Episodes

5d ago

I recently got three questions that share common thread: isn't calendaring like we do in the Bright Method overwhelming? Summarized in my words: Is time-blocking your personal life overwhelming? Doesn't this lead to a daily long list of too many alerts? Doesn't having to move too many boxes when time blocks hit get old? Let's dig into each. Links you might enjoy: ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind. 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time.

Dec 8

When I went to a curriculum presentation at my 2nd grader's school, I didn't expect for a podcast episode to come out if it. But here we go! Here's the Kara Lowentheil episode I mentioned (Unf*ck Your Brain re How to Stop Procrastinating): ​Listen on Apple​ ​Listen on Spotify ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Dec 1

I recently listened to a podcast episode that blew my mind because it connected dots and made points that resonated so deeply for me – in business and on the time management front. Let's discuss. And here's the episode from Eleanor Beaton. Enjoy! And join me: ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Nov 24

A few weeks ago, someone sent me a quote on Instagram that knocked my socks off. Let's dig into it. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Nov 17

Ever keep rolling the same task week after week? You see it on your list or flagged in your inbox, and every time you look at it, you feel that little wave of guilt. In this episode, I share how slow-rolling tasks—sometimes unintentionally, sometimes on purpose—can actually work in your favor. I share a story from my early law career that taught me how some tasks lose relevance over time and how checking in before tackling them can save hours of unnecessary work. We also talk about how "slow-rolling" helps when you work for a shiny-object boss—or when you're your own. Instead of reacting to every new idea, give it breathing space. Let excitement cool, check your calendar, and make more grounded decisions about priorities. This episode is about using slow-rolling as a time management strategy to: Reassess stale tasks before spending time on them, and Protect focus from shiny-object overload When you use slow-rolling strategically, you reduce stress, reclaim focus, and make smarter choices about where your time goes. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Nov 10

Time zones – they seem like such a simple concept and one that's almost an after-thought, tiny detail when scheduling... and yet, messing them up can have majorly disruptive effects. If you're someone who also struggles with them, this one's for you! Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Nov 3

I get asked a few times a year whether I theme my workdays – e.g., Marketing Mondays, Admin Tuesdays, Finances on Wednesdays. While I'm sure this works for some (and keep on keeping on if it works for you!), I'll explain why it hasn't worked for me – and what I do instead. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 27

I see more and more people using or discussing using AI to make decisions around how they spend their time. Let's talk about it. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 20

This one is for my all-or-nothing thinkers. The ones who think, "If I can't do it exactly like I think I should, then what's even the point??" Been there (and still go there sometimes). Let's discuss about how this approach holds us back – and also is incorrect. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 13

When I used to think about time management, Past Me assumed, on some level, that the goal was to keep work in work hours and personal life in personal hours. But in reality, life is far more nuanced — and that's where the powerful dynamic of flexibility and accountability comes in. In this episode, I share how hearing Jeanelle Teves' (click here for her Instagram profile) statements about how high flexibilty comes with high accountability put to words something I'd been learning was the real goal for many women when it comes to time management. Over the years, I've realized that what many professional women actually want is flexibility in their schedules to fit in real life into their work hours – workouts, doctor's appointments, family needs – while still being highly accountable to the work they've agreed to do. We'll talk about: How my definition of successful time management shifted from "free up nights and weekends" to creating a system that flexes with different life phases. Why flexibility matters more than rigid schedules. How to distinguish between healthy flexibility and an unsustainable workload that can't be solved by accountability alone. Why learning a system over a schedule empowers you to evolve your approach as your life changes. This is a reminder that flexibility in time management isn't about working all the time — it's about designing your days and weeks to reflect your real life, while still being accountable to doing excellent work. If you want to start seeing your capacity vs. workload in a more objective way, check out my free 5-day program at kellynolan.com/refresh . Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 29

Saying no is rarely easy — especially when the opportunity is something you really want to say yes to. In this episode, I share a personal example of when I turned down a big media opportunity that landed right in the middle of my family's annual Colorado trip. On paper, I was technically available. My husband could've watched the kids, my calendar was clear, and the opportunity would've been great for my business. But in practice? Saying yes would have derailed my ability to truly unplug, be present with my family, and recharge. In this episode, I walk you through: The ripple effects of saying yes — from prep time and tech checks to energy recovery afterward. Why the pause is the most powerful tool when you're tempted to say yes too quickly. How to evaluate the true cost of opportunities beyond the calendar block they appear to take. The difference between scarcity thinking ("this may never come again") and embracing a more abundance mindset (even if a little woo). Why protecting vacation time, family time, and rest can sometimes matter more than visibility opportunities. How saying no doesn't just protect you — it also builds strength, clarity, and integrity. I also share how I reframed the "no" by connecting the opportunity with another woman in my field. It reminded me that collaboration, generosity, and boundaries can all exist together. If you ever feel guilty or second-guess yourself when saying no — especially to exciting opportunities — this episode might help you see the full picture and feel more confident in your decision-making. Check out my free 5-day time blocking program at kellynolan.com/refresh to practice visually mapping out ripple effects before you commit. And if you're ready to go deeper, enrollment for the Bright Method 10-week program opens October 3rd. More info on both below. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 22

Halloween is such a great example of how something that sounds like one event/evening of events has a broader scope than we often realize and a lot of mental load. Let's tease that out – and talk about how this goes beyond just Halloween, too. For the full holiday guide (including Halloween) to take us through the end of 2025, click here . For just the Instagram post about Halloween, click here . -- Additional links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 15

Women on Instagram shared their biggest work time management pain points with me. Let's cover three of them today! Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 1

When US society talks about time management, the conversation often assumes the goals of productivity and efficiency. Do more in less time. Move faster. Cram it all in. But here's the truth I want to unpack today: I believe our real goal for time management (at least for people similar to me) is more peace of mind and clarity and less stress, and less stress isn't always efficient — and that's okay. Today's episode digs into: Why American productivity culture gets it wrong by idolizing efficiency as the key to getting the life you want. How to reframe your goal so that calm and breathing space (not constant speed) drive your decisions. Why creating margin in your day — even if it's "inefficient" — leads to better quality work, more joy, and less burnout. Three practical strategies to help you implement this shift: Build in padding to your calendar (for commutes, deadlines, and transitions). Let go of commitments to make space for that padding. Ask grounding questions like "How do I want my life to feel?" and "What do I want the pace of my life to be?" As I share in this episode, I still want to do a lot — from running a business to raising kids to having a full life outside of work. But the only way I can do it with any joy is by optimizing for less stress, not more efficiency. If you've ever felt like productivity hacks left you running faster but enjoying less, this episode will give you a fresh, practical framework: optimize for breathing space, not efficiency. Enrollment for the Bright Method program opens September 10 at 10:00 AM CST. With this 10-week system, you'll learn how to bring these ideas into your own life using a realistic, calendar-based approach that accounts for everything — personal and professional. Learn more at kellynolan.com/bright . Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Aug 25

Career transitions aren't just about the potential new job — they ripple into every part of your life. In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Wagoner, a certified leadership and transformation coach, to talk about navigating career changes while also accounting for the realities of your whole life — from raising young kids to caring for aging parents. We dig into: Why you can't separate your career from your personal life (and how ignoring this leads to burnout). The "moment of awakening" many women hit when work no longer feels aligned — often triggered by a new baby, health crisis, or family shift. How to use an energy inventory to understand what lights you up at work — and what drains you. The importance of knowing your values during your current phase (because values shift!) and using them to guide decisions at work and home. Boundaries as a filter — not a wall — and what that looks like in practice for professional women. Examples of how Sarah's clients have designed their careers and leadership roles to fit their real lives — including moving into leadership roles, taking consulting contracts, and saying no to roles that didn't align. I especially love Sarah's approach because it parallels how I teach time management for working moms and professional women: your calendar has to reflect your whole life – the personal and the professional (not just work) – for it to work because your time and energy are limited, and your plans for both have to work together as one has an impact on the other. If you're in a season of asking: Is this job still right for me? Do I even want to move up, or do I miss the individual contributor work I used to love? How do I juggle my career and the demands of family life without burning out? …this episode is for you. Sarah shares practical tools, grounded strategies, and thought-provoking questions to help you re-meet yourself after big life changes — so your career actually supports the life you want in this chapter. To connect with Sarah, you can find her at: On her website, www.sarahwagoner.com On Instagram: @sarahwagonercoaching On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkwagonercareerandleadershipcoach/ Additional links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Aug 11

On Instagram, someone shared that their biggest work time management painpoint was this: "Hard time focusing during short periods. Brain thinks I need an hour chunk to start. Such a loss." I very much get this feeling. Let's talk about three things that might help. Also: my full Bright Method program opens for enrollment on September 10 at 10am CST. Learn all about it here, and let me know if you have any questions! Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jul 28

This episode is geared toward the business owner (e.g., attorneys running their own firms, physicians or therapists running their own practices, architects or interior designers running their own businesses) – though I suspect everyone can get something out of it. As business owners, how we spend our time has an impact on how much revenue and profit we experience. To discuss that with far more expertise than I have, I'm thrilled to have Shanna Skidmore—a business strategist and former Fortune 100 financial advisor—on the podcast to talk about how to build a business in a way that honors your time, your energy, and your life outside of work. We get into: How time and finances intersect in business How to define what "enough" looks like for you—and how to use that to guide your business decisions How to shift how you use your time in light of your "enough" number and where your time and finances currently stand How building processes to help you with workflows and client communications can help – even if you don't want to raise your rates, and so much more. To learn more about Shanna Skidmore & her wonderful work: Here website: shannaskidmore.com , More about her podcast, Consider the Wildflowers : shannaskidmore.com/podcast Watch her free webinar: shannaskidmore.com/watch Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Kelly's Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow Kelly on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jul 8

Click here to get the free back-to-school guide! Note: The Bright Method is not just for moms, and I try to have most episodes of this podcast apply to everyone – regardless of whether they have kids. But sometimes, the time management challenges associated with kids need to be addressed, so this is one of those episodes. If you are kid-free, feel free to skip this one and tune back in for the next! Back-to-school season is coming—whether your kids are starting in early August or later (and feel free to save this one for later if you're not ready to think about it yet). In this episode, I'll walk you through how to make the transition into the school year less stressful, less scramble-y, and more calm. Plus, it'll help you get back to enjoying the rest of your summer knowing you're on top of the upcoming back-to-school season. Whether you're already feeling the low hum of logistical stress about supply lists, new routines, haircuts, and first-day emotions—or you're someone who doesn't think about it and then ends up scrambling later—this episode will help. I walk through: Why calendaring back-to-school tasks now will help you actually enjoy the rest of your summer more Why it's worth starting with a blank sheet of paper before diving into the guide The benefit of calendaring out emotions around transitions (with a powerful story from a client about how it helped her stay calm during a kindergartner meltdown) What to do if you already feel like you've "missed the boat" on something like a haircut (hint: how to make sure it doesn't happen again next year) A super practical tip from a fellow mom on what to do if a behavior or concern is bothering you now (but may resolve itself soon) How to use your calendar to help you have important conversations with your kids—and remember to actually follow through All of this is a small peek into how the Bright Method works: making the invisible visible, creating clarity through realistic planning, and helping you enjoy the now without dropping the ball later. → Grab the free back-to-school calendar guide I mention in this episode: https://kellynolan.com/back-to-school → Try the free five-day program (Reset & Refresh): https://kellynolan.com/refresh → Explore the full Bright Method program or join the waitlist for September enrollment: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jun 30

In this episode, let's discuss what to do when everyone wants your time, so you struggle to find time to dig into the strategic, big-picture work that you know is important. We talk about: Some of my more standard advice—like shutting your door for a focus block or going dark on Slack What to try if those tactics aren't working for you Why it might make sense to "take a day off" (or 1/2 or 3/4 day off) ... and then not actually take it off & use it for strategic work. If you're in a leadership role and feel like you're constantly putting out fires but never getting to that higher-level strategic thinking, I really hope this helps. This episode is designed to help you protect time for that work—so your time use actually matches the leadership role you're in. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jun 16

Ever say yes to something—like a board role, a volunteer opportunity, or a work project—only to find yourself totally overrun with email, meetings, travel, and curveballs that just keep on coming? Today, I'm talking about how something called the "Diderot Effect" can help us understand time management challenges like this. Originally coined in the consumerism space, the Diderot Effect refers to the domino effect that can happen when one new purchase leads to another and another—like a new dressing gown triggering a living room makeover or a new iPhone triggering all the accessories. When it comes to time, we do something similar. We say yes to one thing—and suddenly find ourselves buried in the cascade of responsibilities that come with it. In short, it's the Diderot Effect of time management. And in this episode, I share how you can use this idea to: More realistically estimate the true time cost of a new commitment Say yes with eyes wide open—and with more informed consent Own your decision (and ride the curveballs more steadily) And as a corollary, reduce the curveballs in your life Plus, I touch on the distinction between maker and manager roles, why I think a lot of this comes back to workload, and a great place to start if your days are full of firefighting. It's a short episode—but I think it packs a punch. Resources mentioned: Listen to Episode 23 for more on the maker vs. manager distinction Thanks for being here! Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jun 2

In this episode, I'm talking with Heather Hubbard, a former Big Law partner who now leads transformational retreats to help women hear and reconnect with themselves. Heather works with women who've done all the "right" things—built successful careers, checked all the personal boxes—and yet still feel unfulfilled or surprised by how they're feeling. If that resonates with you, I think you're going to really enjoy this conversation. Heather shares how a two-week unplugged vacation to Tanzania changed everything for her and why unplugging is so critical to hearing your own voice. We also dig into why many of us don't realize how disconnected we've become from our real wants, how childhood versions of ourselves can serve as clues to the joy we're missing, and why being bored can actually lead to good things. You'll also hear us talk about: Why people-pleasing and fear are often what actually hold us back from doing what we want Why saying yes to something always means saying no to something else (and how to be more intentional about it) What comes up for high-achieving women when they finally create quiet and space for clarity—and how powerful that can be We also walk through what Heather's retreats actually look like—from the luxury setting to the no-phones-allowed policy to the types of transformations people experience (and they're not always what people expect when they walk in the door). Even if attending a retreat isn't on your radar right now, Heather shares bite-sized strategies you can start using today to begin reconnecting with yourself, including how to hear yourself again even in the midst of a busy, noisy life. Resources mentioned: Heather's retreat info and free assessment: https://www.heatherjoyhubbard.com/brightmethod Heather's podcast: Hustle & Flow Heather on Instagram: @heatherjoyhubbard Other links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 26

Today's episode is a little different. I've been turning over the idea of "living up to your potential" for years, and I'm finally putting words to why it bothers me so much. If that phrase has ever driven your decision-making—or weighed on you in a way you couldn't quite articulate—I think it's worth examining and challenging it. I'm not saying you shouldn't want more or chase goals. But I believe this phrase often leads us away from what we actually want – to choices that are disconnected from our happiness and real desires. And ironically, it can even block us from having the real impact we might be seeking in the first place. In this episode, I share: Why the phrase "fulfilling your potential" feels made up How it shows up in conversations and decision-making, especially among ambitious women Why this framing often leads us to dismiss our own happiness, joy, and satisfaction A story about how, if I'd used "potential" as a decision-making guide, I might never have left law—and never started the business I love (and arguably is me "fulfilling my potential" "more," if that makes sense) A powerful quote from a podcast that hit me hard: "I guess I'd rather be special than happy" Why none of this is about shaming ambition—but about grounding our goals in what we want The danger of measuring life through a blurry concept that doesn't actually have a finish line A reminder that we can want what we want—and that can be enough If you've internalized the "fulfilling your potential" message, I hope this episode helps you question the story behind that phrase. What if there is no fixed "potential" you have to live up to? You get to want what you want—and build your life around that. Let me know what you think. Mentioned links: The post about the Atlantic quote: "I guess I'd rather be special than happy" My earlier post about ego and decision-making Other links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 19

Let's talk about sleep. If you've listened to this podcast for a while, you know I'm pretty obsessed with sleep. I talked about it during my Year of Ease episode (ep. 9) and in the health episode (ep. 82) about how to realistically make time for your health—and I shared how, in my totally inexpert opinion, if you don't know where to start, I'd start with sleep because of the ripple effect it has on everything else. But here's the thing: while I care a lot about sleep, I'm not an expert in it. That's why I'm so thrilled to bring you this conversation with someone who is: Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown. Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown is a triple board-certified sleep physician and the founder of Restful Sleep MD. She is also the best-selling author of Beyond Tired—A Sleep Physician's Guide to Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems for Good. She helps individuals prioritize sleep, achieve optimal health, thrive, and live to their fullest potential. As a busy physician and mom of two, she understands the impact of sleep deprivation on our mental, physical, and emotional health. She has made it her mission to help others make sleep a priority. She also works with organizations and businesses to improve their health by incorporating healthy sleep into their wellness journey. She is a consultant and a speaker on regional, national, and international platforms. She has also published several peer-reviewed manuscripts on various sleep disorders. She obtained her sleep medicine training at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, we talk about: Why sleep is so important and what can happen when we don't get enough of it The ripple effects of both sleep deprivation and solid sleep—on your mood, productivity, memory, immune system, mental health, decision-making, and long-term health how to improve both the quantity and quality of your sleep, especially when life is busy A helpful CREATE acronym Dr. Funke walks us through to realistically improve sleep hygiene For women with ADHD, some additional practical strategies that might help Tips for shift workers and anyone whose job schedule makes sleep harder to protect How to start realistically making small changes to protect your sleep even in full seasons of life This episode is packed with helpful, actionable information. Whether you're just curious about what better sleep could feel like—or you're in the thick of a sleep-deprived season and looking for any traction you can get—I hope this helps. I'm so excited to share Dr. Funke with you as she's such a generous, practical resource in this space. To learn more about Dr. Funke, her practice, her book, or her YouTube channel, see these links: Website: https://www.restfulsleepmd.com/ Beyond Tired Book: https://a.co/d/2aSRSQt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restfulsleepmd/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfunkebrown/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funke.afolabibrown/ Other links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 12

Meal planning and meal prep come up again and again as one of the top time management challenges professional working women face on the personal side of life—and it makes sense. Between picking recipes, building grocery lists, shopping, and then actually making the meals, it's a lot—and it happens every single week. In this episode, I'm joined by Allison Schaaf, a registered dietitian, trained chef, and the founder of Prep Dish, a meal planning service designed to reduce the time and mental load that come with feeding yourself and your family. If you've ever wished for an option that hits the middle ground between a full meal kit delivery and figuring it all out on your own, this might be it. In this conversation, we dig into: why meal planning is such a universal time management pain point, especially for working parents how to simplify and systematize it so it's not something you reinvent every week practical strategies for tackling both meal planning and prep in realistic ways (especially if cooking isn't your thing) different ways to involve your kids so they're more likely to actually eat the food you make the behind-the-scenes of Prep Dish and how it helps people reduce the invisible workload that comes with meals—without going all the way to fully outsourced kits how to use your calendar to support and protect your meal planning time and how Allison built this company after working as a personal chef and seeing what worked in real life Whether you love cooking and just want to lighten the lift—or you're trying to get through dinner without a meltdown (yours or someone else's)—this conversation offers great ideas and an option you may not have known existed. Allison also shares a generous free trial of Prep Dish just for Bright Method listeners. To grab it, go to prepdish.com/bright. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 5

In this 100th episode of the Bright Method podcast, I'm sharing something I haven't said enough: I believe you can do this. Yes, time management is hard. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. In fact, the reason it feels hard is usually because your life got more complicated—and the system you were using just can't keep up. But even though it's hard, you CAN do this. Today, let's talk about: Why I don't believe time management is a quick fix The kind of women I've worked with across 350+ Bright Method clients—and why that matters for you The only profession I've seen where Bright Method is a tricky fit (and what that tells us about calendar control) What's often really going on when people say, "I don't have control over my calendar" Why I believe women with ADHD and women who love paper can absolutely use the Bright Method How we mold the system to fit you —not the other way around Why being smart—and you are—means you can learn this skill, even if it feels overwhelming at first What one big law associate shared about implementing the Bright Method… 3 years after taking the program Plus, I share a behind-the-scenes look at my own experience: I'm not some mythical Pinterest-perfect person. I lose my keys. I leave food sitting on my desk. I had to learn this stuff just like everyone else—and I still use it every single day because it works. If you've ever thought, "This sounds good, but I'm not sure I could do it," I hope this episode gives you a different perspective. If you want to try out the Bright Method for free, check out my 5-day video series at kellynolan.com/refresh . And truly: thanks for being here for 100 episodes. I'm so glad you're here. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Apr 28

Today, we're talking about career transitions and job searches—and I'm excited to bring on a guest to help us with it: career coach Julia Lynch. Inside the Bright Method, women gain clarity around where their time is going. And once some see it all laid out in front of them, they realize that it's not just a "them" issue, it's that their industry or employer just isn't the right fit for the life they want. That clarity often kicks off the desire to make a job move. To help with that process, I brought on Julia Lynch. Julia is a personal brand strategist and career coach who helps high-powered women make bold career moves by networking smartly and packaging their experience in a way that opens new doors. She's also the woman behind the Instagram handle @smarterinasec and Substack Varsity Reader . In this episode, we cover: The first step you need to take before you even start networking. Why it's your job to create the story about who you are and what you bring to the table—so others can take that story and market you to others. Why you should start networking before you need a job. How some senior-level jobs are shifting into more "fractional" roles—and what that means. What a career coach like Julia really does and how to think about whether working with one makes sense for you. What to ask if you're thinking about hiring a career coach. We also talk about the reality that if you've been heads-down in one industry for a decade or more, it's hard to know what else is out there—and how working with someone who knows the landscape can help you move faster and smarter. Whether you're already thinking about a move or just want to be ready in case you want to make one down the road, I think you'll find this conversation helpful. Julia's website is linked here , and you can set up a free discovery call with her here . You can also find Julia on Instagram at @smarterinasec and on her Substack, Varsity Reader —she's a great follow for both smart career advice and fun recs. Thanks for being here—and here's to making career moves that better align with the life you want. Additional links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Apr 21

In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I dig into something I wish I'd fully appreciated earlier in my career: your boss likely has no idea what's actually on your plate. That's true whether you work for multiple people or just one—and it matters when it comes to managing your workload in a realistic and less overwhelming way. We'll cover: Why you shouldn't assume the work being assigned to you is reasonable or doable What it looks like to truly take ownership of your workload—and why it's empowering Why understanding your own capacity is the first step in managing your workload Why this empowers you to propose solutions you want and protect the kind of work you enjoy What to do when your boss won't adjust your workload—and how that clarity can still serve you Why boundaries "work" even when they don't go the way you want them to I also talk through how a visual, calendar-based system helped me go from feeling constantly underwater to confidently managing what I could take on—and even turning down work in a clear, strategic way. Plus, I share a client story about how this clarity led to a more reasonable workload and enjoyable work that made a bigger impact. If you'd like a free way to get started with this system, check out my 5-day Reset & Refresh series at kellynolan.com/refresh . You can also DM me the word "refresh" on Instagram to get the link. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Apr 14

In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I'm joined by professional life coach Michelle Gauthier to explore a topic that deeply affects how we spend our time—people pleasing. If you've ever said yes when you wanted to say no, or agreed to something before even thinking it through, this episode is for you. We break down: What people pleasing really is (hint: it's not just being nice) How to recognize it, even when it's subtle The emotional and physical cues that signal it's happening Why so many high-achieving women fall into this trap Practical strategies to pause before saying yes and evaluate requests with intention Michelle's "Love & Fit" test to help you assess whether a request is aligned with the life you want Specific phrases to use when you want to say no with kindness and confidence Tips for handling pushback when you do say no How to gamify the process and even calendar your "nos" so you can see how much time you're reclaiming Michelle and I share examples from our personal and professional lives, including the awkward conversations we've had to navigate and the mental load that comes with trying to control how others perceive us. If you've ever resented someone for asking you to do something—because you felt like you "had" to say yes—this episode will help you step back, get curious, and reclaim your time. Michelle Gauthier is the host of the Overwhelmed Working Woman podcast and helps high-achieving women create calmer, more intentional lives through private coaching and group programs. She brings warmth, humor, and a down-to-earth approach to this powerful and all-too-relatable conversation. Whether you're looking to set stronger boundaries at work, say no to another PTA role, or just want to stop defaulting to yes, you'll walk away from this episode with tools you can actually use—starting today. Learn more about Michelle at www.michellegauthier.com , and listen to her podcast, Overwhelmed Working Woman , wherever you get your podcasts. Additional links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Apr 7

>> Click here for the list. Recently, I shared on Instagram that I re-did our wills, trusts, etc. in Minnesota. We'd done it in California, where we lived when our first daughter was born, and we amended there when our second was born. And then we needed to re-do them here. When I shared, I got a lot of "ah I need to do that too" messages and questions about how to get started. It also prompted other conversations around parts of adulting that we know are important but we don't do because they don't seem urgent and/or we don't know where to start, so we avoid them. I get it. I also had someone ask me to to do a podcast episode on some of this stuff, so I started outlining it – and it got a bit unwieldy. So, this will be a two-part-er: This week's episode and next. For the list of all the things discussed in the episode (remember: typo-ridden; function over perfection), click 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!

Mar 31

>> Click here for the list. Recently, I shared on Instagram that I re-did our wills, trusts, etc. in Minnesota. We'd done it in California, where we lived when our first daughter was born, and we amended there when our second was born. And then we needed to re-do them here. When I shared, I got a lot of "ah I need to do that too" messages and questions about how to get started. It also prompted other conversations around parts of adulting that we know are important but we don't do because they don't seem urgent and/or we don't know where to start, so we avoid them. I get it. I also had someone ask me to to do a podcast episode on some of this stuff, so I started outlining it – and it got a bit unwieldy. So, this will be a two-part-er: This week's episode and next. For the list of all the things discussed in the episode (remember: typo-ridden; function over perfection), click 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!

Mar 24

I've had a few people ask me recently about time management during the newborn baby phase. Here are my random tips – take them or leave them! 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 17

Finances can be so tricky. I anticipate more conversations around budgeting, etc. (just like time, how we spend money matters just as much as what we make/have), and this is a wonderful kick off episode with Emilie Dayan Hill. To learn more from Emilie: Click here to get the guide mentioned in the episode, and Click here to follow her on Instagram . 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 10

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

Sometimes, we realize we're the ones giving ourselves too-tight deadlines – either out of a desire to show how eager we are or because the sense of urgency makes us react too frantically. Instead of beating ourselves up for that tendency, let's talk about why this can actually be a great thing to realize – and what to do about 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!

Feb 24

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

Often, women I work with or talk to online share that, while they want to use the Bright Method, they resist implementation because of, what I can see, two buckets of very understandable reasons: They want to understand what the end result looks like before they start and they can't see it right now, and/or They know on some level that they have too much work for their available capacity, and there's part of them that doesn't want to really see it and the have to make tough calls and have tough conversations to deal with it. Both make total sense. So, let's talk about them more. Resources mentioned: Episode on calendaring your current reality first – and then calendaring in the more aspirational things you're trying to do: Episode 25 (one of my favorites!) "How I Structure My Day" series on Instagram Data Privacy Specialist Associate Dean of a Medical School Chief of Staff at a Tech Company College Professor with older kids with after-school sports. 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 10

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

This is definitely not my most articulate, succinct podcast, but I think there's something here that's worth sharing – and it'll continue to evolve. The older I get, the more I see the value of shirking American culture's "quick results now"/focus on short-term time horizons and focusing on the long game. Let's talk about it, and I'd love to hear what you think! And as I mention at the end, if you'd like my travel checklist of things to calendar for each personal trip you take, you can get your copy here . Hope it's helpful! 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 27

So often, when we get free 15-minute windows we didn't anticipate during work hours, we spend too much time deciding what to do and/or fritter them away on stuff that doesn't matter (cough*social media*cough). But these small windows of time add up, and using them effectively can help you leave work earlier and feel more accomplished. Let's talk about how to do that. This episode also spends some time focusing on time management strategies for phsycians in a related context. Enjoy – and share with a physician 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!

Jan 20

Decluttering and home organization projects can be a major time management painpoint for people on the home front. To help with that, I'm thrilled to have Laura Kinsella on the podcast to help us hear about how to manage our time around it, how to do it, how to get support doing it, and more. Follow Laura on Instagram here: http://www.instagram.com/urbanorganyze Or reach out to Laura via her website here: http://www.urbanorganyze.com 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 13

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

I hear from many women that they have no energy after work to do "productive" things. Let's talk about what to do about that. 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!

Dec 30, 2024

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!

Dec 23, 2024

One of the most common time management challenges working women have is that their work hours are dominated by meetings, pushing heads-down work into nights and weekends. Let's talk about what to do if this is your work life. Referenced episodes: Ep. 43. Five Strategies to Improve Your Meetings Ep. 4. How to Prioritize in a Way that Actually Works Ep. 23. Managers v. Makers (And What It Means for Your Schedule) 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!

Dec 16, 2024

Are you clear about what you do with every to-do or idea that comes your way? Not how you actually do the thing or use the idea – just how you process it? i.e., Do you have a system that helps you take in that to-do/idea, process it, and then bring it to life? It's a basic question perhaps, but one that I don't think we always get clear on. And clarity here helps us in our day-to-day lives, where such much is flying at us all the time. So, let's talk about 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!

Dec 9, 2024

Regardless of when your next performance review happens, let's talk about things you can do now to make writing your self-evaluation easier – and then how to use this gathered information to make your self-eval more effective. This episode is based off of this article if you also want to see it written out. 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!

Dec 2, 2024

While I love the Bright Method's ability to help you plan long term (e.g., calendaring when to start your passport renewal process in three years), one thing missing from the Bright Method is a high-level snapshot of your long-term planning. Enter Kelsey Wharton's "The Years are Short" spreadsheet . Here's my written article about it, too. Here's an article about the Bird's Eye View . And finally, episode 33 is about "Long-Term Planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans." 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!

Nov 25, 2024

Around now is when the holiday logistics overwhelm can kick in. Let's talk about 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!

Nov 18, 2024

While there are many great approaches for sharing the load at home with a partner, like Fair Play, for those of us with partners who aren't around consistently (e.g., some physicians, travel, military), those approaches don't really work. A partner can't own, e.g., taking out the trash or cleaning up the kitchen or staying on top of what groceries you need and ordering them when they're not home when those things need to happen. So, let's talk about it. This is somewhat more of a personal share about our situation and how we manage things. I'm not saying it's totally right, and I'm more than willing to hear how you do something that works for you if you're in a similar boat! That said, I hope it's helpful – if only to normalize the struggle of it a bit! 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!

Nov 11, 2024

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!

Nov 4, 2024

Today, I'm joined my Woody Taylor, someone with far more knowledge about AI than me, to discuss AI applications at work and in our personal lives. I find all of this new and fascinating, and this discussion dove into a lot of topics that I think you'll find thought-provoking and practical. Let me know what you think once you listen! To learn more about Woody's work, please visit his website: www.paramis.ai Platforms mentioned: ChatGPT Claude Perplexity NotebookLM 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!

Oct 28, 2024

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!

Oct 21, 2024

I'm been a fan of Dr. Christine Koh and her podcast, Edit Your Life, for a long time. It's an honor to have her on the podcast today to discuss topics like decluttering (in a doable and exciting way), handling the holidays, and radical rest. Enjoy – and check out her podcast, Edit 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!

Oct 14, 2024

During a presentation, someone once asked me a question: "Presentations take me too long to prep for. What do I do about that?" Let's talk about ways to do things faster – and also a more empowered approach to take when it comes to managing your time. 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!

Oct 7, 2024

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.

Sep 30, 2024

After those curveball weeks – whether it's an illness in the family or a work fire that puts off all other work – it can be overwhelming to look at the backlog on top of upcoming meetings and deadlines. Let's talk practical strategies to help dig out and get you back to feeling more stable and on track. Resources mentioned: Article: What do you do when you have to work with a sick kid at home? Podcast episode no. 26 & 27 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 .

Sep 23, 2024

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.

Sep 16, 2024

A woman on Instagram asked me to address in a podcast episode, in short, what do you do when you have too many tasks coming in from so many different places that you struggle to even calendar them all? And, on top of it, you spend many hours of your day in front of the computer in meetings. Great questions! Let's discuss. In this episode, I reference my previous episode on the weekly planning session, which is episode 8, "Your New Weekly Planning Session." Enjoy! 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 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 .

Sep 9, 2024

You've probably heard me say (98493 times) that everything comes back to time. This explains why it's smart to streamline tasks (which all require time) in your calendar. It also plays another role: anything that bugs you in your life can also be alleviated and/or have clarity and progress brought to it through using our calendar. Let's discuss a lot of practical examples! 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 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 .

Sep 2, 2024

Someone asked me if I could address what to do when you're anxious about the next calendared event, which prevents you from focusing on the current thing you're trying to work on. Let's discuss – both in terms of if certain things cause that feeling to set it and if it's everything you calendar. Also, if you have time and are willing, I'd so appreciate if you'd rate and review this podcast. Thank you! 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 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 .

Aug 19, 2024

If you have a partner, getting them onboard with a time management approach can be tricky. Let's dig into some tips on how to do it. Here's the article referenced in the episode, How to Get Your Partner's Help at Home: Help Them See the Ocean. 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 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 .

Aug 5, 2024

It irks me when I hear people say, "Just schedule time for self-care." Many people I work with might find the time for a break, but struggle to enjoy it because they feel anxious they should be doing something "productive" with that time. Let's talk about that – and what to do about 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 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 .

Jul 22, 2024

Too often, we women struggle to say no at work to keep our workload reasonable and maintain boundaries because we want to be a "good employee," which many of us subconsciously believe means we need to be the "perfect employee." As a result, we say yes to things we don't want to do, answer emails at night, are always on Teams/Slack, etc. Let's talk about how to handle these thoughts so that we can reclaim more control of our time. To do that, I am thrilled to have Goli Kalkhoran of Lessons from a Quitter join us. I've been a big fan of Goli and her work for a long time, so it's a true honor to have her on the podcast. For those of you who don't know her, Goli Kalkhoran is Master Certified Life Coach, and former attorney, who helps unfulfilled professionals create a career (and life) they actually like. She is the host of the Lessons from a Quitter podcast where she uses her platform to de-stigmatize quitting and provide resources and inspiration to individuals looking to pivot in their established careers. She challenges people to exceed their own expectations and guides them through the initial steps of starting over in order to build a more intentional, fulfilling life. Learn more about Goli's work at: https://www.quitterclub.com/class https://www.lessonsfromaquitter.com/quitterclub And definitely check out her podcast, Lessons from a Quitter. Enjoy – and let me know what you think! 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.

Jul 8, 2024

If you're like me, making a mistake can wash you in shame and derail you for a period of time. Let's talk about some guiding principles that have helped me, including advice I've received from others and ways I've used the Bright Method to help me get out of that mistake shame spiral. 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 .

Jun 24, 2024

Without any scientific data to back me up, I believe kids push parents into traditional gender norms (at least in same-sex couples) because of legitimate (though frustrating) biological reasons during that first year with a baby. Because of that, kid (and home) labor gets unevenly distributed to women, and this pattern of the labor division gets established. And then, because of the new crazy pace of life with a kid, the pattern persists beyond the first year and beyond any legitimate rationale for it. Let's talk about this and how we can get intentional around it to at least prevent the pattern from persisting beyond any rationale for it. This is also obviously informed by my own experience. I would love to hear your thoughts – positive or negative – around this. Email me at kelly@kellynolan.com . And please feel free to send this episode to a friend, too! Thank you! Other resources that might be relevant: Time Management Tips for New Moms (Majka) 13 Strategies to Plan Maternity Leave What Do Working Moms Do During The Summer 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.

Jun 10, 2024

Hi there! Hopefully this is the last episode with bad sound quality. (Reminder: I'm in a rental and had to switch up my sound set-up in the move – and apparently did not do well). I tried to fix it once I realized it (we'll see how I did next episode), but I'd already recorded this one. Today, we'll talk three sets of summer tips: First, around workload in the summer and intentional slowing down where you want to; Second, around summer travel; and Third, for working parents, some tips around logistics. For more resources on these topics, check out: Article: A Step-By-Step System for Checking Out of Work to Take a Vacation Instagram post re 11 practical tips you can do now to make Future You's trip more enjoyable Article: For Working Parents: Things to Calendar Now to Make the Summer Transition Smoother 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 learn more about and join the waitlist for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan .

Jun 3, 2024

Just a heads up that the sound quality is worse. We're in a rental now, and I need to figure out the recording quality again. Thanks for sticking with me through it! Turning to the substance, we all know the election is this year. Before it consumes us whole, let's talk about some practical things we can put in place to help us protect our peace of mind and sanity through it – while also being as involved as we want to be. 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. -- I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ . Come hang out with me there!

May 27, 2024

Many of us (myself included) have deep loyalty to many in our lives, and sometimes, it causes us to make decisions about work that are different than what we want or tolerate situations at work much longer than makes us happy. My dad gave me incredibly useful advice on this front when I was 25 that's stuck with me since then. Let's talk about it – with the aim of helping us reign in that overactive loyalty so we can draw boundaries at work. 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. -- I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ . Come hang out with me there!

May 20, 2024

American culture is fixated on DOING – and those of us in it struggle to stop the doing to plan and prioritize. This quote caught my attention on that front: "You waste years by not being able to waste hours." The quote is by Amos Tversky and doesn't relate to planning, but it made me think that we do risk wasting weeks, months, and years by not planning and prioritizing where we want to go. Busyness without direction doesn't always get us where we want to go. Let's discuss – and walk through what this means from a practical perspective. Other episodes referenced: Prioritization - Ep. 4 - "How to prioritize in a way that actually works" Weekly planning session - Ep. 8 - "Your new weekly planning session" Annual planning/Thinking Time - Ep. 33 - "Long-term planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans" 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 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 .

May 13, 2024

For people with ever-different schedules, from ER physicians and nurses to pilots, this episode is for you! 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 .

May 6, 2024

Someone asked me on Instagram to address commutes from a time management perspective. So, let's dig into some strategies for traditional commutes & non-commutes for the days you WFH. 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.

Apr 29, 2024

Listen to at least the first five minutes before you decide whether or not this episode is for you. And I'd love to hear your feedback. Resources mentioned: Episode 29 of the Bright Method podcast regarding Outsourcing, including our complicated emotions around the topic Here's where to find more about Kelly Hubbell of Sage Haus: Website - https://www.mysagehaus.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mysagehaus/ Store - https://stan.store/mysagehaus 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.

Apr 22, 2024

I recently had this breakthrough that's been very empowering and practically helpful, so I figured I'd share it here with you. 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 . I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ . Come hang out with me there!

Apr 15, 2024

I personally find it fascinating to hear what people are saying "no" to and why. In addition, hearing examples helps normalize saying no and sparks ideas for what others might say no to – all of which helps us manage our workload and life so that we have energy and time for the things we decide are most important to us. So, here's an example from my own life: How and why I decided to say no to speaking engagements for the rest of 2024. If you're already saying no to a category of activities or decide to after listening to this episode, let me know! I'd love to hear. Email me or DM me on Instagram . 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. -- I share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ . Come hang out with me there!

Apr 8, 2024

I keep seeing a theme in my time management work I want to talk about – the Vacuum Effect. 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 .

Apr 1, 2024

If you're ready for a digital spring clean (think: email, calendar, phone), jump into my free 5-day digital spring clean email series here ! Over the course of five days (starting when you sign up!), you'll get one digital spring clean tip emailed to you that you can act on right away to get more fresh air in your digital life! In this episode, we dig into three of my physical work environment tips and others that I crowdsourced from other working women on Instagram and via my email list. I also compiled all of the strategies in an article if you'd like to read it here . Enjoy!

Mar 25, 2024

Email can be a huge time management pain point for some of us. Let's go over three strategies we can use to help alleviate that pain. 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. -- I share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ . Come hang out with me there!

Mar 18, 2024

In my most recent 8-week Bright Method program, during one of the corporate breakout sessions, work travel came up – specifically, how to leverage the Bright Method when you travel for work frequently. It was a great example of how we can use Bright Method strategies in a specific scenario to bring more clarity and peace of mind to our lives, so I figured I'd share here for those in a similar spot. Enjoy – and share with a friend who travels often! 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 .

Mar 11, 2024

A woman emailed me asking me about having the self-discipline to do the task you calendared when the time rolls around. Let's discuss! Resources mentioned: Bright Method episode on the year of ease (and energy, in general): Episode no. 9 Episode on procrastination by Kara Lowentheil: Listen on Apple here Listen on Spotify here To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh . 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.

Mar 4, 2024

Time management is incredibly personal, and not everyone wants to go all in on a digital calendar(s) like I teach. Because of that, I'm thrilled to have Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger on the podcast to discuss how she manages her life with a paper planner. We also discuss planning privilege and digital detoxing. Enjoy! To learn more about Sarah, her podcasts, courses, and newsletter, visit theshubox.com 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 .

Feb 26, 2024

Meetings are critical for much of what we do, but they can also quickly become overused and ineffective. Let's talk through five strategies you can use to improve your meetings so they're more useful and everyone has more clarity coming out of them. 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. -- I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ . Come hang out with me there!

Feb 19, 2024

So many of us have struggled with burnout – at work, at home, or because of the tension between the two. Dr. Shanika Esparaz, a double board-certified physician in Ophthalmology and Lifestyle Medicine, has as well and has come out on the other side (while staying in medicine). On this episode, she'll share her burnout and recovery story and strategies that helped her (and now, her clients) manage the journey. You can learn more about Shani and message her on IG @shani_esparazmd https://www.instagram.com/shani_esparazmd/ You can also learn more about Shani's coaching here: https://envisionyourwellness.mykajabi.com/coaching 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.

Feb 12, 2024

Putting everything in your calendar we do in the Bright Method can be overwhelming. Let's go over reasons why it's worth playing through the discomfort. 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 .

Feb 5, 2024

This is a little outside my lane but relevant to many women I work with, so let's discuss when hard work is worth it – and when it's not. Resources mentioned: Years are Short spreadsheet Career coach/consultant recommendations (recommended by others; I have not worked with any of these people) 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 .

Jan 29, 2024

No matter how awesome we are at time management, there are just parts of our jobs that are stressful . Dr. Chelsea Pierotti, a social psychology professor and mental performance coach, joins us to discuss how to manage that stress more effectively so we can show up in the way that we want to. Dr. Chelsea's work aims to create healthier and happier athletes through positive mental skills training – and much of it translates well to the work environment. I'm excited for you to get to listen to her words of wisdom and strategies in this episode. If you want to learn more about Chelsea, you can listen to her podcast, Passion for Dance, on your podcast platform of choice. You can also learn more about her on her website, https://chelseapierotti.com , and follow her on Instagram here . A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode publishs. 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 . I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ . Come hang out with me there!

Jan 22, 2024

Part of realistic and effective time management is acknowledging how limited time is, which can be frustrating. Let's talk about some approaches to take to make us less focused on the frustration and more focused on what we do about 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 . I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ . Come hang out with me there!

Jan 15, 2024

If you're struggling with time management, a critical thing to realize is that your time management struggles are not a character flaw – they're just symptoms of you using a system you likely learned around middle school to manage your ever-more-complicated life. Let's talk about it – and what to do about it. To jump into a Bright Method program, click 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.

Jan 8, 2024

When you're scrambling to hit deadlines, it's smart to take a step back and ask, "Where are all of these deadlines coming from?" Many deadlines come from us , which is great news because anything in our control is easier to fix. Let's talk about how to give ourselves more breathing space at work. 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 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 .

Jan 1, 2024

Ever hit a wall of exhaustion and then beat yourself up for not being productive? In this episode of the Bright Method podcast, I dig into how to work with your natural energy levels—rather than fight them—so you can approach time management in a more realistic and sustainable way. We'll cover: How to identify your baseline energy patterns—daily, weekly, and even seasonally The key mindset shift of "matchmaking" your high- and low-energy tasks to the right time of day or week How to plan for energy "disruptors" like big meetings, medical appointments, or even fun events that still leave you drained Practical ideas for what to do during low-energy windows (especially if you can't just take the afternoon off) Why observing your energy—without judgment—is a powerful first step, especially if you're not sure where to start Plus, I share how this concept has played out in my own life and what it looks like inside the Bright Method system, where we use digital calendars not just to manage time, but to help tailor your plans to you —your focus, your energy, your real life. If you want to bring more intention and ease to your life, this episode will help you do just that—without needing to overhaul your entire lifestyle or become a morning person. Referenced episodes: Ep. 9: Strategies to get more ease in your life Ep. 17: Why white space is actually NOT helping you get more breathing space Ep. 19: Know a hard work seasons is coming up? Let's make Future You's life easier (including building in recovery time) 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. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Dec 18, 2023

If you're like most of the women I work with, your relationships, including your friendships, are the most important parts of your life – more important than work or home logistics. Even when friendships are a top priority, it can be hard to consistently show up the way we want to. Life gets busy, and despite our best intentions, remembering to call a friend or text them during a tough or joyful moment often slips through the cracks. If that resonates with you, you're not alone—and it doesn't mean you're a bad friend. It just means your brain can't do it all on its own. In this episode, I share calendar-based time management strategies that help me and many of my clients be the kinds of friends we truly want to be, especially during busy or emotionally draining seasons of life. We talk about: Why expecting your brain to remember it all is unrealistic How to use your digital calendar to show up consistently in your friendships What "friendship maintenance" looks like and how to calendar it in a flexible, non-overwhelming way How to support a friend going through a hard time (or a celebratory one!) with intention Why this isn't about "shoulds"—but about showing up in the ways you genuinely want to The power of adjusting your expectations to match reality without guilt If you want to feel confident and proud of how you show up in your relationships—without expecting your brain to carry the full load—I hope this episode gives you practical tools to do that. 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 select the episode. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Dec 11, 2023

Whether you want to decide some long-term plans now or NOT, this episode is for you. You can download the accompanying guide (including more examples than I shared in the episode) here . In this episode, I walk through how I approach long-term planning and goal setting in a realistic, pressure-free way. I don't believe every woman has to be constantly striving to improve—and that can make traditional New Year's resolutions feel out of step with real life. So I share: Why January might not be the best time to set goals (and what to try instead) The three caveats I want you to keep in mind before diving into goal setting Why I believe not having goals is totally okay How asking "how do I want my life to feel ?" can ground your planning in what truly matters What it looks like to brainstorm from that place and identify just one goal to focus on How to use your calendar (in a Bright Method way!) to bring that goal to life How to assess unexpected opportunities as they pop up throughout the year—through the lens of how you want your life to feel Whether your goal is tangible and action-oriented (like training for a race) or more internal (like drinking less or listening more), I walk through how to make it actionable with your calendar—and, more importantly, how to adjust and not overcommit. Because even if you're not "doing" a big thing, you're still doing a lot. Let's give that credit—and get realistic about what one more thing would actually take. I also mention: Episode 25 of this podcast, "Current reality first – and then add in the aspirational change," Podcast episodes from Goli's Lessons from a Quitter podcast: "Picking Your One Goal" ( Apple ; Spotify ) "Replay: Side Effect of Going After Your Goal" ( Apple ; Spotify ) Bonus tool (not mentioned in episode) for long-term planning: this blog article Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Dec 4, 2023

I do NOT break out my calendar every time I get an idea of something I need/want to do and find the perfect home for it in there. That's just not realistic for me – or, likely, you. In this episode, I walk through how I personally capture to-dos when they pop into my brain—whether I'm sitting at my desk, juggling kids, driving in the car, or even lying in bed—and how I make sure those to-dos don't just live on scraps of paper and in my Notes app forever. I'll also share: Why I don't immediately put every task into my digital calendar What "bridging" means and why it's a core part of the Bright Method system My favorite tools (including the imperfect magic of Siri) for capturing tasks on the go A strategy to stop late-night logistics from keeping you awake The difference between capturing a task and actually bringing it to life We all live in the real world. This episode helps you find a capturing system that matches how your life actually works—and ensures that important tasks don't fall through the cracks. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Nov 27, 2023

If you've recently stepped into a leadership position—or want to be ready for the next opportunity—this conversation with Jodi Flynn is a must-listen. Jodi is the CEO and founder of Women Taking the Lead, where she helps organizations and individuals close the gender parity gap by developing more women into senior leadership roles. In this episode, Jodi and I dive into the critical mindset shifts that need to happen when you move from being a doer to being a leader. We explore: Why high achievers often struggle with the transition to leadership How to redefine "busy" and protect your focus (even when you're managing a team) The hidden saboteurs that may be driving your overwhelm Why saying "yes" to everything actually makes you look less ready for leadership How to lead your team effectively without micromanaging or holding them back What strong leadership really looks like when it comes to protecting your time How to manage the balance between being approachable and getting your own work done We also talk about the role of women as "emotional caretakers" in organizations, and how to set respectful boundaries while still showing up for your team. If you're a manager, a newly promoted executive, or simply want to feel more confident leading your team, this episode will give you practical tools and mindset shifts to get there. Jodi's mix of mindset coaching and leadership development blends beautifully with the time management strategies I teach, and I'm so excited for you to hear from her. 🔗 Learn more about Jodi Flynn and her work at womentakingthelead.com 🔗 Take her free leadership inventory: https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory/ 🔗 Connect with Jodi on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Other resources you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Nov 20, 2023

If you've ever had your workday derailed by a coworker who "just swings by" your office or pings you for a "quick call" that turns into 20–30 minutes, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I'm diving into how to handle interruptions from those well-meaning—but time-consuming—colleagues I call "swingerbyers." We'll cover simple, practical strategies you can implement to both prevent and manage these interruptions. From setting standing meetings and communication boundaries to using visual cues like door signs and headphones, you'll leave with actionable tools to protect your time and focus. We'll also talk about how, as women in the workplace, we're often the "safe space" person in the office, and how to handle emotional unloads from coworkers. And we'll talk about how to gracefully exit conversations that are dragging on too long and how to use friendly phrases and even movement (like getting up to grab coffee) to signal wrap-up time. If you're a hybrid employee, I share tips to help you match your work environment to the type of work you need to get done—so you can optimize your productivity whether you're at home or in the office. Whether you love your coworkers but need more focused time or you're drowning in daily interruptions, this episode gives you realistic ways to take back some control. Let's help you stay on track, get your deep work done, and still be the kind, approachable colleague you want to be—just with a few more boundaries that work for you. 🎧 Mentioned in this episode: – Episode 12: The Manager-Maker Schedule (for matching work type to work environment) Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Nov 13, 2023

Outsourcing home responsibilities can stir up all kinds of emotions—money concerns, societal pressure to "do it all," and even our own internal narratives about what we should be able to handle. In this episode, I dig into the practical and emotional sides of outsourcing tasks at home so you can reclaim time, reduce stress, and focus more on what truly matters to you. I break down three mindset barriers that often prevent us from getting help at home, including guilt around spending money, cultural messaging about financial responsibility, and the feeling that outsourcing is somehow failing at being able to do our roles. I also share a research-backed shift in perspective that helped me start valuing my time more than I used to—and how that shift has made a meaningful impact on my life and my happiness. From there, I walk through a three-step framework to identify what's draining your time and energy, evaluate your thoughts about those tasks, and explore creative outsourcing solutions. I also dive into specific examples of home-related outsourcing—ranging from hiring a cleaner or laundry service to getting help with cooking or even working with a private chef. Whether you're cooking for yourself or a whole family, I offer a range of options so you can find something that works for your needs, budget, and values. We also talk about "seasonal outsourcing"—making intentional decisions to outsource during particularly intense work or parenting seasons without feeling like it's a forever commitment. I also share ideas for outsourcing beyond the traditional, like hiring someone to hang holiday lights or help with birthday gift shopping. My goal with this episode is to give you a nudge to rethink how you're spending your time, especially on repetitive, time-consuming home tasks that you don't enjoy. Outsourcing isn't just about getting more done—it's about making space for what brings you joy, peace of mind, and rest. If you're curious about outsourcing but unsure how to start—or if you're already outsourcing but want to do it more intentionally—this episode is for you. Resources mentioned: Time Smart by Ashley Whillans We Should All Be Millionaries by Rachel Rodgers Busy season episode: Episode 19 of this podcast Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Nov 6, 2023

In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I tackle a listener-submitted question that so many of us face: How do you manage your workload when your work depends on others—especially when they don't stick to a timeline? Whether you're a corporate attorney waiting on client edits, a project manager juggling partner input, or anyone who can't move forward until someone else delivers, this one's for you. I share three key time management strategies to help you navigate this frustrating challenge: Start planning early—even if you're not ready to start the work, flag what you'll need from others and "get the machines running" now. Build in wiggle room—and use internal vs. external deadlines to reduce last-minute stress. Get comfortable following up—yes, it's tedious and also a little emotionally complicated, but it often means the difference between staying up late and getting things done on time. After all, a lack of planning on their part can constitute an emergency on yours, so let's avoid it. Plus, I offer a bonus tip: if your role is constantly reactive and full of curveballs, check out Episode 16 for how to use flex time to protect your time and sanity. Whether you're a working woman in law, medicine, corporate, or any fast-paced, people-dependent field, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you manage your time more proactively—even when others don't. 🎧 Listen in for practical ways to: Manage up and communicate clearly with clients and colleagues Plan for delays before they happen Follow up without letting it consume your brain space Create realistic timelines based on the real-world behaviors of others Other episodes referenced: Ep. 16 - Curveballs & Fires. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 30, 2023

Once your child is home sick, the day you had planned often goes out the window. In this episode, we discuss how you can navigate your days and weeks once illness strikes—from recalibrating your calendar to finding focused work time amidst naps and screen time. This episode is the second part of a two-part series (so if you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, check that out—it's all about prepping in advance before illness hits). In this episode, I walk through nine strategies for navigating the chaos once you're in it. We cover: Why phase-based planning—immediate fires vs. longer-term rearranging—matters Creative ways to find (and protect) small pockets of focused time How to use screen time, naps, walks, and your environment to your advantage The value of to-do lists in this specific context , and how to make them actually helpful A strong reminder to prioritize your own rest and mental well-being Mental mindset shifts that help when you feel like you're barely holding it together I also share tips from fellow parents who generously shared their own strategies, from asking for grace to reminding yourself that this phase is temporary. Whether you're knee-deep in a sick-kid week now or want to be better prepared for the next one, this episode is here to give you a practical, realistic approach that helps you feel just a little more grounded and in control. Here's the full article these two episodes are based on . Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 23, 2023

The referenced article has been updated since this episode was recorded, and I highly recommend checking it out here & reading tip 1 – all about how to proactively divvy up sick kid backup time with your partner if you have one. When your child gets sick and still needs to stay home, everything—from your meetings to your sleep—can feel like it unravels. In this two-part series, I'm sharing practical, doable ways to reduce stress when your kid is sick and you're still trying to work. In this first episode, we're focusing on what you can do ahead of time to make those inevitable sick days easier. This episode is for you if you've ever thought: "What can I do now to make this less stressful later?" "I can't keep having my whole week fall apart when someone gets a fever." "I need a better backup plan… but I don't know where to start." We'll cover: Stocking up smartly – what medications, supplies, and even comfort food to have on hand before illness hits (plus a tip for actually remembering to do it!) Childcare contingency plans – how to proactively explore your options, ask the right questions, and line up sitters or backup help before you need it The sibling question – should you keep sick and healthy kids separate or just let the germs fly? What that decision means for your stress levels and timeline Your baseline matters – why your "normal" workload needs to be realistic before sick days show up, and how a system like the Bright Method can help Creating emotional reserves – how things like sleep, caffeine, and alcohol affect your ability to manage curveballs—and how I've started protecting my energy Whether you're in the thick of cold and flu season or just want to be better prepared this year, this episode will help you set yourself up for a little more calm, even on chaotic days. 🎧 In Part 2, we'll talk about what to do on the actual day when your kid is home sick and you're trying to juggle work—so be sure to tune in to that next! And if you want to read the full article this episode is based on, here's the full article these two episodes are based on . Episode 9 is the episode I mention on the Year of Ease. Here are links for free covid tests if you want to stop up: Federal government Minnesota for those who live here, too! For others, check if your state has its own program! Note: The federal government free tests seems like a one-time offer while the MN one is a pack each month. If you're in MN or have a similar state program, use that calendar to remind yourself each month to order more! Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 16, 2023

When we aim to get a handle on our time and task management, we sometimes inadvertently try to do two big things at once: Create a new system; and At the same time, inject aspiration into how we use our time in a way that departs from our current reality. It makes total sense but can have some big pitfalls. Let's talk about why we need to address our current reality before working in aspirational goals so we can set ourselves up to actually get the reality – current and future – that we want. In this episode, I break down: Why combining a new system with immediate aspirational changes rarely works A simple but common mistake people make when calendaring things like "showering and getting ready" (and why it matters!) The 3 key reasons you need to manage your current life before changing it: So you can spot the real problems and solve them in a lasting, creative way So you gain brain space to even consider where you want to go next So you can plan long-term goals in a realistic and sustainable way How getting your reality into a system (like the Bright Method) opens up space to dream—and then map those dreams into your actual calendar If you've ever tried a new planner, time-blocking approach, or goal-setting strategy and it didn't stick, this episode might help you understand why—and give you a more practical way to make lasting progress. And if you're looking for a system to help you get your arms around your current reality first, check out my free five-day program at www.kellynolan.com/refresh . We'll start with where you are, organize what's already on your plate, and then talk about how to build toward what you want—without burning out on Day 3. Let's stop trying to change everything all at once—and instead create change that lasts. I'll see you in there! Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 9, 2023

Standing one-on-one meetings can be incredibly powerful tools for connection, career development, and productivity—but only if we run them with intention. In this episode, I'm joined by Nicole Case, an executive and leadership coach with a background in corporate HR, to discuss how to hold truly effective one-on-ones—both as a manager and as an employee. Nicole walks us through what one-on-one meetings are meant to be (spoiler: not status meetings), common mistakes managers and individual contributors make, and how to use these meetings to build trust, increase visibility, reduce burnout, and prevent misalignment. She also shares practical strategies for setting up and running these meetings, including guidance on cadence, agendas, meeting prep, follow-up, and more. We also talk about: Why canceling one-on-ones might actually be fueling the very interruptions that frustrate you The manager's role in opening up conversations about career development and workload How employees can use one-on-ones to advocate for themselves and elevate their work Why even senior leaders benefit from structured one-on-one time The difference between talking to your boss daily vs. having dedicated time for strategic and personal topics How to manage follow-through and action items in a lightweight, efficient way Whether you're a manager wanting to lead better or an employee looking for more meaningful time with your boss, this episode is full of practical takeaways that can transform how you view and use your one-on-one meetings. Nicole also created a free template to help you run more effective one-on-ones—grab it at https://www.theupgradedleader.com/meeting You can also follow Nicole on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-case-leadership-coach-and-keynote-speaker-for-women/ And Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecasespeaks/ Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 2, 2023

When I first read about the manager v. maker distinction and what it means for each person's work schedule, it was a big lightbulb moment for me. Let's discuss how you can use this framework for your schedule and ensure you're not imposing, e.g., a manager's schedule on a maker to the detriment of their ability to do their maker job. In this episode, I dive into the powerful distinction between managers and makers—a concept originally explored by Paul Graham and shared by Farnam Street. Makers are the deep-focus workers who need uninterrupted time to create, draft, research, and produce. Managers, on the other hand, are tasked with team communication, meetings, and moving projects forward—often through collaborative work. And here's the kicker: many of us are expected to do both without adjusting our schedules or workload to reflect those dual demands. We'll explore: How these roles require entirely different schedules Why maker-heavy roles suffer when buried in meetings The challenge of being a new manager while still expected to "make" at a full-time level How to use this framework to advocate for focused time (with real examples!) How managers unintentionally undercut their maker teams by imposing collaborative schedules Why clarifying which "hat" you're wearing—manager or maker—even at separate times if you're in a dual role, can help you reclaim control of your time I'll also walk through how The Bright Method helps you see these patterns more clearly, so you can plan smarter, make the case for support, and stop feeling like you're constantly failing in both roles. Whether you're purely a maker, a manager, or wearing both hats, this episode will help you get real about what your time is currently spent on—and how to shift it toward where you add the most value, all without burning out. Referenced articles: The Farnam Street article on this topic: https://fs.blog/maker-vs-manager/ Paul Graham's original article on this topic: http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 25, 2023

If you've tried time-blocking before and it didn't work, you're in good company—and I want to show you why that doesn't mean time-blocking doesn't work or that time-blocking isn't right for you. In this episode, I dig into eight common and completely understandable mistakes that make time-blocking feel overwhelming, rigid, and sometimes even defeating. More importantly, I share how to fix those mistakes so you can start using this powerful strategy in a way that actually works with your life, your job, and your goals. We cover: Why most people underestimate how long things take—and how time-blocking can finally give you clarity on your real capacity Why you shouldn't start by time-blocking your to-do list (and what to do instead) How time-blocking actually increases freedom and spontaneity, even though it looks structured Why digital calendars work better than paper ones for time-blocking (even if you love paper) How broad calendar blocks like "Work on brief" set you up for stress—and how to break projects down to actually follow through Why you may not follow through on time-blocks unless you calendar everything How time-blocking needs to exist within a larger, supportive system to truly work I also share what this looks like inside The Bright Method program—how we build a full calendar-based system around time-blocking that helps you feel calm and clear, not overwhelmed and defeated. If you've ever thought, "Time-blocking just isn't for me," give this episode a listen. It might just change your mind—and your relationship with time. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 18, 2023

We often think overcommitment stems from saying yes to things we don't want to do—but what about the things we do ? In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, I explore a different kind of overwhelm: the kind that comes from saying yes to exciting, meaningful, energizing opportunities... that still tip us into burnout when they collide with everything else already on our plates. If you're someone who's energized by life and wants to say yes to everything that lights you up, or if you've ever found yourself drained and wondering, "Why does this all feel like too much, even though I love these things?"—this episode is for you. We'll talk about: Why saying no to great things can be the smart move (because saying yes when it would overcommit you would prevent you from enjoying it – and probably other things, too) How to evaluate personal and professional opportunities in the context of your full life How to define the pace you want your life to feel like in this season Tools to help you time your yeses more strategically The value of trusting that there will be more chances in the future—and when to table ideas for later I also walk through the concept of life chapters, how to practically plan for them, and why using a digital calendar or long-term planning spreadsheet can help you feel more grounded in what to say yes to—and when. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new lens to evaluate the things you're excited about—so you can pursue them with more intention and fewer regrets. If you're ready for time management strategies that take your full life into account—including your goals, energy, values, and capacity—you'll love this one. Resources mentioned: Article about the long-term planning tool, the "Years are Short" spreadsheet (idea belongs to Kelsey Wharton). Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 11, 2023

I used and loved a paper planner through law school. But many of us reach tipping points where paper planners just can't keep up with our ever-more-complicated lives. If that you still use a paper planner (at least in part) and that sounds like it might be the case, here are nine reasons you might want to consider going all-in on a digital calendar. Note: This does not mean I'm for going all digital on everything (e.g., note-taking). I still take notes on a legal pad with a pen. I just then bridge any action items to a digital calendar to make sure my plans are realistic, see how they all interact, and to help me share the load with others. You'll learn how digital calendars help you: ✅ Capture your invisible to-do list (think: making dinner, getting ready, kid routines) ✅ Quickly rearrange when curveballs strike—without crossing out and rewriting ✅ Communicate clearly with partners, family, and support teams ✅ Plan months (and years) ahead with recurring events and reminders ✅ Reduce mental load and stay on top of tasks without constantly checking a notebook ✅ Integrate seamlessly with email, Calendly, and tools you already use ✅ Always have your schedule with you—and backed up safely in the cloud ✅ Block time for priorities and realistically plan your day (instead of hoping it works out) Kelly also shares ideas for how to bridge your love of paper with the practical power of a digital calendar—plus a bonus tip for using scheduling tools like Acuity and Calendly. ✨ If you've been wondering whether The Bright Method could work for you—even as a paper planner lover—this episode will help you see how and why going digital can reduce stress, boost clarity, and create the calm you're craving. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 4, 2023

Have a busy season at work coming up? In this episode, Kelly Nolan shares how to plan ahead—so you can reduce stress, protect your personal time, and even build in recovery space on the other side. Whether you're staring down a trial, tax season, year-end, an upcoming board meeting, or just know things are about to ramp up, this episode will help you: ✅ Identify how you want to feel during your busy season—and how to support that ✅ Plan personal logistics like extra childcare, meal prep, and cleaning support ✅ Build in white space and boundaries to protect your well-being ✅ Avoid saying yes to work you don't have capacity for ✅ Set smart "no more new work" dates—so you don't take on too much ✅ Use your calendar to reduce future stress and mental load ✅ Block realistic recovery time on the other side of your busy season Kelly also shares mindset reminders about delegation, how to test out support systems early, and why planning now can help you actually enjoy the season—not just survive it. ✨ If you're heading into a high-demand stretch at work and want to navigate it with more control and less burnout, this episode is a must-listen. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Aug 28, 2023

🔗 Grab the holiday guide for less stress here: https://kellynolan.com/holiday-guide The holidays are coming—and with them, a lot of stress. In this episode, Kelly walks you through how to start holiday prep now (including managing work around the holidays), so you can enjoy more peace and less scramble this season. We're not aiming for a Pinterest-perfect season but to reduce mental load, plan realistically, and reclaim your ability to enjoy the holidays. In terms of the holidays, think: the Jewish high holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the winter holidays (including things like holiday cards). You'll learn: Why starting now isn't about doing more—it's about spreading things out and reducing stress How to manage work around these holidays so you can enjoy them more How to pick and choose what actually matters to you from the to-do list of holiday options How to calendar holiday prep over time so you can let it go until you actually need to do it Tips for navigating shared decision-making with partners or extended family Ways to lighten your load by visualizing the work and delegating more of it How to stop managing everything in your head (and stop waking up at 3am thinking about it) Why calendaring holiday steps now will benefit you every year going forward Kelly also shares details on the free companion guide, The Working Professional's Guide to Making Your Fall & Winter Holidays Less Frantic & More Enjoyable , packed with action items for Halloween, Thanksgiving, winter holidays, gift giving, cards, travel, guests, and more. Pick what you want, ignore what you don't want, and calendar it all out so you can enjoy the season and the lead-up to it. ✨ If you've ever felt like the holidays were more work than fun, this episode is for you. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Aug 21, 2023

We've traditionally strived for white space in our calendar because we think it will get us more breathing space, but that's not an effective strategy – it's not getting you the breathing space you crave. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast , Kelly Nolan breaks down why white space often leads to stress, confusion, and overcommitment—and what to focus on instead. You'll learn: Why "white space" is easy to give away—and hard to protect How white space can trick your brain into thinking you have more time than you actually do What we actually want when we say we want white space How to use visual calendar strategies to intentionally create and protect time for rest, joy, and unstructured space Why blocking time for freedom or rest doesn't suck the joy out of it—and can actually make it more likely you'll get it How using your calendar differently can calm your mind, help you set boundaries, and reduce stress Kelly also tackles the common resistance to scheduling free time—and shares how reframing your calendar as a life design tool can help you better protect what matters most. ✨ If you feel like your calendar is always packed or that "free" time keeps slipping through your fingers, this episode is a must-listen. Related episodes to check out: Episode 1 Episode 9 (I discuss getting more ease in your life by protecting breathing space in your schedule) Episode 13 (Negative space) Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Aug 14, 2023

We all know the frustration of having a solid plan for the day and having it derailed by work fires and curveballs. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast , Kelly Nolan walks through two powerful and realistic time-management strategies to help you manage workplace curveballs while staying focused on what matters most. Whether you're a manager constantly pulled into unexpected issues, or you're just tired of your days getting hijacked by surprise emails, calls, or last-minute requests, this episode will help you: Stop living in reactive mode and reclaim more control over your day Reduce the number of curveballs you get by identifying common fire-starters Evaluate whether your value lies in the curveballs—and what to offload if so Embrace the predictability of unpredictable fires Protect time for curveballs in your calendar with visual reminders and smart strategies Avoid overloading your schedule and increase the likelihood you focus on your true priorities If you're tired of ending your day unsure of what you actually got done—or you assume The Bright Method won't work for your unpredictable job—this episode is a must-listen. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Aug 4, 2023

🔗 Download the free back-to-school PDF: https://kellynolan.com/back-to-school Back-to-school season can feel like a chaotic whirlwind, even when you're trying your best to be prepared. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast , Kelly Nolan walks you through a practical, realistic approach to reducing stress and overwhelm during the school transition period—without trying to do it all at once. Whether you're a mom of one or juggling multiple kids with different schedules, this episode will help you: Create a comprehensive back-to-school to-do list without getting overwhelmed Strategically time-block and calendar out tasks so you can actually enjoy the rest of summer Build buffer space into your calendar to handle last-minute changes and wonky first weeks Reduce mental clutter by storing reminders in your calendar (instead of your brain) Get ahead of things like school paperwork, medical forms, haircuts, clothing, and supply shopping Plan for emotional support your kids may need during transitions Use practical recurring reminders to stay on top of things like school hot lunch accounts and grade checks Leverage your calendar to proactively avoid scrambles throughout the school year Plus, Kelly shares a helpful free resource—a downloadable PDF checklist with all the action items and more. Grab it via the link in the show notes to make implementation even easier. Whether you're new to school logistics or looking to streamline a system that feels clunky, this episode gives you the step-by-step game plan to help you breathe easier during this busy season. 🔗 Download the free back-to-school PDF: https://kellynolan.com/back-to-school Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jul 31, 2023

Do you say "yes" more easily on Zoom or a phone call than you work via email? Me, too. Let's talk about practical strategies we can use to avoid overcommitting just because we were asked on Zoom/the phone – strategies that don't ask us to change but still get us where we want to go. In this episode, Kelly shares practical strategies to help you hold firm on your boundaries during phone calls and video meetings—without the panic or guilt. You'll learn: Why Zoom calls and phone conversations make it harder to hold firm on boundaries The sneaky role emotional pressure and calendar blindness play in real-time yeses Two practical strategies to help you say no (or at least delay your yes!) Why acknowledging your people-pleasing tendencies can be the key to better boundaries How Kelly's own experience led her to create safeguards that honor her time and energy How this mindset fits into the broader approach of The Bright Method Plus, Kelly shares how her core belief—that time management strategies must be realistic —informs every part of her system and why learning to work with your tendencies, not against them, leads to more confidence and peace of mind. This episode is for you if you're craving more intentional control over your time—but your real-time interactions keep derailing your best efforts. You'll walk away with tangible, kind-to-yourself tools you can use in your next Zoom call. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jul 24, 2023

Feeling stretched too thin even after cutting back? In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, Kelly introduces a fresh perspective by applying the art concept of "negative space" to time management. Just like the blank spaces around a drawing bring balance and clarity to the whole picture, your schedule needs intentional, protected breathing room to feel sustainable and calm. You'll learn: What "negative space" means in time management—and why it's often overlooked How to proactively build breathing room into your days, evenings, weekends, and even summer travel Why blocking time to not do things helps you make better, more values-based decisions How to adjust this approach across different life seasons, school semesters, and kid activity cycles Kelly's favorite tips for helping Future You remember what worked and what didn't Whether you're single, partnered, a parent, or not, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you create more calm in your days—not by doing more, but by giving yourself the space you need. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jul 17, 2023

In this episode, we're diving into a deceptively powerful topic in time management: personal admin time. Let's talk about dealing with the emails, the paper piles on the kitchen counter, the school forms, and the never-ending stream of to-dos that live in your personal life—and absolutely impact your professional life, too. Many time management strategies focus only on the professional side of life, but the reality is that personal tasks draw from the same limited pool of time and mental bandwidth. And if you don't have a system to handle them, they pile up and steal your focus—even at work. So, how do we tame this kind of admin overwhelm? We'll cover: What's included in personal admin work How to create a realistic personal admin system that fits your life phase When to do it and how often How to use time blocking to protect this time and reduce stress What to do with email and paper until it's time to deal with it You'll leave with a step-by-step process for designing a sustainable personal admin routine—and why doing so will actually support your professional success, not just your personal sanity. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jul 10, 2023

Struggle to focus because of anxious thoughts about everything you're not doing? This episode covers five time management strategies that help reduce anxiety around your to-do list so you can focus, follow through, and finally relax. Do any of these phrases feel familiar: "What do I do when I get anxious about things I'm not able to do right now?" "What do I do about the anxiety caused by focusing on one thing while other things wait in line in the calendar?" "How do I overcome anxiety hindering my focus?" Women wrote in asking me to address these issues. So, let's talk about it. In this episode, I break down five practical strategies that help address the mental swirl, reduce stress, and give you more peace of mind around your time. Whether you're a working mom constantly interrupted by kids or a professional juggling back-to-back meetings, this episode will help you: Understand why traditional time blocking may not be working for you (and how to fix it) Reduce anxiety by trusting your calendar and planning system Recognize when your workload is simply too much and how to deal with it Match the right tasks to your environment and mental state Let go of judgment when plans change (and why that's a win) You'll walk away with actionable ways to manage your time with more calm and clarity—even when life is unpredictable. ** Disclaimer: I address these issues from the standpoint of anxiety as used in the general, colloquial sense – not a medical one. I'm not a medical and psychology professional – I just have a time management system that works for me and many other women and talk often with women describing these feelings. All that to say, take my input with that context. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jul 3, 2023

Feeling overwhelmed? This episode breaks down the 5 stages of overwhelm and helps you identify where you are—and how to move toward more clarity and control over your time. If you're constantly juggling responsibilities and wondering why time management feels so elusive, this episode is for you. Kelly walks through the five stages of overwhelm she sees working women experience—from frozen overwhelm to firefighting to feeling empowered and calm. You'll learn how mental freedom and realistic intentionality are the key ingredients to finally ditching the overwhelm and feeling more on top of it all. We'll cover: What "overwhelm" really is and how it shows up for professional women The difference between feeling productive and actually being in control Why "just working harder" doesn't solve time management stress The system you need to feel confident about your time, priorities, and boundaries Whether you're a working mom, a corporate professional, or a business owner, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for identifying where you are in the overwhelm cycle—and how The Bright Method can help you break out of it. For the chart discussed, visit this page . Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jun 26, 2023

If you're feeling drained—even by good things—you're not alone. In this episode, I share how I'm creating a "Year of Ease" using realistic time management, energy protection, and intentional decision-making to create breathing room and feel more grounded in daily life. In this episode, I unpack what's been working (and what hasn't) in my own Year of Ease and how you can apply these strategies in your own life if you're balancing a demanding career and full personal life. You'll learn: How to assess and reduce your activity load (even the "fun stuff" can drain you) The impact of sleep (and alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate!) on energy and emotional reserves Why reducing noise and input—even from podcasts and social media—can help calm a frantic-feeling brain How realistic planning and honest reflection on your personal bandwidth can create more ease This isn't about perfection or a spa-day life—it's about crafting a season of life that runs more smoothly and supports your real needs right now. Whether you're a professional woman, a working mom, or both, tune in to explore how to realistically manage your energy, time, and life with more calm and clarity. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jun 19, 2023

Planning isn't just a nice-to-have—it's the foundation of realistic time management. In this episode, I walk you through why weekly planning matters, when to do it, and how to make it easier and more effective (even if you don't love it). If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your calendar, unsure how everything will get done, or stuck in a cycle of Sunday Scaries, this episode is for you. We're diving into weekly planning— the habit that maintains your time management system, reduces stress, and gives you the clarity to move through your week with confidence. You'll learn: Why Friday planning sessions can change your weekend and workweek How long weekly planning really takes (and why it's worth it) How a planning agenda helps you stay focused, avoid forgotten to-dos, and plan smarter Whether you're a lawyer, physician, manager, or any busy professional or working mom, solid weekly planning is your secret weapon to stay organized, proactive, and less stressed—even when life throws you curveballs. For the Fast Company article I mention, click here . Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jun 12, 2023

From digital calendars to grocery list hacks, I'm sharing 7 phone apps that help me manage my time, reduce stress, and keep things running at work and home. Some are classic, some are a little unexpected, but all have earned a spot on my home screen. Looking to simplify your daily life with just your phone? In this episode, I walk you through the seven phone apps I personally use to manage both life and work—from time management staples to helpful tools for shopping, security, and capturing ideas on the fly. These apps can free up time, reduce stress, and help you stay organized. Apps discussed: Google Calendar (or your digital calendar of choice) Calalarm (to amplify calendar alerts) Reminders (for voice-captured on-the-go to-dos) ClickUp (for organizing and capturing ideas/projects) AnyList (for shared grocery/shopping lists) Instacart or Shipt (for grocery delivery) Authenticator apps & Dashlane (for secure logins and password storage) Whether you adopt all or just one, I hope something here makes your life a little easier. And I'd love to know: what app are you loving lately that I should check out? Here are some links to some resources I mentioned: The book, Time Smart by Ashley Whillans AnyList App (I use the free version) Dashlane password manager (I'm not a cyber security expert; this is just the one I jumped to after deciding to leave LastPass after their recent breaches) Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jun 5, 2023

Email is necessary—but it doesn't need to run your day. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast , Kelly Nolan walks through three realistic , practical email strategies that help you stay on top of communication without living in your inbox. Because if you want to protect time for your higher-value work, you've got to take control of the reactive pull of email. Inside, you'll learn: The mindset shift we need to make about email as we grow in our careers How to realistically plan for email time (yes, even if it takes 3+ hours a day) Why checking your inbox is different from processing it—and how to design for both A simple script to buy yourself time when you don't want to respond in substance yet The power of scheduling emails (for your team's sanity and your own) A trick for keeping your inbox from hijacking your weekend or vacation A heads-up for Outlook users that can save you from delayed-send fails Whether you're a manager, an individual contributor, or juggling both work and family life, these practical strategies will help you take back control of your day—without pretending email doesn't exist. 🎧 Press play for tools to help you get your inbox under control in a way that actually works. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 29, 2023

Asking for what you need doesn't always feel like time management—but it's one of the most powerful (and yet, ignored) tools we have. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast , Kelly Nolan gets personal about the fear of "inconveniencing people" and how it can quietly sabotage our time, energy, and clarity. From car repairs to calendar tweaks to microphone returns, Kelly shares how practicing the simple skill of just asking opened up time, reduced stress, and even helped her reconnect with what she actually wanted. You'll hear: Why people-pleasing tendencies can quietly drain your time How "just asking" in small ways (like rescheduling an appointment) can give you back meaningful blocks of time The link between advocating for yourself and building a calendar that works for your real life How asking for help strengthens your boundaries and deepens your clarity on what you truly want Why building this "asking muscle" helps you spot more opportunities for ease, creativity, and better time use Whether you're a recovering people pleaser, a working mom, or a high-achieving professional who hesitates to ask for help (or all three!), this episode will help you reframe asking as a powerful, strategic, and kind act of self-respect—and a sneaky-smart time management move. 🎧 Press play for a gentle nudge to take up space and reclaim some time. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 22, 2023

Tired of being told to "just prioritize" with no real explanation of how ? In this episode, Kelly Nolan breaks down five clear, realistic steps to help working women prioritize what matters—without color-coding, overthinking, or trying to fit 10 projects into a day with carry-on level capacity. Prioritization sounds simple… until everything on your list feels important. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast , time management strategist Kelly Nolan offers a realistic take on how to actually prioritize—especially when your to-do list is overflowing and the traditional "rank everything high/medium/low" approach just doesn't cut it. You'll learn: Why most prioritization systems fall short for working women How to get clear on your true capacity (and why it's the #1 step everyone skips) Why invisible to-dos like "make dinner" and "prep for meetings" matter more than you might think or traditional prioritization systems account for The critical (and often ignored) role of eliminating and punting work that doesn't fit How to align your calendar with one personal goal and one career goal at a time Why prioritizing tasks side-by-side (not in isolation) leads to clearer, faster decisions This episode is for busy professional women who want to stop overcommitting, start saying no with confidence, and finally create realistic game plans that honor their actual time, energy, and season of life. 🎧 Listen in for practical strategies that feel just as empowering as they are doable. 📩 Then share this with a friend—because this is the kind of prioritization talk we all deserve. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 14, 2023

Love social media and low-key resent how much time you spend on it? Same. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast , time management strategist Kelly Nolan explores how professional women can use social media intentionally —without the all-or-nothing guilt spiral or rigid rules. If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling Instagram, wondering where your evening went (again), this episode offers practical, realistic strategies to help you take back control of your time—without giving up social media altogether. You'll learn: How to decide how much time you actually want to spend on social media (and drop the guilt) Why deleting apps during certain days or times can free up space for rest, connection, or just doing nothing How to spot emotional triggers that send you to scroll (think: boredom or stress avoidance) What to do instead of scrolling—especially during those "I'm too tired to think" moments Why social media can emotionally hijack your focus—and how to protect your headspace when you need to stay grounded Plus, Kelly shares the power of: ✔️ Creating a "menu" of options to replace the scroll ✔️ Muting or unfollowing accounts that drain you ✔️ Getting comfortable with boredom (yes, really) This episode is for working moms, professionals, and ambitious women who want to stop wasting time on their phones—and start spending time more intentionally, without shame or overwhelm. 🎧 Tune in for judgment-free strategies that work in real life. 📱 And if you liked this episode, send it to a friend —because we all deserve to feel better about how we spend our time. 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 select the episode. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 14, 2023

Struggling to stick to your calendar because everything takes longer than you thought it would? You're not alone—and there's nothing wrong with you. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast , Kelly Nolan, time management strategist and former patent litigator, breaks down one of the most common challenges professional women face when time blocking: underestimating how long things take. You'll learn: Why underestimating is totally normal (and not a personal flaw) How to be realistic—not aspirational—when estimating time What to do when you're new to time blocking and still figuring it out A simple strategy to break down projects into bite-sized steps for more accurate planning Why doubling or tripling your time estimate is often the smartest move Whether you're a busy working mom, corporate professional, lawyer, physician, or entrepreneur, these practical strategies will help you create a calendar you can actually stick to—without the stress, shame, or decision fatigue. Plus, Kelly shares how the Bright Method helps you: ✔️ Embrace flexibility while still sticking to a plan ✔️ Adjust and experiment without self-judgment ✔️ Plan your time with confidence—even when the task is new or unfamiliar 🎧 Tune in to learn how to stop feeling defeated by your calendar and start using it as a tool to design a life that actually works for you. And if this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend! It's how more women can discover a calmer, more realistic way to manage their time. 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 select the episode. -- Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

May 14, 2023

Welcome to the very first episode of The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management for Working Women & Working Moms ! 🎉 In this kickoff episode, Kelly Nolan—former patent litigator turned time management strategist—introduces the Bright Method™, a practical time management system designed specifically for professional working women, including busy attorneys, physicians, corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, and working moms. You'll learn: Why simplifying your time management tools (especially scattered to-do lists!) reduces overwhelm How to use a digital calendar to see all your personal and professional responsibilities in one place The power of time-blocking to turn your invisible to-do list into a realistic, visual game plan How a simple weekly planning session sets the tone for calm, focused weeks—and peaceful weekends This episode covers the three foundational principles of the Bright Method: ✔️ Simplify your system ✔️ Make it visual ✔️ Plan regularly and realistically If you're ready to stop juggling everything in your head, reduce stress, hold firmer boundaries, and start falling asleep proud of what you got done today and calm about what's on tap tomorrow, you're in the right place. 👉 Hit follow and share this episode with the professional women in your life who are ready to reclaim their time—and their peace of mind. 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 select the episode. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun , check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Apr 26, 2023

Welcome to the Bright Method Podcast, where we'll discuss practical, realistic time management strategies designed for the professional working woman. Let's help you reduce stress, get more breathing space in your life, and take breaks and actually enjoy them! I'm Kelly Nolan, a former patent litigator who now works with working women to set up the Bright Method™️ in their lives. The Bright Method is a realistic time management system that helps you manage it all personally and professionally. On this podcast, we dig into practical strategies to manage those personal life logistics, work deadlines and distractions, and how to use time management tools to reduce stress and design and live out a life that lights you up. We'll cover things like: How to get out the door at work on time and close loops so you can be present with loved ones and leave work at work, How to plan when you deal with curveballs and fires at work, What people get wrong when it comes to time-blocking and prioritizing – and what to do instead, How to draw workload boundaries with confidence, and so much more. Every now and then, I'll throw in mom-specific episodes about dealing with sick kids, childcare, and more. But this podcast is not just for moms, so we won't let that dominate. Hit subscribe so each episode downloads so you're ready to listen on your next dog walk, commute, or while washing the dishes – and let's get you falling asleep proud of what you got done today and calm about what's on tap tomorrow.