Episode•October 31, 2024•18 min

Boost Your Productivity with John Briggs' 3.3 Rule | Ep. 350

In this episode of Money Talk with Tiff, host Tiffany Grant dives deep into productivity hacks with John Briggs, a CPA and productivity expert. John discusses his revolutionary "3.3 Rule," which is designed to help individuals enhance their productivity by working up to three hours at a time followed by a 30% recovery period. This flexible rule allows for personal adaptation and helps you maintain a flow state without burning out. John also shares interesting historical insights behind our conventional work schedules and provides actionable tips tailored for both employees and business owners. Check out thee full show notes: https://moneytalkwitht.com/podcast-show-notes/3-3-rule-productivity/ Key Takeaways The Origin of the 40-Hour Work Week: The traditional work schedule was created by Henry Ford to sell more automobiles, not based on scientific evidence of productivity. Understanding the 3.3 Rule: Work for up to three hours, followed by a 30% break to reset and rejuvenate your mind. Adapting the Rule: The rule is flexible and can be adapted to one's individual tasks and flow state. Science Behind the Rule: Insights from Alejandro Lleras' research on attention and the need for periodic breaks to maintain focus and productivity. Effective Break Activities: Engage in activities that don't stimulate the brain in the same way as work, such as tactile tasks, nature walks, or watching comedy. Benefits of the Rule: John shares testimonials, including a story of someone who incorporated the rule and experienced not just increased productivity but also health benefits. Resources Mentioned Book: "The 3.3 Rule: New Workday Standard to Get More Done by Working Less" by John Briggs Book Website: 33rulebook.com Where to Find John Briggs LinkedIn: John Briggs, CPA YouTube Channel: Insights Tax on YouTube Connect with Tiffany Website: moneytalkwitht.com Social Media: @MoneyTalkWithT on all platforms This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

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Key Takeaways

The 40-hour work week originated from Henry Ford's desire to sell more cars, not from productivity science.

In the 1800s, people worked ~100 hours/week; Ford introduced the weekend and 8-hour days to create demand for automobiles.

No scientific basis existed for the 40-hour standard—it was purely a sales strategy.

The 3.3 Rule: Work up to 3 hours followed by a 30% recovery break to maintain focus and avoid burnout.

Breaks should be un-work-related and avoid stimulating the brain the same way work does.

The rule is flexible—adapt based on task type and personal flow state rather than rigid timers.

Alejandro Lleras' research shows the brain neutralizes constant stimuli, explaining why prolonged focus leads to diminished attention.

Just as we stop feeling clothes on our skin, our minds neutralize constant mental focus.

Periodic breaks reset attention so productivity doesn't drop after ~3 hours.

Effective breaks involve tactile, physical, or light activities like walking, coloring, or watching comedy rather than stressful conversations or doom-scrolling.

One beta reader lost 20 lbs by walking his dog during the longer lunch break created by the rule.

Nature exposure and physical movement were reported to increase energy and reduce afternoon crashes.

The 3.3 Rule benefits both employees and business owners by boosting productivity, enabling promotions, and improving work-life harmony.

John grew his accounting firm from solo to 220+ team members across 30 states using these principles.

More productive employees are more likely to advance while enjoying better lives outside work.

Intro

Tiffany Grant interviews CPA and productivity expert John Briggs about his 3.3 Rule for sustainable high performance.

John Briggs, CPA, is the author of 'The 3.3 Rule' and founder of an accounting firm that grew to over 220 team members. He shares science-backed strategies for working less while achieving more.

Boost Your Productivity with John Briggs' 3.3 Rule | Ep. 350

Key Takeaways

Intro

– Origin of the 40-Hour Work Week

– Defining the 3.3 Rule

– Why Recovery Periods Matter

– Science Behind Attention & Breaks

– Best Break Activities

– Real-World Results & Book Overview

Books Mentioned

Resources

Topics