Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day – Book Review

How can you “slow down” and allow more time for the things you are truly passionate about? Make Time is a fascinating contribution to the discussion about focus and energy in daily life. Written by Jake Knapp, a former Microsoft software engineer, and John Zeratsky, an investor and designer, Make Time is a manifesto to help readers achieve more without losing control.

Make Time is divided into four main parts – Highlight, Lazer, Energise and Reflect. These provide a powerful lens through which to analyse time and how you are spending it. Each section contains useful tips and tools that the reader can quickly implement, giving them a quick sense of progress.

One example of this is to become a “morning person’. The start of the day is commonly our most productive window. Our environment tends to be quieter, with fewer distractions and interruptions. For some people, this will be a challenge (unless you have young children!). However, it changed the life of John Zeratsky, one of the authors.

“It didn’t come naturally to me… But I was fascinated by the potential of mornings. Those early hours seemed like a gift… I traded a typical night-owl schedule—up ’til midnight or later, staring at a screen, writing, doing design work, coding—for an uncommon routine where I go to sleep early, wake up early, and get a lot of work done in those quiet morning hours.”

Another useful tip from Make Time is to “quit when you’re done.” Here, the authors highlight humans’ tendency to try and squeeze more out of ourselves at the end of the day. However, this is typically the point when our work productivity declines. Rather than starting a big new task, congratulate yourself on a job well done and move on to something energising.

Knapp and Zeratsky rightly highlight that our culture is heavily influenced by the “busy bandwagon” belief – i.e. the busier you are, the more you are doing something right. However, busyness is not the same as productivity. However, it is far better to live intentionally – focusing on daily highlights or “big wins”, such as quality time with a loved one. Or a big task finished.

Before your day begins, consider defining your highlight for that day. What do you want to achieve? Answering this question gives you the best opportunity to experience a peak moment, which helps to prevent your days and weeks from turning into a blur of busy distractions.

Make Time is a compelling reminder that our days are best spent focusing on what is significant, urgent and joyful. Knapp and Zeratsky provide practical steps to help readers make each day count, avoiding the “infinity pools” and busy bandwagon. We commend this book to you!