Make Time: How to focus on what matters every day

by Jake Knapp

Being more productive didn’t mean I was doing the most important work; it only meant I was reacting to other people’s priorities faster.

The first thing we learned was that something magic happens when you start the day with one high-priority goal.

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.

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. When you choose a Highlight, you put yourself in a positive, proactive frame of mind.

Perfection is a distraction—another shiny object taking your attention away from your real priorities.

In the words of author James Clear, I was essentially saying, “I’m not good enough yet, but I will be when I reach my goal.”

If you have something that absolutely positively must be accomplished today, make it your Highlight.

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

The third strategy focuses on joy: When I reflect on today, what will bring me the most joy?

You only waste time if you’re not intentional about how you spend it.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a Highlight that takes sixty to ninety minutes.

Projects sit on your Might-Do List until you decide to make them your Highlight and schedule them on your calendar.

The Burner List is intentionally limited. It forces you to acknowledge that you can’t take on every project or task that comes your way.

1. Divide a sheet of paper into two columns.

2. Put your most important project on the front burner.

3. Leave some counter space.

4. Put your second most important project on the back burner.

5. Make a kitchen sink.

1.Think about how much time you want for your Highlight. 2.Think about when you want to do your Highlight. 3.Put your Highlight on the calendar.

Working till exhaustion makes us more likely to fall behind by robbing us of the rest we need to prioritize and do our best work.

Why Infinity Pools Are So Hard to Resist

First, there’s passion for technology.

the second secret ingredient is evolution:

competition is the third secret ingredient

Our caveman brains are the fourth secret ingredient.

Don’t Wait for Technology to Give Back Your Time

Tech companies make money when you use their products.

The best way to defeat distraction is to make it harder to react.

Bottom line: If an app is a tool or if it doesn’t make you twitchy, keep it.

A wristwatch replaces the need to check your phone whenever you want to know the time.

1. Start by identifying why you use a particular app.

2. Next, think about how much time—per day, per week, per month—you want to spend on that activity.

3. Finally, consider when and how you’d like to use that app to achieve your goal.

If your Highlight requires focused work, do yourself a favor and shut the door.

try breaking your Highlight into a list of small, easy-to-do bits.

Instead of reacting to every twitch, write your questions on a piece of paper

And even a pause that lasts only one breath can bring your attention back to where you want it—on your Highlight.

Stare at the blank screen, or switch to paper, or walk around, but keep your focus on the project at hand.

Our thesis is simple: If you have energy, it’s easier to maintain your focus and priorities and avoid reacting to distractions and demands.

If you want energy for your brain, you need to take care of your body.

Go small and go every day—or as close to every day as possible.

JZ often uses walk time to plan and think about his Highlight.

If you change the default from “ride when possible” to “walk when possible,” you’ll see opportunities everywhere.

1. Cook Dinner

2. Take the Stairs

3. Use a Suitcase Without Wheels

What’s interesting in this (at least to us) is that caffeine doesn’t technically give you an energy boost; instead, it blocks you from having an energy dip caused by adenosine-induced sleepiness.

Wake up without caffeine (in other words, get out of bed, eat breakfast, and start the day without any coffee).

Have the first cup between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Have the last cup between 1:30 a...