Every hundred-billion dollar internet algorithm is in an arms race to harvest your attention.

They use random intermittent reward, social threat insinuations, and every imaginable attention hack to dial in your dopamine (craving), epinephrine (alertness), and acetylcholine (focus).

To rest some control back from the ubiquitous digital addiction, you should use the 85% rule to make YOUR aims for your attention as salient as possible.

The brain's neuroplastic potential is maximized when the FAILURE rate for a given skilled task is approximately 15%

1. The 85% Rule To Maximize Learning

To learn is to change the brain.

To maximize neuroplasticity, your brain requires three neurotransmitters to spike simultaneously while you're engaged in the skill: Dopamine as a reward for progress, Epinephrine as the brain's adrenaline because you're alert, and Acetylcholine because you're paying very close attention to that task.

That magic mixture of reward, difficulty and the resultant intense focus it requires is achieved when you challenge yourself that you're 85% successful when you're trying your hardest.

So whether it's how to sink a free-throw, or understanding crypto, choose learning materials or methods that enable a sense of 85% mastery and 15% out of your element.

2. The 85% Rule to Maximize Goal Progress

Want to REVOLUTIONIZE the world in [your fantasy here]?

That'd get your motivation pumping, right? Or maybe if you could have easy goals you'd pick up steam! Wake up, drink glass of water, and take shower, boom! You're on a role!

Turns out the same Goldilocks rule applies.

If you have the flu, your normal daily todo list is TOO ambitious to motivate you to get out of bed. On the other hand, if you regularly finish 100% of your goals, you're hiding from your true potential.

Use the power of uncertainty to challenge your brain without overwhelming it.