Summary: (http://valueofsimple.com/wp-content/uploads/Smart-and-Simple-Matters-Cover-200x200.jpg)Now 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 (http://theothersideofcomplexity.com/ebooks/) 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 6x12 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. Resources and Items Mentioned in This Episode: * Websites: * The Other Side of Complexity (http://theothersideofcomplexity.com/about/) * So They Can Fly (http://sotheycanfly.com/about/) * Zen Habits (http://zenhabits.net/about/) * Resources: * Mike’s "Do Less" Rap Video (http://theothersideofcomplexity.com/do-less-rap/) * Tim Ferriss Debates Leo Babauta on Setting Goals (http://vimeo.com/53629816) * Books: * Simpler: Declutter Your Life and Focus on What's Most Important * Living Clutter-Free with Kids in the House * The Power of Less * Blog Posts: * Do Less: A Short Guide (http://zenhabits.net/less/) * Feedback for Joel: * Share Your Story (http://valueofsimple.com/share-your-story/) 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 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 (http://feeds.feedburner.com/ValueOfSimplePodcast) * Click here to subscribe via Stitcher (http://stitcher.com/s?eid=22879980&refid=stpr) 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 (http://valueofsimple.com/iTunes) and leave an honest review.
