80/20 Productivity

Anthony Sanni
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In this podcast, we explore the science, art and practice of achieving more by doing less based on the principles of 80/20. Productivity hacks, topical deep dives, book reviews, interviews and more to help you become a better you by focusing on the things that really matter. Each episode provides not just insights but instantly actionable strategies and tactics to help you on the journey to achieving extraordinary results—all while doing less—so that you can hae mnore time and energy to live life to the fullest! About the host: Anthony Sanni has always been the person to ask—why are we doing it this way? He is a productivity nerd and an ambassador of smart, focused productivity. He is a sought-after keynote speaker, executive coach and consultant. His clients span the industries of healthcare, finance, project management and tech. Anthony is the author of the book The Law of The Vital Few: How to Do More by Doing Less. He publishes articles regularly on themes of productivity and effectiveness at anthonysanni.com.

  1. FEB 19

    Ep 033: How the 80/20 Rule Can Work Against You—And What to Do About It

    Episode Summary We all know the 80/20 rule—a small percentage of your actions create most of your success. But have you ever stopped to ask: What if a small percentage of your actions are actually causing most of your stress, setbacks, and frustration? In this episode, we explore the hidden cost of productivity—the 20% of your activities, habits, and relationships that might be holding you back. You’ll learn how to spot these high-cost negatives, eliminate them, and free up more time and energy for the things that actually move you forward. Get 40% off Magic Mind. Go to https://magicmind.com/anthony40 You’ve heard of the 80/20 rule—but what if 20% of your actions are sabotaging the other 80%? While we focus on maximizing positive results, we often ignore the hidden forces draining our energy, time, and motivation. In this episode, I break down: How a small number of decisions, habits, and relationships create outsized stress and setbacks. The warning signs that an activity or person is part of your “negative 20%.” How to cut the noise and take back control of your time, energy, and productivity. If you’ve ever felt busy but stuck, this episode is for you.Notes and References Past Episodes Mentioned Future Self Connection: Link to the referenced episode. The Zero-Sum Game of Time – How to reclaim time for what truly matters. Magic Mind Offer My go-to productivity booster: magicmind.com/anthony40 Use code ANTHONY40 for 40% off your first subscription! (Limited to the first 10 orders.)Force Multipliers Episode Reference to Lancaster's Law and exponential teamwork effects. My Free Mini-Course: Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting Free resource for listeners: https://anthony-sanni-company-international.thinkific.com/courses/goal-achievement-free-mini-course Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital FewThe Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps: [00:27] The Two-Sided Nature of 80/20 [02:18] Are You Doing More of What Works—or More of What Hurts? [06:21] The Productivity Drain You’re Overlooking [12:06] The 20% of Your Life That’s Holding You Back [18:09] The People Problem: Are Certain Relationships Costing You Too Much? [20:44] How to Cut the 20% That’s Wasting Your Time & Energy [24:07] The Secret to Doing More by Doing Less

    25 min

  2. JAN 24

    Ep 032: Are You Wasting Your Effort?

    In this episode of 8020 Productivity, we explore how strengthening the connection with your future self can transform your goal-setting and decision-making. we discuss cutting-edge research, practical strategies, and the ripple effects of embracing your future self in every area of life. From emotional conne Episode Summary Learn how to maximize your productivity by focusing on generative effort—the work that keeps paying off long after it's done. In this episode, I break down the differences between terminal and generative effort, share insights and offer actionable tips to help you build assets, streamline processes, and create a lasting legacy..The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps: [00:00] The Two Types of Effort That Define Productivity A powerful framework to transform how you approach work and results. [00:19] Generative Effort: The Work That Keeps on Giving What makes some efforts continue to create value long after they’re done? [04:34] Terminal Effort: Are You Stuck in a Productivity Trap? The kind of work that ends as soon as it’s completed—and why it’s time to rethink it. [06:38] Why Generative Effort Is a Gift to Your Future Self How prioritizing the right kind of effort aligns with your long-term goals. [07:59] What Are the 6 Categories of Generative Effort? From building assets to creating a legacy, these categories will change how you allocate your energy. [21:18] Is Your Effort Building or Burning Value? Key questions to identify whether your tasks are setting you up for lasting success. [24:20] How to Shift More Time Toward Generative Effort Practical strategies to rebalance your day for compounding results. [24:41] Final Thoughts: Are You Ready to Work Smarter? A challenge to focus on work that pays off far beyond the present moment. Get up to 45% off Magic Mind special bundle of performance shots and sleep aid - valid only for January. Go to https://magicmind.com/anthonyjan Notes and References Greg McKeown's Essentialism: Inspiration for the concept of generative vs. terminal effort. Past Episodes Mentioned Future Self Connection: Link to the referenced episode. Force Multipliers Episode Reference to Lancaster's Law and exponential teamwork effects. Mini-Course: Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting Free resource for listeners: https://anthony-sanni-company-international.thinkific.com/courses/goal-achievement-free-mini-course Book Mention: The Law of The Vital Few

    25 min

  3. JAN 18

    Ep 031: The missing link to motivation

    In this episode of 8020 Productivity, we explore how strengthening the connection with your future self can transform your goal-setting and decision-making. we discuss cutting-edge research, practical strategies, and the ripple effects of embracing your future self in every area of life. From emotional connection to actionable milestones, learn how to set yourself up for long-term success today.The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps: Get up to 50% off Magic Mind mental performance shots for Black Friday. Valid for a limited time. Go to https://magicmind.com/anthonysannibf [00:00] Why Most Goals Fail [00:46] The Concept of Future Self What is the future self, and why does it matter? [02:38] Brain Science Behind Future Self Perception Your brain treats your future self as a different person. [05:03] Emotional Connection: The Secret Sauce The power of emotional investment in goal pursuit. Dr. Hal Hershfield’s insights on future self-continuity. [08:34] Small Habits, Big Results Practical tips: Packing your gym bag, meal prepping, and more. [11:14] Bridging Temporal Distance Why milestones matter: Breaking down big goals into achievable steps. Construal Level Theory explained. [17:17] The Power of Storytelling How multi-sensory narratives bring your future self to life. Writing letters from your future self to your current self. [22:23] Bonus: The Ripple Effect How connecting with your future self impacts health, finances, and relationships. [26:13] Final Challenge: Start Small Today What will you do today to serve your future self?Notes and References Dr. Hal Hershfield’s Research Paper: Future Self-Continuity: How Conceptions of the Future Self Transform Intertemporal Choice.Read the full paper here. Neural Correlates of Future Self-Continuity Paper: Saving for the Future Self: Neural Measures of Future Self-Continuity Predict Temporal Discounting.View the study here. Construal Level Theory Developed by Nira Liberman and Yaacov Trope, this theory explores how psychological distance affects decision-making.Learn more about it here. Virtual Aging Software Example: Apps that visualize age progression, like FaceApp or AgingBooth, can be helpful for visualizing your future self. Magic Mind Offer Link: https://magicmind.com/anthonyjan Mini-Course: Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting Free resource for listeners: https://anthony-sanni-company-international.thinkific.com/courses/goal-achievement-free-mini-course Book Mention: The Law of The Vital Few

    27 min

  4. 2024-12-04

    Ep 30: Procrastination’s Kryptonite

    Procrastination isn’t just a thief of time—it’s a thief of life. In this episode, we dive deep into the Procrastination Cycle (Detect, Detest, and Dodge) and flip the script with the Doing Cycle (Accept, Adapt, and Advance). Drawing from practical strategies, cognitive techniques, and time-tested productivity tools, you’ll learn how to tackle procrastination head-on and finally get the important things done. Whether you’re stuck on a report, a presentation, or even starting your fitness journey, this episode will guide you to move from procrastination to productivity.The TVF Timestamps: Episode Highlights: [0:00] Procrastination: The thief of time and life. [0:47] Introduction to the 3 Ds (Procrastination Cycle). [1:41] Understanding discomfort as the foundation of procrastination. [5:00] Detect, Detest, and Dodge: Breaking down procrastination. [9:40] Switching gears: Introducing the Doing Cycle (3 As). [12:14] Accepting discomfort with cognitive defusion. [15:00] Adapting to discomfort with reframing and small steps. [19:00] Advancing through discomfort using action-based tools. [24:28] Practical time-based strategies [26:00] Closing insights: Moving from knowledge to action. Notes and References https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-023-using-the-procrastination-equation-to-find-and-fix-your-procrastination-how-to This is the episode on the procrastination equation and here is the other one: Ep-021: You Are NOT Lazy! 5 Unexpected Reasons You Procrastinate, and How to Stop My blog on the Pomodoro Technique: https://anthonysanni.com/blog/how-a-tomato-changed-my-life Procrastination: The Vicious Cycle of Procrastination. Centre for Clinical Interventions. Link to source. Achor, S. (2010). The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life. Crown Business. Ferrari, J. R. (2010). Still Procrastinating? The No Regrets Guide to Getting It Done. John Wiley & Sons. Steel, P. (2007). The Nature of Procrastination: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review of Quintessential Self-Regulatory Failure. Psychological Bulletin. Pychyl, T. A. (2013). Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change. Penguin Group. Cirillo, F. (2018). The Pomodoro Technique: The Life-Changing Time-Management System. Crown Publishing Group. Tracy, B. (2001). Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Avery.

    27 min

  5. 2024-11-25

    Ep-029: Kaizen Revisited

    Welcome back! Let me ask you: are you grinding away but still feeling stuck, like your hard work isn’t paying off? In this episode, we dive into something that changed the game for me: obsession with value. What if doing less—not more—was the secret to getting better results? We’ll talk about cutting out the fluff, knowing who you’re really working for (hint: it might be you), and focusing on what truly matters. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or like your efforts aren’t hitting the mark, trust me, you don’t want to miss this one. Get up to 48% off Magic Mind mental performance shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/anthonysanni and use CODE: ANTHONYS20 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What it means to have an obsession with value and why it’s essential for productivity. How to identify your “customer” in every interaction—even when it’s yourself. The dangers of overproduction and how to avoid wasting time and effort. Real-world examples of applying Kaizen to personal and professional growth. Simple strategies for seeking feedback to refine your work and improve outcomes. The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps: [00:00 - 00:26] What’s the Missing Link in Your Productivity?Kick off the episode with a surprising insight into Kaizen’s second principle. [00:27 - 01:06] Why “Value” Might Be Your Secret WeaponDiscover why understanding value changes everything about how you work. [01:07 - 02:00] The Question You’re Not Asking (But Should Be)Find out how redefining “customer” can transform your focus. [02:01 - 06:00] Unlocking Value in Unexpected PlacesExplore how small mindset shifts reveal opportunities to deliver more. [06:01 - 09:00] A Hidden Lesson from Toyota’s SuccessWhat industrial giants can teach us about cutting waste and maximizing results. [09:01 - 13:00] Are You Focused on the Wrong Things?How to stop spinning your wheels and uncover what truly matters. [13:01 - 15:00] The Silent Productivity KillerWhy doing too much might be the exact thing holding you back. [15:01 - 18:00] A Simple Shift That Changes EverythingLearn how feedback can help you work smarter, not harder. [18:01 - End] What’s the One Thing You’ll Do Differently?Challenge yourself to take action and make Kaizen principles work for you. Get up to 48% off Magic Mind mental performance shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/anthonysanni and use CODE: ANTHONYS20 Notes and References Part 1 of Kaizen Episodes: Ep-028: The Kaizen Secret—How Tiny Changes Lead to Big Wins: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-028-unlock-unstoppable-productivity-how-small-daily-improvements-can-overcome-burnout-procrastination-and-overwhelm Virtuous Laziness Episode:Ep-009: On Zipf’s Law of Least Effort and virtuous laziness: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-009-zipfs-law-of-least-and-why-laziness-is-good Episode on 80/20 Quadrants for productivity: Ep-025: Zero sum game of time—How to beat the game and do more by doing less I: https://anthonysanni.com/podcast/ep-05-how-to-beat-the-losing-game-of-time-management-using-the-pareto-principle Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success Imai, Masaaki. Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success. McGraw-Hill, 1986. For those interested in learning more about Kaizen and how this principle transformed Japan’s manufacturing industries, check out Masaaki Imai’s classic book, Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success. It’s a great read for understanding the roots of this continuous improvement philosophy. 3.                     Justin Welsh’s newsletter on the businesswoman who sought feedback and used to to increase profits after her product flopped. https://www.justinwelsh.me/newsletter/her-product-flopped-then-she-3xed-revenue 4.                     Referenced Book by Jack Canfield’s book about asking a partner for feedback on relationships 1.                     The Success Principles: https://www.harpercollins.ca/9780062395702/the-success-principlestm-10th-anniversary-edition/ 5.                     Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) Sanni, Anthony. The 80/20 Way to Productivity: Do More by Doing Less. Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few At 80/20 Productivity, we believe in focusing on the few things that make the biggest difference. This idea is based on the Pareto Principle, which tells us that 80% of our results come from 20% of our efforts. To dive deeper into this, check out The Law of The Vital Few which breaks down how you can apply this rule to everything from work to personal growth.

    35 min

  6. 2024-10-15

    Ep-028: The Kaizen Secret—How Tiny Changes Lead to Big Wins

    What if you could create mind-blowing improvements in your performance and life with minimal effort every day? In this episode, we introduce Kaizen—the Japanese philosophy of small, consistent improvements that has fueled massive success in industries like manufacturing. Learn how applying this simple but powerful concept to your own life can help you crush your goals without the burnout. Get up to 48% off Magic Mind mental performance shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/anthonysanni and use CODE: ANTHONYS20 The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps: [00:00] – What Is Kaizen and Why It Works [03:01] – Stop Chasing Big Changes: Why Small Wins Matter More [06:09] – Fitness, Finance, and Compounding: The Real Power of Incremental Growth [15:25] – The Invisible Path to Success: Why 1% Matters Every Day [16:54] – How to Start Using Kaizen Right Now Notes and References Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success Imai, Masaaki. Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success. McGraw-Hill, 1986. For those interested in learning more about Kaizen and how this principle transformed Japan’s manufacturing industries, check out Masaaki Imai’s classic book, Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success. It’s a great read for understanding the roots of this continuous improvement philosophy. Lean Management and Six Sigma Womack, James P., and Daniel T. Jones. Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation. Simon & Schuster, 2003. Kaizen is closely associated with Lean management and Six Sigma, frameworks widely used to reduce waste and improve efficiency. For more on these, consider reading Lean Thinking by James Womack, which gives an in-depth look into how these concepts can help businesses grow and thrive. Einstein's Quote on Compounding Interest The attribution of the quote “Compounding interest is the eighth wonder of the world” to Albert Einstein is widely debated, and there’s no definitive evidence that he actually said it. Whether or not Einstein said it, the principle behind it is incredibly powerful. By making small, consistent improvements—just like compounding interest—you can see exponential growth in almost any area of life. Compounding Interest and 1% Daily Improvement If you improve by just 1% every day, that adds up much faster than most people expect. Over the course of a year, those 1% gains can compound into something like 37 times better performance. While this example simplifies things a bit, the principle of compounding is key here. It’s about getting a little better each day and letting those gains multiply over time. Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) Sanni, Anthony. The 80/20 Way to Productivity: Do More by Doing Less. Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few At 80/20 Productivity, we believe in focusing on the few things that make the biggest difference. This idea is based on the Pareto Principle, which tells us that 80% of our results come from 20% of our efforts. To dive deeper into this, check out The Law of The Vital Few which breaks down how you can apply this rule to everything from work to personal growth.

    27 min

  7. 2024-08-01

    Ep-025: Zero sum game of time—How to beat the game and do more by doing less I

    Episode Summary Using Task and Goal Cooperation to Beat the Zero sum game of timeIn this follow-up episode, we delve deeper into overcoming the zero-sum game of time management. We recap the fundamental concepts introduced previously and explore new strategies, focusing on cooperation as a method to enhance productivity. Learn how to align your daily activities with your broader goals to maximize efficiency and satisfaction. The first episode is available here Get up to 48% off Magic Mind productivity shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/8020productivity and use CODE: PRD20 The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps: [00:28] - Recap of the Zero-Sum Game of Time [02:08] - Introducing the Concept of Cooperation in Time Management [03:09] - The Importance of Goal Setting in Overcoming Time Constraints [04:35] - Framework for Setting and Reevaluating Goals [05:36] - Strategies for Implementing Cooperation in Daily Activities [13:03] - Practical Examples of Integrating Multiple Life Segments [17:42] - Returning to Time Management Strategies Using Cooperation [25:58] - Summary and Key Takeaways Get up to 48% off Magic Mind productivity shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/8020productivity and use CODE: PRD20 Notes and References Intro to The Wheel of Life: The Wheel of Life® https://www.mindtools.com/ak6jd6w/the-wheel-of-life Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

    27 min

  8. 2024-07-17

    Ep-026: More than motivation! Use the Push and Pull of Values to hack your productivity

    Ever wonder why sometimes you don’t follow through on your goals? Often times we feel like we’re not “motivated”. But motivation is a trick. The real issue is often values! Dive deep into the world of values and their profound impact on productivity in this insightful episode. We explore how values drive our decisions and behaviors, particularly in goal-setting and achieving personal and professional success. Learn about the ten key categories of values, understand the conflicts between them, and discover strategies to align your actions with your true values to enhance your productivity. Get up to 48% off Magic Mind productivity shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/8020productivity and use CODE: PRD20 Key Insights: Values are more than abstract concepts; they are cognitive structures that influence every decision and action. Conflicts between values can significantly affect our productivity and overall satisfaction. Aligning your goals with your values can lead to more meaningful and effective actions.The Vital Few (TVF) Timestamps: Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction to Values and Their Role in Productivity [00:22] - Understanding the Ten Categories of Values [01:33] - Defining Values: Insights from Research [02:55] - Detailed Discussion on Each Value Category [23:59] - Conformity and Its Role in Society [26:09] - How Values Influence Work Satisfaction and Personal Decisions [29:23] - Closing Thoughts: Aligning Values with Life Goals Get an extra 20% off a 30-day supply of Magic Mind productivity shots. Go to https://magicmind.com/8020productivity and use CODE: PRD20 My favourite digital productivity tool (get double the trial period for free! No credit card required: https://try.sunsama.com/anthony Notes and References Oyserman, Daphna. (2015). Values, Psychology of. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. 10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.24030-0. An overview of the values categories: An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values Shalom H. Schwartz https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1116&context=orpc . Values Survey: https://www.framevoicereport.org/media/1093/the-short-schwartzs-value-survey.pdf Anthony’s Book: The Law of The Vital Few

    31 min
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About

In this podcast, we explore the science, art and practice of achieving more by doing less based on the principles of 80/20. Productivity hacks, topical deep dives, book reviews, interviews and more to help you become a better you by focusing on the things that really matter. Each episode provides not just insights but instantly actionable strategies and tactics to help you on the journey to achieving extraordinary results—all while doing less—so that you can hae mnore time and energy to live life to the fullest! About the host: Anthony Sanni has always been the person to ask—why are we doing it this way? He is a productivity nerd and an ambassador of smart, focused productivity. He is a sought-after keynote speaker, executive coach and consultant. His clients span the industries of healthcare, finance, project management and tech. Anthony is the author of the book The Law of The Vital Few: How to Do More by Doing Less. He publishes articles regularly on themes of productivity and effectiveness at anthonysanni.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Anthony Sanni
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Anthony Sanni. All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    80/20 Productivity