Make 2026 Matter: A Playbook

Summary

In this episode, Owen and Sam Evans explore a playbook for a meaningful and satisfying year, focusing on three key steps: attention, actions, and contingency. They discuss the impact of the attention economy on our lives, the importance of directing our actions towards meaningful outcomes, and how to measure the effectiveness of those actions. The conversation emphasizes the need to reclaim our attention from social media and other distractions, and to engage in actions that align with our values and goals.

Takeaways

• Attention is a highly valuable commodity.
• Dopamine activation plays a significant role in our engagement with social media through variable rewards
• We often undervalue our time compared to money, leading to poor attention choices - especially when something is free
• Environmental design can help us manage our attention better.
• Actions should align with our values and have measurable outcomes.
• Contingency planning is essential for ensuring our actions are meaningful.
• Happiness is influenced by the gap between our expectations and reality.
• We should focus on outcomes rather than just outputs in our actions.
• Planning without action can lead to feelings of meaninglessness.
• Reclaiming our attention is crucial for personal satisfaction and fulfillment.

Keywords

attention economy, meaningful actions, life satisfaction, dopamine activation, contingency planning, human psychology, productivity, personal development, social media impact, goal setting