Daily Highlight Method
Productivity approach from the book Make Time where you choose one priority task or activity as your highlight each day, ensuring it gets protected time and attention regardless of other demands.
Last updated: 2026-03-17 08:54
Overview
The Daily Highlight is the cornerstone of the Make Time methodology by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky. Each day, you proactively choose one activity that will be the highlight of your day.
Three Ways to Choose Your Highlight
Urgency: What's most pressing today? Satisfaction: What will bring the most satisfaction? Joy: What will bring the most joy?
Characteristics of a Good Highlight
- Takes 60-90 minutes
- Single, specific activity
- Something you want to accomplish
- Not just urgent, but also important
- Makes the day feel successful
The Make Time Framework
1. Highlight: Choose your priority 2. Laser: Create focus by beating distraction 3. Energize: Take care of your body and mind 4. Reflect: Adjust and improve your system
Benefits
- Ensures important work gets done
- Provides daily direction and focus
- Creates sense of accomplishment
- Prevents busy but unproductive days
- Reduces stress and overwhelm
- Makes time for what matters
Implementation
Choose Your Highlight:
- Write it down the night before
- Make it specific and concrete
- Schedule protected time for it
- Do it when energy is highest
Protect Your Highlight:
- Block calendar time
- Minimize distractions
- Say no to competing demands
- Complete it before other tasks
Daily Highlight Examples
- Write 500 words on blog post
- Complete project proposal
- Have quality time with family
- Exercise for 30 minutes
- Learn new skill for one hour
- Make progress on passion project
Related Items
168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think
Time management book by Laura Vanderkam arguing that everyone has 168 hours per week and teaching how to audit time usage, eliminate low-value activities, and focus on priorities for a fulfilling life.
2026 Time Management Trends
Current trends in time management including AI-powered scheduling, energy management focus, circadian rhythm optimization, and the shift from rigid schedules to flexible, attention-based productivity systems.
25/50-Minute Meeting Standard
A scheduling best practice that limits meetings to 25 or 50 minutes instead of the traditional 30 or 60 minutes, providing built-in buffer time for transitions, breaks, and recovery between consecutive meetings.
25/50-Minute Meeting Standard 2026
Calendar practice of defaulting meetings to 25 or 50 minutes instead of 30 or 60 minutes, providing buffer time between meetings and reducing back-to-back scheduling fatigue. This 2026 standard is increasingly built into calendar tools as default setting.