Brent presents the idea of "your highest aspiration", the reason you're here, and the reason you do what you do. This is the root of your motivation, your belief in your own daily practice.

David speculates on the artist's drive to create art, and anyone's reason to produce and create in general. They both agree that the best work comes from pursuit of the thing itself, not from the search for approval or recognition.

Brent and David discuss what makes someone "officially" achieve a role or reputation, concluding that, ultimately, status is conferred by consensus. Brent presents the notions of subjective and objective ambitions, and the idea of "grip" on ambition, and what the appropriate amount of grip should be.

Today's 3 Takeaways

1. Take the time to get clear on your highest subjective and objective aspirations.
2. Be prepared and willing to change as a person, and for your aspirations to change with you.
3. Monitor your enjoyment. Align your enjoyment of life with your ambition.

Our links

https://twitter.com/skyward_spiral

http://davidwhitechapel.com/

https://brenthuras.com/

Find out more at https://skyward-spiral.pinecast.co

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-2c8cb3 for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Skyward Spiral.

David and Brent are back with the first episode of the second season of the podcast.

David and Brent discuss "focus", what it is and how to attain it. David talks about his recent diagnosis of ADD, and how this changed affected his productivity. He brings up the idea of "Deep Work" as presented in the book by Cal Newport, but also mentions the surprising value of "shallow" work.

Two definitions of focus are presented:

• Focus as "freedom from distraction"
• Focus as "one-pointedness"

Brent talks about his idea of "bamboozlery", sneaky distractions that interfere with productivity.

David and Brent discuss ways to attain focus, including the idea of a "temple" of focus, a designed space that is most conducive to productivity.

Today's 3 Takeaways

1. If you've always considered yourself unforgivably lazy, it might not just be "laziness". Consult experts and friends and family, and see if there might be more to what's holding you back.
2. Be aware of, and account for "bamboozlery". Set dedicated time aside for distraction-free, focused work.
3. Understand and appreciate your "temples" of focus. Learn what they are and how to build them and work in them.

Our links

https://twitter.com/skyward_spiral

http://davidwhitechapel.com/

https://brenthuras.com/

Find out more at https://skyward-spiral.pinecast.co

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-2c8cb3 for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Skyward Spiral.

Today's guest is Polina Bee the founder of Monthly Method - a SCRUM-based framework for personal productivity.

David and Polina talk about SCRUM, Agile, sprints, and the monthly method. How can you apply Scrum methodology to your life? How can it help your professional and personal goals?

Polina's top tips:

1. Set goals in these different areas of your life (and don't neglect any!):
   • Career and Growth
   • Health and Key Relationships
   • Quality of Life
   • Keep a backlog. Both for ongoing projects, and ideas for new ones.
   • Ensure you have a proper definition of "done".

The Monthly Method

Find out more about the Monthly Method at these links:

https://monthlymethod.com

hello@monthlymethod.com

@monthly.method on Instagram

Our links

https://twitter.com/skyward_spiral

http://davidwhitechapel.com/

https://brenthuras.com/

Find out more at https://skyward-spiral.pinecast.co

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-2c8cb3 for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Skyward Spiral.

David and Brent look back on the year, and the first season of the podcast.

David and Brent discuss the unusual year that was 2020 and their own experiences during it. David looks back at the podcast so far and the various principles and strategies presented. Brent introduces his new framework for work and rest which he calls the 'negative space' of productivity.

Today's 3 Takeaways

1. 2020 was a difficult year for everyone. Bear this in mind when reflecting back on it.
2. Play with the idea of the 'negative space' of productivity. Embrace the inhale as well as the exhale.
3. Thank you for listening to our podcast! We hope you'll join us for many more great discussions in 2021 and beyond.

Our links

https://twitter.com/skyward_spiral

http://davidwhitechapel.com/

https://brenthuras.com/

Find out more at https://skyward-spiral.pinecast.co

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-2c8cb3 for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Skyward Spiral.

David and Brent talk real productivity: what it means, and how to access it.

David talks about riding the wave of getting things done, and learning to be a better 'surfer'. Brent asks us to better define what we mean about productivity in the first place. They debate the finer details of what entails a productive day/week/month/year, and how best to live a fully productive life.

Brent's 4 Pillars of Productivity

1. Clarity (and vision)
2. Strategy (and structure)
3. Implementation (and routine)
4. Flow (and challenge)

Our links

https://twitter.com/skyward_spiral

http://davidwhitechapel.com/

https://brenthuras.com/

Find out more at https://skyward-spiral.pinecast.co

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-2c8cb3 for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Skyward Spiral.

David and Brent talk about impostor syndrome and their own struggles with it.

David defines impostor syndrome and explains some of his own experience of feeling like an 'impostor'. Brent details his own experience as he became a productivity coach. David presents the idea that "you're only ever you", and what it implies. They discuss how impostor syndrome is most often invalid, and how best to think about it.

Today's 3 Takeaways

1. You are the person most capable of undermining your own self-belief. But you can also control for this (and you should).
2. Remember what first brought you to the opportunities you are taking. Let your confidence win out over your doubts.
3. Don't feel inferior. But do feel grateful.

Our links

https://twitter.com/skyward_spiral

http://davidwhitechapel.com/

https://brenthuras.com/

Find out more at https://skyward-spiral.pinecast.co

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-2c8cb3 for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Skyward Spiral.

David and Brent talk about burnout and how to avoid it.

Brent talks about recent struggles with burnout. David relates his own experiences in his creative projects. Brent describes the "mastermind paradox" and definitions of burnout, as well as his approaches to solving it.

Today's 3 Takeaways

1. Make sure to make regular time for self-renewal.
2. When your best efforts are not yielding results, reassess and review your strategies and approaches.
3. Keep a balance between your logical rational mind and your unknown hidden mind to avoid burnout.

Our links

https://twitter.com/skyward_spiral

http://davidwhitechapel.com/

https://brenthuras.com/

Find out more at https://skyward-spiral.pinecast.co

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-2c8cb3 for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Skyward Spiral.

David and Brent talk about iteration and iterative loops, and how to apply them to your work and life.

David shares his theory of iteration or "controlled improvement" with Brent. They discuss the finer points of the iterative loop including how to make the best possible omelette.

David's formulation of the iterative loop consists of four steps:

• BLUEPRINTING
• PROTOTYPING
• FEEDBACK & EVALUATION
• ITERATION

Today's 3 Takeaways

1. Be aware of the iterative loop, its stages, and its applications.
2. Make your iterative loops into a personal sanctuary. Customise them to fit your life.
3. Be creatively fearless.

Our links

https://twitter.com/skyward_spiral

http://davidwhitechapel.com/

https://brenthuras.com/

Find out more at https://skyward-spiral.pinecast.co

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-2c8cb3 for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Skyward Spiral.