Earn rewards; treat dopamine activities as incentives

Ever finish a day full of meetings or creative work and feel wiped out, even when you love what you do?
James did too, until one image changed how he looked at energy forever.

After seeing a scan of a “brain on meetings,” he realized the problem wasn’t the work itself, it was the lack of recovery between high-focus efforts. That insight led him to rebuild his days around structure, not hustle: plan like an athlete, recover like one.

In this episode, you’ll hear how a simple system (three priorities, real breaks, no dopamine drains) transformed his output and his evenings. The goal isn’t just to work better, it’s to end the day with enough energy left for your life.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

• Why fake breaks (Slack, email, quick scrolls) keep your brain on alert—and your energy tank empty.
• How to plan tomorrow’s top three today so you start with direction, not distraction.
• The power of micro-recovery—five minutes of breath work, walking, stretching, or quiet reset that restores focus.
• How deep work feels easier when recovery is built in, not earned after burnout.
• A mindset shift: you’re not a machine managing output—you’re a performer managing energy.

By the end, you’ll know how to structure your day like a pro athlete trains: clear priorities, deep focus, and real rest in between. Because performance doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from recovering better.

Submit a question for James here: https://rootreadypodcast.com/

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