Anne-Laure Le Cunff is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and thought leader at the intersection of cognitive science and personal development. As the founder of Ness Labs, a platform dedicated to mindful productivity, and the author of Tiny Experiments, she combines rigorous scientific research with practical frameworks for intentional living. With a PhD in neuroscience from University College London, Anne-Laure brings an evidence-based approach to topics like creativity, mental health, and sustainable productivity. Her work has been featured in major publications, and she's known for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable.

Key Topics Discussed

1. The Psychology of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)

   • Anne-Laure breaks down how modern society's FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) creates anxiety and decision fatigue.

   • She contrasts this with JOMO—the intentional choice to miss out, which stems from self-awareness and valuing presence over perpetual engagement.

   • Real-world applications: Politely declining social invitations, resisting unnecessary career benchmarks, or embracing solitude without guilt.

2. The Science Behind Tiny Experiments

   • Inspired by clinical research methods, her approach treats personal growth as a series of low-stakes experiments (e.g., "Write 100 newsletters before deciding if you enjoy it").

   • Case studies from her community: A member testing morning affirmations for 30 days, another experimenting with "no social media after 8 PM," and how these small tests build self-knowledge.

   • Why suspending judgment during experiments leads to more authentic outcomes than rigid goal-setting.

3. Rethinking Productivity Systems

   • Why most productivity "hacks" fail: They ignore individual neurodiversity and changing contexts.

   • Her personal shift from seeking perfect systems to adaptive self-awareness (e.g., using Pomodoro timers only during crunch times, not daily).

   • The role of metacognition ("thinking about thinking") in identifying what truly works versus what's superficially appealing.

4. Neuroscience of Habits and Intentionality

   • How "friction" (e.g., removing apps from your home screen) disrupts automatic behaviors by engaging the prefrontal cortex.

   • Interoception (body awareness) as a decision-making tool: Noticing physical cues (like tension or exhaustion) to guide choices rather than defaulting to distractions.

   • The dopamine-driven design of social media and how to rewire habitual responses.

5. Navigating Life’s Liminal Spaces

   • Anne-Laure reflects on her post-PhD transition—a deliberate pause to explore uncertainty before committing to new projects.

   • Why society undervalues "not knowing" and how to reframe it as creative potential.

   • Her current experiments: Exploring podcasting, teaching neuroscience to non-academics, and balancing multiple projects without burnout.

Takeaways

1. JOMO > FOMO: Intentional absence isn’t deprivation—it’s reclaiming agency over your attention and energy.

2. Test, Don’t Guess: Tiny experiments remove the pressure of permanence. Example: Try a new routine for 2 weeks before judging it.

3. Productivity Is Personal: No single system works forever. Regularly audit what serves your current priorities and mental state.

4. The Body Knows: Physical sensations (e.g., dread vs. flow) are often wiser than abstract "shoulds."

5. Embrace the In-Between: Growth happens in liminal spaces. Anne-Laure’s post-PhD "gap period" exemplifies purposeful uncertainty.

Key Links of Anne-Laure

1. LinkedIn 2. Twitter 3. YouTube 4. Newsletter