Invitation Only

Founding Cohort Application

Join an experimental collaboration exploring how cognitive decision load can be measured, reduced, and shared.

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What This Is

The CTE Founding Cohort is a small group of reflective practitioners participating in productivity research. We're testing whether decision load can be measured meaningfully and whether reducing it improves real work.

This is not a finished product, an investment opportunity, or a passive income scheme. It's an experiment with uncertain outcomes and shared learning.

🌊 Your Thought Wave Group

When accepted, you'll be placed in a 90-day Thought Wave Group — a time-boxed cohort that starts together, progresses together, and graduates together.

Wave Cadence:
New wave every 4 weeks

Enrollment:
7 days before wave starts

Journey:
90 days of shared measurement

Identity:
"Group [X] Member" badge

Learn more about Thought Wave Groups →

Before You Apply, Understand:

Participation requires weekly check-ins for 8-12 weeks
Earnings (if any) are experimental and may be zero
Your data shapes research - honesty matters more than optimization
We'll publish findings - including failures

Who This Is NOT For:

✕ People seeking passive income or guaranteed returns
✕ Those who can't dedicate 30-45 minutes weekly for 8-12 weeks
✕ Anyone uncomfortable with their data being used in published research
✕ Those who need validated, finished tools (we're still learning what works)
✕ People who would optimize metrics rather than report honestly

Expected Time Commitment:

→ Weekly check-ins: 10-15 minutes (required)
→ DLI assessments: 5-10 minutes, 1-3x per week
→ Reflection notes: 10-15 minutes weekly (optional but valuable)
→ Total: 30-45 minutes per week for 8-12 weeks

1

Motivation & Fit

Why are you interested in participating in an experimental productivity research cohort rather than using a finished product?

What frustrates you most about how productivity is currently measured?

What would make this experience a failure for you?

Be specific. This helps us understand if we're aligned.

2

Work & Cognitive Environment

Describe a typical workday. Where do decisions cluster?

Morning planning? Meeting cascades? End-of-day cleanup?

How many active initiatives do you juggle weekly?

1-2 (focused) 3-5 (balanced) 6-10 (stretched) 10+ (fragmented)

What tools currently help - and which ones add friction?

3

Reflection & Discipline

How often do you reflect on how you work, not just what you produce?

Daily - structured practice Weekly - regular check-ins Occasionally - when prompted Rarely - output focus

Describe a time when simplifying your approach led to better results.

What is harder for you: starting, prioritizing, or stopping?

Starting - resistance to begin Prioritizing - too many options Stopping - can't let go

4

Experimental Readiness

Are you comfortable participating in an experiment where outcomes (including earnings) are uncertain?

Yes - uncertainty is part of learning Yes - cautious but willing Depends - need more clarity No - prefer defined outcomes

Can you commit to weekly check-ins for 8-12 weeks?

Check-ins are brief (10-15 min) but essential for research validity.

Yes - I can commit confidently Yes - it's a stretch but doable Uncertain - depends on timing No - can't commit consistently

What would you want future participants to learn from your involvement?

5

Integrity Check

This question matters. Honest self-awareness is essential for research quality. There's no "right" answer - but there are revealing ones.

What would tempt you to "game" a productivity metric - and how would you resist it?

Everyone faces this temptation. We're interested in your awareness of it.

If this experiment fails to produce any economic value, would you still consider the time worthwhile?

Yes - the learning would be valuable Maybe - depends on other outcomes No - I need tangible returns

Is there anything else we should know about you or your situation?

Optional. Context helps us understand fit.

6

Contact Information

Full Name

Email Address

LinkedIn Profile (optional)

Helps us understand your professional context.

I confirm that I am 18 years of age or older. I understand that participation is limited to adults only.

I understand this is an experimental research cohort with uncertain outcomes. I've read the Participation Agreement and Research Manifesto.

Cohort Size: Limited to 25-50 participants
Review Period: Applications reviewed weekly
Response Time: 5-7 business days

Application Received

Thank you for your thoughtful responses. We review applications weekly and will be in touch within 5-7 business days.