Episode 13: Anetta Pizag

Welcome to Episode #13 of the Focus and Chill podcast. We’re lucky to have Anetta Pizag as our guest today. Anetta is a workplace strategist, work style coach, and author. She helps create human-centric workplaces that make it easier to tackle the challenges of work while maintaining a healthy body and mind. She’s the author of two books: ‘Create a Thriving Workspace’, a guide for designing spaces where work communities and businesses flourish, and ‘35 Smart Choices’ which offers practical advice on how you can play to your strengths, find your flow, and improve the quality of your work and your life.JC: What projects are you concentrating on during your focused hours?Recently published the book 35 Smart ChoicesCurrently researching workplace trendsWhere can provide valueWorking in consultingCustomer-facing role in the afternoon (constant attention switching)JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?Hiking/nature walksGardens nearbyJC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?OrganicChildhood discipline imposed on her Creating conditions rather than relying on disciplineMorning activities depend on what she needs:JournalingWalkingWritingEmphasis on managing emotions and headspaceAvoid Social mediaNewsIncomingMobile phone ringer offConfrontational conversationsDeep workJN: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?Get clear on what productivity means: performance a better wordListening + empathy + creativity importantNeed to feel comfortable and relaxed for creativityCapture inspiration:Shower - waterproof notebook. No talking for 30 minutesWhile cooking - notebookWalkingPlaying to chronotype9:00 am to 1:00 pm and then 5:00 - 7:00 pmManage environment:External view:Expansive view: see the sky + trees for creativityCave view (basement) can sometimes help with focused workHandling noise: certain activities are ok when noisyTemperature:Cold is good for analytical workWarm is good for relationship buildingBe intentional with breaks:Avoid dopamine-stimulating activities (news/videos/emails) during breaksInstead: make tea, go for walk, listen to musicSwitching workspacesWorking in different roomsGardenBeachBatching tasks: easier to get into flow if don’t switch contextEmails ResearchBack-to-back meetingsJC: How do you switch off at night?Spending time in natureClean eatingIntegrators vs Segmentors:Integrators who surf through the day and don’t mind blendingSegmentors: separate workspaces, clear time delineationsReference: https://hbr.org/2020/07/building-work-life-boundaries-inthe-wfh-eraEmpty the battery, be tired, and bothPhysicallyWalks + pilatesmentallyJN: What habits do you want to remove from your life? Not asking for personal time - trying to soldier onTask switchingOpening emails during focused hours or when not ready to deal with themProcrastination, and multitasking rooted in self-doubt and imposter syndromeCoachingReadingPodcastsJC: What resources (books, philosophies, apps) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?Prefers long-form content (not TikTok/YouTube short videos):Huberman Lab podcastStolen Focus by Yohann Harii Place Advantage by Sally Augustin + Research Design Connections newsletterApps:Print Friendly PDF - removes ads etc.JC: Where can people connect with you or find your work?Pizag.com.auLinkedInJC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?No single solution works for everyone. Experiment with how you work.Our needs differ – apart from the need for oxygen