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.
Case Study: How to achieve work-life balance that is real & sustainable
I hear time and time again that work-life balance isn’t real or possible to achieve.
And I totally get that. As a multi-passionate/dimensional human…having time for everything that’s important to us isn’t easy in the society we live in.
While I won’t get into society’s failings here, I will say that there are many things we can do as individuals to make the juggling act easier for ourselves.
In this blog post, one of my clients Talon will delve into what helped them achieve work-life balance. Hint: It’s not another hack.
Rather than temporary solutions, we explored the ratio of work, rest and play that makes them the happiest, what types of play and rest are the best, the type of work and social environments that enable them to thrive and give more, and so much more.
Together, we uncovered how to best spend their time to be well and accomplish everything they need and want as a full-time and part-time jobber, creative, partner, and cat parent.
We made work-life balance real, and sustainable.
Tell us who you are and what you do.
Talon Tuong. Property manager & accountant, fantasy writer, mixed media artist, tarot reader, and cat parent
What was your life like before time coaching with me?
I reached out to Becca at the end of October. I had hit another burnout moment because I had overfilled my calendar yet again, and one more stressor was the hay that broke this camel's back.
I was overwhelmed with too many great opportunities and friends, and feeling guilty about declining any of them. Because I should be grateful for all I have, right?
I wanted to maintain good friendships. I wanted time to grow as an artist, take care of my house and cats, go on dates, and rejuvenate in solitude.
I work full-time plus part-time. I had no idea how to do it all or how to say No. I was starting to resent friends and invitations especially living in Los Angeles where things are happening all the time.
I felt like I was reacting to everything, and things stopped feeling fun. I started trying to say No, and I felt grief over being too tired to pursue certain opportunities, and while some friends were supportive, others felt threatened that I would spend less time with them.
I knew I couldn't handle it alone, so I started looking for time management coaches because I was feeling mad and conflicted about my calendar. I felt stuffy and agitated all the time.
What did you love about working together?
I discovered my guiding values, and I was surprised to find that they applied to literally everything in my life.
I opened up to Becca about every new challenge that came up in my life, I'd do the prompts she gave me, and as she'd listen to me process my experiences, she mirrored how all my hopes and fears led back to the same core values. Even when I thought it was a new situation, new problem, new people, new area of life. It all came back to Authenticity, Ease and Sharing My Joy.
I want to stay true to my values, always. And I want things to stay easeful. I want to rest. I want to work from a place of excitement and strength. I don't want to struggle and strain. I want to share what's true to me and find those who resonate with it, and nothing less.
Becca's ability to synthesize and cut to the heart of all my rambling thoughts is her superpower! When I would get into overthinking, she helped me come home to things I already said! And through experiencing the powerful way she listened to me and mirrored me, I learned to enjoy listening to myself and others more deeply than ever.
What has happened in your life or business since we worked together?
The stars aligned because I went through it all with Becca! I had holidays, got sick, needed to help my parents, fought with friends, job creep happened. Everything that could uproot all my perfect calendar plans happened. I was especially fixated on my relationships, whether to be on social media, and my creative calling.
By the time we were done, I had strengthened my boundaries and emotional regulation toolkit for when stress hit any random day or week. I no longer feel derailed when chaos happens. I just deepen into self-care first.
I was able to shift my intention for creativity so that I express myself as an extension of whatever self-care I need that week, instead of trying to push myself to come up with things to create on top of what I'm already doing.
I improved my relationships by creating more time for myself to rest and center so that I could fully show up as my best self for people.
At first, I feared that in order to make more time for creativity, I needed more solitary time than people time and that it would be a huge shift for the people in my life. I'm a people pleaser! Horrifying! But it turns out I needed more rest. I didn't have to choose between social and solo opportunities. By choosing rest, I was able to show up more fully for both.
I finished more paintings, wrote more, joined a book club, and I did all of it from a place of easygoing joy instead of panicked juggling.
Artist block and social resentment went away because I made more space to do nothing and feel zero pressure.
By giving myself more time to do nothing, to not have any obligations, it gave me the room to approach my active moments more gratefully and energetically. I did have to do a lot less than I was doing before. I do have to see people less often. I absolutely had to find a metric of success beyond an online presence. Now, I get more things done that matter to me with greater joy because I feel rested enough to gravitate towards what gives me meaning.
I'm spending time with people who are uplifting and uplifted when we're together, instead of seeing people because they "need" me to show up x number of times to be considered a true friend.
Right now, I'm experiencing job creep, and I still feel centered because I prioritize sustainable balanced work, rest and play. I am not about nonstop productivity or nonstop emotional labor. If it's not sustainable, it's not for me, and I will forge a new path creatively like I always do.
What do you think made those things (listed above) possible?
What helped me shift most was seeing myself as a whole person. I'm not just my passion or my role at work or to my loved ones. I'm also my health, my basic needs, my home, my sense of safety, my need to experiment and make mistakes and explore, my work ethic, a cat person. All of me needs care.
If I need to cut back on one area of my life, it's not because I'm failing. It's because I'm taking care of multiple parts of me.
I figured out the ratio of work, rest and play that make me happiest.
I figured out what types of play and rest do the most for me.
I figured out the type of work and social environments that enable me to thrive and give more.
I learned to trust the practice that when I'm relaxed and rested, I have so much more effortless energy than when I'm trying too hard. It felt really counterintuitive, as I'm so used to anxiously doing the most.
To know that I can be loved and enough by doing less is my healing journey.
The people who believe in overworking and overgiving are not going to come with me into my easefully abundant future.
What would you say to someone thinking about working with Becca?
Becca completely raised the bar for me of what to expect from a coach.
There are many life coaches out there who aren't going to fit you because they are selling you their results and their methods. If you want their life, then it's perfect. But what if you don't know what you want or if your desires keep changing from where you started? What if you don't know what methods will work for your unique brain and lifestyle? What if you want to do many things, in a world that keeps telling you to pick one habit and do it for 2 minutes daily? How does that add up to being a sustainably multipassionate person!
I love that Becca isn't trying to help me manage my time to be a creative spiritual entrepreneur. She helped me take care of my whole self so I can handle my many passions and stressors in a way that's more realistic to my life and personality.
And her approach isn't some mysteriously paywalled method. She takes the time to deeply hear your heart's aim and your rhythms, and to make your calendar match your truth and your everchanging reality. I think in this hectic world, it is a radical act to take the time to truly know ourselves. She'll give you that time.
Experience and enjoy balance in your own life.
Book a complimentary 30-min exploration call here.
33 Benefits You'll Experience When You Hire A Holistic Time Coach
It's easy to lose sight of the value of our time amidst the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day.
We often find ourselves caught up in worries about the past or consumed by anxieties about the future, all while being pulled into tasks that don't truly align with our true priorities and goals.
But here's the thing: every single moment, day, week, and year we experience weave together to form the tapestry of our one and only life.
That's why it's crucial to do the inner and outer work to be in right relationship with time and spend it consciously.
That's where Holistic Time Coaching and Holistic Time Management come in.
As a Holistic Time Coach, my mission is to partner up with individuals who yearn for more from their time and their existence. Those who crave more presence, abundance, freedom, and aliveness.
In this blog, I'll share the incredible benefits that holistic time coaching can bring to your life—truly life-changing results that will elevate your business, relationships, health, finances, and more.
What is holistic life & time coaching?
Holistic life and time coaching is all about shaping your future and maximizing your present. Think of it as a dynamic partnership with a coach who guides you to unlock your full potential. The process is incredibly hands-on and tailored to your unique needs. It begins with identifying your values, dreams, and aspirations, helping you craft a roadmap for your life.
Together with your holistic life and time coach, you'll work on enhancing time management skills, reducing stress, and creating a balanced, fulfilling life. This approach is ideal for busy adults seeking to regain control over their schedules and achieve a harmonious lifestyle aligned with their loved ones. However, it might not be the best fit for individuals who are currently dealing with severe mental health issues that require immediate therapy or counseling. If you’re struggling with significant mental health issues, please seek out professional help immediately.
33 benefits of having a holistic time coach in your life
How we spend our time impacts everything; our work, relationships, environment, finances, and physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It makes sense that holistic time coaching benefits… everything too.
Here are the biggest benefits that are accessible to you with a holistic time management coach:
Accomplish more, better
Time management and productivity get a bad rep in my world nowadays. But productivity itself isn’t the enemy. The real enemy? Capitalism, scarcity, greed, selfishness, and income inequality. They turn productivity toxic.
But at the end of the day, we all have things we need to get done at work, at home, and for ourselves. That’s why we look to time management to support us in doing so.
However, traditional time management burns people out because it emphasizes a one-size-fits-all approach to productivity. This can lead to an overly rigid schedule and unrealistic expectations.
Holistic Time Management takes into account your unique differences and needs which helps you accomplish what you want, in less time and without all the stress, anxiety, hurry, and urgency. This allows you to get more quality work done.
Enriched creativity
Time that is well-managed allows for space to noodle, think creatively, and make art. You’ll have more capacity for hobbies, whether that’s playing an instrument, drawing, writing, or something else that you love doing.
Advanced time estimation
You’ll be able to accurately estimate how long tasks will take, leading to more realistic planning and scheduling.
Alleviate stress & anxiety
Holistic time management reduces day-to-day and chronic stress, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, and helplessness. It also alleviates symptoms associated with those things such as headaches, exhaustion, burnout, and more.
More motivation
A coach will provide guidance and support to help you stay connected to your motivation throughout the day, week, and month.
Expands your capacity for joy
Holistic time coaching increases your joy and spontaneity. It helps you feel more alive, even as you’re checking things off your to-do list or when you’re at work throughout the week. You don’t have to wait until the weekend to be excited or have fun.
Effective visioning & goal setting
Ever set a goal and later realized it’s going to take a lot more time, energy, and focus to achieve? Yep! We’re so used to setting big lofty goals. But there’s a big difference between a vision and a goal.
A time coach will help you create a safe container for you to vision and dream without needing to know all the answers. Then they’ll support you in taking that vision and turning it into realistic and achievable goals.
This will help you stay motivated and on track, it’ll help you acknowledge and celebrate your progress, and achieve them much easier and quicker.
Healing self-sabotaging behavior
A holistic coach can help you deepen your understanding of and heal issues that impact how long you spend on tasks. Think common time issues such as procrastination, perfectionism, and overthinking
Self-accountability
Following through with the plans one makes is one of the most common struggles I hear from clients and students.
A holistic time coach is here to gently hold you accountable for the things you say you want to do and help you find ways to strengthen your own self-accountability muscle.
Boundary setting
You’ll be able to set clearer boundaries and say "no" to things you really don’t want to do.
Conscious prioritization & decision-making
You’ll learn how to prioritize tasks in a way that works for your brain and life, not just based on urgency. #EverythingIsUrgent
Also, you’ll gain clarity and find techniques to help you make easier and more effective decisions in all areas of your life, reducing overwhelm, analysis paralysis, and indecisiveness.
Guilt-free self-care & time off
Taking time off is not a piece of cake. Our minds are trained to constantly think about all the things we have to do. Many people feel guilty, lazy, and behind when they rest. And the reality is: we have responsibilities, bills, and people to take care of.
However, Holistic Time Management believes that when we are well, everything else is easier. That’s why I help my clients find a way to prioritize self-care and rest, no matter their responsibilities and circumstances.
As a Holistic Time Coach, I work with my clients to identify and let go of any of the inner guilt or narratives that prevent them from taking really good care of themselves. I also help folks find pockets of time off, make the best use of that time, and proactively plan ahead for more rest.
Better organization
Our direct environment impacts our energy and productivity so much. A holistic time coach will help you figure out if you need to declutter your physical and digital spaces. And if so, support you in creating a sustainable plan resulting in better organization.
Improved clarity & focus
A Holistic Time Coach can help you get clear on what you want and need to get done and how to find and use pockets of focus time better. They’ll also support you in finding self-criticism-free, sustainable ways to avoid distractions like social media.
Greater sense of connection
As opposed to traditional time management, a holistic approach to time management actually works because it emphasizes connection. The connection between yourself and the world around you, your work, your relationships, your health.
You’ll feel more present and mindful throughout each day. You’ll be able to tap into a deeper, more profound level of fulfillment, richness, and meaning.
Increased effectiveness
Do you know how things seem to take longer than we think they ‘should’? Ever feel frustrated about how long things take to happen?
A time coach is here to help you find out why and create strategies and tools to streamline things. This frees up resources for other areas of your life that are important and valuable to you.
Of course, efficiency is important, but it’s not the end all be all either. We tend to lose some of our humanity in pursuit of efficiency. A holistic time coach is here to help you accomplish things without sacrificing your presence and joy.
Unique time-saving techniques
There are millions of different solutions that can save you hours and hours of your life. We just have to find what solutions work for you and your life.
A time coach can offer you various time-saving techniques and tools that have worked for others and help you come up with your own.
Improved communication skills
A time management coach helps you create more space for meaningful interactions and active listening. You’ll also be able to establish clearer expectations with yourself and the people in your life.
Increased self-awareness
One of the things that I realized when I was overworking myself was I wasn’t in tune with myself. I was so focused on getting sh*t done.
I didn’t know what I needed, how I felt, or what I really wanted from my life.
Holistic Time Management works so well because it emphasizes self-knowledge, mindfulness, compassion, trust, and intuition. It helps you gain a better understanding of your needs, rhythms, and strengths and helps you incorporate them into your schedule, routines, and life.
Effective delegation
A holistic time coach will help you delegate tasks and responsibilities in a way that works for your budget, energy, and circumstances. This will free up your focus for more important work and things that bring you joy.
Healing old stories & negative core beliefs
When I ask folks how they feel about time management, many people will say something along of lines of “I suck at it.” This is one example of an old story or negative core belief.
We aren’t actually taught how to manage our time in any sort of unique, healthy, and functional way. How would we know how to? It’s a skill that grows as you practice it. (Ps: You don’t suck).
More realistic planning
If planning has ever felt overwhelming, frustrating, or confusing… you’re not alone. With a time coach, you can clarify and simplify your unique planning process and learn how to plan for the future in a way that works for you.
Creating plans that are realistic, adaptable, and in alignment with your values will help lessen the stress of feeling behind and accomplish your goals without getting exhausted.
Healthier consistency
Consistency is a bit tricky to talk about here, but I had to include it. People often think consistency means doing the same thing every day. To me, it doesn’t.
We’re human beings, with ranging energy, motivation, drive, and capacity. So when I say healthier consistency, I really mean that you’re committed and consistent with one thing: You doing you. When you acknowledge what you need and give yourself that, that’s the most important habit out there.
Sustainable scheduling
Creating a schedule that’s easy to follow yet doesn’t feel like a prison for your freedom-loving soul?! How is that even possible?
A holistic time coach will help you make it happen. You’ll be able to create and maintain a schedule that promotes balance, well-being, and long-term effectiveness.
Stronger relationships
Managing your time holistically will enable you to nurture and support your personal relationships more. You’ll be able to call your friends, go on dates, or play with your kids (or fur baby) without worrying about your to-do list.
Time for personal growth
Things like therapy, non-monetized hobbies, and learning non-work related things aren’t often seen as high-value or productive activities. But holistic time management believes they are just as important.
A holistic time coach will help you create time for any of your interests just because you want to!
Enjoy your work more
By aligning work with your core values, improving focus and productivity, reducing overwhelm and burnout, and establishing boundaries, you’ll be able to enjoy your work more fully and experience a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
Heal urgency & hustle
Because holistic time management promotes mindful awareness, setting realistic expectations, creating space for reflection and evaluation, and emphasizing quality over quantity, you can gradually shift away from the harmful effects of urgency and hustle, fostering healing, well-being, and presence.
Stronger trust
Accomplishing the things you need and want to will strengthen your self-trust with yourself. It’ll also strengthen trust between you and the people you work with and love. And it’ll strengthen your trust in the universe (if you’re spiritual like I am).
Working with a holistic time coach will help you feel more reliable, capable, and confident.
More Money*
*If you want that.
As you’ve read in this list, managing your time holistically contributes to accomplishing things better, having more clarity and energy, and enjoying your work more. This often leads to higher earning potential and financial success. You’ll also be able to more easily prioritize and focus on tasks that directly contribute to your financial goals.
Work-life flow
Work-life flow acknowledges that work and personal life are interconnected and fluid. Holistic Time Management aims to create a more flexible and seamless experience between the two, often competing, areas of your life.
You’ll be able to find a rhythm and synergy between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being.
Overall well-being
When you’re well, everything else is honestly just easier.
That’s why a holistic time coach's main goal is to help you create time to care for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This will allow you to experience a greater sense of health, happiness, and satisfaction across your entire life.
I’ve had many clients say to me, “I’ve never felt healthier or more content in my entire life.”
Create an impact
When I talk about the ripple effect that happens when one person spends their time more effectively, I mean it.
Once you are clear on what you want to do and aren’t expending precious time and energy doing things you don’t want to do, you can make a bigger, more meaningful impact in the world. Whatever that means to you.
You can volunteer, be more present with your children, heal your own generational trauma, donate to organizations you care about, and so much more. And because you’re spending your time with integrity, you show others it’s possible for them too.
The opportunities are truly limitless.
Time is regenerative. When you’re more intentional with it, you get more of it. And by working on just this one thing, you’ll improve everything else.
A holistic life and time coach is one of the most impactful investments you can ever make. Want any or all of these benefits in your life?
Book a free, no-commitment exploration call today!
Why a holistic approach to time management is so powerful
Feel like you're constantly running on a hamster wheel, with time slipping away faster than you can catch up?
Are you struggling to juggle all of your responsibilities, while also trying to make time for the things that matter most to you?
If so, I hear you. And you’re not alone.
In our world which is full of distractions and pressures, being intentional with your time is more important than ever.
But traditional approaches to time management fall short.
A holistic approach to time management offers a powerful solution.
Rather than focusing solely on productivity and efficiency, a holistic approach considers all aspects of your life and creates a more sustainable and balanced approach to managing your time.
In this post, we'll explore what a holistic approach to time management is and why it actually works.
If you're ready to feel like yourself and live your life the way you want to, keep reading!
What is a holistic approach to time management?
A holistic approach to time management goes beyond simply organizing tasks and schedules.
This radical way of managing time explores the interconnectedness of all the areas of life such as work, relationships, environment, finances, and your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
It recognizes that time is a precious and limited resource. It aims to help you make conscious, intentional decisions about how you spend your time to experience a greater sense of purpose, satisfaction, and overall well-being.
At the core of holistic time management is you. Your values, your priorities, and long-term vision.
It believes that when you are well, everything else is easier. Much easier.
Because of this, a holistic approach to time management is inherently anti-capitalist.
When you spend your time in a way that prioritizes enoughness, fulfillment, and wellness, you are challenging the dominant, capitalist narratives around time and productivity.
Holistic time management helps you resist the societal pressure to work longer hours and prioritize work/doing/productivity above all else. It helps you reclaim your life and live the way you want to.
My application of holistic time management also acknowledges that time is not only an individual problem or solution, it’s a collective one. How we’re able to spend our time is directly connected to the systems we live in and the privileges and support we have.
What happens when you don’t use a holistic approach to time management
Time management was founded by a fellow engineer, Frederick Winslow Taylor (the author of The Principles of Scientific Management published in 1911).
The goal of traditional time management? Optimizing productivity and efficiency to complete as many tasks as possible in the shortest amount of time, with the hope that if you get everything done, you can rest and relax.
The problem with this thinking? Work and to-dos never end.
Traditional time management does not take into account individual rhythms and needs and ignores the beautiful, magical, intuitive, and unpredictable-ness of life.
Trying to manage our time in a capitalist and extractive way leaves us feeling shame, failure, isolation, guilt, unrealistic expectations, falling behind, stress, exhaustion, overwhelm, and burnout.
It’s no wonder we’re exhausted, we’re still using many of his (and other neurotypical, middle-class, white male) principles.
Time management with a holistic approach actually works
A holistic approach to time management actually works because it recognizes and honors the fact that you are a unique and whole, human being.
And it emphasizes self-knowledge, mindfulness, compassion, trust, and intuition.
If you have trauma, a chronic illness, are neurodivergent, or are simply a human who doesn’t want to live exhausted on autopilot, holistic time management is here for you.
It’s about more than just checking off tasks on a to-do list.
It's about identifying and crafting an easeful life around your values and priorities. It also acknowledges and addresses the societal factors and deeper beliefs that cause you to feel overwhelmed, stressed out, or short on time.
Holistic time management will give you the skills, mindsets, and tools you need to finally have time for everything that’s important to you, including space to rest, have fun, and enjoy your days.
A holistic approach to time management allows you to engage with a life beyond being a cog in the machine.
You get to accomplish your goals while experiencing a life full of peace and freedom.
You get to be the person you want to be.
To create the art and beauty you want to see in the world.
And to experience more ease and joy than you’ve ever felt.
What’s more important than that?
Hire me as your time coach to create time for everything that’s important to you, including space to rest, have fun, and enjoy your life!
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.
Search for something!