Book Review: Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

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Making Time for What Matters

In today’s world, we’re consumed with what the authors of ‘Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day’, Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, call the ‘Busy Bandwagon’. In short, our culture of constant busyness. The continuous distraction from apps and other sources.

The overflowing inboxes, stuffed calendars, and endless to-do lists. The never-ending replenishing content, known as ‘Infinity Pools’.
And what’s the result? People vacillating between running around like chickens with their heads cut off and running around like ghosts escaping into screens.

About the Book

There is a way to create more time in your day for the things that matter. In fact, Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky discuss 87 ways.
The book follows a four-pronged framework:

  1. Start each day by choosing a focal point (“Highlight”).
  2. Beat distraction to make time for your Highlight (“Laser”).
  3. Take care of your body to recharge your brain (“Energize”).
  4. Adjust and improve your system every day (“Reflect”).

About the Authors

The authors Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky share a joint 25 years of experience from Google, Google Ventures and YouTube. They are, therefore, well-versed in how distracting social media and email can be. To put it lightly, they are obsessed with the idea of redesigning time! They are also the authors of the New York Times bestseller ‘Sprint’ and the creators of ‘Time Dorks’, a popular newsletter about experiments in Time Management.

John Zeratsky has also recently published a piece in the Harvard Business Review where he provides a list of helpful tips for leaders.  It advocates being deliberate with choices, based mainly on his years of advising startup founders on product, marketing, and management approaches whilst at Google Ventures.  It also draws on his later work studying and experimenting with personal time-management techniques.

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Read for 30, Write for 10, and Teach for 5 minutes for greater learning retention

 

Final Thoughts

Does their framework work? From the early reports from those using it, the answer seems to be a resounding yes! Readers are reporting greater competency in priority setting. They are focussing more on their real work and they are exerting greater control over (or less interest in) distractions. Consequently, they are experiencing greater satisfaction in their professional and personal lives.

Book cover of 'Make Time' by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky
A unique and engaging read about a proven habit framework to apply each day

 

Action: For even more useful content on time management, check out our ultimate guide on Time Management skills.

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