There's Nothing Magical About Monday with Melina Palmer

The Connected Leadership Podcast

Ever found yourself pushing a crucial task to a mythical, more productive “tomorrow”? You’re not alone. In this fascinating episode of The Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata is joined by Melina Palmer. Melina is CEO of The Brainy Business, she has written three bestselling books and hosts The Brainy Business podcast, which has more than 1 million downloads in over 170 countries. A consultant and keynote speaker, she also teaches applied behavioural economics and she has been featured in many outlets, including Inc. and Psychology Today.

Inspired by her TEDx Talk, "There's Nothing Magical About Monday," Melina describes four cognitive biases. She reveals why our brains are wired to see our future self as a different, more capable person (an effect called time discounting) and why we consistently underestimate how long tasks will take (the optimism bias and planning fallacy).

Andy and Melina explore the concept of "bike shedding," a form of productive procrastination where we focus on trivial activities to avoid tackling the bigger, more intimidating goals. They discuss the difference between being busy and being effective, questioning whether we should measure our days by hours worked or by outcomes achieved.

Discover practical strategies to reclaim your focus, from Cal Newport's "Deep Work" and the Pomodoro Technique to the simple yet powerful mindset shift of saying "not yet" to distractions. Finally, Andy and Melina discuss the power of connection, exploring how accountability partners, mentors, and making your goals public can provide the external structure and motivation needed to achieve your ambitions.

Tune in for a master class in understanding your own mind to become more focused, effective, and connected in your work.

What we discussed:

1. Why does your brain treat your "future self" like a completely different person, making it easy to commit to tasks you’ll later avoid?

2. What is "bike shedding," and how could focusing on a seemingly productive but trivial task be derailing your most important projects?

3. Are you measuring your productivity in hours or in achievements? Discover why shifting your perspective could be a game-changer for your effectiveness.

4. What is the "hard streak" effect, and why could interspersing difficult and easy tasks be the secret to avoiding burnout and feeling better at the end of the day?

5. Beyond individual discipline, how can leveraging your professional relationships be your secret weapon against procrastination?

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Youtube

Connect with Melina Palmer: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

Podcast: There's Nothing Magical About Monday with Melina Palmer