How to set boundaries
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Episode 291 is all about what it feels like when life is completely full… and the idea of managing your time better feels totally out of reach.
When Your Life Is Already Full
Your days might look something like this:
Back-to-back meetings. School drop-offs. Soccer practice. Dance lessons. Volunteer commitments. A last-minute work deadline. Dinner squeezed in somewhere between errands and evening routines. Maybe a pile of laundry staring at you from across the room.
And by the time you finally sit down—after everyone else has been taken care of—you’re thinking:
“I can’t keep doing it like this.”
But at the same time…
“I don’t even have time to fix this. I’ve just got to get to the other side.”
Maybe you’ve been wanting to full-on overhaul the way you manage your time, your calendar, your to-do list. You know something has to change. You can feel it.
But the thought of adding one more thing to your plate? Honestly, it feels impossible.
So you tell yourself…
- “Now’s just not a good time.”
- “Things are too hectic.”
- “Once work slows down… once the kids are back in school… once this season is over… then I’ll figure it out.”
But then the next season is just as full.
The next week is just as packed.
And the cycle continues.
At some point, maybe you’ve even started to wonder:
“Maybe I’m just not good at this.”
“Maybe I’m not cut out to be organized.”
“Maybe this is just how my life is always going to feel.”
Why You Think You Need More Time
In today’s episode, we’re unpacking one of the biggest myths about time management:
That you have to have time in order to get better at managing your time.
You’ll hear why waiting for the “right moment” to overhaul your schedule is keeping you stuck, and why you actually don’t need a lot of time—or a perfect season—to start seeing real change.
I’ll also share a simple mindset shift, plus five easy things you can do in 15 minutes or less to start moving forward without overhauling your entire life.
🌱 Small Steps, Big Shifts: You Don’t Need a Lot of Time to Make a Big Change
If you’ve been telling yourself, “I just need more time,”
I want to gently challenge that today.
Because yes, one intentional hour can create a shift…
But the truth is, you don’t even need a full hour to start feeling more in control of your time.
Real change doesn’t begin with big gestures or color-coded planners.
It begins with tiny, meaningful steps—the kind you can take in the middle of a messy day, in between meetings, in the carpool line, or while your coffee brews.
By now, you’ve probably either read Atomic Habits, listened to it in the car, or you’ve got a copy sitting on your nightstand. It’s been on the bestseller list for more than 300 weeks for a reason:
Small actions, repeated consistently, lead to big results.
And when it comes to time management, those small actions can take less than 15 minutes—and still create momentum that carries you through the rest of your day.
Instead of thinking,
“I need a clean slate and a whole weekend to overhaul my life…”
Start by asking:
“What can I do with the next 15 minutes?”
⏳ 5 Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less to Take Back Control of Your Time
1. Do a Mind Sweep
Set a timer for 15 minutes and do a full Mind Sweep.
Write down everything that’s swirling around in your brain—tasks, reminders, loose ends, random to-do’s.
This isn’t a brain dump. A Mind Sweep is a methodical clearing of mental clutter.
You’re not just dumping your junk drawer on the floor—you’re creating piles from every nook and cranny of your mind.
🧠 Want help getting started?
Listen to Episode 90 of the podcast where I walk you through how to do a Mind Sweep and share a printable Mind Sweep Word List to make your next sweep even sweepier.
2. Choose a Top Priority for the Day
Pick just one thing that matters most today—and write it down. On paper.
The act of writing it down grounds it in your brain.
It moves it from “I should do this” to “I will do this.”
It’s like writing a mini contract with yourself.
Just one clear priority can help you trade overwhelm for focus.
3. Cancel or Delegate One Thing
Take a look at your to-do list, calendar, or mental load and ask:
What’s one thing I don’t actually need to do myself?
Could you ask for help, shift the deadline, say no, or simply let it go?
Lightening your load—even just one thing—gives you more space to focus on what truly matters.
4. Celebrate One Small Win
Think back: What’s one thing—big or small—that went well today?
Maybe you spoke up in a meeting. Maybe you remembered something you usually forget. Maybe you just took a deep breath instead of yelling.
Celebrating a win isn’t just about feeling good—it’s backed by brain science.
Acknowledging a win triggers a dopamine release, which builds motivation and momentum for future wins.
Celebrating success makes you more likely to keep succeeding.
5. Register for Time Well Spent
This one takes two minutes, tops.
It’s my free time management workshop happening
📅 Tuesday, September 17th at Noon Central
In just one hour, I’ll walk you through a real-life-ready time management framework designed specifically for women with full plates and full hearts—just like you.
No life overhaul required. Just clarity, calm, and a better way to use your time.
Resources Mentioned:
- Join the Time Well Spent Workshop
- Episode 90: Because Brain Dump Sounds Gross: Meet the Mind Sweep – A Better Way to Clear Your Head Without Making a Huge Mess
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
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