The Subtraction Method: how Sabri Suby protects his time and focus (Part 1)

The Subtraction Method: how Sabri Suby protects his time and focus (Part 1)

From How I Work by Amantha Imber

April 8, 2026 · 30 min

About this episode

In this episode, Sabri Suby shares his subtraction method for enhancing productivity and focus by limiting distractions and optimizing time management.

What if the secret to getting more done was to stop doing things? Sabri Suby, founder of King Kong, one of Australia's fastest-growing digital agencies and a shark on the most recent season of Shark Tank Australia, has built his entire work philosophy around subtraction. He audits every hour of his week, limits meetings to two days, and has trained his "fixer" to keep the outside world from ever reaching him. In part one of our two-part conversation, I sit down with Sabri to get inside the full system, including his Kings Audit process, his deep work routine, and the Dream Day exercise that keeps him from chasing shiny new objects. Sabri and I discuss: The Kings Audit: how to find exactly where your time is going and calculate the true cost of low-value tasks Why Sabri only takes meetings on Mondays and Fridays, and how he keeps them to 15-minute increments How he trained his "fixer" to act as a gatekeeper, screening requests before they ever reach him How to protect your most valuable hours How to automate your personal life so your time at home is genuinely high quality Shiny object syndrome: why most businesses stall because they chase too many things The…

People in this episode

Host: Amantha Imber

Guest: Sabri Suby

Topics covered

  • time management
  • focus
  • productivity
  • work philosophy
  • decision making
  • goal setting

Keywords

  • subtraction method
  • Kings Audit
  • deep work routine
  • Dream Day exercise
  • shiny object syndrome
  • time protection
  • meeting management

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: King Kong, Shark Tank Australia

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