Learn and Work Smarter

68. The Time Management Trap No One Talks About


Listen Later

Ever feel like your calendar should be manageable—but you’re still totally maxed out? In this episode, I unpack one of the most frustrating time traps we all fall into: the invisible overhead that comes with saying yes.

I’m not talking about classic time management tricks today. Instead, I’m digging into why your schedule feels heavier than it looks, and how all the “invisible” tasks—like prep, logistics, and mental energy—add up fast.

I share examples from my own life (including a funny full-circle moment about a committee I joined) and give you two tools that can help immediately: the admin block and the buffer block.

If your calendar technically works, but your life doesn’t feel like it does, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Why small commitments often take more time than they appear to

✅ What “overhead” is and how it quietly drains your time and energy

✅ Common invisible tasks you might be forgetting to plan for

✅ How to use admin blocks and buffer blocks to stay ahead of overflow

✅ Why people with ADHD or executive function challenges are especially prone to this trap

If your calendar technically works, but your life doesn’t feel like it does, this one’s for you.

Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

  • Episode 03: What’s an Admin Block and Why You Need One
  • Episode 05: Secrets of a Good Task Management System
  • Episode 14: How to Use the Pomodoro Technique for School and Work
  • Episode 18: How to Use the Batching Strategy
  • Episode 25: 5 Time Management Mistakes You’re Making
  • Episode 27: How to Get Things Done with a Power Hour

Never stop learning.

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Learn and Work SmarterBy Katie Azevedo