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Feeling overwhelmed? Wow, do we know what that’s like! When you’re caught in that whirlwind of tasks, it feels like you’re downrange at Top Golf! You’re pelted with a new to-do item every few seconds. It’s even worse when you don’t have a staff. With no one to delegate to, you just fall further and further behind. But there’s another way! Though we have a good-sized staff now, it wasn’t always that way. We know what it’s like to work alone or with limited help. And we can tell you that it is possible to delegate even if you don’t have a staff! The first thing you have to do is change your mindset. Once you begin to see the possibilities, you’ll find nearly endless opportunities to offload work. Believe it or not, even as a line-level staffer or solopreneur, you have options! Here’s a Peek Inside the Episode How to overcome the hurdle of “I need to do it myself.” How the Eisenhower Matrix can triage your to-do list. Solid definitions of “fake work” and “downhill work.” How to use AI to delegate routine tasks to your computer. How custom signatures can save you a ton of time on responding to email. Tips on negotiating out of previous commitments. How to get “volunteer” help from coworkers. Solid solutions for on-demand hiring. How to get your boss to say yes to more resources. Three easy steps to say no gracefully. Tips for saying no to your boss on new projects. Once you’ve listened to the episode, here’s what we hope you’ll do. Just try it. Pick one of these ideas and put it to work in your business. We think you’ll be blown away by the results! Let’s Get Social! We absolutely love connecting with listeners on social media. Right now, we’re hooked on Instagram. And yes, we do personally post and respond on these accounts! This is a great way to hear our latest thinking, get the inside track on new products, and even see a few pictures baby pictures of Naomi, the latest addition to the family! Connect with us @michaelhyatt and @meghmiller. Resources Mentioned in This Episode SaneBox email manager Spark email and calendar manager Magic Belay Solutions Fancy Hands InstaCart Recommendation Briefing Form “Need Help? Here’s How to Ask for It” Lead to Win episode “How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes, Part 1” by Michael Hyatt “How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes, Part 2” by Michael Hyatt “How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes, Part 3” by Michael Hyatt  

Today’s episode is a reading of a previously published post on Productive Flourishing named “What I’m Here to Do”. The post shares some stories that have informed why I show up in the world the way I do — I’m a bridge builder that helps people flourish. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [00:46] Follow Charlie as he remembers his arrival at the elite United-States Military Academy (West Point) and the leadership lesson he picked up from the yelling cadet. [03:55] A dangerous search and rescue mission at boy scout camp sets up the tone for understanding what it is that Charlie does. [12:08] How years of experience gathered through teaching philosophy, as a logistics officer in the army and as an entrepreneur, have given Charlie the broad understanding required to build effective bridges. [14:25] If canned answers will not do for you, unconventional, tailor-made, human scale bridge building is what Productive Flourishing offers.   Mentioned in This Episode: Sanebox.com/Giant Productive Flourishing West Point Creative Giant Campfire Facebook Group

In today’s episode, Jason Van Orden joins me and shares what he’s learned about influence and helping others become top influencers in their field. Given that we often teach what we most need to learn, we also discuss what his work has revealed for him and the surprising tensions that have come up for him on his thought leadership journey. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [00:48] Charlie introduces Jason, summarizing his vast experience teaching and studying the psychology and strategies used by successful internet influencers. [02:12] Charlie opens up the discussion with Jason about what influence actually is, and how it differs from manipulation. [06:57] Because of hyper connectivity and information overload, people need to step up and become influencers in order to facilitate the organisation of knowledge in meaningful ways. [12:06] How the increase in individual generated content on the internet (“noise”) forces people to find their own unique voice, and fosters creativity. [18:12] What are some of the first steps to take when people want to come out as an influencer? [22:00] The difference between analytically understanding someone and understanding them emotionally. [27:30] Oftentimes, we teach about the things we really need to learn — Charlie asks Jason how teaching about influencing is helping him. [31:03] The more experience you gain, the more challenges you take on and the more you end up dealing with the imposter syndrome — you need to cut yourself some slack and move through it. [40:45] Jason shares how he was recently reminded of the importance of being engaged and continuing to innovate, even if change is intimidating. [48:15] There is little talk about sufficiency in business — where your business meets your needs and doesn’t need to continuously grow and scale. [50:20] What is the most surprising or unanticipated challenge Jason is currently facing? [53:40] Remember that you need to be okay with the fact that there will not be a one size fits all answer and that you need a strategy that fits you.   Mentioned in This Episode: Sanebox.com/Giant Creative Giant Campfire Facebook Group Episode 14: Write, Publish, Repeat With Johnny B. Truant Episode 5: Making Changes With Jonathan Fields The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell Kant's Categorical Imperative To Sell is Human by Daniel H. Pink Louder than words by Todd Henry The Fascination Advantage by Sally Hogshead Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Bossypants by Tina Fey

Angela joins me for this Q&A to discuss how to form a success pack, how to brainstorm your goals, and the biggest leadership lesson I’ve learned in business. We made the switch to Angela joining me on this because it’s way more fun doing these with someone else and you’ll soon hear how much better the answers are. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [0:47] Clean up your Inbox with SaneBox! [2:20] Q1 from Kat is on how to form a success pack. [4:55] Q1 Answer — Make it super easy for your guide, have a clear project, have a clear goal, show why they’re relevant, and then be clear in what you’re asking them to do. [14:56] Charlie’s tip on finding a guide for your success pack — make sure you have an aligned mission with that person, otherwise they shouldn’t even be your guide. [15:32] How to find a peer for your success pack. [20:08] Q2 from Shanna is on how to brainstorm your goals. [22:17] Why mind mapping is a great tool, especially for creative people. [25:51] Q2 Answer — Separate the creative mess from the analytical processing, and recognize it’s going to take multiple passes. [32:14] Q3 from Patricia is on the biggest leadership lessons Charlie has learned in business. [32:42] Q3 Answer — Biggest lesson Charlie has learned is how to be authentic and transparent with teammates and the value of giving positive feedback. [38:36] How having a feelings-conscious business means you have to be ready to have a conflict-free business at the same time. [42:24] Thank you to Kat, Shanna and Patricia for contributing to this Q&A with their insightful Qs.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com How to Write Brief Emails Without Being a Jerk Mind Mapping by Tony Buzan MindNode MindMeister How to Set SMART Goals Asana Hackpad

Thanks for joining us today! In this special episode of The Creative Giant Show, Charlie does a Q&A session with topics ranging from: triggers, the root of people’s resistance, and how to reconcile one’s innate nature with what seems to be an almost unnatural act of being an employee. Are you ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [00:54] SaneBox can help sort your mail for you, so email can finally make sense again! [01:57] Nadia emailed and asked for some follow up from my article, The Guided Business Review. She asked, “What are the triggers to let you know you're facing one of these challenges? Triggers - can you explain with some examples?” [04:56] The second question is about uprooting your own resistance. MeMuna asked, “Specifically, I’m interested in gaining clarity about the perspective you talk about in the quote from the article, ‘It’s hard to beat a monster who’s fueled by the very energy you’re trying to muster to beat it’.” [08:08] The third question comes from another Nadia. “I’d like to know as an entrepreneur and Creative Giant, how does one reconcile one’s innate nature with what seems an almost unnatural act of being an employee, and working for someone else? Specifically, when this is a situation of one’s own choosing due to it leading to the fulfillment of a larger goal that does fit in with one’s nature. But, in the moment, on a day-to-day basis, seems to fly in the face of who you are and what you stand for.” [12:10] To have your questions appear on the next Q&A, email us at support@productiveflourishing.com!   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant ProductiveFlourishing.com/guided-business-review/ ProductiveFlourishing.com/are-you-the-root-of-your-own-resistance/ Man’s Search for Meaning Email: support@productiveflourishing.com

Srinivas Rao returns to The Creative Giant Show to jam about his new book, Unmistakeable: Why Only Is Better Than Best. We dive right in and discuss how ‘only’ isn’t enough, how the myth of easy creativity keeps us from doing our unmistakeable work, and the neurotic creative process the Unmistakeable Team goes through to ship their work. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [00:52] SaneBox can save you hours of time by sorting your email for you! [01:55] Introduction to Charlie’s guest, Srinivas Rao. [03:05] There are two main drivers from Unmistakeable - Srinivas unpacks these concepts. [05:45] Ask yourself, “What is the emotional response that I’m trying to elicit from an audience?” [07:00] We’re at an inflection point in our history where we have the ability to approach things as artists, and be more expressed and personal in what we create. [07:30] There’s an odd paradox - the barrier is so low, yet the bar is so high. [09:10] What motivates folks that don’t need to work to keep working? [11:58] How many days should you invest in something before you should quit? [13:02] At first we make our habits, and then our habits make us. [13:18] What is meant by deliberate practice? [17:20] It’s not that hard to be third string. [19:30] Srinivas walks us through his personal and company’s creative processes. [24:15] The secret to winning every time is to calculate expectations and exceed them. [25:49] Frequency is a key to becoming unmistakable. How does Srinivas thread frequency and quality into his process? [28:00] Which principles from the book does Srinivas find most challenging to practice? [31:39] Srinivas shares his hardest challenges of writing long-form content while writing the new book. [36:03] What is the one thing that Srinivas wants listeners to take away?   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant Unmistakable Creative Episode #3 with Seth Godin Leave a rating for the show!

Megan Roop joins Charlie today to talk about how quiet adventures helped her find herself battling the pursuit of being perfect. Along the way, she’s woven her experience with the Peace Corps, selling outdoor equipment, teaching yoga, and helping people overcome eating disorders, into a unique body of work. Listen in as we discuss the nourishing nature of being in nature, and how honoring the seasons helps you honor your changing nature.   Key Takeaways: 00:58 SaneBox advertisement. 02:00 Who is Megan Roop and what is Quiet Adventures? 02:55 Megan shares her path to starting the company, and how she came to reconcile seemingly disparate ideas of finance and personal growth into a culmination of activities  that work for a greater good. 09:29 For many years, Megan devoted her energy to achieving “perfection” as a woman, that led to struggling with an eating disorder and eventual burnout. She shares how that weaves into her current endeavors. 11:11 When did Megan recognize the socialization of women was truly impacting her personally? 13:56 Just because society tells us there’s a way to be living life doesn’t mean that it’s going to work for you. Charlie and Megan elaborate. 16:05 What are some of the ways Megan has worked with women getting clear on what they’re willing to accept, and what they need to build a boundary around? 20:00 When women strip away the nonessentials, and get to the core of who the are, they start to see they do have gifts and they have a lot to give. 21:00 What tends to happen when out in nature that helps women connect with themselves? How does connecting to the seasons help one seeing the changing nature in life? 24:15 Women and creatives have internal seasonal changes frequently, and embracing that can make life easier to navigate. 27:36 What are some of the small ways people can be more intentional about their connection to nature? 30:04 Charlie opens a dialogue on the intersection of community and nature. 31:30 The Upside of Your Darkside suggests we have a comfort addiction. Do humans deeply bond over comfort as they do in times of struggle? 34:28 Megan shares a story of a moment when she realized she was in the right place, doing the right thing. 37:30 Contrastly, Charlie asks for a negative, pivotal moment on Megan’s journey. 39:20 What is Megan’s most unanticipated challenge currently? 41:00 What is the big takeaway Megan wants people to remember? 42:00 For more great info on connecting with nature, check out Episode #80 Reclaiming Wild Men with Jonathan Mead and #15 with Cultivating Creativity During Motherhood with Lucy Pearce   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant Quiet Adventures From Wood to Water The Upside of Your Darkside Episode 80: Reclaiming Wild Men with Jonathan Mead Episode 15: Cultivating Creativity During Motherhood with Lucy Pearce  

The tables are turned in this episode, as Andrea J. Lee puts me in the spotlight. The questionnaire becomes the questioned. This one is coming right after I started sharing more of my thoughts on race, identity, equality and justice. So, a good bit of the conversation focuses on how we might show up as our full selves in our work. If you find yourself at a loss for how to engage with the world, while still doing your work, you might find some useful ideas in here. And yes, it’s really weird to create the intro for your own interview - I’m just saying, we live in interesting times! Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:03] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #100. [2:06] Charlie introduces Andrea J. Lee, who interviews him on this episode. [3:01] Andrea joined us on episode #91, which resulted in her volunteering to this reverse podcast interview. [4:24] What does it mean to be A Creative Giant, in the times we are in? [7:59] Charlie shares his internal processes and the idea of creative constipation. [10:36] The external and internal outcomes of the discourse Charlie is creating around social change. [15:31] Charlie’s social media responses indicate he has touched a nerve on how to have discourse. [16:26] How lack of dialogue gets us in no-win positions. [19:32] The discourse about discourse is one of the most opaque things we have. How is Charlie’s background as a soldier influencing his approach? [23:47] There are the harms we cause by doing things, and there are the harms we cause by not doing things. [27:16] The fundamental and weird aspects of Humanity.  [29:23] Getting stuck in epic goals. [32:11] What does Charlie think about the Language Police? [40:51] How do we expand these great ideas? How do we go ‘there’? [46:55] How to lean into gathering, rather than isolating; and how to flourish in creative partnerships. [52:55] Charlie’s final thoughts on this episode’s topic!   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant www.facebook.com/groups/PFCampfire/

Whether we’re content creators, managers, leaders or customer service reps, we’re all in the teaching business. Breanne Dyck joins me again, to continue the conversation about making better learning experiences that work for our learners and work for us. Hint - it’s not about the content. A quick plug here - come join us at The Creative Giant Campfire, our free Facebook group.  We’ll be having conversations about podcast episodes there as well as other micro-post prompts, and the occasional Facebook Live Broadcast. You can find it by searching “creative giant campfire” on Facebook. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:04] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #99. [2:04] Breanne joined us on episode #30, which is definitely worth listening to. [4:53] Let’s talk Before and After Infobesity [aka information overload]. [11:57] Breanne is experimenting with Facebook Live right now & shares tips on how to get people to take action after a video. [15:12] Breanne explains Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning. [16:48] How to get into that higher level learning zone in the quick slices of time we have available. [24:31] It’s not about content, it’s about context and what you’re gonna do within that context.    [29:27] What’s the next wave in the online space?  [35:20] Do’s & don’ts of the current state of learning. Breanne shares many insightful tips here. [46:47] Let’s talk about problems consultants run into and transmedia content production. [55:18] Pick up a game, teach it to someone & have fun, because it’s the best vehicle for learning how to make learning work.    Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant mnibconsulting.com Breanne Dyck on The Creative Giant Episode #30 Bloom’s taxonomy How the World Sees You by Sally Hogshead Million Dollar Consulting by Alan Weiss

In this episode, Lisa Robbin Young and I discuss the blog post she wrote for Productive Flourishing on the 3 Types of Creative Entrepreneurs. Even if you don’t consider yourself creative or an entrepreneur, this is worth the listen because we’re really talking about different modes of creativity and why it’s important to lean into the kind of creative that you are. And by the way, if you’re human, you are creative. There’s also a discussion happening on this in our free Facebook group, The Creative Giant Campfire. Come join us there if you’d like to stand tall together with other Creative Giants. You can find it by searching creative giant campfire on Facebook. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:07] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #98. [2:13] Find out more about Lisa Robbin Young, founder of Ark Entertainment Media, a business incubator for creative entrepreneurs. [3:45] Lisa shares how creating her business emerged from a personal business problem. [8:20] There are 3 primary creative types: chaotic, linear and fusion; and then there are the cusp types. [10:10] Take Lisa’s quiz - What’s Your Creative Freedom Entrepreneur Type? Chaotic, Fusion, or Linear? [15:43] How to notice your creative mode switching and be aware of the support you need when you’re doing your creative projects. [18:53] Discover the strengths and disadvantages of each creative type - linear, chaotic and fusion. [30:18] The power of knowing, embracing and leaning into your creative type along the spectrum. [36:33] What would Lisa say to someone who comes to her with the problem of being a certain creative type and feeling they’re in the wrong career? [42:47] What’s the main reason Lisa calls this “the creative entrepreneur spectrum”? [44:07] Lisa’s challenge on the next step to take after listening to this episode.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant The Secret Watch by Lisa Robbin Young The Fine Line by Lisa Robbin Young A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink Take Lisa’s Quiz: What’s Your Creative Freedom Entrepreneur Type? Chaotic, Fusion, or Linear?

A common growing pain for Creative Giants is the pressure to be just one thing in the world. To just be a doctor or a writer or a programmer or CO or whatever it is. The truth of it is that we’re all multi-dimensional, so resisting that only leads to us living less rich lives. Dusti Arab joins me today to share her Creative Giant journey and how she’s weaving it all together. A quick plug here, a quick plug - we just opened up the Creative Giant Campfire, our free Facebook Group. We’ll be having conversations about podcast episodes at the campfire, so come join us there if you’d like to stand tall together with other Creative Giants. You can find it by searching “Creative Giant Campfire” on Facebook. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:14] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #97. [2:16] Learn more about Dusti Arab, the CEO and Creative Director of thinkCHARM. [4:29] How Dusti got started in Copywriting and secured her first gig. [7:50] The difference between copywriting and ghostwriting. [12:55] Dusti talks Princess Parties. [16:54] Dusti shares her brand story. [20:25] Let’s talk 3-5 years from now. [23:34] People put too much pressure on themselves to meet these arbitrary deadlines. [25:49] Dusti’s biggest and most unanticipated challenges. [31:19] Changing gears is OK!   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant Creative Giant Campfire on Facebook thinkCHARM Dusti Arab @dustiarab on Instagram

There are two myths about being a successful creative that get us into a lot of troub. One, that doing it by yourself is better and two, that having a creative partner would make life so much easier. It turns out that neither is true, at least for most people. Leah Heinz and Naz Murphy join me today to discuss how their uncomfortable friendship is the source of their personal and professional growth. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [0:52] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #95.  [1:58] Charlie introduces Leah & Naz, co-founders of The Connection Effect.  [4:59] The story of how Leah & Naz started a business together. [13:08] Realizing there are individual differences in the way one works in the world. [24:08] Recognizing growth moments and overcoming challenging times.  [31:20] How to have a great business relationship and face the differences in any relationship. [37:55] Reconciling your different money stories in a business partnership. [44:33] The beauty of a creative partnership. [49:17] Being outcome-focused and individual shifts in energy can be helpful with switches in responsibilities. [57:56] Changing their brand name from The Ripple to The Connection Effect. [63:59] Leah and Naz offer a key piece of advice on having a creative partnership that works.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant The Connection Effect The Connection Effect on Facebook Live Your Legend

Today’s episode is a rerun of one of my favorite episodes, episode 3 with Seth Godin. We’re doing a rerun today for several reasons: 1) I wanted to share some of our past episodes, that were fantastic, with new listeners who may not have scrolled all the way to the bottom of the episode list to see this one; 2) I think it’s time for everyone to reconsider how they’re not picking themselves; and 3) I wanted to remind people who are thinking about putting their art out there, whether their art is a podcast, a blog post, a book, a new initiative at work, music, or whatever - that it always amounts to just putting it out there and then doing it again. We have come a long way with The Creative Giant Show, so much so that the audio and my discomfort in this episode makes me cringe, but the chief thing is that we started and I’m so grateful for everyone for sticking with us. As always, I hope the content and the example help you pick yourself and get your art out there. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:37] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #94. [2:54] Find out the story behind episode 3 with Charlie’s mentor from afar, and long-time hero Seth Godin. [8:32] How to Pick yourself. [16:17] Seth asks - “What are you going to do tomorrow that’s going to make you more connected to what you’re doing today?” [18:14] What it takes to be a genius.  [19:51] What was it about The Icarus Deception that scared Seth? [24:50] Why people are afraid of being successful.  [30:06] Seth believes one way we get in trouble is by misunderstanding success. [32:47] How to use a given feeling to motivate yourself. [35:35] Seth’s final words of wisdom.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant Seth Godin TED Talk by Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative genius Books by Seth Godin

While a lot of career paths aren’t linear, Creative Giants in particular often seem to have dramatically, nonlinear career progressions. One of the reasons for this is that we’re often actually pursuing multiple passions or growth edges at once. Kristoffer Carter (K.C.) joins me today to share his journey from a corporate sales guy to creative powerhouse and back to a corporate catalyst for mindfulness. It’s a wild journey but that’s a bit par for the course with K.C. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [0:57] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #93. [1:58] Who is Kristoffer Carter (aka K.C.)? [4:42] How did Charlie challenge K.C. when he thought he had to quit his job at the Good Life Project? [8:48] What is Kriya Yoga and how has it helped K.C. focus on the good? [11:53] K.C. on his spiritual practice, his meditation teaching, cumulative deposit and compounding return.  [15:18] K.C. talks about having had 3 jobs and realizing that he doesn’t need to be “all these things to all these people.” [19:28] How does K.C. negotiate those over-reaches? [21:52] Time to go on a spiritual sabbatical! K.C. shares the story. [24:50] K.C. shares a little bit about the time he took a sabbatical. [29:45] If he only had to choose one of the 3 core programs from the Camelot Culture Group, which one would K.C. focus on and why? [32:16] What about what K.C. is going through right now most terrifies or challenges him? [34:12] Looking back, what did K.C. think was going to be really hard that turned out not be as difficult as he thought it would be? [35:37] K.C.’s main message from this episode.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant Good Life Project Centro This Epic Life Camelot Culture Group Autobiography of a Yogi by P. Yogananda

The pursuit of happiness is often tied to the acquisition of more stuff. But we should instead be asking how the stuff in our lives prevents us from being happy, creative and connected to the ones we love. Courtney Carver, from bemorewithless.com, joins me to discuss how simplicity and minimalism is a path to love and freedom. It’s not about letting go but getting back. She also prompts me into reefing about why we need more diversity in the productivity and minimalist spaces. So you might find that interesting if you’ve ever wondered about it. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:06] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #92. [2:10] Who is Courtney Carver? [3:42] How did Courtney’s journey toward simplicity and minimalism work for her? [6:03] What is meant by minimalism & simplicity in the context of today’s discussion? [9:49] Project 333 is a minimalist fashion challenge. Courtney elaborates. [16:40] “If I let all of that go, then who am I?” is a scary question that can surface when you dig deep enough. [21:19] Courtney believes that simplicity is the way back to love. [23:41] What to do when you can’t buy yourself out of your suffering.  [30:27] Women vs. men in the simplicity/minimalism space. [33:22] Women vs. men in the productivity space - is there a problem? [40:03] Minimalism is not about giving up, it’s about getting back! There is a lot of ‘getting rid of things’ but it’s to make space for the things that you care about. [43:28] Looking for that inspiration to spark the start of your minimalist journey and wondering where to start? [46:10] Courtney’s one message for listeners: simplicity will bring you back to love if you give it a chance.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant Be More With Less Be More With Less on Facebook Courneycarver.com Project 333 The Life Changing Magic of Tidying UP, Book by Marie Kondo The More of Less, Book by Joshua Becker Colin Wright Tammy Strobel Minimalist.com

It’s easy for coaches to not walk their talk. Especially, since we are so focused on transformation and transitions. While the outcome of transformations and transitions are great, the process isn't comfortable for anyone, including the coaches who facilitate said growth. Andrea Lee joins me today to share her transition from one of the top pioneering business coaches to a blank_er_ slate as a humanistic writer. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:00] Thank you to SaneBox for sponsoring episode #91. [2:07] Who is Andrea Lee? [5:49] Back to 1998 and how Andrea’s career transpired. [8:40] What’s changed in the coaching world from the client’s perspective? Andrea weighs in on the pros & cons. [10:37] Back to 1998 and what happened after Andrea got hired as a customer service rep. [12:15] What is the life time membership model created by Thomas Leonard? What happened to this lifetime membership after his passing? [15:11] One of Andrea’s main takeaways after Thomas’s passing is that every day counts.  [17:37] How did Thomas’s passing propel her towards becoming a thought leader? [20:23] What about sabbaticals between Multiple Streams and Thought Partners? [24:43] Andrea’s piercing thoughts right now! [28:10] Andrea speaks to the tension that she describes as “a big giant co-dependence mess”. [33:54] A discussion on resetting relationship dynamics and resetting our own understanding of how we relate to the world. [38:45] Andrea feels very clean and settled about her essence. [40:30] Have you read “In The Name of Identify” by Amin Maalouf? [44:16] How is Andrea’s Rubik’s cube spinning for her right now? [47:16] Andrea is writing something else right now but it’s very raw at the moment. She shares more about this new work. [51:49] What’s the most unanticipated challenge Andrea is facing right now? [54:06] Andrea’s main message is to be brave and listen within.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant Thomas Leonard Multiple Streams of Coaching Income, Book by Andrea J. Lee Tara Gentile’s Quiet Power Strategy In The Name of Identity, Book by Amin Maalouf We Need to Talk by Andrea J. Lee

This is our first Q & A episode and I’m excited about it. In today’s episode I discuss: 1) creative ways to use the results from your productivity heat map, 2) how I suggest people approach heat mapping when their schedule is largely determined by somebody else, and 3) what tools I use for blogging. At the end of the episode I’ll let you know a few of the other questions I’m going to be answering in the next Q & A so keep your ears open for that. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [0:56] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #90. [2:00] What’s going on with the format of the show? [6:11] Question #1 from Jennifer - What are some creative ways to use the results from your productivity heat map? [7:59] Think about the 4 different types of blocks you might have throughout your day - Creative, Social or Service, Admin, and Recovery. [9:05] What’s the schedule sorting game and when should you play it?  [10:35] Basically, you plan your day based upon the different blocks & you use those blocks very seriously. [16:30] Question #2 from Laura - How does Charlie suggest to approach heat mapping when your schedule is largely determined by somebody else? [18:32] Charlie's first tip is to un-schedule a day from your schedule. [20:22] Charlie’s second tip is to separate what’s on your schedule with how you actually feel. [22:25] Bottom line on what to do when you don’t have autonomy over your schedule? Listen in for the communication piece you can steal and use with your workplace. [25:23] Question #3 from Patricia - What tools does Charlie use for blogging? [26:22] Writing tools: TextMate or Lightroom, then copied them into WordPress. [28:17] Charlie uses an Idea Garden to capture blog post ideas. [29:05] Another tool is the Blog Post Calendar which you can download for free. [30:04] Charlie uses Jetpack by WordPress and Google Analytics to keep track of stats. [31:21] Charlie catalogs posts mostly by memory. [32:05] Social media tools: The native platforms like Twitter, Facebook, then Buffer and now Edgar.  [33:25] What about refreshing and recycling social media content? [37:36] A recap of the tools: Google Docs, Jetpack for WordPress Stats or Google Analytics, Blog Post Calendar, Edgar, and Rainmaker. [38:11] Big thanks to Jennifer Layton, Laura Hackle and Patricia Bravo for their great questions. [38:21] Coming up on the next Q & A: Examples of triggers & why they matter, how Charlie worked through with what needed to happen with the Live Your Legend transition, and maybe one of your questions which you can email to charlie@prductiveflourishing.com. [38:39] If you liked this episode or the show in general, please leave a review or rating on iTunes to help us reach more people. Go to bit.ly/creativegiantshowfaq for a walkthrough on how to do this!       Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant @CharlieGilkey on Twitter Episode 47: The Future of the Creative Giant Show Get more done in less time by heat mapping your productivity Idea Garden The Blog Post Planner and Calendar TextMate Lightroom WordPress Markdown Jetpack for WordPress Google Docs WordPress Stats Google Analytics Edgar Rainmaker

Think about what comes to mind when I ask you to think about a marketer or sales person. Be honest! Did you think of a smart, soft spoken, insightful woman? If not, I hope today’s episode changes that for you. Sonia Simone is a marketing trend setter and founding partner of Rainmaker Digital, formerly Copyblogger Media. Throughout our conversation, she reveals how a risk averse, introverted and insanely curious writer became one of the leading voices in digital marketing today. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:03] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #89. [2:17] Charlie introduces Sonia and her line of work. [4:22] What is it about marketing that got Sonia involved? [6:34] There is an invisible aspect of digital marketing. Sonia explains. [8:01] Sonia has always approached marketing from the content marketing perspective, even before there was a word for it. [10:25] Marketing and selling are learnable skill sets; you don’t need to be born with them. [12:29] Every human being on this planet has a certain set of assets and a certain set of constraints. [15:28] Barriers are a lot easier to step over in digital platforms. [18:39] Sonia walks us through her journey from corporate to Copyblogger. [25:22] Sonia speaks on folks out there that sell business advice based on the fast outliers. [28:58] Sonia likes Chris Gilbo’s flavor of entrepreneur teaching because it includes a big minimalist component.  [32:06] Sonia talks on Clay Collins’ vision of being a business owner. [34:10] “What’s the shortest line between me and a cheque?” - Naomi Dunford [36:40] Internet Marketing for Smart People vs. Nice People!! [39:49] Sonia has been highly focused on values lately. [44:10] Naomi writes 85% of the things she says in her podcast Confessions of a Pink-Haired Marketer, which she has been her primary focus lately. [48:34] What’s the most unanticipated challenge Sonia is currently facing? [52:05] Sonia’s final words of advice: “Be honest about your own set of Legos and don’t try to build somebody else’s thing.”   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant www.copyblogger.com Rainmaker Digital Remarkable Communication Clay Collins Naomi Dunford Internet Marketing for Smart People Confessions of a Pink-Haired Marketer Podcast

This is a jam between Angel and I on what happens when you go against your daily rhythms and having awareness and synchronicity with your natural biorhythms. We also chat about creative energy, adapting to schedule shifts, peak creative times, “screen sucking”, schedule optimization, and more. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [0:32] Thank you to SaneBox.com for sponsoring episode #88. [1:40] What’s been going on since Angela and Charlie’s last podcast? [3:33] What are biorhythms? [5:03] Spring is in the air and there is a lot of shift in people’s creative energy. [6:11] Charlie has shifted his native biorhythm to meeting in the mornings and creating in the afternoons. How is this new schedule change working for him? [7:40] What are Angela’s peak creative times? [8:32] This industrial biorhythms a lot of us are on is actually not natural in some ways. [11:11] If Charlie already knew what his creative peak times were, why did he change it? [14:15] The difference between theory and practice is that in theory there’s no difference between theory and practice! [19:46] Angela weighs in on how technology and modernity has changed our natural biorhythms. How does this relate to habit changes? [21:56] Charlie goes on a social media rant as it relates to “screen sucking”. [25:24] Charlie knows when he’s “screen sucking” but he stops and asks if what he is doing is nourishing. [27:34] Charlie’s new schedule has resulted in him getting a lot more done in the last couple of weeks but it’s not sustainable. [30:38] When did Charlie know his schedule change was not going to be sustainable in the long term. [36:20] The point Charlie wants to drive home is to pay attention to what parts of your schedule are working for you and what aren’t. [36:34] Angela and Charlie discuss the challenges women face with regards to their biorhythms and how they internalize set expectations. [40:11] What’s your natural biorhythm? Lean in to that! [40:44] How can you plan and negotiate your day so that you’re really tapping into the energy when it’s best for you, and not doing things at the wrong time. [40:59] What are the signals that you use to gauge whether you’re energetically on point? [41:27] What permission will you give yourself to explore creating a schedule that’s more nourishing for you? [42:07] Angela’s gentle reminder: practice compassion with yourself while you’re going through these changes.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox.com/Giant Heat Mapping Your Productivity Charlie Gilkey The Night Owl Manifesto by Mike Vardy

We all know that death is a part of life, but it’s the part of life that we, as a society and individuals, often would rather not talk about. And yet, not talking about it isn’t making it go away; and in fact, makes death and dying so much harder for us to process. Kathy Kortes-Miller joins me today to talk about how to bring life into conversations about death. If you’re not a long time listener to the show, you might wonder why we’re talking about death. One of the reasons I do this show is to share a wider range of the human and creative experience than just the Oprah version. I most want you and us all to see that we’re not alone in whatever adversity we’re going through, and you can triumph too. Ready? Let’s do this!   Key Takeaways: [1:13] Thank you to our sponsor, SaneBox.com. [2:13] Charlie is pumped to introduce Kathy Kortes-Miller. [3:52] How did Kathy slide into a career in death education? [5:32] How did she feel about death at the early stages of this path? [7:40] How did we get to this point where death is such a taboo topic to talk about? [12:35] Charlie shares a story on death in earlier forms of our societies and existence. [14:06] Why would we want death to become a normative life event? [17:32] How do we open the door to having conversations about death across generations? [20:41] What sort of things have people, who are at the end of their lives, told Kathy they wished they had done differently. [22:28] What are some conversation initiators on how to have a more intentional or celebratory passing? [27:49] How do we make conversations about death something that’s what we want to do vs. what we have to do? [31:54] People don’t necessarily know what to do after your passing. They don’t know what rituals you want or what legacy you want to leave behind. [34:20] Kathy shares a story about a family she worked with whose dad was dying. [35:57] What’s happening now with the traditional funeral model? [37:46] Kathy’s ‘one song’ about death and the process of dying.   Mentioned in This Episode: SaneBox