The best productivity resources, including these top 10 podcasts you should be listening to, are the ones that anyone can learn from. We all have different goals, after all. Maybe you want to build a billion-dollar business before breakfast. Maybe you just want to get the kids to school on time. The quest for productivity is about learning to use your time and resources in whatever way works best for you.
Now, the brilliant thing about podcasts is that you can listen to them in all kinds of situations. It’s an awesome way to take advantage of little chunks of time, which means you’re already being more productive just by listening. Score! The less-than-brilliant thing about them? There are so. many. choices. How do you decide what ones are worth a listen and what ones are filled with fluff? Well, that’s where we come in. We put together a list of our top 10 podcasts on productivity, so you can get straight to the most useful tips out there. And then use them.
So without further ado, here are the top 10 podcasts you need to keep your productivity rolling all year long. We’ll even recommend an episode to start with. You’re welcome.
The Top 10 Podcasts Your Productivity Needs Now
First on our list of top 10 podcasts to listen to is a podcast that realizes we can’t possibly make every mistake out there, even if we’re really good at screwing up. We have to learn from the failures and successes of others. Host Erik Fisher talks with guests about the realities of productivity, from how to get your work done to the art of living a good life. Bring it on.
Try this episode: Focus and Energy: Recalibrating Morning and Evening Routines
We know the importance of morning routines and evening routines on getting the most out of our days. What host Erik Fisher explores in this episode is how to recalibrate those routines based on changing circumstances.
The best routines for your best life are built into every Panda Planner. All you have to do is follow along.
Life is complicated. We have career choices, relationship dramas, and so (so so) many things to watch on Netflix. What if we could make things simpler?
Enter Simplify, a podcast about finding simple ways to better your life. Keeping with the spirit of it, we won’t complicate the description any further. Suffice to say, it’s worth a listen.
Try this episode: Laura Vanderkam: You Have More Time Than You Think
Author Laura Vanderkam talks about the elasticity of time, prioritizing, and why life can be both stressful and wonderful at the same time.
The name alone probably tells you why this one gets a spot in our list of top 10 podcasts for getting stuff done. Host Mike Vardy interviews entrepreneurs, authors, psychologists, CEOs, and a bunch of other people who know a thing or two about hitting their goals. If you want to know more about time management, goals, habits, and to-do lists, this podcast is for you.
Try this episode: The Problem with Productivity with Adam Quiney
When is the pursuit of productivity a bad thing? When you lose sight of your true goals, argues executive coach Adam Quiney. In this episode, Quiney talks about the need to slow down sometimes and how to get over the fear of not being efficient enough.
NPR’s How I Built This doesn’t give you the steps to a more productive life. There are no five-point plans, management strategies, or life hacks. Instead, it leads by example. Host Guy Raz sits down with the founders of some of the most successful companies you can name, from Airbnb to Instagram to Chipotle. Each guest talks about how they built their business, including the lessons they’ve learned and the struggles they’ve faced. And within every story are snippets of inspiration and insight just waiting to be gleaned.
Try this episode: Ben & Jerry’s: Ben Cohen And Jerry Greenfield
Two chill hippie dudes decide to open an ice-cream store. What happens next is history. In this entertaining episode, Ben and Jerry will tell you nothing about their daily routines or productivity habits. But what you will learn about is the productive-inducing power of following your passion. Also, ice-cream.
For years now Tim Ferriss has been teaching the world how to succeed with a 4-hour workweek, how to sculpt a 4-hour body, even how to become a 4-hour chef. Yup, Ferriss is all about getting maximum results for minimum effort. And he uses himself as a human guinea pig. Ferriss’ incredibly popular podcast has him chatting with big-name guests across all different fields about how they get the most out of their time and their lives.
Try this episode: How Seth Godin Manages His Life—Rules, Principles, and Obsessions
Seth Godin, one of the most well-known marketing gurus in the world, says he fails a lot. Like, way more than most people. He also says he’s more proud of his failures than his successes. Wait, what? Why? Find out in this episode as Godin talks about managing life transitions, his morning routines, meditative practices, and when to say “no.”
“Less doing” sounds kind of like the opposite of productivity… But it makes sense when you take it in the context of less doing, more living. And while we can’t verify that this is “the most productive podcast on the planet” as it claims, (how would you even measure that?) we can attest that it’s worth a listen.
Try this episode: Naveen Jain: Going to the Moon & Listening to your Gut…Literally
Naveen Jain talks about solving humanity’s biggest problems. No, not the shower going cold every time your partner uses the water—we’re talking stuff like planetary destruction and finding a way to live on the moon. Dream the impossible, says Jain.
“Dominate your day before breakfast!” is the catchphrase of author and host Jeff Sanders, who says it with the kind of enthusiasm that will either make you fist pump with excitement or crawl back under the covers, depending on your mood. But even if it sounds overwhelming—like productivity can only be achieved by springing out of bed at 5 a.m. armed with a sword and a to-do list—don’t worry. The tips here are not only practical but adaptable to different lifestyles.
Try this episode: The Productive Power of Batching and Theme Days
Jeff dishes out some specific and actionable advice on planning out your time, week by week, by batching together similar tasks into “theme days.”
Every week Dan Moore explores the ins and outs of taking action, via a roll-call of expert guests. Want to beat the devil of procrastination? Hone your self-discipline? Kick more goals than Lionel Messi? This podcast will take you there.
Try this episode: Maximize Every Day with Debbie Turner
How can you make the most of every day, especially when you’re being pulled in a million directions? Debbie Turner, a powerhouse in media, shares her advice for keeping the passion in your career, staying present out of the office, and the power of looking at the big picture.
Laura McClellan’s mission is to encourage women to succeed as wives, mothers, businesswomen, bosses, whatever roles they choose to take on. But while it’s billed as a podcast for busy women, there’s no reason folks of any gender can’t enjoy it and learn from it too.
Try this episode: Gratitude & Productivity
We’re totally on team gratitude, as you might have already gathered from our previous posts. But what does being thankful have to do with productivity? This episode explores the science-backed reasons why gratitude helps us fulfill our goals.
Prefer your productivity advice in bite-size chunks? We have just the thing for you. Get-It-Done Guy delivers quick and dirty tips you can listen to in the time it takes to unload the dishwasher.
Try this episode: 5 Principles for Setting Good Goals
Are your goals vague? Not measurable enough? Out of your control? In this episode, Get-It-Done Guy outlines five key principles that’ll bump your goal-setting skills up to level awesome—all in seven minutes flat.
Feeling powerfully productive yet? Maybe just a little? We hope these top 10 podcasts for increasing productivity help you create more efficiency in your days, which leaves more room for the good stuff.
Your turn: Did we miss one of your top 10 productivity podcasts? We’re all ears. Let us know what you listen to for tips on being more productive.
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