Leadership

Timo Ahopelto – The Human Charger

July 23, 2015 by

**Summary:** In Episode

#171 Ari invites Timo Ahopelto of [The Human Charger](http://www.humancharger.com/) onto the Less Doing Podcast to talk about the oft overlooked role of light in our daily lives. Listen as Ari and Timo discuss the measurable impact artificial light can have on seasonal depression, jet-lag, and sleep.

**Sponsored By:**

– [FollowUp.CC](https://followup.cc/) – For years, FollowUp.CC has been Ari’s #1 recommended productivity tool. Now the Less Doing Nation has the opportunity to **_try FollowUp.CC for a FULL YEAR – that’s right, 12 whole months – for ½ price!_** To receive your 50% discount, use the coupon code “LessDoing” when you register.

**Special Announcements:**

##Fuel the Fire Come watch Ari light-up the Drake Hotel in Chicago on Wednesday, August 5th as he delivers a rousing keynote speech for IPPA Business Excellence Conference: _Fuel the Fire_. This will be a great opportunity to watch Ari translate the lessons of Less Doing into terms business leaders can take to the bank.

##[Rockefeller Roundtable](http://helmsociety.com/ari-meisel-ceo-roundtable-nc/) Come watch Ari regale a roundtable of avid [Helm Society](http://helmsociety.com/) listeners with the lessons of Less Doing on September 9th from 10AM to 2PM in New York City.

##[Freeing Finland](http://www.biohackersummit.com) Come watch Ari and a collection of other well-renowned biohackers free the people of Finland from their bodily limitations at the 2015 Biohacker Summit being held in Helsinki, Finland from September 23rd through September 24th. Those interested in attending can [buy tickets here](http://biohackersummit.com/#pl_areauf9k2sm).

##Subscribe to the Podcast or [Leave Us a Review!](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-meisel-less-doing/id605938952?mt=2&uo=6) Hey Less Doing Podcast Listeners, we want to hear from YOU! Visit us on iTunes and leave a review or subscribe to the podcast if you’re not already a dedicated follower.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

– 13:20 – Introduction of Timo Ahopelto, creator of [The Human Charger](http://www.humancharger.com/)

– 14:18 – Ari’s thank you to Timo and personal testament to the product

– 14:53 – The origins of The Human Charger

– 16:03 – Timo explains what The Human Charger is, how it works and how it looks

– 17:27 – The trick is getting the light _inside _your ear where the specific cells and proteins reside from making us feel “awake”

– 18:06 – Why The Human Charger uses a 12-minute light dose

– 19:35 – The risk of The Human Charger is using it _incorrectly _which can completely throw off your schedule

– 20:00 – The sun dominates everything we do on Earth

– 20:14 – Jet lag is a result of non-natural living conditions

– 21:00 – It’s extremely important to take the charger at the right times

– 22:17 – When flying due east, use The Human Charger in the morning hours of your destination

– 22:25 – When flying due west, use the Charger in the evening hours of your destination

– 23:50 – The Human Charger can be used for Seasonal Depression Disorder

– 26:10 – Convenience and ease of use are _key _elements of successful product development

– 27:50 – Shift workers – particularly night shift workers – struggle from stress and other diseases directly related to their inability to consistently sleep

– 29:19 – Timo’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_

– 30:05 – Be extremely selective in what you do

– 30:40 – Take one task on at a time and do it to completion

– 31:07 – Unfinished projects are productivity killers

– 32:15 – [Get the Human Charger on Amazon](http://amzn.to/1KkMRea) exclusive Less Doing Promotional Code: LESS10HC

**7 Key Points:**

1. Products change, but the human need they fulfill never changes.

2. Don’t make habits punitive.

3. Habits are hard to form because – more often than note – we don’t like what we’re doing.

4. Addictions – by definition – are bad—there are no good addictions.

5. Ask yourself what you’d do if money was not an object.

6. Don’t waste time doing tasks your attention and time don’t deserve.

7. Find a great life partner and hold on to them.

— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Trevor Shirk – United States Army Rangers

July 20, 2015 by

**Summary:** In Episode

#170 Ari chats with [Trevor Shirk](http://www.uncommonhuman.com/), an engineer, Captain in the United States Army and a member of the US Army Rangers. During their conversation, Ari and Trevor talk American Dream University, the US Army’s Ranger School and the key drivers for human excellence.

**Sponsored By:**

**Special Announcements:**

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

– 11:12 – Introduction of [Trevor Shirk of the US Army](http://www.uncommonhuman.com/)

– 11:39 – Why Trevor joined the military

– 13:00 – Trevor’s focus in Afghanistan was IED clearance

– 14:10 – Trevor is a Ranger-qualified engineering officer

– 14:50 – The experience of Ranger School

– 15:20 – Ranger School teaches men and women how to perform optimally in the worst of circumstances

– 16:23 – The Best Ranger Competition

– 16:55 – Essentially a 60-hour, non-stop event

– 19:00 – Defining what the Rangers are known for

– 20:10 – The Lean Transformation

– 22:05 – Trevor developed a 2-week sprint framework for transforming his life, focused on 6-7 activities

– 23:14 – Focus on positive, residual benefits for the future

– 24:00 – Trevor did a Lean Transformation for his marriage and personal finance as well

– 25:30 – We focus on 30-day, six-month programs…but the timeframes are far too long—two weeks is the sweet spot

– 27:15 – There is no one-size-fits-all solution

– 27:40 – American Dream University

– 31:49 – Speaking to soldiers at Fort Benning was one of the highlights of Ari’s life

– 32:25 – Vets are good at what they do but they don’t know what’s possible with their skills in civilian life

– 32:55 – Trevor’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_:

– 33:05 – Find your true purpose, the thing that makes you tick

– 33:36 – To be effective, you need to be a leader

– 34:36 – You need to grow—practice a growth mindset

**7 Key Points:**

1. When it comes to fitness, we focus too much on strength and weight gain—more often than not this leads us past our optimal performing weight/strength level.

2. Keep your mindset on the positive, residual benefits of whatever activity you’re doing.

3. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to any problem—you need to create your own, custom solution.

4. Addictions – by definition – are bad—there are no good addictions.

5. Ask yourself what you’d do if money was not an object.

6. Don’t waste time doing tasks your attention and time don’t deserve.

7. Find a great life partner and hold on to them.

— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Colin Darretta – Well Path

July 16, 2015 by

# Summary: In Episode

#169 Ari chats with [Colin Darretta of Well Path](https://www.gowellpath.com/founders-story), a company dedicated to providing innovative solutions to personalized modern wellness. During the interview, Colin and Ari invest the majority of their time talking about health and wellness topics including supplements, sleep and proper nutrition.

**Sponsored By** :

– [FollowUp.CC](https://followup.cc/) – For years, FollowUp.CC has been Ari’s #1 recommended productivity tool. Now the Less Doing Nation has the opportunity to

**_try FollowUp.CC for a FULL YEAR – that’s right, 12 whole months – for ½ price!_

** To receive your 50% discount, use the coupon code “LessDoing” when you register.

**Special Announcements:**

[Freeing Finland](http://www.biohackersummit.com/) Come watch Ari and a collection of other well-renowned biohackers free the people of Finland from their bodily limitations at the 2015 Biohacker Summit being held in Helsinki, Finland from September 23rd through September 24th. Those interested in attending can [buy tickets here](http://biohackersummit.com/#pl_areauf9k2sm).

.## Subscribe to the Podcast or [Leave Us a Review!](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-meisel-less-doing/id605938952?mt=2&uo=6) Hey Less Doing Podcast Listeners, we want to hear from YOU! Visit us on iTunes and leave a review or subscribe to the podcast if you’re not already a dedicated follower.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

– 11:29 – Introduction of [Colin Darretta of Well Path](https://www.gowellpath.com/founders-story)

– 11:53 – How Well Path got started

– 14:13 – Supplements are nutritional insurance

– 14:38 – 90% of America is nutritional deficient in some vertical

– 14:59 – Generally speaking, it’s unrealistic to expect people to obtain all their nutrients via food

– 16:57 – Well Path pairs supplements with a broad range of macronutrient needs

– 17:35 – Well Path works to create holistic supplements, custom engineered for the individual

– 19:55 – The vast majority of GNC employees have no idea what they’re talking about

– 22:08 – Breaking down the definition of “customized” for Well Path

– 22:45 – Certain architypes come up again, and again, and again

– 24:15 – There’s a lot of data out there today about the quantified self, but no one is aggregating the qualitative

– 24:59 – Well Path’s 8 categories

– 27:02 – Some of Colin’s favorite supplements

– 27:30 – Most supplements that have legitimate heath benefits have been around for a while

– 29:10 – Go for trial and error with supplements

– 31:00 – Colin never takes new, trendy, “super-sexy” supplements

– 31:25 – Colin’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_

– 31:37 – Get rid of your TV

– 33:12 – Stop surfing the internet—carte blanche

– 33:56 – Don’t try to hack your sleep

– 35:15 – [www.GoWellPath.com](http://www.GoWellPath.com)

**7 Key Points:**

1. You need your sleep—stop trying to hack it.

2. Get rid of your TV and stop surfing the internet.

3. Go with the oldest supplements, they tend to be the most effective.

4. Too often the focus is placed on quantitative data when it comes to health and wellness—don’t forget about the qualitative.

5. 90% of Americans are nutritionally deficient in some vertical.

6. Think of supplements as nutritional insurance.

7. It would be nice to get all of our nutrients from f

— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Steve J. Martin – The small BIG

July 13, 2015 by

**Summary:** In Episode

#168 Ari speaks with Steve J. Martin, master of persuasion and Co-Author of [The small BIG](http://amzn.to/1TmvHhB). During this interview, Ari and Steve cover the science of persuasion, the importance of ethics and the paradox of neutrality.

**Special Announcements:**

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

– 13:57 – Introduction of Steve J. Martin of

– 14:48 – How Steve got started in the art of persuasion

– 15:15 – Measuring the skill of sales teams

– 16:14 – Sometimes success is all about being in a good place at the right time

– 17:04 – There is no neutrality with influence and persuasion

– 17:38 – Be honest, be ethical

– 18:58 – Our response to being manipulated isn’t to the tactic used, it’s to the manipulator

– 21:43 – We want more of the things we can have less of

– 22:33 – Scarcity confers value

– 24:18 – Typically, following what others like us have done is an efficient way to make decisions

– 24:37 – Find shortcuts to make less decisions

– 26:40 – Beware of testimonials

– 28:12 – Knowing the principles of persuasion doesn’t empower you to avoid them

– 29:25 – Steve’s upcoming projects

– 31:04 – Small tweaks can lead to big effects

– 35:07 – What makes people _want _to give online businesses their contact information

– 35:23 – The give and take effect

– 37:19 – Steve’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_

– 37:35 –Understand and learn the 3 keys of human motivation

– 38:48 – Do not dismiss the power of small things

– 39:45 – Be human

– 41:21 – [Science and persuasion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdCzN7RYbw)

**7 Key Points:**

1. Find shortcuts to make fewer decisions.

2. Small changes can have massive impact.

3. Scarcity convers value.

4. We live in an information age—we do not live in a knowledge age.

5. Never lose sight of your humanity.

6. Luck plays a role in everything.

7. Be honest and ethical.

**Resources Mentioned:**

– [Timeagram](http://www.timeagram.com/?ref=producthunt)

– Enables users to schedule their post to Instagram – [Retroospect](https://www.retroospect.com/)

– Walks users through their previous work week to determine the best days and times for productivity, etc. – [99u](http://99u.com/articles/42643/the-4-types-of-productivity-styles)

– The four types of productivity styles – [19 Go-To Foods for a Healthy Pantry](http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/2015/06/what-are-the-best-healthy-pantry-foods/)

– From Ben Greenfield fitness, 19 foods to live a happier, healthier life – [Best Conditions for a Unicorn](http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/13/the-best-known-conditions-for-a-unicorn/?ncid=rss)

– From Tech Crunch, an article highlighting the best conditions to create a “unicorn” of a company – [Handwriting.IO](https://www.handwriting.io/?ref=producthunt)

– A programming API that provides digital handwriting – [Breathometer](https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/breathometer-mint-for-breath-quality-and-hydration#/story)

– An Indigogo campaign, a device designed to measure oral health – [Counsyl](https://www.counsyl.com/)

– A family-prep service to help people who want

— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Special Episode #4 with Ben Greenfield of BenGreenfieldFitness.com

July 10, 2015 by

**Summary:** In Special Episode

#4 features a special audio book chapter reading from Ben Greenfield of [Ben Greenfield Fitness](http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/). During the reading Ben highlights his _Top Ten Tips _for improving productivity and efficiency across all aspects of life.

**Special Announcements:**

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

– 00:15 – Introduction from Ari, including a synopsis of Special Episode #4

– 04:34 – _Beyond Training _Chapter 20—as read by author Ben Greenfield

– 04:55 – This chapter covers 10 of Ben’s top time-saving and productivity tips

– 05:25 – Checklists are cruel—employ the “buckets” strategy

– 07:21 – Eliminate TV—don’t throw out your TV—but eliminate cable, satellite, etc.

– 08:36 – Eat simply—minimize your choices

– 10:00 – Outsource _everything _as much as possible

– 14:04 – Take the time to study the principles and lessons of Ari Meisel from Less Doing, More Living

– 14:18 – Be smart with email

– 16:54 – Eliminate distractions

– 17:53 – Avoid snacking

– 18:35 – Mini breaks add up—avoid them

– 19:00 – Aggregate content

– 21:47 – Start with the hard stuff—start the day with your most challenging task

– 24:20 – Keep your mind clear

– 26:15 – Beware of psychological associations

– 27:50 – Check out [LifeHacker](http://lifehacker.com/), [Less Doing](LessDoing.com), [Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/doubledads/), [43 Folders](http://www.43folders.com/), [Dumb Little Man](http://www.dumblittleman.com/), [4-hour life](http://www.4hourlife.com/)

**5 Key Points:**

1. Eat simply, live simply.

2. Be smart with email and communication tools in general.

3. Read Less Doing, More Living by Ari Meisel

4. Outsource as much as possible.

5. Avoid checklists—use productivity buckets

**Credits:**

– Music and Audio Editing provided by [Felix Bird](http://2014.felixbird.com/) – Show Notes provided by [Mike Rossi](http://mikerossi.elance.com/) – Audio Engineering provided by [Chris Mottram](https://www.evernote.com/OutboundRedirect.action?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fpub%2Fchristopher-mottram%2F96%2Fb12%2F708)

——- [Get the FREE Optimize, Automate, Outsource Blueprint here.](https://go.lessdoing.com/blueprint?utm_campaign=blueprint-ari&utm_medium=link&utm_source=podcast)

— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

Eelco DeBoer – Serial Entrepreneur

July 9, 2015 by

# Summary: In Episode

#167 Ari speaks with [Eelco DeBoer](http://www.eel.co/), a Dutch serial entrepreneur who got his start in online business selling hip-hop CDs and other wares over eBay. Since then, Eelco has grown into one of Holland’s most prolific digital businessman, with no less than six different companies to his name.

**Special Announcements:**

[Harvard Hijinks](http://helmsociety.com/ari-meisel-ceo-roundtable-nc/) Come watch Ari regale a roundtable of avid [Helm Society](http://helmsociety.com/) listeners with the lessons of Less Doing on September 9th from 10AM to 2PM in Cambridge, MA.

**Time Stamped Show Notes:**

– 29:00 – Introduction of internet entrepreneur [Eelco DeBoer](http://www.eel.co/)

– 29:30 – Eelco defines his business background—it all started with hip hop records

– 31:38 – For five years, Eelco sold thousands and thousands of products on Ebay and other online platforms to make money

– 32:18 – Information products slowly became Eelco’s bread and butter

– 33:33 – Strategy wasn’t a part of Eelco’s development—in some sense, success just fell out of the sky based on what Eelco needed and enjoyed doing

– 34:10 – Eelco labored furiously to educate his customers so they would buy from him

– 35:30 – The main resource Eelco used to build his business?—pure luck

– 36:45 – Europe still struggles with accepting Entrepreneurship

– 38:45 – Why Eelco focuses his operations on Holland as opposed to the globe

– 40:50 – The absence of a business model can provide a certain level of freedom and flexibility that’s empowering

– 42:50 – Exciting marketing tools and technologies on the horizon

– 43:20 – The great thing about Facebook is – in a short amount of time – you can reach large volumes of your ideal audience

– 44:30 – Forget investing in real estate, invest in virtual real estate

– 45:20 – Bridging the gap between followers and buyers

– 46:10 – Just because something is simple doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea

– 46:25 – Business is two things—sowing and reaping—most people are only good at one or the other

– 48:06 – Eelco’s _Top 3 Tips to be More Effective_

– 48:14 – Switch off the internet

– 49:29 – Give away your password to your Facebook account to someone you trust

– 50:50 – Exercise and outsource your discipline

– 52:05 – [Eel.Co](http://www.eel.co/)

**7 Key Points:**

1. Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones.

2. Like it or not, luck will play some role in your success.

3. Invest in virtual real estate.

4. To create a winning business, you don’t necessarily need a business model.

5. Follow your passion and it will lead you places you never thought possible.

6. Social media marketing is shockingly under-utilized.

7. Business is two things: reaping and sowing.

**Resources Mentioned:**

– [The Annoyance of the Unread](http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/05/why-some-people-cant-stand-having-unread-emails/394031/) – An Atlantic article using science to explain why unread emails are so annoying – [Right Signature](https://rightsignature.com/?ref=producthunt&utm_content=buffer38ea2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer) – Quick and easy digital document signing – [Lollie.biz](http://lollie.biz/?ref=producthunt) – Same idea as Bump-Sale—every time someone buys your product, the

— Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lessdoing/message

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Connecting to Me Personally

Leadership

Get Chapter 1 of my book, The Art of Less Doing:

Less Work, More Results, More Happiness

Connecting to Me Personally

Less Work, More Results,
More Happiness