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The Importance of Focus and Energy
In this episode Jason Ryer and I discuss the importance of focus.
By listening to this episode you will learn how to maintain good energy and focus on the main points.
0:01
Hello, everybody. Today we are here with a very special guest, Jason Ryer, from Zen strength. And Jason and I go way back, we used to work together at a startup company, we, he is one of my participants from my social media makeover that I did a few years back. And we also have kept in touch, we both have done the same coaching certification program, the human potential Institute.
So Jason’s a great example of somebody who knows how to manage their health, manage their time, run many different projects. And so I thought it would be perfect to have him on today to talk about time management and productivity hacks, because I know Jason, one of the things that my audience shared with me, that they struggle with the most is feeling like they’re not getting everything done, and they’re not doing enough. They just keep running out of time. And they look back at their day. And they’re like, wait, what, what happened today, right.
Choices and Time Management
So I want to get to you in one moment. But I want to share with our audience today, just an example of how I feel like every choice we make, whether we realize it or not, does impact our time management. So for example, I have a bad habit, Jason, and you might have some suggestions. But on Monday and Tuesday nights, I have nighttime coaching calls, and and up until that in my day, I’m pretty much go go go Monday, Tuesday, or heavy coaching calls last discovery call days for me, which I’m cool with because I’d like to get them out of the way earlier in the week. But at the same time, by the time I it gets to like eight o’clock or 830 I take a bath and then I eat dinner.
And that was like nine o’clock. And then I usually have dark chocolate so that my brain is wired, because I have caffeine in my system. Then I try to go to bed. So that impacts indirectly, my productivity. And I know that’s a big no no, in the health world.
But I want people to see how every little choice and the way you line up your day and what you eat and and who you listen to. And you know how you plan your day and structure your day is really important. So Jason, come on and first to share your background. And and then people will probably see why it’s important for you to have good time management because you have a lot of different projects going on.
2:33
Yeah, so thank you so much for the introduction, very generous. Sounds like I’m perfect when it comes to productivity. But I certainly have my own faults, my own challenges I think we all do. So it’s advantage. It’s a matter of managing those. So yeah, about me, so So yes, I am a bulletproof and human potential coach, went through the same coach training, worked with Haley for two, two short months at bulletproof. And yeah, so what I do now is I do coaching. So I do what I call superhuman potential coaching. And I also run courses online.
Realizing What to Focus On
So I run a fasting detox program called the master faster detox challenge. And I can get into that more. But yeah, I got a lot of other things going on in my life. So I have I moved into a house this year, we have a lot of space. I’m getting into like permaculture, Gardening, I’m starting a health business here in Thailand. I’m on the other side of the world in Chiang Mai, Thailand. So it’s actually nighttime right here. But yeah, doing a lot of different things. And I come at this from a lot of my career was in software. So I had a software software consulting business for about 10 years or so. And so there was a lot of, you know, finding clients, project management, I did a bit of everything.
So initially, I was doing the programming and everything, and then kind of built that up and hired people to do you know, some some of the heavy lifting with the programming, the project management, the design work and that sort of thing. So, so yeah. And I like Haley, how you framed this with, with food as a distraction, because that’s, that’s a really big one for me, and I think for a lot of other people, so I’m happy to talk about that as well.
4:22
Yeah. So I mean, there’s there’s two different types of distractions, there’s like environmental distractions, and then there’s our mindset, distractions, you know, just thoughts that we have or negative beliefs that keep us from doing things or procrastinating. So tell me a little bit about first, just environmentally, and what you do on a daily basis to set yourself up for making more time for the things that are important.
Daily Routines
4:51
Yeah, so so for me personally, it’s all about my daily routine, and just starting off on the right foot, let’s say it’s So, you know, it’s, it’s these habits, these practices that have become habits. And sometimes I don’t do them, sometimes I do. And I find out when I do certain habits in the morning, I feel better about myself, I’m more productive. So for me, some of these are just like, as simple as, as getting up and, and making the bed opening up the shades.
And one of one of the things I make a point to do from a health perspective is get outside. So you know, I drink a tall glass of water, walk outside and get sunshine, walk outside barefoot, get sun on my skin. And so that’s a really important one for me. And then I start doing some movement, some exercises. If I, a lot of times I’ve already done my meditation. So if I wake up really early,
5:47
and the sun’s not up yet,
5:48
I’ll lay in bed and do some, some meditation. I’ll do some breath work and some other practices. So that really sets me up for I think, four or more successful that and, and even before that I schedule. So that’s, that’s a tool for me, you know, once every week for me now it’s on Fridays, I schedule the weekend. And I don’t I don’t always follow that schedule, but it helps to have everything on my calendar.
Time Blocks and Focus
6:18
Yeah, so you time block it out by week. Is that right? Oh, yeah.
6:22
Yeah. So. So every week, I block it out.
6:26
Impressive, okay. Yeah. And when it comes to like meditation and morning ritual, and all that, I really feel like, you know, a lot of people are like, well, I don’t have time for that I have to roll into my day. But it’s really, the truth is, you don’t have time not to do that. Because it saves you and one of the things I learned when I did my Transcendental Meditation training, was they said, you don’t have time not to meditate, it saves you like hours of a, you know, it restores your mind.
So if you’re not getting enough sleep, or you’re feeling tired, and and that’s like getting you slower, and everything you’re doing, it will, it will save you from that. And then also it will save you from getting distracted. And it will, it will just give you more like the time that you are using, you’re going to be more focused, you’re going to get things done in a better way.
So I always have to remind myself of that, because I agree with you, I think having a morning routine is so critical when it comes to how the rest of your day goes. And I know that when I have my time to plan when I have my time to anchor myself to my targets and my goals and kind of review those every morning and do my little yerba Ma Tei. And whatever, it just my day is set up for success versus sometimes, you know, AK today. I did not do that yet. I’m going to do it after this. But I’m happy. Like I said, I fell asleep really late. Woke up, like oh, yeah, I’ve got to get ready. And and here I am with my ponytail.
Rest and Routines
But um, but the key is, I know I’m going to do that. And so I can relax and and know that the rest of my day is going to be solid. I think you guys we have to make the time somehow. And even if you start with something really, really small, you don’t have to do all the things like you don’t have to go for a walk and meditate and drink, you know, certain thing and whatever. But if you can just start with one or two things and start just stacking the habits over time. I think that that’s a really good strategy. Um, would you agree Jason? Or do you have your own? I actually,
8:41
I was gonna say that I wholeheartedly agree because I have one of my own coaching clients. And he was asking, like, Well, how do I do these habits? How do I make them a habit? And, and what came to mind for me was stalking. I think, like, if you’re not in the habit of flossing, for example. This this is a big one for a lot of people, because it’s just like, maybe something you don’t want to do.
But the obvious stack there is like well brush your teeth. And then floss right now you make it a habit. So, so yeah, I definitely agree with the habit stacking, setting up a daily morning routine. And I’ll be honest, like, I don’t do it every morning. Sometimes I’ll do something else. And sometimes I come back to it. Sometimes it slips by. But But yeah, when I do my morning routine, I think it sets me up to to really feel good about myself, where I’m at for my day and sets me up for more success throughout the day. For sure.
Progress and Productivity
9:41
Yeah, absolutely. So there’s the technical side of you know, productivity and setting up routines and time blocking your day and all of that right. But then there’s also just being an entrepreneur and being a coach in particular. There’s a lot of ups and downs as far as emotionally, you know, you’re putting yourself out there. A lot of coaches are new. So everything’s a learning curve.
There’s, you know, rejection involved, right? And so how do we because that, that emotional state right can keep us from wanting to be motivated and keep going in our business? Right? So, how do you manage? And how do you personally because I know you’re starting, you’ve started many businesses, you’ve done many different things in your career. What have you done to manage the hard parts of entrepreneurship? Hmm.
10:37
Yeah, that’s, that’s a great question. And I think like, as, as I’ve learned more, I’ve learned that, you know, when I think back at it, like, I would just kind of like push through, right, it’s like, I just need to work harder, I need to get more done. Now, I think I’m better at taking a step back. And I think this is kind of something you alluded to with, with meditation, that’s kind of a way of, of taking a step back, resetting, and just clearing kind of your thoughts, your mind, and allowing new things to come in might be more important.
Some of these things that are important, are really just doing like, the inner work. It’s a lot like I mean, you know, this very well Haley with, with fitness and training, when our muscles actually grow as when we’re resting. Right.
The Importance of Focus and Time Management
So I think we can kind of learn that lesson from from working and being productive, and that sort of thing, too. Because that for me, you know, they say, a lot of times our best ideas come like in the shower. Or basically anytime when we’re not thinking about ideas. And for me from like, a software perspective, I spent last year I spent a lot of time doing more like software development kind of stuff. So I’m solving these problems, oftentimes, I get stuck, right. I’ll just like, keep digging, keep digging, and keep trying.
And the harder I try. It’s like, it’s just not I’m not getting anywhere. So I’m basically just banging my head against the wall, I take a break, step away, for maybe a few minutes, maybe a few hours, maybe even a day, come back. And the solution just kind of comes.
It’s it’s amazing how that happens, like over and over again, in different parts of our lives. So so the message there is, it’s important to rest and take breaks, and actually honor and celebrate the work that we do. You know, so and that’s been something I’ve been recognizing more and more, you know, starting this new health business here in Thailand, we just got our first few customers, and it’s like, I want to move forward for it for it. And then, you know, with my life and business partner and this, I’m like, well, let’s, let’s go celebrate, you know, let’s let’s go get some ice cream. Why not?
12:51
Yeah, I know, that’s really, I mean, I agree with you that when we slow down, we can speed up. And also sometimes we don’t need to solve the answer. Sometimes we need to let it be for a second. And the answer will come or it will automatically be solved. So I think that that’s those are some some good tips. And when it comes to kind of your journey, because you you live in Thailand now, right? So
13:21
it’s, it’s a big transition.
Transitions and Progress
13:24
And you’ve gone through many transitions in your life, what’s been some of the highs and lows of your journey and just kind of share with our audience how you’ve been able to be so consistent in just continuing to show up continue not giving up, you know, that kind of thing.
13:47
Yeah, that’s
13:50
Yeah, to get specific. I mean, I came here to Southeast Asia two years ago. So I was still in Los Angeles, from after working at bulletproof and I had an opportunity to travel and to go on vacation to initially was going to be Bali, but there was like, volcanic activity. So we came here to Thailand, with with a group of friends. And I didn’t really have anything keeping me in any one place. So I downsized, I like I didn’t have a whole lot of possessions. But I sold a bunch of stuff, pack things up and boxes, stored them away, and got a one way plane ticket to Thailand two years ago. And then I only had like one software client at the time.
Digital Nomads
I don’t think I had really, I didn’t have any coaching clients at the time. And I had students for my programs on and off. But, but yeah, it was it was interesting. It was an interesting challenge. So basically living as I guess what we call a digital nomad for about seven months out of the year, and and kind of rolling with what comes next. You.
And I think I actually think that digital nomads have a bit of an advantage in some regard, because I’m not doing it now because I have a home, but the people who are still traveling and working, they have a new environment whenever they want. So they’re living out of like a bag or a suitcase or a backpack.
And so they can just pick up and move. And so if if things get a little stale, if you get stuck, they can just go to a different spot. So I think that’s a big advantage with the travelers. So for those of us who are in the same place, same office, I think we have to find things to kind of keep us energized and engaged and mix things up. I just went off, like on a total tangent, I don’t even remember, like, what did you asked
15:48
about the highs and lows of the journey? And you know, how you keep going with all this. So it sounds like you change up your environment as a way to keep things fresh. Right? And, you know, is there anything else you want to add to that?
Recognize the Challenge
16:02
Yeah, I mean, and it was challenging, because I went, when I was traveling, I had a good amount of time where I had no business. And so I was watching, like my bank account, dwindle. No money coming in. It can be really stressful. And really humbling. And, and I think what kept me going, and I think I actually saw this, I went through some of Haley’s materials and kind of like the path of an entrepreneur is like, success, failure success, it’s kind of like we’re all over the place, right?
It’s definitely not like, linear. I’ve certainly been, then at the bottom of those curves. So, I mean, it takes for me support for myself, having faith in myself, and then finding support from others, from family from friends.
Knowing that, I’ll get through it, and knowing that, you know, at least I have the I’m empowered enough to, to to get work. And, and it will happen. I have I’ve been there before with my software business. You know, I had some rough times. And then eventually, I’d get some clients and things would get back going again. So So yeah, it was really the support of people around me. And the support and, and, and faith in myself to get it done.
Realizing the Experience
17:27
Absolutely. And it’s true. I think, once you’ve been at the bottom, meaning like once you’ve experienced something pretty, like either you’ve financially been at rock bottom, or, you know, you’re in a new place, and things are really scary, right? You’re starting a new business, I think that everything else gets put into perspective, and it gets easier to be fearless. Like, I think when you’ve been like, for example, I think that, for me, being in LA, like moving across the country, working there, like loving it, whatever.
But then at a young age, being jobless, was really a great thing for me long term because I was like, Okay, this might happen again, in my life. Um, I’ve experienced it, I know what it’s like. And now I can just kind of what do I want to do now? Right. So I think that having that experience made me more brave, you know, and I think sometimes, like, even I’ve talked to a lot of people in current times with being on lockdown.
Realize the Opportunities
A lot of businesses that are local have to be shut down, obviously. And they’re using this time as an opportunity to, to do something they’ve been putting off for a really long time, whether that’s going online with their business, making that scary transition, doing the thing they actually want to be doing. So in their career, right, and it’s scary, but they kind of don’t have a choice right now. I think sometimes we have to like I hope my goal for our audience is that they don’t have to get to that rock bottom point.
They don’t have to get to a point where it’s like, forced change is not an option anymore. But I think a lot of people their journey starts out that way because something really crappy happens or whatever, and they are forced to, to change and rise to the occasion and they don’t really have a choice to be nervous and overthink it anymore. They kind of just have to do it. So um, you know, when it comes to nerves, or like, you know, I don’t know fears. Jason, how have you been able to be brave show up on lives, do things like this, you know, show up and pitch yourself for software clients like things like that.
20:01
Yeah,
20:03
yeah, how do I do it? That’s a good question. And it’s, it’s for me, like, if I look back to where I was, like, 20 or so years ago, the idea that I’d be speaking like to, to a bunch of people on Facebook Live would could just, like, scare scare the shit out of me, honestly. Because I was just afraid to get up in front of people and talk. And so yeah, I mean, it’s, it’s kind of one of those things where the the opportunities present themselves and kind of the path I’ve gone on God down in my life, I can see, like, where I want to go, right I can, I’ve kind of, I’ve done the work to envision, like what my ideal life looks like. And that’s really powerful. Because it’s kind of, it’s almost like pulling me in that direction.
Like some of the things you said, like, like getting to where you want to go. It’s like, for me, it’s it’s kind of unfolding. And it’s not in this like, amazing way where people are like, beating down my door to give the money and pay for my services. I mean, it’s it’s a struggle, for sure.
Experience and Expectations
But when it comes down to it, yeah, I’m getting there. I’m making progress. And I think what, what really helps based on what you said, I mean, is the experience that I’ve had, I’m very fortunate that, yeah, I have gone without work. But beyond that, I’ve traveled to different countries. I understand different cultures, how they live. And I’ve, I’ve even been to like, very, very basic living scenarios and like eco villages. So and that was my experience two years ago, as I watched my bank account, dwindle, the question that came to mind was, well, what if? What if I didn’t have any money? What if, and, and that that’s actually empowering in a way?
Like, what what if I can’t pay rent for this nice place I live in now? Well, we move into something cheaper, we move in with family. I mean, there Luckily, I have options. And and that’s actually empowering. It gives me more confidence to move forward in life. For sure.
Recognize the Resources
22:16
Yeah, you’re resourceful. The resources, the theme of the name of the game. And I love the exercise of what if, because a lot of people don’t like they think about the worst case scenario in their business or with their with whatever’s going on in their life, but they don’t explore Okay, well, what if that happened? What could I actually do about it to ease their mind and then move forward, like you have to work through, you can’t just have a worst case, like, Oh, my God, I’m gonna just go broke, and it’s gonna be terrible, and blah, blah, blah, and all this stuff’s going to happen.
But then if you never ask, Well, okay, if that didn’t happen, what would I do that that’s coming from an empowering place that’s coming from a, I figure things out, and I’m resourceful place, versus just, like dwelling in worst case scenario, and not learning anything from it not planning anything, is, is really gonna keep you stuck. So I think that’s a really good tip.
And I think everybody today, if you have something that you’re fearful about, I want you to ask yourself, what if that happened? Or what if? What if I did the scary thing? And an answer? What, you know, what comes to mind as far as what you would do, how you would handle it? You know, that kind of thing? And also asked, wouldn’t it be cool if, because we have to get on the positive side as well. What What if the thing that you’re doing or that scary or you’re embarking on does take off? Wouldn’t it? also look at the best case scenario?
So look at both, and look at what you do in both cases? And what would be required to prevent the worst case and promote the best case. Right. So I think that’s a good place to leave it off. today. We gave you some journal homework. And Jason, where can everybody find you and learn more about your new health company? and connect with
24:12
you? Yeah, yeah. So I want to answer that. But first, I want to just touch on what you said. I mean, it’s, it’s kind of like I’ve been looking into permaculture. And one of the key themes of permaculture is to see solutions instead of problems, right. So when there are problems, you can’t go there. There’s a solution behind that problem. And I think that’s true in a lot of things in life. Yeah, so people can find me my brand is I’m strength. So you can find me on Facebook, you can find my website is Zen strength dot fitness.
And there you can learn more about my coaching. You can learn more about my fasting program. And so that’s that’s actually my main tip for productivity that we didn’t get to was was fasting so When, and this is, this is why I fast. I mean, I’m not doing it personally to lose weight, I do get a lot of health benefits, which, which I love. But those are kind of like side benefits.
Because the more immediate benefit for me is that when I wake up in the morning, I just go and do whatever I want to do, right? So if that’s work that’s being productive of you that if I’m in Colorado, and it’s a snow day, a powder day, I can just go snowboarding and not think about like, oh, what do I have to eat? To me, that’s also very empowering. So yeah. Related to that I offer, like I mentioned before the master faster detox challenge. It’s a four week challenge online that we do in a group. And it’s a challenge because people get points for actually doing the assignments and doing the work. So it’s kind of like a fun, friendly competition that keeps people engaged and accountable. And they learn they go deep into the psychology, the biology of fasting.
What’s happening when you when you feast, what happens when you fast with your mind and your body. So yeah, that’s a really good and powerful course. So, so yeah, Zen strike that fitness to learn more about me. Thanks, Haley.
26:14
Awesome, thank you. And we had you on the podcast about intermittent fasting about that two episodes. So I put the links to those. It’s Haley roe.com, slash fasting and Haley roe.com, slash intermittent fasting. And I would agree with that, it really, I, I’m a batcher. Meaning I like to, if I’m going to do something, I like to do it for a while and get it done, right. And I’m kind of the same way with eating I like two big meals or one big meal. And to live the rest of my day, do my thing, right? So it kind of follows. If you didn’t, I never realized that.
But intermittent fasting kind of follows, like batching, or time blocking, you know what I mean? where it’s like, you have to do something less frequently. So you’re not switching your energy, you’re switching your mode, you know, for many different things. So great tips, obviously, talk to your doctor if you’re going to do anything like that and do what’s best for you. But we put the links in the comments on the Facebook Live, and that will also be in the show notes for this episode. And thanks so much, Jason. We really appreciate you for coming on the show.
27:29
Yeah, thank you Haley. Appreciate it.
About Jason Ryer
Jason Ryer is passionate about business, health and technology. He is a certified Bulletproof coach and offers his executive coaching services at Zen Strength. Jason is the President of AppAdvantage.co, which is a company specializing in business consulting and software development services. In addition to this, he is a skilled project and product manager.
Resources
- Intermittent Fasting
- Fasting
- Zenstrength.Fitness
- Complimentary Business Consult
- Health Coach Nation: Marketing, Business, & Mindset for Health Coaches
You can find Jason on his website here.
