The productivity myth I had to unlearn

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May 21, 2025

Shelley Johnson, host of the This Is Work podcast, dives into the often-misunderstood world of productivity. She shares how true productivity hinges more on energy management than hustle. Discover her unique daily productivity hack and the surprising benefits of simple actions like splashing cold water on your face. Shelley also discusses innovative methods for writing, including collaborating with AI while walking. This conversation emphasizes attainable habits and sustainable approaches to avoid burnout and enhance creativity.

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ANECDOTE

Brainstorming With ChatGPT Walks

Amantha uses ChatGPT voice mode during walks to brainstorm book structure and ideas.
This AI collaboration complements real conversations and eases creative problem-solving.

INSIGHT

Energy As Foundation For Productivity

Chronic depletion and burnout are widespread due to continuous change fatigue and work overload.
Energy is foundational, sustaining health and productivity in interdependent ways.

ADVICE

Minimum Viable Dose For Energy

Focus on the minimum viable dose for energy-boosting habits that are realistically doable.
Avoid recommendations that require unrealistic time commitments and instead find quick, easy energy boosts.

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If your to-do list is full but your energy is gone, this episode is for you.

In this special crossover episode from the This Is Work podcast, I sat down with Shelley Johnson to talk about energy, deep work, and why true productivity has more to do with cold water and Kindles than hustle and hacks.

I also share what’s working (and what’s not) as I write my fifth book on burnout and depletion, including the habits I’ve doubled down on, and the ones I’ve thrown out.

In this episode Shelley and I talk about:

The counterintuitive productivity hack I use daily

How I re-work book concepts while walking and talking to ChatGPT

The “hall pass” rule that makes new habits actually stick

Why minimum effort often leads to maximum energy

Key Quotes:

“So much advice out there is completely unattainable. I’m interested in what gives us energy that’s actually doable for real people.”

“It’s not about doing more. It’s about being smart with the time and energy we do have.”

“If we don’t track where our time is going, we’ll keep spending our energy on the wrong things.”

“Just splashing cold water on your face can be enough to reset. You don’t need to jump into an ice bath.”

Connect with Shelley via LinkedIn, or through Boldside’s Instagram and website. For more conversations on meaningful work, sustainable success, and showing up as your best self – check out Shelley’s podcast this is work.

My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/

Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)

If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.

Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au

Credits:

Host: Amantha Imber

Sound Engineer: Martin Imber

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.