Make Time & Solve BIG Problems with John Zeratsky

John Zeratsky was a designer in the tech industry who became obsessed with the idea of redesigning time. He is the author of New York Times bestseller Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days and Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day, coming in September 2018.

In this episode, I have a great conversation with John about how to Make Time. It’s not all about productivity or checking off more to-dos. John proposes realistic solutions. Making time isn’t about radically overhauling your lifestyle; it’s about making small shifts in your environment to liberate yourself from constant busyness and distraction.

If productivity is what you want, perfect! If it’s more time to focus on what really matters in life, there is something here to learn. If you are the one thinking “If only there were more hours in the day…,” then you’ll benefit from tuning in.

Guest Bio

John has written for The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Harvard Business Review, Wired, Fast Company, and many other publications. John has appeared on stage more than 100 times, including at Harvard University, IDEO, and the Code Conference.

For nearly 15 years, John was a designer for technology companies. At GV, he helped develop the Design Sprint process and worked with close to 200 startups, including Slack, 23andMe, Pocket, Foundation Medicine, One Medical Group, and Nest. He was also GV’s in-house copywriter, editor, and content strategist; he created and edited the GV Library, which has attracted millions of views since 2012. Previously, John was a senior designer at YouTube and Google, and an early employee at FeedBurner, which Google acquired in 2007.

Originally from Wisconsin, John and his wife Michelle have lived in Chicago and San Francisco. Today they split time between their sailboat “Pineapple” (currently in Panama) and their home in Milwaukee.

Topics of discussion 

• The Design Sprint Process in 5 days – Problem, Solutions, Narrow Down, Prototype, Test.
• How to avoid group think and improve meetings.
• The Make Time Process – Highlight, Laster, Energise, Reflect.
• Practices, toolbox ideas and the how to’s of better time managment.
• Experiment, Start small and build self-awareness.

Quick round questions

Do you have any routines and rituals that you believe contribute to your success?

Haivng a distraction free phone.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Feeling like I spend everyday in a away that left me feeling good, in a no-hedonistic manner.

How would you define success? What does success look like to you? 

More time and energy with people that matter the most.

What is one tool, skill, resource, or technique that has helped improve your effectiveness and/or productivity? 

Becoming a morning person.

If I would serve you your last meal what would you request?

A good hamburger.

What activity gives you the greatest sense of joy? 

Sailing

If you could pick one book to pass down to your children or future generations what book would it be? 

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

What quote, phrase or message would you text or tweet to everyone in the world?

“If you feel busy and distracted and like you don’t have time, it’s not your fault.”

Do we all have a Hidden Why, a purpose?

I think we probably do. Some know and others may not always know.

What does living with passion and purpose mean?

Finding the balance between embracing and feeling the joy and not being overhwhelmed by the challenges or bad things in life.

What do you believe is the underlying motivation behind everything you do?

Being able to spend time on things that matter.

How to connect with John 

Connect with John via Twitter here. 

Book pages for each book here – The Sprint Book & Make Time Book

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.