The Learner's Corner with Caleb Mason

Episode 054: Dan Pink On the Scientific Secrets of Timing

Listen Later

In this episode, Caleb and Todd talk with Dan Pink about the scientific secrets of timing.

Guest Links

DanPink.com

Dan on Twitter

When: The Scientific Secrets of Timing by Dan Pink

A Whole New Mind by Dan Pink

Drive by Dan Pink

To Sell Is Human by Dan Pink

Links Mentioned

Catalyst Conference

Episode 49 with Brad Lomenick

Episode 50 with Jeff Henderson

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

What We Learned

We Underestimate the Importance of Timing

  • We tend to focus on the what, how, and who, but not the when.
  • Timing isn't everything, but it is a big thing.

    • Understand When You Are At Your Best

    • Are you an owl or a lark? Owls do their best work later in the day and larks do their best work earlier in the day.
    • One of the keys to optimal performance is through synchronization of our type, the tasks, and time of day.
    • Each day has three stages: peak, trough, recovery.

      • Certain Work Is Better At Certain Times

      • Peak = Analytic work
      • Trough = Mindless work
      • Recovery = Creative work

        • The Power of Breaks

        • Breaks help with productivity.
        • Breaks help with creativity

          • Keys to a Good Break

          • Be active
          • Be social
          • No phone

            • How Can You Overcome a False Start?

            • Use temporal landmarks (first day of the week, day after a holiday, or the day after a memorable day) to start something new.

              • What Endings Do

              • Endings energize us.
              • Endings help us encode and remember experiences.
              • We prefer endings that elevate.

                • How Can You Power Through the Middle?

                • Recognize that the middle point is tough.
                • Imagine that you are slightly behind your timeline. Research shows that when we think we are behind we are more motivated to do what we need to do.

                  • How Can We Make the Past and Future Relevant to the Present?

                  • Nostalgia: we look down on it, but it gives people a sense of meaning and connection to others.
                  • Awe: it gives us a sense of vastness and causes time to slow down.
                    • Quotes to Tweet

                    "We tend to focus on the what, how, and who, but not the when." - @danielpink @learnerspodcast Click to Tweet

                    "Timing isn't everything, but it is a big thing." - @danielpink @learnerspodcast Click to Tweet

                    "All times of day are not created equal." - @danielpink @learnerspodcast Click to Tweet

                    "We think timing is an art, but it's much more of a science." - @danielpink @learnerspodcast Click to Tweet

                    New Episode Every Tuesday
                    Join Us Every Tuesday

                    Thank you for listening to the Learner's Corner Podcast.

                    We hope you'll join us for next week's episode.

                    Until next time, keep learning and keep growing.

                    ...more
                    View all episodesView all episodes
                    Download on the App Store
                    The Learner's Corner with Caleb MasonBy Caleb Mason
                    • 4.8
                    • 4.8
                    • 4.8
                    • 4.8
                    • 4.8

                    4.8

                    44 ratings