Make Time: How to focus on what matters every day by John Zeratsky, Jake Knapp

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, yet some people seem to find ways to manage their time and stay productive, while others feel overwhelmed with the amount of work that’s on their plate.

Making the most of your day requires learning how to prioritize your tasks, focus your attention on the important projects, and use your time more efficiently. John Zeratsky, author of “Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day”, provides readers with actionable tips and methods to help you stay organized and productive.

The book starts out by introducing concepts such as “charmed time” and “bling” – a metaphor Zeratsky uses to represent the idea that we need to create focused moments of undistracted attention to truly engage in an activity and be productive.

Zeratsky follows up this introduction by diving into a handful of mechanisms to help readers create these charmed times. The first tool is “the highlight” – an important activity readers are expected to pick each morning and focus on. The goal of having this dedicated project or task is to give readers a direction to work towards each day and to use their energy efficiently.

Next, Zeratsky discusses the importance of energy management, rather than time management. He suggests to take regular breaks and use “fill up” moments – short moments (15-20 minutes) to rest and replenish energy for the day. Reframing the idea of productivity as energy optimization helps readers prioritize rest and relaxation into the daily routine, instead of feeling guilty for taking breaks or putting work on the back burner.

The idea of flow is also explored, which is necessary for focused activities like writing, coding, and playing an instrument. Zeratsky explains how to create a space suited for flow, and eliminate distractions that can be disruptive during an activity.

Another interesting topic covered in the book is the idea of boosting your attention span through “attention tests”. The idea behind this concept is to identify cognitive errors that can lead to mental blocks, distraction, and lack of focus. Zeratsky gives readers strategies that can help increase their attention span without the use of medication or supplements.

In addition to discussing techniques and strategies to increase productivity, Zeratsky explains why it is important to take time for ourselves and focus on mental health. He stresses the importance of actively making time for meaningful conversations, hobbies, and activities that make us happy.

Finally, Zeratsky talks about habits as a form of optimization. We should not try to reinvent the wheel every day, but instead, create routines and automated systems to increase productivity and free up time.

“Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day” is a comprehensive guide to creating productivity and energy optimization. Zeratsky teaches readers to prioritize the tasks that bring us joy and fulfillment, increase their attention span, and create habits that will lead to consistent productivity.