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# Review: 18 Minutes
- URL: https://www.dashhouse.com/2011106review-18-minutes-html/
- Published: 2011-10-06T10:57:34.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-15T15:29:48.000Z
- Author: Darryl Dash
- Tags: Blog, Book Reviews, #DashHouseCom, #wp

[![](http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0446583413&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=dashhouse-20&ServiceVersion=20070822)](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446583413/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Fil?ie=UTF8&tag=dashhouse-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0446583413&ref=dashhouse.com)

![](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dashhouse-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0446583413&camp=217145&creative=399373)

I know the feeling: too much to do, not enough time. I’m swamped with emails and voicemails, and don’t know where to begin. I’ve read the books and attended the workshops. I’ve been a [Covey](http://www.franklincovey.com/tc/?ref=dashhouse.com) guy and a [GTD](http://www.davidco.com/about-gtd?ref=dashhouse.com) guy, but I’m still having a hard time getting it all done.

[*18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done*](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446583413/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=dashhouse-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0446583413&ref=dashhouse.com)

![](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=dashhouse-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0446583413&camp=217145&creative=399373)

by Peter Bregman is written for guys like me. The theory: 18 minutes a day is enough to find our focus, master distraction, and get the right things done. How does it work? Bregman’s [written an article](http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2009/07/an-18minute-plan-for-managing.html?ref=dashhouse.com) to explain his idea:

- take five minutes in the morning to plan the day
- take one minute every hour to refocus
- take five minutes at the end of the day to review

These are fairly simple ideas. In *18 Minutes*, Bregman takes them even further. He gives us “a comprehensive approach to managing a year, a day, and a moment so that our lives move forward in a way that keeps us focused on, and doing, the things we decide are important.”

Part 1 of the book provides a foundation for his ideas. Part 2 asks, “What is this year about?” Bregman challenges us to create our annual focus, “five areas where you want to spend the majority of your time over the next year.” Part 3 asks, “What is this day about?” Part 4 is about how to apply all of this in the moment, dealing with initiative, boundaries, and self-management.

I wondered if there was enough in Bregman’s 18-minute idea to fill a book. It turns out there is. I’ve read the book once, and I’m working through it again so I really get it. And yes, I’m actually starting to use his 18-minute plan.

I found this book really helpful, and I recommend it to anyone who’s feeling like they could move closer to living with greater intentionality.

You can buy the book at Amazon, or find out more at [Bregman’s website](http://peterbregman.com/18-minutes/?ref=dashhouse.com). Bregman also has lots of good articles, like [this one](http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2009/07/an-18minute-plan-for-managing.html?ref=dashhouse.com), at Harvard Business Review.

![Review: 18 Minutes](https://www.dashhouse.com/content/images/v7/dashhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ir.gif)