Make Time

What does Make Time look like in everyday life? Here’s a peek at what our CEO Connor Swenson's calendar looks like most days. It’s fun to see how many Make Time tactics can fit into your day. But here's the thing — this is after years of experimentation. When you’re starting, don’t stress about using them all at once ??. Over time, they’ll integrate more easily into your day. Some tactics he loves that don’t even show up on his calendar are: ?? Try a Distraction-Free Phone (#17) ??? Skip the Morning Check-In (#23) ??Wake Up Before you Caffeinate (#70) The goal is simple: do what works best for you. ?? Ps. Check out Jake & John's calendar in the comments! – ??? ?? Join our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers for more tactics to your inbox https://lnkd.in/dBbcigfy

“I’ve got too much on my plate” “My calendar is back-to-back” We know the feeling… It's a symptom of the "Busy Bandwagon" culture we're living in. The best way to avoid feeling overwhelmed is to say “no” to low-priority requests and not accept them in the first place. Over the years, we’ve heard about many tricky techniques for deflecting requests, making up excuses, or deferring indefinitely. But they don’t feel good, and they’re not honest. Or even worse, they delay the hard decision and it weighs on you for weeks. Better to tell the truth. The easiest way to put this into practice? Come up with a few simple scripts that you save so you can re-use them and not have to reinvent the wheel every time you have to decline a request. Check out 3 scripts I use in the carousel below?? – ??? ?? Join our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers for more tactics to your inbox https://lnkd.in/dBbcigfy

Most people hate deadlines. But you can use deadlines in a positive, proactive way. The truth is that nothing is better for focus than a good deadline. When someone is expecting work from you, or there is a penalty for being late (hello, taxes), it seems like “Laser Mode” (that state of focus we all know) just appears. But the problem with deadlines is that they normally only exist for those things you NEED to do, not necessarily what you WANT to do. Here's our solution: We call it “Invent a Deadline” (Tactic #49) If there is something you want to do, but perhaps you are procrastinating getting started, or you are letting perfectionism stop you from getting it done… Then “Invent A Deadline!” Wanna run more? Register for a 5K run. Wanna cook more? Invite your friends over for a homemade pasta dinner before you’ve learned how to make it. Wanna paint more? Sign up to exhibit at an art show before you’ve painted the pictures. If it’s a project or task at work, you can tell a teammate and ask them to check-in with you by a certain date. Or volunteer to present the project at an upcoming meeting, and you’ll be sure to get Laser-focused on getting it complete. This is a tactic that can be used in so many different ways. What’s something you have been putting off? How can you invent a deadline to help make it happen? ?? Have you tried this? Let us know in Comments Ps. Check out this video from our CEO Connor Swenson – Join our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers for more tactics to your inbox https://lnkd.in/dBbcigfy

We work with a lot of teams through our Make Time at Work program to help create new defaults around how work gets done. Emails, chat apps, and video calls can often feel overwhelming and frequently disrupt your focus. ?? This is why we recommend establishing a “Contact Contract” ?? (and no, that’s not a typo ??). It helps set clear guidelines for when, where, and how to communicate, reducing the chaos and helping your team stay focused. Here are our 3 favorite real-world examples from companies at the forefront of solving this challenge. Basecamp (37Signals): Veterans in digital collaboration, with an inspiring Guide to Internal Communication: ??https://lnkd.in/dn4CCyqZ Buffer: Their 10 Slack Agreements can help shape your messaging culture: ??https://lnkd.in/dhUftMmb GitLab: A vanguard in remote work, excelling in asynchronous communication: ??https://lnkd.in/dvJ8pVCV At the beginning, you don’t need as many rules as these companies have!? Often, the best first step is simply starting a conversation with your teammates. From there, plan a few team experiments to see what works best and refine your approach as you go.

Do you often hear your team saying things like: - "I don't know what to prioritize." - "I'm overwhelmed by never-ending to-do lists." - "I'm constantly interrupted and can’t focus." - "Meetings are put on my calendar, and I feel out of control." - "I’m exhausted, stressed, and burned out." Make Time helps employees feel: ?? More engaged. ?? More productive.? ?? Satisfied with their work. After publishing two books (Sprint & Make Time), running hundreds of experiments, and working with 300+ organizations, we’ve developed a simple, 4-part framework that helps employees: ?Focus on their most important daily tasks ? By giving them control over their time and how they prioritize their work. ?Reduce distractions & increase attention? ? By creating boundaries between themselves, technology & other distractions. ?Create a healthier work/life balance ? Allowing them to fully unplug, recharge, and return to work with energy & focus. ?Experience more engagement & fulfillment ? Resulting in more job satisfaction and less frustration & turnover. ?Boost mental & physical energy? ?Leading to more focus & productivity and less stress & burnout. ? Feel less pressure, guilt & anxiety ?By bringing awareness & empathy to the global challenges of time management. Want to get involved? - Make Time Keynote? A fun and fast-paced introduction to Make Time that includes interactive exercises and practical tactics your team can start using right away. ? 1 session (75 min) ? Perfect for larger groups (up to 1,000 live participants) ? Best for quick wins & immediate results - Make Time Workshop Series A 4-part workshop series covering the Make Time framework in detail. Ideal for learning and embedding new habits/routines within a team or company culture. ? 4 sessions (can be spread out over days, weeks, or months) ? Perfect for smaller groups, between 15-40 people ? Best for long-term results & greatest impact – Join our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers to receive Make Time tactics to your inbox https://lnkd.in/dBbcigfy

Feeling overwhelmed by endless to-do lists? Do you often find yourself spinning your wheels on tasks that don’t really matter? It’s time to take a deep breath and discover the power of the Highlight method from the Make Time book. Join our free workshop: “The Highlight Method: How to Focus on What Matters Most” ?? Date: Wednesday, September 25, 5:00 - 6:00 PM (WEST) In this fun, engaging, and practical session, you’ll learn how to master the art of focusing on what truly matters. ???????? ??????’???? ??????????:? ? How to cut through daily distractions ? How to focus on what’s most important ? How to transform your daily routine ?????? ???????????? ????????????:? Whether you’re a busy professional, a multitasking entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to gain more control over your day, this webinar is for you. ???????? ???? ????????????:? In just one hour, you’ll gain actionable strategies that will help you take control of your time. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with practical tools to transform your routine. Sign up here:? https://lu.ma/2mai4m5g Looking forward to seeing you there!

Ever feel like emails, chat apps, or even video calls can be overwhelming and constantly hijack your focus? ?? Every time you “check in,” your brain has to reboot, costing valuable time and focus. Our advice? Try this tactic: Create a “Contact Contract” with your team. ?? It's not an actual contract you need to sign. It’s a shared understanding of when, where, and how to communicate effectively. For example, you might agree that urgent matters warrant a phone call, while routine updates can be handled via email. Maybe you decide that chat is great for quick questions, but longer discussions should be saved for meetings. Consider factors like: ? Timeliness: How quickly does this need a response? ?? Thoughtfulness: Does this require deep thinking or a quick reply? ?? Interruption: Will this disrupt someone's focus? ?? Synchronicity: Do we need to discuss this in real-time or can it be asynchronous? By establishing these guidelines, you can reduce communication clutter and help everyone on your team work more effectively. So, why not give it a try? Sit down with your team this week and draft your own contact contract. – Join our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers for more tactics to your inbox https://lnkd.in/dBbcigfy

Want to know what our readers like so much about Make Time? ?? Actionable Advice: Clear, easy-to-implement steps that make a real impact. ?? Engaging Format: Personal stories and callouts make reading enjoyable. ?? Simple, Effective Tactics: Simple yet powerful tips that lead to big improvements. ?? Distraction Reduction: Helps identify and eliminate everyday distractions for better focus. A huge thank you to our incredible readers for your overwhelming support ???? Scroll down to check out those amazing reviews from Goodreads! – Join our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers to receive Make Time tactics straight to your inbox https://lnkd.in/dBbcigfy

Thank you to our incredible readers for such positive feedback ???? We are thrilled to know our book has made a meaningful impact on your lives. Your praises highlight: ?? Actionable steps ?? Practical advice ?? The focus on what truly matters Scroll below to read those glowing reviews.? – Want to receive Make Time tactics straight to your inbox? Join our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers https://lnkd.in/dBbcigfy

We asked 20,000 readers from over 50 countries, "What do you want to make time for?" The enthusiasm in your responses has been truly inspiring. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts ?? After sifting through all the responses, here are the top 3 things our readers want to make time for ?? —- ???? Want to receive Make time tactics straight to your inbox? Join our 20,000+ newsletter subscribers https://lnkd.in/dBbcigfy