Why Working Less Grew This Firm 492%: The 3.3 Rule (with John Briggs)

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Catalytic Leadership Podcast, Dr. William Attaway sits down with John Briggs, CPA, founder and CEO of Incite Tax & Accounting and author of Take Breaks, Work Better. John shares the 2 a.m. moment that forced him to confront hustle culture head-on, the research behind human focus cycles, and the framework he now calls the 3.3 rule: work up to three hours, then take a 30 percent recovery break. Since implementing it, his firm has grown 492 percent while holding a 42-hour work week during tax season, the industry's busiest and most burnout-prone stretch. John and William unpack why founders who centralize every decision cannot sell what they've built, how the 3.3 rule protects both output and family life, and what it actually takes to build a leadership team that runs without you. Connect with John Briggs: therealjohnbriggs.com linkedin.com/in/therealjohnbriggs Book & free tools: takebreaksworkbetter.com Chapters 00:00 Welcome John Briggs 00:47 From accountant to firm leader: John's journey 02:51 Why hoarding decisions kills your business 06:09 The hustle culture wake up call behind the book 08:31 The 2am moment that changed everything 11:31 The science behind a 492% growth story 14:41 The hidden cost of the 8 hour workday 16:41 Your brain's natural focus and distraction cycle 17:56 Inside the 3.3 rule 20:38 What changed personally: presence, health, freedom 24:49 Redefining success beyond hustle culture 26:00 Where to find John and his book Apply now to be a part of the High Capacity Leaders mastermind in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 9-10, 2026. Go to https://westpalm.highcapacityleaders.org/ for more information. Check out Dr. William Attaway's new show, The Appreciation at Work Podcast!   Join Dr. William Attaway on the Catalytic Leadership podcast as he shares transformative insights to help high-performance entrepreneurs and agency owners achieve Clear-Minded Focus, Calm Control, and Confidence. Free 30-Minute Discovery Call: Ready to elevate your business? Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Dr. William Attaway and start your journey to success. Connect with Dr. William Attaway: Website LinkedIn Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube