Podcast
Undo – How history's outliers got stuff done
Hosted by Mark Steadman · EN
An investigation into how history’s oddballs, outliers, and overachievers built systems to help them do their best work.
Each episode unearths a so-called productivity hack from history to help you separate the brilliant from the bullshit, so you can build a methodology that works for you.
Productivity isn’t about getting more done to feed a money-seeking monster with an ever-growing appetite. It’s about clearing the clutter so you can focus on what you do best.
Because if Edison can invent the lightbulb without Inbox Zero, you can probably survive without 10x-ing your toothbrush routine.
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to get into the zone — Flow
Feb 3, 202500:19:56Summary readyTime stands still and you’re in that sweet-spot where the work you're doing is challenging enough to hold your attention, but not so difficult that it causes you stress.This is flow, and it might just prove itself to be one of the keys that unlocks long-term happiness. Links mentioned in this episodeFollow Mark on SubstackJoin the Undo Book ClubGet members-only contentLeave your commentsSupport the show
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The tomato of productivity – the Pomodoro Technique
Jan 27, 202500:19:32Summary readyIt’s four o’clock in the afternoon, and you’re thinking over your day. Did you actually get anything done, or were you just reacting to a bunch of distractions? Links mentioned in this episodeFollow Mark on SubstackJoin the Undo Book ClubGet members-only contentLeave your commentsSupport the show
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Do the worst thing first thing (”Eat the frog”)
Jan 20, 202500:16:10Summary ready“Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.” So says Mark Twain. Or so says a productivity guru says Mark Twain. But as far as we can tell, Mark Twain never said that. So what’s with all the frogs, and how can they help us do more of the right stuff, and less of the wrong? Links mentioned in this episodeFollow Mark on SubstackJoin the Undo Book ClubGet members-only contentLeave your commentsSupport the show
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Work expands to fill the time available – Parkinson’s Law
Jan 13, 202500:14:42Summary readyStudies show if you give people 60 minutes to complete a task that only takes 30, they’ll work the full hour instead of taking the rest off.That’s Parkinson’s Law in action, and by recognising it, we can buy back some time to ourselves. Just don’t tell the boss, or they’ll give you more busy work. Links mentioned in this episodeFollow Mark on SubstackJoin the Undo Book ClubGet members-only contentLeave your commentsSupport the show
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The Eisenhower Matrix – Decision-making in the White House
Jan 6, 202500:14:26Summary readyHow do you decide what needs to be done now, and what can wait? And how do you take care of the stuff that needs doing now, while not neglecting the things that make it worth getting out of bed in the morning? Links mentioned in this episodeFollow Mark on SubstackJoin the Undo Book ClubGet members-only contentLeave your commentsSupport the show
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Introducing Undo
Nov 8, 202400:01:11Summary readyComing January 2025.Humans will do anything to avoid the actual work they said they’d do. While supposedly writing this trailer I checked my slow cooker, restocked the fridge, took my blood pressure (it’s dangerously high, btw), followed up on a WhatsApp conversation, picked up the post, checked in on the cats, tidied my desk and made another coffee.That’s genuinely true – these are all things I did while I should’ve been writing this script.And all I really need to tell you is that Undo is a podcast that examines productivity methods through the ages and tries to separate the brilliant from the bullshit, so you can figure out how to design your own system that matches your brain chemistry.I mean really, it’s just a fun show you can listen and tell yourself you’re working. Finally, procrastination in podcast form!
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