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Summary of Free to Focus 

4.6 . 1238 reviews

Short summary

Michael Hyatt is a bestselling author, podcaster, and founder of Michael Hyatt & Co., a leadership development company that has been ranked by INC. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in America. In Free to Focus, Michael shares a three-step productivity system to help you become a well-rounded professional who wins at work and in life. Among other things, you will learn... - Why productivity is not about working faster but smarter - How to cut unnecessary distractions and work in your zone of genius - How to have time for other things outside work - How to design your ideal week for maximum productivity “I’ve been where you may be now—buried under a mountain of daily tasks, watching my biggest goals and most important projects slip further and further out of reach. Here’s the solution. Michael Hyatt has created a productivity system that really works. Free to Focus does not disappoint.” ~ Lewis Howes

Table of content

  • Summary of Free to Focus
  • About the author
  • What is Free to Focus about?
  • Who should read Free to Focus
  • Topics in Free to Focus
first key point

Productivity is not about getting more things done

Listen the first key point
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21st century workers are the most distracted in history. Study after study shows that people are hardly committed to work for the entire eight hours they stay in the office. One study of UK and Canadian workers reports that employees work an average of 1.5–2.5 hours out of the eight they are supposed to be working.

The numbers are indeed staggering. And it's not only true for employees. Business owners and self-employed people also struggle to stay productive. It's not even that we're disengaged with work — a good number of us love the work we do. We're passionate and proficient, just too distracted by emails, phone calls, slack messages, data feeds, and the likes.

We try to get around this productivity problem by Googling tips and hacks and investing in productivity solutions. These tactics help, except they aren't sustainable. If you're honest, you'll probably admit to trying several productivity hacks that don't work. Michael Hyatt was in your shoes several years ago. After he rose to the position of CEO at Thomas Nelson, Michael found that he was splitting himself between too many tasks. He was doing so many different things in a day that he almost always ended up drained and exhausted after work.

He tried productivity apps and tricks, but they didn't help much. This made him start studying the subject of productivity for himself. He created a blog where he shared ideas he got along the way with his readers. Soon, he was being known more as a productivity expert than the CEO of a company.
Focusing on everything means focusing on nothing. ~ Michael Hyatt
Michael distilled his years of learning and personal experience into a three-step productivity system, and that's what you're about to learn in this summary. The first step is to stop and decide what you want then create an action plan. Step two is cutting out unnecessary work and focusing on work that inspires you. Finally, step three is where you take action.
If you're down on productivity, the solution is not to work more, but to pull back and re-strategize.
Don't worry, we will go through all steps in this summary, but first a disclaimer: this summary may rubbish everything you think you know about being productive. Get ready for it.

Did you know? Research shows we get interrupted or distracted every three minutes on average.
second key point

The secret to winning the productivity game is to have a clear vision for your work life

There is an old statement that is often referenced by some productivity experts and work-life balance advocates. The statement was made popular by American Rabbi Harold Kushner and it's often attributed to former U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas. You've heard it before. It says “Nobody on his deathbed ever said, 'I wish I had spent more time at the office.'
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third key point

There are four different zones of work

fourth key point

Be intentional about re-energizing your mind and body

fifth key point

Practice saying “No”

sixth key point

Automate your activities

seventh key point

High performers use megabatching to stay productive

eighth key point

Conclusion

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What is Free to Focus about?

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What are the benefits of books summary?

Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.

Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.