Mark is a world-renowned thought leader on focus & performance. With books translated into 20 languages and more than 1,600 keynotes delivered across the globe, he is one of the most in-demand speakers for Fortune 1000 companies and leading organizations. Every keynote is custom-tailored to the goals of your event and the needs of your audience.
Why You Should Book Mark for Your Event
Mark Tigchelaar is a high-impact choice for organisations seeking more than a motivational talk. His work sits at the intersection of cognitive psychology, real-world performance and lived experience, giving audiences practical tools, not just inspiration. With more than 1,600 keynotes delivered worldwide, bestselling books translated into 20 languages, and extensive experience working with global organisations, Mark consistently delivers evidence-based insights that are immediately applicable. He is particularly effective for audiences facing distraction, decision overload and performance pressure, helping leaders and teams think more clearly, prioritise better and perform sustainably in demanding environments.
Mark is available for: Keynotes – Masterclasses – Virtual Events
Most booked keynote
Regaining Focus and Performance in a Distracted World
We are interrupted hundreds of times a day, often without noticing it. The cost shows up in slower decision-making, lower productivity, rising stress and teams that are busy but not effective.
In this keynote, Mark Tigchelaar explains why distraction has become one of the biggest performance drains in modern organisations and what leaders and teams can do about it. Drawing on cognitive psychology, neuroscience research and more than 20 years of real-world application, Mark shows how attention actually works under pressure and why most common productivity advice fails.
What sets this keynote apart is Mark’s combination of science and lived experience. Beyond academic research, he has tested focus in extreme conditions himself, including training with the Dutch Navy SEALs, climbing Mont Blanc with no prior mountaineering experience, and making high-stakes decisions during a skydiving malfunction. These experiences inform practical strategies that work not just in theory, but in demanding, high-pressure environments.
Audiences leave with a clear understanding of how distraction erodes performance, how to protect attention in fast-paced workplaces, and how to build the mental discipline needed to think clearly, prioritise effectively and perform consistently in a distracted world.
After the keynote:
- You experience less stress
- You get into flow more easily
- You have more energy throughout the day
- You can stop intrusive thoughts
- You stay productive in an open office environment
How High Performers Actually Perform: The Neuroscience Behind Sustainable Results
Most performance problems are not caused by a lack of effort. They’re caused by working in ways the brain was never designed to sustain.
In this keynote, Mark Tigchelaar breaks down what neuroscience tells us about how the brain manages energy, motivation, decision-making and performance over time. Drawing on cognitive psychology, long-term research and two decades of work with high-performing organisations, he explains why common performance strategies often lead to fatigue, inconsistency and diminishing returns.
This keynote goes beyond productivity tips. Mark shows how high performers structure their work, thinking and recovery so they can deliver consistently without burning out. He combines scientific insight with practical application, shaped by years of testing performance principles in real-world conditions, including extreme physical and cognitive challenges where focus, energy management and decision quality are non-negotiable.
Audiences gain a clear framework for:
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sustaining high performance without overloading the brain
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reducing hidden energy drains that undermine output and engagement
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building habits and working patterns that support long-term results
The outcome is not short-term intensity, but repeatable performance: clearer thinking, better decisions and teams that can perform at a high level over time.
After the keynote:
- You achieve more in less time
- You experience higher levels of flow
- You recover faster after stress
- You beat procrastination
- You feel more in control and calm
Leading with Focus: How Leaders Make Better Decisions Under Pressure
Leaders don’t just manage workloads. They manage attention. And in complex organisations, poor prioritisation at the top quickly becomes noise, overload and inefficiency across teams.
In this keynote, Mark Tigchelaar focuses on how leaders think, decide and prioritise when demands compete for attention. Drawing on cognitive psychology and years of work with senior leaders, he explains how the brain processes urgency, why leaders are pulled into reactive mode, and how this undermines judgement, clarity and strategic focus.
Rather than offering generic time-management advice, Mark shows leaders how to design their decision-making environment so attention is spent where it has the greatest impact. He combines scientific insight with lived experience, shaped by testing focus and leadership under pressure in extreme conditions where poor decisions carry real consequences.
Leaders leave with practical ways to:
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distinguish what feels urgent from what actually matters
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reduce decision fatigue and cognitive overload
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create focus-driven leadership behaviours that cascade through teams
The outcome is not just personal productivity, but stronger leadership signal, better decisions and teams that operate with more clarity, confidence and effectiveness.
After the keynote:
- You understand how focus works
- You know how to increase team focus
- Your organization operates more smoothly
- Teams get more done
Masterclasses
If you’re looking for a more in-depth exploration, consider booking a masterclasses. These interactive sessions go beyond the keynote, offering space for discussion and practical application. Sessions last 2–4 hours and can be tailored to your goals. Mark has extensive experience with both board-level and large-group workshops.
Virtual Events
If you’re planning a virtual event, Mark also delivers high-impact online keynotes and sessions from a professional broadcast studio. These virtual experiences are fully interactive and designed to engage remote audiences just as effectively as in-person events, with content tailored to your organisation’s goals and audience.
COMPLIMENTARY
The Implementation Package
When you book Mark Tigchelaar, you don’t just get an inspiring keynote — you get real, lasting results. His talks are science-based and packed with insights that have been tested and proven in practice. To maximize the impact of his keynotes, every participant receives complimentary access to The Implementation Package.
Clients who came before you
See Mark at work?
Keynote at the Getting Things Done Summit
How to thrive in the age of distractions
Mark's expertise is suitable for events about
Mark shares the latest findings from science and translates them into practical insights.
