10 Best ADHD Tools For Time Management, Productivity, & Organization
Most people talk about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a limitation or problem to fix.
And I get it. Organizing things, planning your day, focusing, and simply time in general can feel overwhelming, frustrating, or impossible.
But I just want to say that you are not a problem. You are not bad or wrong. You don’t need fixing because nothing is wrong with you.
The real problem? Traditional time management tools and strategies weren’t built for your brain. It wasn’t built for the majority of us.
Instead of spending years looking for tools that’ll actually help you, I’ve spent hours scouring the internet for the top 10 ADHD time management tools currently out there.
While I haven’t been officially diagnosed with ADHD, I have had to do quite a bit of work on my relationship with time and productivity. I personally use many of these tools to help me accomplish what I want while maintaining my well-being.
If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or you have an inkling you may be neurodivergent, these tools and apps are for you. With them, you can strengthen your time management skills and take solid steps toward meaningful, lasting change.
1. Google Calendar
The central, foundational, pivotal ADHD management tool: a planner.
People spend hours and hours trying to find the perfect planner. Once they do? It’s used for a week or two and then completely forgotten about. Many of my time management coaching clients struggle with keeping track of post-its, papers, and their tasks. What do they always have with them? Their phones or computers. That’s why I recommend Google Calendar as #1.
Google Calendar is a free and amazing time-management and scheduling app that will help you visualize the passage and allocation of time and break down big projects into smaller tasks. Time blindness no more!
For someone with ADHD, it’s important to know you have to customize it and use it for your unique brain. After that, you’ll be unstoppable.
Pros: Free, intuitive interface, integration with Google Meet, publish calendars to the web, subscribing to other’s calendars, multiple calendars, ADHD-friendly features like color-coding, focus time, and customizable notifications.
Cons: Need to know how to set it up and use it in a way that works for you, doesn’t integrate with other video conferencing platforms, multiple calendars and mobile can get visually overwhelming.
Price: Free with your Gmail account.
Overall for someone who is always multitasking like me, Google Calendar is a lifesaver and it helps me to manage my routine and time more effectively.
I love how my computer, iPad, and phone have my Google Calendar on there. The syncing is very seamless and it helps me keep track of all meetings and events. You can even sync your Google Calendar with your Apple Calendar!
2. Focus@Will
Music is extremely important to me and my workflow. Instead of heading over to Spotify and taking the time to pick the perfect station, Focus@will does it for me.
Focus@will is a music service based on human neuroscience designed to help you concentrate and reduce distractions. Studies show a 200-400% increase in focus time. On their website, they say that the average productivity in a one-hour focus@will session is 75%.
After logging in to their website, all you do is set a timer, choose the type of music and pace you want, and work until the timer goes off. Once your session is done, they’ll ask you how productive you were. Over time, you’ll be able to see your stats.
They also have this super cute quiz to help you find your ‘perfect flow tunes’.
Pros: Not having to think about what music to put on, tested by scientists, tracks productivity progress, channel specifically for humans with ADHD
Cons: Not that many channels, costs money, time can fly by because you’re super focused
Pricing: $7.49/mo or $52.49/year with a 1-week trial.
I need to listen to Focus@Will right now to work on Computer stuff that I don’t particularly enjoy! And then I’ll have it for Monday morning. I even cook with it. It feels as if it helps reduce my stress levels all day. I really love it and don’t want to live without it. I have tried the 60 beat per minute channels for Concentration and Study on YouTube, but I find this is much better for concentrating, focus and calmness. I am telling everyone about it…. my son has ADHD so I will try to get him on it at least when he’s doing paperwork. Thank you so much for this great programme… we all need it.
This product was exactly what I had been looking to find for years! I had attempted curating my own playlists, downloading my own music and looking up the best study music… but this hands-down is the best piece of software I own! focus@will is an integral part of my small business staff!
3. Memtime
ADHD often affects a person's sense of time, causing someone to struggle to estimate how much time has passed or how long a task should take. Becoming more aware of the passage of time is extremely helpful. That’s why time tracking is often recommended. However, this presents a whole new problem.
Remembering to track your time. And remembering what you did during that time.
That’s why I love Memtime. As an ADHD-friendly time tracker, Memtime records the exact time spent in every program, file, browser tab, or email for you. Then it’ll summarize and display your working day, saving you 75% of your time spent on time tracking.
Pros: Automatic, able to track any program or page you use, offline tool (tracked activities don’t leave users’ devices).
Cons: Fairly expensive, fear of data breaches, and not available as an app on phones or tablets yet.
Price: Free trial for 14 days, after that $14/mo.
“It takes the sting out of time tracking.”
Time tracking was like a part-time job. Now it only takes seconds.
4. Forest
Forest is a fun app that helps you stay focused. Whenever you want (or need) to focus, you plant a tree. Your tree will grow while you focus on your work. If you leave the app to check social media or other distracting apps, the tree withers and dies.
Over time, you turn your accumulated focused moments into a gorgeous forest, unlock new species, and even plant real trees through Trees for the Future. One of their newest features is planting trees with friends, if anyone uses their phone, everyone’s tree will die. Talk about external motivation!
They too have a short quiz to help you find your personal flower. (Maybe you can tell I’m a sucker for cute quizzes!)
Pros: Gamified focus support, supporting a mission-driven organization, personalized ‘Allow Lists’, sharing your forest with friends.
Cons: Need to remember to open the app and use it, only available on iOS and Android, designed for single-task focus.
Price: $3.99 with additional in-app purchases.
"It's great because it works like a phone game, but it's a phone game that gives you time rather than taking it away."
I am someone who struggles tremendously with studying due to my ADHD. This app gives me a time limit that has a tangible consequence for breaking, because the flower or shrub I’m growing will die if I break the rules of the app, and will remain on my forest record forever. I don’t want that to happen, so I follow the rules and do what I set out to do originally. It’s so hard to do things of my own volition, but this app helps. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing at all, so I think it’s worth the download.
5. Cold Turkey
I don’t believe in using my limited capacity to stay off sites and apps that are designed to steal my time and attention. I’d rather use a site like Cold Turkey to block them and use my energy on the things I want to be doing.
That’s why Cold Turkey is my new BFF! It blocks anything from specific websites and applications to the entire internet with a few exceptions. You can even use it to schedule breaks from your entire computer.
They also have two other products, Writer and Micromanager. Writer turns your computer into a typewriter so the only thing you can do is write. Micromanager only lets you use specified work apps and blocks everything else.
Pros: All of your settings and statistics are stored locally on your computer so everything you block is kept private, Donates to the World Wildlife Fund each 10-minute break you take, uses motivational quotes for positive reinforcement.
Cons: Some users may find the interface and settings of Cold Turkey a bit complex or overwhelming initially, primarily operates on desktop platforms (Windows and macOS), if you’re computer savvy you might be able to find a way to override the system.
Price: Free version or Lifetime Pro at $39.
I no longer feel the itching need to check Reddit or Facebook. I feel as if I've been unshackled from my computer.
This is the only thing that finally made me start writing and stop procrastinating and getting distracted all the time on reddit and twitter. I don't use the common website blocker, but the writer one that won't let you get out of the program unless you write certain amount of words, or for some minutes.
6. Chirps
Chirps is an app that will chirp to remind you of whatever you want–what time it is, medicine, meetings, and more. You can schedule 'chirps' to run every x minutes/hours at any time of day.
Pros: Widgets, minimalist interface, fully customizable.
Cons: On Apple products only.
Price: Chirps is a completely FREE app without ads!
Picking up the phone while working from home is risky, there’s SO many distractions. I’m an artist & avid nature lover. It’s absolutely essential for me to track my time and still maintain the flow of my work & immersion. Especially when my hands are covered in paint! This app is perfect for that. It’s also helpful while I hike & workout! This app helps me eliminate that & keep track time so I know when to break for dinner, pick up my kid, or need a break. I never realized how much my grandmother’s wall clock helped regulate my adhd growing up & this is the digital replacement. Thanks for making a simple, polished, user friendly app. Less is truly more—a lost concept with so many developers!
I needed an app to help me drink more water. Everything I looked at wanted to track my water or wouldn’t let me create intervals the way I wanted. This app does exactly what I needed. I set my reminder at the interval of my choosing and I get a little non intrusive buzz to drink water.
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7. Toby
How many tabs do you have open right now? More than 5-6? Meet Toby. The browser extension over 500,000 people are using to help them organize their tabs.
Toby is a beautifully designed application that can help you search for, quickly identify, and switch between tabs. By grouping your tabs, you’ll decrease cognitive overload (super important!) and be able to focus more on specific topics or tasks.
Pros: Organize and manage your browser tabs effectively, syncs across devices and teams, visual representation of your tabs, making it easy to identify and switch between them quickly, search feature.
Cons: Designed as a browser extension for Google Chrome and Firefox, potential learning curve when initially setting up, requires an internet connection.
Price: Free plan (up to 10 spaces), Productivity Plan @ $4.50 per user/mo, Team Plan @ $6 per user/mo.
Toby has transformed the way I keep myself and my projects organized. I would recommend it to anyone who has endless bookmarks.
Toby is THE BEST at managing numerous tabs, folders, and sessions for your everyday business life. I have multiple businesses and this tool has enabled me to not go insane with all of the tabs and windows that I have open each day. This enables me to have just one window open instead of 5-7 with 5-10 tabs open in each window. Banana's right?! 🤪
8. Goblin.Tools
Guesswork is a huge part of what slows folks with ADHD down. Goblin.Tools is a collection of small, simple, single-task AI-based tools, designed to help neurodivergent people with tasks they find overwhelming or difficult.
Their tools are delightful. Some are: A Magic Todo list that automatically breaks down tasks into steps, the Estimator that can guess a timeframe for an activity, the Compiler to takes entire braindumps and turns them into actionable tasks, and the Chef, which turns a description of what ingredients and tools you have in your kitchen into a real recipe
Pros: It’s fun, can help take the guesswork out of a lot of things, has a super simple interface.
Cons: Since it’s an AI tool it’s limited in its understanding of some tasks, some of their tools don’t take into account the amount of energy you have at the time, for people who already have a decent productivity stack.
Price: Free and available to all, without ads or paywalls. $0.99 to buy as a mobile app
Neurodivergent folks rave about this app!
Goblin Tools is an AMAZING app for NDs, in particular autistic people and/or ADHDers. I happen to be both (as well as bipolar) and so the struggles with executive dysfunction and social interests are manifold. The app's many tools are all so great, some of which are quite unique. I swear, this is a to-do list app unlike any you've seen. I've tried them all. None of them are designed to tackle executive dysfunction like this.
This is quite literally the best app I’ve ever downloaded on my phone ever and thank you so very much to the developer and all your work, you have really changed my entire daily routine for the better
9. Llama Life
Founded by a human with diagnosed ADHD, Llama Life is an adorable (yet powerful!) tool that supports you in working through your lists.
This app uses a concept called time-boxing, which is setting a fixed amount of time (using a countdown timer) for each task. This creates the mental space to focus on one task at a time. Llama Life has amazing features like soundscapes, templates, and chimes.
Pros: Very nice, clean, simple interface, handy features like presets, shortcuts, and more, and integrates with popular task management tools.
Cons: Only available on web browsers.
Price: $6/month or $39/year with a free 7-day trial.
I’ve managed to finish all my work early today for the first time in days.
I just found out about Llama Life from an ADHD account on Instagram (@ADHDVision) and honestly, it’s a game changer.
10. TimeCap
Why is remembering to work out or floss so hard? TimeCap, also known as ADHD Organizer, Planner: Focus in the app store, is here to help!
This app is a free and easy-to-use habit tracker. TimeCap helps over 10,000 daily users, stay on track with their daily and weekly activities. With many different features, it’s designed with ADHD in mind. You can use it to focus, keep track of workouts, manage diverse passions, maintain essential self-care routines, minimize ‘bad’ habits, and more.
Pro: On Apple and Google, motivating reminders, visually pleasing interface, lots of customization options, easy to use.
Cons: App only.
Price: Free with in-app purchases.
They have great ratings. 4.9 out of 5 on 1.1K Ratings
ADHD approved! I have tried so many habit tracking apps and this is by far the best one. I love the way it looks (simple, sleek, minimalist, but customizable). It doesn’t overwhelm me looking at it. It also doesn’t send me unnecessary notifications”
Download this app immediately. Clean, intuitive interface. Tracks habit building and breaking. Daily task timer. It’s even become my to-do list and reminder app. Can’t speak highly enough of this app and the developer. I had nearly given up.”
How to Actually Get Started Using One of These Tools
Don’t know where to start? Here’s what I recommend: If you need help planning and organizing your day, head over to your Google Calendar. Need help building healthy habits, download TimeCap. If you're trying to nip distractions in the bud, check out Focus@will, Forest, or Cold Turkey. Feeling overwhelmed? Experiment with Llama Life, Toby, or Goblin.Tools. And if you have no idea where your time goes during the day, purchase Memtime or download Chirps.
You can also use more than one tool. I use four of these tools myself. When I’m working with 1:1 time management coaching clients, I recommend starting small and slow. Pick the one thing that you need right now and build from there. It can be really easy to go overboard and have trouble committing and remembering to come back to these tools.
Approaching it this way has greatly helped them feel better about themselves, get organized, and make more space for activities they enjoy.
Remember, we aren’t born knowing how to organize and manage our time. It’s a learned skill for all of us.
You deserve to live your most productive life (WITHOUT feeling burned out!).
Soulful Scheduling is all about showing you exactly how to structure, organize, and run your digital calendar (think Google Calendar). Grab it today!
What a Holistic Life & Time Coach Is (& What They Do)
When I talk to potential clients and friends about coaching, the general consensus is: What actually is it?
On top of that, there are tons of coaches out there in the world, all with different opinions, definitions, and perspectives on coaching. Of course, I have my own, too.
If you’ve ever considered hiring a coach, this article will help you figure out if a coach might be the right next step for you.
Or if you’ve ever wondered questions like: How do I accomplish the things I want without feeling so stressed and rushed? How can I experience more spaciousness and time outside of work, have time for myself, and enjoy my life?
Those are two of the big questions that a holistic life and time coach will help you answer.
Keep reading below to find out more, or tune in to episodes #025 and #026 on Not Too Productive to hear it for yourself.
What does a holistic life and time coach do?
I graduated from Level 1 Holistic Coach Training in September 2021 and Level 2 Holistic Coach Training in November 2023. The coach training institute I attended is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the largest regulatory body for the coaching field.
It is so important to me to define coaching and help people understand whether it is right for them.
As humans, it’s so easy to get stuck on autopilot, living in our lives, thinking the same thoughts, and doing the same things.
Simply put, a holistic life and time coach is someone who will help you spend your time and life how you want. They support you in getting to where you want to go… faster, easier, and without feeling so alone or frustrated.
As a coach, how do I do that exactly? In so many ways.
It’s important to understand that coaching is not therapy or consulting. A coach doesn’t give advice. I dive deeper into why that is later in this article, but the main reason is that the best answers are found within you, not externally.
A coach will ask powerful questions, offer reflections, and provide supportive tools and modalities. A life coach will help you recognize old patterns and change them, of course, if you want to. Personally, I bring somatics, parts work, mindfulness, and compassionate understanding into my coaching calls.
A holistic life and time coach also offers a non-hierarchal, judgment-free space for you to express, process, and try new perspectives. Where else in life do we have access to that kind of space?
Finally, a coach provides accountability and encouragement, making it so easier for you to be motivated and take action on what you want.
Adding a holistic perspective to coaching
When you’re not well, it’s challenging to set goals, make plans, try new things, make decisions with clarity, or accomplish what you want.
I also know that when you do reach your goals and you’re exhausted or burned out, it’s difficult to keep it up.
Accomplishing things regardless of the cost to you and your well-being isn’t worth it.
A holistic coach helps you achieve your goals AND be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
When you are well, taking action and making changes is easier.
A holistic life coach helps you consider your whole being so you have a much greater chance of sustainably succeeding.
Holistic coaching meets time management
The #1 biggest, most common thing that holds us all back from living the way we want and accomplishing what we want is time.
You need time to write a book, sleep well, grow a business, be with friends, play with your kids, create art, move your body, and do anything.
Yet the world of time management and productivity is full of people telling others what to do and hacks for getting work and tasks done as quickly as possible. It’s exhausting and feels horrible!
Time is what happens at work, but also in the mornings before it, on the weekends, and the small moments in between. It’s our whole lives and the most precious resource ever.
Life isn’t supposed to feel like a never-ending to-do list. It’s meant to be enjoyed. That’s why time is so much bigger than management, productivity, optimization, and efficiency.
Holistic time coaching combines coaching, a holistic lens, and time management so you can go inwards, heal what’s really preventing you from doing the things you want to do, and find unique-to-you solutions.
Holistic time coaching helps you consider everything from external factors such as finances, accessibility, responsibilities, relationships, work, and environment, to internal factors such as how your unique mind and body operate best, how you feel, what brings you joy, and more.
My job is to help you clarify what you actually want, prioritize what matters most, set achievable goals, make realistic plans, heal procrastination, build sustainable habits, and more. Most importantly, shifting how you think and feel about time so that you never again feel as if time is a limitation.
After working with me, my clients regularly say they feel a much healthier and expansive relationship towards time, which has improved their day-to-day lives.
Holistic life & time coaching vs therapy
While both are extremely useful, holistic life and time coaching stand out from therapy or counseling.
Think of it like this: therapy often focuses on past traumas and the psyche, while holistic coaching looks ahead to the future. When you work with a holistic life and time coach, you're in for a forward-thinking, practical experience.
Instead of diving deep into old wounds, coaching provides hands-on guidance for discovering strategies for living your values, experiencing less stress, and finding balance.
Coaching versus consulting
When someone tells you what to do, how does that feel in your body? For most of us, bad. Me too! A loud part of me (my inner teen) gets loud and wants to rebel. Then, I don’t ever actually follow through with it.
Often, when clients come to me seeking advice, and I give it, they decide it doesn’t sit well with them. It’s because no one knows better than you.
This is why coaching works so well. It helps you go inward and find your own answers, shining a light on how you feel, think, and what you want.
As a coach, I believe that every human being is resourceful and knows exactly what they need to do next. My job is to help you clear out the inner and/or outer noise preventing you from discovering your answers.
Time is bigger than management
Whether it’s getting more done, getting the right things done, resting more, or spending more time with your loved ones… I help you make the most of your one magical, beautiful life (aka time) and feel good while doing it.
When you’re ready to team up to feel confident, in control, and at peace with your time…Schedule a no-cost consult call to see how I can help here!
15 Best-Rated Time Management Books (& How to Choose!)
Welcome, time seekers and productivity enthusiasts! If you’ve been feeling short on time lately and you’re sick of the clock-chasing-you-anxiety, I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve curated 15 of the best published time management books out there.
As someone who has personally burned out as a student and professional, time became a concept really important to me.
Now 10 years later, as a Holistic Time Coach, I see and work with time a little differently than most other time management coaches out there. You’ll already likely notice this in the list below as I include novels, workbooks, and books that emphasize holistic well-being.
No matter if you read a single book from this list or not, I just want you to know it’s possible to melt that anxiety away, start getting things done much easier, and experience real peace in your life. I see it happen every day.
If you’re ready to feel better, take good care of yourself, and have more time for the things you love, keep reading!
How to Choose What to Read First
There are a lot of books on this list, some are more traditional and some are more unconventional (like me!). It’s impossible to read all of them, especially when you’re already short on time. How will you choose which one to read first?
Here’s what I’d recommend: Skim through this list and see which books call out to you.
Whether it’s a stirring in your gut, an excitement, a small whisper, or a loud calling, start with one of those. Trust yourself. And if you pick up that book but it something isn’t resonating, that’s okay. Put it down and choose a different one. No biggie.
I’d also like to mention here, please do not expect a book to solve all your unique time management struggles overnight.
Many books, especially time management books, are written for white, neurotypical, middle to upper-class people. On top of that, time management isn’t easy for anyone. We’re all out here trying to do our best with the minutes we have in a day. Please, be gentle with yourself and your expectations. Take everything with a grain of salt.
Want to know why time management books haven’t helped you manage your time better in the past? Read my thoughts about it here.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (118,417 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (727,402 ratings)
James Clear sprinkles unique and magical insights on tiny habits throughout his book, Atomic Habits. He shows and proves to our sometimes stubborn brains how seemingly insignificant actions can create powerful, positive changes in our lives. Personally, I haven’t read this one but I can vouch for it from my clients and students, plus look at that high rating! If you want to go on a journey through the science of habits and personal stories from Clear, this is the book for you.
You might guess I love me a nature analogy. One of my favorite quotes from the book: “All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.”
2. The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (143,756 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars (2,906,911 ratings)
You probably won’t see many or any, novels on your typical best time management book list. I, however, love fiction and often take in more learnings through captivating stories than non-fic. The Alchemist is a poetic fable (that made me cry!) that follows the journey of Santiago, a shepherd who embarks on a quest to fulfill his personal legend. Through a series of encounters and challenges, the novel imparts profound wisdom about pursuing one's dreams, listening to the heart, and understanding the interconnectedness of the universe. Something totally aligned with how I think about time. Coelho's narrative is both inspirational and philosophical, urging readers to discover their own paths and embrace the transformative power of self-discovery.
There are so many good quotes from this book so I have to share my two favorites.“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them” and “Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.”
3. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (30,468 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars (144,865 ratings)
Need some support around creating concentrated, undistracted work time? Deep Work is for you. Newport claims that the ability to engage in deep, focused work is a rare and valuable skill that can lead to exceptional success. The book provides actionable strategies for cultivating deep work habits, eliminating distractions, and structuring your work environment.
“What we choose to focus on and what we choose to ignore—plays in defining the quality of our life.” I know this is true in my life!
4. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (18,203 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (105,224 ratings)
Essentialism is a manifesto for a simpler, more purposeful life. McKeown advocates for the relentless pursuit of what truly matters, urging readers to focus on their highest priorities and eliminate non-essential distractions. He encourages us to make a shift from the "more is better" mentality to a mindful approach of doing less but better. Something I am all about. I mean, just read this quote:
“Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.”
5. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (8,459 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars (65,989 ratings)
Four Thousand Weeks is a thought-provoking book that challenges conventional approaches to time management (LOVE). Burkeman argues that our obsession with productivity and efficiency often leads to stress and dissatisfaction. Instead, he encourages readers to embrace the limitations of their 4,000-week lifespans and focus on meaningful and fulfilling experiences.
Honestly, this quote says it all:
“Productivity is a trap. Becoming more efficient just makes you more rushed, and trying to clear the decks simply makes them fill up again faster. Nobody in the history of humanity has ever achieved “work-life balance,” whatever that might be, and you certainly won’t get there by copying the “six things successful people do before 7:00 a.m.” The day will never arrive when you finally have everything under control—when the flood of emails has been contained; when your to-do lists have stopped getting longer; when you’re meeting all your obligations at work and in your home life; when nobody’s angry with you for missing a deadline or dropping the ball; and when the fully optimized person you’ve become can turn, at long last, to the things life is really supposed to be about. Let’s start by admitting defeat: none of this is ever going to happen. But you know what? That’s excellent news.”
6. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (7,889 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars (47,944 ratings)
Burnout is rampant in our fast-paced society and authors Emily and Amelia Nagoski delve into it in their book. Here you’ll learn the concept of the "stress cycle" and how it impacts your physical and mental health. Using scientific research and personal stories, you’ll be able to better understand and manage your stress, ultimately leading to a more balanced and healthier life. Read this great quote from the book:
“It’s true that rest makes us more productive, ultimately, and if that’s an argument that helps you persuade your boss to give you more flexibility, awesome. But we think rest matters not because it makes you more productive, but because it makes you happier and healthier, less grumpy, and more creative. We think rest matters because you matter. You are not here to be “productive.” You are here to be you, to engage with your Something Larger, to move through the world with confidence and joy. And to do that, you require rest.”
Things a time management book can’t do?
Give you guidance that’s made for you.
I’m here to help motivate and support you so you can integrate mindset shifts and skills
necessary for real change. Book a no-cost exploration call to chat about working together.
7. Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (668 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (6,048 ratings)
Making time for ourselves, specifically taking time to rest, is one of the most challenging things to do. Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, is here to save us from exhaustion and the guilt we feel when we take time off. I can’t say it better than the book summary, “Rest Is Resistance is a call to action, a battle cry, a field guide, and a manifesto for all of us who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.” Personally, it’s my bible and a book that I recommend to all of my clients when we talk about rest. Just read this beautiful quote:
“You were not just born to center your entire existence on work and labor. You were born to heal, to grow, to be of service to yourself and community, to practice, to experiment, to create, to have space, to dream, and to connect.”
8. The Ultimate Time Management Toolkit: 25 Productivity Tools for Adults with ADHD and Chronically Busy People by Risa Williams
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (40 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)
Written by a clinical therapist, this book offers practical methods and easy-to-use techniques to help you feel more motivated, achieve what you want, and feel less stressed about time (even if you have ADHD or feel too busy). Many of the strategies are based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and narrative therapy. As someone who is a mental health advocate and proud regular therapy attendee, I can vouch that therapy is one of the biggest reasons I was able to start spending my time how I wanted to.
9. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (9,315 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars (154,985 ratings)
"Getting Things Done" is a well-known guide to creating a productivity system that organizes tasks, projects, and commitments. The biggest thing I appreciate most about this book is encouraging a clear and clutter-free mind. The system he emphasizes goes like this: capture and clarify all responsibilities, then organize and prioritize them systematically. If you’re looking for a system, this may be the book that does it for you.
Also, this quote totally cracks me up: “I am rather like a mosquito in a nudist camp; I know what I want to do, but I don’t know where to begin.” I know I’ve felt like that mosquito before, and I know many of my clients have too.
10. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink
Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (3,863 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars (29,663 ratings)
“When” is all about the science behind timing in our daily lives and decision-making processes. Pink delves into the complex and naturally fluctuating human biological clock and circadian rhythms in relation to our effectiveness. The book provides practical advice on how to align our activities with our natural daily rhythms to make the most of our time and life. His exploration of these somewhat science-y topics is thoughtful and engaging.
You can probably guess that my engineering, Virgo brain loved this book and how specific he got. He shares things like, “The typical worker reaches the most unproductive moment of the day at 2:55 p.m.”
11. Laziness Does Not Exist by Dr. Devon Price
Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (691 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars (7,458 ratings)
One of the most common things I hear from clients when we start working together? “I’m lazy! I waste so much time! I’m a procrastinator!” Those who share these thoughts with me, I always send this book their way. Dr. Devon Price, a fellow recovering overachiever, challenges the common notion of laziness and offers a fresh perspective on it. They argue that what is often labeled as laziness is, in fact, a result of complex factors, including mental health, social pressure, and environmental conditions. The book emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and understanding one's own needs and limitations, advocating for a more supportive approach to personal and societal expectations. Here’s a fab quote:
“The Laziness Lie is a deep-seated, culturally held belief system that leads many of us to believe the following: Deep down I’m lazy and worthless. I must work incredibly hard, all the time, to overcome my inner laziness. My worth is earned through my productivity. Work is the center of life. Anyone who isn’t accomplished and driven is immoral.”
12. The Time Paradox: The New Psychology of Time That Will Change Your Life by Philip Zimbardo
Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (309 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars (2,680 ratings)
How we think and feel about time drastically impacts our behavior and how we spend it, therefore shaping our entire lives. Phillip Zimbardo speaks right to this. Backed by recent research, he shares that people can have 3 "time perspectives"; they can be past-oriented, present-oriented, or future-oriented. Using this framework, he explores how different time perspectives impact decision-making, relationships, and overall well-being.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is, "Our ability to reconstruct the past, to interpret the present, and to construct the future gives us the power to be happy.”
13. How to Stop Time: A Novel by Matt Haig
Amazon Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars (29,341 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars (157,805 ratings)
Another novel disguised as a time management book! "How to Stop Time" by Matt Haig is a captivating novel that revolves around a guy named Tom Hazard, who ages at an extremely slow pace, living through centuries of history. As Tom navigates the challenges of immortality, the novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the transient nature of time. Haig's narrative is both poignant and thought-provoking, inviting readers to reflect on the beauty and complexity of life through the lens of an extraordinary protagonist.
A quote from Matt’s book: “That's the thing with time, isn't it? It's not all the same. Some days - some years - some decades - are empty. There is nothing to them. It's just flat water. And then you come across a year, or even a day, or an afternoon. And it is everything. It is the whole thing.”
14. How to Not Always Be Working: A Toolkit for Creativity and Radical Self-Care by Marlee Grace
Amazon Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (208 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.4 out of 5 stars (1,509 ratings)
“How To Not Always Be Working” is a compassionate guide for those who want to work less, and create and take care of themselves better. They share unique tools and insights to break free from the constant hustle, encouraging us to embrace more rest and reflection. The book emphasizes the importance of self-care (Of which I’m a huge believer in) as a vital component of the creative process. Marlee Grace's toolkit serves as a gentle reminder that sustainable productivity is deeply intertwined with intentional and nurturing practices for both the mind and body.
As an online business owner, I extra-loved this quote: “Remembering to go outside and not document every moment has been, for me, the key to not burning out and not always working.”
15. Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond Productivity Culture by Jenny Odell
Amazon Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (156 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.6 out of 5 stars (2,337 ratings)
Jenny Odell, the author of the New York Times bestseller How to Do Nothing, just released Saving Time. In it, she explores the detrimental impact of the concept ‘Time is money’ and other harmful beliefs about time. In this book, we are offered other ways than current-day norms to experience time in order to live a more humane existence.
“If time management is not simply an issue of numerical hours but of some people having more control over their time than others, then the most realistic and expansive version of time management has to be collective: It has to entail a different distribution of power and security. In the realm of policy, that would mean things that seem obviously related to time - for example, subsidized childcare, paid leave, better overtime laws, and 'fair workweek laws', which seek to make part-time employees' schedules more predictable and to compensate them when they are not. Less obviously related to time - but absolutely relevant to it - are campaigns for a higher minimum wage, a federal jobs guarantee, or universal basic income.”
Best Time Management Book For New Parents
Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You by Julie Morgenstern
Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (100 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars (480 ratings)
Although I’m not a parent, I’ve worked with many parents with newborns all the way to adult children. The common theme? Parenting is HARD. That’s what I love about this book, Julie is honest about how hard parenting can be. This book gives you the tools you need to take the constant stress about the busyness of life and your child’s needs away.
A quote from the book, “Organizing the job gives parents the chance to create the time, confidence, and clarity required to give our kids the all-important fit of undivided attention.”
Best Time Management Book For Students
Time Management Workbook for Students by Dr. Emily Schwartz
Amazon Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars (2 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars (1 rating)
I picked this book over any other time books for students out there (which there aren’t that many!) because it’s a workbook, not a book. Students particularly need tangible exercises and tools that they can implement immediately. Also, it’s written by a woman with K-12, University, and corporate teaching experience and draws from doctoral research in motivation and success attributions. She says this workbook is, “Everything I wish my students knew.” If you’re a high school or college student looking to have more time, this workbook may be for you!
Best Time Management Book For Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs: The Ultimate No Holds Barred Kick Butt Take No Prisoners Guide to Time Productivity and Sanity by Dan S. Kennedy
Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (269 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (912 rating)
We, entrepreneurs, have a unique experience when it comes to time. We wear a ton of different hats and we’re almost completely in control of our schedules, and that freaks a lot of people out! Especially when coming from a corporate background. Dan S. Kennedy time management isn’t my typical style, I believe that we’re all already too hard on ourselves and the answer isn’t more rigidity. However, sometimes we do need a kick in the butt. That’s what this book delivers.
As an entrepreneur who grew up with a dad and grandpa
who owned businesses, I know the impact of working all the time.
I’d love to help you find a way to make time for everything that matters to you–in a way that works for
your unique life, brain, and business. Book a no-cost exploration call to chat with me about working together.
Best Time Management Book For Busy 9 to 5ers
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey
Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (12,253 ratings)
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars (715,306 rating)
One of the first time management books I ever read? The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. My engineering day job had a professional development workshop, and this was the book we reviewed. While I wouldn’t be jumping to recommend this to my clients (read the books above!), if you’re a professional, this book will give you a common language with your co-workers which is so important. Plus it’s been read and reviewed a ton, so we know it hits home for many. The thing that I do extremely appreciate and agree with is aligning our time and life around our core values. That’s what Covey shares how to do here.
If you’ve ever heard, “Start with the end in mind,” this book is where it’s from.
You made it to the end! Which book are you choosing to read? Which books have you already read? Comment below! I’d love to hear from you.
How a weekly schedule template saved me 37 hours every quarter
Back in 2019, I was building my yoga coaching business, teaching yoga, hosting retreats and workshops, all while being an engineer in my 9-5 job.
I rarely sat still.
Resting felt pointless, and I never felt like I got enough done. I was constantly overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed out.
I never had enough time.
I know whenever I see someone say that everything changed from this one thing, I cringe. But I’m serious… using a weekly schedule template did that for me.
My calendar helped me heal toxic productivity, my tendency to over-commit, and my shiny object syndrome. Doing so allowed me to rest more, enjoy more, and focus more.
Four years later, I’m running a successful online coaching business and I currently work remotely 3-4 days a week while traveling around the world. (I’m in Cyprus as I write this)
I wouldn’t be where I am today without creating a weekly schedule template that felt good to ME.
In this blog, you’ll learn what a weekly schedule template is and how it saved me 37 hours, and $2500, a quarter. That’s 148 hours, or $10k a year!
What is a weekly schedule template?
A weekly schedule template is your average week pre-built into your digital calendar. It provides a “blank”, realistic, yet flexible structure and a clear framework for planning and organizing your week ahead.
I think of my weekly schedule template as a foundation for all the things I regularly need to do to maintain my life and well-being.
The biggest difference between a "‘weekly schedule’ and a ‘weekly schedule template’ is that you don’t intend to follow your weekly template perfectly, which is huge for a lot of people who struggle with perfectionism or all-or-nothing thinking.
You'd take your template and edit it at the beginning of each week to edit it to fit your real-life tasks, events, and responsibilities.
Once you have a weekly schedule template built, you will…
Feel more in control of your time, weeks, and schedule, and reduce any time-related stress.
Realistically see how much time, energy, and space you have available making it much easier to plan and say yes or no to things.
More easily keep track of everything because you have it all in one place preventing mental overwhelm.
See and celebrate what you’ve done and feel more fulfilled at the end of each day and week.
Increase your awareness of how long tasks really take and more realistically estimate how long things take.
How a weekly schedule template saved me 37 hours a quarter
I used to spend a lot of time planning, then re-planning, because my plans were rigid and unrealistic. I kept saying yes and overcommitting myself. I’d feel stressed out and behind on either everyday life stuff, or on my priorities and goals.
With a weekly schedule template, I saved 37 hours, and $2500, a quarter. That’s 148 hours, or $10k a year!
However, if you like math here it is:
Every quarter I used to spend about 5.5 hours each quarter planning it out. Then at the beginning of the week, I’d sit down and spend about 2.5 hours planning out my week. But since things changed so much, I’d spend another 45 mins each day writing out my to-do list. That’s 44.5 hours each quarter JUST planning.
At my hourly rate, that’s $3,115 spent planning.
With a weekly schedule template, I spend around 1.5 hours on quarterly planning, thinking through what I want to do. Then, I will spend ~30 mins a week editing and updating my weekly template to fit that week. That’s it. And I only spend 7.5 hours planning a quarter now.
At my hourly rate, that’s $525 spent planning.
Looking for your own weekly schedule template?
There’s a lot that goes into building a weekly schedule template that’ll feel good to you, be sustainable, and give you the results you want. You have to take into account your everyday life and responsibilities. Think self-care, kids (if you’re a parent), cleaning the house, commuting (if you do), work hours, date nights, etc.
Your vision, dreams, goals, intentions, or whatever word you use (I use intention!). For example, scaling your business, working 30 hours a week, or writing a book.
Then you need to match all of those with your unique rhythms, at best you can. And doing all of this without your tendency to overcommit or optimistic planner parts to take over!
Digital Calendars For Humans will help you do this in 30 minutes, or less.
How to manage your time better using your astrological chart
Have trouble identifying your purpose in life?
Maybe you don't feel all that fulfilled at the end of the day.
Unsure of how to best use your time and energy?
Perhaps you simply want to use your time in a more confident, productive, and joyful way than you already do.
No matter where you are right now… integrating your astrological chart into your schedule, time, and life might be the tool that helps you welcome in the next phase of your life and business.
Read below to discover how to use your chart to be more effective as you work towards your goals AND human.
Co-contributor: Alison Brownell
Let’s learn a little about Astrology
Astrology is the study of how planets and stars influence us.
Everyone has an astrological chart based on the month, day, year, time, and location they were born.
When everyday normal people think about Astrology, they’re often thinking about their Sun sign. Meaning the zodiac sign the Sun was in when they were born.
Thanks to the popularization of astro columns in newspapers in the early 1900s, and the fact that the Sun is straightforward to track because it's in the same place at the same time every year.
However, there are more planets than just the Sun in the sky. Each planet has its own archetype. There are also 12 signs, each representing a key part of life, from health to money to relationships and everything in between.
Where each planet is in the sky on your birth date, is the zodiac sign it’s in.
Our charts tell us so much more than just you’re a Virgo or Capricorn (aka where the Sun was when they were born.)
(If you've ever looked at your zodiac sign and felt disconnected from it, that might be why.)
When you put your birth information into this free chart calculator, you’ll see a complicated-looking circled chart. It’s a list of all the planets and where they were at the time you were born.
Where to look in your chart in terms of managing your time better?
There are two main places in your chart…
Saturn
If you ask yourself: How do I create a life where I feel accomplished and fulfilled? Well, Saturn is the place to look! He's so important in our charts, and yet still gets a bad rap.
Saturn is like that really difficult teacher you had all year, but once you finally graduated, you felt accomplished for making it through.
He's the dude that wants to make sure you’re on the right path – that you're spending your time wisely and doing the things that will help you grow.
Saturn will ask you if you want to spend time on the things you are doing on a macro scale. For example, am I working the right job? Am I studying the right subjects? Am I pursuing the right goals for me?
He’ll also guide you on a micro-scale. For example, Did I take good enough care of myself today? Did I spend time on the things that bring me joy?
Some helpful examples:
If your Saturn is in Pisces, it’s preferable to live and/or work in solitude and in contemplation. Being a remote worker at home? Heck yeah!
People with Saturn in Gemini's strengths include preciseness, accuracy, and logical thinking. They make an excellent teacher or guides.
For Saturn in Cancer, they’d be well suited for businesses related to real estate, home, family, and nurture.
When it comes to managing your time, what you choose to fill it with it’s the most foundational piece and extremely important.
Saturn will tell you (probably, over and over again) what to focus your precious time, energy, and life on depending on what astrological sign he’s in when you were born.
If you want to learn what to best focus your time and energy on, look to Saturn. I recommend you use this free Astrology website to get a breakdown of your Saturn.
Mars
Aside from Saturn, the other most important place to look at, in your chart, is Mars. In Astrology, Mars is associated with confrontation, energy, strength, ambition, and impulsiveness.
Mars is the planet of energy and action, it dictates how you take action. Where to place your time and energy is your Saturn, how to use them is Mars.
It's important to understand your unique rhythms and patterns in order to make the most of your time.
More helpful examples:
If Mars is in Libra… that’s the energy of partnership. So to be able to collaborate with people to get things done is an important piece of your process. Also having a balanced way of looking at projects is key.
Mars in Capricorn, your ambition is strong. This might look like someone who needs to set up their schedule and time around feeling accomplished. They also might tend to work late or on weekends because they’re so driven. (Watch for burnout here!)
Mars in Sagittarius needs to have freedom and doesn't necessarily like to be told how things are done. When it comes to traditional time management, time blocking might feel super restrictive for these people.
How to apply your unique Saturn and Mars to your schedule?
Look up your Saturn. What sign was Saturn in when you were born?
Look up your Mars. What sign was Mars in when you were born?
Write down the things about each planet’s sign that resonate with you.
Take Saturn’s sign and think about it in terms of your goals and how you spend your time on a macro and micro level.
Take Mars’s sign and think about it in terms of your rhythms, energy, scheduling, and how you take action.
Want to build a schedule that’s sustainable, unique to you, and in alignment with your astrological chart?
Book a sustainable Schedule VIP day to get organized and be more efficient with your time (while still being human!) now.
About the co-contributor:
Alison Brownell has been studying astrology and reading charts for nearly fifteen years. Combining this information with coaching and communication skills honed as a former college counselor, Alison is able to help you connect to your highest self in a way that feels mystical yet practical, and always empowering.
How to achieve your goals and feel well-rested (yes, it's possible!)
It feels extremely counter-productive to focus on rest and health FIRST, then our to-do lists.
We’ve been taught to get everything done, and then we can take a break.
What happens when it’s literally impossible to get everything done? Cause that’s the truth. You will never get everything done.
We stay exhausted, running on a treadmill of tasks hoping for one day when we can breathe.
That’s where traditional time management extremely suffers, and holistic time management excels.
When you put yourself first, like legit first, and everything else after… achieving your goals and feeling well-rested becomes a reality.
Finally!
Find out how Kirsten was able to put herself first while accomplishing even more than she set out to in our 3-months working together.
Since this post is more of a case study than a how-to, don’t miss the coaching questions at the end of this post to apply Kirsten’s wisdom and transformation to your life and business.
Tell us who you are and what you do.
Kirsten Welge, Founder/Director of Natural Awareness, LLC
What was achieving your personal and professional goals like before you began working with me?
After leaving my corporate healthcare manager position of 5 years for a 6 month 'sabbatical', I was struggling to set a daily routine that helped me complete deeply important goals AND left me feeling well-rested.
I relied on deadlines and a buildup of external and internal pressure to move me - which didn't translate well to cleaning the home or completing other "maintenance behaviors" necessary for life to run smoothly.
What did you love about having me as your holistic time coach?
Your check-ins strongly supported accountability.
Mindful breathing to start our sessions.
Experiencing your presence – you're gentle and accepting, which helped me to soften my approach to myself.
The invitations to try things out and see how they worked for me (like bedtime rituals).
Your approach to time management and the calendar make-over!!! <3 That was life-changing.
What has happened in your life or business since we worked together?
In my life…
I realized my body does cue me when it's tired -- and I am practicing setting a rhythm to settle towards a regular sleep time of 9-9:30 PM. (A far cry from working until 3 AM!!)
I began to listen more to my body, and nap when it asks me for rest. I feel more refreshed and relaxed.
I accepted that I am not a robot that can produce indefinitely at the same rate, regardless of feelings or circumstances.
I donated a trunk full of bags of items to Goodwill, and donated another 40 pieces of business clothes (suits, pants, jackets, shells, blouses) to a local group that sets up low-income women with interview & business clothing.
I cleared the main floor space of our home - AND KEPT IT CLEAN with maintenance of 5-10 min every evening. WOW! ...and this led to a huge breakthrough and more trust with my partner. Thank you!
I cleared a space in the basement for my "recording studio" for a national talk.
I prepared and delivered a national talk to my aikido federation on why I train, and how our training can be applied in daily life.
I completed a series of biweekly bike rides (including time trials, hill climbs, and gravel rides I'd never done before) on 10-40k+ routes from June-August.
I developed muscles and speed I have never had before.
I completed a 10-day solo Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness trip, with portaging (never done before), and found greater clarity and trust in my mind-body than ever before. I had no regrets whatsoever about spending that time alone.
In my business…
I opened up to being OK with not producing an income with every action I took.
I worked through anxiety about comparing myself to how others did things.
I worked through anxiety & resistance about offering certain classes, made clear, confident decisions, and experienced greater ease and alignment.
For Q4, I reduced my number of quarterly goals to THREE, from more than 8... and am seeing progress on those three fronts, instead of feeling like a hamster trying to spin multiple wheels. Awesome!!
Thanks to your calendar makeover, I now have large time blocks for focusing on a particular group of tasks. This is SO helpful!
And, I've built in time for daily activities to settle me and connect me to my partner and friends, which often fell to the wayside in the past.
I filed for my LLC!!!
And, I finally put together a site for my business and flier for my first program, Track Your Backyard! I have learned so much and now have a functioning website. AWESOME.
What do you think made those things (listed above) possible in just 3 months of working together?
Focusing on rest and health first.
When I'm rested, I have a greater awareness of myself and what's needed, short- and long-term - and I am more efficient and effective at completing what's needed.
Boom. ^That’s the key right there.
But how?! How do we make this massive shift in how we manage and think about time?
Here are some coaching questions for you to think through:
How might you put yourself first, and everything else second (or later)?
What might be keeping you from being able to do that?
What is your next best step forward?