Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

Summary

'Make Time' by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky offers a practical system for prioritizing what truly matters each day, cutting through distractions and busyness. The authors, former Google designers, present an approachable framework to help readers take control of their time using tools like the 'Highlight,' 'Laser,' 'Energize,' and 'Reflect.' With actionable strategies and real-life anecdotes, 'Make Time' empowers readers to focus their attention, break unhelpful habits, and make small changes with big impacts on productivity and satisfaction.

Life-Changing Lessons

1. Prioritizing a single daily 'Highlight' helps ensure you're always focusing on what matters most, rather than reacting to distractions.

2. Building barriers against constant digital interruptions is crucial for creating deep focus and meaningful progress.

3. Reflection and iteration—consistently reviewing what works and what doesn’t—lead to continual improvement in personal productivity.

Publishing year and rating

The book was published in: 2018

AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 88

Practical Examples

1. Highlight Each Day

   Every morning, choose one key activity—the 'Highlight'—to focus your energy and attention on. This practice ensures you proactively select your priority, preventing it from being hijacked by other people's agendas or distractions.

2. Make Technology Less Attractive

   Design your environment to minimize distractions by making technology, apps, and notifications less tempting. This may include logging out of social media, moving apps off your home screen, or turning your phone to grayscale.

3. Distraction-Free Zone

   Set aside specific blocks of time where all notifications are disabled and distractions are minimized. For instance, you might use 'Do Not Disturb' mode or work in a different setting to reinforce deep work periods.

4. Batch Small Tasks

   Group similar minor tasks together and tackle them all at once, rather than letting them interrupt your main highlight. This reduces mental switching costs and keeps you focused on your top priority.

5. Daily Reflection

   At the end of each day, reflect on what worked well and what didn’t, helping you fine-tune your approach and build effective routines over time.

6. Energy Management Routines

   Pay attention to your energy levels by integrating movement, healthy eating, and breaks throughout your day. The book offers tips like taking a brisk walk or drinking a glass of water right away to re-energize.

7. Time Blocking

   Deliberately allocate time on your calendar for your highlight and key activities, making sure the most important work is protected from being crowded out by meetings or chores.

8. Say No with Confidence

   Practice respectfully declining low-priority commitments, creating more room in your schedule for meaningful activities, and reducing your tendency to overcommit.