Podcast Summary: "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson"
Episode: Reclaim Your Day 90 Seconds at a Time ⏳
Guest: Rebecca Shaddux
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 382 of "Do This, NOT That!" presented by Marigold and hosted by Jay Schwedelson of GURU Media Hub, marketing enthusiasts are treated to an insightful discussion with Rebecca Shaddux. Renowned as a product marketing guru and Forbes contributor, Rebecca delves into the art of reclaiming time through the concept of "micro moments," offering listeners practical strategies to enhance productivity and personal well-being.
Guest Background: Rebecca Shaddux
Jay begins by highlighting Rebecca's impressive background, noting her contributions to launching the Digital Technology Initiative at UCLA's Luskin Center for Innovation and her work on Women in Tech Research. Rebecca's latest venture, her podcast "Time Billionaires," focuses on optimizing time management by leveraging tiny, intentional moments throughout the day.
Jay Schwedelson:
"She's like a really smart person... She's launching its Women in Tech Research. Like, she's a really smart person, but the thing that's going on Rebecca right now... is that she has this new podcast she launched. It is called Time Billionaires."
(00:38)
The Genesis of Micro Moments
Rebecca shares her personal journey, starting with a life-altering car accident at age 15 that led to fibromyalgia. This experience taught her the importance of intentional time management, as she transitioned from a highly active and social teenager to someone who struggled to perform daily tasks.
Rebecca Shaddux:
"I went from being a really active kid... to suddenly really struggling to just get out of bed and function. So I started just being very intentional with these tiny gaps, that 90 second to five minutes between classes..."
(01:38)
She explains how this early experience laid the foundation for her focus on "micro moments"—short, purposeful intervals that can significantly impact one's productivity and mental well-being.
Reclaiming Time in the Modern World
Rebecca draws parallels between her past experiences and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to remote work led to fragmented schedules filled with back-to-back Zoom meetings, leaving little room for meaningful activities. This revelation pushed her to revisit and refine the concept of micro moments.
Rebecca Shaddux:
"I went back to micro moments and I just started standing up between meetings, doing 10 pushups, taking three deep breaths outside, calling a friend for seven minutes unplanned just to say hi as opposed to just more doom scrolling or email checking."
(05:12)
She emphasizes the importance of replacing unproductive habits with intentional actions, thereby reclaiming a sense of control over one's time.
Practical Strategies for Implementing Micro Moments
When asked about actionable steps for listeners overwhelmed by their schedules, Rebecca offers several practical "quick wins":
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Batching Tasks: Instead of constantly checking emails throughout the day, allocate specific times to handle them in bulk.
Rebecca Shaddux:
"The first thing to do is just be mindful of what's actually possible to be done and then batch those things."
(06:02) -
Intentional Social Media Use: Engage with social media purposefully rather than aimlessly scrolling, ensuring each interaction serves a meaningful purpose.
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Micro-Activities: Utilize the small gaps between tasks for activities like planks, deep breathing, or writing a quick note to a loved one.
Rebecca Shaddux:
"When I do have two minutes, that is enough time to do a two minute plank, to do 10 pushups, to go outside, take five deep breaths, to write a post it note to your partner."
(06:02)
These strategies require minimal time investment but can lead to significant improvements in mental clarity and overall productivity.
Structuring the Day with Intention
Jay inquires about Rebecca's personal daily routines, curious about how she structures her day to maintain intentionality.
Rebecca Shaddux:
"Wake up first thing. Phone is in my office. I don't touch it until I've written out three handwritten pages of reflections of things I want for the day. I'll go outside, take three deep breaths... Then I'll... every Friday at 3 o'clock, I ask three questions: What went well this week? What didn't? What do I want more of."
(12:36)
Rebecca outlines a structured approach that includes:
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Morning Routine: Starting the day with reflections and intentional activities without the distraction of a phone.
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Weekly Reviews: Assessing the week's successes and areas for improvement to prioritize micro moments in upcoming weeks.
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Categorization of Meaningful Activities: Focusing on reflection and mindset, connection, play and creativity, physical movement, thinking and learning, and sensory awareness.
This disciplined structure allows Rebecca to identify and prioritize activities that enrich her life without overhauling her entire schedule.
Launching "Time Billionaires" Podcast
Rebecca introduces her new podcast, "Time Billionaires: Productivity's Hidden Currency," which centers on the idea that time is the most valuable currency we possess. She likens the average lifespan to a finite bank account of seconds, urging listeners to spend their time wisely rather than waste it on unfulfilling activities.
Rebecca Shaddux:
"We're essentially treating time like a bank account... wasting those seconds. And I do think that the shift comes in as little as 90 seconds at a time because the agency over how we spend our time is just a fundamental human need."
(16:47)
Each episode of "Time Billionaires" offers concise, actionable insights and exercises designed to help listeners make the most of their precious moments.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Jay and Rebecca wrap up the discussion by reinforcing the value of micro moments and intentional time management. Jay expresses his enthusiasm for the "Time Billionaires" podcast, likening it to the movie "In Time" starring Justin Timberlake, which visualizes the preciousness of each second.
Jay Schwedelson:
"I'm all in on this podcast. It reminds me of this movie... In Time with Justin Timberlake."
(17:51)
Rebecca encourages listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn and visit timebillionaires.org to dive deeper into optimizing their time.
Key Takeaways
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Micro Moments Matter: Small, intentional actions throughout the day can significantly enhance productivity and personal satisfaction.
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Intentionality Over Quantity: Focusing on the quality of time spent rather than the quantity leads to more meaningful and fulfilling experiences.
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Structured Reflection: Regularly assessing what went well and what needs improvement helps in prioritizing activities that align with personal goals.
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Practical Implementation: Simple strategies like batching tasks, intentional social media use, and integrating micro-activities can reclaim valuable time without major lifestyle overhauls.
Notable Quotes
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Rebecca Shaddux:
"I went from being a really active kid... to suddenly really struggling to just get out of bed and function."
(01:38) -
Rebecca Shaddux:
"Simply the act of standing up is better than just sitting there all day."
(08:35) -
Rebecca Shaddux:
"You're amazing."
(18:20)
Connect with Rebecca Shaddux
- LinkedIn: Rebecca Shaddux
- Podcast: Time Billionaires
Note: This summary focuses solely on the content discussed between Jay Schwedelson and Rebecca Shaddux, excluding advertisements, intros, and outros as per the podcast guidelines.