almost any task and probably for less money than you think.”

Today, we’re talking about how one crazy guy goofed off all-day-long and still won a productivity award from his company. What you’re going to learn: How Bob (a programmer) was able to goof off all day long on social media and still get his work done on time every day Why you should stop doing all the tasks that you don’t enjoy (and how to do this without getting fired) How to make more time in your day for the things you love Key Quotes: ” I always think I’m the smartest guy in the room, the best guy for every task.” “You need to ask yourself not how can I do it, not how can I get it done, just how can it get done.” Read Full Transcript You want the answers to extreme productivity? I'm Kevin Kruse and I've got those answers from people like Grant Cardone, John Lee Dumas, Mark Cuban, Kevin Harrington, James Altucher, Lewis Howes, Chris Tucker, Rory Vaden and about 250 other great entrepreneurs, Olympic athletes, even straight A students and others. In the last episode I talked about using the Pareto Principle to erase 80% of your workload. Today, we're talking about how one crazy guy goofed off all-day-long and still won a productivity award from his company. First, I hope you'll hop on over to Amazon.com after this show, check out my new book, 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management. I interviewed over 200 people who gave me their answers, I boiled it down into 15 secrets. Hopefully you'll notice that there's over 200 great reviews on that book on Amazon, many of whom have said the book has been life-changing. Let's dive in to this episode. In January of 2013, several news outlets reported on the remarkable story of Bob, now, they didn't give his last name, they just called him Bob. Bob with his programming speed and high quality code, his company named him best coder in the building and he got excellent performance reviews. He was a model employee. Bob was in his mid-40s, nothing wrong with that I remind you, and Bob clocked in at 9:00 sharp each morning, sent his boss a daily summary of his productivity before he left every day right at 5:00. Again, he won best coder in the building. If we'd been secretly looking over Bob's shoulder all day to see what he was doing, we would have seen something a little weird. On Bob's average day, he would read Reddit and watch You Tube videos from about 9:00 o'clock when he got in, to about 11:30, and then he would head out to lunch, yup, kind of an early lunch. He would be gone for about 90 minutes, long lunch, back at 1:00 o'clock when he would promptly spend the next three-and-a-half hours surfing eBay, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media sites. At 4:30, he'd start working on that productivity report, send it to his boss, and he'd go home without writing a single line of code. The next day he'd do the same thing, the day after that he would do the same thing. How could he be a star programmer and goof off day after day? Turns out Bob was very smart. Instead of asking how can I do this, he asked how can this get done. This is important, write this down, etch it into your brain. He looked at his workload at the software that he was supposed to produce and instead of saying, how can I do it, he said, how can it get done. The answer in Bob's case was he outsourced his task, actually his entire job, to a software company in China. Bob's company was giving him $200,000 a year to do this work. He found out that he can hire a programmer in China for $50,000 a year to do all the work for him...

What is the 80-20 rule and can it make 80% of work disappear? What you’re going to learn: How to identify which projects or goals are most important to your organization and which ones are going to get you that promotion How to apply the 80-20 rule to your work as a freelancer Key Quotes: “Don’t try to do everything at once.” Read Full Transcript Hey I'm Kevin Kruse, and I am here to 10x your productivity at least in key areas of your life and to dramatically increase your productivity everywhere. Today I'm extra high energy because Saturday night I did something I don't usually do I went to an NBA basketball game. I'm outside of Philadelphia, so I went and watched the Philadelphia 76ers play the Detroit Pistons. Don't worry this isn't about basketball. If you don't follow American basketball, if you're listening from some other part of the world and don't even know the teams or what I'm talking about it's okay. I only got to about 1 or 2 games a year. I like to go with my friend we take our boys have a good time. The Sixers this year are horrible. They've won the worst records in the history of the NBA, but we were there for fun games get out to have some cheese steaks and just relax. It was a good game it was a fun game but what made me take notice is all over sudden this short kid for the Sixers comes running out onto the court and the entire pace of the game changed. This guy his name is T.J. McConnell; he all over sudden starts racing up and down the court like someone's chasing him. I mean all the sudden he's going for steals, he's only 6 foot 2 and he's jumping in trying to get rebounds, he's making crazy plays I mean he's bringing it. It's like nobody told them that the Sixers are going to be in the last place no matter what happens. No one told them that the game didn't really count. He was bringing it no matter what. Like I said I don't follow the Sixers or basketball that much so I'm Googling this guy, turns out he's a rookie he was undrafted. As I mentioned only 6 foot 2 he used to play for Arizona I believe, has no profiles on social media. He's not out there trying to be a star or anything else. That might be a mistake but as soon as he took the courts the entire energy and mood of the game changed. You might not be the star on your team, but you can always bring the energy you might not be the tallest or most naturally gifted. You can always set the pace you might not have the best jump shot or whatever the analogy is in your career you, but you can always set the tone. This is the underlying secret of productivity. There is no such thing as time management. We can't control time, but we can control our energy and focus. You take two people with the same 1 hour and the same to do list to burn through in that 1 hour. You take someone who's feeling tired, and lethargic, and is multitasking, and is low energy. I'm sounding like Donald Trump accusing people of being low energy, but anyway, you take the other person like T.J. McConnell, who I've never heard of before this undrafted 6 foot 2 rookie, and you decide to bring it. You are high energy you're focused you're not multitasking you're loving what you're doing you're trying to beat the clock. Who's going to get more done? It's the same 60 minutes, it's the same 1,440 minutes in a day, it's about bringing focused energy to the task at hand. Hats off to T.J. McConnell, and he's my new favorite player. I hope he's got a jersey or something out because I'm going to get it. Listen, in the last episode, I talked about the 6 secrets to

Today, I’m going to talk about a new book that just came out that I just loved. It teaches us the secrets to defeating that feeling of being overworked and overwhelmed. It’s by a writer named Kelly Exeter. What you’re going to learn: The 3 main reasons people feel overworked and overwhelmed all of the time 6 secret habits to cure the feeling of being overworked and overwhelmed without sacrificing your goals or career advancement Key Quotes: “Don’t compare highlight reels with your everyday life.” “Facebook life is the life everyone would have if we were all living on that TV series Sex in the City.” “There’s nobody that’s got a perfect family, perfect career, perfect body, and great mental health.” “Your values, what you truly want from life, are your values. It’s okay that they’re completely different than those around you.” Read Full Transcript Kevin Kruse here with another life changing episode of Extreme Productivity. At least that's my mindset. Every time I record one of these, every article I write, every book that I write, I hope to change at least one person's life. I hope you approach it the same way. I hope you listen to each episode and say, "Hey, let me listen to see if I can get one idea that just might change my life." I just got back from Key West, about a five day vacation, super long weekend. I think it was the fifth time I've been down there. Finally figured out how to do it right. I mean, it's a food town and I'm finding all the best places to eat. I'm a foodie at heart. I'm always asked by people wondering if I follow these fifteen productivity principles on the weekend and on vacation and all this kind of stuff. Heck no. I preach extreme productivity for when you're trying to be extremely productive but I also believe in completely unplugging and relaxing when that's what you're supposed to be doing. I spent time at Irish Kevin's Bar, which is a famous bar down there. One, because I'm Irish. Two, because my name is Kevin. Three, because it's a bar. I also played with the six-toed cats at Ernest Hemingway's house. You can Google them if you don't know the reference. I've been there two, three times. Ernest Hemingway's house. It's great. It's a great place. Great to learn about Hemingway. As a writer, I like to get inspiration and look around his house and wonder, "Hmm, maybe being a suicidal womanizing alcoholic is the key to great writing." It probably isn't but it might be a fun experiment someday. Last but not least, a friend of mine opened a restaurant. She's got her own restaurant which was off the hook. I mean that literally. It is called Off the Hook. Get it? Seafood? Off the Hook. If you're ever down there, it's amazing. It's on Simonton, not Duval but almost right downtown. It's easy to get to. I had a great time and I am ready and back. I'm going to binge record a bunch of these episodes here. That's why I'm all fired up. In the last episode, I talked about how millionaires schedule their day. Today, I'm going to talk about a new book that just came out that I just loved. It teaches us the secrets to defeating that feeling of being overworked and overwhelmed. It's by a writer named Kelly Exeter. First, as always, I want to make sure that you've gotten that one page planning tool that millionaires use to schedule their day. It will help us to stay in touch. Just send me a