Monk mode & micro breaks: How to actually get stuff done

01/30/25 • 70 min

Ever feel like you're juggling a million things at once and still not getting anywhere? This week, the Breakeven Brothers dive deep into the world of productivity – and it’s not all about grinding through endless hours. We’re debating the merits of intense "monk mode" focus versus the power of strategic micro-breaks, all while sharing our personal battles with distractions, sleep schedules, and the never-ending quest to simply get things done. From the depths of AI-powered coding sessions to the complexities of managing a side hustle, we’re exploring how to actually make progress, not just feel busy. Join us as we reveal our current strategies to stay focused, reduce distractions, and even touch on some popular health guru advice. Get ready to rethink your approach to productivity, because it's not just about how hard you work, but how *smart* you work.

This episode is a whirlwind tour through our latest tech adventures, side project updates, and the surprising realities of running a business in 2025. We're diving into some painful realities of mobile app development (yes, we're looking at you, push notifications!), and discuss the surprising ways AI is both helping and hindering our progress. Plus, we reveal the unexpected places where we are seeing real value with new AI models and tools – including one incredibly easy setup that lets us run powerful tech locally! We’ll also touch on the power of community and the financial realities of running your own accounting firm. If you’re curious about how to navigate a world of endless to-dos, tune in for a candid discussion on what’s actually working for us right now... and what's definitely *not*.

(00:00) - Navigating Busy Work Lives
(03:29) - The Importance of Focus and Deep Work
(06:20) - Strategies for Effective Work Sessions
(09:14) - Implementing Notifications and User Engagement
(12:25) - Enhancing Data Security and Backup Strategies
(15:26) - Building a Chat Application with Django and React Native
(22:33) - Navigating React and React Native Development
(24:01) - The Challenges of Prompt Engineering with AI
(28:25) - Understanding the Complexity of React and React Native
(30:25) - The Limitations of AI in Software Development
(36:08) - The Future of AI in Creative Fields
(40:21) - Leveraging AI for Enhanced Productivity
(45:34) - Exploring AI-Powered Web Browsing
(48:26) - Innovative Use Cases in Accounting with AI
(51:11) - The Debate: Python vs. PHP in Web Development
(51:41) - Deep Dive into Open Source AI Models
(58:49) - Setting Up Local AI Models with Open Web UI
(01:02:26) - Bookmarks: AI Tools and Practical Applications

Links:
- Easy apply to jobs with an AI powered Chrome Extension
- Host ALL your AI locally

How Much Money I Made In 2024 As A Fourth Year CPA Firm Owner

#ProductivityHacks #AIforDevelopers #LocalAI #MobileAppDevelopment #WebDevelopment #SoftwareEngineering #Entrepreneurship #AccountingTech #DeepWork #OpenSourceAI

Creators & Guests

Bennett Bernard - Host
Bradley Bernard - Host

(00:00) - Navigating Busy Work Lives
(03:29) - The Importance of Focus and Deep Work
(06:20) - Strategies for Effective Work Sessions
(09:14) - Implementing Notifications and User Engagement
(12:25) - Enhancing Data Security and Backup Strategies
(15:26) - Building a Chat Application with Django and React Native
(22:33) - Navigating React and React Native Development
(24:01) - The Challenges of Prompt Engineering with AI
(28:25) - Understanding the Complexity of React and React Native
(30:25) - The Limitations of AI in Software Development
(36:08) - The Future of AI in Creative Fields
(40:21) - Leveraging AI for Enhanced Productivity
(45:34) - Exploring AI-Powered Web Browsing
(48:26) - Innovative Use Cases in Accounting with AI
(51:11) - The Debate: Python vs. PHP in Web Development
(51:41) - Deep Dive into Open Source AI Models
(58:49) - Setting Up Local AI Models with Open Web UI
(01:02:26) - Bookmarks: AI Tools and Practical Applications

Links:
- Easy apply to jobs with an AI powered Chrome Extension
- Host ALL your AI locally

How Much Money I Made In 2024 As A Fourth Year CPA Firm Owner

#ProductivityHacks #AIforDevelopers #LocalAI #MobileAppDevelopment #WebDevelopment #SoftwareEngineering #Entrepreneurship #AccountingTech #DeepWork #OpenSourceAI

Creators & Guests

Bennett Bernard - Host
Bradley Bernard - Host

Previous Episode

Beyond Stack Overflow: AI as your new programming partner

Tired of endless Stack Overflow searches and outdated tutorials? Get ready to enter a new era of coding where AI is no longer just a tool but a full-fledged programming partner. In this week's episode, we dive deep into the transformative world of AI-assisted development, exploring how these intelligent systems are not just generating code but changing the way we think about building software. We share our firsthand experiences with the latest AI coding tools, from fighting with quirky interfaces to witnessing shockingly efficient code generation. Join us as we discuss everything from using AI to build a Python app from scratch to its ability to act as your personal accountability coach, making sure you actually finish your projects. Is this the end of "copy/paste" coding? Tune in to find out.

But it's not all code and algorithms this week, as we venture beyond the digital realm. We'll explore how this new wave of AI is changing productivity, accountability, and the very nature of how we approach problem-solving. Prepare for a lively conversation that touches on topics from the surprising quirks of a "salty spoon" invention, to the rise of new tech trends. We even uncover the latest from the world of package managers, and how one might just disrupt the Python community as a whole. Is AI the answer to all of our problems, or does it come with its own set of challenges? We are pushing the boundaries to see just how far we can take AI as our new partner.

(00:00) - Introduction and Personal Updates
(08:34) - Networking at Laravel SF Meetup
(19:17) - Coding with AI and New Tools
(27:52) - Accountability Through AI: A New Approach
(34:21) - AI in Coding: Expectations vs. Reality
(39:32) - AI Agents: The Future of Workplace Efficiency
(44:34) - The Shift from PIP to UV in Python Package Management
(52:36) - Exploring AI Tools: ChatGPT vs. O1 Pro
(58:12) - Startup Opportunities: Microsoft’s Support for Entrepreneurs

Links:
- Microsoft Startup Program
- Derek Thompson 2025 forecast
- Jason Stats' 2025 book list

#AICoding #AIforProductivity #SoftwareDevelopment #FutureofTech #TechTrends2025 #OpenAISoftware #PythonProgramming #StartupTech #AIInnovation #AccountabilityPartner

Creators & Guests

Bennett Bernard - Host
Bradley Bernard - Host

Next Episode

Low pain tolerance: Engineering efficiency & accounting's future

This week, the Breakeven Brothers are diving headfirst into a whirlwind of tech news, accounting industry shake-ups, and personal automation adventures. From the front lines of the Super Bowl (and its *always* controversial TurboTax ads), we unpack a surprising battle brewing between accountants and the very software they rely on. Is Intuit turning its back on the professionals who champion its products? We also explore the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with automating the *perfect* free Chipotle order, only to be thwarted by... a cellular dead zone? You won't want to miss Brad's hilarious (and slightly heartbreaking) tale of coding, burritos, and the realities of AT&T coverage.

But the real meat of this episode tackles a question on every tech worker's mind: Are robots coming for our jobs? We dissect a provocative tweet from the CEO of Gumroad, declaring junior (and even mid-level) software engineers obsolete thanks to the power of AI. Is this a bold prediction of the future, a publicity stunt, or complete nonsense? We break down the arguments, analyze the current state of AI coding tools like Cursor, and discuss what this all means for the future of software development. Plus, we delve into the surprisingly hot topic of backend languages favored by venture capitalists, a little accounting tech-switching, and Brad's ongoing exploration of OpenAI's "Deep Research" tool – is it worth the hefty price tag? Tune in for a jam-packed episode full of insights, arguments, and, as always, a healthy dose of brotherly banter! We'll explore career prospects and some final book marks, along with an update about Sam Altman.