What is *Create Space* by Derek Draper about?

*Create Space* explores strategies to reclaim mental clarity and productivity in an overcrowded world. Derek Draper argues that modern leaders must intentionally carve out physical, emotional, and cognitive space to foster growth. The book outlines frameworks across four domains—thinking, connecting, doing, and being—with actionable advice on reflection, self-awareness, and productivity. Key insights include balancing energy renewal and addressing distractions in high-pressure environments.

Who should read *Create Space* by Derek Draper?

This book is ideal for overwhelmed professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs seeking better work-life balance. Leaders struggling with decision fatigue, burnout, or inefficient time management will benefit from Draper’s evidence-backed strategies. It’s also valuable for coaches and HR professionals advising teams on sustainable productivity practices.

Is *Create Space* by Derek Draper worth reading?

Yes—Draper combines 15+ years of executive coaching with psychology research to offer practical tools for modern challenges. Readers gain strategies like the “dual life exercise” for goal alignment and Tony Schwartz’s energy renewal principles. The focus on creating space for reflection, rather than mere time hacks, makes it stand out in leadership literature.

What are the main concepts in *Create Space*?

- **Four Domains**: Thinking (reflection), connecting (relationships), doing (productivity), and being (purpose). - **Three Gateways**: Strategy (prioritization), mindset (growth orientation), and productivity (efficiency). - **Energy Management**: Balancing exertion and renewal, inspired by Schwartz’s *The Corporate Athlete*. Draper emphasizes that space creation precedes growth, using examples like CEOs averaging 28 minutes/day of focused work.

How does *Create Space* advise improving productivity?

The book advocates “strategic neglect”—eliminating low-impact tasks—and time-blocking for deep work. Draper highlights delegation, digital detoxes, and the “two-list system” (urgent vs. important). He critiques multitasking, citing studies showing it reduces efficiency by 40%.

What leadership lessons does Derek Draper emphasize?

Draper urges leaders to ask questions instead of providing answers, fostering team autonomy. He critiques “heroic leadership” myths, advocating vulnerability and self-awareness. A case study shows how creating “reflection space” for employees boosted innovation by 30% in a Fortune 500 company.

How does *Create Space* compare to *Atomic Habits*?

While *Atomic Habits* focuses on incremental behavior change, *Create Space* targets systemic redesign of environments and mindsets. Draper prioritizes eliminating distractions before habit-building, whereas James Clear emphasizes cue-routine-reward loops. Both books share research-backed strategies but differ in scope.

What critiques exist about *Create Space*?

Some reviewers note the book lacks empirical data for claims about productivity metrics. Others argue its corporate-focused examples may not resonate with solo entrepreneurs. However, Draper’s blend of psychotherapy principles and leadership coaching is widely praised.

Create Space Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Create Space

Derek Draper

3.71 (161 Reviews)

Productivity

Self-growth

Leadership

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

In a world where CEOs have just 28 minutes of uninterrupted work daily, "Create Space" offers the modern survival guide for reclaiming focus. Financial Times' Business Book of the Month reveals why, for the first time in history, success demands creating space - not filling it.

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Quick Summary8min

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Deep Dive42min

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Flash Card5 insights

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Fun18min

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Explore Your Way of Learning

Create Space isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Productivity. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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Experience Create Space through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

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@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Create Space

Derek Draper

3.71 (161 Reviews)

Productivity

Self-growth

Leadership

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary8min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card5 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun18min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

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The Space Revolution: Breathing Room in a Crowded World

00:00

Imagine a world where your calendar isn't a battlefield of back-to-back meetings, where your mind isn't fractured by constant notifications, and where you actually have room to think deeply. This isn't some utopian fantasy - it's the revolutionary premise of "Create Space." While most productivity approaches focus on cramming more into our days, this counterintuitive philosophy argues for the opposite: creating deliberate emptiness that allows for deeper thinking, authentic connection, and meaningful action. The most striking insight? Before you can grow as a leader, you must first create the space you'll grow into. We've rapidly shifted from existing within boundless horizons to living in digital prisons of our own making. For 200,000 years, humans lived surrounded by limitless space, focused more on "being" than "doing." If human history were compressed into an 80-year lifespan, smartphones would appear only in the final few minutes. This transformation has profound implications - research confirms most professionals have only 70% of the space they need in their working lives. The solution? A framework addressing four dimensions: space to think, connect, do, and be. These dimensions align with capabilities like strategic thinking, collaboration, execution, and personal resilience that companies collectively spend nearly $50 billion annually trying to develop. Creating space isn't about managing time or energy alone - it's a state of mind that makes you master of your destiny rather than victim of circumstance.

The Power of Reflection and Learning: Finding Clarity in Chaos

Decisive Action: Knowing Your Mind and Trusting Your Judgment

Authentic Connection and Psychological Safety: The Foundation of Leadership

From Human Doing to Human Being: Reclaiming Your Purpose

Creating Your Space: A Call to Action

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

Create Space Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Create Space into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 5 Insights from Create Space in a Nutshell

Distill Create Space into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

Create Space Lessons Told Through 18-Min Stories

Experience Create Space through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience Create Space in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

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Similar books to Create Space

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Key Takeaways

The Space Revolution: Breathing Room in a Crowded World

The Power of Reflection and Learning: Finding Clarity in Chaos

Decisive Action: Knowing Your Mind and Trusting Your Judgment

Authentic Connection and Psychological Safety: The Foundation of Leadership

From Human Doing to Human Being: Reclaiming Your Purpose

Creating Your Space: A Call to Action

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Create Space Summary in 8 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 5 Insights from Create Space in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Create Space Lessons Told Through 18-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Create Space Summary in 0 Minutes

Download Create Space PDF

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More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Space Revolution: Breathing Room in a Crowded World

The Power of Reflection and Learning: Finding Clarity in Chaos

Decisive Action: Knowing Your Mind and Trusting Your Judgment

Authentic Connection and Psychological Safety: The Foundation of Leadership

From Human Doing to Human Being: Reclaiming Your Purpose

Creating Your Space: A Call to Action