Picking up where we left off yesterday…
Here’s part 2 of my interview with ex-Googler, neuroscientist and author Anne-Laure Le Cunff:
***
Tom: Your book advocates using tiny experiments as a way to make changes at work and in life. What’s the most surprising or transformative tiny experiment you’ve tried for yourself?
Anne-Laure: One that really surprised me was around meditation. I had this story in my head: “I’m terrible at meditation; it’s just not for me.” That’s a classic fixed mindset. So I designed an experiment: 15 minutes of meditation every day for 15 days. I still prefer movement-based mindfulness like dancing or walking, but now I see meditation as something useful I can lean on when I need it.
Tom: Could you share one or two of your favourite stories about people trying their own tiny experiments?
Anne-Laure: One person from our Ness Labs community had surgery and couldn’t paint for a while, which created a lot of anxiety. Their experiment was to simply sit in their studio without any
pressure to create. That gentle approach helped them reconnect with their creativity.
Another favorite was when someone committed to sending a voice note every week to a friend they hadn’t talked to in a while to nurture that relationship even during busy times.
Tom: How do you personally distinguish between healthy, mindful productivity and toxic productivity? What signs do you look out for to avoid burnout?
Anne-Laure: I know I’m veering towards toxic productivity when I skip meals, cancel social plans, or get those random pangs of anxiety for no
clear reason.
In contrast, mindful productivity feels spacious and generative. I’m not always sure where I’m going but there’s a sort of self-confidence that I’ll figure it out.
Tom: In your book acknowledgments, you thank “Mister Squirrel” for tapping on your window to
remind you to take breaks. Can you tell us how little moments like these shape your approach to work and life?
Anne-Laure: Ah yes, Mister Squirrel! I used to live in a flat with a big tree in front of the balcony, and over time this squirrel and I developed a kind of relationship. He’d come tap on the window asking for almonds and walnuts.
Taking breaks is so important, but it does take practice to listen to your body’s signals… So having a squirrel tap on the window definitely helps :)
***
That’s Part 2 in the books.
Back tomorrow for the third and final part of the interview.