Make Time: A Book Review
Why Make Time is one of my favourite books lately, and the specific tactics that instantly made it feel practical: a wristwatch and a distraction-free phone.
Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky is incredible. It’s one of those books that doesn’t just give you ideas, it changes how you think about your days. I finished it feeling genuinely energized, and it easily makes its way into my top 50 (maybe even top 30) of all time.
What Makes It Special
One of the biggest reasons I loved Make Time is that it stays direct. There are 87 tactics, but the book never feels bloated or like it’s trying to impress you with volume. Instead, it’s consistently: here’s an idea, here’s why it matters, and here’s how to try it.
Another standout is the tone. The authors don’t treat this like a mandatory rulebook where you “have to” do everything. Instead, the message feels like: pick what works for you, leave the rest, and build a system that actually fits your life.
The Two-Voice Perspective Works
I also really enjoyed having both authors’ points of view in the same book. They often come at problems from slightly different angles, and the occasional disagreements are genuinely useful. It makes the book feel more honest and less like one perfect worldview that somehow applies to everyone.
It’s easier to reflect, experiment, and adapt when you’re not being forced into a single “right way” of thinking.
Tactics That Stuck With Me
If I had to name the tactics that immediately stuck, it would be:
- Wearing a wristwatch
- Creating a distraction-free phone
The wristwatch tactic is such a simple idea, but it’s powerful because it changes what you reach for throughout the day. The “time-checking” habit becomes intentional, and you stop outsourcing awareness to notifications and endless scrolling.
The distraction-free phone idea also feels like it’s built for real life. Instead of treating focus as something you “just need more willpower” for, it’s about designing an environment where attention is protected by default.
Why I Plan to Re-Read It
I’m going to re-read Make Time soon, because it already feels like I only picked up a slice of what’s in there. There are plenty of tactics I haven’t tried yet, and I want to return with a more practical mindset: less “absorbing,” more “testing.”
Final Thoughts
If you want a book that respects your time, gives you usable tactics without guilt or pressure, and offers multiple perspectives you can actually learn from, Make Time absolutely delivers. It doesn’t ask you to become a different person overnight. It helps you make small, intentional changes that compound.
For me, the biggest takeaway is that it’s not about being busy or productive in theory. It’s about making space for what matters—and doing it in a way that feels realistic.
