Time Management

Publications Articles Research

  • New Year’s resolutions don’t work: 3 reasons why and 2 things to try

    New Year’s resolutions don’t work. When it comes to them, you are probably one of two types: I used to fall into the first category, setting NYRs every year. Because the end of the semester or year-end holidays get hectic, I got into the habit of giving myself Lunar New Year as my deadline. That

    Scrabble tiles spelling 'Happy New Year'

  • How to Stop Wasting Time (or Believing that You Are)

    In order to stop wasting time, we first need to consider if we actually are. A reader once asked me: Now that my children are back in school, how can I make the most of my time? I can easily spend an embarrassing amount of it reading the newspaper on my iPad and getting caught

    Close-up of a stylish wristwatch on hand.

  • Why it’s important to make summer plans for yourself and how to do it

    Have you made summer plans for yourself? If you’re like most smart and caring women, you probably made plans for loved ones but haven’t given much thought to what you might want to do for YOU. Whether it’s a vacation to spend time with your parents, or summer camps for your children, I have a

    Person jumping off a dock into water

  • The importance of wiggle room

    Giving yourself some wiggle room, cutting yourself some slack, or being gentle to yourself, is likely to help you make better decisions in times of great uncertainty. Here is a sample of questions I’ve recently received from readers, clients, and friends: These are variations of “How do I decide when there is so much uncertainty?“

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  • 2 Common Misconceptions about Productivity that Hold Smart Women Back

    New buzzwords and trends are creating productivity misconceptions and confusing core issues about and family that matter to talented women. Late last year, The Washington Post published a roundup of new phrases that described new work trends. The problem with such articles is not that they got things wrong but that they it was intended

    Person focused on a tablet device indoors.

  • Stop Making Plans: How to Prevent Becoming Your Own Worst Obstacle

    Perfectionists may find it better if they stop making plans and simply start taking some small actions. Imagine a friend calls you and says, “Surprise! We’re going on a trip and I promise you it’s going to be amazing!” OK, that’s exciting. Could be fun. But, what if this friend tells you. “We’re leaving tomorrow.

    Geometric world map art on concrete wall

  • Introducing to the FLASH Daily Planning System

    Here’s a 90-second video I recorded introducing how I use FLASH daily planning. Warning: My daughters say I need to work on my Instagram reel recording skills. While I use a Hobonichi Techo Cousin Avec planner, you can use your own daily planner or even a sheet of paper. The five parts of FLASH Daily

    Flashlight graphic promoting daily planning tool

  • The Clear-Cut Cake Strategy: Celebrate your way to beating procrastination

    The clear-cut cake strategy will help you remember what most forget when it comes to breaking down big goals into manageable steps. Most people know that you have to break down big ideas or projects into smaller tasks, in order to get things done. For example, the title of Anne Lamott’s wonderful writing guide, Bird

    Colorful cake illustration for procrastination strategies

  • Why Binge-Watching Is Better Than Setting New Year’s Resolutions

    Here's how to use your favorite shows to learn more about yourself—and enhance your everyday life, too.

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  • A Crucial Time Management Mistake Smart Women Don’t Know They’re Making

    There’s a time management mistake many women don’t know they’re making. It’s a costly one because it can perpetuate the feeling of overwhelm—the sense that you will never be done with all you have to do. It can prevent you from finding peace and feeling satisfied with life. Here’s the problem I see in all

    Notepad and stationery for managing mistakes.

  • How you might want to fix your morning routine

    A question I am frequently asked is “How do I optimize my morning routine?” Some ask because they want to struggle less with their children and get out the door in peace (or in one piece–which is what I wanted when my daughters were younger.) Others are motivated to start their days right–even though they

    Steaming coffee mug on wooden surface

  • Stacy’s Time Management for Work and Family

    When I asked women I admire to share their calendars and to-do lists, to be fair, I also shared my own system of time management for work and family. Over the years, however, I learned from my clients and adapted my system, and revised my old system. Below I share the tools I currently use.

    Open notebook with pen on a wooden surface.
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