brain hacks: for hyper island manchester ma program 1aug13

www.hyperisland.com

Stockholm — Karlskrona — New York — Manchester — Singapore

Brain hacks

amy rae

This session is about productivity

It takes planning, practice, & some science

Now is amazing

HUNTER GATHERER -> AGRICULTURAL -> INDUSTRIAL -> NETWORKED

50,000 BP -> 10,000 BP -> 1400s -> 1800s -> 1900s

The result is the “attention economy”

Attention focused mental

engagement on a particular item of

information

If you only have 24hrs a day in the machine,

Do you want to make $10 or $500?

1) Apply hairspray to your hands

2)Target one bill at a time

3) Spread fingers and clap on bills

4) Put bills in pockets before moving on to catch more

5)Take bills on the ground & ceiling

“I don’t have

enough time”

Time and attention are finite

Requests for your time and attention

are not

Species that adapt to their enviornment best have the greatest chance of survival

An evolutionary imperative

Individually - 5 minutesChoose a partner and discuss - 5 minutes

★ What do I do during an average work day?

★ Craft a timeline - from start of day to completion★ How many tasks do I finish? What is my environment

like? What is my primary focus? What distracts me?

★ What do I wish I had time for in an average workday?

★ Read industry publications? Volunteer in my community? Get a jump on an upcoming project? Learn a new programming language? Reflect? Spend time with my family? Work out?

Reflect on your work process

hacks★ the myth of multitasking★ Harnessing Flow states★ Filtering = new literacy★ Use your tools

The myth of multitasking

1

Switchtasking

You lose efficiency with each switch

★ Plan time in blocks: email three times a day, examine your use of Twitter, schedule meetings with yourself

★ Turn off notifications

★ Reduce unnecessary email: five sentences or less - five.sentenc.es, Gmail priority inbox + flags & tasks

★ 5 tabs or less

★ Get Concentrating App for Mac or 30/30 app for iPhone

Individually first, then in pairsCoach each other

★ How can I apply these learnings to my average workday?

★ Find inefficiencies in your work process and create interventions

★ What are you doing well? How might you amplify it?

Reflect on your work process

Harnessing flow states

2

flow

Optimal experiencePeak performance

★ Know your flow: what does it feel like?

★ Communicate your needs to others

★ Introversion <-----> extroversion

★ Be a lion - this is your most productive time

Individually first, then in pairsCoach each other

★ How can I apply these learnings to my average workday?

★ Find inefficiencies in your work process and create interventions

★ What are you doing well? How might you amplify it?

Reflect on your work process

Filtering =New literacy

4

Distributed cognition

Memorization Vs. Search & filter

★ Twitter: is it giving you value? 1:1 follow doesn’t make much sense

★ Unsubscribe button

★ RSS vs multiple tabs or bookmarks (Reeder app)

★ Assemble a list of key research tools vs Google search

★ Flipboard/ Feedly vs Twitter stream

Individually first, then in pairsCoach each other

★ How can I apply these learnings to my average workday?

★ Find inefficiencies in your work process and create interventions

★ What are you doing well? How might you amplify it?

Reflect on your work process

Seek new tools

5

tools

Help you find time in unexpected places

★ TripIt

★ Expensify

★ Rapportive

★ Bump

★ Docusign

★ Relax: Mindfulness App

What other tools do you use?

hacks★ the myth of multitasking★ Harnessing Flow states★ Filtering = new literacy★ Use your tools

Create 3 actions

Behavioral change is the holy grail of life

Practice actually makes perfect

“Mastering others requires force. Mastering the self requires strength.”

- Laozi

Thanks!

www.hyperisland.com

Stockholm — Karlskrona — New York — Manchester — Singapore

appendix

1.What have your energy and attention been focused on lately? Include areas of concern and worry, as well.

2.Where do these items fit in your circle of concern and influence?

3.What happens to your attitude and energy when you focus on the activities in the circle of influence?