Monk mode & micro breaks: How to actually get stuff done

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Ever feel like you're juggling a million things at once and still not getting anywhere? This week, the Breakeven Brothers dive deep into the world of productivity – and it’s not all about grinding through endless hours. We’re debating the merits of intense "monk mode" focus versus the power of strategic micro-breaks, all while sharing our personal battles with distractions, sleep schedules, and the never-ending quest to simply get things done. From the depths of AI-powered coding sessions to the complexities of managing a side hustle, we’re exploring how to actually make progress, not just feel busy. Join us as we reveal our current strategies to stay focused, reduce distractions, and even touch on some popular health guru advice. Get ready to rethink your approach to productivity, because it's not just about how hard you work, but how *smart* you work.

This episode is a whirlwind tour through our latest tech adventures, side project updates, and the surprising realities of running a business in 2025. We're diving into some painful realities of mobile app development (yes, we're looking at you, push notifications!), and discuss the surprising ways AI is both helping and hindering our progress. Plus, we reveal the unexpected places where we are seeing real value with new AI models and tools – including one incredibly easy setup that lets us run powerful tech locally! We’ll also touch on the power of community and the financial realities of running your own accounting firm. If you’re curious about how to navigate a world of endless to-dos, tune in for a candid discussion on what’s actually working for us right now… and what's definitely *not*.

  • (00:00) - Navigating Busy Work Lives
  • (03:29) - The Importance of Focus and Deep Work
  • (06:20) - Strategies for Effective Work Sessions
  • (09:14) - Implementing Notifications and User Engagement
  • (12:25) - Enhancing Data Security and Backup Strategies
  • (15:26) - Building a Chat Application with Django and React Native
  • (22:33) - Navigating React and React Native Development
  • (24:01) - The Challenges of Prompt Engineering with AI
  • (28:25) - Understanding the Complexity of React and React Native
  • (30:25) - The Limitations of AI in Software Development
  • (36:08) - The Future of AI in Creative Fields
  • (40:21) - Leveraging AI for Enhanced Productivity
  • (45:34) - Exploring AI-Powered Web Browsing
  • (48:26) - Innovative Use Cases in Accounting with AI
  • (51:11) - The Debate: Python vs. PHP in Web Development
  • (51:41) - Deep Dive into Open Source AI Models
  • (58:49) - Setting Up Local AI Models with Open Web UI
  • (01:02:26) - Bookmarks: AI Tools and Practical Applications

Links:
- Easy apply to jobs with an AI powered Chrome Extension
- Host ALL your AI locally

#ProductivityHacks #AIforDevelopers #LocalAI #MobileAppDevelopment #WebDevelopment #SoftwareEngineering #Entrepreneurship #AccountingTech #DeepWork #OpenSourceAI

Creators and Guests

Bennett Bernard
Host
Bennett Bernard
Mortgage Accounting & Finance at Zillow. Tweets about Mortgage Banking and random thoughts. My views are my own and have not been reviewed/approved by Zillow
Bradley Bernard
Host
Bradley Bernard
Coder, builder, mobile app developer, & aspiring creator. Software Engineer at @Snap working on the iOS app. Views expressed are my own.
Monk mode & micro breaks: How to actually get stuff done
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