Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less

Michael Hyatt

Apr 2019 · Baker Books

About this ebook

Everyone gets 168 hours a week, but it never feels like enough, does it? Work gobbles up the lion's share--many professionals are working as much as 70 hours a week--leaving less and less for rest, exercise, family, and friends. You know, all those things that make life great.

Most people think productivity is about finding or saving time. But it's not. It's about making our time work for us. Just imagine having free time again. It's not a pipe dream.

In Free to Focus, New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt reveals to readers nine proven ways to win at work so they are finally free to succeed at the rest of life--their health, relationships, hobbies, and more. He helps readers redefine their goals, evaluate what's working, cut out the nonessentials, focus on the most important tasks, manage their time and energy, and build momentum for a lifetime of success.

Ratings and reviews

In FREE TO FOCUS, Michael Hyatt gives you a total productivity makeover. He outlines a process that doesn't just cram more into your day but helps you spend more time doing what's important. Michael starts with a process to evaluate where you're at, cut distractions, and set your priorities. He then helps you understand why you need to make time for rejuvenation. You don't have to sacrifice your health or personal life for productivity gains in your business. You can thrive in all these areas. Michael then shows you how to save time by cutting out tasks that wreck your productivity. He shares clever hacks to help you work efficiently. Some of these involve technology. Others don't and are more about your processes. He next outlines proper ways to delegate to others. If you've struggled with delegating, he shows how you can be clear on expectations, get exactly what you want, and empower others. Now you have the focus, energy, and time to accomplish what you want. You're ready to totally boost your productivity. Michael helps you plan your week and then walks you through a process to set meaningful daily goals. He then revisits how to stay focused when distractions try to creep in again. Because distractions will always try to undermine your productivity. But after applying the techniques in FREE TO FOCUS, you'll know how to deal with them. Tools are included in the form of web apps and worksheets. These tools help you develop your own personal plan. After reading Michael's book, I've improved efficiency in many areas and identified distractions that I was able to eliminate. Some of those things I liked to do, but they were wasting my time. Others I hated doing, but I thought I had to do them. I was wrong. Michael shows that there's another way and outlines clear steps to take. Planning and prioritizing has helped me accomplish more of what's important to me. I'm regularly celebrating daily and weekly wins! This book fits nicely with Michael Hyatt's YOUR BEST YEAR EVER. You can start with either, but I think you'll benefit most if you read both. This book is worth far more than its list price and the time spent reading it. Michael backs up every claim he makes with data and experience. He shares his personal process that has helped him succeed in business and life. It's a great read. In a weekend, you can lay the framework for a lifetime of focus and productivity. * Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a launch team. I was not paid for this review. I only endorse products and businesses that I believe in.

My life is really out of balance right now... bringing work home, not spending enough time with my husband or my kids. But I've just seen a glimmer of hope in Michael Hyatt's new book, Free to Focus. I discovered Michael's podcast years ago. Many of the authors and podcasters that I respect all seemed to be referencing his work. So I started listening. And I've always appreciated his solid advice on leadership and productivity. I had tried many times to sign up for his Free to Focus online course, but never managed to get in during the times registration was open. So I was delighted to find out he was planning to share the same material in a book. Free to Focus offers a step-by-step method to regain control of your time and your life. Michael teaches the reader how to stop and evaluate their situation, set up procedures to automate or delegate repetitive tasks, and build their ideal week. In order to get these steps off the page of a book and into your life, he provides a free online toolbox with all the forms and assessments that make up the building blocks of his system. Personally, I've read through the book once and now I'm ready to dive in and start using all the tools. I'm looking forward to a life where I leave work at work and give my family my best when I'm at home.

One of the best books on productivity in a long time.

About the author

Michael Hyatt is the founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, a leadership development firm specializing in transformative live events, workshops, and digital and physical planning tools. Formerly chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, Michael is also a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of several books, including Living Forward, Your Best Year Ever, and Platform. His work has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Businessweek, Entrepreneur, and other publications. Michael has been married to his wife, Gail, for 40 years. They have five daughters, three sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren. They live just outside Nashville, Tennessee. Learn more at MichaelHyatt.com.