Brandon Cole - The Iterative Life

The Cold Plunge Challenge: 7 Days of Temperature Therapy

Introduction I don't consider myself the kind of person who looks at a tub full of ice water and thinks, "Yeah, I would love to hop into that." I

Tracking

The Data Stack: Essential Apps and Tools for Self-Tracking

Introduction I like to experiment. Even more so, I like to see the impact of those experiments. To make informed decisions, I need quantifiable data that helps me determine whether changes in central

Productivity

The 5 AM Experiment: A Week of Early Wake-ups

I tested waking up at 5 a.m. for a week to boost productivity and energy. Using data from wearables and daily reflections, I found that a solid morning routine—not just an early alarm—makes the biggest difference.

Experiments

Building Your Personal Experiment Framework: A Step-by-Step Guide

Living an iterative life means constantly testing small changes—but how do you know what’s worth keeping? In this post, I share a simple 5-step framework for running personal experiments, tracking meaningful data, and making intentional decisions based on what actually works for you.

Health

7 Small Adjustments to Improve Your Sleep Quality Tonight

Introduction Before we can reach our full potential in any experiment or project, we need to ensure we’ve set ourselves up for success. The first step is building the energy and focus

Embracing Slow Productivity: Finding Balance in a Fast-Paced World

Productivity

Embracing Slow Productivity: Finding Balance in a Fast-Paced World

Introduction Do you have an author whose work you tend to consume cover to cover? For me, that author is Cal Newport. Ever since I read "Deep Work," I've