The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management for Working Women

Today's episode is a little different. I've been turning over the idea of “living up to your potential” for years, and I'm finally putting words to why it bothers me so much. If that phrase has ever driven your decision-making—or weighed on you in a way you couldn't quite articulate—I think it's worth examining and challenging it. I'm not saying you shouldn't want more or chase goals. But I believe this phrase often leads us away from what we actually want – to choices that are disconnected from our happiness and real desires. And ironically, it can even block us from having the real impact we might be seeking in the first place. In this episode, I share: Why the phrase “fulfilling your potential” feels made up  How it shows up in conversations and decision-making, especially among ambitious women Why this framing often leads us to dismiss our own happiness, joy, and satisfaction A story about how, if I'd used “potential” as a decision-making guide, I might never have left law—and never started the business I love (and arguably is me "fulfilling my potential" "more," if that makes sense) A powerful quote from a podcast that hit me hard: “I guess I'd rather be special than happy” Why none of this is about shaming ambition—but about grounding our goals in what we want The danger of measuring life through a blurry concept that doesn't actually have a finish line A reminder that we can want what we want—and that can be enough If you've internalized the "fulfilling your potential" message, I hope this episode helps you question the story behind that phrase. What if there is no fixed “potential” you have to live up to? You get to want what you want—and build your life around that. Let me know what you think.   Mentioned links: The post about the Atlantic quote: “I guess I'd rather be special than happy” My earlier post about ego and decision-making Other links you might enjoy:

Let's talk about sleep. If you've listened to this podcast for a while, you know I'm pretty obsessed with sleep. I talked about it during my Year of Ease episode (ep. 9) and in the health episode (ep. 82) about how to realistically make time for your health—and I shared how, in my totally inexpert opinion, if you don't know where to start, I'd start with sleep because of the ripple effect it has on everything else. But here's the thing: while I care a lot about sleep, I'm not an expert in it. That's why I'm so thrilled to bring you this conversation with someone who is: Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown. Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown is a triple board-certified sleep physician and the founder of Restful Sleep MD. She is also the best-selling author of Beyond Tired—A Sleep Physician's Guide to Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems for Good. She helps individuals prioritize sleep, achieve optimal health, thrive, and live to their fullest potential. As a busy physician and mom of two, she understands the impact of sleep deprivation on our mental, physical, and emotional health. She has made it her mission to help others make sleep a priority. She also works with organizations and businesses to improve their health by incorporating healthy sleep into their wellness journey. She is a consultant and a speaker on regional, national, and international platforms. She has also published several peer-reviewed manuscripts on various sleep disorders. She obtained her sleep medicine training at the University of Pennsylvania.  In this episode, we talk about: Why sleep is so important and what can happen when we don't get enough of it The ripple effects of both sleep deprivation and solid sleep—on your mood, productivity, memory, immune system, mental health, decision-making, and long-term health how to improve both the quantity and quality of your sleep, especially when life is busy A helpful CREATE acronym Dr. Funke walks us through to realistically improve sleep hygiene For women with ADHD, some additional practical strategies that might help Tips for shift workers and anyone whose job schedule makes sleep harder to protect How to start realistically making small changes to protect your sleep even in full seasons of life This episode is packed with helpful, actionable information. Whether you're just curious about what better sleep could feel like—or you're in the thick of a sleep-deprived season and looking for any traction you can get—I hope this helps. I'm so excited to share Dr. Funke with you as she's such a generous, practical resource in this space. To learn more about Dr. Funke, her practice, her book, or her YouTube channel, see these links: Website: https://www.restfulsleepmd.com/ Beyond Tired Book: https://a.co/d/2aSRSQt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restfulsleepmd/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfunkebrown/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funke.afolabibrown/ Other links you might enjoy:

Meal planning and meal prep come up again and again as one of the top time management challenges professional working women face on the personal side of life—and it makes sense. Between picking recipes, building grocery lists, shopping, and then actually making the meals, it's a lot—and it happens every single week. In this episode, I'm joined by Allison Schaaf, a registered dietitian, trained chef, and the founder of Prep Dish, a meal planning service designed to reduce the time and mental load that come with feeding yourself and your family. If you've ever wished for an option that hits the middle ground between a full meal kit delivery and figuring it all out on your own, this might be it. In this conversation, we dig into: why meal planning is such a universal time management pain point, especially for working parents how to simplify and systematize it so it's not something you reinvent every week practical strategies for tackling both meal planning and prep in realistic ways (especially if cooking isn't your thing) different ways to involve your kids so they're more likely to actually eat the food you make the behind-the-scenes of Prep Dish and how it helps people reduce the invisible workload that comes with meals—without going all the way to fully outsourced kits how to use your calendar to support and protect your meal planning time and how Allison built this company after working as a personal chef and seeing what worked in real life Whether you love cooking and just want to lighten the lift—or you're trying to get through dinner without a meltdown (yours or someone else's)—this conversation offers great ideas and an option you may not have known existed. Allison also shares a generous free trial of Prep Dish just for Bright Method listeners. To grab it, go to prepdish.com/bright. Links you might enjoy:

In this 100th episode of the Bright Method podcast, I'm sharing something I haven't said enough: I believe you can do this. Yes, time management is hard. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. In fact, the reason it feels hard is usually because your life got more complicated—and the system you were using just can't keep up. But even though it's hard, you CAN do this. Today, let's talk about: Why I don't believe time management is a quick fix  The kind of women I've worked with across 350+ Bright Method clients—and why that matters for you The only profession I've seen where Bright Method is a tricky fit (and what that tells us about calendar control) What's often really going on when people say, “I don't have control over my calendar” Why I believe women with ADHD and women who love paper can absolutely use the Bright Method How we mold the system to fit you—not the other way around Why being smart—and you are—means you can learn this skill, even if it feels overwhelming at first What one big law associate shared about implementing the Bright Method… 3 years after taking the program Plus, I share a behind-the-scenes look at my own experience: I'm not some mythical Pinterest-perfect person. I lose my keys. I leave food sitting on my desk. I had to learn this stuff just like everyone else—and I still use it every single day because it works. If you've ever thought, “This sounds good, but I'm not sure I could do it,” I hope this episode gives you a different perspective. If you want to try out the Bright Method for free, check out my 5-day video series at kellynolan.com/refresh. And truly: thanks for being here for 100 episodes. I'm so glad you're here. Links you might enjoy:

Today, we're talking about career transitions and job searches—and I'm excited to bring on a guest to help us with it: career coach Julia Lynch. Inside the Bright Method, women gain clarity around where their time is going. And once some see it all laid out in front of them, they realize that it's not just a "them" issue, it's that their industry or employer just isn't the right fit for the life they want. That clarity often kicks off the desire to make a job move. To help with that process, I brought on Julia Lynch. Julia is a personal brand strategist and career coach who helps high-powered women make bold career moves by networking smartly and packaging their experience in a way that opens new doors. She's also the woman behind the Instagram handle @smarterinasec and Substack Varsity Reader. In this episode, we cover: The first step you need to take before you even start networking. Why it's your job to create the story about who you are and what you bring to the table—so others can take that story and market you to others. Why you should start networking before you need a job. How some senior-level jobs are shifting into more "fractional" roles—and what that means. What a career coach like Julia really does and how to think about whether working with one makes sense for you. What to ask if you're thinking about hiring a career coach. We also talk about the reality that if you've been heads-down in one industry for a decade or more, it's hard to know what else is out there—and how working with someone who knows the landscape can help you move faster and smarter. Whether you're already thinking about a move or just want to be ready in case you want to make one down the road, I think you'll find this conversation helpful. Julia's website is linked here, and you can set up a free discovery call with her here.  You can also find Julia on Instagram at @smarterinasec and on her Substack, Varsity Reader—she's a great follow for both smart career advice and fun recs. Thanks for being here—and here's to making career moves that better align with the life you want. Additional links you might enjoy:

In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I dig into something I wish I'd fully appreciated earlier in my career: your boss likely has no idea what's actually on your plate. That's true whether you work for multiple people or just one—and it matters when it comes to managing your workload in a realistic and less overwhelming way. We'll cover: Why you shouldn't assume the work being assigned to you is reasonable or doable What it looks like to truly take ownership of your workload—and why it's empowering Why understanding your own capacity is the first step in managing your workload Why this empowers you to propose solutions you want and protect the kind of work you enjoy What to do when your boss won't adjust your workload—and how that clarity can still serve you Why boundaries “work” even when they don't go the way you want them to I also talk through how a visual, calendar-based system helped me go from feeling constantly underwater to confidently managing what I could take on—and even turning down work in a clear, strategic way. Plus, I share a client story about how this clarity led to a more reasonable workload and enjoyable work that made a bigger impact. If you'd like a free way to get started with this system, check out my 5-day Reset & Refresh series at kellynolan.com/refresh. You can also DM me the word “refresh” on Instagram to get the link. Links you might enjoy:

In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I'm joined by professional life coach Michelle Gauthier to explore a topic that deeply affects how we spend our time—people pleasing. If you've ever said yes when you wanted to say no, or agreed to something before even thinking it through, this episode is for you. We break down: What people pleasing really is (hint: it's not just being nice) How to recognize it, even when it's subtle The emotional and physical cues that signal it's happening Why so many high-achieving women fall into this trap Practical strategies to pause before saying yes and evaluate requests with intention Michelle's “Love & Fit” test to help you assess whether a request is aligned with the life you want Specific phrases to use when you want to say no with kindness and confidence Tips for handling pushback when you do say no How to gamify the process and even calendar your “nos” so you can see how much time you're reclaiming Michelle and I share examples from our personal and professional lives, including the awkward conversations we've had to navigate and the mental load that comes with trying to control how others perceive us. If you've ever resented someone for asking you to do something—because you felt like you “had” to say yes—this episode will help you step back, get curious, and reclaim your time. Michelle Gauthier is the host of the Overwhelmed Working Woman podcast and helps high-achieving women create calmer, more intentional lives through private coaching and group programs. She brings warmth, humor, and a down-to-earth approach to this powerful and all-too-relatable conversation. Whether you're looking to set stronger boundaries at work, say no to another PTA role, or just want to stop defaulting to yes, you'll walk away from this episode with tools you can actually use—starting today. Learn more about Michelle at www.michellegauthier.com, and listen to her podcast, Overwhelmed Working Woman, wherever you get your podcasts. Additional links you might enjoy:

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I've had a few people ask me recently about time management during the newborn baby phase. Here are my random tips – take them or leave them!  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Finances can be so tricky. I anticipate more conversations around budgeting, etc. (just like time, how we spend money matters just as much as what we make/have), and this is a wonderful kick off episode with Emilie Dayan Hill.  To learn more from Emilie: Click here to get the guide mentioned in the episode, and Click here to follow her on Instagram.  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Coming out of January and February, months when lots of curveballs hit, it's hard to motivate to plan after likely weeks of plans getting derailed. Let's talk about that frustration – AND why it's still worth planning (even when those plans later get derailed).  Ep. 8 gives you a high-level overview of my weekly planning session if you're curious. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Sometimes, we realize we're the ones giving ourselves too-tight deadlines – either out of a desire to show how eager we are or because the sense of urgency makes us react too frantically. Instead of beating ourselves up for that tendency, let's talk about why this can actually be a great thing to realize – and what to do about it! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

We've talked about how to handle sick kids at home (resources on that below), but what about all of the scheduled days off of school. Someone asked me to discuss those days, so let's do it! Sick kid resources: Eps. 26 and 27 of this podcast (though missing some updated info in the article) This article - tip 1 contains the updated information Other kid-related resources mentioned: What do working moms do in the summer - 12 practical strategies 13 strategies to plan for maternity leave Career or Kids: When to stay, leave, or scale down your career for kids – at least for now A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Often, women I work with or talk to online share that, while they want to use the Bright Method, they resist implementation because of, what I can see, two buckets of very understandable reasons: They want to understand what the end result looks like before they start and they can't see it right now, and/or They know on some level that they have too much work for their available capacity, and there's part of them that doesn't want to really see it and the have to make tough calls and have tough conversations to deal with it.  Both make total sense. So, let's talk about them more. Resources mentioned: Episode on calendaring your current reality first – and then calendaring in the more aspirational things you're trying to do: Episode 25 (one of my favorites!) "How I Structure My Day" series on Instagram Data Privacy Specialist Associate Dean of a Medical School Chief of Staff at a Tech Company College Professor with older kids with after-school sports. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

So often, we calendar a deadline or an event and think either there's not much that goes into it or we'll just remember what do to for it. But when you actually write down everything that goes into it, it's a surprising lot of stuff, takes up more time than we realize, and the sheer volume of things explains why we forget to do some of it every time.  Let's talk workflows, their benefits, how to do them (simplicity is great!), and walk through an example relating to personal travel.  Resources mentioned: The travel checklist: https://kellynolan.com/travel-checklist  The work travel podcast episode: ep. 46 The article about how to check out of work for a vacation: https://kellynolan.com/vacation/ (please see the publish date – always cracks me up) A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

This is definitely not my most articulate, succinct podcast, but I think there's something here that's worth sharing – and it'll continue to evolve. The older I get, the more I see the value of shirking American culture's "quick results now"/focus on short-term time horizons and focusing on the long game. Let's talk about it, and I'd love to hear what you think! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

So often, when we get free 15-minute windows we didn't anticipate during work hours, we spend too much time deciding what to do and/or fritter them away on stuff that doesn't matter (cough*social media*cough). But these small windows of time add up, and using them effectively can help you leave work earlier and feel more accomplished. Let's talk about how to do that.  This episode also spends some time focusing on time management strategies for phsycians in a related context. Enjoy – and share with a physician in your life! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Decluttering and home organization projects can be a major time management painpoint for people on the home front. To help with that, I'm thrilled to have Laura Kinsella on the podcast to help us hear about how to manage our time around it, how to do it, how to get support doing it, and more.  Follow Laura on Instagram here: http://www.instagram.com/urbanorganyze Or reach out to Laura via her website here: http://www.urbanorganyze.com A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Email and/or Slack/Teams can often interrupt the time we've set aside and protected for focused, heads-down work. Let's dig into some strategies to help us get the focused time during work hours that we crave. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

I hear from many women that they have no energy after work to do "productive" things. Let's talk about what to do about that.  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

One of the most common time management pain points many women experience is trying to find time (and energy) for their own health, whether that's working out, eating how they want, sleeping, and even medical appointments. Let's discuss.  Referenced episodes: Ep. 33. Long-Term Planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans Ep. 29. Outsourcing at Home Ep. 9. Strategies to Get More Ease In Your Life A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

One of the most common time management challenges working women have is that their work hours are dominated by meetings, pushing heads-down work into nights and weekends. Let's talk about what to do if this is your work life. Referenced episodes: Ep. 43. Five Strategies to Improve Your Meetings Ep. 4. How to Prioritize in a Way that Actually Works Ep. 23. Managers v. Makers (And What It Means for Your Schedule) A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Are you clear about what you do with every to-do or idea that comes your way?  Not how you actually do the thing or use the idea – just how you process it? i.e., Do you have a system that helps you take in that to-do/idea, process it, and then bring it to life? It's a basic question perhaps, but one that I don't think we always get clear on. And clarity here helps us in our day-to-day lives, where such much is flying at us all the time. So, let's talk about it. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Regardless of when your next performance review happens, let's talk about things you can do now to make writing your self-evaluation easier – and then how to use this gathered information to make your self-eval more effective.  This episode is based off of this article if you also want to see it written out. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

While I love the Bright Method's ability to help you plan long term (e.g., calendaring when to start your passport renewal process in three years), one thing missing from the Bright Method is a high-level snapshot of your long-term planning.  Enter Kelsey Wharton's "The Years are Short" spreadsheet.  Here's my written article about it, too.  Here's an article about the Bird's Eye View. And finally, episode 33 is about "Long-Term Planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans." A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Around now is when the holiday logistics overwhelm can kick in. Let's talk about it! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

While there are many great approaches for sharing the load at home with a partner, like Fair Play, for those of us with partners who aren't around consistently (e.g., some physicians, travel, military), those approaches don't really work. A partner can't own, e.g., taking out the trash or cleaning up the kitchen or staying on top of what groceries you need and ordering them when they're not home when those things need to happen.  So, let's talk about it. This is somewhat more of a personal share about our situation and how we manage things. I'm not saying it's totally right, and I'm more than willing to hear how you do something that works for you if you're in a similar boat! That said, I hope it's helpful – if only to normalize the struggle of it a bit! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

This time of year reminds me of a post I wrote two years ago about doing or not doing things we want to do take care of ourselves and make us happy – because of what others will think of us. Let's dig into it. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Today, I'm joined my Woody Taylor, someone with far more knowledge about AI than me, to discuss AI applications at work and in our personal lives. I find all of this new and fascinating, and this discussion dove into a lot of topics that I think you'll find thought-provoking and practical. Let me know what you think once you listen! To learn more about Woody's work, please visit his website: www.paramis.ai Platforms mentioned: ChatGPT Claude Perplexity NotebookLM A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

A few weeks ago, when I asked people on Instagram what to record a podcast episode about next, three people asked me to share about my time management journey. So, here goes!  In addition, a heads up that: My Jan-Mar 2025 program is the last time I plan to run it in a "cohort" format (i.e., you go through it with the same women for eight weeks) as I'm going to have it open more often on a rolling basis to allow people to jump in when it works for them between September and April each year. Enrollment for the Jan-Mar 2025 Bright Method program opens this Friday, November 1 at 10am CT. You can jump on the waitlist & add it to your calendar here.   Thanks for being here! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

I'm been a fan of Dr. Christine Koh and her podcast, Edit Your Life, for a long time. It's an honor to have her on the podcast today to discuss topics like decluttering (in a doable and exciting way), handling the holidays, and radical rest. Enjoy – and check out her podcast, Edit Your Life. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

During a presentation, someone once asked me a question: "Presentations take me too long to prep for. What do I do about that?" Let's talk about ways to do things faster – and also a more empowered approach to take when it comes to managing your time.  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan. I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

We talk a fair bit about matchmaking your activities to your energy level patterns in a typical day or week. Let's kick this up a notch with Carmen Amador Barriero as she walks us through how those of us experiencing menstrual cycles can think about our natural tendencies during different phases of our cycles (plus how to know which phase you're even in!).  Carmen is an Organizational & Business Psychologist, Community Builder at Oyster, and Women's Health Mentor. Carmen is on a mission to transform the way people see themselves, their workplaces, and the world they live in. Through her current work as the Community Lead of Oyster's People Builders Community, she regularly empowers and facilitates leaders and professionals to transform their workplaces into authentic, inclusive & thriving remote & hybrid environments. Whether speaking to hundreds of delegates at a conference or facilitating workshops virtually, Carmen is known for creating curiosity, enthusiasm and interactivity around any topic at hand. Carmen has also spent the last 3 years training as a certified Holistic Women's Wellness Mentor, Womb Awakening Practitioner, and is on a mission to guide women in reconnecting with their bodies through menstrual cycle and womb work, helping them remember their magic. To learn more about Carmen, visit: Her website Her LinkedIn profile Oyster's People Builder Community The books she recommended are: Wild Power Period Power A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.

After those curveball weeks – whether it's an illness in the family or a work fire that puts off all other work – it can be overwhelming to look at the backlog on top of upcoming meetings and deadlines. Let's talk practical strategies to help dig out and get you back to feeling more stable and on track. Resources mentioned: Article: What do you do when you have to work with a sick kid at home? Podcast episode no. 26 & 27 A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh.

We've talked in previous episodes about outsourcing work at home in ep. 29 (including emotional and even "moral" hangups about doing so) and, specifically, about hiring a house manager in ep. 52 with Kelly Hubbell of Sage House. Today, we're continuing this conversation with another option to help outsource more of the mental load. Emily King is the co-founder and CEO of Faye, an AI-powered platform that makes it affordable to hire a local personal assistant to help with those day-to-day, mentally exhausting tasks. Let's dig into examples of what people outsource to Faye and how it works.  I have no financial affiliation with and gain no benefit from sharing about Faye. I just think it's an interesting platform that might provide you with the relief you're looking for, so wanted to make you aware of it! A bit more about Emily: Prior to entrepreneur life, Emily was the VP of Digital & Product at Blue Bottle Coffee, where she oversaw digital marketing, e-comm, and mobile, as well as physical product development: cafe drinks/culinary, merchandise, and all CPG. Prior to Blue Bottle, she led revenue operations and direct sales at Nextdoor; merchandising at Good Eggs; and e-comm and home services at LivingSocial. Emily started her career as a writer and editor at National Geographic, before discovering the exciting, fast-paced world of consumer tech. She currently lives in Ogden, UT, with her husband Patten and their 6-year-old daughter, Vivian.  Learn more at https://www.findfaye.com/, and follow along on Instagram at @tryfaye.  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.

A woman on Instagram asked me to address in a podcast episode, in short, what do you do when you have too many tasks coming in from so many different places that you struggle to even calendar them all? And, on top of it, you spend many hours of your day in front of the computer in meetings.  Great questions! Let's discuss. In this episode, I reference my previous episode on the weekly planning session, which is episode 8, "Your New Weekly Planning Session." Enjoy! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.

You've probably heard me say (98493 times) that everything comes back to time. This explains why it's smart to streamline tasks (which all require time) in your calendar. It also plays another role: anything that bugs you in your life can also be alleviated and/or have clarity and progress brought to it through using our calendar. Let's discuss a lot of practical examples! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.

Someone asked me if I could address what to do when you're anxious about the next calendared event, which prevents you from focusing on the current thing you're trying to work on. Let's discuss – both in terms of if certain things cause that feeling to set it and if it's everything you calendar.  Also, if you have time and are willing, I'd so appreciate if you'd rate and review this podcast. Thank you! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.

If you have a partner, getting them onboard with a time management approach can be tricky. Let's dig into some tips on how to do it. Here's the article referenced in the episode, How to Get Your Partner's Help at Home: Help Them See the Ocean. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.

It irks me when I hear people say, "Just schedule time for self-care." Many people I work with might find the time for a break, but struggle to enjoy it because they feel anxious they should be doing something "productive" with that time. Let's talk about that – and what to do about it. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.

Enrollment for my fall 2024 program opens this Thursday, August 1st at 10am CT, so this is a special bonus episode about the program. I'll walk you through what you'll learn in it, how the program works, and how it's different than what you've tried before.  To join the waitlist / enroll (depending on timing), click here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out via email (kelly@kellynolan.com) or DM me on Instagram.  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.

Too often, we women struggle to say no at work to keep our workload reasonable and maintain boundaries because we want to be a "good employee," which many of us subconsciously believe means we need to be the "perfect employee." As a result, we say yes to things we don't want to do, answer emails at night, are always on Teams/Slack, etc.  Let's talk about how to handle these thoughts so that we can reclaim more control of our time.  To do that, I am thrilled to have Goli Kalkhoran of Lessons from a Quitter join us. I've been a big fan of Goli and her work for a long time, so it's a true honor to have her on the podcast.  For those of you who don't know her, Goli Kalkhoran is Master Certified Life Coach, and former attorney, who helps unfulfilled professionals create a career (and life) they actually like. She is the host of the Lessons from a Quitter podcast where she uses her platform to de-stigmatize quitting and provide resources and inspiration to individuals looking to pivot in their established careers. She challenges people to exceed their own expectations and guides them through the initial steps of starting over in order to build a more intentional, fulfilling life. Learn more about Goli's work at: https://www.quitterclub.com/class  https://www.lessonsfromaquitter.com/quitterclub And definitely check out her podcast, Lessons from a Quitter. Enjoy – and let me know what you think! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.

If you're like me, making a mistake can wash you in shame and derail you for a period of time. Let's talk about some guiding principles that have helped me, including advice I've received from others and ways I've used the Bright Method to help me get out of that mistake shame spiral. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.

Without any scientific data to back me up, I believe kids push parents into traditional gender norms (at least in same-sex couples) because of legitimate (though frustrating) biological reasons during that first year with a baby. Because of that, kid (and home) labor gets unevenly distributed to women, and this pattern of the labor division gets established. And then, because of the new crazy pace of life with a kid, the pattern persists beyond the first year and beyond any legitimate rationale for it.  Let's talk about this and how we can get intentional around it to at least prevent the pattern from persisting beyond any rationale for it.  This is also obviously informed by my own experience. I would love to hear your thoughts – positive or negative – around this. Email me at kelly@kellynolan.com.  And please feel free to send this episode to a friend, too! Thank you! Other resources that might be relevant: Time Management Tips for New Moms (Majka)  13 Strategies to Plan Maternity Leave What Do Working Moms Do During The Summer A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.  

Hi there! Hopefully this is the last episode with bad sound quality. (Reminder: I'm in a rental and had to switch up my sound set-up in the move – and apparently did not do well). I tried to fix it once I realized it (we'll see how I did next episode), but I'd already recorded this one. Today, we'll talk three sets of summer tips: First, around workload in the summer and intentional slowing down where you want to;  Second, around summer travel; and Third, for working parents, some tips around logistics.  For more resources on these topics, check out: Article: A Step-By-Step System for Checking Out of Work to Take a Vacation Instagram post re 11 practical tips you can do now to make Future You's trip more enjoyable Article: For Working Parents: Things to Calendar Now to Make the Summer Transition Smoother A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To learn more about and join the waitlist for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.

Just a heads up that the sound quality is worse. We're in a rental now, and I need to figure out the recording quality again. Thanks for sticking with me through it! Turning to the substance, we all know the election is this year. Before it consumes us whole, let's talk about some practical things we can put in place to help us protect our peace of mind and sanity through it – while also being as involved as we want to be.  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

Many of us (myself included) have deep loyalty to many in our lives, and sometimes, it causes us to make decisions about work that are different than what we want or tolerate situations at work much longer than makes us happy.  My dad gave me incredibly useful advice on this front when I was 25 that's stuck with me since then. Let's talk about it – with the aim of helping us reign in that overactive loyalty so we can draw boundaries at work.  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there!

American culture is fixated on DOING – and those of us in it struggle to stop the doing to plan and prioritize. This quote caught my attention on that front: “You waste years by not being able to waste hours." The quote is by Amos Tversky and doesn't relate to planning, but it made me think that we do risk wasting weeks, months, and years by not planning and prioritizing where we want to go. Busyness without direction doesn't always get us where we want to go.  Let's discuss – and walk through what this means from a practical perspective.  Other episodes referenced:  Prioritization - Ep. 4 - "How to prioritize in a way that actually works" Weekly planning session - Ep. 8 - "Your new weekly planning session" Annual planning/Thinking Time - Ep. 33 - "Long-term planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans" A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.

For people with ever-different schedules, from ER physicians and nurses to pilots, this episode is for you!  A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh.

Someone asked me on Instagram to address commutes from a time management perspective. So, let's dig into some strategies for traditional commutes & non-commutes for the days you WFH. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.