Produced #75: Disruptive Influence, Expert Public Speaking and Weekly Reviews

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Next guest:

Harnessing Disruptive Influence: Lessons in Speaking and Podcasting | #84: Jeff Abracen

Jeff Abracen is a seasoned Creative Communication Consultant and podcast host with a deep commitment to turning speakers into confident storytellers. With over 18 years of experience in the agency world, he’s delivered more than 2,000 presentations to some of the world’s biggest brands, driving over $100 million in investments through his engaging, impactful pitches. Now, Jeff’s mission is to help individuals and teams become the best presenters in the room, combining creativity with strategy to leave a lasting impression.

In this episode, Jeff brings his expertise as the host of Disruptive Influence, where he connects with bold thinkers disrupting their industries. Tune in to explore the essentials of public speaking mastery, learn how to make pitches that win, and find inspiration in embracing your unique voice to fuel both personal and professional growth.

• https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/jeffabracen/

Disruptive Influence:

• https://www.buzzsprout.com/2303181

Behind the scenes:

Do you know that one friend you met on LinkedIn, whom you’ve never met in person, yet you feel like you’ve known each other forever and just instantly click? Well, that’s what it feels like with Jeff! (And if you don’t have that person yet, I’m sure you’ll meet one soon!) And no, it’s not just because he’s a podcaster—though that definitely plays a big part, haha.

We jumped on a call almost spontaneously, and it was a blast! We had an amazing chat, diving into podcasting, public speaking, presenting, and communication. Let’s be honest—most of us are nervous about public speaking, and Jeff, a master of the craft, has a lot of wisdom to share on the topic.

But don’t worry, this wasn’t a formal speaking masterclass. We mostly had a lot of fun. This is one of those episodes where I hope you’ll gain valuable insights, share some laughs with us, and feel inspired to pursue whatever you’ve been dreaming of. Needless to say, I highly encourage you to subscribe to Jeff’s podcast—great guests, an amazing host, and a lot of thought behind every episode. More in the episode!

Quote of the week:

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

– C.S. Lewis

Hack of the Week:

Taking time for a weekly review is an essential productivity habit that can help you stay on top of your tasks, improve time management, and ensure you’re making progress towards your goals. A weekly review involves reflecting on your achievements, challenges, and upcoming priorities, allowing you to adjust your plans and approach for the following week.

Benefits of Weekly Reviews:

• Improved Focus: A weekly review helps clarify your priorities by giving you an overview of what’s most important. It allows you to refocus on key tasks and goals, preventing you from getting distracted by less urgent matters.
• Better Time Management: By looking back at how you spent your time during the week, you can identify areas where you might have wasted time or been inefficient. This reflection helps you fine-tune your time management skills, ensuring better use of your hours in the week ahead.
• Increased Accountability: Regularly reviewing your progress holds you accountable to your goals. It creates a consistent habit of checking in with yourself, so you're less likely to overlook tasks or let projects fall behind.
• Stress Reduction: Having a clear plan for the week ahead reduces uncertainty and stress. When you’ve reviewed your tasks and set your priorities, you’ll feel more organised and less overwhelmed by what needs to be done.
• Enhanced Goal Setting: Weekly reviews allow you to adjust your goals based on what’s working and what isn’t. This helps ensure that your objectives remain realistic and achievable, keeping your productivity levels high.

Strategies for Effective Weekly Reviews:

• Set a Dedicated Time: Choose a specific time each week to conduct your review, ideally at the end of the week. Whether it’s Friday afternoon or Sunday evening, making it a routine will help ensure you don’t miss it.
• Reflect on Your Wins and Challenges: Start by noting your accomplishments—big or small—and what went well during the week. Then, assess the challenges you faced and consider what you can do differently next time to overcome them.
• Review Your Task List: Look through your to-do list and identify what was completed and what wasn’t. Consider why certain tasks were left unfinished and whether they need to be reprioritised or rescheduled for the following week.
• Adjust Your Plans: Use your review to adjust your upcoming week’s schedule. Add any missed tasks, update deadlines, and plan time for important activities. This will give you a clearer roadmap for the days ahead.
• Set New Goals: Based on your review, set specific, achievable goals for the upcoming week. These goals should align with both your long-term objectives and the immediate priorities you’ve identified.

By incorporating a weekly review into your routine, you can maintain a strong sense of direction, improve time management, and increase accountability. This simple habit helps you stay on top of your tasks, adjust your focus, and start each week with a clear, productive plan.

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