7 Books About Making Time for What Matters

Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day, by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky
Part pep talk, part manifesto, and part practical how-to guide, this book helps readers get clear about what matters and offers realistic ways we can make more time for the habits, practices, and pushes that can transform our lives. This book isn’t just about doing more, moving faster, or working smarter, it’s designed to help us feel in charge of our lives in four simple steps that can be repeated daily.

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink
This is the year to get smart about what you do and when you do it. Pink has reviewed the research and identified simple but effective ways we can all perform more efficiently. Use the questions to determine your chronological temperament. Then follow Pink’s recommendations on when to do everything from write an email to take a nap. The result is knowing not just how to make time for what matters but when to do the things that matter most.

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones, by James Clear
Slow and steady wins the race, and change happens little by little. Even when it feels like nothing is happening, work is being done and progress is being made. Clear has developed a support guide for anyone looking to make their resolutions stick or just craft a life that reflects their values and goals. Learn the latest science behind habit formation, and then apply Clear’s process to your own life. The results may be explosive.

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, by Cal Newport
From the author of the acclaimed Deep Work comes a new title dedicated to one of the most ubiquitous problems of modern life: digital overwhelm. Learn how to unhook and detach from the many pings and dings we’re all subject to each day. With the time you gain, you may find yourself doing deep, creative work, or you might simply enjoy focusing on a moment of leisure. With Newport’s guidance, the choice is yours.

The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results, by Gary Keller
Fans of Essentialism will find this bestseller inspiring. Whether your focus is on sales, church, craft, family, self care, or any of the other priorities so many of us struggle with, this book will help you focus on the one thing that will help you be successful. The process is designed to provoke thoughtful questions and help you cultivate a new, calmer approach to life. By the end of the book, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what your one thing is and how to make time for it.

Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction, by Chris Bailey
Have you ever put a Word doc in Focus mode and sighed with relief? It’s harder to put our modern, digitally driven lives in Focus mode, but the idea sounds delicious, no? And the truth is, our attention is our most precious resource. In this popular title, Bailey offers practical steps that readers can take to identify distractions and manage their attention. The results will help you be more productive, creative, and engaged with life’s most meaningful moments.

My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired, by Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander
Leaders around the world agree, finding a morning routine that works for you can unlock your entire day. Peek inside the routines of some of the greats and learn what it says about them, as well as how you can apply their best practices to your own life. Perhaps you’ll find it’s not exercise but a bit of tidying that helps prepare you for the day ahead. Or maybe a ritual cup of tea will supercharge your day. Whatever habits and routines you decide to adopt, it’s time to rise and shine!
How will you make time for what matters in 2019?