Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

Do you regularly feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day? That feeling has a technical term--it's called 'time poverty,' and it's something we're going to learn how to reduce in today's episode.I'm talking with Ashley Whillans, assistant professor at Harvard Business School, a leading voice in time and happiness research, and the author of the excellent book, Time Smart. I enjoyed this book so much--it's succinct, it's practical, it's educational. I turned down multiple corners of multiple pages and got out my special notebook so I could do the exercise Ashley outlines. I really recommend it, and I'm so excited to have Ashely here today to help us all feel more time affluent.Ashley's websiteAshley's book, 'Time Smart'This episode sponsored by: AirDoctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to 39% or $300 HelloFresh – Use promo code 50BETTERPERSON to save 50% and get free shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time isn’t just this tangible thing that you can parcel out and have it behave in predictable ways. So let’s stop trying to make it our b-i-t-c-h, whaddya say? The thing is, when you are feeling good and in a groove, mentally, physically, and spiritually, you cut through tasks like a hot knife through butter. It’s better, then, to stop trying to manage your time, and focus instead of managing your energy. This is not just some woo-woo thing that I personally believe. The Harvard Business Review article that describes the Energy Project study I mention in this episodeThis episode sponsored by: AirDoctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to 39% or $300 HelloFresh – Use promo code 50BETTERPERSON to save 50% and get free shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve all been there–you had the whole day open to do as you pleased, and you had all these things you wanted to get done, but by the time 5 o'clock rolls around, you haven’t done squat. Today’s episode is about how to avoid frittering away the day.This episode sponsored by: AirDoctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to 39% or $300 HelloFresh – Use promo code 50BETTERPERSON to save 50% and get free shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m talking with Dr. Cassie Holmes, professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, social psychologist who researches the intersection of time and happiness, and who teaches a wildly popular MBA class on how to change the way you think about time in order to boost happiness. She generously shares her evidence-based strategies for changing your approach to time and making more space for the things that really matter to you. I love this episode!!Dr. Holmes’s book, Happier HourTime tracking sheetTime crafting canvasThis episode sponsored by: AirDoctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to 39% or $300 HelloFresh – Use promo code 50BETTERPERSON to save 50% and get free shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dumb little things you have to do repeatedly can eat up your time and drag your energy down. Since this week is all about ways to take better care of the intersection of time, energy, and happiness, finding solutions for these minor aggravations is the subject of today’s episode. I don’t know about you, but I find teeny little changes ridiculously exciting, which means I’m ridiculously excited about this episode. This episode sponsored by: AirDoctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to 39% or $300 HelloFresh – Use promo code 50BETTERPERSON to save 50% and get free shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, I'm interviewing planning expert Sarah Hart-Unger, host of the Best Laid Plans podcast. A self-described "compulsive list maker and life planner," Sarah's planning prowess has been honed through experience. In addition to Best Laid Plans, Sarah is also the co-host of the Best of Both Worlds podcast, with Laura Vanderkam; is a pediatric endocrinologist; has three kids; and is a daily blogger and a devoted runner. In this interview, Sarah shares how she makes time for planning, her systems for sharing plans with her family, her favorite planning tools, and the mindset she brings to planning in the first place (which was way different from how I had been approaching it). Best Laid Plans podcastBest of Both Worlds podcastSarah’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn about the significance of planning and the drawbacks of neglecting deep thinking. Explore the concept of a 'Shultz Hour' for big-picture thinking and blocking off dedicated time for it. Discover how to create designated time for big picture thinking and make it a collaborative experience.

A big reason we make plans is to stave off stress–if you know what’s happening when it gives you a feeling of control and helps you know that you’re doing the things that you need and want to do.And there’s a certain type of planning that can also make you significantly happier, and not the kind of satisfaction that comes from having all your ducks in a row, but actual happiness that recharges your creativity, helps you be in the moment, and creates memories that can last a lifetime. What is this magical planning hack? Plan. More. Vacations!!Research quoted in this episode:1 in 4 Americans who work in the private sector get NO paid time off 700 million vacation days go unused each yearVacations really do help us feel less tired and more mindfulPeople are more engaged and productive at work after taking a vacationSurvey that found that taking time off reduces reports of depressionThat vacation feeling only lasts about 2 weeks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think about getting older, or the elderly in general, what words come to mind? The answer to that question can have a big impact on your health–from how long you live to how high your risk of developing dementia is (even if it runs in your family!). I’m sharing some fabulous news about getting older all this week on the podcast. This is stuff that was pretty new information for me so I hope that it will be a pleasant surprise for you too (and that it might even help you live longer and better, which research suggests it could!). New York Times article on Dr. Levy’s research Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast I'm taking a look at aging, and the simple but powerful things we can do to make our getting older experience better on many levels. And today I'm talking with someone who is a leading voice for women to re-think their attitudes toward aging, and to embrace some new tools and strategies to make aging just a new phase of life--and not something to dread.My guest today is Tamsen Fadal–as the evening news anchor for WPIX-11 in New York City, Tamsen has spent her entire career being told that at any moment, she would age out of her job. Now in her early 50s, she’s going stronger than ever, and has a lot to say on exceeding expectations (others’ and our own) as you get older. Plus, she is (and looks) amazing, so I get her to spill the things she does to keep herself in a good space as she constantly keeps her eye on what’s Coming Up Next (the name of her podcast). Listen to Tamsen’s Coming Up Next podcastFollow Tamsen on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices