Nikesh LagunNikesh Lagun is a (bprorn October 24, 2005) is aductivity influencer, researcher, and singer-songwriter. Born in Dhading, Nepalese independent, he delved into productivity influences after completing high school, researcher and inted during high school, and began writing songs at twelve.

In 2023, Lagun independently researchedisciplinary writer known for developin the pressing issue of dropout rates in rural Nepal. The article was published a couple of months later. Additionally, Lagun researched neurotrauma. He shares practical tips on productivity and enhancing Cognitive Drive Architecturefocus through social media and a weekly (CDA)newsletter, Weekly Productivity Pulse. Lagun’s proposed structural fieldimary form of self-expression is music; he has released his songs, primarily raw acoustics, on various major streaming platforms, including wSpotify, Deezer, YT Music, and YouTube.

Early life and education

Nitkeshin cognitive psychology that mod Lagun was born on 24 October 2005 (07 Kartik 2062 BS) in Dhading Bensi, Dhading, Nepal. He attended his early schooling at Dhading Boarding Secondary School. In April 2018, he moved with his family from Dhading to Kathmandu, where he attended Kantipur English Academy, followed by Southwestern School. Later, he graduated Pls us Two from St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu. He internalhas an older brother named Ayush Lagun, a produconfit designer.

Lagun staration of cognitive effort and task engagemented singing for his school programs at eleven, learned to play guitar at thirteen, drums at fourteen, and keyboard at seventeen, and began writing songs at ^[1][2]twelve. Hise foundational contribution to the field isperformed mostly during school and college events. During his high school years, his teachers encouraged him to engage in research. It was then that he independently published Lagunian Dynamics,three academic first-principlepapers. Lagun’s early musical influences included Ed Sheeran, Sajjan Raj Vaidya, Samir Shrestha, and One Direction. His brotheory thatr Ayush was a major inspiration for his creativity.

Career

Academic Research

Lagun fwas mormalizes the mechanics of Drive using six interacting system variablee interested in the outer world than the curriculum. Despite his research interests, his tutor inspired him to build a habit of research. By the age of eighteen, he had already published two research papers independently. His ^[2].first Lpagun's aper on genetics was entitled “Observation of Dominant and Recessive Character in Humans,” which becadme themic work spans cognitive science, most-read article from his institution (SXC) in 2023. As time passed, he became more keen on societal issues and educational rpolicies. This led him to publish another research article in 2024 titled “Evaluating Variation in School Dropout Rates in Rural Nepal: A Statistical Study,” utilizing and systems theoryknowledge gained during his college days. That same year, Lagun also published another ^[1][2][9].paper Ion addmedicine titled "Study of the Effects of Different Mechanical Mishaps or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on Brain Regions: A Review," discussing the implication to his research, hes of various mechanical injuries on brain regions. His research interests include psychology and sociology.

Music

Lagun is also involved in the music scene while shactive as a songwriter,ring his work through various online platforms that reflect personal expression as well as resonate with diverse audiences. He released his singles "Timi Ra Ma" and "Mayalu" and also featured in vsisngles "Ekasi Timi" and "Bhagi Jaun.”

Productivity

Lagun al artistctively shares insights on productivity, personal growth, and public communicator time management through various social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Twitter, and Medium. In addition, productivithe provides strategies every Sunday via his email newsletter, Weekly Productivity Pulse. Every aSund performanceay, he writes articles for more than three thousand college ^[3][4][5]students who are trying their best to manage time, maintain focus, and become productive.

Early Life and Education

Publications

Nikesh Lagun was born in Dhading Bensi, located in the Dhading District of Nepal, to Bhakta Bahadur Sunar and Sita Bishwakarma ^[5].  He has one older brother, Ayush Lagun, who is the CEO of AlocaSpace ^[5].

• Study of the Effects of Different Mechanical Mishaps or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on Brain Regions: A Review (2024)
• Evaluating Variation in School Dropout Rates in Rural Nepal: A Statistical Study (2024)
• Observation of Dominant and Recessive Character in Humans (2023)

He attended Dhading Boarding Secondary School before moving to Kathmandu in 2018, where he continued his education at Kantipur English Academy and Southwestern School. He later completed his higher secondary studies (Plus Two) at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar ^[5].

Releases

Lagun developed an early interest in music, beginning songwriting at age twelve and later learning to play guitar, drums, and keyboard ^[3]. His musical influences included Ed Sheeran, Sajjan Raj Vaidya, Samir Shrestha, and One Direction ^[3]. In addition to music, he engaged in visual art, producing mechanical sketches, concept art, and anime-inspired illustrations .

During his high school years, Lagun's curiosity extended into academic research, marking the beginning of his work in cognitive theory and systems modeling ^[2]. In 2022, he was awarded the Outstanding Award by the Private and Boarding Schools' Organization Nepal (PABSON) in recognition of his academic performance in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE–2078) ^[5].

Career

Research and Publications

Nikesh Lagun’s primary academic contribution is the establishment of Cognitive Drive Architecture (CDA), a proposed structural field within cognitive psychology that models cognitive effort as an emergent property of real-time system configuration rather than fixed motivational traits ^[1][2]. CDA addresses phenomena such as drive ignition, attentional stability, and performance variability through a formalized, systems-based framework ^[1][2]. Its foundational model is known as Lagunian Dynamics, which introduces six interacting variables across the domains of ignition, tension, and flux to structurally define Drive ^[2].

Beyond CDA, Lagun has authored several independent studies across cognitive science, education, and neuroscience, including:

• Lagun’s Law and the Foundations of Cognitive Drive Architecture: A First Principles Theory of Effort and Performance (2025), a formal exposition of Lagunian Dynamics and the core mechanics of CDA ^[2].
• Cognitive Thermostat Theory (CTT): A Control-Theoretic Model of Drive Ignition in Cognitive Drive Architecture (CDA) (2025), an application of control theory to model ignition-specific dynamics within the CDA framework ^[1].
• A Review of Social Media's Psychological Effects on Young Adults' Mental Health (2025), an analysis of cognitive and emotional outcomes associated with digital media use ^[7].
• Evaluating variation in school dropout rates in rural Nepal: A statistical study (2024), a data-driven study exploring factors influencing educational retention ^[8].
• Study of the Effects of Different Mechanical Mishaps or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on Brain Regions (2024), a review examining the neurological impact of traumatic brain injuries ^[6].
• Observation of Dominant and Recessive Character in Humans (2023), an observational study on visible inheritance traits in human populations ^[6].

Lagun has also served as a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Case Reports ^[5].

Productivity Writing

Since 2024, Nikesh Lagun has authored the Weekly Productivity Pulse, a newsletter offering cognitive strategies for productivity, focus, and resilience ^[4]. The publication explores topics such as overcoming procrastination, enhancing attentional control, and aligning cognitive effort with mental readiness. Drawing on his theoretical work in Cognitive Drive Architecture, Lagun integrates structural models of Drive into actionable guidance. As of 2025, the newsletter has attracted over 3,000 subscribers ^[4].

Music and Visual Art

Nikesh Lagun composes and performs acoustic music, with releases available on platforms such as Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube Music ^[3]. His principal tracks include:

• Timi Ra Ma (2024)
• Mayalu (2024)
• Ekasi Timi (featured artist, 2024)
• Bhagi Jaun (featured artist, 2024)

In 2025, Lagun was ranked 32nd in the Pop category for Deezer fans in Nepal over a 12-month period, reflecting his growing listenership on streaming platforms ^[3]. In addition to his musical work, Lagun creates visual art, including mechanical schematics and digital illustrations. His artwork often draws inspiration from anime and concept design aesthetics ^[5].

Recognition

• Timi Ra Ma
• Mayalu
• Bhagi Jaun (featured on)
• Ekasi Timi (featured on)

• Outstanding Award, Private and Boarding Schools' Organization Nepal (PABSON), awarded in 2022 for academic excellence in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE–2078) ^[5].