Overview
Simplifying isn’t about doing less for the sake of doing less. It’s about getting clear on what matters most, and making room for it in our work and lives.
In this conversation, I’m joined by Roy Schwartz, co-founder of Axios and Axios HQ, and co-author of Simplify: Do 50% More with 50% Less. Roy shares a practical approach to simplification built around three steps: confront, delete, and amplify. We explore why this matters more than ever in a world of accelerating change, growing complexity, and AI.
I especially enjoyed our conversation about what simplification looks like beyond the workplace. How do we make space for the things that matter to us personally, while still pursuing meaningful ambition? And how can AI help us become more intentional about where we spend our time, rather than simply adding to the noise?
Roy's perspective reinforced something central to Sustainable Ambition: we can't sustain our ambition by trying to do everything. We need to be intentional about what deserves our time, energy, and attention.
Listen below or on your favorite podcast player.
More About Our Guest
Roy Schwartz is co-founder of Axios and Axios HQ. Axios is an award-winning news organization known for its Smart Brevity® writing style. He was also the executive producer of Axios’ Emmy Award-winning docu-news series “Axios on HBO.”
Roy co-authored the books, Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less, the secret to becoming a more effective communicator, and Simplify: Do 50 Percent More with 50 Percent Less, the leader's guide to dramatically boosting productivity and happiness. Prior to Axios, Roy was Politico’s Chief Revenue Officer.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
How Roy and his co-founders realized they needed to simplify internally in order to tackle their companies’ complex missions
Three core steps to effectively simplify and focus on what matters at work and in your life
How organizations can tackle the bureaucracy that inevitably builds up, including Axios's practice of declaring meeting bankruptcy twice a year.
How AI can help us audit where our time goes and hold us accountable to the priorities we've set.
What doing more with less looks like when the goals are impact and sustainability
Learn more about Roy Schwartz:
Resources Mentioned
Thanks for Listening!
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