Chris Bailey, a recent college graduate, embarked on a year-long experiment in productivity, conducting rigorous tests on himself to optimize efficiency. He limited his smartphone usage to one hour per day for three months, found that meditation strengthened his attention muscle, and discovered the importance of building new habits in small pieces. His experiments also revealed that taking breaks from work and being kind to oneself are crucial for achieving peak productivity. By focusing on three core elements - Attention, Energy, and Time - Bailey was able to reach a state of optimal productivity, which he shared through his blog and interviews with experts.