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
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
Discover how planning personal travel can reveal unexpected complexities you might overlook. Learn the importance of creating workflows and checklists to manage tasks efficiently. Kelly shares tips on building these tools in real time, reviewing them afterward, and using them to simplify calendaring. Gain insights on crafting comprehensive travel checklists, managing logistics, and even scheduling confidence-boosting beauty rituals. Say goodbye to mental overload by effectively transferring tasks to your calendar!
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.
Dec 30, 2024 • 26min
82. Protecting Time for Your Health
One of the most common time management pain points many women experience is trying to find time (and energy) for their own health, whether that's working out, eating how they want, sleeping, and even medical appointments. Let's discuss. Referenced episodes: Ep. 33. Long-Term Planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans Ep. 29. Outsourcing at Home Ep. 9. Strategies to Get More Ease In Your Life 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!
6 snips
Dec 23, 2024 • 27min
81. Too Many Meetings! Time Management Tips When You Meetings Prevent You From Doing Your Work
Tired of endless meetings eating into your productivity? This discussion dives into the challenge excessive meetings pose for working women, highlighting innovative solutions to reclaim your time. Learn how to prioritize effectively and ensure your meetings align with organizational goals. The conversation also explores the balance between managerial expectations and real work time, offering actionable strategies to enhance your daily workflow. Say goodbye to late-night catch-ups and hello to smarter scheduling!
