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In a world wired for distraction, “Make Time” stands out as a manual for modern-day focus. Written by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, two former Google and YouTube product designers, the book isn’t just about time management — it’s about intention management.

The authors draw from their Silicon Valley backgrounds and personal experiments to offer readers a system for breaking free from the “busy bandwagon” and “infinity pools” — terms they coined to describe the modern obsession with productivity and our constant digital consumption. Rather than hacking your schedule to squeeze in more tasks, Make Time invites you to focus on what truly matters each day, one day at a time.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a creative, or someone simply looking to escape the endless scroll, this book offers actionable tactics backed by behavioral science and real-world testing. It’s not about doing more — it’s about making space for what matters most.

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🔟 Key Lessons from Make Time by Jake Knapp

1. Choose One Daily Highlight

Start each day by identifying your most important task — your Highlight. It should be something that gives you satisfaction or progress, even if everything else gets derailed. One meaningful win per day creates a powerful sense of momentum.

2. Beat Distraction with “Laser Mode”

Laser Mode is a state of deep, focused work. To enter it, eliminate digital distractions by turning off notifications, blocking time-wasting apps, and creating physical barriers when needed. The fewer decisions your brain has to make, the sharper your focus.

3. Redesign Your Environment

Don’t rely on willpower alone. Modify your surroundings to reduce friction and temptation. Simple changes like leaving your phone in another room or setting up a clutter-free workspace can dramatically improve focus.

4. Schedule Energy-Boosting Activities

Energy fuels focus. Build in breaks that recharge you — whether it’s a walk, a workout, or just getting outside. The best time management plans fail if you’re running on empty.

5. Say No to the Busy Bandwagon

The glorification of busyness tricks us into thinking we’re productive. Make Time urges you to question commitments, protect your calendar, and be deliberate with your yeses. Less input, more intention.

6. Control the “Infinity Pools”

Social media, news feeds, and streaming platforms are designed to be endless. Limit or block these pools of distraction by uninstalling apps, setting usage windows, or replacing them with healthier habits.

7. Experiment Like a Scientist

The authors encourage a mindset of constant experimentation. Try one small change at a time, track what works, and adjust. Productivity isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s personal, iterative, and flexible.

8. Use Time Blocking to Own Your Day

Time blocking helps turn intentions into action. Block off space for your Highlight and protect that time like an appointment. You don’t find time — you make it.

9. Reflect and Adjust Regularly

Daily reflection helps identify patterns that either support or sabotage your focus. Use short end-of-day reviews to tweak your strategies, celebrate wins, and improve consistency.

10. Make Focus a Lifestyle, Not a Hack

The real goal isn’t just to be productive, but to live with purpose. When you habitually prioritize what matters, every day becomes more meaningful — not just more efficient.

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Final Thought:
Make Time isn’t a rigid system — it’s a flexible toolkit. It offers a refreshing alternative to hustle culture by helping you align your time with your values. In a world that profits from your distraction, reclaiming your focus is one of the most powerful things you can do.