2016w-laura-vanderkam-002-1200k

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Misconceptions About Time Management

  • People assume that those who write about time management are always punctual and effective with their time; however, the author admits to being late, even to her own speech on time management.

  • The author reflects on the irony of her situation while emphasizing that time management tips often suggest trivial solutions for saving time.

• Common Time-Saving Tips

  • Suggestions such as making right-hand turns during errands, optimizing microwave times, and using DVR to skip commercials are viewed skeptically by the author.

  • Realistically speaking, she notes that the time saved from these tips rarely adds up to allow more time for meaningful activities.

Chapter 2: People Spend Their Time

• Reality of Time Management

  • The author believes that the conventional approach to time management—seeking small time savings to create more time—is flawed.

  • The perspective from studying busy individuals: we should create the lives we want, and then time adjusts to fit those plans.

• Time Diary Project

  • A project was conducted where busy women logged their time for weeks, displaying how they balance work, family, and commitments.

  • An anecdote about a woman dealing with a household emergency illustrates that people can find time for unexpected situations; they often cannot see the possibility for other priorities.

Chapter 3: Make More Time

• Elastic Nature of Time

  • The example of the woman handling a water heater crisis shows that although we cannot make more time, it can flex to accommodate urgent matters.

  • The key is to prioritize effectively, treating priorities as essential as an emergency.

Chapter 4: Time To Dust

• The Choice of Time

  • A busy entrepreneur shares her philosophy that every minute spent is a choice, where "not having time" translates to "not prioritizing."

  • This mindset shifts the focus from time scarcity to personal choice regarding how to allocate time.

Chapter 5: Next Year's Performance

• Forward-Looking Performance Review

  • Instead of reflecting on the past year, envision success for the upcoming year by writing a performance review.

  • This can include both professional and personal accomplishments that matter to you, setting the stage for goal-setting.

Chapter 6: Next Year's Family

• Holidays and Personal Reflections

  • Envisioning a joyful year for family and writing a hypothetical holiday letter can help identify personal priorities and achievements.

  • The exercise consolidates goals to focus on in the coming year and lays the groundwork for actionable steps.

Chapter 7: Bit Of Time

• Prioritization in Scheduling

  • The importance of making a priority list categorized into career, relationships, and self.

  • Planning your week ahead, ideally on Fridays, helps ensure that time is set aside for essential activities.

Chapter 8: Full Time Job

• Time Allocation and Realities

  • The standard week is 168 hours, which provides a sizable amount of time even for those working full-time jobs.

  • Calculating hours left after work and sleep can highlight available time for other pursuits, which is often underestimated.

Chapter 9: Full Time Hours

• Empowering Realization of Time Availability

  • Most people underestimate the flexibility of their time; common behaviors tend to squander gaps in schedules.

  • Encouragement to utilize small moments effectively, like reading during commutes or breaking routines for quality family time.

Chapter 10: Conclusion

• Redefining Perspective on Time

  • The key takeaway is to examine the entirety of one's time and identify where meaningful activities can fit.

  • The fundamental belief that there is ample time for what truly matters allows for the construction of desired lives, even amidst busy schedules.