SAMIA: Hello, Salaam, Shalom, Namaste, Sat Sri Akal, Aloha, Holah, Ciao, Bonjour, Buna, and Privet!

It's really, really, good to be with you again. And we have a very special guest back with us again. So I'm really excited to have her back... And it's Agnese Rudzate. Who's a Productivity Specialist. Hey, if you didn't catch our last episode, please make sure you go check it out. Because we had a really interesting conversation… we had started to talk about time management and productivity... and discuss some of the big challenges that come in the way of your being able to effectively time manage and be productive. So you need to go check that out. And yeah... today we're just getting to dig deeper and talk about more amazing issues related to this. So welcome again Agnese...

AGNESE: Thank you. Thank you very much for having me... for the second round. I'm happy to be here and to immerse more into all things productivity, and just how to make our lives better.

SAMIA: Yeah... my gosh… because you're so right… productivity and making our lives better are so connected. They're so... 

AGNESE: They go hand in hand... hand in hand.

SAMIA: Indeed... indeed. 

AGNESE: Yeah. 

SAMIA: So can you tell me more… like last time you know we talked about some of the big issues and challenges that people face, particularly in the context of there just not being enough time… and there's so many distractions, and so forth. What should… what can we focus on today that will really help our listeners… 

AGNESE: Yeah. And we're… what we touched last time was really being willing to just to change ourselves… to change our habits… and just be willing to receive help and to ask for it… not to be afraid. And I'm sure that we've all been guilty of trying to do everything by ourselves, you know, and thinking that we can manage it all… or wearing too many hats at the same time. And don't get me wrong... there's nothing wrong with us doing a lot of things. But the problem starts when we start to do these things in the same time or a very short amount of time... this is when we drain out. And we just burn ourselves out. And the first thing to do is really to notice it and accept it. Because so many times we're in this wheel and we just keep going and going and going, right. But it's our job to stop and look inside... to understand… what can I change and what can I do better? And that's for all areas in our lives... whether we talk about business, lifestyle, your exercise, whatever it is... we need to see ourselves for who we are, right. And accept ourselves. And this is where all the time management and productivity and other things really evolve and get better. Because we accept ourselves for who we are. And for me... the best practice that has helped me to get into that state and to be more open to receive is through meditation. As simple as it is, it's just so profound… yet so many people are maybe scared or they don't understand what it is… that like, what does that mean? I'm going to have to sit in a silence now for 20 minutes? Like how does that work? You know... The beauty of it is that you actually take the time for yourself to understand your thoughts. Where are they wandering away... What is happening inside you... And this is how we can really waste less of our time. There is a saying... I don't know who said it. I might have to look it up. But there's a saying that every person should meditate for 20 minutes a day. But if you're really, really, busy then you should do it for two hours. And the magic in this... is that really we are as busy as we make ourselves to be. We're in charge at the end of the day. We need to be willing to explore that, you know, to really dive deeper and understand what keeps us so busy. 

SAMIA: Yeah.

AGNESE: Why don't we have time... 

SAMIA: Yeah. 

AGNESE: What's the deal...

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SAMIA: Yeah yeah... you know you just made me think about this book… I'm trying to remember the title of it. But I can't for the moment. That's all right.

AGNESE: Yeah. 

SAMIA: I remember the concept. You know this idea... my gosh... you know basically in the book they were talking about how our experience of time... it's like funny, right. And at some points in time... it seems to like really speed up… like when you're enjoying yourself, you’re in the flow of something... it's like "Whoa! Where did the time go?" And other times it's like dragging… we're like... "oh my God".

AGNESE: This is when you start to meditate for the first time. It's like two minutes… three minutes... What's happening?

SAMIA: Exactly. And one of the most important lessons that I learned from this book was that you know the fact that we have this relative experience of time… we can actually begin to consciously tap into this and utilize it to our benefit. And you know the fact that when you're in a state of flow... and you experience, like, this… it, on the one hand, it's like oh yes, where did the time go... But on the other hand it's like you... when you're doing whatever it is that you're doing in that state of flow, like, you don't even worry about time and somehow you have enough time. You know that… that's another part of the experience... that you know you just… you're just getting to do what you want to do. And you're loving doing it... And you have no worries about time at all when you're in that state. And so wouldn't that be a wonderful thing to experience... other times... especially in those times or when you're feeling worried about time.

AGNESE: Yeah... yeah. And this is why this conversation is so important. And this is why it's so important to get the information out as much as we can… that it is possible... it is possible. And you just need to learn the tools and follow the practices... implement new habits, so this happens for you. And let's not create this life that... oh yes! Because I'm a time management expert, and nothing ever goes wrong... right. I plan everything. I schedule things to do. Everything's fine… It's not like that. Because life happens, right. And things get changed. But what really creates success is our ability to get back up and continue, right. And be in that flow and really elevate ourselves... And this is why I said that time management goes hand in hand with like pain management. Because we seek distraction to avoid this pain, this discomfort. And so it is up to us to really dig deeper and try to understand what causes that discomfort …and what pain is under our actions. And the better we understand ourselves the better we will become at time management, productivity, and all the necessary things to really clear and concise mind.

SAMIA: Yes.

AGNESE: Because we need to understand ourselves... to manage ourselves better. And I think the last time I was here I mentioned this author, Nir Eyal… He was the one who really did like extensive research about getting productive and not allowing ourselves to get distracted. And I was attending one of his masterclasses. And he was the one who said time management is actually pain management. And at that instance it made so much sense to me because this is what I have been confirming to myself and through the practice and working with people... that it… really there is some kind of underlying issue… Why do we procrastinate, you know... there might be things like yearly tax declaration that we tend to like put aside and like don't really want to do it now. And we find all sorts of excuses whether we go in the kitchen start to wash dishes, clean the mirror, whatever it is… we just tend to procrastinate. So we need to understand why. What is it that makes us make this discomfort inside us? Where's that pain coming from? And once we dig deeper and start to understand… it just makes for us so much easier to manage your time better and be more productive because then we can say... "oh okay I know what it is... I know where it's coming from. So let me do this and get it done, off my desk, and I'm good to go to the next task"... Because it is important to fill the tax declaration, right. You can't wait for it forever. It's just it's something that you need to do. So why don't you make it more enjoyable for yourself?

SAMIA: Indeed... indeed. And you know when you said pain management...

AGNESE: Yeah...

SAMIA: Is about you know like it's time management… or time management is actually about pain management… the way that it immediately made sense for me is… you know, as a healer, you know, I understand that there is a process of healing. And you know earlier when we're talking about acceptance being the first step...

AGNESE: Yeah…

SAMIA: Like acceptance is the first step to move into healing, right. And so...

AGNESE: Yeah...

SAMIA: ...whatever the kind of pain is that you're experiencing, and in this case we're talking about a mental-emotional kind of a pain that’s leading you to procrastinate and distract yourself...

AGNESE: Yeah.

SAMIA: ..from doing what you really need to do… and to heal that as well, you know, acceptance is the first step. It's amazing.

AGNESE: Yeah... yeah. And I mean to sum this all up... what I mean by this is that distractions really cost us time, you know… And things like a to-do list increases those chances of us getting distracted. So you know in general like distractions lead us off the track. They really ignite that desire to escape discomfort. So it's... we procrastinate… but how do we do it? We look outside the window. And we're like oh thinking about the view for five minutes. That's a procrastination.

SAMIA: Yeah...

AGNESE: But what is it about that view... Or what's the deal here? You know… and this is a distraction. For us that view is a distraction. But it doesn't always… it isn’t the same thing, right... But sometimes when we really look out for some distractions we can find anything... anything can distract us unless we're truly focused and allowing ourselves to be in that moment.

SAMIA: Yeah… Oh my gosh Agnese… I think you are like the most spiritual time management and productivity specialist I've ever met. Because you know, oh my gosh, you just reminded me of like this amazing prayer that I actually make every day… And literally, in this prayer, like I didn't make it up... it's like taught to Muslims, and it's one of the most central prayers that all Muslims make... And basically we have been taught to pray... to basically… what we're praying when we pray, we say... "God please help us to stay on the straight path, the path of those for whom Your love is great, not of those on whom there is hate, and the path of those who do not deviate". So when you're talking about distractions, that's exactly what you know, like...

AGNESE: Yeah...

SAMIA: ..you know like there is a path. And it's like we know this is the path for us to be going on. But we allow ourselves to deviate… we allow ourselves to be distracted...

AGNESE: Exactly.

SAMIA: And it's one of the seminal challenges of life, in fact... And this prayer teaches us that very lesson that in fact one of the most important things you can do to live your very best life is to learn how to not deviate.

AGNESE: Right! Right... exactly. And that's all about dealing with our inner pain, distractions… and really know how to focus. And this is why time management is such a like wide range of things… because it's not just about an app and the planning. Of course there are tools and you need to understand what physically you have to do as well.

SAMIA: Yeah…

AGNESE: But it… also you have to understand yourself. But unfortunately a lot of times when I see people talking about time management is really strict processes that you need to follow. But it's not for everyone. We all are very unique and different, with different needs, right, and wants and desires. So we can't just say that this works for everyone. Yes... there is a framework but we all fit in it differently... You know?

SAMIA: Yes! I love it. So will you share with us some like tools...

AGNESE: Yeah…

SAMIA: …Or strategies… like anything that can help our listeners actually begin to implement some of the amazing wisdom that you've been sharing...

AGNESE: Yes! Absolutely. Of course I would love to... So first we have to understand what creates balance for us? And what makes us go out of it, right. So there is balance... and there is dis-balance. And from experience with high achievers and all of those… and entrepreneurs who really want to go for it, you know... who want to do it all… it's quite common to trade time for other things that we find less important… like our body movement, exercise, you know, diet… it feels like that's not that important, right. The success is the first thing that we want and then the rest will follow. Well, actually it's the opposite. So there are areas to start with if we want to create more time and more balance and be more productive. But if I'm being honest, we want... if we want more time, we must make it. It's up to us, because we're in charge. So how to do it effectively... One of the greatest ways that has helped me and many others is to prioritize. However we can't prioritize if we don't know what we want, and if we don't know that what we're doing is really leading us to the path where we want to go... So I like to use this one tactic, that is asking questions... I love asking questions. And this is by the way why coaching is so important on the way to success, because then somebody from a side can come in and challenge you and ask you those questions, because you would never think to ask these things to yourself.

SAMIA: Yeah.

AGNESE: So one question that I would like to share is this… If I only accomplish this one task today will I be satisfied with my day? And this just puts things into perspective. So how important is this task that you're about to complete? Why is it in your schedule? Is it important and urgent, right... so will you be satisfied with your day? Because you never know what might happen. As I said, life gets in the way… If you only complete this... will this be good enough for you? What's the deal? Because there are so many things that we just do because of our routine... we're used to it. But does it really give you a benefit? Or what can you do instead to make it work better for yourself?

SAMIA: Yeah…

AGNESE: Right… And this is really where the delegation can come in, or even automation. So many of the processes we’re just doing manually, even though they can be automated and save us so much time. But because we're so used to the routine... we continue it.

SAMIA: Yeah…

AGNESE: And so we continue to waste our time.

SAMIA: Yeah. You just reminded me of another one of my teachers... and basically, my gosh, I mean… he says, you know, like every day he's like… I have one most important thing that I'm very very clear on… this is what I have to accomplish… And everyday, you know, that's the first thing I work on... and I get it done. And he's like… just this one principle… following this one principle has changed my life and led me to the success that I have. And he's by the way a multi multi-millionaire...

AGNESE: Yeah... yeah.

SAMIA: ...a super successful person.

AGNESE: And when you said that, it reminded me that we all are really guilty of doing the small tasks before we go to the big one. And I've been guilty of that myself… because I like to like clear my desk of all the like unimportant small tasks before I like dive in...

SAMIA: Yeah…

AGNESE: But it's not right... is just it might work for some… but in general and what I have found in practice is that usually waste works the opposite… when we really need to start with that important one task, and then the rest will follow. Because then that also makes us prioritize that much better.

SAMIA: Yes. Yeah. I mean there are times, like, I can think of when my one most important task for the day… maybe something that's time-sensitive in the sense of like maybe that I, you know, have to meet with somebody… And obviously there's a time set for that, or something of that sort… But when I have an open schedule or the ability to schedule things for myself and order things for myself in terms of when something gets done... you're absolutely right. I mean I've experimented with this so many times. And it's just… one of the, I think, biggest times sucks for me that I found was like doing email… in the sense that on the one hand it's like, oh okay, I have to respond to email. And you know it's important, so to speak… but it just takes so long. And then...

AGNESE: Yeah...

SAMIA: It's so distracting in the sense that all the people who have emailed you… there is something that they're trying to put on your agenda. And so by doing your email first, I'm actually allowing other people to set my agenda first.

AGNESE: Right.

SAMIA: And so it's just...

AGNESE: There we go. And this is how we prioritize other people's time before ours, right. And what I also wanted to mention here is that each of us... we have a specific productivity flow throughout the day. Where we have yeah… certain productivity flow… which means that we are not productive eight hours.

SAMIA: Yeah.

AGNESE: It's impossible. It's just... it doesn't happen. It's impossible to focus eight hours straight. Even focusing for two hours is a hard work... I tell you this. But knowing your flow and understanding which time slots are the best for you... you can then manage those activities and fit them in so you can reach higher, right. If you don't like doing meetings in the morning don't schedule them in... if you feel more in the flow, more creative in the afternoon, take that time to really create… because then you're in your zone. And this is how you use your full potential in the best way because you know that time, right.

SAMIA: That's another really, really excellent point. And I mean I think for me sometimes that may be the context within which I delay… not delay… really important something that I need to do is, you know... like I know exactly like when you said... when I have to do creative work. My... I'm not at my best creative self in the morning, especially early morning… I’m just not that type of person. And so then you know what I do is just on my schedule I block off the time that I know I'm at my best for that creative work that I need to do. And then I will, you know, lineup other less important, routine...

AGNESE: Yes.

SAMIA: …stuff that I just need to get through and haven't done at that less productive time that I have…

AGNESE: Yeah. So I would really like to encourage everyone to just start by prioritizing ourselves… And to do this really, really plan out your day in the way that best suits you.

SAMIA: Yeah.

AGNESE: Because as these creative entrepreneurs we have that chance to do it, you know, we have that ability. Of course if you're working nine to five, or you have other obligations, you can always work around it as well... It's not like you're stuck and nothing will ever change. No... because the changes... you're making the changes. No one else is doing that for you, right. So really to map it out... map out your day, your ideal perfect day, and then strive for it... change one thing at a time. Ask yourself questions. And also what is important… what I've noticed a lot is that… we use the language that keeps us stuck. When we talk about time, being productive and serving... We really need to start by changing our language. And you know so instead of focusing on that lack, we say, “I have more than enough time for what I want to accomplish. I have more than enough time”. It's like you do maybe some mantras... or affirmations for money... or for lifestyle... or for relationship... How about you do the same for your time... I have more than enough to accomplish what I need. And we need to be mindful about that. And really pay attention when we put the lack mentality out there… Because that's what we're getting more of… it just comes right back.

SAMIA: Yes! Oh my gosh... oh my gosh... oh my gosh... I just loved what you shared. Because guess what... in my paradigm of healing, after acceptance, the next step is to create an empowered mindset. It's like that self-talk that you do, you know, of believing in yourself… that "yes I can” attitude... It is indeed the most essential, like, step after acceptance. Oh... and then what you just said about the like... to the talk around you know the time… like when you say I don't have enough time... that is so not empowered… you're so, so right about that. And actually, oh my gosh... And just this idea of being able to create, you know, the time that we need for ourselves… and if you keep telling yourself there isn't enough time... I don't have enough time… You're literally un-creating time for yourself.

AGNESE: You're creating less for yourself…

SAMIA: Yes!

AGNESE: You're creating less and less and less time. And you're getting busier and busier by days, by hours, by minutes.

SAMIA: Yes. I would encourage you, who is listening, to just do this experiment you know for yourself. I mean the first... so many times that I did this experiment for myself, I was just, like, seriously amazed... when the thought of there isn't enough time, I don't have enough time… and you're feeling rushed, you're starting to get stretched or stressed out about time, you know… just as soon as you become aware, you know… flip that self-talk and be like… you know what, no, I'm doing fine... there's plenty of time... I’ve more than enough time for what I need… And just start repeating that in your mind. And then just see what happens.

AGNESE: Yeah. And so this mindfulness work, together with practical things that you implement, really creates that magic that you're after.

SAMIA: Yes, and it's truly magical, actually.

AGNESE: Mm hmm... Yeah. I mean of course There are practical steps that you need… you can implement and adapt… Like you know all the decluttering techniques... when we talk about the computers, laptops, phones, whatever. Things like, scheduling your to-do list actually in your calendar, not keeping like a list of things... Because you can just endlessly add there. You keep adding, adding, adding… but there's no time for that. How are you... And then you're creating anxiety for yourself because you know how are you going to fill this... you will not be able to complete these tasks ever. Because it's like never-ending, but the time is limited. And that's the problem. You know that's why we really need to schedule things into our calendar, to really respect the time, respect the task, and respect the fact that we are able to prioritize for ourselves what best suits us.

SAMIA: Yes... oh my gosh. And you know, just last week I was experiencing this where there had been like a number of things that I was actually supposed to do to help my dad. And I wasn't getting around to it... until finally I just scheduled some time with him. I was like I'm gonna show up to your office and I'm gonna sit in your office... and just in that time that I had set aside… my goal was to like do all those little things that I had piled up to do for him. And then it got done. 

AGNESE: Yeah... right... It's as simple as that. But you have to make time for what is important to you at that moment.

SAMIA: Right… 

AGNESE: You know... 

SAMIA: Right.

AGNESE: But that really comes a lot with knowing what distracts us... how we can turn ourselves back into the focus. And comes down to really understanding ourselves that much better you know. It's a work... it's a work in progress. 

SAMIA: Yes... yes. Like for me it was really important to set that time not just with me on my calendar, but to set it with my dad... because for me that gave me a sense of extra accountability… and then also changing the spot of you know where I was going to do those tasks… going to his office... like for me I know that was really important. Because like when I'm at home... I'm in my workspace… then my mind naturally wants to keep working on my stuff. So I knew, like for me, to go into a different space... that's not my workspace… to do this other work that's not my work, but it was important for me to do to help out my dad... you know that was just... 

AGNESE: End… 

SAMIA: Yeah...

AGNESE: Environment... it's the fourth productivity fundamental. So there we go… we really need to be aware of our surroundings to do our best work… and as you said, things get done. And that's what happens. If you really align those things and be more in the balance and create that for yourself. 

SAMIA: Yeah... my gosh. Having the right environment is also one of the core principles of making change fun and easy... 

AGNESE: Yes... Exactly! Exactly! We're on the same page. 

SAMIA: We are... we are. I love it. Oh! Man... I've been having so much fun talking with you about all this Agnese. And we have to begin to wrap up for the day... 

AGNESE: We did good... we did good. We did good... 

SAMIA: I think we made an excellent use of our time. Do you have any last words to share with us...

AGNESE: Yes... So I wish all the listeners to dig deeper into ourselves. Open up wider to receive and ask questions. And I want to thank you Samia for doing what you do... and having me here today. I'm sure that our discussion has supported your listeners and made them just a tiny bit more curious about many options out there to better our lives... 

SAMIA: Yes... yes! And I know for sure spending this time with you has livened up… I hope that's the right word… my life and my day... Thank you so much for being the amazing person that you are. And I just really appreciate, like you know, your approach to this... because I know there's so many time management and productivity gurus out there… and the approach that they take, because it's not as holistic as yours is… it just ends up getting people into more trouble. Because they're just focusing on the surface-level things of, you know... just like whatever the surface-level things that they're focusing on. And it doesn't really get to help people with the more deeper root causes of why they're struggling with their time and productivity in the first place. And so that's something I really, really appreciate about you...

AGNESE: Thank you very much for saying that. I really appreciate you noticing it, and I hope that listeners notice it as well... And I hope that it really supports and helps those who in need who really are on the journey to better themselves... their lives... their time... their productivity... and all things to grow and evolve.

SAMIA: Yes! And so with that excellent wish for all of our listeners... for you who are listening, please make sure you check the show notes for this episode... because I'll be adding Agnese's links in the show notes. So you can connect with her very, very easily and reach out to her whenever you need some help and support in this area. And yeah... just create more ease in your life... create more ease and fun in the way you experience this whole thing about managing your time... managing your productivity… becoming more productive… and so on and so forth. So until we connect next time, I just wish you lots and lots of peace and joy. :)