#686: The Productivity Fix: Calendar + 168 with Joel Perso

Episode Overview:

In this power-packed episode, John Kitchens is joined by Joel Perso for a real talk on one of the most underrated weapons in your business: your calendar. If you're feeling scattered, stuck in low-value activities, or just exhausted from chasing everything but achieving nothing—this conversation will snap you out of it.

They dive into the mindset, frameworks, and daily habits that create momentum—not chaos. From the Productivity Pyramid to MVPs, the 168-Hour Rule, and the power of strategic thinking time, this episode is a masterclass in taking control of your time so you can finally move the needle in your life and business.

Whether you're a solo agent, team leader, or entrepreneur juggling multiple roles, this episode will help you re-align, re-focus, and reclaim your week—one rock-solid calendar block at a time.

Key Takeaways:

• There is no middle market anymore. The divide in the industry is real—agents are either thriving or freezing. There’s no in-between.

• Distraction is the new pandemic. From AI overwhelm to lawsuits and brokerage drama, agents are more paralyzed than ever. Here’s how to break the drift.

• Get grounded with the 168 Rule. You have 168 hours a week—what you do with it will determine your freedom or your frustration.

• Start with big rocks. Health, relationships, and mental clarity go in the calendar first. Business fills in second.

• Use the Productivity Pyramid. Focus on high-lifetime and high-dollar value activities. Delegate or delete the rest.

• Build an Ideal Week, not a fantasy one. Success is inevitable when you block the time, stick to your MVPs, and treat calendar time like million-dollar listing appointments.

• Leverage strategic thinking time. Ask: Where are we winning? What’s breaking? What do we need to stop doing?

• Say no more often. If it’s not a 9 or 10 in priority—it’s a no. Protect your calendar like it’s your equity.
  
  

Tools & Concepts Mentioned:

• The 168 Calendar Framework

• The Productivity Pyramid

• Strategic Thinking Time (3 Key Questions)

• Top 5 + Gotta Minutes Daily Execution Sheet

• The SAVERS Morning Routine (Hal Elrod)

• Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish

• Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Sunday Planning Process PDF

• Kitchen Table Mastermind

• Agent to CEO Coaching

• Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish

• Outwitting the Devil – Napoleon Hill

“The most successful people spend 80% of their time in their zone of genius—high-lifetime, high-dollar value work.” – John Kitchens

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥