

The Habit Mechanic - Unlock your Human-AI Edge
Dr. Jon Finn
For Self-improvers, Leaders, Teams, & Coaches: Go From Replaceable to ✨Irreplaceable & Unstoppable in the AI Era (Without Tech Skills) 🚀I'm Dr. Jon Finn, best-selling author of 'The Habit Mechanic' and founder of the award-winning Tougher Minds consultancy. With 25 years of experience in performance psychology and three psychology-related degrees, I help people and organizations thrive in the AI era. Drawing from my work with world-class athletes, global businesses, and cutting-edge science, I share practical insights on how to optimize your brain's performance and collaborate effectively with AI to unlock your full potential.In this podcast, we (my team and I) provide simple, science-based tools to help you develop Super Habits for enhanced happiness and performance, and build high-performing teams. You'll learn how to master your "Brain States," become a "Habit Mechanic," and lead successfully in our rapidly evolving world. Whether you're looking to improve your personal performance or create a winning team culture, each episode offers actionable strategies to help you achieve extraordinary results while maintaining energy for what matters most.Earn More, Work Less, Feel Great, and Thrive by Mastering your BRAIN STATESConnect with me at contact@tougherminds.co.uk or visit:Book: https://thehabitmechanic.tougherminds.co.uk/bookWebsite: https://www.tougherminds.co.ukApp: https://www.tougherminds.co.uk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 24, 2025 • 29min
Day 4 – Automate Super Habits: How to Coach Yourself and Thrive in the AI Era
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...👀 Watch the video ▶️ hereGet 📘"Training Your Brain for the AI Revolution" for just $1 👉 hereIn Day 4 – Automate | Build Super Habits: How to Coach Yourself and Thrive in the AI Era, we move from knowing what to do to making it automatic — using the Nine Action Factors and a simple habit-building plan anchored by a daily Willpower Story.You’ll learn how to coach yourself, use AI to cut busywork, and design smart routines that target Recharge, Medium-Charge, and High-Charge Brain States for sustained performance.You’ll explore:• How routines work as linked chains of Super Habits• Why knowledge fails without automation• Using the Willpower Story at a set time and place• The Nine Action Factors and ten practical prompts• Mapping habits to Recharge, Medium-Charge, and High-Charge tasks• The personal research loop — observe, adjust, repeat• Coaching yourself with lessons from elite sport analysis• Using AI to reduce Medium-Charge work and enhance deep focus• The path to certification and structured three-month training🎓 Note: We’re currently offering 75%-funded training grants for people who want to become Certified Human–AI Performance Psychology Coaches.If you’re not seeing our messages about this, just reach out — we’ll confirm if any grants remain and whether it’s a good fit for you.

Oct 23, 2025 • 21min
Day 3 – Optimise | Design Your Day: Strengthen Focus, Willpower, and Brain State Control
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...👀 Watch the video ▶️ hereGet 📘"Training Your Brain for the AI Revolution" for just $1 👉 hereIn Day 3 – Optimise | Design Your Day: Strengthen Focus, Willpower & Brain State Control, we show how to lead AI by managing your own brain state, building a practical 30-day performance plan, and using the Day Designer to script a focused, energised 24 hours.The goal is simple: protect deep work, automate recovery, and use AI to accelerate routine “ice-cube” tasks so you can sculpt meaningful results with full attention.You’ll explore:• Why the AI Revolution is a once-in-a-lifetime leverage window• How to measure Brain States and match task difficulty for flow• The danger of Medium-Charge work and its impact on quality• Applying the AI Success Cycle across a 30-day rhythm• The Day Designer timeline — from wake to sleep• Scheduling deep work, breaks, exercise, and shutdown rituals• Super Habits for sleep, diet, exercise, and stress control• Taking ownership for accuracy and accountability when using AI• Building momentum — and coaching others to use the same system

Oct 22, 2025 • 19min
Day 2 – Plan | Build Your Long-Term Focus: How to Lead Your Own Life in the AI Era
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...👀 Watch the video ▶️ hereGet 📘"Training Your Brain for the AI Revolution" for just $1 👉 hereIn Day 2 – Plan | Build Your Long-Term Focus: How to Lead Your Own Life in the AI Era, we connect your long-term ambitions to your daily actions using the science of Human–AI Performance Psychology.You’ll learn how to turn your future vision into focused action, and how AI can free up time for high-impact workby eliminating low-value tasks. We unpack Brain State Intelligence®, explore the Ice Cubes vs Ice Sculptures approach to planning, and explain why goals are powerful stress-management tools — not wish lists.You’ll discover:• A quick recap of Brain State measurement — and why it matters• How to map long-term goals back to today’s priorities• Values prompts that reveal your real strengths• The Ice Cubes vs Ice Sculptures method for better task planning• How to use agentic and generative AI to speed up meaningful work• How to estimate effort realistically and cut overwhelm• Why goals focus attention and regulate stress• How to run a monthly review and teach others to lock new habits• A preview of tomorrow’s session — the Day Designer and Willpower Story

Oct 21, 2025 • 21min
Day 1 – Measure Your Brain State – The Hidden Key to Thriving in the AI Era
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...👀 Watch the video ▶️ hereGet 📘"Training Your Brain for the AI Revolution" for just $1 👉 hereWe’re launching the 4-Day Audio Challenge — your free introduction to Human–AI Performance Psychology, the science of thriving in the AI era by mastering your Brain States.In Day 1, you’ll measure where your energy really goes, learn to cut Medium-Charge busywork, and discover how to use AI to free brainpower for deep work, recovery, and new super habits.You’ll explore:• How AI is automating cognitive labour — and what that means for your career• Why Human–AI teams outperform solo effort when you lead with clarity• How Medium-Charge work drains focus and slows progress• How to use AI to protect sleep, reduce stress, and strengthen leadership habits• The Human–AI Readiness Brain State Assessment and scoring profiles• What your pattern — Cross to Bear, Jagged Jewel, or Arrowhead — reveals about your habits• The 4-Day Plan: Measure → Strategise → Design → Engineer• How to become your own Habit Coach — and help others do the same• Simple next steps to set a 30-day focus and protect willpower

Oct 17, 2025 • 27min
AI And The Brain: From Busy Work To Better Lives
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...Get 📘"Training Your Brain for the AI Revolution" for just $1 👉 hereIn this episode, we explore how neural-network AI pairs with Brain-State Intelligence® — the foundation of Human-AI Performance Psychology — to help you outsource busy work, focus on high-impact thinking, and build habits that actually stick.You’ll hear practical frameworks, real-world examples, and a clear path to becoming healthier, happier, and more effective in the AI era.What You’ll Learn:• Why habits fail without Brain-State awareness• Recharge, Medium-Charge, and High-Charge explained• Agentic AI vs. LLMs — and when to use each• How to outsource Medium-Charge tasks to reclaim energy• Accelerating High-Charge work with AI co-working• Real gains in productivity, cost, and effectiveness• A 30-day plan and daily strategic ritual• Future roles: Innovators, Automators, and AI Performance Coaches• Where to start and how to build momentum🎧 Listen now to discover how Human-AI Performance Psychology can help you think better, perform smarter, and thrive in the age of AI.📘 Learn more at tougherminds.co.uk — and get your copy of Train Your Brain for the AI Revolution for just $1, plus details on our Certified Habit Mechanic® Coaching Program.

Oct 10, 2025 • 19min
AI, Your Brain, Your Edge
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...Get 📘"Training Your Brain for the AI Revolution" for just $1 👉 hereIn this episode Dr. Jon Finn (creator of Human-AI Performance Psychology) and his AI team show how to win the AI era by training energy and attention before tools. We unpack Recharge, Medium, and High Charge Brain States; the Daily 3:1 Reflection; and the four‑step AI-Edge Success Cycle, with real examples of time and cost gains from pairing optimised brain states with AI.• Why recharge is the foundation for performance• The pre‑reflection routine to prime positive circuits• The Daily 3:1 Reflection to steer attention• Shifting routine Medium Charge work to AI• Expanding High Charge hours to four, five, six or seven daily• AI as amplifier for High Charge work, not a replacement• The audiobook case study and 90% cost saving• The Success Cycle: measure, plan, optimise, automate• Using brain‑first planning to reduce stress and reclaim focus

Sep 29, 2025 • 18min
How to Coach Yourself to Success in the AI Era (in 4 Steps)
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...Get 📘"Training Your Brain for the AI Revolution" for just $1 👉 hereIn this episode Dr. Jon Finn explores how to thrive in the AI revolution by mastering brain states and developing strategic habits. The AI-Edge Success Cycle provides a framework for measuring and optimizing performance as AI transforms industries and eliminates jobs across sectors.• Recent announcements show massive AI investments in the UK and major companies cutting jobs while implementing AI• The four-step AI Success Cycle starts with measuring Brain States across recharge, mindless tasks, and complex thinking• Building a Future Ambitious Meaningful Story (FAM Story) creates context for short-term improvements• Distinguishing between "ice cube" tasks (routine) and "ice sculpture" tasks (complex) helps identify where AI can assist• AI functions as a "battery pack" for your brain, extending capabilities rather than replacing them• Daily Will Power stories and the Nine Action Factor model help turn knowledge into consistent action• Building better recharge habits (sleep, stress management) is often the first priority for improving brain states• Success requires both working excellently with AI and excelling at tasks AI cannot perform• Training as a Habit Mechanic Coach provides expertise in human-AI performance psychologyVisit our website to get "Training Your Brain for the AI Revolution" for just $1 and start your journey to becoming a Certified Habit Mechanic Coach.

Aug 1, 2025 • 8min
Are You AI-Proof? Why Your August Habits Matter
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...Join the August Challenge hereAugust is a critical month for setting up September success by establishing foundational habits for optimal brain function. The continued growth of AI technologies like those from Microsoft and Meta means we need to focus on our unique human capabilities to remain valuable.• Focus on better sleep, better diet, and better exercise as core ingredients for positive brain function• Most people have great intentions for September but fail by mid-October because they lack foundational habits• The AI Era Leadership Accelerator offers a monthly mission focused on getting brains working well• New sector-specific AI tools are emerging that will transform industries• Becoming "AI-proof" requires developing brain state intelligence based on good recharge and recovery• Even during relaxation periods, checking in with foundational habits builds awareness for future successYou're only ever one Brain State habit away.

Jul 12, 2025 • 11min
The AI Revolution: Learning from History
Text us a question and we'll answer it on the podcast...Dr. Jon Finn explores striking parallels between the Industrial Revolution and today's AI Revolution, highlighting the unprecedented competition to human brainpower that AI represents. Unlike the Industrial Revolution that unfolded over a century, the AI Revolution is happening in just 2-5 years, with predictions being realized faster than expected.• First-time ever competition to human brainpower through neural networks that can work 24/7• Industrial Revolution created jobs while the AI Revolution is eliminating them even in financially strong companies• Henry Bessemer's steel-making technology that reduced production time from 4 days to 15 minutes serves as a historical parallel• Approximately 100,000 tech sector jobs lost to AI this year already• Companies are reallocating savings from human roles into building AI workforces• Understanding history, particularly the Industrial Revolution, helps us prepare for AI changes• Optimizing our brain states is key to becoming "AI winners" rather than being displacedYou're only ever one Brain State habit away from transformation.

Jun 28, 2025 • 9min
Cricket, Brain States, and How AI Changes Our Mental Game
Discover how brain state intelligence can elevate performance in cricket and beyond. Learn about England's batsmen mastering their mental states to enhance focus and recharge effectively. The discussion reveals how AI can boost our productivity by handling medium-charge tasks, allowing us to harness our energy better. High performers, whether in sports or business, excel through understanding their brain states. It's an exciting exploration of adapting to the AI revolution while optimizing our mental game!


