How Are Magnus Carlsen and Brain Energy Connected to Time Management?

Magnus Carlsen is a chess grandmaster from Norway. He’s won numerous tournaments, including clenching the World Chess Championship five times. He’s been ranked number one since July of 2011. My husband plays chess and is a big fan.

In episode #2275 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Magnus Carlsen chats about everything under the sun. You can listen to the entire interview, but the video below will drop you a little more than one hour into it. I’ve chosen this starting point because Magnus shares fascinating insights into the mindset and mind management that goes into chess.

While my husband and I were cooking, he was playing this interview in the background. I have no interest in chess, but I was so fascinated by this portion of the interview that I dropped my spoon into the sauté pan and immediately checked the screen for the time marker so that I could share it with you:

Note: There’s foul language, so put in your earbuds if you’re around other people!

You’re entering into the conversation when Joe Rogan asks Magnus Carlsen how he decides on the opening chess move.

Highlights about the brain and mental energy:

*Use technology when possible, instead of taxing your brain and losing time to agonizing over a decision.

*Optimize clarity – meal of protein and veggies before a big game

*Consuming sugar can lead to mental mistakes.

*They discuss supplements. Be sure to check with your medical professional before trying anything.

*Sometimes you’ll have to accept that the day won’t go well because your brain is not functioning at its full potential.

*Sleep deprivation kills problem-solving and high-level thinking.

*When he’s feeling good, there’s a state of flow, laser focus.

*He’s learned to accept that as we get older, our brains aren’t as fast as they used to be.

All of this was from only 10 minutes of the interview. If you have the time, listen a bit longer.

If you’ve been reading my blogs or watching my videos for any length of time, you know that I preach that Time management is all about MIND management. If you wear the lens of time management while taking in this interview, you just might pick up some great pointers that will help you boost your time management and productivity.

For more tips on how to work with your brain instead of against it, check out The Inefficiency Assassin: Time Management Tactics for Working Smarter, Not Longer.