Make Time

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Four Lessons from the Design Sprint Laboratory The first thing we learned was that something magic happens when you start the day with one high-priority goal. Each sprint day, we drew attention to one big focal point: On Monday, the team creates a map of the problem; on Tuesday, each person sketches one solution; on Wednesday, they decide which solutions are best; on Thursday, they build a prototype; and on Friday, they test it. Each day’s goal is ambitious, but it’s just one thing.

This focal point creates clarity and motivation. When you have one ambitious but achievable goal, at the end of the day, you’re done. You can check it off, let go of work, and go home satisfied.

Knapp, Jake; Zeratsky, John. Make Time (p. 15). Crown. Kindle Edition.

Another lesson from our design sprints was that we got more done when we banned devices. Since we set the rules, we were able to prohibit laptops and smartphones, and the difference was phenomenal. Without the constant lure of email and other Infinity Pools, people brought their complete attention to the task at hand, and the default switched to focus.

Knapp, Jake; Zeratsky, John. Make Time (pp. 15-16). Crown. Kindle Edition.

We also learned about the importance of energy for focused work and clear thinking.

Knapp, Jake; Zeratsky, John. Make Time (p. 16). Crown. Kindle Edition.

Highlight

Long-term goals are useful for orienting you in the right direction but make it hard to enjoy the time spent working along the way. And tasks are necessary to get things done, but without a focal point, they fly by in a forgettable haze.

Plenty of self-help gurus have offered suggestions for setting goals and plenty of productivity experts have created systems for getting things done, but the space between has been neglected. We call the missing piece a Highlight.

We want you to begin each day by thinking about what you hope will be the bright spot. If, at the end of the day, someone asks you, “What was the highlight of your day?” what do you want your answer to be? When you look back on your day, what activity or accomplishment or moment do you want to savor?

choosing a Highlight gives you a chance to be proactive about how you spend your time instead of letting technology, office defaults, and other people set your agenda.

The first strategy is all about urgency: What’s the most pressing thing I have to do today?

If you have something that absolutely positively must be accomplished today, make it your Highlight. You often can find urgent Highlights on your to-do list, email, or calendar—look for projects that are time-sensitive, important, and medium-size (in other words, they don’t take ten minutes but don’t take ten hours, either).

The second Highlight strategy is to think about satisfaction: At the end of the day, which Highlight will bring me the most satisfaction?

Look for activities that are not urgent. Instead, consider projects you’ve been meaning to get around to but haven’t quite found the time.

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

A good rule of thumb is to choose a Highlight that takes sixty to ninety minutes. If you spend less than sixty minutes, you might not have time to get in the zone, but after ninety minutes of focused attention, most people need a break. Sixty to ninety minutes is a sweet spot. It’s enough time to do something meaningful, and it’s a reasonable amount of time to create in your schedule. With the tactics in this chapter and throughout the book, we’re confident you can make sixty to ninety minutes for your Highlight.

1. Write It Down 2. Groundhog It (or, “Do Yesterday Again”) 3. Stack Rank Your Life 4. Batch the Little Stuff 5. The Might-Do List 6. The Burner List 7. Run a Personal Sprint

The things you write down are more likely to happen. If you want to make time for your Highlight, start by writing it down.

Knapp, Jake; Zeratsky, John. Make Time (p. 43). Crown. Kindle Edition.

If you didn’t get to your Highlight, it’s probably still important. Repeat for a second chance. If you started your Highlight but didn’t finish it or if your Highlight was part of a bigger project, today is the perfect day to make progress or start a personal sprint (#7). Repeat to build momentum. If you’re establishing a new skill or routine, you’ll need repetition to cement the behavior. Repeat to create a habit. If yesterday’s Highlight brought you joy or satisfaction, hey, there’s nothing wrong with more of that! Repeat to keep the good times rolling.

Knapp, Jake; Zeratsky, John. Make Time (p. 44). Crown. Kindle Edition.

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