We tend to treat the brain like a computer floating in a cloud—as if it operates completely independently of the body it lives in. When we can’t focus, or we feel unmotivated, we try to "think" our way out of it. We look for better time management apps or force ourselves to just "grind harder." From a perspective of optimizing human performance, I’ve learned that this is usually the wrong approach. If your computer is overheating and the fan is broken, installing new software
The Trap of Linear Expectations for Performance When we begin a new fitness regimen or health protocol, the results are often dramatic and instantaneous. The first 10 pounds of weight loss, the first 20% jump in strength, the fastest mile time yet. These rapid changes define the thrilling initial stage of any journey. But eventually, that progress slows. A dramatic 10% gain in a month is replaced by a meticulous 1% gain in a quarter. This is the point where many athletes and
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