Super U Podcast | The Focus Project: Focus on the BIG, Not the BUSY — A Special Q&A with Erik Qualman
Being busy doesn’t mean we’re making progress. So how do we focus on what truly matters?
In this special episode of the Super U Podcast, bestselling author and keynote speaker Erik Qualman joins the Florida Virtual School Book Club to explore practical lessons from his book, The Focus Project: The Not So Simple Art of Doing Less.
In a world of endless distractions, Erik shares how educators, leaders, and lifelong learners can focus on the BIG instead of getting buried in the BUSY. From learning to Fail Fast. Fail Forward. Fail Better. to balancing technology with human connection, this conversation explores how small shifts in focus can lead to meaningful results.
Drawing on his experiences teaching at Northwestern University, helping pioneer online learning through edX, and speaking to audiences worldwide, Erik shares stories and strategies for turning ideas into action.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- BIG vs. BUSY: Why doing less can help you accomplish more.
- Fail Fast. Fail Forward. Fail Better.: How setbacks become opportunities for growth.
- Technology + Humanity: Why human connection matters more than ever in a digital world.
- The Power of Storytelling: How to connect with different audiences and inspire action.
- Focus in Action: What Erik would change about The Focus Project to help book clubs turn insights into results.
The future favors the focused. Tune in to discover how to spend less time being busy and more time making an impact.
Super U Podcast | The Focus Project: Focus on the BIG, Not the BUSY — A Special Q&A with Erik Qualman
Episode Preview:
“You’ve spent a lot of time studying the impact of technology on our lives. As a virtual school, how do you believe we can best teach our students to use technology as a tool without allowing it to define their identity, attention, or relationships?”
“It comes back to what I just mentioned: balance.
When I was living in Cambridge, I volunteered my time at edX.org, back when Harvard and MIT were launching their online learning platform. Through it, students could access courses from Harvard and MIT for free, and we eventually brought more than 150 universities onto the platform.
What we learned was that education needs to follow a blended model. Students still wanted to get together and form groups. They could learn online, but they also wanted that in-person connection.
As I mentioned on stage, we still have that Flintstones desire for human connection. Ultimately, it’s about finding the right balance between technology and in-person interaction.”
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The Super U Podcast is hosted by #1 bestselling author and AI Keynote Speaker Erik Qualman.
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