The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms
Kelly Nolan
Ready for a time management approach that is actually designed for professional working women – ones that help you lighten the mental load, draw boundaries with more confidence, focus on the important (not just urgent) stuff at work, and be present with friends and family?
Podcast host, Kelly Nolan, an attorney-turned-time management strategist, mom of two, and creator of the Bright Method™, delivers practical, realistic time management strategies tailored for busy professional women, working moms, and ambitious women juggling careers and home life.
We cover topics like:
How to time-block in a way that actually works and avoid common time-blocking mistakes,
How to manage the mental load around all of our roles at work and at home,
How to handle work deadlines with less stress and scramble,
How to keep distractions in check, from social media to people swinging by your office, and
How to plan in a realistic way so you can feel on top of it all and avoid overcommitment.
Whether you're a lawyer, physician, executive, woman in corporate, professor, entrepreneur, or any woman navigating a full plate, this podcast gives you tools to design a sustainable system that works for your real life—not a Pinterest-perfect version of it.
Follow now, and let's get you falling asleep proud of what you got done today and calm about what's on tap tomorrow.
Podcast host, Kelly Nolan, an attorney-turned-time management strategist, mom of two, and creator of the Bright Method™, delivers practical, realistic time management strategies tailored for busy professional women, working moms, and ambitious women juggling careers and home life.
We cover topics like:
How to time-block in a way that actually works and avoid common time-blocking mistakes,
How to manage the mental load around all of our roles at work and at home,
How to handle work deadlines with less stress and scramble,
How to keep distractions in check, from social media to people swinging by your office, and
How to plan in a realistic way so you can feel on top of it all and avoid overcommitment.
Whether you're a lawyer, physician, executive, woman in corporate, professor, entrepreneur, or any woman navigating a full plate, this podcast gives you tools to design a sustainable system that works for your real life—not a Pinterest-perfect version of it.
Follow now, and let's get you falling asleep proud of what you got done today and calm about what's on tap tomorrow.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 10, 2025 • 16min
92. Why plan when nothing goes to plan?!
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!
Mar 3, 2025 • 23min
91. The Good News about Realizing You're Choking Yourself Up with Deadlines
Discover how self-imposed deadlines often lead to unnecessary stress for working women and moms. Learn to recognize the power of self-awareness to transform urgency into thoughtful time management. Explore actionable strategies to prioritize well-being without sacrificing performance. Uncover the benefits of reframing your perceptions and holding yourself accountable for a more balanced approach to work. Embrace a new mindset that encourages quality over frantic rushes!
Feb 24, 2025 • 22min
90. How to Handle Scheduled Kid Days Off (e.g., Holidays, Teacher Professional Development Days)
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!
Feb 17, 2025 • 25min
89. When You Feel Resistance to Calendaring Your Activities, Projects, etc.
Many professional women experience resistance when trying to implement effective time management. The discussion delves into common psychological barriers, such as perfectionism and the fear of facing overwhelming workloads. Highlighting the importance of actionable calendaring techniques, the podcast encourages listeners to take proactive steps. A charming fable illustrates how confronting discomfort can lead to growth. Plus, insights into diverse daily routines from women at various professions foster community and relatability.
Feb 10, 2025 • 27min
88. An Example of a Work Flow: Personal Travel
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!
Feb 3, 2025 • 22min
87. The Power of the Long-Term Play (vs. Getting Hung Up On Short-Term Timelines)
This discussion highlights the power of focusing on long-term goals instead of chasing short-term results. By sharing personal stories, the speaker illustrates how this mindset promotes resilience and deeper fulfillment. They emphasize that adopting a long-term perspective can lead to sustainable changes, especially in areas like parenting and personal growth, ultimately reducing stress and enhancing relationships.
Jan 27, 2025 • 15min
86. How to Handle Surprise 15-Min Windows at Work – And Time Management Tips of Physicians
Learn how to make the most of surprise 15-minute windows at work instead of wasting them on distractions like social media. Discover strategies for turning unexpected downtime into productive moments, especially in fast-paced settings like healthcare. The conversation also highlights tailored time management techniques for physicians, emphasizing the balance between flexibility and planning. Transform these small pockets of time into opportunities for accomplishment and leave work feeling fulfilled!
Jan 20, 2025 • 42min
85. Home Organization: Making Time for & How to Do It with Laura Kinsella of Urban OrgaNYze
Laura Kinsella, professional organizer and founder of Urban OrgaNYze, shares her transformative journey from the arts to home organization. She offers practical strategies to declutter and personalize organization systems. Discussing the emotional benefits of a serene home, Laura emphasizes the importance of micro-habits and community support. Listeners learn how simple changes, like adding hooks, can solve everyday chaos. She encourages creativity in tackling organization challenges, reminding us to embrace our unique approaches.
Jan 13, 2025 • 20min
84. When Email/Slack/Teams Interrupt Your Focus Time
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!
Jan 6, 2025 • 13min
83. When You Have No Energy After Work For "Productive" Things
Many women struggle with post-work fatigue that hinders their productivity. The discussion focuses on accepting energy limits and offers practical strategies for transitioning from work to home life. Prioritizing essential tasks becomes crucial for managing evening energy. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their natural rhythms for better efficiency and satisfaction in both professional and personal realms.
