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This episode is my argument for why I don't believe in habits. Not against consistency (consistency is everything) but against the conventional method for getting there: the trigger-behavior-reward loop, the 21-day calendar, the check marks on the wall.  What I've been calling the Click Method is what I saw actually work. Something shifts in how you see a behaviour, and after that, the old way stops making sense. No willpower battle. No white-knuckling. The desired behavior just becomes the obvious choice. I walk through where I've seen it happen, make the case for one of the most under-appreciated books of the last 50 years, and connect the whole thing back to why sprint retrospectives matter more than most people realize. In This Episode Why the 21-day calendar method doesn't produce the results it promisesThe Click MethodWhy borrowing someone else's habits rarely sticks (it's a values mismatch, not a discipline problem)The Allen Carr smoking book and what makes it a different category of self-helpHow math class explains behavioural change better than most productivity booksWhy sprint retrospectives are more important than sprint planningHow to find the person whose insight might unlock your own clickChapters:00:00 Traditional habit-building advice doesn't work 05:13 Does it mean people can't change? 07:15 The Click Method10:35 Self-engineering "The Click"  14:16 Smoking example17:41 School example18:57 If you are trying to build consistency The Book Mentioned "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr.  Links Join the waitlist for the next sprint: monthlymethod.com/focus-room Monthly Method is a productivity system built on Agile/Scrum, adapted for real humans. Sprint. Rest. Repeat. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, I sit down with Claudia — an architect from Germany — to talk about how to run an Agile sprint using nothing but a simple notebook. No productivity apps.No dashboards.No digital overwhelm. We revisit the idea of running sprints inside a bullet journal and explore the difference between analog tools and “digital infinity.” Things mentioned in the episode:The Monthly Method course Claudia took where I teach how to apply Agile and Scrum to non-tech projects and goals (it's free): https://monthlymethod.com/school/?utm_source=podcastThe Focus Room (my private membership where we run personal sprints together): https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/?utm_source=podcastWhere to find Claudia: https://lebe-weise.de/ (it's in German but you can always use built-in browser translator)https://open.substack.com/pub/lebeweisehttps://www.instagram.com/indivisuell_ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What if the reason you’re stuck isn’t the goal you picked — but the fact that you’re trying to pick the "perfect" one? In this episode, I share why your first sprint goal barely matters, what the first sprint is really for, and why messy starts often lead to the most meaningful progress. If you’ve ever felt busy but not truly moving forward, this might change how you begin. Learn about my private membership where we cultivate a focused life: https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=First-goal-doesn't-matterWork with me 1-on-1: https://monthlymethod.com/meaningful-month/?utm_source=porcast&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=First-goal-doesn't-matter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, I share a counterintuitive realization I had after noticing my own behaviour around Black Friday—and how it completely changed the way I think about New Year’s resolutions, procrastination, and consistency. Book mentioned in the video: Oblomov by Ivan GoncharovVideo about chaotic ambition: https://youtu.be/o3XosnSnGPU Learn about my private membership where we cultivate a focused life: https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=Why I Didn’t Start on January 1st&utm_campaign=Work with me 1-on-1: https://monthlymethod.com/meaningful-month/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_term=&utm_content=Why I Didn’t Start on January 1st&utm_campaign= Chapters:00:00 Intro00:16 The Black Friday Story02:37 How Black Friday is similar to New Year's Resolutions04:46 My best decision of last year05:53 New Year's resolutions never worked for me in the past06:12 New Year - Old Me07:42 Picking the hardest time to start09:16 The most consistent year10:39 Not needing a perfect start point11:43 The parenting analogy12:42 What are we teaching our brain?13:55 Waiting can be great15:38 What's so magical about January 1?16:50 Practicing the new lesson daily17:09 My  favourite book about procrastination20:48 My proposal ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Everyone says to break goals into subtasks. But what if that’s exactly what’s slowing you down? I show why this common productivity advice fails when you’re building something new—and what to do instead. You’ll learn a faster, lighter Agile-inspired system that: - Cuts planning time to one hour - Keeps you focused without overwhelm - Builds clarity through action, not research If you’ve ever fallen into the “perfect plan” trap, this video will change how you plan forever. Learn about my private membership where we do monthly sprints together: https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/ Videos mentioned in the video:Agile goal management    • Agile approach for managing your goals. Sp...  What is a sprint?    • What is a sprint? How to use it in your life.  Choosing sprint goals    • Choosing sprint goals. Definition of Done.   ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Most people think of goals as boxes to check off. But what if they were something completely different? In this episode, I share how I think about goals in a way that makes decision-making easier, life less overwhelming, and priorities much clearer. 👉 A free tool you can use right away to get crystal clear on your next 3 actionable purpose-driven goals https://monthlymethod.kit.com/focus-finder ⏱️ Chapters0:00 – My view on goals0:59 – Example: Dental appointment1:55 – The purpose of a goal3:38 – Example: Weight loss4:50 – Example: Work clothes5:21 –Example: Learning how to cook6:15 – Example: Shopping7:48 - Free guide to discover your next 3 goals ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Enrollment for the Focus Room October Sprint closes tomorrow! 🎉 In this episode, I share what the Focus Room is, how we run 3-week sprints with live planning, coworking, and reviews, and why it’s a calm, sustainable approach to productivity—tailored to your real life, not hustle culture. Join us before doors close Thursday to start your sprint this Friday! Join the Focus Room → https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What if your life and projects were as simple and durable as a Fisher-Price toy? In this episode, I talk about the Fisher-Price simplicity, how I've learned about it, and how it inspired me to apply it in my own life. I talk about how my pursuit of elegance and optimization often led to unnecessary complexity, and why I’m choosing to rebuild my foundations on simplicity instead. Think: fewer frills, fewer moving parts, more durability, and more ease. If you’ve been feeling paralyzed by over-optimization or weighed down by layers of complexity, this framework might help you get back to basics. 👉 Want support as you simplify and focus on what really matters? Join me inside the Focus Room, my membership where we work in 1-month sprints, keep each other accountable, and actually finish the projects we start: https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Learn more about the Focus Room: https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/ Enrollment closes this Thursday.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, I share a fresh perspective on why rest is essential for productivity—through the lens of agriculture. Just as farmers rotate crops and allow fields to rest to maintain soil health, we too need scheduled breaks to protect our focus, creativity, and long-term output. I talk about: The silent crisis of soil depletion and what it teaches us about sustainability.Why rotating crops and letting fields rest is the perfect metaphor for how we should structure our own work.The importance of proactively scheduling breaks (like cool-off weeks) before life forces us to rest through burnout, sickness, or accidents.What a cool-off week actually looks like in practice: serving clients, answering emails, maintaining—but not pushing for new projects.How to embrace being a “B minus” worker for a week and why your B minus is probably still a solid B.This episode is about reframing rest not as laziness, but as a vital strategy for longevity, health, and sustainable productivity. 00:00 Introduction to the Cool Off Week 00:34 Understanding Soil Health and Agriculture 02:18 The Importance of Resting Fields 03:16 Government Initiatives and Soil Health 04:03 Applying Agricultural Principles to Productivity 05:24 Practical Tips for a Cool Off Week 07:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Join the Focus Room: https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

My complicated relationship with summer is about to end.  Learn more about the focus room here: https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Polina from The Monthly Method discusses her hiatus from podcasting and introduces the 'Three Levers' framework, a concept she learned as a junior product manager. The framework helps simplify and streamline any project. Learn more about the Focus Room: https://monthlymethod.com/focus-room Timeline: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 00:20 The Three Levers Framework 01:05 Applying the Framework to the Podcast 01:32 Exploring Resource Options 04:06 Adjusting the Timeline and Scope 06:28 Personal Insights and Changes 09:28 Normalizing and Optimizing 14:53 Final Thoughts and Invitation ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The final ingredient of my Agile-inspired personal productivity system is the cool-off week. In this video, I share its origin story, explain what it is, describe what I do during this week, and reveal why it has been the key to staying consistent with my productivity system for the last 10 years. The Calm Ambition Club: https://monthlymethod.com/calm-ambition-club/ Blogpost mentioned:When feeling down, turn to aesthetics https://monthlymethod.com/aesthetics/ Timeline:00:00 - Why I invented the cool-off week01:44 - What is a cool-off week?03:30 - What's the point of a cool-off week?05:03 - I'd rather take the breaks on my own terms06:33 - What do I do during the cool-off week?09:50 - Benefit: No burnout in the last 10 years10:52 - Benefit: Gult-free rest11:31 - Benefit: Looking forward to the next sprint13:27 - Benefit: Interesting projects get done15:07 - Benefit: Time and space to think15:42 - Benefit: Serves as a reward for my long-term efforts18:17 - Benefit: Creates a nice rhythm in my life19:30 - If you want to actually DO the things you want to do.  Learn how to apply Agile to your life in a free course: http://monthlymethod.com/school/ If you want to stay in touch:💌 Newsletter (notes on applying Agile, calm productivity, and finding sanity in this hustle-culture obsessed world) - monthlymethod.ck.page/newsletter💻 Blog - https://monthlymethod.com/blog𝕏 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Agile_for_One ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Sprint retrospective is the most important ritual in Agile philosophy. I'll share how you can build your own goal management system that is perfectly tailored to your life circumstances.  The Calm Ambition Club: https://monthlymethod.com/calm-ambition-club/ Blog posts mentioned:Sprint-end celebration https://monthlymethod.com/sprint-end-celebration/The baby shower story https://monthlymethod.com/failed-sprint-goals/Optimizing life for a regular Tuesday https://monthlymethod.com/regular-tuesday/ Timeline:00:00 - Overview00:38 - What is a sprint retrospective?01:07 - The shocking part02:58 - Agile take on growth04:03 - Sprint retrospective in teams05:48 - Personal sprint retrospective07:17 - Becoming your own guru and building your own system08:51 - Cathedral Effect09:18 - What got done?10:46 - What didn't get done?13:01 - How accurate was your sprint capacity calculation?13:38 - Quality of life review14:48 - Creating a Notes file for sprint retrospectives15:50 - Example: Deeper Why18:55 - Don't add to your to-do list20:08 - Example: Making a promise21:44 - Example: Leaving my phone at home22:51 - Example: Reddit goal25:54 - Going a level deeper into why we should do sprint retrospectives26:54 - Life craftsmanship. The art of living. 28:50 - Curation in a function of time.  Learn how to apply Agile to your life in a free course: http://monthlymethod.com/school/ If you want to stay in touch:💌 Newsletter (notes on applying Agile, calm productivity, and finding sanity in this hustle-culture obsessed world) - monthlymethod.ck.page/newsletter💻 Blog - https://monthlymethod.com/blog𝕏 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Agile_for_One ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Why the advice to disappear for a year is problematic. And what you can do instead.  Enrollment for the Calm Ambition Club - February sprint closes tomorrow https://monthlymethod.com/calm-ambition-club/ Chapters:00:00 - YouTube, we have a problem01:23 - The only way to change our lives02:04 - What happens if you manage to disappear for a year?03:00 - My favourite quote03:43 - Celebrating limitations06:26 - If you were feeling hopeless07:56 - On young generation being lost08:46 - If you can't escape your life If you want to stay in touch:💌 Newsletter (notes on applying Agile, calm productivity, and finding sanity in this hustle-culture obsessed world) - https://monthlymethod.ck.page/newsletter💻 Website - https://monthlymethod.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★