BOOK SUMMARY
Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky is a practical guide to reclaiming your attention in an age of endless distractions. Written by two former Google and YouTube designers, the book shares a framework for creating more meaningful, focused days — not by doing more, but by doing what truly matters.
Their system centers on four steps: Highlight, Laser, Energize, and Reflect.
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Highlight: Choose one key task or moment to prioritize each day.
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Laser: Cut out distractions and protect your attention.
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Energize: Take care of your body and mind to sustain focus.
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Reflect: Learn from what worked and what didn’t to continuously improve.
The authors reject rigid productivity systems in favor of flexibility, experimentation, and self-awareness. Each chapter includes small, actionable ideas designed to help you find balance, beat distraction, and make time for what’s truly important — work, creativity, or personal life.
Ultimately, Make Time is about designing your day intentionally so that you live with purpose, not autopilot.
HOW IS THIS RELEVANT
This book is perfect for side hustlers and creators trying to balance passion projects with busy lives. It shows how to carve out time for what truly moves your business forward — even when your schedule feels packed.
By focusing on one meaningful goal each day and cutting out distractions, you build steady momentum without burnout. The strategies in Make Time help you stay consistent, energized, and creative while pursuing your long-term vision.