Fewer Things Better

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The average adult gets interrupted about every 6 minutes. Each distraction comes with a cost – some that we willingly pay and others that cost more than we initially realize. This conversation looks at the quantity & quality of the costs of when our attention is scattered, and how to make investments in our attention bank along the way. 

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Our brain can process 100 pieces of information every second. It does so by scanning the daily horizon and honing in on patterns and preferences that are most relevant to us. It’s like doing an online search and then hitting the filter button that says: Makes The Most Sense to Me.

This episode explores the part of our brain that filters information, the odds of probability, and how our own cognitive bias makes meaning out of all the daily inputs in our mind.

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Chinese philosopher Confucius one said: Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. That shows up in science and in habits as we tend to trust something that appears more complex than a simple solution. As we write our own adventure story, we can make it as complex or as simple as we want.  We may not be in control of every event, but we can choose many of the steps forward. So in the quest to do fewer things better, look for the opportunities to do the simpler things occasionally. 

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The brain, just like the day, is full of activity.  Some research has indicated that the average person makes more than 35,000 decisions a day.  This episode focuses on the decisions you are not making, and how that can be a signal of what you are avoiding. 

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Odds are you’re more likely to keep promises to others before you keep one to yourself. And that’s from research, not just popular psychology. There is a neural component to promise keeping and promise breaking. When looking at promises related to productivity principles, there is both art and actual science behind what motivates some actions over others. Consistency is a promise you keep to yourself. The repetition of self-respect drives real results. 

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Giving yourself permission to explore new & big ideas is an important brain exercise. Flexing this mental muscle tips the brain into actively looking for ways to turn dreams into potential possibilities. This episode highlights three simple steps to try when you give your mind permission to play. 

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In this noisy world, technology seems to be knocking on our brain at all hours of the day. This episode explores the idea of a tech sabbath - a set period of time for a digital detox.  There are tangible benefits to your brain and body even after a matter of minutes. Learn a few ways where you can be a little less connected for a little while. Your brain will thank you for it. 

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Progress, and productivity, require energy - and that energy has a cognitive and physiological cost. Our brain is one of the hungriest parts of your body. It consumes approximately 20% of all of the energy each day. All of our thinking and doing draws down on the cognitive and physical reserves. But energy can be counterbalanced by exploring where you are using your fuel and where you are encountering friction. This episode explores ways to adjust the control panel of how, when, and how much of our ourselves we are giving in order to get.  

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We often overestimate what we can get done in a day and underestimate the progress that can happen in just a few minutes. This episode outlines the time-based tool of a 10 Minute Kickstart and how the act of simply starting something gives your brain a boost that can propel further progress. 

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This episode explores the powerful potential of words – seven words in particular – and how using them might bring opportunities to different situations in your life. Words unspoken often leave larger regrets than those shared. While a few words don’t brush away all the thorns of life, they can, at times, offer a salve for the soul. And sometimes the impact of our words can leave lasting fingerprints on the recipients. 

Show note: "The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Helps Move Us Forward" book, by Daniel Pink: The Power of Regret | Daniel H. Pink (danpink.com)