The Faster, Easier, Better Show

In this episode, Lee and Ellen bid a fond farewell to the Faster Easier Better Show podcast. We've been sharing our best ways to be efficient in all aspects of life for eight years (and 400 episodes). In this final episode, we share what we have learned by doing this podcast and how you can apply each of the seven ideas to your life (without needing to host a podcast.) It has been our privilege to pop into your lives every week and we'll miss that.  Thank you for being our listeners and for sharing your thoughts with us over the years. Of course, a big THANK YOU goes to our producer, Wayne Duncan, who has been with us since day one. We couldn't have done any of this without him   The good news? We're still around and can be found at www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the power of concentrated focus to make improvements in your life. Together they discuss: • If you want to run faster, run faster -- and what that actually means (and why it doesn't apply to running.) • Getting rid of the things that don't help you • How burst of focus can help you achieve your goals • Eliminating any "big buts" you might have • Apply the principle of kaizen to give you daily compound improvement   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at how you can leverage the 80/20 Rule to get better results for anything you are doing. Together they discuss: • What the Pareto Principle is and how you can start using it • Why it's important to reflect at the beginning of the year about what is working best for you • How to use the best 20% of your efforts to get 80% of your results • Where you can use the 80/20 Rule in your life (and the effect it can have) • Use the best of the best to improve your life   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how different companies are efficient, and how we can apply their thinking to our lives. Together they discuss: • How different companies use different systems to be successful • The importance of applying systems • Knowing when it's time to tweak a system • Why bigger isn't always better   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how having a theme for your year can make you more efficient. Together they discuss: • How Lee's theme is different from his theme of last year, and why it matters • Why it's important to pick your own theme  • The elements you need for your theme • What having a theme does to your daily effectiveness • Why Lee's theme is important to him this year (just like yours should be) • How to ensure that your theme stays at the forefront of your thoughts   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at ways to simplify things so you can be more efficient. Together they discuss: • Leaving things out so you save on set-up time • Putting things away that you won't be using so you can save money and time • Getting rid of things you aren't using • Tracking yourself to find what's most effective • Using reports to show you where you spent time and money • Harnassing the power of delegation   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com 

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss ways to build deeper connections with people. Together they look at: • How Lee's Annual Turkey Bowl enables him to connect with friends he doesn't see most of the year. • Why personal connections can be important for your business life • Ways to make deeper Digital Connections • The secret about endorsing people on LinkedIn • Ways to leverage Zoom calls to get deeper connections • What Jr. High habit Ellen used to be closer to friends   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

Sleep is the key to performing better in all aspects of your life and in this episode, Lee And Ellen look at ways to get better sleep. Together they discuss: • Why it's impossible to fake good sleep -- and what your body knows • Lee shares what he does as a bad sleeper • The joy of having a very dark room -- and how to get one • The roll comfort plays in your sleep • How to add naps into your day to keep you fresh and efficient   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how to make reading more efficient. Together they discuss: • How audiobooks make it easier to read • Finding condensed versions of the books you want to read • Using the power of a Library Card to get free audiobooks (and why Libby is your friend) • How to use reading as a reward to getting things done • Harnessing the power of accountability to get more reading done (yay! Book Clubs!) • Use the biggest shortcut you can - Wikipedia, to learn more things   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com. and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at ways to make travel more efficient. Together they look at: • The little things you do that add up to a more efficient trip • What savvy travelers know ab out car rental • Why Ellen doesn't like CLEAR • How taking a cab can be more efficient than car-sharing • What you can do to pack fewer clothes • The importance of having a "go bag"   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee discuss how your energy affects your efficiency and what you can do to have high energy when you need it most. Together they look at: • What to do when something brings you and your energy down • How to get bad, negative thoughts out of your brain • What Ellen does when energy-sucking thoughts show up • Determine how your day is going to go by managing your energy • Why it's important to remember: "Where energy goes, efficiency flows"   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at what you can do to make December the best month of your year. Together they look at: • Why you should do simple things that you enjoy - but you've been putting off • How you can harness the Primacy Effect to your advantage • What Lee does with index cards to bring him joy • Why Ellen loves a seasonal bucket list (and why you might too) • What french fries with ranch dressing have to do with anything   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how Gratefulness can make you more efficient. Together they look at: • How being grateful gives you more energy • Why we pay attention to the bad stuff rather than the good stuff in our lives • What sitting and thinking of three good things can do for you • The importance of a solid mindset • What you can do each morning to set yourself up for efficiency   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at how you can use the last 6 weeks of the year to get a jump on 2025. Together they discuss: • The importance of "greasing the skids" for any goals or plans you have in 2025 • How to slowly add in new elements of habits  • What "Getting Ready to Get Ready" can do for you • Why you don't have to commit completely to changes now, but what you should do instead   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at the efficiency of proper labeling. Together they discuss: • Lee's right-brained problem with naming files (using emotional labels instead of factual) • Picking a labeling system and using it to more easily locate files • The effectiveness of visual file icons • The efficiency of having a labeling system (it might be boring, but it works)   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at different ways to track your progress as you set out to achieve boals. Together they look at: • Lee is a big fan of filling in bubbles to track progress • ellen discusses the genius of Star Charts and how they work for adults as well as children • Lee remembers S & H Green Stamps and why getting rewarded for accumulating points is motivating • Why you shouldn't shot for one final goal (and look for milestones along the way) • What using Red Dots and Green Dots has taught Lee about his patterns • How to use "Don't Break The Chain" to accomplish more • How to leverage visually seeing your progress to achieve more   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at some basic ways that you can be more efficient in your life. Together they discuss: • Four ways to be more efficient at home • Why doggy doors help you to get more done • How finding the veggie chopper that you love, will save you time • What fake plants can do for your efficiency • When you need a bigger trash can -- and what it does for you • Four ways to be more efficient at work • Why the buffet is more efficient than table service • What the people who order online at Starbucks know about saving time • How the OHIO rule can save you time • Why avoiding "reply all" is the best thing you can do   Edited at Stuido D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen looks at 4 ways you can bring focus back into your life. There's a lot going on in the world right now, which makes it hard to focus on the important things in our lives. But all is not lost! Ellen shares 4 simple things you can do to get focus back on your side. • Forget setting a timer to get things done (shocking! Especially coming from Ellen). Instead go for the quality of your focus not your quantity • Get out the post-it notes! • Jump in to do a thing when you aren't ready.  • When you're distracted, stop yourself and ask one simple question. • Don't try and solve the problems others are experiencing. Focus on what you can do now   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com    

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the most efficient way to make progress toward any goal you might be working on. Together they discuss:  • The one thing adults think that stops them in their tracks when moving forward • Why accepting "Beginners Mind" will put you on the track to success • Ellen shares what she is going through with exercise and what she has had to accept as truth • Why having help improves your success rate • What everything you've heard about shortcuts is wrong • The mantra you should be using when it comes to progress   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at how to be more focused by getting rid of distractions. Together they look at: • Why it's so easy to let our phones distract us • What we could be doing with the time we spend getting dopamine hits • Why urgent things crowd out the important things we want to do • Three easy ways to ignore your distractions (and how to do them) • The importance of doing the hard things in our lives   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss how money can multiply your efficiency. Together they discuss: • Money can make you more efficient by:     -  paying someone to do what you don't want to do    -  getting better equipment    -  opens you up to have the time and space to do you want • Think of ways to increase the money coming in • Lee discusses using money to make money • How money lets you think more creativity   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the efficiency of timers you can find in your environment. Together they look at: • Why brushing your teeth is a great way to time yourself • How music is specifically structured to be an excellent timer • The key thing you need to have for efficiency • What a playlist can help you do • One of Ellen's favorite apps for timing (Interval Timer - Tabata Timer on the App Store)   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss the most efficient person that Lee knows, and what we can learn from them. Together they look at: • What steps his friend takes to get things done right away • Why lists and maps make this person efficient • How finding out what they love to do makes them more efficient • Ellen shares how she discovered what she wasn't efficient at doing • Why knowing your strengths makes you more efficient   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com 

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at scheduling time for doing things that otherwise get pushed aside. Together they look at: • What building a wine rack has taught Lee about getting things done • Why important tasks get pushed aside • How to schedule tasks so they get done • Why hoping for things to get things done never works • How scheduling can save you money   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at ways to make your wardrobe more efficient. Together, they discuss: • Picking out your clothes with efficiency in mind • Eliminating the time and money that go into clothes that need dry cleaning • Why Lee wants to bring back ABBA, the BeeGees, and Polyester • How the appliance industry is making washing clothes more efficient • Tips for making your wardrobe more efficient   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at one of the easiest ways to be efficient: putting things away immediately! Together they look at: • The pros and cons of leaving things out • Why having a place for items only works if you use it • Ellen and Lee compare various ways to be efficient with things when traveling • What Lee does with the tools in his garage (hint: he does not outline them on a pegboard!) • How you can be like the late-great Jimmy Buffett   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how trackers can make your life more efficient. Together they discuss:  • What the loss of keys at Lee's house taught him about trackers • Recognizing when we do too little too late • Why it's important to do the thing you don't think you need to do (and when you need to do it) • How Lee ALMOST lost his suitcase   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at how the Carrot or the Stick can help you to be more efficient. Together they look at: • Knowing if you are motivated by rewards or by punishment - and why it matters • Lee uses this pleasure or pain system to get things done...and get rewards • Being award of where you have resistance to getting things done and figuring out how to decrease it • Why you need to have rewards for your milestones -- instead of just at the completion of a project   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

in this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the Power of 15 Minutes to make you more efficient. Together they look at: • How a 15 minute session can help you get started • The easy way to beat procrastination • What happens after 15 minutes (and why it's so great) • Using 15 minutes to play "Beat the Clock" and cross things off your to-do list   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at the poser of Optimism when it comes to being more efficient. Together they look at: • How Lee's optimism about a speaking engagement enabled him to make the best of an unexpected technology problem • Why you should think positively --but plan for what could go wrong • The easy way to add optimism to your everyday activities to make you more efficient   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how you can be efficient like your car. Together they discuss what you do to be efficient with your car, transfer over to your life. Including: • Don't overheat your car or your life • How slowing down helps you to go faster when you need it • Don't get too close to others (tailgating) even if you want to, kt means trouble • Why slowing down helps you top avoid bad things in life • Locating the energy suckers in your life and getting rid of them • The importance of combining things and being more efficient with your energy   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-host: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how you can make the most of your summer nights. Together they look at: • Realizing that you only have a limited number of summers left (sad but true)  • Maximizing your summer by maximizing what you can do at night • Later sunsets give you more time for more things • Having a list of things you want to do at your fingertips means less decision making • Recognizing the speed of summer and working with it   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss how to make summer mornings work for you. Together they look at: • The magic of hydration • Maximizing your whole day (since the days are longer) • The power of morning Mindfulness (and it's as easy as making your bed) • Mixing up your routine to get more of the Outside Inside you immediately   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at ways to be efficient when waiting for things that are out of our control. Together they discuss: • Tom Petty was completely right • Lee is waiting for someone to make a decision and what he is doing about it • The importance of remember that we can only control what we can control • Remembering that we can control our environment and our mental health • How writing down your options allows you to get out of your brain   Edited at Studio D, Wanye Duncan, producer Your co-hosts, www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com    

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss how to look at perfectionism differently so it doesn't slow you down.   Together they look at: • How the 80-20 rule applies to getting things done • Doing the best you can with what you have • Why you should never go to Lee for brain surgery • The importance of knowing the time and place for being perfect • The magic of the words "for now"   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the art of the comeback. Whether you're having a bad day, bad week, or a bad month, you can get yourself back on track by doing some of the following: • Ask for help to get you over the finish line • Admitting you aren't in the best place and asking for help • Learning the messages that failure teaches you • Running your own race and the power of small wins   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss building shortcuts into your activities. Together they look at: • Why Lee has mixed feelings about shortcuts • How Phil Collins used his shortcuts to write music that the brass players could understand (eventually) • How shortcuts make it easier to get started on a project • What shortcuts can look like and how to use them • The power of a 10-minute burst of energy   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how the idea of van living can be applied to your life to make you more efficient. Together, they look at: • How to combat the natural law that states: "Stuff expands to fille the space available." • Understanding that the less stuff you have, the less time it takes to maintain it. • Looking at ways to live a simplified life in a complicated world • Eliminating tools that accomplish only one thing in your kitchen and your life • How reducing your choices and options improves your efficiency   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at how you can find the best place to be hyperfocused. Together they look at: • What physical therapy taught Ellen about hyperfocus • The importance of examining where you focus best -- and recreating it • Lee shares how he recreated airplane time • Why hyperfocus is important   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts, www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode Ellen and Lee look at how leveraging fun can make you more efficient. Together they look at: • Why its hard to be efficient in the summer • The easy combination that will help you get more done • Why watching tv at the gym makes the most sense for Lee • Setting up your office in unexpected, but fun places • How gamification can make it easier to get things done   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts, www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode Lee and Ellen look at easy ways you can use your cellphone camera to be more efficient. Together they look at: • How making folders and notebooks can make your life easier • The various things in your home that you can photograph and why • Making these notebooks work with you when you are traveling   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts, www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at taking ordinary things and using them as a way to be more efficient. Together they look at: • Lee's traveling hack (and why it involves socks) • Building stations around your house to keep things all in one place • How what you wear to bed can make you more efficient • Do you have efficiency hacks you'd like to share? Send them to us!   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber. com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at why effectiveness is always better than efficiency, and what difference it can make in achieving your goals. Together, they look at: • The definition of effectiveness and why it matters • The one question you should always be asking yourself • The point system that Lee uses to ensure he is effective with his time • Why it's important to choose effectiveness over efficiency   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com      

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at ways you can make your phone more efficient. Together, they discuss: • The simple thing you can do each week to make your phone run better • Why it's important to clear out your apps regularly • Taking the time to remove the things that slow your phone down • The day-by-day way to reduce your photos   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com

In this episode Lee and Ellen look at how using the Eisenhower Matrix can make it easier to know what you should be working on. Together they look at:  • What an Eisenhower Matrix is (click here for a printable version of a Matrix.) • Why putting your tasks through the matrix allows you to be more efficient • The questions you should be asking yourself regarding your work • How to make sure what you work on is important to you (and not urgent to others) • What happens if a task doesn't have a deadline and urgency • Why ignoring or delegating a task is important   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee discuss the importance of strong focus when it comes to achieving your goals. Together they look at: • Ellen's story of a serious fall and how focus was essential in achieving the outcome when wanted • The importance of ignoring the things that don't help you • How airplane flights help Lee with his focus • Knowing what's important to your outcome and prioritizing   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan producer Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com  

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at different kitchen tools and appliances you can use to be more efficient. Together they look at:  (Please note we are not affiliated with ANY of these links!) • The importance of making chores fun • A quick way to separate eggs by dunking them • How to make slicing hard boiled eggs easier • The best way to hard boil eggs so their shells just slide off • Lee's favorite new tool for timing pasta  • The easy way to use olive oil that's not messy (or difficult to clean up) • The snippy way to chop herbs    Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss how to deal with Time-Suckers. Together they look at: • How Time-Sucker affected Lee trying to prepare for a presentation • Simple guidelines to follow with people who don't respect your time • The importance of establishing boundaries in all parts of your life • Why putting yourself first works most of the time   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com    

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss how taking five minutes to do something can save you in the long term. Together they look at: • Lee got hacked -- and the FBI and FTC are now involved • The importance of taking the time to make small changes (passwords anyone?) can save you a lot of time in the future • Accepting that sometimes we have to use pain to push us to do things • Paying attention when things seem too good to be true   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the efficiency of doing little bits of "dirty work" every month. together they discuss: • How doing your taxes can be easier with month dirty work  • The power of doing the small things consistently • Leveraging the "good" power of Artificial Intelligence to be more efficient • Letting a machine take care of your necessary unemotional tasks • Not using AI for creative endeavors   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan producer Your co-hosts: www.LeeSilber.com and www.EllenGoodwin.com  

Our 350th episode! And it wouldn't have happened if we hadn't followed through on an idea we had almost 7 years ago. In this episode, we talk about: • Celebrating the smaller milestones on the way to your goals • Not listening to your own excuses for why you can't do something (hate to say it, but you do lie to yourself more than you should. We all do.) • What Lee has figured out about getting things done by finishing the first draft of his 26th book • The importance of having support and a partner who pushes you   Edited at Studio D, by the wonderful Wayne Duncan who has produces all 350 of our episodes Your co-hosts: www.EllenGoodwin.com and www.LeeSilber.com