The Productivity Show

Deep work isn’t just about willpower… it’s about strategy. In this episode, I’m breaking down the common mistakes that kill your focus, from poor energy management to environment design that works against you. Learn how to align your tasks with your natural rhythms and set realistic expectations so you can finally get the important things done. Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps. Links: Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt. DripDrop 25X Productivity Coaching If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

Stop trying to build new habits from scratch. In this episode, we explore why upgrading your current routines is the secret to sustainable productivity. We dive into the science of the 1% rule, habit stacking, and energy management. Learn how to identify what’s already working and apply small, strategic tweaks (like the “Never Miss Twice” rule) to get massive results without the burnout. Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps. Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.com/PRODUCTIVITY. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll. Visit asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics. Cheat Sheet: Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt. Top 3 Productivity Resources [02:07]. Why “build on what you already do” can beat a full reset—and how to spot the easiest upgrades [05:06]. Habit stacking in real life: the tiny pairing that makes a habit finally stick [05:46]. The “start messy, then iterate” story that turns a good intention into an automatic routine [18:55]. Friction is the hidden lever: remove it to do more, add it to do less (with surprisingly simple examples) [21:53]. A quick habit audit you can do when things feel off—without overhauling your whole system [28:44]. How to supercharge what’s already working (and the one-tweak mindset that compounds fast) [36:57]. Links: DripDrop Mint Mobile Gusto 25X Productivity Coaching Claude Plaud Notepin Defining Style: The Book of Interior Design by Joan Barzilay Freund Remotion Productivity Academy The Productivity Show on Youtube The Productivity Show Youtube Clips Become a member of TPS+ Take the Productivity Quiz If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

When does your workday actually end—and who gets to decide? In a hybrid world where home and office blur together, it’s easy to feel like you’re always “on,” answering one last email at night and checking Slack before your feet hit the floor in the morning. That constant low-level pull can quietly drain your energy, focus, and enjoyment of work, even when flexibility was supposed to make life better. This episode breaks down a simple but powerful shift that helps you reclaim your time without sacrificing performance. You’ll learn how setting clear, intentional boundaries around your work hours can reduce stress, restore separation between work and life, and make you more effective when you are working. If hybrid work has started to feel like work without an off switch, this conversation will help you put one back in place. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll. Links: Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt. Gusto 25X Productivity Coaching If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

How do some people consistently turn raw ideas into real, finished work—while others stay stuck waiting for inspiration to strike? In this encore conversation, Thanh sits down with legendary creative entrepreneur and Parsons professor Jeffrey Madoff to unpack the mindset and structure behind sustainable creativity. From building a fashion company at 22 to producing campaigns for Ralph Lauren and Tiffany, Jeffrey shares how curiosity—not talent alone—has fueled every chapter of his career. You’ll hear why creativity is less about magic and more about systems, how organizing principles help tame chaos, and why delegation is the secret weapon behind high-level creative output. Whether you’re a founder, maker, or someone with big ideas you haven’t yet shipped, this episode reveals the practical workflow that turns vision into execution—and makes a living from it. Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/tps. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/TPS, and get 3 months free when you run your first payroll. Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps. Get 20% off your first order: dripdrop.com and use promo code tps. Visit asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics. Cheat Sheet: Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt. From Madison storefronts to global campaigns—meet the mind behind the work, Jeffrey Madoff. [01:19] The surprisingly simple tools Jeffrey relies on to keep creative chaos under control. [01:59] How a spontaneous leap into fashion launched a career that later pivoted into film and storytelling. [05:56] A refreshing definition of creativity that expands far beyond artists and into everyday builders. [16:52] Why waiting for inspiration is a trap—and what actually moves creative projects forward. [23:28] The organizing principles and delegation strategies that make big creative visions executable. [35:14] How to price your ideas, validate them in the real world, and prove they’re worth paying for. [42:10] Links: Shopify Gusto Notion DripDrop 25X Productivity Coaching Madoff Productions A Creative Career Google Tasks (in Gmail) Trello YouTube Parsons School of Design Book- Creative Careers: Making a Living With Your Ideas Instagram LinkedIn Productivity Academy The Productivity Show on Youtube The Productivity Show Youtube Clips Become a member of TPS+ Take the Productivity Quiz If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

Why do goals fail while systems succeed? This productivity systems episode reveals how small structural changes create consistent progress without relying on motivation or willpower. Learn the “never skip twice” rule, build habit stacks that stick, and start creating the engine that powers your productivity every single day. Get Notion, now with Notion Agent at notion.com/tps. Visit www.asianefficiency.com for more productivity tips and tactics. Links: Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt. Notion Agent 25X Productivity Coaching If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!