Buy Back Your Time
Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire
Author: Dan Martell
Length: 304 pages (~6.5 hour read)
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audible
Grab your copy of Buy Back Your Time on Amazon here
Why This Book Matters
If you’re drowning in tasks and feel like your business owns you, Buy Back Your Time offers a way out. Dan Martell—serial founder and coach to SaaS entrepreneurs—argues that most business owners build businesses that trap them. This book shows you how to reverse that by strategically buying back your time. It’s ideal for founders stuck in the weeds, doing everything themselves, and unable to grow without burning out.
Core Idea
You shouldn’t build a business that needs you—you should build one that frees you. Martell introduces the Buyback Principle: Don’t hire to grow your business. Hire to buy back your time. Growth comes after freedom. The goal is to create a company that scales while giving you more time, energy, and freedom—not less.
Key Tactics & How to Apply Them
1. The Buyback Loop
The core framework is a three-step loop: Audit, Transfer, Fill.
How to apply:
Audit your calendar for tasks that drain your energy (called “Time Assassins”).
Transfer low-dollar or low-enjoyment tasks first—like inbox management or scheduling.
Fill your freed-up time with higher-leverage activities like sales, hiring, or product strategy.
2. The Buyback Rate (BBR)
This is your decision-making filter: how much is your time worth per hour?
How to apply: Calculate your BBR by dividing your annual income goal by 2,000 hours. Only do tasks worth more than your BBR. Anything below that should be delegated immediately.
3. The Replacement Ladder
Don’t hire top-down—hire bottom-up, starting with roles that free up the most time fastest.
How to apply: Start with an executive assistant or personal assistant. Then offload delivery (e.g. customer support, project fulfillment), followed by marketing, sales, and eventually leadership.
4. Hell Yes or No
If it doesn’t energize you, it’s a “no.”
How to apply: Use Martell’s Energy Audit to identify what drains vs. excites you. Aim to spend 80% of your time on “Hell Yes” tasks by continuously offloading the rest.
5. Calendar Design
Your calendar is your blueprint for freedom.
How to apply: Design your ideal week first. Block time for energy-giving activities like workouts or family time before work meetings. Treat those blocks as non-negotiable.
6. Build Your Replacement
The goal isn’t just to hire people—it’s to build a system that eventually replaces you.
How to apply: Document your decisions, processes, and filters. Train your team to think like you using SOPs, screen recordings, and delegated authority.
7. Buy Back the Right Way
Don’t just delegate tasks—delegate outcomes.
How to apply: Instead of assigning someone a task, assign them ownership over a result (e.g. “handle all customer onboarding”). This keeps you out of micromanagement and frees your mental space.
Real-World Example
One founder of a $3M/year agency was working 70 hours a week and constantly stuck in delivery. After applying the Buyback Loop, he hired an EA, offloaded project management, and used his freed time to productize his service. Within a year, he was working 25 hours a week, doubled profits, and finally took a real vacation without things falling apart.
When to Use This Book
You feel like your business can’t grow without you
You’re constantly overwhelmed or burnt out
You’ve hit a revenue ceiling due to time limits
You want to delegate but don’t know where to start
You’re ready to scale—but not at the cost of your freedom
Grab your copy of Buy Back Your Time on Amazon here