The big problem with productivity is that it’s usually reactive.

It’s too easy to spend time checking items off a to-do list, powering through emails and attending meetings in a reactive state, instead of purposefully choosing to focus on the most important thing.

In addition to focusing on a daily highlight, Jake also purposefully steers clear of what he calls “infinity pools.” These are the apps on our phones that constantly refresh with new content, like Facebook, Instagram or even Gmail.

Changing one’s behavior patterns is inherently difficult, so choosing a highlight that truly excites you is a key piece of the equation.

According to Jake, picking and doing that thing will energize the rest of your day and generate immediate rewards, not to mention long-term progress towards bigger goals that may be involved.