Podcast Summary: The Ed Mylett Show – Episode: "How To Make Time For The Things That Matter MOST"

Release Date: April 5, 2025

In this compelling episode of The Ed Mylett Show, host Ed Mylett engages in an enlightening conversation with renowned motivational speaker and author Brendon Burchard. Together, they delve into the pervasive challenge of managing busy seasons—periods characterized by intense schedules and overwhelming demands—and explore effective strategies to prioritize and make time for what truly matters.

1. Understanding the "Busy Season"

Ed Mylett opens the discussion by highlighting the universal struggle of feeling perpetually busy. He shares his personal experiences, mentioning, “I have on day 22 of travel. I've given over 27, you know, 28 speeches during that time” ([03:19]). Brendon Burchard resonates with this sentiment, admitting, “I'm beat up like a dog” ([02:31]), emphasizing that even high performers experience debilitating busy periods.

2. The Importance of Communication

A central theme of the episode is the significance of over-communicating during hectic times. Brendon Burchard advises, “When you get in busy season, you'd better be really great about explaining to your spouse, to your partner, to the kids, what you are dealing with” ([05:59]). This proactive communication helps set expectations and garner support, preventing undue stress and misunderstandings at home and work.

Ed Mylett reflects on his own shortcomings in this area: “I've not set the foundation” ([08:31]), acknowledging that failing to communicate can lead to friction and resentment when overwhelmed emotions surface.

3. Strategic Scheduling and Time Management

Ed Mylett and Brendon Burchard share actionable strategies to optimize schedules during busy seasons:

• Prioritize Family and Personal Time First: Ed emphasizes scheduling family commitments before business tasks. “You show me your schedule, I'm gonna show you your priorities so you can go to a busy season and still maintain some sense of control” ([10:28]).

• Flexible Meeting Durations: By reducing meeting times, professionals can reclaim significant portions of their day. Ed shares a personal example: “I had a call scheduled for 28 minutes with Apple” ([11:25]), illustrating how shorter meetings can enhance productivity.

• Schedule Rest: Both agree on the necessity of incorporating breaks. Ed mentions, “I need a mental break from 1 to 3” ([13:12]), highlighting the importance of downtime to recharge.

• Ruthless Removal of Non-Essentials: Brendon Burchard introduces the concept of “Ruthless Removal,” urging listeners to eliminate non-critical tasks. “Pull things that were put on that schedule that seemed good at the time” ([16:30]).

4. Leveraging and Delegating Tasks

To alleviate the pressure of a packed schedule, both speakers advocate for delegation:

• Outsource When Possible: Ed suggests, “Maybe someone should be doing some of your shopping” ([14:18]), advocating for outsourcing routine tasks to free up valuable time.

• Automate Communication: Brendon Burchard explains his method of handling overwhelming communications by setting autoresponders: “It's just like it removes that even” ([18:44]), ensuring he remains focused without constant interruptions.

5. Managing Digital Distractions

A significant portion of the episode addresses the impact of digital distractions on productivity:

• Scheduled Email and DM Checks: Brendon Burchard underscores the inefficiency of constant digital interruptions. “Randomly checking into your inbox is checking into other people's agendas” ([26:50]), advocating for designated times to handle digital communications to maintain focus.

• Avoiding Immediate Responses: Both emphasize the value of not being perpetually accessible. Ed advises, “I sometimes will get a message and I am purposely going to delay the reply” ([21:21]), fostering a balance between responsiveness and personal time.

6. Maintaining Physical and Mental Health

Amidst the chaos of busy seasons, sustaining physical health emerges as a crucial strategy:

• Consistent Workouts: Ed highlights the importance of maintaining a fitness routine, stating, “I need to be more disciplined with your nutrition” ([35:35]). Regular exercise serves as a cornerstone for preserving energy and combating stress.

• Hydration and Nutrition: Both speakers stress the necessity of proper hydration and nutrition to sustain high performance levels during demanding periods.

7. Shifting Perspective and Mindset

Changing one's mindset can transform the experience of a busy season:

• Gratitude and Reframing Challenges: Ed shares his practice of viewing obligations as privileges: “I get to do this” ([46:18]). This shift from obligation to opportunity fosters a more positive and resilient mindset.

• Embracing Growth: Brendon Burchard adds, “You get to be busy. You get to have this beautiful family” ([44:59]), encouraging listeners to see busy times as periods of growth and opportunity rather than mere stressors.

8. Faith and Spirituality as Anchors

The conversation touches on the role of faith and spirituality in navigating busy seasons:

• Connection with a Higher Power: Ed emphasizes, “the last time, during the last season, I would be to connect with your higher power” ([55:50]), positing that spiritual practices like meditation and prayer provide essential support and clarity.

• Drawing Strength from Faith: Brendon Burchard shares his own spiritual journey, highlighting how faith has been a cornerstone during challenging times: “I was like, you're gonna be okay” ([55:51]).

9. Energy Management and Positive Influence

Effective energy management ensures that high performers remain impactful without burning out:

• Bringing Positive Energy: Brendon Burchard describes his philosophy of being an “energy addition” to others’ lives, striving to leave people feeling uplifted and energized.

• Downshifting Energy Appropriately: Ed suggests, “You have to learn to downshift your energy” ([61:55]), ensuring that high levels of intensity do not negatively impact personal relationships or overall well-being.

10. Innovative Time Perception

Towards the episode’s conclusion, the speakers explore unconventional approaches to time management:

• Redefining the Day: Brendon Burchard introduces the concept of “mini days,” breaking the traditional 24-hour day into multiple six-hour segments to enhance productivity: “My days are six hours long” ([87:30]).

• Hourly Performance Checks: Both stress the importance of frequent self-assessments to stay aligned with goals. Ed advocates for internal alarm clocks to prompt regular reflections on progress: “What did I do to move closer to my goals?” ([88:03]).

Notable Quotes

• Brendon Burchard ([05:59]): “When you get in busy season, you'd better be really great about explaining to your spouse, to your partner, to the kids, what you are dealing with.”

• Ed Mylett ([10:28]): “You show me your schedule, I'm gonna show you your priorities so you can go to a busy season and still maintain some sense of control.”

• Brendon Burchard ([16:30]): “You got to start pulling things that were put on that schedule that seemed good at the time.”

• Ed Mylett ([21:21]): “I'm not at your beck and call. You are not always reacting to their whims.”

• Brendon Burchard ([44:59]): “You want people, when they leave me, they feel lifted. They feel energized.”

• Ed Mylett ([46:18]): “I get to do this. And everything's going to be okay.”

• Brendon Burchard ([87:30]): “My days are six hours long. Now, what happens in that six hours is that it alters the complete direction of my life.”

Conclusion: Thriving Through Busy Seasons

Ed Mylett and Brendon Burchard conclude by reinforcing the idea that busy seasons, while challenging, are also periods of immense growth and opportunity. By implementing strategic communication, disciplined scheduling, maintaining physical health, and shifting one’s mindset, individuals can not only survive but thrive during these intense periods. Emphasizing the importance of gratitude, faith, and energy management, the duo provides listeners with a comprehensive toolkit to prioritize what truly matters and achieve sustained peak performance.

Whether you're an entrepreneur juggling multiple roles, a professional facing career demands, or anyone grappling with a whirlwind of responsibilities, this episode offers invaluable insights to help you regain control, foster growth, and make meaningful time for the aspects of life that matter most.