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How to Make Time for In-Between Sized Projects
The small stuff needs to get done now. The big stuff is overwhelming. Here’s how to tackle the stuff in the middle.
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.
In their book Make Time, Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky call the missing piece a Highlight.
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?
<aside> 💡 When you look back on your day, what activity or accomplishment or moment do you want to savor? That’s your Highlight.
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They suggest three different criteria to choose your Highlight:
Urgency: What’s the most pressing thing I have to do today?
Satisfaction: At the end of the day, which Highlight will bring me the most satisfaction?
Joy: When I reflect on today, what will bring me the most joy?
Which strategy should you use on any particular day?
The best way to choose a Highlight is to trust your gut to decide whether an urgent, joyful, or satisfying Highlight is best for today.
Your Highlight is not the only thing you’ll do each day. After all, most of us can’t ignore our inboxes or say no to our bosses.
But 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.