Podcasts about four thousand weeks time management

Today's episode is all about Hearing the Call. That moment when the idea of writing a book stops being a far-off fantasy... and starts feeling like destiny. You might not feel ready. You might not know what you want to say yet. But if you're listening to this right now — I have a hunch that something is stirring. That stirring? That's your soul whispering: It's time. PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.  Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): playing around with IG stories quite a bit, check it out @valerieihsan;  Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.)  I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own superpowers.  (Erick):  What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: The Five-Star Weekend (Elin Hilderbrand) Your Human Design (Shayna and Dana; DayLuna); (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):  Welcome to The Book You Were Born to Write — a sacred podcast series for soul-led entrepreneurs who know… deep in their bones… that a book is asking to come through. Not just any book. Not a content machine. Not a regurgitation of things you've already taught. But the book. The one that's been flickering in the corners of your dreams, tapping on your shoulder during still moments, and sighing in your chest when you imagine a life fully expressed.   Notes: This is what I call the Soul Whisper. It's the part of you that knows… There's something you haven't said yet. There's a story still vibrating in your ribcage. There's a message that could outlive you—if you let it. But then… the thoughts come in. “Who am I to write this?” “I don't have time.” “It's all been said before.” “What if no one cares?” And I want to pause here and say something important: You are not behind. You are not broken. You are not too late. You are exactly on time. These doubts are not evidence that the dream is wrong. They are evidence that it matters. Here's what I've learned in all my years as a coach, writer, The desire to write a book doesn't come to everyone. If it's coming to you, it's for a reason. And even if you don't feel ready… Even if you're not sure what the book is about yet… Even if you're scared — Your book already knows you. It's been circling you for years. (Big Magic idea) And the whisper you're hearing now? That's the sound of your soul making contact.   Here's what I want you to know: You don't have to write every day. You don't need to have the whole thing outlined. You don't need to quit your business or disappear into a writing cave for three years. What you need is this: Stillness. Curiosity. And a commitment to listen. That's what this first phase is about. Not rushing into productivity. But devotion. Not output… but alignment.   If this is resonating with you — if your body is saying “yes” even while your mind is saying “wait” — then I invite you to deepen the conversation. I've created a free journaling ritual for you, called “The Soul Whisper Pages.” It's a set of guided prompts and a short audio meditation that will help you connect to the essence of the book that wants to come through. You can download that now at https://valerieihsan.com/soulwhisperpages. And before we close, I want to leave you with a question: If your book could speak to you right now… what would it say? Write it down. No editing. Just channel. Next episode: Next time, we'll explore what happens after you say yes—when ego and soul begin their wild and necessary dance. It's vulnerable. It's thrilling. And it's where your book truly begins to take form. Until then… Trust the whisper. It's not going anywhere. It's waiting for you to answer. And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.   Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

BEST OF In an effort to make time for ourselves, many of us fall back on using To Do lists and time blocking. But often these strategies can end up with the same result: getting lost in chasing productivity. So how do we make time for the things that truly count? Oliver Burkeman is a New York Times bestselling author of books such as ‘Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals’ and ‘Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts’. Oliver is also a regular columnist for The Guardian. If there is anyone who truly understands the philosophy and psychology of time management and happiness, it’s Oliver. Oliver shares: The mindset you should be using when you first approach a task if you want it to be achieved easily How you can free up time by minimising time spent on worrying The strategy you should be utilising instead of a to-do list to actually create a sense of achievement Why being open to distractions can actually be beneficial Key Quotes:“Don’t start from the position that unexpected things happening must be bad.” “There is this tendency to set things up in your mind so that you can never feel like you’ve done something well enough.” Connect with Oliver via his website, or get his latest book, Meditations for Mortals, here My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: Martin Imber See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Main Topic:  Crowdfunding Your Book: Why Kickstarter Might Be the Perfect Launchpad, with guest J.P. Rindfleisch IX PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.  Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): creating content for marketing, preparing to warm up my ice cold email list by writing three personal stories in letter format to explain my absence and reengage with them, planning a three-part podcast series called The Book You Were Born to Write, so look for that coming up next week. Trying to show up on IG every day. (Biz coach recs) • Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.)  I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own superpowers.  JP: 3 months FT author, TikTok shop main stream of income; The Alchemist Baker of Rosen-- (Erick):  What are you reading? JP:  House of Frank (Kay Synclaire) Valerie: Just finished: One of Us Knows (Alyssa Cole) Your Human Design (Shayna and Dana; DayLuna); The Five-Star Weekend (Elin Hilderbrand) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):  Talking with guest JP Rindfleisch IX ABOUT Hi, I'm JP Rindfleisch IX—author of cozy, queer fantasy and strange fiction where whimsy meets the weird. My stories often explore grief, transformation, and queer joy, wrapped in a little magic, a dash of mischief, and a whole lot of heart. I'm the author of Mandrake Manor and Mosswood Apothecary. I also co-write NRDS: National Recently Deceased Services, a paranormal comedy series, and the Leah Ackerman Dark Paranormal Academy Series. I call Rockford, Illinois home, where I founded Rockford Area Writers, a growing community of 80+ local authors and creatives who support each other's craft. When I'm not writing, you can usually find me wandering forest trails, stirring vegan kitchen witchery (potatoes-as-nacho-cheese is a specialty), or hosting writing sprints and cozy chaos over on Twitch as CheshirePope. I live with a very opinionated husky and an even more talkative African grey parrot. Both have strong opinions about storytelling. Thanks for stopping by. Make yourself at home—browse the shop, grab a tale (or two), and if you sit still long enough, I just might tell you a story. Notes: Let's talk about Kickstarters. Last month you had 338 backers pledge $18,040 for your first kickstarter. All stretch goals met, funded in seven minutes ($1000) Why crowdfunding? good feedback and engagement with Tapas (and Kindle Vella). Kickstarter backer himself.  Researched kickstarter by interviewing authors that had done it. Watch the kickstarters and how they interacted. Sacha Black helped him with good advice. (Find her as author Ruby Roe.) Campaign planning: tiers need to be financially responsible; stretch goals; What makes it special HERE on KS.  Steps to a Kickstarter (KS): 1. Set up "Notify me on Launch" to collect followers (sudo-preorder) (4 months to a year) Maybe the amount of followers is who pledged? You don't have to have all the pieces ready before hitting "pre" launch. 1.5  (order basic sample copy for physical imagery) before hitting Launch. (Optional) 2. Look for successful models on KS to copy as template. Use Canva for images needed. Six hours to upload copy and photos for all the add ons (backlist). (~20 hours total?) 3. To keep campaign active and live, update often (every two days). On Twitch every day to incentivize and hype. Live streaming on Twitch and IG to pitch fast. Find ways to grab people. Think through livestream campaigns in future so not repeating self. (Can have live stretch-goals and they don't have to be monetary.) Hype is about showing up. TikToks everyday, and refining what say and ingraining what I want to say. Productivity streams on Twitch helped practice those talking times in front of camera. Learned how to fill the dead air/space. 4. Backing drives ups the popularity of the campaign. (More backers = shows up in recommendations (for 1st time campaigners), and can get into categories (through review process). Projects we love list is great. Hype or backing helps it gets seen, and then KS sends emails to their list, too. 2nd campaigners get KS to email previous backers that you have a new campaign coming out.  5. Launch time: watching the numbers, handling messages and comments that come in, admin, verbiage changed for unlocks and photo switches, write updates.  Can use page after launch is over as a newsletter sort-of. Add links to updates to invite them to your newsletters. Opt-in to newsletter in final survey. 6. Tiers planning: Think through what they will be, and how your backers will interact with that. (Tiers from JP's campaign: Digital, PB special edition, HC special edition, HC with prints and stickers, resellers or clubs 5 copies, HC+painting and print. ) You want super-high tier because most people buy in the middle.  How long to run the campaign? 30 days max. (17-20 days average) Saggy middle/plateaus are common.  Miscellaneous: Add-ons are different than stretch goals: All your backlist books should be add-ons.  Stretch goals can also fund (unlocked) add-ons. Wanted to add artwork. Kickstarter helps prove people want your idea. Collector's editions. Funding goal: what it would cost to print and ship the book. (Could include editing and cover design) Need to cost out the print run for a number to use. Discoverability: Hard on KS. Twitch fans productivity stream become street team to build following on Kickstarter. Use Kickstarter for Authors FB group. (Like newsletter swaps/literary citizenship.)  Shop: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com     And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.   Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance  

In Episode 310 You Will Discover: Why chasing "caught up" is holding you back - and how to reframe this perspective for greater spaciousness and freedom in your days A powerful daily practice that helps you transition from work mode to rest The art of "done for now" thinking and accepting unfinished work, plus how it can transform your relationship with tasks and time management Links From The Podcast Learn more about private coaching here Learn more about We're Busy Being Awesome here Get the top 10 tips to work with your ADHD brain (free ebook!) Discover my favorite ADHD resources Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Take my free course, ADHD Routine Revamp Oliver Burkeman's Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline 00:00 Introduction: The Never-Ending To-Do List 01:09 The Mirage of Being Caught Up 03:40 Welcome to the Podcast 04:06 The Haitian Proverb: Beyond Mountains 06:09 Personal Struggles with Productivity 09:05 The 4:55 PM Alarm: A New Practice 11:36 Embracing the Unfinished 13:48 Reframing Productivity 17:08 The Grief of Letting Go 19:17 Closing Thoughts and Gentle Questions 21:27 Final Words and Resources

Main Topic:  Start Your Author Business on a Budget ($0, $200, $500) Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just put up a new schedule last week for the upcoming months.   Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): creating content for marketing, preparing to warm up my ice cold email list by writing three personal stories in letter format to explain my absence and reengage with them. • Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.)  I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own super powers.  (Erick): Shadow Signals for sale now; June busy (scheduling new clients, finishing anthology); vacation planning; republishing a book What are you reading? Valerie:   How to Read a Book (Monica Wood) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:   A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest (Charlie J. Stephens) ; the Shivers series on audio (short horror); Strange Pictures (mystery); Between Two Fires (Christopher Bueman) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):  Budget Author Business (Three Tiers: $0, $200, $500)  What is moving the needle today? Leverage what you have. Ask for favors/trades. $0 + sweat equity: LinkedIn or Medium for web presence/blog; free mailchimp landing page and mailing list; reader magnet (pdf, royalty-free stock image); FB professional page as website for short time; active on social media, Reddit, online forums, FB groups, Slack, Discord (needs thick skin and a sense of value). $200 + sweat equity: website (domain name and free theme) ($100); mailchimp (free); branding (free Canva); reader magnet with cover ($100); (any leftover $ for ads education for visibility) $500 + sweat equity: website ($150), mailerlite/converkit ($100), reader magnet w/ professional cover (stock) ($50-100 + sweat equity); branding (CanvaPro, headshot), or education (learn how to optimize, ads course)   And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.   Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Episode 190 of the podcast and it's June 11, 2025 as we record this.  Main Topic:  Embrace the Chaos and Boredom of Summer Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just put up a new schedule last week for the upcoming months.   Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie):  • Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.)  I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own super powers.  (Erick): Shadow Signals for sale now; preplanning for the summer, "screw around" days on the river, finishing energy on the little things before they fall through the cracks What are you reading? Valerie:   How to Read a Book (Monica Wood) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:   A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest (Charlie J. Stephens) ; the Shivers series on audio (short horror); Strange Pictures (mystery) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):  Chaos of summer is real   And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.   Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks with guest David Carson Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just put up a new schedule last week for the upcoming months.   Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): catching up from being in Florida. Book club. Cleaned my son's kitchen, dog training started, email past retreat participants to personally invite them to the new coaching program.  • Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.)  I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own super powers.  • Creating a new freebie for my mailing list and patrons (patrons always get everything 1st, even before the mailing list subscribers). It's a three-part micro masterclass on story structure, character arc, and universal truth stmt/theme (Erick): Shadow Signals for sale now; publishing anthology soon; updating back Fake My Run for Strava; Much Music (from Canada); Fuse (MTV competitor) What are you reading? Valerie:   How to Read a Book (Monica Wood) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:   A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest (Charlie J. Stephens)  David: 831 Stories (Comedic Timing) The Case Against Reality (Donald Hoffman) The Weirdest People in the World; N+1 (The Pirates of Ayahuasca: That Shaman Stole My Personality) • Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):  Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks   David Carson is an entrepreneur and marketing innovator whose groundbreaking companies and products have impacted millions worldwide. Renowned for his expertise in creative thinking, Carson has collaborated with global giants like American Express, Nike, Coca-Cola, and IKEA, as well as cutting-edge advertising agencies including Mother and Ogilvy. His unconventional approach has not only shaped iconic brands but also challenged traditional notions of problem-solving in business and beyond.   Dumb-Thinking makes you smarter. "Smart" prevents the creative thinking. Strive to have "dumb ideas."    Exercises to teach brain to think of dumb ideas: ways to think Example: George Castanza Model (Do the Opposite of Everything you typically do) How develop that curiosity? Creation: What if? To follow the curiosity. It may seem absurd, but go deeper. Make it worse. Improv (Yes, And for collaborating)  Use Chat GPT as a collaborator. It wants to be "smart," to make them "illogical": what is a commonality between extreme ideas, or create a new idea from two opposite things.  Colab Culture. If it's weird enough, it gets me curious. Lean in.   Example: Make it Worse (to create new things, learned how to NOT do it, shake up brain) When start projects, start with mental models first, what you've written isn't that precious, too afraid to change it.   Test the dumb idea with feedback. What's the fastest way to test? Tik-tok, open mic, writing group, social media ads, reddit,  Dumbify: summer Podcast: Dumbify (dumb ideas that have changed culture)   The Weird and the Eerie    Mask under a mask as a plot device. Sign up for David's Newsletter: Dumbify (David-carson.com) Look for the podcast next month or two, and the book this summer.   And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.   Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Got a burning creative project? Face your finitude, says this productivity expert, by learning to number your days. Everyone is pressed for time, and in a never-ending quest to conquer their schedules. It's why productivity tips and hacks are big business these days.But underneath our productivity problem is a reality no one wants to face: the fact that we're all going to die, argues self-described “recovering” productivity expert Oliver Burkeman, and the author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. The average human life is about 80 years, or some 4000 weeks, and the sooner we come to grips with the ultimate deadline, the better off we'll be, argues Burkeman.In this interview with Life & Faith, Oliver explains how “mortality” emerged as a theme for his 2021 book, how the solace of “deep time” – as experienced during times of flow, prayer, meditation, and hiking – connects us with our humanity, how AI might change the game for human creativity, and how he, as someone more drawn to Eastern religion, makes sense of our yearning for more time, for more than one life.The shadow of Christianity – with its promise of transcendence, eternity, and being situated in an unfolding story that stretches before and after our earthly lives – looms over the conversation.Explore Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for MortalsOliver Burkeman's Meditations for Mortals: A Four Week Guide to Doing What CountsOliver Burkeman's website

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just put up a new schedule last week for the upcoming months.   Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): worked on Structure and Spark . It's been great getting back into writing again. I didn't understand that burnout was stopping me before. I want to do a bit more journaling on who my ideal reader in for this book. It's for new writers writing fiction? Or for a spiritual entrepreneur ready to scale their business even higher and wider and write a book for their audience. More than a Book as Business Card; more of a calling to share everything they know on their subject. (V) I dabbled in a trunk novel looking for writing samples and examples for Structure book. (V) updating my website copy and shopping cart; refining my 1:1 book coaching offer (called Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.),  I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own super powers. and created a FABULOUS VIP package for it too. I hope someone gets in there and invests in themselves in this way because it would be so fun to work with someone in that close proximity for the year really.  Creating a new freebie for my mailing list and patrons (patrons always get everything 1st, even before the mailing list subscribers). It's a three-part micro masterclass on story structure, character arc, and universal truth stet/theme got back from Florida last night thinking about IG content, showing up more on my stories there, and thinking of different ways to reach my target audience/ideal client avatar. (Erick): Shadow Signals for sale now. What are you reading? Valerie: finished The Three Lives of Cate Kay (Kate Fagan) and The Amalfi Curse (Sarah Penner) and The Paris Novel (Ruth Reichl) and now reading Sisters of Sweetwater Fury (Kinley Bryan) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:    • Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):  What is Book Coaching? "In the 19th century, editors worked closely with authors over long periods, helping them shape their narratives and stay accountable to the work. As publishing has evolved—splintering into traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing models—this kind of deep, sustained editorial relationship has become rare within publishing houses. Enter the book coach: part developmental editor, part strategist, part mentor. Much like the editors of the past, a modern book coach helps the writer clarify their vision, navigate doubts, refine structure and voice, and bring the book to completion—often walking with them from blank page to published work. In this way, the book coach is not just a modern convenience, but a revival of an old, sacred role." And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Worrying can take up so much of our time, especially when most of what we worry about never actually happens. This worrying uses up time that could be better spent on the things that truly count, but how can we reduce this and actually free up that time? Oliver Burkeman is a New York Times bestselling author of books such as ‘Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals’ and ‘Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts’. Oliver is also a regular columnist for The Guardian. Oliver shares:

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your to‑do list? This episode is truly the best productivity advice you'll ever receive because it's built on a foundation of self-compassion. It's  Oliver Burkeman exposes why mainstream time management hacks fail and how accepting your human finitude liberates you to be meaningfully productive.You will learn how to...redefine productivity beyond endless to‑do listsditch hustle culture, but still do what matters mostapproach time management with self-acceptance and self-compassionunlock mental shifts that free you from perfectionism, anxiety, and overwhelmcare about the world's problems without succumbing to paralyzing despairRemember: One day, you will die with an unfinished to-do list. No amount of productivity hacks will avoid that. Let this truth liberate you to focus on what truly matters and approach your workload with self-acceptance, self-compassion, and self-love.OLIVER BURKEMAN is the acclaimed author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts. His earlier works include The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking and HELP! How to Become Slightly Happier and Get a Bit More Done. For years, he penned the Guardian column “This Column Will Change Your Life,” and his writing has been featured in the Observer, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Psychologies magazine, and New Philosopher. A former Brooklyn resident, Oliver now lives with his wife and son in England's North York Moors.Sign up for Oliver's newsletter, The Imperfectionist Please get yourself copies of Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals!!And if you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and share it on social media! Make sure to tag @maryspodcastMentioned In This Episode...Productivity for Self-Lovers, Ep. 125 on Mary's Cup of Tea PodcastElizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, LoveElizabeth Gilbert's book, CommittedResonance: A Sociology of Our Relationship to the World by Hartmut RosaNew York Times article on NoveltySlow Productivity by Cal NewportAre We Still Empathic if We Don't Take Action?

Main Topic:  Anti-Hustle Culture with guests Rachel May and Emily Golden, book coaches and editors at Golden May Editing, and podcast hosts of the Story Magic podcast.   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): revamped website  Emily: ARC just came in "Crimson Tide: Up in Molten Lights", 20K in to new book;  Rachel: revising third book is slower than planned. (Erick): Preorder up for Shadow Signals , front and back matter done What are you reading? Valerie: How To Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon  (Lyn Slater) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:    Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King), The Autopsy: Best Weird Stories of Michael Shea, (Daniel Clowes) Patience Rachel: Cassie Mint's new book, Wild Peak; the stack is waiting Emily: Assistant to the Villain (Hannah Nicole Maehrer) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):  Years ago, in the days before COVID, they met on Twitter through the #WritingCommunity hashtag. As fantasy writers, they immediately hit it off through beta reading each other's work, which evolved into critique partnering, and then a mutual fascination with writing craft. They became obsessed with learning a) how stories worked, and b) how writers' mindsets could help or harm their progress. Together they dove head first into book coaching and editing training, which ultimately resulted in Golden May. Please welcome Rachel and Emily. Value is based in what you produce = hustle culture Pitfalls of hunger to create and make an impact on world. Make money, make a lot, make it fast Sustainable success comes from the opposite place Mindset is more important, untangle perfectionism and hustle culture Generational/societal = capitalism ranked over all; "You are only valuable and worthy if you make money." You can't rest because ...  If you do more, you make more money. We aren't machines. Burnout. Less effective. Care for yourself so you CAN work.  Mindset breeds shame is what drives the hustle culture . Anti-hustle is about separating mindset from the "norm." What did you do to separate and feel worthy? 1. Come down to earth: what are the stakes? Writing is not life/death situation. If I don't ..., then I'm not worthy and I'm gonna die. (Start reframe it) 2. Awareness. Hustle culture. Learn the opposite. (Amy McNee - We Need Your Art) Ask where these thoughts are coming from? Follow the threads. Reparenting inner child. Catch the thoughts in the moment. What's my programming? 1st thought: programming, 2nd thought: what I really believe. Talking to coworkers and family about "letting them down." 3. Join a community interested in anti-hustle. Reframe daily. 4. Devon Price "Laziness Does Not Exist", "Burnout" (Nagaski sisters) 5. Affirmations 6. What is your brain trying to tell you?  Rest is a learned thing. The Power of Ritual (Casper ter Kuile)  We all rest differently.  The tenants of anti-hustle culture: Worth is not tied to our output. Your success isn't determined by someone else's standards. Body and Brain deserve rest.   "I don't have time to learn how to rest." Learned how to be productive in your body.   tenaciouswriting.com goldenmayediting.com Story magic podcast IG @tenaciouswriting   And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

How can we embrace the limitations of time and the certainty of death and create real fulfillment that thrives on an honest assessment of our human predicament? These are the questions at the heart of this episode. Ethan welcomes back bestselling author and journalist Oliver Burkeman for a discussion of finitude, death, limitations, productivity, and dueling concepts of the meaning of meditation.  Oliver Burkeman is the author of Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts, and the bestselling Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, is now available. Oliver wrote a long-running weekly column on psychology for The Guardian, "This Column Will Change Your Life," and his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Psychologies, and New Philosopher. Learn more about him at oliverburkeman.com, and subscribe to his regular newsletter, The Imperfectionist. Please support the podcast via Substack and subscribe for free or with small monthly contributions. Paid subscribers will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Meditation Group starts up again on May 15th, and a special podcast/meditation on “Intuition” will be released to paid subscribers this Friday, May 2nd. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Spotify,Ethan's Website, etc). Check out all the cool offerings at our podcast sponsor Dharma Moon, including the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program beginning June 13th, 2025. Free video courses co-taught by Ethan and others, such as The Three Marks of Existence, are also available for download. 

Main Topic:  Elements of a Nonfiction Book (Starts at 16:55)   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): learning IG Stories from @tidalbaymedia (Kat), updated passport, new Chiro, monthly reflection, carport, now buy print  (Erick): Preorder up for Shadow Signals , ARCS out in the morning, back/front matter to write, re-release Witness accounts with new fresh content, experiment with going Wide on the print What are you reading? Valerie: How To Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon  (Lyn Slater) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:    Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King), 

Why did Charles Darwin, Virginia Woolf, and Henri Poincaré all follow the same four-hour rule? In this episode, bestselling author Oliver Burkeman returns to explain why three to four hours of focused work might be the secret to productivity and peace. Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.kit.com/d4e55ac69d You'll learn: The 3–4 hour rule: why it worked for Darwin, Trollope, and Dickens and still works today. How to tackle overwhelming tasks with a simple mental trick called “just go to the shed.” Why keeping a “done list” might be more motivating than a to-do list (feat. Marie Curie). How inboxes, perfectionism, and productivity guilt trap us in modern-day Sisyphus cycles. The two-part system Oliver uses to stay focused, without feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of life. ---  Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.kit.com/d4e55ac69d Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/ Oliver's book Four Thousand Weeks: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/fourthousandweeks Oliver's book Meditation for Mortals: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/meditationsformortals ---  Sources:  Burkeman, O. (2021). Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Burkeman, O. (2024). Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Acclaimed author and journalist Oliver Burkeman has captivated readers with his refreshing insights on how to embrace the finiteness of existence and find meaning in the everyday. Author of the bestselling book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and formerly a columnist for the Guardian, Burkeman challenges conventional productivity advice, offering a more realistic perspective on how to live well. In April 2025 Burkeman came to the Intelligence Squared stage, where he was in conversation with Financial Times Columnist Tim Harford, to discuss Meditation for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts – the sequel to Four Thousand Weeks. Together, they explored how letting go of the relentless pursuit of productivity and accepting our imperfections can lead to a more fulfilling life. ----- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Acclaimed author and journalist Oliver Burkeman has captivated readers with his refreshing insights on how to embrace the finiteness of existence and find meaning in the everyday. Author of the bestselling book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and formerly a columnist for the Guardian, Burkeman challenges conventional productivity advice, offering a more realistic perspective on how to live well. In April 2025 Burkeman came to the Intelligence Squared stage, where he was in conversation with Financial Times Columnist Tim Harford, to discuss Meditation for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts – the sequel to Four Thousand Weeks. Together, they explored how letting go of the relentless pursuit of productivity and accepting our imperfections can lead to a more fulfilling life. ------ This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Main Topic:  3 arcs in every book (begins at 15:31)   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): writing How to Write a Novel (ask ChatGPT for new title), homework from the business coach, thinking about content creation and refining my book coaching offer; back pain (Erick): Trunk "shopping" for summer work = Witness accounts. Book a retreat for world-building. Preorder up for Shadow Signals (cover from Miblart) What are you reading? Valerie:    The Stars and Their Light (Olivia Hawker) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:    Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King), Somna (gn) (Becky Cloonan) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):   The Three Narrative Arcs (Bill Kenower) The Physical Arc (Story arc, plot, what happens in the book) Character/Emotional arc (how the character changes) Intentional Arc (Thematic arc) Narrative arc (how the story is told) If problems with character (flat, 2 dimensional, "Just didn't connect with them"): Add inner dialogue for tension and character motivation; Make sure your emotional arc is solid. (Character + Flaw + Death of Flaw at end = Character/Emotional Arc)   And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Adrienne is looking back at some of her favourite Power Hour episodes from years gone by!Oliver Burkeman worked for many years at The Guardian, where he wrote a popular weekly column on psychology, “This Column Will Change Your Life.” His books include the New York Times bestseller Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking. Oliver's new book Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts is described as "A map for a liberating journey toward a more meaningful life―a journey that begins where we actually find ourselves, not with a fantasy of where we'd like to be". It's available no in stores and online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oliver Burkeman will be known to many of our listeners as the best-selling author of “Four Thousand Weeks – Time Management for Mortals”. His new book 'Meditations for Mortals' has left an impression on Ray and the author joins the programme from London.

Could staring at a painting for three hours make you more productive?  In this episode, I try a strange experiment inspired by bestselling author Oliver Burkeman. Based on lessons from his book Four Thousand Weeks, I stare at Picasso's Guernica for three hours. No phone, no distractions, just a notepad and mic. Did I go mad?  Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.kit.com/d4e55ac69d You'll learn: Why investing time and effort can increase our appreciation (feat. the Mauritian ritual study). How control impacts happiness, health, and even longevity (feat. nursing home experiment). Why AI and “life-optimising” tools often leave us feeling more stressed, not less. The power of patience (and how to cultivate it in a hyper-distracted world). What happens when you do nothing for three hours… ---- Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.kit.com/d4e55ac69d Watch the 3-hour time lapse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paKup2BuN38 Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/ Oliver's book Four Thousand Weeks: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/fourthousandweeks Oliver's book Meditation for Mortals: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/meditationsformortals --- Sources: Burkeman, O. (2021). Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Burkeman, O. (2024). Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Langer, E. J., & Rodin, J. (1976). The effects of choice and enhanced personal responsibility for the aged: A field experiment in an institutional setting. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34(2), 191–198. Xygalatas, D., Mitkidis, P., Fischer, R., Reddish, P., Skewes, J., Geertz, A. W., Roepstorff, A., & Bulbulia, J. (2013). Extreme rituals promote prosociality. Psychological Science, 24(8), 1602–1605.

Main Topic:  The Confidence Paradox with guest Angus Nelson   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): writing, gardening, homework from the business coach Angus: daughter just moved to Portugal a block away (Erick) Writing new novella. Great client meetings. Preorder up for Shadow Signals (cover from Miblart) What are you reading? Valerie:   Shadow Signals (Erick Mertz) The Stars and Their Light (Olivia Hawker) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:    Houses of the Unholy (gn) Tender is the Flesh (horror) (Agustina Bazterrica) (Angus:) The Art of Possibility (Rosemund Zander and Benjamin Zander) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: automated email sequences Tidbit #2: Notes App (writing) Angus's tips: use AI to write; helped me see perspectives I couldn't see. Prompt it to be a bestselling NY Times editor. What would you say about this passage? (Jeff Goins was his book coach.)     Segment 3 (Main Topic):    Confidence Paradox Waiting for something. If I was only more ... confident. What if I just believe in myself?  The book will write you. Rising to a different level. Let your power be seen. Stories we tell ourselves.  1. Inputs: What are you listening to? (News, sports, agitation, layoffs) We are in failure mode, scarcity mindset, all the time. Affects how I see myself. Living by default vs. intentionally decoupling self from negative stimuli. 2. Change the environment. Give yourself the permission to be the self I want to be. Letting go. What are you holding on to from the past?  TODAY = The Only Day Actually Yours Go from limitation to possibility.   We tell ourselves changing will take a long time and be really hard. But that's just a story. "It doesn't matter." What matters is I choose to be this. 10x is easier than 2x (Book rec by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy) Burnout based on story: not worthy, don't have what it takes. Need for external validation. Self love/ self grace (Reset days, cheat days, every phase of growth requires altering mindset) 5-8 weeks for transformations 3 month sprints alter the narrative, upgrade iOS in brain.  Methodology: Experience the feeling you want to become. Powerful motherfucker. Culture of perpetual failure. Embodiment:  Just Be Free. Let me do me. Angusnelson.com Free mini course: Message him the word "Activated" and he'll send it to you.  And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

  Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie) taxes are done,    (Erick) taxes are done! Preorder up for Shadow Signals (cover from Miblart) What are you reading? Valerie:  In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) Broken Open (Martha Gies) Shadow Signals (Erick Mertz) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:   (Claytemple Media podcast; (Laird Barron)  The Imago Sequence and Other Stories Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: ChatGPT for not-writing ways; (tape defect 2 second warble) Tidbit #2:  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):    Segment 4 (Main Topic):    Listen to people talking as an exercise Great first lines (Oh, that where this fits..) What I want to say is: My name used to be: For learning a new skill: Free writing/journaling/morning pages   And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode: Angus Nelson on burnout and confidence Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Main Topic: Starting a Ghostwriting Business   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie) got my cover back!, started working with a business coach again, had a great time teaching at Wordcrafters in Eugene, client work   (Erick) writing, client work, interviewing,  What are you reading? Valerie:  In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) Broken Open (Martha Gies) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  Erick:  The Woman in the Dunes (Kobo Abe) (anime horror) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2:  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):    Segment 4 (Main Topic):   Process as client vs starting own business Finished manuscript according to client requirements with no credit. Beginning is client approaches you, defines the project, educate client about your service, get the vibe from first contact/discovery call, talk money early on, decide on price, sign contract, pay on benchmarks: signed contract, outline, completed project. "Do you feel like you could talk to me about ...?" Provide referrals from other clients instead of work samples. Roughly $1/word.   Where does my own writing fit into this? (First question to ask self if considering starting a ghost writing biz.) Have to say  yes early on to establish yourself. Even jobs you don't want to do. Mindset: How do you write something that you don't want to write? State your boundaries early on. Voice: recorded conversations helps with knowing how to write. Listen to the person talk. Explain there is going to be a translation. Does it feel like you when you read it? Might not be your exact words. Manuscript based on agreed upon outline, but you'll find 25% that you'll want to change.   Network, mentor, website, sub-contracting is a great way to start. Figure out what your ghost genre is. Probably not yours. Harder to treat as a product, because you HAVE to be efficient.  Learning the business as you go and juggle process.  Find resources/communities, join them with skepticism. A lot of people on forums bring a bunch of b.s. Learn to read between the lines. Skills: flexible and confident (more of self than of writing)   And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

In this energizing episode of Build A Vibrant Culture, host Nicole Greer sits down with virtual assistant guru and author Melissa Smith to demystify the world of virtual assistants (VAs). Whether you're an overwhelmed entrepreneur, a high-performing exec, or someone just tired of doing it all, Melissa offers empowering advice on how the right VA can give you time back, increase your energy, and even save your sanity. From the myths of delegation to the magic of friction-free productivity, Melissa breaks it all down with warmth and wisdom. Plus, she shares exactly how to find, hire, and build a lasting relationship with your ideal VA. (Spoiler: You don't need another “you”—you need your complementary opposite.) She's the author of Hire the Right Virtual Assistant and Become a Successful Virtual Assistant, and she's got the receipts—20+ years of experience, a top 10 inspiring woman in business, and a 98% VA match success rate.Highlights from this episode:[00:02:46] You don't need to be a pro delegator to hire a VA—just have a clear vision. “If you can share your vision, expectations, and walk through things once, the right VA will take it from there.”[00:06:01] Your productivity problem is actually an energy problem. Tasks that drain your energy are stealing your momentum. A VA can handle the friction points—like sending newsletters or booking meetings—so you stay in your zone of genius.[00:34:50] You need someone who complements you. The perfect VA isn't a clone of you. They're someone who loves what you loathe and thrives where you stall. That's the magic of a powerful partnership.Melissa's books:Hire the Right Virtual AssistantBecome a Successful Virtual Assistant FREE COMPLIMENTARY WORKBOOK: https://thepva.com/complimentary-workbook/Connect with Melissa:Website: https://thepva.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasmiththepva/Email: melissa@thepva.comAlso mentioned in this episode:Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for MortalsUnique Ability® 2.0: Discovery - Define Your Best Self The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't  Listen today at vibrantculture.com/podcast or your favorite podcast platform!Please leave us a 5-star review and drop a love note for Melissa in the comments! Learn more about Nicole Greer, the Vibrant Coach: https://www.vibrantculture.com/

Main Topic: Autoficiton: Letting Go at Launch Time with guest H.H. Rune (main topic starts at 16:06)   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie) Unlock the Heart of Your Memoir (Wordcrafters)   (Erick)  What are you reading? Valerie:  In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) The Girl from the Grand Hotel (Camille Aubray) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong  The Voice of Knowledge (Don Miguel Ruiz), Spiritual Growth (Sanaya Roman); Psychic Witch (Mat Auryn) Erick:   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2:  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):    Segment 4 (Main Topic):  (starts at 16:06) H.H. Rune's series blends fiction along with parts of her own life into a literary social experiment of a set of traveling books that are sent out to strangers with a mission of finding their way back to her. Her first two books in the Extraordinary Life Seeker series- Find Me, Book One- She believed in the Kindness of Strangers and Find Me, Book Two- She'd find out what she was made of- are available now. To further accentuate her request that her readers pass along the books as part of the story, her Limited Edition-Trackable versions have been spotted all over the U.S. as well as Canada, England, Ireland and Iceland. Find Me, Book Three will be out early 2025. Notes from my conversation with H: No names in book (use Mr. Fun). Not a character assassination. Instead, my responses to lessons learned from my experiences. 20 limited editions of each novel. Send to friends and they dispersed them. Sent also to Booktalkers and did a Goodreads giveaway. QR code in front of book sends them to fill out google form, "tracking" the book's location in the world, and--ideally--getting them to post a picture. Software mapped out the Google form responses. Considers her work Autofiction. Upcoming events for H: May: Reading at White Oak Books in Vancouver, WA.  July: Signing at Northwest Book Fair  (19 Officer's Row Vancouver WA) Just started using Skylight Social with handle: @hhrune.bsky.social Website: hhrune.com   And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Bromance: How Dumb & Dumber and When Harry Met Sally are the Same Screenplay (21:42)   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): Unlocking the Hearth of Your Memoir (Wordcrafters) Aligned Author: A Workshop in Intuitive Planning and Strategy (last weekend on Anderson Island)   (Erick) Spring Break, busy, marketing, When can I slot in phone calls?, less writing What are you reading? Valerie:  In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) The Girl from the Grand Hotel (Camille Aubray) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong    Erick:   Stephen Brust's The Book of Jhereg (Vlad Taltos) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: simplyscripts.com to read screenplays (not the bound screenplays in bookstores); Drew's Script-o-Rama; Scott Myers' Go Into the Story (Read scripts you've watched before and ones you haven't.) Tidbit #2:  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):    Segment 4 (Main Topic):   Romcom 90-100 pages Same beats in every story (might take longer to reach the beat.) Buddy comedies and romantic comedies reach beats at the same time. 1) Characters always odd couple. (Internal push/pull.) Emotional bonding early on. D&Dumber (Harry and Lloyd) WHMS (Harry and Sally) 2) Meet Cute (sparks the long term relationship/Will they survive as friends? Will they/Won't they tension at beginning of the movie--by page 5 (within 5-8 minutes) when the theme of the story is stated.  3) Page 12 is where story diverges and real problem starts. 12-25 emotional bonding is depicted. Quirky side characters introduced (opposite of main characters). 4) Page 25 is start of Act II. (25-30 central theme is tested. Page 30-55 Fun and Games, tested in fun ways (with minimal risk) 5) Midpoint (something happens and fun and games has more risk, stakes are different). Now antics are pointed towards each other. (Pages 55-70) 6) Page 75 (the dark night of the soul sequence starts here) characters hit rock bottom, how do the characters deal with it. 7) Ending (emotional payoff and repair what's broken).      And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode: Guest H.H. Rune on Letting Your Story Go Out into the World.

What if the key to building a thriving law firm wasn't just legal expertise, but mastering the art of influence? In this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Doug Burnetti, founding attorney of Burnetti P.A., shares how the book How to Win Friends and Influence People shaped his success in law and leadership. Doug shares how skills like empathy, active listening, and servant leadership are essential in any field. He discusses how attorneys can strengthen client relationships and build high-performing teams by implementing those values. Inspired by Dale Carnegie's wisdom, he explains why treating others with respect, showing genuine interest, and embracing humility lead to a more fulfilling and profitable legal career. Steve and Doug also talk about the power of authentic communication in law firm management, the importance of admitting mistakes to build trust, and legal legend Gerry Spence's storytelling approach to connecting with clients, judges, and juries. Doug goes into strategies for balancing professional success and personal well-being, emphasizing gratitude, leadership growth, and stress reduction. If you're looking to improve client satisfaction, strengthen your leadership skills, and build a more fulfilling legal career, this episode is packed with actionable insights. In this episode, you will hear: Doug Burnetti on the impact of servant leadership and self-help principles on his law practice Insights from Dale Carnegie's “How to Win Friends and Influence People” The importance of empathy, active listening, and authentic communication in legal practice Exploration of Gerry Spence's storytelling techniques to enhance client relationships The role of gratitude and continuous self-improvement in balancing professional and personal well-being Tips for effective leadership, including admitting mistakes and fostering trust within teams Strategies for improving client service and building strong interpersonal relationships Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie: www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 Episode 108: Breakthrough Growth: How Empathetic Leadership Drives Success with Doug Burnetti: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/breakthrough-growth-how-empathetic-leadership-drives-success-with-doug-burnetti Burnetti, P.A.: www.burnetti.com Doug Burnetti bio: www.burnetti.com/attorneys/doug-burnetti Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman: www.amazon.com/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Management-Mortals/dp/0374159122 Contact us to learn more about the Trial Lawyer's Great Practice, Great Life Program: atticusadvantage.com/contact-us Atticus Law Firm Coaching: atticusadvantage.com/coaching If there's a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at steve.riley@atticusadvantage.com. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Main Topic: 5 Rules of Screen-Writing (starts at 18:23)   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie) movement (getting back into it); client work; work/life balance nonexistent (talked with Ali) Aligned Author: A Workshop in Intuitive Planning and Strategy "Using strategic principles, core values, and your desired feelings as a guide, you can create goals that feel good to pursue. Aligned Embodied Action is an intuitive and authentic way to approach goal-setting and strategic planning. Join life coach and author Valerie Ihsan for this experiential, full-day workshop packed with hands-on exercises, practical tips, valuable resources, and live coaching opportunities. By the end of the day, you'll walk away with a personalized action plan—clear, aligned, and ready to implement—so you can take your next steps with confidence." Use this link to register for the workshop:  https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/L9cSGN   (Erick) finishing client work, tabled own work for the moment, revamped Patreon (join Erick's mailing list to vote on the new series name) What are you reading? Valerie:  In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) You Will Find Your People: How to Make Meaningful Friendships as an Adult (Lane Moore) • (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong    Erick:   Mort Terry Pratchett; Tsuge graphic novel (The Man Without Talent; ... Flowers) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Graphite pencil (type of mechanical pencil) Tidbit #2:  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):    Segment 4 (Main Topic):     Simple medium portraying sound and describing action. Slug line (interior, office, morning) Action (Erick sits at his computer, talking into a microphone, recording a podcast.) Character (ERICK: dialogue) Action (Erick removes his earbuds, the meeting ends) ** 3 kinds of screenplays On Spec: rough draft/outline Producer changes it to Shooting screenplay (adds relevance and his "stamp" on it, adds over-shoulder camera angle, etc) Production draft (cuts, fades) ** 1- only write what you can see or is relevant to action. (No thoughts.) 2 - never direct on the page of a spec script. (The art is to plant the seed of what you want.) 3 - one page = one minute of screen time (approximate); no action or dialogue no longer than 3 lines 4 - arrive late and leave early; start a beat before the action and end on motion 5 - All rules can be broken. (Big sin directing on the the page.)         And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode: Marco Gamboa "Using Stories Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie) decluttering, pitching conferences, starting new projects Aligned Author: A Workshop in Intuitive Planning and Strategy "Using strategic principles, core values, and your desired feelings as a guide, you can create goals that feel good to pursue. Aligned Embodied Action is an intuitive and authentic way to approach goal-setting and strategic planning. Join life coach and author Valerie Ihsan for this experiential, full-day workshop packed with hands-on exercises, practical tips, valuable resources, and live coaching opportunities. By the end of the day, you'll walk away with a personalized action plan—clear, aligned, and ready to implement—so you can take your next steps with confidence." Use this link to register for the workshop:  https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/L9cSGN   (Erick) client work, reorganizing my life around ghost-writing, new clients and project management coming up, process re-structuring. What are you reading? Valerie:  In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) You Will Find Your People: How to Make Meaningful Friendships as an Adult (Lane Moore) • (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong    Erick:   Mort Terry Pratchett Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: comfortable chair for your office Tidbit #2: Human Design chart; It'll validate so much about yourself! Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):  Segment 4 (Main Topic):   Writing communities look different from one to another. There's: Writing friends, Critique group, Service Trade Friends, Organizations, Conferences, Writing groups, Colleagues you can chat with at meetings that understand the writing life (don't discount this!). I'm a writer. We all have something in common. Stay in contact Do I want to make this MY community? Like-mindedness. Compatibility, flexibility, fits my value system.           And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link) Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Fast-Draft Your Memoir (Rachael Herron) Thinking in Pictures (John Sayles) Poemcrazy (Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge) The Art of Dramatic Writing (Lajos Egri) On Writing (Stephen King) A Swim in a Pond in the Rain (George Saunders) Save the Cat! (Blake Snyder) Writing in Restaurants (David Mamet) Notable Mention: Story Engineering (Larry Brooks), Running Down a Dream: Your Road Map to Winning Creative Battles (Tim Grahl); Story Hypothesis (J.P. Rindfleisch IX); Three Story Method (J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon); The Anatomy of a Best Seller (Sacha Black)  

Chris shares his expertise on how empathy transforms leadership and organisations. Describing five pillars of empathy, including judgement and active listening, Chris describes case studies and how colleagues created better results having received experience-based empathy training. Chris explains how empathy can break down organisational silos by shifting employees from functional to customer-centric mindsets. Emphasising the importance of authenticity and emotional intelligence, Chris discusses HR's role in empowering employees and creating connected, empathetic work environments. Chris shares how immersive empathy training develops emotional intelligence, helping organisations to unlock human potential through everyday acts of appreciation. This episode is sponsored by CGA Empathy Lab® If you want a happier, more confident workforce, to reduce absenteeism and workplace anxiety and put an end to situations that may result in conflict, you should experience the CGA Empathy Lab®.  By teaching employees the power of empathy, they can enjoy better conversations and create better experiences, not only for themselves but for other employees and customers, ultimately driving business purpose and performance.  There's no better way to experience the world through the eyes of others and learn how to make every moment matter. CGA Empathy Lab® - Winner of the ‘People, Skills, and Diversity Award' for the Rail Industry.    How HR Leaders Change the World is brought to you by Uplifting People We're an amazing community of cutting-edge HR Changemakers. Together, we share experiences, tools and clear, actionable ideas.  Ideas that will help you solve the challenges you face today and will inspire you with brilliant opportunities to push boundaries and positively impact people in your organisation - and beyond.  And what's even better, is every penny of our profit empowers vulnerable children to be safe, loved and learning. Together, we uplift people.

Brian champions human-first, tech-enabled strategies to navigate complexity. By taking a commercial and forward-thinking approach, Brian demonstrates how HR has the power to drive meaningful change, including in times of rapid change and uncertainty. Brian shares how Teneo is harnessing GenAI, for example transforming a people survey, cutting analysis time from six weeks to six days. This rapid approach not only boosts leadership effectiveness but also strengthens trust, transparency, and confidence across the organisation. Passionate about opportunity and inclusion, Brian reflects on his journey from a rural town in Ohio to a global HR leader. Guided by the mantra “don't fix, create,” he emphasises HR's role in helping people chart their unique career paths and in empowering leaders to see potential in others.   How HR Leaders Change the World is brought to you by Uplifting People We're an amazing community of cutting-edge HR Changemakers. Together, we share experiences, tools and clear, actionable ideas.  Ideas that will help you solve the challenges you face today and will inspire you with brilliant opportunities to push boundaries and positively impact people in your organisation - and beyond.  And what's even better, is every penny of our profit empowers vulnerable children to be safe, loved and learning. Together, we uplift people.

Main Topic: Favorite Writing Craft Books (starts at 13:02)   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie) decluttering, pitching conferences, catching up with emails! (Erick) client work, reorganizing my life around ghost-writing What are you reading? Valerie:  Start Thinking Rich by Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila; The Turn of the Key (Ruth Ware) • (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong    Erick:  The Boy from the Woods (Harlan Coben); looking for cozy fantasy next Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Moon Lists: Questions and Rituals for Self-Reflection, a Guided Journal by Leigh Patterson Tidbit #2:  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):  Segment 4 (Main Topic):  Starts at 13:02. Fast-Draft Your Memoir (Rachael Herron) Thinking in Pictures (John Sayles) Poemcrazy (Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge) The Art of Dramatic Writing (Lajos Egri) On Writing (Stephen King) A Swim in a Pond in the Rain (George Saunders) Save the Cat! (Blake Snyder) Writing in Restaurants (David Mamet) Notable Mention: Story Engineering (Larry Brooks), Running Down a Dream: Your Road Map to Winning Creative Battles (Tim Grahl); Story Hypothesis (J.P. Rindfleisch IX); Three Story Method (J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon); The Anatomy of a Best Seller (Sacha Black)       And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

There's only so much you can do in a week – or, according to Oliver Burkeman, in the roughly 4,000 weeks the average human lives. Oliver is a journalist and author of the books Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Meditations for Mortals, and the newsletter “The Imperfectionist.” Chris and Oliver discuss the paradox of why change can only occur once we accept that we might not be able to change. Oliver also shares how life's mishaps can become our most treasured memories and why sharing your imperfections is an act of generosity.For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oliver Burkeman, bestselling author of Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals, on the power of embracing imperfection in both life and creativity, how to overcome distractions that hinder our creative flow, and the tools that can help us thrive in an imperfect world. *ABOUT OLIVER BURKEMAN Oliver Burkeman worked for many years at The Guardian, where he wrote a popular weekly column on psychology, “This Column Will Change Your Life.” His books include the New York Times bestseller Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking. His latest book is Meditations for Mortals.*RESOURCES & LINKS

In an effort to make time for ourselves, many of us fall back on using To Do lists and time blocking. But often these strategies can end up with the same result: getting lost in chasing productivity. So how do we make time for the things that truly count? Oliver Burkeman is a New York Times bestselling author of books such as ‘Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals’ and ‘Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts’. Oliver is also a regular columnist for The Guardian. If there is anyone who truly understands the philosophy and psychology of time management and happiness, it’s Oliver. Oliver shares:

In this episode of Making Good Book Club, Charelle and I chat about Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. Spoiler alert: it's not your typical productivity book. Instead of a list of time-saving hacks, Burkeman offers a radical reframe on how we think about time, productivity, and our short human lifespan (about 4,000 weeks on average).We discuss key takeaways, like why you'll never clear your to-do list, the importance of embracing imperfection, and how hobbies (just for fun!) can transform your life. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to “do it all,” this conversation is for you.MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/280CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I like to begin each year with an episode about something I'm working through more personally. And at the end of last year, the thing I needed to work through was a pretty bad case of burnout.So I picked up Oliver Burkeman's latest book, “Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts.” Burkeman's big idea, which he also explores in his best seller “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals,” is that the desire to be more productive, to squeeze out the most from each day, to try to feel on top of our lives, is ultimately insatiable. He argues that addressing burnout requires a shift in outlook — accepting that our time and energy are finite, and that there will always be something more to do. In other words: What if you began with a deeper appreciation of your own limits? How, then, would you live?Burkeman's book is structured as 28 short essays on this question. In this conversation, I ask him to walk me through some of them. We discuss what burnout is; what it means to accept your limitations and let go of control; the messages children absorb about productivity and work; navigating the overwhelm of information and news; and more.This episode contains strong language.Mentioned:“How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation” by Anne Helen PetersenRest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang“Stop. Breathe. We Can't Keep Working Like This.” with Cal Newport on “The Ezra Klein Show”“The Man Who Knew Too Little” by Sam DolnickBook Recommendations:The Uncontrollability of the World by Hartmut RosaFully Alive by Elizabeth OldfieldDeath by Joan TollifsonThoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Kristin Lin. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Mary Marge Locker. Mixing by Isaac Jones, with Efim Shapiro and Aman Sahota. Our supervising editor is Claire Gordon. The show's production team also includes Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith and Jack McCordick. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

HAPPY… Nevermind. New Year, Same B*tch. Scratch that: New Year, Better B*tch. For her first episode of 2025, Kim unpacks her tried-and-true “10 Things Every Girl Needs” list—from the basics, like a brain, to the more esoteric, like a vision for your life that's independent of anyone and everyone. Something about 2024 brought out the jealousy in a lot of HOs—but trust Kim to deliver a right-on-time NEWSFLASH: Jealousy is the sister of desire. So that girl you think you hate? You actually want to skin her and wear her like fur. Welcome to the year of FOCUS. And if you're listening to this episode as a form of procrastination, stop. Kim's biggest takeaway? You only have about 4,000 weeks to live—use them wisely.Four Thousand Weeks - Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman - HEREPaul Graham's Essay "When To Do What You Love" - HERESubmit Your Confessions - HERELET'S BE FRIENDS...STEP 1 : Give us a 5-STAR reviewSTEP 2: Follow RLBG on Instagram - HERESTEP 3: Join the RLBG Community for access to exclusive events & LIVE girl talks - HERESTEP 4: Follow the International Pop Star "SlimKim" on TikTok & Instagram

Does life ever feel like an endless to-do list? Like if you could just wake up tomorrow with a little more discipline, you’d finally master your schedule, achieve balance, and feel… enough? On today's episode, Oliver Burkeman (bestselling author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals) and Kate unravel some of the beautiful lies we cling to about time and control, the fantasy of hyper-efficiency, and what it might look like to embrace the limits that make us who we are. In this conversation, Kate and Oliver discuss: Some of the most common self-help myths that stand in our way Why the relentless pursuit of self-improvement often leaves us feeling empty, anxious, and overwhelmed. How embracing our limits can lead to more contentment This is a conversation about limits—not as something to overcome, but as a doorway to something richer, deeper, and (dare I say) more human. Sign up for our “Try January” Newsletter today, weekly prompts for a gentler New Year: katebowler.com/newsletter If you liked this episode, you’ll also love: Katie Couric on The Courage to Try (and Wisdom to Know When to Let Go) Susan David on Toxic Positivity Samantha Irby on Doing My Best (Life Now) Elizabeth Gilbert on Why Your Creativity Matters Watch clips from this conversation, read the full transcript, and access discussion questions by clicking here or visiting katebowler.com/podcasts. Follow Kate on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter)—@katecbowler. Links to social pages and more available at linktr.ee/katecbowler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kimberlyn and Leilani share some of the things they've enjoyed while recording one hundred episodes of Witchy Wit .Their check-ins:  Kimberlyn develops a deeper understanding of another side of ‘pretty privilege;'  Leilani feels deeply about endings and the cyclical nature of life.Mentioned in the episode:  Episodes:  34  Music and the Body; 42 Witchy Ethics and Politics, part 2 Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals;  Mark Nepo, Adrift.Get exclusive content and support us on Patreon:http://www.patreon.com/WitchyWit  Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/WitchyWitPodcast  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/Witchy_Wit  Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3azUkFVlECTlTZQVX5jl1X?si=8WufnXueQrugGDIYWbgc3A  Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/witchy-wit/id1533482466  Pandora:https://pandora.app.link/nNsuNrSKneb  Google Podcast:Witchy Wit (google.com) 

A new year holds promise for a new you. But writer Oliver Burkeman says you shouldn't strive for perfection. Instead, in his latest book, “Meditations for Mortals,” Burkeman encourages readers to embrace imperfection, let some goals slide, and do less. His approach has been called “liberating and humane.” We talk to Burkeman about how to thrive and despite our mortal failings. Guests: Oliver Burkeman, author, "Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts".; Burkeman is the author of the best selling book "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals"

My annual “Best Books of the Year” episode with Carla Jean Whitley is always such a highlight for me (and I know for all of you)! Below are her picks for 2024. Enjoy!   The Best Books She's Read This Year: Nonfiction — Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts by Oliver Burkeman (also adding in Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals for good measure, as well) Heartbreak is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music by Rob Sheffield Memoirs — Just Like Glass: A Family Memoir by Amy Wight Chapman Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley Fiction — The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Sandwich by Catherine Newman   The Best Books She's Reread This Year: Looking for Alaska by John Green The Giver by Lois Lowry We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman Tom Lake by Ann Patchett The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl   The Books She Is Anticipating for 2025: Mothers and Other Fictional Characters: A Memoir in Essays by Nicole Graev Lipson (coming March 4, 2025) The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (coming April 22, 2025) The Living Mountain: A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland by Nan Shepherd (coming March 18, 2025) The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A Story of Climate and Hope on One American Street by Mike Tidwell (coming March 25, 2025) Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green (coming March 18, 2025) Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (coming May 13, 2025)

Life can feel so overwhelming sometimes, especially with the nonstop pace of the modern world. But what if you learned to embrace the messiness that comes with life and concentrated more on what really matters to you rather than attempting to control everything?Building on the themes from his previous bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Michael is joined by returning guest Oliver Burkeman to break down his new book, Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts. Oliver and Michael dig into key ideas, such as the limits of control, the traps of overachievement and information overload, and how to face life challenges with a proactive, value-driven mindset. You'll love Oliver's powerful metaphors, like navigating a kayak instead of steering a superyacht, which really brings home the beauty of going with life's flow while staying grounded and intentional. This is an incredible resource that offers daily insights designed to inspire action, so join us for this empowering conversation and start your journey of embracing imperfection and living a more meaningful life. Listen and Learn:  Oliver's philosophy behind 'Meditations for Mortals' The Evolution from 4,000 Weeks to Meditations for Mortals Embracing the concept of imperfectionism by being finite, taking action, letting go and showing up  Embracing life's chaos with the kayak vs. superyacht metaphor The insecure overachiever and learning to break free from productivity guilt Dealing with the overflow of information and discerning what truly deserves your attention The paradox of life's endless problems and the freedom found in embracing them How to apply imperfectionism in your daily life  Balancing empathy with boundaries and why other people's problems aren't yours to solve Resources: Oliver's books:  Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals Oliver's Website: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/ Connect with Oliver on X: @oliverburkeman About Oliver BurkemanOliver Burkeman is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Four Thousand Weeks and The Antidote, and for many years wrote a popular weekly column on psychology for the Guardian, 'This Column Will Change Your Life'. His work has also appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Psychologies, and New Philosopher.Related Episodes242. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management with Oliver Burkeman 257. The Gift of Being Ordinary with Ron Siegel 321. Imposter No More with Jill Stoddard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Life can feel so overwhelming sometimes, especially with the nonstop pace of the modern world. But what if you learned to embrace the messiness that comes with life and concentrated more on what really matters to you rather than attempting to control everything? Building on the themes from his previous bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Michael is joined by returning guest Oliver Burkeman to break down his new book, Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts.  Oliver and Michael dig into key ideas, such as the limits of control, the traps of overachievement and information overload, and how to face life challenges with a proactive, value-driven mindset. You'll love Oliver's powerful metaphors, like navigating a kayak instead of steering a superyacht, which really brings home the beauty of going with life's flow while staying grounded and intentional. This is an incredible resource that offers daily insights designed to inspire action, so join us for this empowering conversation and start your journey of embracing imperfection and living a more meaningful life.  Listen and Learn:  Oliver's philosophy behind 'Meditations for Mortals' The Evolution from 4,000 Weeks to Meditations for Mortals Embracing the concept of imperfectionism by being finite, taking action, letting go and showing up  Embracing life's chaos with the kayak vs. superyacht metaphor The insecure overachiever and learning to break free from productivity guilt Dealing with the overflow of information and discerning what truly deserves your attention The paradox of life's endless problems and the freedom found in embracing them How to apply imperfectionism in your daily life  Balancing empathy with boundaries and why other people's problems aren't yours to solve Resources:  Oliver's books:  Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals Oliver's Website: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/ Connect with Oliver on X: @oliverburkeman About Oliver Burkeman Oliver Burkeman is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Four Thousand Weeks and The Antidote, and for many years wrote a popular weekly column on psychology for the Guardian, 'This Column Will Change Your Life'. His work has also appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Psychologies, and New Philosopher. Related Episodes 242. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management with Oliver Burkeman 257. The Gift of Being Ordinary with Ron Siegel 321. Imposter No More with Jill Stoddard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics covered in this episode: Loop targets asyncstdlib Bagels: TUI Expense Tracker rloop: An AsyncIO event loop implemented in Rust Extras Joke Watch on YouTube About the show Sponsored by us! Support our work through: Our courses at Talk Python Training The Complete pytest Course Patreon Supporters Connect with the hosts Michael: @mkennedy@fosstodon.org / @mkennedy.codes (bsky) Brian: @brianokken@fosstodon.org / @brianokken.bsky.social Show: @pythonbytes@fosstodon.org / @pythonbytes.fm (bsky) Join us on YouTube at pythonbytes.fm/live to be part of the audience. Usually Monday at 10am PT. Older video versions available there too. Finally, if you want an artisanal, hand-crafted digest of every week of the show notes in email form? Add your name and email to our friends of the show list, we'll never share it. Brian #1: Loop targets Ned Batchelder I don't think I would have covered this had it not been the surprising opposition to Ned's code. Here's the snippet: params = { "query": QUERY, "page_size": 100, } *# Get page=0, page=1, page=2, ...* **for** params["page"] in itertools.count(): data = requests.get(SEARCH_URL, params).json() **if** not data["results"]: **break** ... Ned is utilizing the assignment in the for loop to use the value of count() and store it into the params["page"]. The article includes another version with a temp variable page_num, which I think the naysayers would prefer. But frankly, I think both are fine. Why not put the value right where you want it? Michael #2: asyncstdlib The asyncstdlib library re-implements functions and classes of the Python standard library to make them compatible with async callables, iterables and context managers. It is fully agnostic to async event loops and seamlessly works with asyncio, third-party libraries such as trio, as well as any custom async event loop. Full set of async versions of advantageous standard library helpers, such as zip, map, enumerate, functools.reduce, itertools.tee, itertools.groupby and many others. Safe handling of async iterators to ensure prompt cleanup, as well as various helpers to simplify safely using custom async iterators. Small but powerful toolset to seamlessly integrate existing sync code into async programs and libraries. Brian #3: Bagels: TUI Expense Tracker Jax Tam “Bagels expense tracker is a TUI application where you can track and analyse your money flow, with convenience oriented features and a complete interface. Why an expense tracker in the terminal? I found it easier to build a habit and keep an accurate track of my expenses if I do it at the end of the day, instead of on the go. So why not in the terminal where it's fast, and I can keep all my data locally?” Who hasn't wanted to write their own expense tracker? This implementation is fun for lots of reasons It's still new and pretty small, so forking it for your own uses should be easy Built on textual is fun install instructions based on uv tool seems to be the new normal: uv tool install --python 3.13 bagels test suite started pretty useful as is, actually Nice that it includes a roadmap of future goals Would be a fun project to help out with for anyone looking for anyone looking for a shiny new codebase to contribute to. Michael #4: rloop: An AsyncIO event loop implemented in Rust An AsyncIO event loop implemented in Rust From Giovanni Barillari, Creator of Granian RLoop is an AsyncIO event loop implemented in Rust on top of the mio crate. Disclaimer: This is a work in progress and definitely not ready for production usage. Run asyncio.set_event_loop_policy(rloop.EventLoopPolicy()) and done. Similar to uvloop. Extras Brian: I'm currently listening to Four Thousand Weeks - Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman for the second time. Highly recommend. Development Advent Calendars for 2024 - Adrian Roselli Black Friday at PythonTest.com Michael: Docker cluster monitor Compare engagement across Mastodon / Bsky / Twitter https://bsky.app/profile/pythonbytes.fm/post/3lbseqgr5m22z https://fosstodon.org/@pythonbytes/113545509565796190 https://x.com/pythonbytes/status/1861166179236319288 Back on #277 we talked about StrEnum. Got a nice chance to use it this weekend. Maybe Finance Go sponsor a bunch of projects on GitHub Black Friday at Talk Python Joke: CTRL + X onion

Episode SummaryI review a unique and refreshing productivity book by Oliver Burkeman, "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.".Show Notes Pagejeffsanders.com/560.Go Premium!Exclusive bonus episodes, 100% ad-free, full back catalog, and more!Free 7-Day Trial of 5 AM Miracle Premium.Perks from Our SponsorsBiOptimizers → Check out BiOptimizers and use my code 5AM for a great deal: bioptimizers.com.Learn More About The 5 AM MiracleThe 5 AM Miracle Podcast.Free Productivity Resources + Email Updates!Join The 5 AM Club!.The 5 AM Miracle BookAudiobook, Paperback, and Kindle.Connect on Social MediaFacebook Group • Instagram • LinkedIn • Twitter.About Jeff SandersRead Jeff's Bio.Questions?Contact Jeff.© 5 AM Miracle Media, LLC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We live in a culture that constantly tells us to push harder, achieve more, and stay on top of everything. But this relentless striving often keeps us from the fulfillment we seek. Many of us face anxiety, procrastination, and burnout as we struggle to accept that the key to a more meaningful life lies in embracing our limitations rather than fighting against them.This week, I'm honored to welcome Oliver Burkeman, bestselling author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, as our special guest. Oliver's work challenges the conventional approach to productivity, urging us to face our inherent human limitations and embrace the concept of finitude. His insights offer a refreshing perspective on how to live with greater intention, focusing on what truly matters rather than constantly striving for control.In his new book Meditation for Mortals, Oliver goes even deeper into the themes of time, control, and human limitation, offering a counterintuitive yet liberating approach to living well in a finite world. His philosophy encourages us to accept our limits and let go of the need to constantly “do it all.”In this episode, Oliver walks us through the journey of moving from understanding the constraints of time to taking meaningful action. We dive deep into the concept of finitude—our finite time, energy, and capacity—and explore how surrendering to life's limitations and letting go of the need for control can lead to a more purposeful, fulfilling life.Tune in to learn how embracing our limitations can lead to profound freedom, allowing us to live fully within those boundaries and create a life of intentionality, meaning, and true presence.Topics CoveredEmbracing the concept of finitude and human limitationsHow to let go of control and live more intentionallyThe connection between productivity and surrenderOliver's journey from Four Thousand Weeks to Meditation for MortalsThe role of mindfulness in taking meaningful actionWhy hustle culture leads to burnout and dissatisfactionPractical strategies for accepting our finite natureThe paradox of letting go and achieving moreOvercoming procrastination and anxiety by facing our limitsHow to align daily actions with what truly mattersTranscriptYou can find the transcript on the episode's web page by clicking here.Oliver's Bio & ResourcesOliver Burkeman's books include the forthcoming Meditations for Mortals, about embracing limitation and getting around to what counts, along with the New York Times bestseller Four Thousand Weeks and The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking. For many years he wrote a popular column for the Guardian, 'This Column Will Change Your Life'. In his email newsletter 'The Imperfectionist', he writes about productivity, mortality, the power of limits and building a meaningful life in an age of distraction.Website: oliverburkeman.comNew book: Meditation for Mortals Book: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals Explore Zen HabitsZen Habits BlogFearless Living Academy

Are you in the midst of a midlife transition, grappling with big questions about purpose, change, and self-discovery?For this week's episode, cohost Debbie Sorensen celebrates her 50th birthday with a discussion on the transformative period of midlife with her friend, Dr. Meg McKelvie. A period rich with psychological shifts, existential questions, and challenges in finding deeper meaning, they get into acceptance and commitment therapy, emotional, psychical and cognitive changes, ways to overcome people-pleasing habits, and much much more. With practical exercises and writing practices, this episode is a gift to anyone navigating midlife transitions and relationships, offering insight, reflection, and a path toward deeper understanding and fulfilling connections. We hope you enjoy this heartfelt and poignant conversation! Listen and Learn: Opportunities that midlife brings for deeper understanding and transformation Confronting body changes and the aging process  How your relationships can become deeper in midlife; letting go of surface-level bonds and embracing genuine honesty and shared experiences The myth of the midlife crisis and how, contrary to what stereotypes lead us to believe, it frequently involves a sharp internal existential shift rather than a dramatic upheaval Living with unanswered questions and learning to sit with the discomfort of uncertainty Ways you can cultivate a personal space that nurtures self-reflection and self-sufficiency The lessons that regret can teach us The value of sitting with challenging emotions such as anger and grief, and how these feelings can provide critical insights into your life  The difference between body neutrality and body positivity and how stepping back from the internal debate about your body can lead to a more peaceful relationship with yourself Resources: Meg's website: https://www.drmegmckelvie.com/ LInk to the “Soul-Searching Questions” handout on Meg's website and Debbie's website.  More writing resources from Meg and Debbie:  Meg's writing workshops: https://www.drmegmckelvie.com/workshopsgroups Debbie's Instagram for journaling prompts: https://www.instagram.com/drdebbiesorensen/ Debbie's Guided Journaling substack: https://guidedjournaling.substack.com/  345. Writing for Personal Growth with Maureen Murdock A Substack essay Debbie wrote on her 50th birthday A commentary on the Surgeon General's recent advisory on parental stress, by co-hosts Debbie and Emily, and former co-host Yael Schonburn!  Books mentioned in the episode:  Finding Meaning In the Second Half of Life: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781592402076  The Heroine's Journey: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781611808308 Related episodes:  199. Belonging From the Inside Out with Meg McKelvie 345. Writing for Personal Growth with Maureen Murdock 315. Hot & Bothered: Menopause with Jancee Dunn  291. Finding Freedom From Regret with Robert Leahy  257. The Gift of Being Ordinary with Ron Siegel 242. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management with Oliver Burkeman 351. You Only Die Once with Jodi Wellman 274. Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood with Satya Doyle Byock 138. Exploring Existence and Purpose: Existentialism with Robyn Walser  116. Building a Meaningful, Values-based Life with Jenna LeJeune 285. What Do You Want Out of Life? Values Fulfillment Theory with Valerie Tiberius  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are you in the midst of a midlife transition, grappling with big questions about purpose, change, and self-discovery? For this week's episode, cohost Debbie Sorensen celebrates her 50th birthday with a discussion on the transformative period of midlife with her friend, Dr. Meg McKelvie.  A period rich with psychological shifts, existential questions, and challenges in finding deeper meaning, they get into acceptance and commitment therapy, emotional, psychical and cognitive changes, ways to overcome people-pleasing habits, and much much more.  With practical exercises and writing practices, this episode is a gift to anyone navigating midlife transitions and relationships, offering insight, reflection, and a path toward deeper understanding and fulfilling connections. We hope you enjoy this heartfelt and poignant conversation!  Listen and Learn: Opportunities that midlife brings for deeper understanding and transformation Confronting body changes and the aging process  How your relationships can become deeper in midlife; letting go of surface-level bonds and embracing genuine honesty and shared experiences The myth of the midlife crisis and how, contrary to what stereotypes lead us to believe, it frequently involves a sharp internal existential shift rather than a dramatic upheaval Living with unanswered questions and learning to sit with the discomfort of uncertainty Ways you can cultivate a personal space that nurtures self-reflection and self-sufficiency The lessons that regret can teach us The value of sitting with challenging emotions such as anger and grief, and how these feelings can provide critical insights into your life  The difference between body neutrality and body positivity and how stepping back from the internal debate about your body can lead to a more peaceful relationship with yourself Resources: Meg's website: https://www.drmegmckelvie.com/ LInk to the “Soul-Searching Questions” handout on Meg's website and Debbie's website.  More writing resources from Meg and Debbie:  Meg's writing workshops: https://www.drmegmckelvie.com/workshopsgroups Debbie's Instagram for journaling prompts: https://www.instagram.com/drdebbiesorensen/ Debbie's Guided Journaling substack: https://guidedjournaling.substack.com/  345. Writing for Personal Growth with Maureen Murdock A Substack essay Debbie wrote on her 50th birthday A commentary on the Surgeon General's recent advisory on parental stress, by co-hosts Debbie and Emily, and former co-host Yael Schonburn!  Books mentioned in the episode:  Finding Meaning In the Second Half of Life: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781592402076  The Heroine's Journey: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781611808308 Related episodes:  199. Belonging From the Inside Out with Meg McKelvie 345. Writing for Personal Growth with Maureen Murdock 315. Hot & Bothered: Menopause with Jancee Dunn  291. Finding Freedom From Regret with Robert Leahy  257. The Gift of Being Ordinary with Ron Siegel 242. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management with Oliver Burkeman 351. You Only Die Once with Jodi Wellman 274. Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood with Satya Doyle Byock 138. Exploring Existence and Purpose: Existentialism with Robyn Walser  116. Building a Meaningful, Values-based Life with Jenna LeJeune 285. What Do You Want Out of Life? Values Fulfillment Theory with Valerie Tiberius  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices