The Faster, Easier, Better Show

In this episode, Lee and Ellen bid a fond farewell to the Faster Easier Better Show podcast. We've been sharing our best ways to be efficient in all aspects of life for eight years (and 400 episodes). In this final episode, we share what we have learned by doing this podcast and how you can apply each of the seven ideas to your life (without needing to host a podcast.) It has been our privilege to...

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the power of concentrated focus to make improvements in your life. Together they discuss: • If you want to run faster, run faster -- and what that actually means (and why it doesn't apply to running.) • Getting rid of the things that don't help you • How burst of focus can help you achieve your goals • Eliminating any "big buts" you might have • Apply the pri...

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at how you can leverage the 80/20 Rule to get better results for anything you are doing. Together they discuss: • What the Pareto Principle is and how you can start using it • Why it's important to reflect at the beginning of the year about what is working best for you • How to use the best 20% of your efforts to get 80% of your results • Where you can use the 8...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how different companies are efficient, and how we can apply their thinking to our lives. Together they discuss: • How different companies use different systems to be successful • The importance of applying systems • Knowing when it's time to tweak a system • Why bigger isn't always better   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Duncan, producer Your co-hosts: www. EllenG...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how having a theme for your year can make you more efficient. Together they discuss: • How Lee's theme is different from his theme of last year, and why it matters • Why it's important to pick your own theme  • The elements you need for your theme • What having a theme does to your daily effectiveness • Why Lee's theme is important to him this year (just like...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at ways to simplify things so you can be more efficient. Together they discuss: • Leaving things out so you save on set-up time • Putting things away that you won't be using so you can save money and time • Getting rid of things you aren't using • Tracking yourself to find what's most effective • Using reports to show you where you spent time and money • Harnass...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss ways to build deeper connections with people. Together they look at: • How Lee's Annual Turkey Bowl enables him to connect with friends he doesn't see most of the year. • Why personal connections can be important for your business life • Ways to make deeper Digital Connections • The secret about endorsing people on LinkedIn • Ways to leverage Zoom calls to ge...

Sleep is the key to performing better in all aspects of your life and in this episode, Lee And Ellen look at ways to get better sleep. Together they discuss: • Why it's impossible to fake good sleep -- and what your body knows • Lee shares what he does as a bad sleeper • The joy of having a very dark room -- and how to get one • The roll comfort plays in your sleep • How to add naps into your day...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how to make reading more efficient. Together they discuss: • How audiobooks make it easier to read • Finding condensed versions of the books you want to read • Using the power of a Library Card to get free audiobooks (and why Libby is your friend) • How to use reading as a reward to getting things done • Harnessing the power of accountability to get more read...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at ways to make travel more efficient. Together they look at: • The little things you do that add up to a more efficient trip • What savvy travelers know ab out car rental • Why Ellen doesn't like CLEAR • How taking a cab can be more efficient than car-sharing • What you can do to pack fewer clothes • The importance of having a "go bag"   Edited at Studio D, Way...

In this episode, Ellen and Lee discuss how your energy affects your efficiency and what you can do to have high energy when you need it most. Together they look at: • What to do when something brings you and your energy down • How to get bad, negative thoughts out of your brain • What Ellen does when energy-sucking thoughts show up • Determine how your day is going to go by managing your energy •...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at what you can do to make December the best month of your year. Together they look at: • Why you should do simple things that you enjoy - but you've been putting off • How you can harness the Primacy Effect to your advantage • What Lee does with index cards to bring him joy • Why Ellen loves a seasonal bucket list (and why you might too) • What french fries wit...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at how Gratefulness can make you more efficient. Together they look at: • How being grateful gives you more energy • Why we pay attention to the bad stuff rather than the good stuff in our lives • What sitting and thinking of three good things can do for you • The importance of a solid mindset • What you can do each morning to set yourself up for efficiency   Ed...

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at how you can use the last 6 weeks of the year to get a jump on 2025. Together they discuss: • The importance of "greasing the skids" for any goals or plans you have in 2025 • How to slowly add in new elements of habits  • What "Getting Ready to Get Ready" can do for you • Why you don't have to commit completely to changes now, but what you should do instead  ...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at the efficiency of proper labeling. Together they discuss: • Lee's right-brained problem with naming files (using emotional labels instead of factual) • Picking a labeling system and using it to more easily locate files • The effectiveness of visual file icons • The efficiency of having a labeling system (it might be boring, but it works)   Edited at Studio D,...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at different ways to track your progress as you set out to achieve boals. Together they look at: • Lee is a big fan of filling in bubbles to track progress • ellen discusses the genius of Star Charts and how they work for adults as well as children • Lee remembers S & H Green Stamps and why getting rewarded for accumulating points is motivating • Why you shouldn...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at some basic ways that you can be more efficient in your life. Together they discuss: • Four ways to be more efficient at home • Why doggy doors help you to get more done • How finding the veggie chopper that you love, will save you time • What fake plants can do for your efficiency • When you need a bigger trash can -- and what it does for you • Four ways to b...

In this episode, Ellen looks at 4 ways you can bring focus back into your life. There's a lot going on in the world right now, which makes it hard to focus on the important things in our lives. But all is not lost! Ellen shares 4 simple things you can do to get focus back on your side. • Forget setting a timer to get things done (shocking! Especially coming from Ellen). Instead go for the quality...

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the most efficient way to make progress toward any goal you might be working on. Together they discuss:  • The one thing adults think that stops them in their tracks when moving forward • Why accepting "Beginners Mind" will put you on the track to success • Ellen shares what she is going through with exercise and what she has had to accept as truth • Why havi...

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at how to be more focused by getting rid of distractions. Together they look at: • Why it's so easy to let our phones distract us • What we could be doing with the time we spend getting dopamine hits • Why urgent things crowd out the important things we want to do • Three easy ways to ignore your distractions (and how to do them) • The importance of doing the ha...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss how money can multiply your efficiency. Together they discuss: • Money can make you more efficient by:     -  paying someone to do what you don't want to do    -  getting better equipment    -  opens you up to have the time and space to do you want • Think of ways to increase the money coming in • Lee discusses using money to make money • How money lets you t...

In this episode, Ellen and Lee look at the efficiency of timers you can find in your environment. Together they look at: • Why brushing your teeth is a great way to time yourself • How music is specifically structured to be an excellent timer • The key thing you need to have for efficiency • What a playlist can help you do • One of Ellen's favorite apps for timing (Interval Timer - Tabata Timer on...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen discuss the most efficient person that Lee knows, and what we can learn from them. Together they look at: • What steps his friend takes to get things done right away • Why lists and maps make this person efficient • How finding out what they love to do makes them more efficient • Ellen shares how she discovered what she wasn't efficient at doing • Why knowing your st...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at scheduling time for doing things that otherwise get pushed aside. Together they look at: • What building a wine rack has taught Lee about getting things done • Why important tasks get pushed aside • How to schedule tasks so they get done • Why hoping for things to get things done never works • How scheduling can save you money   Edited at Studio D, Wayne Dunc...

In this episode, Lee and Ellen look at ways to make your wardrobe more efficient. Together, they discuss: • Picking out your clothes with efficiency in mind • Eliminating the time and money that go into clothes that need dry cleaning • Why Lee wants to bring back ABBA, the BeeGees, and Polyester • How the appliance industry is making washing clothes more efficient • Tips for making your wardrobe m...