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Time Masters: 11 Secrets to Greater Productivity and Life Fulfillment
Ever wonder how people become successful? They master time in a way that makes them more productive and prosperous. Jan Yager, author of the international bestseller How to Finish Everything You Start, maps out 11 principles of more effective time management, with each letter in the phrase TIME MASTERS (T-I-M-E M-A-S-T-E-R-S) having a key concept. Those productivity tips stem from original interviews with successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, and creative individuals from around the world as well as the author’s decades of research, coaching, and writing on productivity, relationships, and related subjects.
Dr. Yager's latest book, TIME MASTERS, is a game changer in the world of time management books, offering new insights and examples from a diverse group of achievers. Each concept/chapter is enhanced at the end by one or more exercises to give you a deeper understanding of what you are learning, as you reinforce key ideas, in an interactive and experiential way.
Excerpted from the Introduction to TIME MASTERS:
"To capture the current thinking about how to master your time and become as productive as possible in both your professional and personal life, I interviewed or communicated with several other time management experts, some of whom have published books in this area, including time management consultant David Allen (Getting Things Done), list-making expert Paula Rizzo (Listful Thinking), marketing strategist Peter Shankman (Faster Than Normal), and Mike Vardy (The Productivity Diet), among others. I also interviewed or corresponded with over 125 male and female business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, actors, CEOs, producers, students, professors, cybersecurity specialists, producers, human resource consultants, and others who consider themselves to be time masters, because they are successful in business...."
PRAISE FOR TIME MASTERS:
“A fresh, creative take on time management, this book blends practical tools with personal insights. The T-I-M-E and M-A-S-T-E-R-S frameworks are easy to remember and powerful to apply. Whether you're seeking more productivity, peace, or purpose, this guide offers actionable wisdom to help you master your minutes and your mindset.”
—Scott Friedman, author, Celebrate! Lessons Learned from the World's Most Admired Organizations
“Our brilliant founding father, Ben Franklin, famously said, ‘Time is Money.’ If you agree even a little bit with Ben, buy Jan Yager’s Time Masters today. Don’t procrastinate.”
—Jeffrey Fox, bestselling author, How to Become a Rainmaker
“Jan Yager’s energy and organizational talent jump off the page and she’s covered the waterfront on the top of managing time in Time Masters. Well done!”
—Lynn Kaplanian-Buller, Director, The American Book Center, Amsterdam
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author of 60+ award-winning books, translated into 35 languages, Dr. Jan Yager practices what she preaches. The principles she learned writing her first book on time management, Creative Time Management, published by Prentice-Hall in 1984, served her well as she went on to marry Fred Yager and raise two sons while continuing to write 7 more books on productivity. The daughter of two loving workaholics, Jan is committed to work-life balance.
Dr. Yager's latest book, TIME MASTERS, is a game changer in the world of time management books, offering new insights and examples from a diverse group of achievers. Each concept/chapter is enhanced at the end by one or more exercises to give you a deeper understanding of what you are learning, as you reinforce key ideas, in an interactive and experiential way.
Excerpted from the Introduction to TIME MASTERS:
"To capture the current thinking about how to master your time and become as productive as possible in both your professional and personal life, I interviewed or communicated with several other time management experts, some of whom have published books in this area, including time management consultant David Allen (Getting Things Done), list-making expert Paula Rizzo (Listful Thinking), marketing strategist Peter Shankman (Faster Than Normal), and Mike Vardy (The Productivity Diet), among others. I also interviewed or corresponded with over 125 male and female business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, actors, CEOs, producers, students, professors, cybersecurity specialists, producers, human resource consultants, and others who consider themselves to be time masters, because they are successful in business...."
PRAISE FOR TIME MASTERS:
“A fresh, creative take on time management, this book blends practical tools with personal insights. The T-I-M-E and M-A-S-T-E-R-S frameworks are easy to remember and powerful to apply. Whether you're seeking more productivity, peace, or purpose, this guide offers actionable wisdom to help you master your minutes and your mindset.”
—Scott Friedman, author, Celebrate! Lessons Learned from the World's Most Admired Organizations
“Our brilliant founding father, Ben Franklin, famously said, ‘Time is Money.’ If you agree even a little bit with Ben, buy Jan Yager’s Time Masters today. Don’t procrastinate.”
—Jeffrey Fox, bestselling author, How to Become a Rainmaker
“Jan Yager’s energy and organizational talent jump off the page and she’s covered the waterfront on the top of managing time in Time Masters. Well done!”
—Lynn Kaplanian-Buller, Director, The American Book Center, Amsterdam
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author of 60+ award-winning books, translated into 35 languages, Dr. Jan Yager practices what she preaches. The principles she learned writing her first book on time management, Creative Time Management, published by Prentice-Hall in 1984, served her well as she went on to marry Fred Yager and raise two sons while continuing to write 7 more books on productivity. The daughter of two loving workaholics, Jan is committed to work-life balance.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2025
About the author
Jan Yager
145 books64 followersJan Yager received her BA in fine arts from Hofstra University, her MA in criminal justice from Goddard College, and her PhD in sociology from City University of New York Graduate Center. Beginning in her early twenties, with fulltime positions at Macmillan Publishing Company, followed by Grove Press, Jan has been an editor, director of subsidiary and foreign rights, acquisitions editor, book publicist, author event planner, media trainer, consultant, book coach, permissions editor, and award-winning author of 65+ books. Her titles in a range from genres -- from nonfiction and fiction to illustrated children's books and poetry -- have been published by Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Doubleday, Penguin Random House, Square One Publishers, and self-published through the small press she founded almost 30 years ago, Hannacroix Creek Books, Inc. (Her first five books were published under her maiden name of J.L. - Janet Lee- Barkas.) For more on Jan, go to: www.drjanyager.com, www.whenfriendshiphurts.com, or www.hannacroixcreekbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 29, 2026
Time, in this book, is not treated as a ticking clock but as a living space we either inhabit fully or abandon to distraction. What appears at first to be a practical guide slowly reveals itself as a quiet philosophy of living. The author is less concerned with squeezing more tasks into a day and more with asking a deeper question: what deserves our time at all. Beneath every strategy lies a gentle insistence that productivity without meaning is a hollow victory.
Strangely, the book keeps circling back to something very simple yet often ignored, the present moment. The idea of maximizing "what is" feels almost spiritual, echoing the calm of ideas like Buddhism and its notion of inner stillness. The author suggests that peace is not found after achieving everything, but while engaging fully with what already exists. This shifts time management from control to awareness, from chasing outcomes to experiencing life as it unfolds.
There is a quiet rebellion in how the book treats busyness. Instead of glorifying constant activity, it exposes how distraction has become our default state. The repeated mention of phones, interruptions, and shallow engagement reflects a deeper cultural critique. We are not short of time, the book suggests, we are scattered within it. The solution offered is not extreme discipline but deliberate attention, a return to depth in a world addicted to fragments.
Curiously, the book finds power in ordinary structures like lists, routines, and small habits. These are not presented as rigid systems but as anchors in a chaotic day. A to do list becomes more than a tool, it becomes a way of clearing mental noise. A routine becomes less about repetition and more about creating space for meaningful work and relationships. Even something as simple as writing down a task is shown to reduce anxiety, as if clarity itself brings relief.
Strangely, the book keeps circling back to something very simple yet often ignored, the present moment. The idea of maximizing "what is" feels almost spiritual, echoing the calm of ideas like Buddhism and its notion of inner stillness. The author suggests that peace is not found after achieving everything, but while engaging fully with what already exists. This shifts time management from control to awareness, from chasing outcomes to experiencing life as it unfolds.
There is a quiet rebellion in how the book treats busyness. Instead of glorifying constant activity, it exposes how distraction has become our default state. The repeated mention of phones, interruptions, and shallow engagement reflects a deeper cultural critique. We are not short of time, the book suggests, we are scattered within it. The solution offered is not extreme discipline but deliberate attention, a return to depth in a world addicted to fragments.
Curiously, the book finds power in ordinary structures like lists, routines, and small habits. These are not presented as rigid systems but as anchors in a chaotic day. A to do list becomes more than a tool, it becomes a way of clearing mental noise. A routine becomes less about repetition and more about creating space for meaningful work and relationships. Even something as simple as writing down a task is shown to reduce anxiety, as if clarity itself brings relief.
March 29, 2026
It doesn’t feel like reading a book, it feels like someone quietly rearranging the furniture of your mind while you watch. Nothing dramatic changes at once, yet suddenly your thoughts have more space, your time feels less crowded, and your choices begin to look clearer.
What makes this work unusual is that it never forces urgency on you. Instead of shouting about productivity, it almost whispers about attention. It doesn’t ask you to do more, it asks you to notice more. And in that noticing, something shifts. The chaos you blamed on lack of time begins to look more like lack of intention.
The book moves like a conversation rather than a system. It collects voices, habits, routines, and fragments of lived experiences, and somehow lets you find your own reflection inside them. There is no rigid method waiting at the end, only a quiet realization that the way you spend your time is the way you are living your life.
At its core, it feels less like a guide to efficiency and more like a slow correction. A reminder that finishing things matters, that stillness is not laziness, and that distraction is not harmless. It gently exposes how easily we trade meaningful hours for forgettable ones.
By the time you reach the end, you don’t feel instructed. You feel observed. And perhaps a little unsettled in a good way. Because the book leaves you with a simple, uncomfortable clarity: your time was never the problem, your awareness of it was.
What makes this work unusual is that it never forces urgency on you. Instead of shouting about productivity, it almost whispers about attention. It doesn’t ask you to do more, it asks you to notice more. And in that noticing, something shifts. The chaos you blamed on lack of time begins to look more like lack of intention.
The book moves like a conversation rather than a system. It collects voices, habits, routines, and fragments of lived experiences, and somehow lets you find your own reflection inside them. There is no rigid method waiting at the end, only a quiet realization that the way you spend your time is the way you are living your life.
At its core, it feels less like a guide to efficiency and more like a slow correction. A reminder that finishing things matters, that stillness is not laziness, and that distraction is not harmless. It gently exposes how easily we trade meaningful hours for forgettable ones.
By the time you reach the end, you don’t feel instructed. You feel observed. And perhaps a little unsettled in a good way. Because the book leaves you with a simple, uncomfortable clarity: your time was never the problem, your awareness of it was.
March 10, 2026
Time Masters is a practical guide to effective time management that focuses on aligning daily activities with meaningful goals. The title itself represents an abbreviation built around 11 key principles of time management, each designed to help readers improve productivity and gain better control over their time.
Although some concepts may feel familiar to readers who have explored other self-help or productivity books, this book still offers additional value through its structured approach and thoughtful insights.
One of the strengths of the book is its use of real-life examples and practical solutions, which make the ideas easier to understand and apply in everyday life.
The book is particularly suitable for intermediate readers of self-help and productivity literature who are looking to deepen their understanding of time management rather than encounter the topic for the first time.
Overall, Time Masters also highlights several aspects of time and priorities that people often overlook in their daily routines, encouraging readers to reflect on how they use their time and how it aligns with their personal goals.
Although some concepts may feel familiar to readers who have explored other self-help or productivity books, this book still offers additional value through its structured approach and thoughtful insights.
One of the strengths of the book is its use of real-life examples and practical solutions, which make the ideas easier to understand and apply in everyday life.
The book is particularly suitable for intermediate readers of self-help and productivity literature who are looking to deepen their understanding of time management rather than encounter the topic for the first time.
Overall, Time Masters also highlights several aspects of time and priorities that people often overlook in their daily routines, encouraging readers to reflect on how they use their time and how it aligns with their personal goals.
March 27, 2026
This book strikes an incredible balance between practical strategies and real-life experiences, making it feel all the more relatable. It turned helpful advice into something that truly connected with my own personal struggles.
In Chapter 1, 'Target', the anecdote about the salesperson who admitted she devoted zero time each day to her primary task of selling was startling. What an admission! It made me pause to consider what chores/plans I wanted/needed to do but allowed other things to get in the way.
‘Time is money', a common saying but hardly executed firmly. In this book, I learnt the SMART way of setting goals and prioritising what must be done and the clear and clarified reason behind it.
Each chapter worked as an eye-opener, and the exercises after each chapter startled me. I found plenty reasons for mismanagement I was practising. But after applying the methods prescribed, I made a significant change in myself.
The author has shared his experience with proven methods to exercise your priorities and manage your work. Her clear and evocative language makes it easy to understand and implement.
Overall, it is a commendable read.
In Chapter 1, 'Target', the anecdote about the salesperson who admitted she devoted zero time each day to her primary task of selling was startling. What an admission! It made me pause to consider what chores/plans I wanted/needed to do but allowed other things to get in the way.
‘Time is money', a common saying but hardly executed firmly. In this book, I learnt the SMART way of setting goals and prioritising what must be done and the clear and clarified reason behind it.
Each chapter worked as an eye-opener, and the exercises after each chapter startled me. I found plenty reasons for mismanagement I was practising. But after applying the methods prescribed, I made a significant change in myself.
The author has shared his experience with proven methods to exercise your priorities and manage your work. Her clear and evocative language makes it easy to understand and implement.
Overall, it is a commendable read.
March 25, 2026
Time Masters: 11 Secrets to Greater Productivity and Life Fulfillment by Jan Yager offers a measured, practical meditation on time not as an enemy to conquer, but as a resource to understand. Across eleven concise principles, Yager moves beyond generic productivity advice and instead invites a quieter self-audit: how we prioritise, where we hesitate, and why we overcommit.
What stands out is her insistence on alignment. Productivity here is not about cramming more into the day, but about making choices that reflect one’s values. The tone remains accessible, occasionally bordering on repetitive, yet grounded in real-world scenarios that make the guidance usable rather than abstract.
This is not a radical reinvention of the genre, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a steady, thoughtful guide for those looking to recalibrate their relationship with time and, by extension, with themselves.
What stands out is her insistence on alignment. Productivity here is not about cramming more into the day, but about making choices that reflect one’s values. The tone remains accessible, occasionally bordering on repetitive, yet grounded in real-world scenarios that make the guidance usable rather than abstract.
This is not a radical reinvention of the genre, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a steady, thoughtful guide for those looking to recalibrate their relationship with time and, by extension, with themselves.
March 27, 2026
Time Masters by Jan Yager felt like a much-needed reality check for me. While reading it, I realized how often I stay busy without actually moving closer to my bigger goals. The book focuses on something simple yet powerful, aligning your daily actions with what truly matters in your life.
What I appreciated most is how practical and easy the book is. It doesn’t overwhelm you with complex systems. Instead, it breaks time management into clear, doable ideas like setting priorities, building routines, using time blocks, and learning to finish what you start. I found the sections on to-do and done lists, as well as understanding procrastination, especially relatable. It made me reflect on why I delay things rather than just trying to fix it blindly.
What I appreciated most is how practical and easy the book is. It doesn’t overwhelm you with complex systems. Instead, it breaks time management into clear, doable ideas like setting priorities, building routines, using time blocks, and learning to finish what you start. I found the sections on to-do and done lists, as well as understanding procrastination, especially relatable. It made me reflect on why I delay things rather than just trying to fix it blindly.
January 5, 2026
I just finished Time Masters by Jan Yager, and it’s an exceptional guide to mastering productivity while maintaining balance in life. Yager’s T-I-M-E M-A-S-T-E-R-S framework is easy to remember and packed with actionable exercises that can be applied immediately. What sets this book apart is how it blends insights from top achievers, practical tips, and mindset strategies. Whether you’re a professional, entrepreneur, or just someone looking to get more out of your day, this book offers clear, inspiring, and results-driven advice. Highly recommended for anyone serious about using their time wisely and living a more fulfilled life.
January 5, 2026
Time Masters by Jan Yager offers a clear, structured approach to productivity that actually works. The T-I-M-E M-A-S-T-E-R-S framework makes the ideas easy to remember, and the end-of-chapter exercises help turn insight into action. A smart, practical guide for anyone who wants more control over their time.
January 5, 2026
A practical and motivating guide to mastering time and priorities. Jan Yager’s TIME MASTERS stands out for its clear framework, real-life examples from successful people, and hands-on exercises that make the ideas easy to apply. The book goes beyond productivity tips, connecting time management with life fulfillment in a realistic and inspiring way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2026
This book reframed how I think about time—not as something to control, but something to collaborate with. The TIME MASTERS framework is memorable, practical, and surprisingly human. What stood out most was how the advice came from real achievers across different fields, not just theory. The exercises at the end of each chapter made the ideas stick instead of fading away after reading.
January 5, 2026
What I appreciated most about Time Masters is how grounded it feels. Jan Yager doesn’t promise overnight miracles—she offers realistic strategies backed by interviews and experience. Some chapters resonated more than others, but overall, this is a solid guide for anyone serious about improving productivity without burning out.
January 5, 2026
Unlike many productivity books that obsess over hustle, this one keeps circling back to fulfillment. The emphasis on both personal and professional life made it feel balanced and sustainable. The TIME MASTERS acronym is clever, but more importantly, it’s usable. This is a book I’ll return to, not just finish and forget.
January 5, 2026
Time Masters feels like the culmination of decades of thought, research, and lived experience. Jan Yager’s ability to synthesize interviews from such a diverse group of professionals gives the book real depth. The exercises were a standout for me—they turned reading into action. This isn’t just about doing more; it’s about doing what matters.
January 6, 2026
If you’ve read David Allen or other productivity experts mentioned in this book, you’ll appreciate how Time Masters builds on those ideas while adding fresh perspectives. The interviews give it credibility, and the structure keeps it organized despite covering many topics. A strong addition to any productivity shelf.
January 5, 2026
This book helped me rethink how I use my time on a daily basis. The TIME MASTERS framework is simple to remember and surprisingly practical. I appreciated the exercises at the end of each chapter because they made the ideas stick.
January 5, 2026
A strong resource for professionals and entrepreneurs, Time Masters blends research, expert interviews, and real-world experience. Jan Yager’s insights are realistic, actionable, and easy to implement, making this a valuable addition to any productivity library.
January 5, 2026
This book was introduced in our book club and it ended up being one of the most practical reads we have had. The TIME MASTERS framework is easy to remember and apply. I started using the ideas right away
January 5, 2026
I have read many productivity books, but this one stood out because of the interviews and real world examples. It feels grounded in experience rather than theory. I found myself highlighting several sections.
January 5, 2026
What I appreciated most about Time Masters is its focus on balance. This isn’t just a productivity book, it’s about creating a fulfilling life while managing responsibilities effectively. The advice feels achievable and grounded in real experience.
January 5, 2026
Dr. Jan Yager delivers clear, no-nonsense strategies for managing time more effectively. Each chapter offers practical lessons supported by exercises that help reinforce learning. This book is ideal for readers who want real results, not just theory.
January 5, 2026
Time Masters goes beyond scheduling and to-do lists by addressing mindset. The book encourages readers to rethink how they view time and success. It’s thoughtful, empowering, and packed with insights that stick long after finishing.
January 5, 2026
Perfect for busy people, this book breaks productivity into manageable concepts. The chapters are concise, well-organized, and filled with useful examples. Jan Yager respects the reader’s time—and helps them do the same.
January 5, 2026
Backed by interviews with high achievers and productivity experts, Time Masters feels credible and well-researched. Jan Yager’s experience shines through, making this a trustworthy guide for improving both work efficiency and personal satisfaction.
January 5, 2026
Reading Time Masters felt encouraging rather than overwhelming. The advice is practical and realistic, making productivity feel achievable instead of stressful. A great read for anyone feeling stretched too thin.
January 5, 2026
This book focuses on real outcomes. The exercises at the end of each chapter help translate ideas into daily habits. Jan Yager provides tools that readers can immediately use to improve how they manage their time.
January 5, 2026
The T-I-M-E M-A-S-T-E-R-S framework is one of the strongest aspects of this book. It organizes complex ideas into an easy-to-follow system that’s both memorable and practical. A refreshing approach to time management.
January 5, 2026
Clear, insightful, and practical, Time Masters is a standout in the productivity genre. Jan Yager delivers meaningful guidance that helps readers take control of their time and live more fulfilling lives.
January 5, 2026
Time Masters offers a calm, thoughtful approach to productivity that feels sustainable. Jan Yager emphasizes intention over urgency, helping readers rethink how they spend their time without pressure or guilt. The exercises make the ideas easy to apply in daily life.
January 5, 2026
This is a book you can actually use. Jan Yager presents realistic strategies that fit into everyday routines, not idealized schedules. The structure and examples make it easy to turn insights into habits that last.
January 5, 2026
Jan Yager has a clear, confident teaching style that makes complex productivity concepts easy to understand. Each chapter builds naturally on the last, making the book both engaging and useful from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews