My new TED talk on the 12 things that motivate everything we do
The 12 things that motivate everything you do.
Articles.
Ideas on productivity, focus, and living with greater intention.
Read something random →The real reason I quit caffeine
Two months before becoming a dad, I quit caffeine for a month. I was not prepared for what happened.
Remember: Burnout and cynicism go hand-in-hand
In addition to exhaustion and reduced productivity, cynicism is a core attribute of burnout. Keep this in mind as you consume information and process…
The best subscription service costs $25 a month
Try replacing online news with a subscription to the local paper. This is a way of buying back your time, attention, energy, and mental…
Newsletter
Get a free chapter from all four of my books.
Subscribe and I'll send you a chapter from each of my four books to start—then a fresh idea every two weeks.
Free · Unsubscribe anytime.
How to take a coffee nap
To take a coffee nap: drink a cup of coffee and then immediately nap for 20-25 minutes (depending on how quickly you fall asleep).…
10 simple ways to focus when you don’t feel like working
10 ways to get your productivity back on track: set intentions for the day; work slower (and more deliberately); disconnect while you do your…
Caffeine boosts your mental and physical performance in pretty much every measurable way
I've summarized the results of a recent meta-analysis on the effects of caffeine on our mental and physical performance. That research found caffeine positively…
If drinking were an Olympic sport, here’s how you’d win a gold medal
Five rules to follow the next time you have a drink or three: eat more protein, hydrate way more, move a lot, try to…
10 ways to make your next work break as refreshing as (scientifically) possible
Taking breaks is crucial for your productivity. To make your next break as refreshing as scientifically possible, completely step back from your work during…
Here’s exactly how long your work breaks should be
As a general rule, you should take more breaks than you already are. Studies show that in the morning, we can work for (at…
You have to spend energy to make energy
It takes energy to cultivate your energy levels, like by showing up at the gym, preparing healthy meals, and heading to bed at a…
The amazing connection between food and productivity
Your diet affects how much energy you have, which influences your productivity. As I found during my experiment to lower my body fat percentage…
10 ways to stay productive when you just don’t feel like it
To stay productive when you just don't feel like it, zoom out to see how a task fits into the bigger picture of your…
100 time, energy, and attention hacks to be more productive
My 100 favorite time, energy, and attention hacks that will let you get more done.
Two simple, non-corny visualizations that will motivate you to be more productive
As corny as the practice sounds, visualizations will help you get in the right mindset to become more productive. Two that work well: imagine…
9 proven ways to break the winter blues
Eight proven ways to beat the winter blues: take a vitamin D supplement every day, exercise, eat much better, sleep more, go for a…
Energy Hack: Schedule time for rituals that energize you
Think about which people and activities provide you with the most energy, and then schedule time for them. Estimated Reading Time: 1 minute, 24s.
The exact temperature you should sleep at to get a good night’s sleep
Set your thermostat to about 65ºF (18.5ºC) when you sleep, and think of your bedroom as a cave: cool, dark, and quiet. Estimated Reading…
How to calculate your Biological Prime Time – the time of the day you’re the most productive
Your “biological prime time” is the time of the day when you have the most energy, and therefore the greatest potential to be productive.…
Killer morning habit: Drink 16oz of water, right after you wake up
One of the best things you can do after you wake up: drink at least 16oz (500mL) of water. Water fires up your metabolism,…
For a productivity boost, say ‘no’ to that nightcap
Don’t drink alcohol before bed–it lowers your sleep quality, which provides you with less energy the next day. Instead, drink something else, or consume…
5 habits that lead to more happiness
Happier people are 31% more productive. To become happier by living more positively, every day recall three things you're grateful for, journal one great…
The Snapchat Diet: How to lose weight with an otherwise pointless app
The snapchat diet is simple: before you eat something, Snapchat a picture of your food to a friend you've partnered with to lose weight.…
How to get as much energy out of caffeine as possible
Caffeine can make you a lot more productive, but only if you drink it right. To get as much energy out of caffeine as…