Make Time - critical summary review

​​The book encourages readers to prioritize their day by selecting a single “highlight”—a task that is personally meaningful and should take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. The next step is to stay laser-focused on this highlight by eliminating distractions. It emphasizes the importance of energizing the body through regular exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep to maintain mental and physical focus. Finally, it encourages reflection on the day to assess what worked and what didn’t, allowing readers to adjust their strategies and continuously improve their approach to managing time and energy.

Unlike traditional productivity books that often make readers feel like they must adopt a rigid system or hustle constantly, “Make Time” inspires a more flexible, compassionate approach to managing time. The authors provide a diverse set of 87 tactics, but, rather than presenting them as mandatory, they invite readers to experiment and pick what works best for them. This approach is especially appealing to those who have tried other productivity systems but found them overwhelming or unsustainable.

A simple system for prioritizing what matters most

The authors present a four-step system designed to help people regain control over their daily lives and focus on what truly matters. These four steps are: Highlight, Laser, Energize, and Reflect, each of which plays a critical role in creating more space for meaningful activities. The first step, Highlight, is about starting each day with one primary task or activity that becomes the main focus for the day. This "highlight" can be anything that brings value, satisfaction, or joy.

The second step, Laser, is about staying focused and minimizing distractions. In today’s world, distractions are everywhere—social media, constant emails, and the 24-hour news cycle all compete for our attention. The third step, Energize, focuses on maintaining the energy needed to stay productive and engaged throughout the day. The authors highlight that physical well-being directly impacts mental clarity and focus. This step emphasizes the importance of taking care of your body through regular exercise, good nutrition, quality sleep, and relaxation.

The final step, Reflect, encourages you to take a few moments at the end of the day to look back and evaluate how things went. Did you manage to focus on your highlight? How was your energy throughout the day? What went well, and what could be improved? By reflecting on your day, you can identify which tactics worked for you and make adjustments for the future.

Throughout “Make Time,” the authors also offer many practical tactics for implementing these four steps. These tactics range from simple strategies, like writing down your highlight each morning, to more specific techniques, like batching small tasks together or creating a personal "sprint" to work on a project for several days in a row. The key message is to experiment with these tactics and find what works best for you. The authors stress that there’s no need to aim for perfection. Instead, the goal is to be intentional with your time and flexible enough to adjust as needed.

The central idea of “Make Time” is that it’s not about doing more but about doing what matters most. The authors argue that constantly trying to be more productive and checking off tasks on a never-ending to-do list doesn’t lead to fulfillment. Instead, it often creates a blur of busy days that slip by without leaving a meaningful impact. By focusing on a daily highlight and intentionally making time for it, you can slow down, experience more joy, and find satisfaction in the moments that matter most.

Breaking free from the scroll — reclaiming your attention in a digital world

The authors highlight how a distraction-free phone can make a huge difference in reclaiming focus and energy. They argue that by removing apps that suck us into an endless scroll or constant checking, such as Facebook, Instagram, or email, we can cut down on unnecessary distractions and reduce the mental noise that drains us. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by notifications, they recommend disabling them, logging out of apps, and simplifying your phone by only keeping the tools that are actually useful, like maps, weather apps, and music.

They also explain how small habits, like the morning "check-in" with your phone, can be harmful. Many people start their day by checking social media or emails, which leads them into a reactive mindset instead of a focused, proactive one. The authors suggest delaying this habit to preserve the calm, undistracted state that comes with the morning. Another strategy they discuss is logging out of apps when you're done using them, making it a little more difficult to fall into the temptation of checking them again.

Knapp and Zeratsky also focus on the importance of managing notifications. They recommend turning off almost all notifications except for the truly important ones, like text messages or calendar reminders. This simple change can help reduce the mental clutter and allow you to focus on your priorities. They also suggest clearing your phone’s home screen or keeping it blank so that when you unlock it, there’s no temptation to open apps mindlessly. The idea is to create a small pause—a moment of reflection—before using your phone, which can help break the cycle of distraction.

One of the key ideas the authors share is the concept of "distraction kryptonite"—that one app or activity that you just can’t resist. For some, it’s social media; for others, it might be an endless news feed or a specific app. They encourage people to identify this kryptonite and take action to block it. For example, you can log out of these apps or even remove them temporarily from your phone to reduce the urge to check them. This can be an eye-opening experience, as many people find that once they remove their distractions, they actually feel happier and more in control of their time.

They also recommend that people stop obsessively following the news, which often creates unnecessary stress and anxiety. The authors suggest reading the news only once a week instead of checking it daily, as most of what happens in the news won’t directly impact your life in the short term. By cutting down on daily news consumption, you can focus on what really matters to you rather than getting caught up in a cycle of fear, outrage, or distraction.

Eliminating distractions to prioritize what matters

The authors provide a set of strategies designed to help individuals regain control of their time, minimize distractions, and focus on what matters most. They emphasize the importance of managing email effectively, starting with the recommendation to tackle it at the end of the day instead of allowing it to disrupt the prime hours of the morning when you're most alert. By scheduling specific email time and creating a routine, you can avoid the trap of constantly checking and reacting to incoming messages, which can pull you away from your most important tasks.

The authors suggest a weekly goal of emptying your inbox, treating email as if it were old-fashioned mail, and responding slowly to maintain focus on your “highlight.” A key concept introduced is the idea of resetting expectations with colleagues and others by letting them know that you're prioritizing important projects and making it clear that urgent issues should be sent via text. They also discuss setting up a "send-only" email account to prevent constant notifications and interruptions, as well as the value of taking vacations off the grid to disconnect fully from work.

They further explore how to adjust your relationship with technology to regain control over your time. They specifically address the impact of TV, a major distraction for many, and propose strategies such as limiting TV time to special occasions, using a projector instead of a TV, or switching to an à la carte model for streaming services. These strategies are designed to help break the habit of watching TV mindlessly and to reclaim hours that would otherwise be spent in front of the screen.

They also discuss the importance of "Laser mode," a focused state of attention where you devote your full energy to a single task and offer tactics for maintaining that focus, such as setting visible timers, using music as a cue to enter “Laser mode,” and shutting doors to signal to yourself and others that you need uninterrupted time. The authors highlight the importance of minimizing distractions, emphasizing that even something as simple as setting up a timer can significantly improve your productivity by making time feel tangible.

Small habits, big impact — optimizing energy and focus daily

The authors discuss the power of exercise, particularly the benefits of a short, daily routine, such as a twenty-minute workout. This approach counters the common perception that exercise must be intense or lengthy to be effective. They stress that smaller, manageable doses of movement—whether it's walking, running, or even just a few minutes of activity—are more sustainable and can still offer substantial benefits for mental clarity and physical health. Furthermore, a shift in mindset from the “all-or-nothing” mentality toward one that celebrates daily progress, even if it doesn’t always meet the traditional standards of exercise.

The authors also suggest simple ways to incorporate movement into everyday tasks, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, using a suitcase without wheels to add a bit of strength training, or even opting to walk instead of driving for short distances. These "inconveniences" make the process of staying active more automatic and accessible without the need for a gym or structured workout time. They also highlight the benefits of walking, an often-underestimated form of exercise that can help reduce stress, increase creativity, and improve mood.

In the realm of eating habits, the authors suggest a more primal approach, advocating for the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meats. They stress that eating real food, as opposed to processed alternatives, can significantly improve energy levels and overall health. Additionally, they promote the idea of intermittent fasting, pointing out that giving the body periods of time without food can sharpen focus and improve cognitive performance, though they recognize this may not be suitable for everyone.

Lastly, the authors talk about the importance of taking breaks from technology and embracing quiet moments to recharge. They encourage leaving headphones at home during walks or commutes to allow the brain some quiet time, and they stress the mental benefits of spending time in nature. Drawing on research about the positive effects of “forest bathing” or simply spending time outdoors, they suggest that such experiences can help clear the mind, reduce stress, and replenish cognitive energy. Meditation, too, is presented as a valuable tool, albeit one that might require some creative adjustments for those who find it difficult.

Designing your days for ultimate fulfillment

In these chapters, Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky examine the modern struggle with isolation despite living in a hyperconnected world. They highlight how technology and fast-paced lifestyles have diminished meaningful human interactions. While surrounded by people, most communication happens through screens—texts, emails, and social media—lacking the depth of face-to-face conversations. This disconnection can leave us feeling drained. The authors stress that humans thrive in close-knit communities, much like our ancestors, and that genuine human connections are essential for mental and physical well-being.

To counteract this, Knapp and Zeratsky advocate for nurturing relationships with people who uplift and energize us. They recommend prioritizing real, in-person conversations with those who bring positivity into our lives. Rather than spending time with just anyone, they encourage reaching out to "energy-giving" individuals—friends, family, or colleagues who leave us feeling revitalized.

The chapters also address sleep, noting how modern technology disrupts natural sleep patterns. To improve rest, they suggest keeping electronic devices out of the bedroom and creating a calming environment. Screens, especially before bed, interfere with the brain's ability to wind down. To counteract this, they recommend dimming lights in the evening and using night mode on devices to reduce blue light exposure. These simple adjustments help signal the body that it's time to rest.

Finally, the authors introduce the concept of "Put on your own oxygen mask first." Borrowed from airplane safety instructions, this metaphor underscores the importance of self-care. To effectively support others—whether family, friends, or colleagues—we must first ensure our own well-being. Prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and activities that recharge us helps prevent burnout and maintain balance.

Throughout these chapters, Knapp and Zeratsky encourage experimenting with small but impactful changes to daily routines. They emphasize that energy management doesn’t require drastic shifts—incremental adjustments can lead to significant improvements. By tracking energy levels, focusing on priorities, and minimizing distractions, readers can regain control of their time. Ultimately, the goal is to be more intentional with energy and attention, fostering a life filled with meaningful activities, relationships, and fulfillment.

Final notes

Unlike most productivity books, “Make Time” offers 87 simple, actionable tips—presented in bite-sized, easy-to-digest sections—that help individuals reclaim focus from the distractions of modern life. These "life hacks" range from the seemingly small, like moving distracting apps off your phone, to the more profound, such as deliberately choosing a "highlight" to focus on each day. The book encourages readers to break free from the endless cycle of to-do lists and instead focus on what truly energizes and aligns with their priorities.

One of the key ideas in the book is to challenge the default mode of living—where time is spent reacting to external demands—and instead create your own structure. Through its engaging anecdotes and humor, “Make Time” offers a highly relatable and accessible guide to achieving more meaningful productivity. It’s not about getting more done but about making time for the activities that matter to you and improving your daily life through thoughtful choices and actions. This book is perfect for anyone looking to break free from the busy, distracted lifestyle and create a more balanced, fulfilling routine.

12min tip

If you’ve ever felt anxious in relationships, struggled with dating, or pulled away from intimacy, “Attached,” by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller, will help you understand your attachment style and provide science-backed tools to improve your connections. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, this book will empower you to build healthier, more fulfilling bonds and break free from unhealthy patterns.