SASM 038 – How to Be Control Free and Distraction Lite with Mike Burns

by | Dec 30, 2013

Mike BurnsNow here's a guy that makes it easy to create bad fun puns.

Because Mike Burns knows how to get things cooking without overheating.

I can feel his fiery drive to create amazing simplicity resources.

What? I'm laying it on too thick? OK. I'll knock it off.

Here's the straight scoop on Mr. Burns (as I avoid a reference to C. Montgomery Burns from The Simpsons):

  • He was once certain he would become a pro skateboarder and DJ.
  • Mike has six kids with his wife Jen between the ages of nine and sixteen.
  • He previously worked for Franklin Covey (and his productivity reflects that).
  • He somehow cranks out awesome books every other second … even with a separate full-time gig.

Mike just has a level of nuance and sophistication that tons of folks appreciate. And he combines being articulate with “I'm not going to sugarcoat this” flair quite well.

For example:

You don't have to try and do it all. Because we [actually] know you can't. – Mike Burns

He's right. Nobody can do it all. Because the human appetite for more, better, stronger, and faster can be insatiable.

But we can live intentionally as we release the urge to control everything. We can let go of relentless organizing if we adopt simple systems. And we can find our “greater yes” as we say no to vampire distractions.

Get ready to discover the other side of complexity with me and Mike in this groovy SASM episode.

You're about to Learn …

  • How to be vibrant while letting go of control.
  • The difference between decluttering and anti-distraction.
  • Why prioritization is most important in the moment of decision.
  • How Mike moved his eight-person family cross-country in a 6×12 foot trailer.
  • Why Mike is ill-prepared for Armageddon.
  • What the “greater yes” is and how you can use it to push yourself.
  • Mike's elegant way to avoid the urge to hyper-organize.
  • Why simplifying helps you with organizing.
  • The single word that's on Mike's cell phone background.

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Resources and Items Mentioned in This Episode:

Topics

  • [06:54] The seeds of awesomeness
  • [12:19] The ever-shifting landscape of personal priorities
  • [19:38] Why mainstream simplicity is important to Mike
  • [24:27] What simplicity in relationships looks like
  • [29:00] How Mike curates
  • [38:27] Resources to focus and live intentionally
  • [45:16] Why simplifying helps with organizing

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The transcript will not be available until I find a new transcriptionist (if you know someone good, let me know).

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