Make Time: How to focus on what matters every day

Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

Last read May 17, 2022

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Highlights

29 highlights.

INTRODUCTION

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Make Time is not about productivity. It’s not about getting more done, finishing your to-dos faster, or outsourcing your life. Instead, it’s a framework designed to help you actually create more time in your day for the things you care about, whether that’s spending time with your family, learning a language, starting a side business, volunteering, writing a novel, or mastering Mario Kart.

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In the twenty-first century, two very powerful forces compete for every minute of your time. The first is what we call the Busy Bandwagon. The Busy Bandwagon is our culture of constant busyness—the overflowing inboxes, stuffed calendars, and endless to-do lists.

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The second force competing for your time is what we call the Infinity Pools. Infinity Pools are apps and other sources of endlessly replenishing content. If you can pull to refresh, it’s an Infinity Pool. If it streams, it’s an Infinity Pool.

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Four Lessons from the Design Sprint Laboratory

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This focal point creates clarity and motivation. When you have one ambitious but achievable goal, at the end of the day, you’re done. You can check it off, let go of work, and go home satisfied.

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we got more done when we banned devices.

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HOW MAKE TIME WORKS

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Make Time Is Just Four Steps, Repeated Every Day

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The first step is choosing a single highlight to prioritize in your day. Next, you’ll employ specific tactics to stay laser-focused on that highlight—we’ll offer a menu of tricks to beat distraction in an always-connected world. Throughout the day, you’ll build energy so you can stay in control of your time and attention. Finally, you’ll reflect on the day with a few simple notes.

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Highlight: Start Each Day by Choosing a Focal Point

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Asking yourself “What’s going to be the highlight of my day?” ensures that you spend time on the things that matter to you and don’t lose the entire day reacting to other people’s priorities.

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Laser: Beat Distraction to Make Time for Your Highlight

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Energize: Use the Body to Recharge the Brain

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Reflect: Adjust and Improve Your System

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The Make Time Tactics: Pick, Test, Repeat

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No Perfection Required

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The “Everyday” Mindset

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What Will Be the Highlight of Your Day?

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Research shows that the way you experience your days is not determined primarily by what happens to you. In fact, you create your own reality by choosing what you pay attention

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Three Ways to Pick Your Highlight

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Urgency

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What’s the most pressing thing I have to do today?

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Satisfaction

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At the end of the day, which Highlight will bring me the most satisfaction?

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Joy

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When I reflect on today, what will bring me the most joy?

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Trust Your Gut to Choose the Best Highlight

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A good rule of thumb is to choose a Highlight that takes sixty to ninety minutes. If you spend less than sixty minutes, you might not have time to get in the zone, but after ninety minutes of focused attention, most people need a break.

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