Ten Productive Questions Project Productivity

This 10th question was placed as the last episode of Season 1 of Ten Productive Questions Podcast for a reason. When we talk about productivity, it is really about practicing what you can control and accepting those that you cannot. There is a thin line between exercising control and providing structure especially when it comes to the management of a team. Leaders are believed to have control over the people they are in charge of, and this must be exercised in order for the assumed positive results to be achieved. In reality, however, this is not what happens. On the other hand, a leader who provides his or her team with a sense of psychological safety to make decisions and control what they do are likely to produce superior results.

The discussion offered here by Christian Alan Vibar and David Angway will surely hit to the core. Make sure to listen to this episode to give you a better perspective into what things you are able to control. Happy listening!

Highlights of the Episode


An insight on what you can do NOW, instead of waiting for the New Year. (...How do you prevent going back into the rabbit hole?)
Leadership in relation to control and/or providing the structure.
David Angway shares how most of his sales team has lost control over their personal lives. (...As a manager, what did he do?)
Control involves focusing on essential things and making decisions.
Thoughts on using social media as an escape when things go out of our control. (...What can they do to get their control back?)
How can parents exercise control over their children without being a control freak?
One cannot have control over everything.
Control and productivity in the work from home set up.

Connect with Christian Alan Vibar:

Website - https://productivity.ph/

When was the last time that you really took the time to check on yourself? Chances are it’s been awhile since you’ve taken the time to forgive yourself or maybe not at all.

Compassion is an attitude that comes naturally if you were brought up in such a loving and unconditional environment.  Children should feel that their homes are not places of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), but rather a place that is safe. If they don’t feel safe, going through adulthood will be full of resentment and insecurities, and the resulting experiences will always be that of failures.These days more and more young people are being hard on themselves, subjecting themselves to self ostracism because of what the world presents in the social circle and in social media.

This is an episode not to be missed, because the ideas presented will help you let go of perfect expectations and even ask for help. Enjoy!

Highlights of the Episode


Introduction to why this question is the topic of the podcast.
What are some of the causes why people become their worst critic and fall victim to self blame?
Parenting mistakes are fostering comparison instead of self-compassion.
What is "Cancel Culture" and its effects?
An analysis of a line said by Heneral Luna in the movie of the same name, promoting the thought that the enemy is ourselves.
Showing compassion to yourself is giving yourself a chance.
What kind of leadership comes from a place of compassion?
Being kind to yourself starts with forgiving yourself.

Resources:

Book mentioned in the conversation -  The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz

Connect with Christian Alan Vibar:

Website 

There is an undeniable power in anticipation! Even for those who say they are the free flowing kind of people who do not need to plan, they have in fact deliberately planned not plan. Whatever your attitude in life when it comes to planning, the end result will be its consequences. Planning actually allows us to live in the present, in anticipation of what will happen in the future.

In this episode of The Ten Productive Questions, the eighth of the series, this question presents a fresh approach when it comes to planning. The conversation between Christian Alan Vibar and David Angway offers new perspectives when it comes to planning. Find out what those are and enjoy the takeaways.

Highlights of the Episode


Introduction to the topic of thinking about the future.
How does anticipation make a difference in making the learning stick compared to when not using the power of anticipation?
Whether in business, sports, or personal life, anticipating is an overlooked aspect of planning.
What do you do with the things that you can control?
The two important steps to keep in mind when planning for the future. (...Diving deep into shame, guilt and compassion.) 
What about people who have the “come what may” attitude or those who do not want to plan at all, what do they do next?
In the planning stage, what are the steps you should take that will move you closer to your goals? 
Having the courage to anticipate takes more courage than intelligence.

Connect with Christian Alan Vibar:

Website 

Routines are created to provide a semblance in our daily lives, to be able to feel good about ourselves and as a way for us to allow time to reflect and be creative. Routines here are not the rigid kind that you have to follow because routines in itself come with changes. You don’t have to be a perfectionist with your output, but on your effort, which is controllable. There is no one-size fits all routine for everyone. Your routines can change, for example if you're part of a shifting workforce.

There was an interesting AHA moment by David when Christian discussed “pre mortem”, coined from an analogy of a known author, Annie Duke, on anticipating why you will fail before it actually happens. Keep listening until the end for more on this fascinating topic about routines, including a discussion of rituals and superstitions.

Highlights of the Episode


Introduction of the topic with Christian and David telling their favorite routines.
Routines as perceived by the principles of Project Productivity.
Tips on how to create perfect routines. (...Is there such a thing as perfect routines?)
The relationship of Procrastination and Perfectionism.
The right routine to place into your "Time Boxing" (...What are the chances to be productive for shift workers?)
What does being productive mean for you?
A side joke by David Angway in relation to routine - Why are the noses of Filipinos flat?
What about if you don't have a reason to find your routine? (...Is there really no reason?)
Why is there a need to plan the obstacles? (...A look at the pre-mortem analogy.)
The difference between rituals and superstitions.
What are our attitudes to routines? (... Why does it work or not work?)

Connect with Christian Alan Vibar:

Website

We live in a culture where we view successful people's narratives that their success is due to their hard work as very impressive. Coming from a third world country, we believe that the only way out of poverty is to work really hard. We are slowly copying the Japanese Karoshi phenomenon, one that the Japanese are slowly doing away with in its present generation. Karoshi means “death from overwork”, which emanates from a national attempt to restructure the economy after the oil crisis of 1973.   In 1987, the Ministry of Health of Japan recognized that the Karoshi culture is a severe social problem and has encouraged work-life balance to halt the deaths among its workforce.

In this episode of Ten Productive Questions podcast, Christian and David delved into the factor of rest as a catalyst for efficient productivity. Rest affects our mental health and productivity, so it is of the utmost importance that we make resting, one of our personal responsibilities.

Highlights of the Episode


Lack of rest creates a ripple effect that is detrimental to our mental health and productivity.
The hustle culture in relation to Japan's Karoshi culture.
Why is it important to recharge our mental energy with rest and sleep?.
Which is better, work-life balance or work-life integration?
Christian's perspective on people equating their identity with work.
David Angway shares his personal story about rest before Project Productivity and his analogy of the fog when going up to Baguio.
The vicious cycle of trying to appear as if we are occupied with work through unnecessary activity such as doing back to back meetings.
Leaders who know the values of rest in opposition to the hustle culture.
The sleep revolution, unlocking the power of rest and sleep.
Get restful with these practical tips.

Resources:

Karoshi culture

Book mentioned by David Angway - Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker

Connect with Christian Alan Vibar:

Website 

People get frustrated when things don’t turn out well according to their plan. It burst like a bubble right in front of them because they have not anticipated all the obstacles. Considering obstacles beforehand allows you to come up with creative solutions and even be pleasantly surprised when they do not occur.

This fourth of the series on Ten Productive Questions will open your eyes to the reality that obstacles are inevitable. Lots of learning here as Christian and David dig deeply into this topic, including why quitting and obstacles go hand in hand. Listen up and let's see what lessons we can learn from this episode. Happy listening!

Highlights of the Episode


A prelude to the topic with a throwback on David’s first 6 weeks in the Project Productivity.
Being aware is the breakthrough through an obstacle.
What happens when we totally overlook the part that there will always be obstacles and when we acknowledge them?
Christian and David share about how they started with their careers and how they faced their obstacles.
Why obstacles and quitting go hand in hand?
The benefits of journaling or making a list of your obstacles.
How do you find the obstacles and the limiting beliefs that are within ourselves?
The three components of the habit loop. (...What component can you change?)

Resources:

Book mentioned in the conversation- Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke

Connect with Christian Alan Vibar:

Website