Radio Headspace Becoming Superhuman
Feb 23, 2026
Dr. Sahar Yousef, cognitive neuroscientist and UC Berkeley lecturer who co-founded Becoming Superhuman, explains the neuroscience behind improving focus and productivity. She critiques common to-do lists and recommends a backlog system, picking 1–3 MITs, prioritizing unique contributions, and reframing interruptions to regain control. Practical mindset shifts for real-world change are highlighted.
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Cognition Is Malleable And Trainable
- Becoming superhuman means tapping the brain's malleability to raise attention, memory, and processing speed.
- Sahar Yousef emphasizes these cognitive functions are trainable and can change significantly in weeks with targeted effort.
Use A Backlog And Pick 1 To 3 MITs
- Keep a master to-do list as a backlog but don't dump everything into today's plan.
- Assess your available energy, time, and needs, then pick 1–3 MITs (most important tasks) to actually do that day.
Pick Tasks Your Future Self Will Thank You For
- Choose MITs by asking what will make your future self grateful and what only you can contribute.
- Sahar Yousef warns inbox work feels productive but often distracts from unique, high-value contributions you were hired to do.