Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success

by Brad Stulberg

While writing this chapter, Brad began testing “out of sight, out of mind” in a number of situations in his own life. Whether he was doing hard intervals on the elliptical trainer, lifting weights, or writing this book, his performance improved when his smartphone was completely removed from the picture. Real and objective performance measures for each activity—such as watts generated, pounds lifted, and words written—all increased. This objective data supported what he subjectively experienced. Without his smartphone visible, Brad quickly forgot about its existence. He felt as if he had another 10 to 15 percent of effort to give to the task at hand. Not having the option of turning on his phone and looking at it did far more than lift a small weight out of his pocket. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.