Laura Vanderkam is a time management expert and bestselling author.
Why do so many people feel time-starved—even when they technically have more freedom than ever? Are we really as busy as we think? And how can we design a week that actually reflects what matters most?
Expect to learn why most people overestimate how busy they are, how tracking your time reveals hidden patterns of fulfilment or frustration, what high performers do differently with their 168 hours, how to stop reacting to life and start designing it, the myth of balance and what to aim for instead, why “core competencies” matter more than routines, how to build a sustainable schedule without burning out, and how small changes in how we spend time can change everything—and much more.
00:00 - Why Most People Feel Time-Starved
03:12 - The Truth About How Busy You Really Are
06:25 - What Happens When You Track Your Time for a Week
09:44 - The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
12:56 - Why Time Management Isn’t About Being Efficient
15:40 - “Core Competencies” and How They Reshape Your Schedule
18:18 - How to Make Time for What Actually Matters
21:06 - The Most Common Time Traps We Fall Into
24:22 - Designing Your Week Like a High Performer
27:00 - The Myth of Balance and What to Aim for Instead
30:10 - The Hidden Emotional Side of Time Management
33:27 - Micro Habits That Make a Macro Difference
36:42 - How to Stop Feeling Guilty About Time Off
39:58 - Why Structure Creates Freedom
43:15 - The Power of Anchoring Rituals in Your Day
46:23 - What Successful People Do with Their Mornings
49:32 - Saying No: The Most Underrated Time Skill
52:11 - Time Management for Parents & Caregivers
55:25 - Can You Really Do It All?
58:49 - Laura’s Advice to Anyone Who Feels Overwhelmed
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