Marc Zao-Sanders
CEO of Filtered and productivity researcher who popularized timeboxing through Harvard Business Review articles and research demonstrating it as the most effective time management technique among 100+ methods tested.
Last updated: 2026-03-19 03:26
Overview
Marc Zao-Sanders is the CEO and co-founder of Filtered, a workplace learning platform, and a prominent productivity researcher. He is best known for his research and advocacy of timeboxing as a time management technique.
Research Contributions
Zao-Sanders conducted research that ranked timeboxing as the #1 most useful productivity technique among 100 different time management methods. His findings have been published in:
- Harvard Business Review (multiple articles)
- Academic journals on productivity
- Business and management publications
Key Arguments for Timeboxing
He argues that timeboxing works because:
- The prefrontal cortex filters distractions more aggressively when a clear time limit is present
- Pre-deciding time limits avoids countless micro-decisions, preserving mental bandwidth
- Fixed deadlines create urgency that combats procrastination
- Time constraints force prioritization of essential work
Published Works
Harvard Business Review Articles:
- "How Timeboxing Works and Why It Will Make You More Productive" (2018)
- "Timeboxing: The Productivity Technique That Could Save Your Day" (2022)
Book: "Timeboxing: The Power of Doing One Thing at a Time" (2024)
Professional Background
- CEO and co-founder of Filtered
- Background in workplace learning and development
- Regular speaker on productivity and time management
- Consultant to organizations on improving team productivity
Impact
His research has:
- Brought scientific credibility to timeboxing
- Influenced how organizations approach time management
- Popularized timeboxing among knowledge workers
- Connected neuroscience to practical productivity advice
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