240: Meaningful Work through Simplification with Lisa Bodell

How can you effectively manage your time at work to enhance productivity and creativity?In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I had the pleasure to be joined by Lisa Bodell, an author and pioneer in workplace simplification. Lisa shares strategies on transforming time management into a tool for empowerment, simplifying work processes, and focusing on outputs rather than just time spent. From the concept of "kill a stupid rule" to redefining work-life balance, Lisa offers actionable insights to avoid burnout and foster a more fulfilling work environment.Discover how time management transcends managing emails and calendars. Lisa's emphasis on "deep work," time-boxing, and removing unnecessary meetings provides a pathway to not only increase productivity but also amplify creativity and innovation. Tune into our conversation to explore how purposeful simplification can lead to a happier, more engaged workforce.The main points include:Empowering time management strategies, including time-boxing and dedicated deep work periods.Distinguishing between being protective of time and appearing selfish.The significance of simplifying work to enhance creativity and innovation.Addressing burnout by simplifying routines and eliminating redundant tasks.Using tools like "yes if" for workload negotiation and "kill a stupid rule" to remove unnecessary practices.The importance of aligning work with personal meaning and purpose.Shifting from a "more is better" mindset to valuing purposeful simplicity.This episode covers: time management strategies, simplifying work processes, burnout, work-life balance, output over hours, deep work, purpose and fulfillment, time-boxing, meeting-free days, complexity trap, kill a stupid rule, clock versus compass, Futurethink, Lisa BodellConnect with LisaLinkedInWebsiteTwitterConnect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:WebsiteLinkedIn YouTubePrevious Episodes:Episode 70: The Future of Hybrid Remote Working with Jennifer DowlingEpisode 82: Creating a Better Workday with Niamh BradyEpisode 128: Boost Productivity by Removing Timewasters with Jennifer Smith

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Happier at Work® is a weekly business podcast for HR and business leaders who know that their people are their best asset, and who want to retain their top talent. Happier employees are more productive, more engaged, and stay in an organisation for longer. Through interesting guest interviews and solo episodes, host Aoife O’Brien covers four main themes: leadership equity; engagement and belonging; productivity and performance; and the future of work. What does being happier at work mean for you and your organisation?