Hey there! 👋

Before we jump into this week’s edition, I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being here from the very start. Your support means the world to me, and I’m thrilled to have you on this journey!

I also have some exciting news: you can now access all my previous publications over at dhlucien.com. Feel free to check them out and catch up on anything you may have missed!

Now, let’s get into today’s topic, where we explore a powerful strategy from Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky.

This week, we’ll focus on The Highlight Method, a simple yet transformative way to prioritize the most meaningful task of your day, ensuring that you make time for what truly matters.

The Highlight Method: Focus on What Matters Most

The Highlight Method is one of the core concepts in Make Time. The idea is to start your day by identifying a single, most important task that will be your Highlight for the day.

This isn’t just another item on your to-do list—it’s the one thing that will give you a sense of accomplishment by the day’s end.

Why the Highlight? Because it anchors your day around meaningful work. It’s about intentionally choosing what matters most, rather than just reacting to what comes up. Your Highlight could be anything from finishing a key project at work to spending quality time with family or focusing on personal development.

Pro Tip: Choose a Highlight that you can realistically complete within 60-90 minutes. This way, even if the day gets busy, you’ll have made significant progress on something that truly matters.

Personal Note: I started experimenting with this method about a week ago when I first picked up the book, and I have to say, it’s been a game-changer. I’ve felt more productive than I have in weeks! Each morning, I kick off my day by asking myself: What will my Highlight be today?” then write it down.

The Might-Do List: Flexible Focus

Along with your daily Highlight, the Might-Do List concept can help you maintain flexibility. Unlike traditional to-do lists that make you feel like you’re falling behind when you don’t finish everything, the Might-Do List is a forgiving, flexible list of smaller tasks that you might want to tackle throughout the day.

Think of it as a way to keep track of lower-priority tasks without overwhelming yourself. These are the tasks that can be bundled into your day if time allows. But they won’t derail your focus from the most important thing: your Highlight.

Quick Example: Let’s say your Highlight for the day is drafting an important email. Your Might-Do List might include responding to a few smaller emails, scheduling a meeting, or organizing your workspace. If you have time after completing your Highlight, you can knock off some items from the Might-Do List.

Pro Tip: Now, what if you have a few smaller tasks that all seem equally important? In Make Time, Jake and John suggest a neat trick: Bundling Tasks. If you’ve got multiple small tasks—like answering emails, paying bills, or making appointments—bundle them into one Highlight. Set aside 60-90 minutes to tackle all of them together in one focused burst.

At the heart of the Highlight Method is intentionality.

It’s about making sure that no matter how chaotic the day gets, you’ve made time for what truly matters. The beauty of this method is its flexibility. You can adapt it to your needs, whether you’re working on big projects or managing smaller tasks. And through bundling, you keep your focus sharp without losing sight of the smaller to-dos.

I’m personally working on incorporating this system into my daily routine, and I’ve already noticed a huge difference in how I prioritize my work. I hope you find it as valuable as I have!

Catch you next week!

Cheers, 🍻

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