Make Your Brain Work

Make Your Brain Work
By Amy Brann
Neuroscience expert, author, consultant and global speaker

Make Your Brain Work: Perform at a Higher Level (Kogan Page, 2025) is a practical, science-backed guide to improving focus, performance and mental energy without burning out. Written for people balancing multiple responsibilities, the book explains how to stay productive, mentally sharp and in control, even when demands and pressure are high.

The book also explores the neuroscience of smarter leadership, high-performing teams and innovation. Brann examines working memory, what the mind needs to achieve goals and how to help the brain perform at an optimal level.

Drawing from current neuroscience, Amy Brann translates complex research about the brain into clear strategies readers can apply in everyday work and life. She explores why attention fades, distractions take over and decision-making becomes more difficult when the brain is tired or under stress.

The book emphasizes that high performance is not simply about pushing harder. It is about understanding what the brain needs to function well and creating habits that support focus, creativity, resilience, clear thinking and sustainable success.

Key Ideas:

• The brain performs best when its limited attention and energy are managed intentionally.
• Understanding working memory can help us process information, solve problems and pursue goals more effectively.
• Mental rehearsal can activate neurons and strengthen neural circuits even when an action is only imagined. For example, imagining your finger contracting can prepare your brain and muscles to perform the movement more effectively.
• Neuroscience can help leaders make smarter decisions and create the conditions for high-performing teams.
• Brain-aware leadership can encourage collaboration, creativity, innovation and meaningful change.
• Mental fatigue can weaken focus, self-control and the quality of our decisions.
• Working with the brain, rather than continually forcing it beyond its limits, can support greater success while helping to prevent burnout.

Key Takeaway from the Conversation:

One of the strongest ideas from the conversation is recognizing that our brain can help us become smarter leaders, more creative thinkers and stronger performers. Brann’s insights about working memory and high-performing teams show that success is not only about effort. If you read the book, you’ll learn how to think clearly, innovate, collaborate and achieve meaningful goals.

Brann does not focus only on managing fatigue or avoiding burnout. She also demonstrates how understanding the brain can help people lead more effectively, develop innovative ideas, make smarter choices and perform at a higher level.

About Podcast Host

Angela Marie Hutchinson is the author of “Create Your Yes! When You Keep Hearing No,” named a Forbes No. 4 book to advance your career. She is a podcast host for New Books Network, where she leads conversations for the neuroscience and Christianity channels. Hutchinson is also a talent and intellectual property executive, former social media professor and BBC commentator. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.