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

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 publish...

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 –...

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. --...

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 a...

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 publ...

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 o...

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 m...

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 traditio...

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...

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...

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 implemen...

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 ba...

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 f...

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...

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 practic...

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...

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 mee...

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 ma...

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 mi...

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 someo...

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 digit...

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 b...

🔗 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 re...

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...

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...