
Two Awesome Hours
Josh Davis
What's inside?
Discover scientifically-proven strategies to maximize your productivity during your peak hours and accomplish your most crucial tasks efficiently.
You'll learn
Key points
01Work with your body, not against it!
Let's talk about a fresh take on productivity and time management. It's a game-changer that flips the old-school idea of efficiency on its head. You know the drill - pushing ourselves to the max, working endless hours without a break, and always trying to cram more into less time. Sounds logical, right? But here's the kicker - it's fundamentally flawed. Why? Because it forgets one crucial thing - we're not machines, we're human beings. In today's fast and furious world, we're swamped with tasks. From the moment we open our eyes, we're hit with a barrage of emails, calls, and demands on our time. It's no wonder we feel stressed and anxious, trying to juggle everything. We might try to cope by working longer hours or multitasking, but these tactics often leave us feeling even more drained and stressed. The issue with this approach is that it treats us like we're computers, capable of working non-stop without needing a breather. But we're not computers. We're living, breathing creatures, with physical and mental needs that have to be met for us to be at our best. Our brains, especially, aren't designed to work non-stop. They need time to recharge and refresh. This is where the idea of working with our biology comes into play. The secret to being super effective is to understand and work with our biological rhythms and needs, not against them. This means acknowledging that our mental and physical performance can fluctuate depending on a bunch of factors, like how much sleep we get, what we eat, and how much we move. For instance, studies have shown that our brain power can be hugely affected by our sleep patterns. Skimping on sleep can mess with our memory, focus, and decision-making skills. But a good night's sleep can boost these skills, making us more effective and productive. The same goes for what we eat. A balanced diet, packed with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins, can give our brains the fuel they need to work at their best. But a diet loaded with processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can mess with our brain power. And let's not forget about exercise. Regular physical activity has been shown to boost brain function, lift our mood, and spark creativity. It can also help to dial down stress and anxiety, making us more focused and productive. On top of these biological factors, it's also crucial to take regular breaks during the workday. Despite what the old-school idea of efficiency might suggest, taking breaks can actually ramp up our productivity and effectiveness. That's because our brains need time to rest and recharge to work at their best. By taking regular breaks, we can help to ward off mental fatigue and keep our brain power high throughout the day. So, the secret to being super effective is to work with our biology, not against it. This means understanding and respecting our biological needs and rhythms, and tweaking our work habits to match. By doing this, we can boost our productivity and effectiveness, and dial down stress and burnout.
02Spot your choice moments
Imagine this: You stroll into work, fire up your computer, and dive straight into your emails. It's a routine you've got down pat, almost like you're on autopilot. You open an email, read it, reply, and then move on to the next. This cycle keeps going until something or someone interrupts you, like a coworker asking if you want to grab lunch. Now, being on autopilot isn't necessarily a bad thing. As Charles Duhigg points out, habits help us save our mental energy. Take driving, for example. Once you've learned how to do it, you don't have to think about every little action. This frees up your brain to focus on other things, like planning your day or enjoying an audiobook during your commute. But here's the catch: When we let these autopilot behaviors take over our entire day, we end up losing control over our time and productivity. That's where the idea of "recognizing your decision points" comes into play. So, what's a decision point? It's that moment when a task ends or gets interrupted, and you have to figure out what to do next. Like after you hang up the phone, you need to decide whether to answer an email or get ready for a meeting. These decision points are your chance to take the reins of your time and focus on what really matters. The thing is, we often get so wrapped up in our routines that we lose sight of what's going on around us. It's like we're in a trance, unaware of ourselves and our surroundings. For instance, if you're prepping for a presentation, you might not notice your coworkers nearby. Or if you're engrossed in a report, you might not realize you're hungry or that it's time for lunch. But when a routine ends or gets interrupted, our self-awareness kicks back in. This shift can be a bit jarring, but it also brings a decision point. These decision points often pop up when there's a conflict, like a tug-of-war between autopilot behaviors and your goals. You might want to keep reading your emails (autopilot), but you also need to prep for a meeting (goal). These moments can be tough and uncomfortable, but they're also your chance to take control of your time and productivity. In a nutshell, recognizing your decision points is all about being aware of those moments when you can choose how to spend your time. By seizing these moments, you can break free from autopilot and steer your focus towards what's truly important, boosting your productivity in the process.

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03How to make the most of your choice moments?
04Keep your brain juice flowing
05Got brain juice? Here's how to keep it
06Embrace distractions, don't fight 'em
07Your body and mind are a team, treat 'em like one
08Make your workspace your productivity palace
09Conclusion
About Josh Davis
Josh Davis, Ph.D., is a psychologist, author, and speaker specializing in productivity and decision-making. He is the Director of Research and Lead Professor for the NeuroLeadership Institute, applying neuroscience to leadership development. Davis is known for his science-based strategies to enhance productivity.