Daily Highlight Task - Focus on What Matters Most

September 16, 2025

What’s New

We’ve introduced the Daily Highlight Task feature, inspired by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky’s “Make Time” methodology. This powerful addition helps you identify and focus on the one thing that, if accomplished today, would make you feel genuinely good about your day.

Key Features

Simple Highlighting

  • Click the highlighter icon next to any task to make it your daily highlight
  • Only one (incomplete) task can be highlighted per day - selecting a new highlight automatically removes the previous one
  • The highlight persists across all views where the task appears

📝 Prominent Display in Focus Mode

  • Your highlighted task appears in a distinctive yellow post-it note style at the top of your task list
  • Positioned strategically between your daily notes and regular tasks

🎉 Celebration Mode

  • Completed highlighted tasks remain visible so you can celebrate your wins
  • The visual reminder of your accomplishment reinforces positive momentum
  • Perfect for your shutdown ritual reflection

How It Works

  1. Choose Your Highlight: In focus mode, look through your tasks for today and ask yourself: “What’s the one thing that would make me feel good about today if I accomplished it?”

  2. Mark It: Click the highlighter icon next to your chosen task. It immediately moves to the highlight section with its distinctive yellow background.

  3. Focus: Your highlight stays prominently displayed as you work through your day, serving as a north highlighter for your priorities.

  4. Celebrate: When completed, your highlight remains visible as a reminder of what you accomplished.

The Science Behind Highlights

The highlight approach comes from extensive research into productivity and satisfaction. Rather than trying to do everything, focusing on one meaningful task:

  • Reduces decision fatigue by clarifying your primary focus
  • Increases completion rates through concentrated attention
  • Improves satisfaction by ensuring progress on what matters most
  • Creates momentum through visible accomplishment

Integration with Your Workflow

Morning Ritual

During your begin-well ritual, identify your highlight as part of planning your day. This sets a clear intention and priority.

Focus Mode

Your highlight appears prominently above your regular task list, keeping it top-of-mind throughout your work session.

Shutdown Ritual

Reflect on whether you accomplished your highlight. Even if other tasks remain, completing your highlight often creates a sense of a well-spent day.

Best Practices

Choose Wisely: Your highlight should be meaningful but achievable. It’s better to accomplish a smaller highlight than to consistently miss ambitious ones.

One Per Day: Resist the urge to highlight multiple tasks. The power comes from singular focus.

Mix It Up: Some days your highlight might be work-related, others personal. Choose what feels most important for that specific day.

Celebrate Small Wins: Not every highlight needs to be monumental. Sometimes “Call Mom” or “Take a proper lunch break” is exactly what you need.

Technical Implementation

The highlight feature integrates seamlessly with existing functionality:

  • Works with all task types and buckets
  • Preserves task relationships and dependencies
  • Maintains your existing keyboard shortcuts and workflows
  • Syncs across all devices in real-time

Credit: This feature is inspired by the “highlight” concept from “Make Time” by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, a methodology that has helped thousands of people reclaim their time and attention.