The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms

Feelings of dread can arise as the holiday season approaches, and planning can become overwhelming. Practical strategies are shared to help manage stress, including prioritizing tasks and simplifying traditions. Delegation and meal planning take center stage, encouraging listeners to embrace new, less rigid approaches. The importance of cherishing simple moments is highlighted, promoting genuine joy during celebrations. Discover how to navigate the holiday hustle while maintaining festive cheer!

Managing home responsibilities can be tricky when your partner is away often. The discussion highlights the unique struggles faced by couples with demanding jobs. Personal stories reveal how communication and support play a vital role in balancing household tasks. Listeners are encouraged to share their approaches, fostering a sense of community around these challenges. The focus is on normalizing the struggle and exploring actionable strategies for equitable home labor.

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!

Woody Taylor, a management consultant and technology futurist from Minneapolis, dives into the fascinating world of AI in this conversation. He discusses the transformative effects of tools like ChatGPT on workplace productivity and personal learning. Woody warns about the dual nature of AI, highlighting potential risks such as scams and bias in content creation. He emphasizes the importance of mindful engagement and the need for regulation in the AI industry, urging listeners to make informed political choices in our tech-driven world.

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!

Dr. Christine Koh, a music and brain scientist turned multimedia creative and podcaster, shares her journey from academia to helping others manage their lives. She discusses micro-decluttering, which breaks overwhelming tasks into small, manageable steps. Christine emphasizes the importance of aligning tasks with personal energy levels, especially during the busy holiday season. She also advocates for radical rest, encouraging intentional breaks and self-care to foster personal well-being and deeper connections.

Discover actionable strategies to speed up presentation preparation without sacrificing quality. Learn how to streamline processes with effective workflows, including the use of AI for tasks like meal planning. The discussion also addresses important considerations around AI, such as confidentiality and intellectual property. Embrace a proactive mindset that prioritizes planning and efficiency, moving away from just seeking shortcuts.

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.

Unexpected challenges can wreak havoc on your schedule. Discover practical strategies to regain control after a chaotic week filled with disruptions. Prioritizing self-care is essential for managing stress effectively. Learn how to tackle backlogs and balance immediate tasks with long-term goals. This discussion offers insights for working moms navigating life's curveballs, ensuring you can emerge from chaos feeling stable and on track.

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.