From humble roots grow resilient crops.

I wish I had a witty analogy or metaphor to build on here, but I leave that kind of stuff up to my guest for this episode, the de-light-ful Shanna Mann.

She and I met in The Puttytribe two years ago, and, for some reason, she saw something in me. Fast forward to today and we're in the same mastermind group, a place where Shanna helps to convince me to go for audacious projects like SimpleRev instead of pick the low-hanging fruit.

She's the founder of Change Catalyst, runs three businesses, builds systems like ants build tunnels, loves going down the Reddit rabbit hole, and has more resilience that just about anyone I know.

Plus, she's going to tell it to you straight with pizzazz and relevance. For example:

If the crops are crap, you're hosed. – Shanna Mann

[Tweet this]

Indeed, Shanna. Indeed. The only thing she forgot was the “eh?” (she's Canadian, you know).

So how about you? Are you ready to build systems that keep life moving even when you're feeling brain dead?

Are you ready for some Shantastic gems like this?

You can't systematize until you're organized.

[Tweet this]

The show notes are light-hearted because Shanna's a good friend. But I promise that we get serious in the episode, and that there's serious value in it, too.

You're about to Learn …

• The very unsexy – but super savvy – way that Shanna saves $15 a month.
• Batman or Superman? We reveal who's the better hero.
• How to be the ant (and not the grasshopper).
• The twenty-minute Reddit method to save a bunch of money.
• Why to-do lists work better beside an “outcome list.”
• The beautiful choreography that comes with super systems.
• The difference between (and importance of) first versus second order systems.
• Why habits, even great ones, can be giant blind spots.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Now and Never Miss an Episode: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | Email | RSS

Resources and Items Mentioned in This Episode:

• Websites:
  • Change Catalyst
  • Ittybiz
  • My Secret Cup
• Resources:
  • Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs)
  • Kanban Flow
  • Pomodoro Technique
• Shanna's Products:
  • Quick & Dirty Bookkeeping
  • Your Next 6 Months (Forever)
• Articles
  • If Systemization is So Effective Why Doesn't Everyone Do It?
  • Higher Concerns (a.k.a. How to Stare at a Wall)

Topics

• [05:30] Shanna's seeds of awesomeness
• [08:23] Unconventional ways to be money wise
• [17:27] Kanban, Pomodoro, and lists
• [21:50] How to build systems, rituals, and habits for slowing down life
• [28:34] Decision fatigue, limited willpower, and removing distractions
• [33:20] Why you need to organize before you systematize
• [39:18] Getting past the intimidation of systematizing
• [45:33] To-don't lists and having more of less
• [49:06] The skinny on Your Next 6 Months (Forever)

Awesome Ways to Subscribe to the Show

If you're not already subscribed for automatic notifications of a new show, please do so with one of the links below.

• Click here to subscribe with iTunes
• Click here to subscribe via RSS
• Click here to subscribe via Stitcher

Transcript

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

I'm Grateful for Your iTunes Reviews!

If you enjoyed this specific episode or the Smart and Simple Matters show in general, I always appreciate when people go to the iTunes page and leave an honest review. Every single review is a huge help and received with gratitude!

If you want to make me incredibly thankful, like the people who have recently left an iTunes review, here are the four quick steps (assuming iTunes is already installed):

1. Visit the Smart and Simple Matters iTunes page here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/value-simple-podcast-joel/id545208089
2. Click the blue button on the left labeled “View in iTunes” below the cover art of the show
3. When iTunes loads, scroll down below the “Customer Reviews” section and click the link labeled “Write a Review”
4. Write a review with whatever title you like, whatever length you have time for, and give the show an honest rating. If you don't think it deserves five stars, don't rate it as a five star show.

And if you have someone or something you'd like us to cover on an upcoming show, tell us in the comments below.