David Kolbe Talks About Doing More Naturally and Unlocking Instinctive Productivity

A Productive Conversation

Content provided by Mike Vardy. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Mike Vardy or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

26d ago 44:46

MP3•Episode home

When I first heard the term conative, I was surprised I hadn’t come across it before. After all, I live in the productivity space. But after my conversation with David Kolbe, it became clear just how crucial it is to understand this third part of the mind—especially if we want to work more naturally and avoid burnout.

David is the CEO of Kolbe Corp and co-author of the book Do More, More Naturally: Empowering Effortless Success and the Freedom to Be Yourself. In this episode, we dive into how understanding your instinctive strengths—the way you naturally take action—can dramatically shift your productivity, your teamwork, and your overall approach to work and time.

Six Discussion Points

What “conative” means and why it’s a vital (and often overlooked) aspect of how we get things done
The three parts of the mind—cognitive, affective, and conative—and how each plays a role in productivity
How to stop following one-size-fits-all productivity advice and instead lean into your natural strengths
What organizations can do to allow employees to operate more naturally without sacrificing excellence
Why balance isn’t about 50/50—it’s about harmony and nuance
Practical steps for realigning with your natural way of working when feeling stuck or exhausted

Three Connection Points

David's Website
Do More More Naturally: Empowering Effortless Success and the Freedom to Be Yourself
Reason plays a role in this. Give this a read if you want reason on your side.

David’s insights are a refreshing reminder that productivity isn’t just about what we do—it’s about how we instinctively do it. I walked away from this conversation with a new appreciation for nuance, individuality, and the value of building systems that work with our natural tendencies rather than against them. If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but still not in flow, this episode might be just what you need.

I'm trying something new with A Productive Conversation...

Starting in May 2025, you’ll be able to support the podcast directly—and help keep it focused, ad-free, and sustainable. Just visit https://aproductiveconversation.transistor.fm/support-apc and help shape what’s next.

815 episodes

#Productivity #Business #Task Management #Email #Time Management #Project #Workflow #Habits #Agile #Personal Productivity #Self-Improvement #Careers #Entrepreneur #MBA #Mike Vardy #Goals #Podcasting Education #GTD®