Marc Zao-Sanders

Overview

Marc Zao-Sanders is the CEO and co-founder of Filtered, a workplace learning platform, and a prominent productivity researcher. He is best known for his research and advocacy of timeboxing as a time management technique.

Research Contributions

Zao-Sanders conducted research that ranked timeboxing as the #1 most useful productivity technique among 100 different time management methods. His findings have been published in:

• Harvard Business Review (multiple articles)
• Academic journals on productivity
• Business and management publications

Key Arguments for Timeboxing

He argues that timeboxing works because:

• The prefrontal cortex filters distractions more aggressively when a clear time limit is present
• Pre-deciding time limits avoids countless micro-decisions, preserving mental bandwidth
• Fixed deadlines create urgency that combats procrastination
• Time constraints force prioritization of essential work

Published Works

Harvard Business Review Articles:

• "How Timeboxing Works and Why It Will Make You More Productive" (2018)
• "Timeboxing: The Productivity Technique That Could Save Your Day" (2022)

Book: "Timeboxing: The Power of Doing One Thing at a Time" (2024)

Professional Background

• CEO and co-founder of Filtered
• Background in workplace learning and development
• Regular speaker on productivity and time management
• Consultant to organizations on improving team productivity

Impact

His research has:

• Brought scientific credibility to timeboxing
• Influenced how organizations approach time management
• Popularized timeboxing among knowledge workers
• Connected neuroscience to practical productivity advice