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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Free to Focus summary
A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less
18 mins
Brief summary
"Free to Focus" by Michael Hyatt is a productivity book that helps readers identify and eliminate distractions in order to focus on meaningful work. It offers practical advice and tools for achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness in both work and life.
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Free to Focus
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Key idea 1 of 6
Our concept of productivity is flawed.
Workdays are filled with an endless litany of tasks – there are meetings to attend, presentations to give, reports to write and projects to complete. But our efforts are seldom enough. Sometimes it feels like we’re in a leaky boat, frantically bucketing water over the side. The water builds up, and we start to sink. That’s the moment we start buying into the myth of productivity. We think if we could work a bit faster, we’d be okay. We start to look for life hacks, each promising to give us a few more minutes of time.
But obsessing over speed actually decreases our productivity. That’s because we try to do more with our time, and squander any time saved by cramming more things into our overflowing schedules. Finding a quicker way to write our daily emails, for instance, just means we’ll start preparing tomorrow’s emails sooner.
In another flawed approach to increasing productivity, we start working overtime to finish all our tasks. Sometimes we justify this by telling ourselves the overtime is temporary and things will calm down soon. However, the opposite is true. Jack Nevison, the founder of New Leaf Project Management, compiled the results of several major studies looking into workplace productivity. He found that workers who clock more than 55 hours per week are actually less productive than those working 50 or less, due to stress and mental fatigue.
Our current myths about productivity are unsustainable and inefficient. That’s why, instead of productivity, we should start aiming for freedom.
Freedom can mean many things. The freedom to focus, for example, which means finding the time to focus and accomplish uninterrupted deep work. This is the most important and often most difficult type of work, as it yields more results and involves tough mental labor. Because deep work involves intense focus, it’s draining and is only possible for a limited time each day.
This makes another objective of productivity even more important – that is, the freedom to do nothing. It sounds counterintuitive, but most of our breakthrough ideas actually happen when our minds are at ease. Being productive during the week means we gain the freedom to do nothing in our time off, and that’s when the creative juices really begin to flow.
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What is Free to Focus about?
In Free to Focus (2019), Michael Hyatt challenges some common myths surrounding productivity and proposes a new way to approach our workday. In a distraction-laden and attention-sapping world, these blinks offer a reality check packed with practical tips.
Free to Focus Review
Free to Focus (2019) by Michael Hyatt is a practical guide for reclaiming your time, energy, and attention in today's distracted world. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers proven strategies for maximizing productivity and achieving meaningful results, helping you regain control over your work and personal life.
- With its actionable tips and insightful anecdotes, the book provides tangible solutions for overcoming overwhelm and increasing focus.
- Through Hyatt's engaging storytelling and relatable examples, the book keeps readers hooked, ensuring a captivating reading experience from beginning to end.
Who should read Free to Focus?
- Perfectionists who want to increase their efficiency
- Professionals craving a better work-life balance
- Time-wasters hoping to change their ways
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Free to Focus FAQs
What is the main message of Free to Focus?
The main message of Free to Focus is how to achieve peak productivity and regain control of your time.
How long does it take to read Free to Focus?
The reading time for Free to Focus varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Free to Focus a good book? Is it worth reading?
Free to Focus is a valuable read for anyone seeking productivity and time management insights. It offers practical strategies to increase focus and reduce overwhelm.
Who is the author of Free to Focus?
The author of Free to Focus is Michael Hyatt.
What to read after Free to Focus?
If you're wondering what to read next after Free to Focus, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt
- Extreme Productivity by Robert C. Pozen
- The Free-Time Formula by Jeff Sanders
- The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
- Get It Done by Ayelet Fishbach
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
- 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
- Ikigai by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul