WEBVTT 00:00:00.119 --> 00:00:01.584 Hello Habit Mechanics. 00:00:01.584 --> 00:00:02.846 It's Dr John Finn here. 00:00:02.846 --> 00:00:04.892 I hope you're doing well. 00:00:06.520 --> 00:00:29.917 So this is the fourth part of our mini podcast series where we're just giving you full access to the new best-selling and it is a bestseller across four leadership and business categories the quite hard categories to become a bestseller on Amazon or it has been. 00:00:29.917 --> 00:00:34.588 Those charts are changing all the time, so it's a bestselling book. 00:00:34.588 --> 00:00:37.569 We're getting some amazing feedback, so thanks for that. 00:00:37.569 --> 00:00:43.371 People are telling us that these things are really helping them. 00:00:43.371 --> 00:00:51.524 Telling us that these things are really helping them. 00:00:51.524 --> 00:00:53.731 You know the ai um understanding about how it's impacting life. 00:00:53.731 --> 00:00:53.835 So it's going to impact life. 00:00:53.835 --> 00:00:54.140 It's, you know, it's almost changing on a daily basis. 00:00:54.140 --> 00:01:19.471 One of the things I found quite interesting recently was listening to a podcast that, um, our head of business, katherine grant, had made me aware of, and it's from one of the guys who's on the Dragon's Den, which is the UK equivalent of Shark Tank. 00:01:19.471 --> 00:02:01.510 So it's a series where people can pitch their business ideas and potentially get investment, and I just found it really surprising that this person, who's a very famous entrepreneur, was saying that they'd only just realised how powerful AI was, was saying that they'd only just realised how powerful AI was, and on his podcast he had a number of leading thinkers in this space and they were saying that AI, kind of silently, has already replaced about well millions of jobs. 00:02:01.510 --> 00:02:27.575 Obviously, businesses are not taking out press releases to disclose that, but it is changing the world and I know that I think every day now about 800 million people are using chat GTP and that's happening because it's powerful and people get benefits right. 00:02:27.575 --> 00:02:30.485 So, yeah, this is not going away. 00:02:30.485 --> 00:02:53.288 So understanding how your brain works, getting that measurement of your current brain states, your human ai readiness score, and then understanding how to create a long-term strategy, a daily strategy, in a way of automating your daily approach, is so, so key and that's why we wrote Train your Brain for the AI Revolution. 00:02:53.288 --> 00:03:06.841 It is the world's first AI-era brain and leadership training program, essentially, and we are running live training with people, with with businesses. 00:03:06.841 --> 00:03:13.463 We're training people to become now human AI performance psychology coaches. 00:03:13.463 --> 00:03:16.194 We've created that new field of psychology. 00:03:16.194 --> 00:03:30.485 So we're really leading the way on this and we're working with people one-to-one as well such a broad range of people but all who want to capitalize on these new opportunities of the AI era. 00:03:32.027 --> 00:03:38.423 So suppose what we're offering here with train your brain for the AI revolution book. 00:03:38.423 --> 00:03:43.432 It's sort of like all books or knowledge based products. 00:03:43.432 --> 00:03:45.247 It's kind of a do-it-yourself approach. 00:03:45.247 --> 00:03:50.030 Some people just want the knowledge and they put it into practice themselves. 00:03:50.030 --> 00:03:53.221 Some people want one-to-one support and coaching. 00:03:53.221 --> 00:04:02.064 Others want to learn how to do it for their teams or or even create their own business using this approach, and we can help you with all of those things. 00:04:03.385 --> 00:04:19.586 So today we are going to again breaking that belief that just talking to someone about what you want to work on, what you want to improve on, is enough. 00:04:19.586 --> 00:04:20.048 It isn't. 00:04:20.048 --> 00:04:22.466 The data is very clear. 00:04:22.466 --> 00:04:34.103 If we want to change our behavior, we need a systematic approach, and that's what the success cycle is in the heart of train your brain for the ai revolution, um. 00:04:34.103 --> 00:04:49.548 So what we've done in the past few episodes is we've shown you how to measure your brain states, then how to um, which is step one of the success cycle, and step two is planning with the task director. 00:04:49.548 --> 00:04:57.471 So we showed you that in the last episode, or last episode of this mini series, and then in the um. 00:04:58.252 --> 00:05:01.363 In this episode, we're going to talk about optimization with the day designer. 00:05:01.363 --> 00:05:15.084 So we're going to cover chapters 20, 21 and 23 and we're going to go deep and help you to create something called a willpower story, such a powerful tool and this is like your daily strategy. 00:05:15.084 --> 00:05:36.529 It's like a container that you can put all your um, all the things that you want to achieve every day into, whether it's very tangible things like finishing that proposal, or things that feel less tangible, like managing stress better or being a better leader, or being more focused and productive, so you can do more high-impact thinking every day. 00:05:36.529 --> 00:05:39.641 So, yeah, that's what's coming up, as ever. 00:05:39.641 --> 00:05:41.288 If you have any questions, just let us know. 00:05:41.288 --> 00:05:46.223 Contact us via the website, if you're not in the app or any of our other channels. 00:05:46.223 --> 00:05:51.593 Again, make notes, don't just nod along. 00:05:51.593 --> 00:05:56.788 Put things into practice and you'll start to get immense benefits. 00:05:56.788 --> 00:05:57.992 So here is. 00:05:57.992 --> 00:06:14.257 Here is, first of all, chapter 20, which is the first part of step three from the success cycle from our best-selling book Train your Brain for the AI revolution. 00:06:19.101 --> 00:06:24.548 Success cycle, step three Optimization with the day designer. 00:06:24.548 --> 00:06:27.329 Planning transforms energy. 00:06:27.329 --> 00:06:28.315 The day designer Planning transforms energy. 00:06:28.315 --> 00:06:30.541 The day designer, chapter 20. 00:06:30.541 --> 00:06:33.391 Creating your first willpower story. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:40.139 Sarah looked down at her lists of tasks, now neatly organised into ice sculptures and ice cubes. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:47.494 I knew which tasks needed my best thinking, she told me later, but I still wasn't sure when to do them. 00:06:47.494 --> 00:06:55.834 That's when the day designer introduced me to something that revolutionised my approach to planning the willpower story. 00:06:55.834 --> 00:07:05.853 Think of your willpower story as a simple map that matches your tasks to your brain's natural and enhanced energy patterns. 00:07:05.853 --> 00:07:15.062 Just as your FAM story guides your long-term journey, your Willpower story helps you navigate each day's steps along that path. 00:07:15.062 --> 00:07:20.091 The day designer has a saying planning transforms energy. 00:07:20.091 --> 00:07:39.774 Just as a lighthouse operator needs to understand weather patterns and deliberately manage their beam's power to maximise its reach across changing conditions, we need to actively plan how we use our brain states rather than letting them operate randomly. 00:07:39.774 --> 00:07:57.447 Through deliberate planning, we can transform our basic energy patterns into optimised states, whether through our own management practices or strategic AI use, reaching levels of performance that wouldn't be possible through natural patterns alone. 00:07:57.447 --> 00:08:02.009 This is why planning isn't just about organising tasks. 00:08:02.009 --> 00:08:07.783 It's about understanding and deliberately shaping the energy we bring to those tasks. 00:08:07.783 --> 00:08:22.764 What made this tool so powerful, sarah explained, was how it showed me when to use my brain's high-charge state for important work and when to handle routine tasks in medium-charge states. 00:08:22.764 --> 00:08:31.565 Instead of fighting my energy patterns, I could work with them, leveraging your AI support system. 00:08:31.565 --> 00:08:39.823 When I first categorised my tasks, sarah shared, I realised something important about my AI tools. 00:08:39.823 --> 00:08:48.076 Some could handle my IceCube tasks almost entirely, like summarising routine meetings or drafting basic emails. 00:08:48.076 --> 00:08:56.731 Others could enhance my ice sculpture work, not by replacing my thinking, but by handling, supporting tasks. 00:08:57.133 --> 00:09:03.144 While I've focused on innovation, consider your own tasks in two categories. 00:09:03.144 --> 00:09:05.186 Consider your own tasks in two categories. 00:09:05.186 --> 00:09:07.168 Number one ice cubes that AI could handle. 00:09:07.168 --> 00:09:12.235 Think about routine emails, basic research and standard reports. 00:09:12.235 --> 00:09:25.352 Number two ice sculptures, where AI could support and augment your premium thinking for tasks like strategic planning, creative work or complex problem solving. 00:09:25.352 --> 00:09:31.993 Don't worry if you're not sure exactly how AI can support different types of tasks. 00:09:31.993 --> 00:09:41.793 The key thing is to start thinking about this and to begin considering how you might use these tools more strategically throughout your day. 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:45.929 Remember you don't need to figure it all out at once. 00:09:45.929 --> 00:09:51.552 This understanding will develop naturally as you work with your willpower story. 00:09:51.552 --> 00:09:59.553 For now, let's focus on creating that story, creating your first willpower story. 00:09:59.553 --> 00:10:02.645 You'll need three things to get started. 00:10:02.645 --> 00:10:05.452 First, a blank piece of paper. 00:10:05.452 --> 00:10:11.192 Second, your lists of ice sculpture and ice cube tasks from the previous chapter. 00:10:11.192 --> 00:10:14.749 Third, 15 minutes of quiet time. 00:10:14.749 --> 00:10:17.726 Now let's follow these steps. 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.121 Step 1. 00:10:19.121 --> 00:10:21.309 Draw your basic timeline. 00:10:21.309 --> 00:10:29.684 Turn your paper sideways, landscape and draw a horizontal line across the middle, from one end of the page to the other. 00:10:29.684 --> 00:10:33.969 Now divide this line into the key parts of your day. 00:10:33.969 --> 00:10:46.019 For example, wake up time, early morning, mid-morning, lunch time, early afternoon, late afternoon, evening bedtime, lunchtime, early afternoon, late afternoon, evening Bedtime. 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:53.490 Just seeing my day laid out like this, sarah shared, helped me be more realistic about what I could accomplish. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:55.523 Step 2. 00:10:55.523 --> 00:10:58.370 Mark your high-charge times. 00:10:58.370 --> 00:11:05.663 Most people have their best thinking energy in the morning, but this varies On your timeline. 00:11:05.663 --> 00:11:08.671 Mark when you typically experience these states. 00:11:08.671 --> 00:11:13.812 When you feel most alert and focused, this is your high-charge state. 00:11:13.812 --> 00:11:18.631 When you have less mental energy, this is your medium-charge state. 00:11:18.631 --> 00:11:21.600 Sarah discovered something important. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:25.740 Sarah discovered something important. 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:31.750 I realised I'm sharpest from 8am to 11am. 00:11:31.750 --> 00:11:33.120 Then have another good period from 3pm to 5pm. 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:34.961 This became the foundation for planning my day. 00:11:34.981 --> 00:11:35.523 Step 3. 00:11:35.523 --> 00:11:37.927 Place your ice sculpture tasks. 00:11:37.927 --> 00:11:41.894 Match your ice sculpture tasks to your high charge times. 00:11:41.894 --> 00:11:49.283 Here are some examples Complete complex planning during morning high charge peak. 00:11:49.283 --> 00:11:53.493 Have important meetings when you are most alert. 00:11:53.493 --> 00:11:58.886 Do your creative work during afternoon high-charge time. 00:12:00.014 --> 00:12:00.537 Step 4. 00:12:00.537 --> 00:12:02.604 Fill in routine tasks. 00:12:02.604 --> 00:12:13.903 Place your ice cube tasks during these times, during natural energy dips, between more demanding tasks when you know you'll have less focus. 00:12:13.903 --> 00:12:19.927 Here's an example to help you pull everything together 6am Wake-up time. 00:12:19.927 --> 00:12:20.975 6am wake up time. 00:12:20.975 --> 00:12:23.283 7am start your day. 00:12:23.283 --> 00:12:28.506 8am ice sculpture work during high charge state. 00:12:28.506 --> 00:12:33.447 10am continue ice sculpture work in high charge state. 00:12:33.447 --> 00:12:35.701 12noon take a break. 00:12:35.701 --> 00:12:40.385 1pm handle ice cube tasks in medium charge state. 00:12:40.385 --> 00:12:45.378 3 pm return to ice sculpture work in high charge state. 00:12:45.378 --> 00:12:51.609 5 pm complete ice cube tasks in medium charge state. 00:12:51.609 --> 00:12:54.092 5 30 pm. 00:12:54.955 --> 00:12:59.258 Start winding down with activities like your daily 3-to-1 reflection. 00:12:59.258 --> 00:13:04.001 9.30pm bedtime remember to start small. 00:13:04.001 --> 00:13:09.144 Just like Sarah, I started by just planning my morning hours. 00:13:09.144 --> 00:13:10.365 Sarah recalled. 00:13:10.365 --> 00:13:14.830 Once that worked, I gradually expanded to the full day. 00:13:14.830 --> 00:13:17.231 The key was keeping it simple. 00:13:17.231 --> 00:13:23.278 At first she smiled as she remembered how this approach paid off. 00:13:23.278 --> 00:13:27.725 Once I expanded to evening planning, I discovered something powerful. 00:13:27.725 --> 00:13:34.811 Including my three-to-one reflection in my willpower story helped both habits grow stronger. 00:13:34.811 --> 00:13:41.668 Good planning supported better reflection, and better reflection led to clearer planning. 00:13:43.576 --> 00:13:45.619 Common challenges to watch for. 00:13:45.619 --> 00:13:49.686 Challenge one Trying to do too much. 00:13:49.686 --> 00:13:52.110 I learned the hard way. 00:13:52.110 --> 00:14:01.635 Sarah shared that you can only do about four to five hours of premium thinking work each day, and sometimes over six hours. 00:14:01.635 --> 00:14:03.619 When you get the AI working with you. 00:14:03.619 --> 00:14:06.424 Trying to do more just doesn't work. 00:14:06.424 --> 00:14:10.736 Challenge two Fighting your patterns. 00:14:10.736 --> 00:14:14.947 Don't schedule demanding work when your brain naturally needs rest. 00:14:14.947 --> 00:14:17.938 Move ice sculptures to your high charge times. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:20.482 Your next steps Step 1. 00:14:20.482 --> 00:14:23.869 Create tomorrow's basic willpower story. 00:14:23.869 --> 00:14:29.019 Draw your timeline, mark your typical high-charge times. 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:34.249 Place just one to three ice sculptures to work on during these times. 00:14:34.249 --> 00:14:37.836 Fill in some ice cubes around them. 00:14:37.836 --> 00:14:38.376 Step 2. 00:14:38.376 --> 00:14:40.178 Notice what works. 00:14:40.178 --> 00:14:43.043 When did you feel most focused? 00:14:43.043 --> 00:14:46.307 Which times worked best for important tasks? 00:14:46.307 --> 00:14:48.769 When was routine work easier? 00:14:48.769 --> 00:14:53.198 Remember this is just your first attempt. 00:14:53.198 --> 00:14:53.780 Keep it simple. 00:14:53.780 --> 00:14:58.065 Be patient and let the day designer guide you toward your optimal rhythm. 00:14:58.065 --> 00:15:02.645 The key is getting started with something you can actually use tomorrow. 00:15:03.235 --> 00:15:04.118 Chapter 21. 00:15:04.118 --> 00:15:09.201 Strengthening your willpower story Success cycle location. 00:15:09.201 --> 00:15:10.517 Step 3. 00:15:10.517 --> 00:15:13.440 Progress 50% complete. 00:15:14.816 --> 00:15:22.784 Sarah had been using her basic willpower story for a week, matching her ice sculptures to her high-charge times. 00:15:22.784 --> 00:15:31.246 I was getting better results, she told me later, but sometimes I still struggled to maintain those high-charge states. 00:15:31.246 --> 00:15:37.788 That's when the day designer showed me how to protect and strengthen my best thinking hours. 00:15:37.788 --> 00:15:45.162 This is where two powerful resources come into play your strengths and willpower boosters. 00:15:45.162 --> 00:15:54.888 Think of these as the support systems that help you maintain your optimal brain states, especially during important high-charge work. 00:15:54.888 --> 00:16:00.683 These resources supercharged how I approached each day. 00:16:00.683 --> 00:16:02.106 Sarah explained. 00:16:02.106 --> 00:16:10.735 Instead of just hoping I'd stay focused during important work, I had specific strategies to protect my thinking time. 00:16:10.735 --> 00:16:14.360 Your lighthouse brain's support system. 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:20.070 Remember how your lighthouse brain needs different power states throughout the day. 00:16:20.070 --> 00:16:30.106 Just as a lighthouse needs systems to maintain its beam at full power, your brain needs support to maintain its high charge state. 00:16:30.106 --> 00:16:39.267 This is especially crucial when working on your ice sculptures those tasks that require your premium thinking power. 00:16:44.423 --> 00:16:51.437 Understanding your strengths Strengths are your natural abilities for maintaining focused states. 00:16:51.437 --> 00:16:56.062 Key ones include self-controlled you stay focused on priorities and avoid distractions. 00:16:56.062 --> 00:17:02.650 Persistent you motivate yourself to keep going when things get tough. 00:17:02.650 --> 00:17:09.003 Perspective you step back from the immediate to reflect and plan. 00:17:09.003 --> 00:17:14.239 Efficient you organise well and minimise wasted effort. 00:17:14.239 --> 00:17:19.169 Optimistic you stay positive when things don't go to plan. 00:17:19.169 --> 00:17:20.576 Optimistic you stay positive when things don't go to plan. 00:17:20.576 --> 00:17:23.759 Learning about these strengths was enlightening, sarah shared. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:30.507 I realised I was naturally good at being persistent, but needed to work on being self-controlled. 00:17:30.507 --> 00:17:38.076 This helped me know exactly what to focus on Adding willpower boosters. 00:17:38.076 --> 00:17:46.130 While strengths are your internal capabilities, willpower boosters are specific actions that protect your brain states. 00:17:46.130 --> 00:17:53.249 Key boosters include phone management turn off your phone to minimise distractions. 00:17:53.249 --> 00:17:58.926 Internet management disconnect to reduce quick check temptations. 00:17:58.926 --> 00:18:03.886 Workspace plan create an environment with minimal distractions. 00:18:03.886 --> 00:18:11.982 Concentration booster Write down a focus plan before starting Strategic AI management. 00:18:12.976 --> 00:18:18.188 Sarah discovered that AI tools could either boost or drain her brain states. 00:18:18.188 --> 00:18:20.397 Ai tools could either boost or drain her brain states, just like my phone. 00:18:20.397 --> 00:18:24.784 I learned to manage AI tools strategically, she explained. 00:18:24.784 --> 00:18:36.770 During high-charge periods, I'd use them to enhance my thinking, having them analyze data while I focused on strategy. 00:18:36.770 --> 00:18:39.897 During medium-charge periods, they could handle routine tasks. 00:18:39.897 --> 00:18:44.767 Examples of how you could use AI during high-charge periods they could handle routine tasks. 00:18:44.767 --> 00:18:48.374 Examples of how you could use AI during high-charge periods to outsource brainpower. 00:18:48.374 --> 00:18:51.377 Use AI to support and augment complex thinking. 00:18:51.377 --> 00:18:55.367 Have AI handle background research while you experiment and innovate. 00:18:55.367 --> 00:19:01.318 Let AI explore alternatives while you focus on strategic decisions. 00:19:01.318 --> 00:19:11.250 Examples of how you could use AI during medium charge periods Let AI handle routine communications. 00:19:11.250 --> 00:19:15.730 Use AI for standard information processing. 00:19:15.730 --> 00:19:23.213 Use AI to automate repetitive tasks, completely enhancing your willpower story. 00:19:24.221 --> 00:19:31.626 Let me walk you through a sample day's schedule and how it aligns with your brain states, strengths and boosters. 00:19:31.626 --> 00:19:37.321 This will show you how to take your basic willpower story and add these elements. 00:19:37.321 --> 00:19:39.748 Remember, this is just an example. 00:19:39.748 --> 00:19:42.936 At 8am, focus on strategic work. 00:19:42.936 --> 00:19:45.064 This is a nice sculpture task. 00:19:45.064 --> 00:19:51.688 Your brain will be in high charge state and your key strength here is being self-controlled. 00:19:51.688 --> 00:19:58.194 To boost your performance, keep your phone turned off and find a quiet space to work. 00:19:58.194 --> 00:20:01.705 At 10am, have your team meeting. 00:20:01.705 --> 00:20:09.611 You'll still be in high charge state, which is perfect because your strength in this situation is leading others. 00:20:09.611 --> 00:20:15.152 Make sure you have your meeting plan ready to boost your effectiveness. 00:20:15.961 --> 00:20:18.490 At 1pm, handle routine tasks. 00:20:18.490 --> 00:20:23.751 This works well with your medium charge state, where your strength is being efficient. 00:20:23.751 --> 00:20:27.169 No special boosters needed during this period. 00:20:27.169 --> 00:20:32.070 Finally, at 3pm, focus on creative work. 00:20:32.070 --> 00:20:39.106 Your brain will be back in high charge state and your strength here is being persistent. 00:20:39.106 --> 00:20:49.574 To boost your performance, try turning off your internet connection if you don't require it to reduce distractions and help you maintain focus. 00:20:49.574 --> 00:21:02.828 Remember, this is just an example to help you understand how to start pulling all these elements together To make it easier to create a complete willpower story. 00:21:02.828 --> 00:21:12.420 I have created a PDF template story. 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.242 I have created a PDF template. 00:21:13.242 --> 00:21:15.569 Go to toughermindscouk forward slash, train your brain to download your copy. 00:21:15.589 --> 00:21:15.830 Start simple. 00:21:15.830 --> 00:21:22.006 Begin by adding just one or two strengths and boosters to your most important high charge period. 00:21:22.006 --> 00:21:27.064 I started with just my morning planning time, sarah explained. 00:21:27.064 --> 00:21:33.761 Once that worked well, I gradually added support to other parts of my day. 00:21:33.761 --> 00:21:36.626 Common challenges using too many boosters. 00:21:36.626 --> 00:21:39.010 Start with just the essential ones. 00:21:39.010 --> 00:21:40.973 Sarah found this out. 00:21:40.973 --> 00:21:47.107 At first. 00:21:47.107 --> 00:21:48.054 I tried using every booster. 00:21:48.054 --> 00:21:48.617 It was overwhelming. 00:21:48.617 --> 00:21:51.224 Starting with just phone management made it much easier. 00:21:51.224 --> 00:21:53.169 Forgetting to use your strengths. 00:21:53.169 --> 00:21:57.903 Make a note of which strengths help most during high charge work. 00:21:57.903 --> 00:22:00.670 Build on these natural capabilities. 00:22:00.670 --> 00:22:05.544 Your next steps Identify your key strengths. 00:22:05.544 --> 00:22:11.286 Which ones do you naturally use well, which could help with your high charge work? 00:22:11.286 --> 00:22:13.542 Choose your essential boosters. 00:22:13.542 --> 00:22:16.269 What most often interrupts your focus? 00:22:16.269 --> 00:22:18.724 Which boosters would help most? 00:22:18.724 --> 00:22:21.567 Update tomorrow's willpower story. 00:22:21.567 --> 00:22:26.163 Add one to two strengths to your main high charge period. 00:22:26.163 --> 00:22:29.111 Include one key willpower booster. 00:22:29.111 --> 00:22:34.031 Remember start small with just one or two supports. 00:22:34.031 --> 00:22:46.153 The goal isn't to use every strength and willpower booster at once, but to gradually build a system that helps you maintain your best thinking states when they matter most. 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.665 Chapter 22. 00:22:47.665 --> 00:22:50.801 Managing your biggest daily challenge. 00:22:50.801 --> 00:22:52.905 Success cycle location. 00:22:52.905 --> 00:22:54.308 Step three. 00:22:54.308 --> 00:22:57.855 Progress 75% complete. 00:22:58.999 --> 00:23:07.815 Sarah had been using her willpower story for two weeks, matching tasks to brain states and using strengths and willpower boosters. 00:23:07.815 --> 00:23:17.828 While I was making progress, she reflected there was still one persistent challenge in my daily routine that post-lunch energy crash. 00:23:17.828 --> 00:23:25.233 That's when the day designer showed me how to use the swap to overcome my biggest daily challenge. 00:23:25.233 --> 00:23:31.353 Most people have one part of their day that consistently causes problems. 00:23:31.353 --> 00:23:35.170 For many, like Sarah, it's post-lunch. 00:23:35.170 --> 00:23:41.467 For others it might be early mornings, late afternoons or switching off in the evening. 00:23:41.467 --> 00:23:46.306 The swap helps you tackle this challenge systematically. 00:23:46.306 --> 00:23:49.171 What made swap so powerful? 00:23:49.171 --> 00:23:50.473 Sarah explained. 00:23:50.473 --> 00:23:52.416 The swap helps you tackle this challenge systematically. 00:23:52.416 --> 00:23:57.470 What made swap so powerful, sarah explained, was how it helped me turn the most challenging part of my day into a genuine recharge opportunity. 00:23:57.470 --> 00:24:01.849 Instead of fighting my energy dip, I learned to work with it. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.685 Understanding swap. 00:24:04.685 --> 00:24:10.451 Let me explain what swap spelt S-W-A-P means. 00:24:10.451 --> 00:24:12.727 It's an approach with three parts. 00:24:12.727 --> 00:24:17.510 The S-W stands for self-watch Notice what's happening. 00:24:17.510 --> 00:24:22.346 The A stands for aim Choose a specific goal. 00:24:22.346 --> 00:24:27.488 The P stands for plan Create clear steps to achieve your aim. 00:24:27.488 --> 00:24:34.933 Let's see how Sarah used this to transform her challenging post-lunch dip in energy levels. 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:36.902 Step 1. 00:24:36.902 --> 00:24:42.550 Self-watch First, sarah observed exactly what happened after lunch. 00:24:42.550 --> 00:24:45.448 She noticed four key things. 00:24:45.448 --> 00:24:47.503 She felt mentally foggy. 00:24:47.503 --> 00:24:50.151 She struggled to focus on work. 00:24:50.151 --> 00:24:52.182 She often made mistakes. 00:24:52.182 --> 00:24:54.587 She ended up scrolling on her phone. 00:24:54.587 --> 00:24:59.462 Just paying attention helped me see the pattern Sarah shared. 00:24:59.462 --> 00:25:07.474 I was trying to do high charge work when my brain was only capable of working on medium-charge tasks. 00:25:08.961 --> 00:25:09.463 Step 2. 00:25:09.463 --> 00:25:21.752 Aim Next, sarah set a clear, specific goal Complete my list of afternoon ice cube tasks effectively, despite the energy dip. 00:25:21.752 --> 00:25:30.971 Notice how this aim has three important qualities it's specific, focused on a clear list of afternoon work. 00:25:30.971 --> 00:25:33.184 It states a positive action. 00:25:33.184 --> 00:25:35.050 Complete a list of tasks. 00:25:35.050 --> 00:25:39.932 It's measurable the tasks will either be completed or not. 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.101 Step 3. 00:25:42.101 --> 00:25:52.195 Plan Finally, sarah created a simple plan to support her aim, which included strategic AI use. 00:25:52.195 --> 00:25:58.952 She chose to eat a light lunch to avoid feeling heavy and experiencing indigestion. 00:25:58.952 --> 00:26:02.869 She took a 15-minute walk to refresh her energy. 00:26:02.869 --> 00:26:07.510 She prepared a clear list of afternoon Ice Cube tasks. 00:26:07.510 --> 00:26:13.163 She used AI to help her draft replies to urgent emails. 00:26:13.163 --> 00:26:19.055 She used self-control to turn off her phone to minimise distractions. 00:26:19.055 --> 00:26:27.932 Having a specific plan was very powerful, sarah explained, instead of just hoping I'd somehow push through. 00:26:27.932 --> 00:26:33.309 I had clear steps to follow Strategic AI management. 00:26:33.309 --> 00:26:39.787 I realised AI could help manage the most challenging part of my day, sarah explained. 00:26:39.787 --> 00:26:51.164 Instead of forcing myself to do complex work when my energy dipped, I could use AI to help me write some draft emails I needed to reply to whilst I recovered. 00:26:53.410 --> 00:26:55.714 Adding a swap to your willpower story. 00:26:55.714 --> 00:27:06.626 Look at your willpower story and circle the most challenging part of your day, when it's most difficult to get into the brain state you need to be at your best. 00:27:06.626 --> 00:27:26.269 This might be a time of day when you struggle most with focus or often waste or feel least productive or worry and beat yourself up a lot, or you might have trouble transitioning from work to rest in the evening. 00:27:26.269 --> 00:27:31.096 You might have trouble transitioning from work to rest in the evening. 00:27:31.096 --> 00:27:32.479 Now let's create your own swap. 00:27:32.479 --> 00:27:34.040 You can use Sarah's example for inspiration. 00:27:34.040 --> 00:27:39.347 First, self-watch what exactly happens during this challenging time. 00:27:39.347 --> 00:27:41.911 Second, set your aim. 00:27:41.911 --> 00:27:45.075 What specific outcome do you want instead? 00:27:45.075 --> 00:27:50.893 Third, create your plan. 00:27:50.893 --> 00:27:55.428 What two to three-part plan will you create to help you achieve the specific outcome you want? 00:27:56.490 --> 00:27:57.172 Start simple. 00:27:57.172 --> 00:28:00.048 Begin with just one small change. 00:28:00.048 --> 00:28:04.830 I started with just the lunchtime walk, sarah explained. 00:28:04.830 --> 00:28:08.329 Once that became natural, I added the other elements. 00:28:08.329 --> 00:28:10.904 Small steps made it sustainable. 00:28:10.904 --> 00:28:14.212 Common challenges to watch for. 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:18.787 Challenge one Trying to fight your pattern. 00:28:18.787 --> 00:28:23.702 Don't try to schedule ice sculptures during the most challenging part of your day. 00:28:23.702 --> 00:28:27.349 Work with your brain's natural rhythms instead. 00:28:27.349 --> 00:28:31.584 Challenge two making the plan too complex. 00:28:31.584 --> 00:28:34.690 Keep your swap steps simple and specific. 00:28:34.690 --> 00:28:36.713 Sarah found this crucial. 00:28:36.713 --> 00:28:41.084 The simpler my plan, the more likely I was to follow it. 00:28:42.766 --> 00:28:43.666 Your next steps? 00:28:43.666 --> 00:28:48.874 Let's break this down into three simple actions to take. 00:28:48.874 --> 00:28:53.163 Action one Identify your daily challenge. 00:28:53.163 --> 00:28:55.548 Circle it on your willpower story. 00:28:55.548 --> 00:28:58.134 Notice exactly what happens. 00:28:58.134 --> 00:29:01.094 Be specific about the time frame. 00:29:01.094 --> 00:29:04.861 Action two Create your simple swap Self-watch the pattern. 00:29:04.861 --> 00:29:06.387 Create your simple swap, self-watch the pattern. 00:29:06.387 --> 00:29:08.448 Set one clear aim. 00:29:08.448 --> 00:29:10.929 Make a two to three step plan. 00:29:10.929 --> 00:29:14.019 Action three Try it tomorrow. 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:16.588 Focus on just one small change. 00:29:16.588 --> 00:29:17.986 Notice what works. 00:29:17.986 --> 00:29:19.759 Adjust as needed. 00:29:20.682 --> 00:29:24.859 The complete willpower story has three elements working together. 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:30.853 First, your basic timeline matching tasks to brain states. 00:29:30.853 --> 00:29:36.211 Second, your strengths and willpower boosters for support. 00:29:36.211 --> 00:29:39.740 Third, your swap for your biggest challenge. 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:46.712 As Sarah discovered, this combination takes how you think about managing your day to new levels. 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:59.571 Once I had all three parts working together matching tasks to energy, using the right support tools and managing the most challenging parts of my day, everything became easier. 00:29:59.571 --> 00:30:03.682 I wasn't fighting my brain anymore, I was working with it. 00:30:03.682 --> 00:30:14.611 But even with these tools mastered, sarah faced one final challenge Making this new approach automatic rather than effortful. 00:30:14.611 --> 00:30:19.811 That's where step four of the success cycle pulls everything together. 00:30:19.811 --> 00:30:21.662 Congratulations. 00:30:21.662 --> 00:30:26.973 You've now completed step three of the success cycle. 00:30:26.973 --> 00:30:44.333 Before we move on, and if you think it's helpful, take a moment to think about people you admire for their ability to structure their day and manage their energy, whether it's a colleague, a mentor or even a high-performing athlete. 00:30:44.333 --> 00:30:47.646 What makes their approach so effective? 00:30:47.646 --> 00:30:57.667 This might help you to improve your relationship with your own day designer, and you might even name it after one of those people you admire. 00:30:57.667 --> 00:31:10.079 Next, we'll move on to step four, where you'll discover how to use behavioral science to make completing your daily willpower story automatic.