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- RICH IN CONCENTRATION
Welcome to The Quiet Rich, your weekly guide to a quiet mind and rich life. Today we’re talking about a deceptively simple habit to reclaim time and clarity.
But first—a warm thanks to today’s sponsor, Replit.
I read a book 10 years ago that feels more relevant today than ever before: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith. If we keep doing the same things that have always worked in the past, we’re going to be left behind.
Building products is a perfect example of this. It has never been easier to start a company or a side-hustle of your own. Platforms like Replit empower anyone, anywhere, to build a full, production-ready app. Something like this used to cost $100k and a team of developers. Now anyone can describe it in English and watch it come to life in a weekend. The future is in the hands of those who adapt.
Learn more and try it out here.
CONTEXT
It's 2:47 PM. You're making real progress on that project you've been putting off. Then comes that familiar itch in your palm, the phantom buzz in your pocket. Before you know it, you've spent 45 minutes scrolling through ‘Real or Cake?’ videos, wondering where the time went.
Sound familiar? Same.
Our phones have become like an all-you-can-eat buffet of distraction. We keep coming back for more even though we know we'll regret it later. And with each helping of mindless scroll, we're eating away at our most valuable resource: our ability to focus.
I was intrigued when Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman shared a deceptively simple method to rebuild our concentration.
He calls it the "No-Go" Method.
METHOD
Here's how it works:
The next time you feel that magnetic pull toward your phone—maybe you're waiting for coffee, or there's a lull in conversation—simply think the words "no-go" and let the urge pass.
That's it. Seriously.
No elaborate techniques, no expensive apps. Just a gentle "no-go," stop your hand from reaching in your pocket, and return to the present moment.
That tiny decision to not check your phone?
It’s like a bicep curl for your willpower muscle.
WHY IT WORKS
Every time you successfully "no-go" is a rep in your mental gym.
Just as you wouldn't expect to bench press 200 pounds without training, you can't expect perfect focus right away. Just try to “no-go” at least 1x every hour.
Here are some prime moments to practice:
When you first wake up (Pro tip: Buy a $10 physical alarm clock and charge your phone in another room)
During meals with friends or family
In the middle of deep work sessions
As soon as you start training your concentration muscle, you’ll be shocked by how many other areas of your life improve: sharper focus, better productivity, reduced anxiety.
You’ll also reclaim countless tiny moments that make up a life well-lived.
Much love,
Jade
P.S. Enjoyed this week’s newsletter? Forward it with someone who’ll try this method with you.
You can catch up on all my writing at TheQuietRich.co