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  • Issue No. 137: The Brain's 'Precision Mode' Could be the Key to Unlocking Your Next Level of Success

Issue No. 137: The Brain's 'Precision Mode' Could be the Key to Unlocking Your Next Level of Success

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Productivity Express

Issue No. 137

The Best in Evidenced-Based Productivity

for Freelancers, Small Business Owners & Founders

Helping You Work Smarter and Live More

As business owners, we don’t think about many of the things we do and decisions we make as “learning”. But it turns out, “learning” is related to a lot more than studying the latest software help files from preparing for meetings to building sales strategies and more.

Most advice emphasizes putting in more hours, more practice, and more repetition to get results. However, recent research examining how brains store and process information suggests that precision and quality may be more important than we thought. The study, published in Neural Computation, analyzed brain tissue from rats to understand how neurons efficiently store information through precise, systematic processes rather than brute force repetition. While conducted in rats, it offers clues about human brain function. Rats and humans share approximately 90% of their genes, so the findings are relevant to us as business owners and freelancers who need to continuously learn, adapt, and perform at high levels.

What This Means for Your Performance

Precision Mode in Practice

The study's findings about precision have important implications for how business owners approach learning. Researchers found that the coefficient of variation—a measure of consistency and accuracy—was consistent across different neural connections. This suggests our brains are optimized for steady, focused learning rather than sporadic bursts of activity.

Consider two scenarios: A business owner reading a market analysis report during a rushed taxi ride to a meeting versus reviewing the same material during a focused morning session. This research suggests that the latter approach—consistent, focused learning—helps store information more precisely and makes it easier to recall later.

Similarly, imagine a business owner implementing new accounting software. They could schedule one intensive 8-hour training day or break the learning into 45-minute daily sessions over two weeks. Research suggests neural pathways work better with the consistent, shorter sessions, as they allow the brain to process information in alignment with its natural storage mechanisms.

Action Item: Create a consistent learning routine that matches your peak cognitive hours. Document your energy levels and learning effectiveness throughout the day for two weeks to identify your optimal learning windows.

Click here for my study breakdown & how you can use this study in your business & life:

More Actionable Breakdowns Below! 👇

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More Actionable Breakdowns

Did you miss one of our previous breakdowns? Here are some you might find helpful.

Let me guess…you became an entrepreneur so you wouldn’t have to follow some rigid schedule or set of processes that seemed pointless. You want to do things YOUR way. You want freedom. I get it — me too.

If you hate the feeling of being forced into a rigid schedule, you’re not alone. Techniques like time blocking can feel like the freedom you value so highly is being snatched away from you. Not fun.

Often I see entrepreneurs swing from the extreme of planning only what has a true deadline (e.g., meetings and deliverables) on the one end to trying to plan every minute of every day on the other. It’s not all that surprising that neither of these are the right fit.

A new study challenges the common belief that caffeine enhances cognitive performance. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to ditch your caffeine altogether! Researchers tested regular coffee drinkers and found surprising results that might make you rethink your daily coffee habit. If you're one of the millions who rely on caffeine for a mental boost, this article offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between your favorite stimulant and your brain function and what goes into finding your sweet spot.

This article was written by a guest expert for those who want an insider view of how these models work to better understand what they can, and more importantly, can’t do.

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I hope you found this valuable!

Wishing you much productivity!

- Jenae :) 

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