Episode Date November 2, 2021
Featured Guest Juliet Funt
Featured Book "When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chödrön

Episode Summary

Juliet Funt reading from Pema Chödrön’s When Things Fall Apart, and discussing getting curious and getting unbusy.

It irks me to confess this, but I am still in thrall to my to-do list. I’ve been writing about how not to be busy for 20 years, and I have thoroughly, completely, and annoyingly failed to take my own advice. The truth is, I get a rush from getting stuff done, and believe me, I’m aware of the irony. The thing people thank me for is not my tasking, but my thinking; figuring stuff out, me trying to make more complicated ideas more useful, more practical, more accessible, and I do that with a pen and paper, and a minute to think. How about you, do you do a good job at thinking, mulling, musing, playing, creating, exploring? If you’ve got that sorted, I salute you.

I met Juliet Funt when she was speaking at a conference, and being a decent speaker and presenter myself, I’m always delighted when someone puts on a brilliant performance. Juliet put on that performance, and turns out she’s just as fun and smart off the stage, as she is on it.

Juliet reads two pages from ‘When Things Fall Apart’ by Pema Chödrön. [reading begins at 13:40]

Hear us discuss:

  • Softening and managing busyness: “We have been using busyness to numb and avoid softness.” [16:39]
  • The anxiety of getting unbusy: “Give yourself a structure, but write it in pencil.” [20:57]
  • Finding the work that matters: The thief of activity. [24:04]

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Resources:

Juliet Funt | Website | LinkedIn

Juliet Funt’s book | A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work

Pema Chödrön | When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

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Michael Bungay Stanier

Michael Bungay Stanier

I'm the author of five books that have collectively sold more than a million copies. I'm the founder of Box of Crayons, a learning and development company that helps organizations move from advice-driven to curiosity-led. I'm the host of the *2 Pages with MBS* podcast.

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