Managing Your Time to Get More Done with Laura Vanderkam

33 snips

Jun 16, 2021

Laura Vanderkam, a time management expert and author, dives into the art of productivity and personal fulfillment. She discusses how to carve out time for yourself even in packed schedules and emphasizes the importance of mindful time tracking. Laura shares strategies for effective weekly planning, optimizing family routines, and even meal prep to reduce stress. She also encourages listeners to create a 'dream list' to inspire future experiences. Plus, she highlights the role of boundaries with technology to enhance focus and joy in daily life.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Time Management Misconception

Time management isn't about doing more.
It's about building the life you want with the time you have.

ADVICE

168 Hours

People have more time than they realize.
Think in terms of 168 hours per week instead of 24 hours per day.

ADVICE

Track Your Time

Track your time to understand where it goes.
This data helps shift your mindset from victim to owner of your time.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

168 hours

You Have More Time Than You Think

Laura Vanderkam

In '168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think,' Laura Vanderkam challenges the common narrative that people are starved for time. After interviewing dozens of successful and happy individuals, she found that they allocate their time differently, prioritizing important activities over lesser ones. The book provides strategies for optimizing time use, such as logging your time, focusing on core competencies, outsourcing non-essential tasks, and making the most of downtime. Vanderkam argues that with careful planning and discipline, it is possible to sleep eight hours a night, exercise regularly, pursue hobbies, and maintain quality time for work, family, and other important aspects of life.

A World Without Email

Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload

Cal Newport

In 'A World Without Email', Cal Newport argues that the constant digital communication, which he terms the 'hyperactive hive mind', has become a productivity disaster. He contends that this workflow, driven by email and other messaging tools, reduces profitability, slows economic growth, and makes workers miserable. Newport proposes a workplace where clear processes, not haphazard messaging, define task management. He advocates for each person working on fewer tasks but doing them better, with significant investment in support to reduce administrative burdens. The book lays out principles and concrete instructions for streamlining important communication and reducing the central role of inboxes and chat channels in the workplace.

What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

Laura Vanderkam

This book by Laura Vanderkam provides insights into the morning routines of highly successful people, highlighting how they use the early hours to advance their health, careers, and personal lives. Drawing on real-life anecdotes and scientific research, Vanderkam argues that mornings are crucial for accomplishing important but non-urgent tasks that require internal motivation. She outlines a five-step process to help readers design and implement their own effective morning routines, including tracking time, picturing the perfect morning, thinking through logistics, building habits, and adjusting as necessary. The book emphasizes the importance of willpower and how it is more abundant in the morning, making it an ideal time for strategic work, nurturing relationships, and personal development[1][3][4].

The corner office

Indispensable and Unexpected Lessons from CEOs on How to Lead and Succeed

Adam Bryant

In 'The Corner Office,' Adam Bryant compiles insights from interviews with more than seventy CEOs, including Steve Ballmer (Microsoft), Carol Bartz (Yahoo), Jeffrey Katzenberg (DreamWorks), and Alan Mulally (Ford). The book reveals the keys to success in the business world, including the five essential personality traits valued by high-performing executives. It demystifies the art of leadership and provides different perspectives on how to be a more effective leader and employee.

Off the clock

Laura Vanderkam

I Know How She Does It

How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time

Laura Vanderkam

In 'I Know How She Does It', Laura Vanderkam analyzes the time management strategies of highly successful women who earn at least $100,000 a year and have children under 18. The book is divided into three main sections: Work, Home, and Self. It provides insights and practical tips on how these women use their 168 hours each week to advance their careers, enjoy family activities, and pursue their passions. Vanderkam's research challenges conventional notions of time management, suggesting that by making conscious choices and using time productively, women can achieve a fulfilling balance between work and personal life.

All the Money in the World

John Pearson

Juliet's School of Possibilities

Laura Vanderkam

Juliet's School of Possibilities is a life-changing fable about Riley Jenkins, a hardworking consultant struggling with her career and personal life. Through her journey at Juliet's School, Riley learns to prioritize and manage her time more effectively, offering readers a new perspective on balancing work and life. The story encourages readers to reevaluate their priorities and pursue their highest possibilities.