Want to get better at something, but not sure how? Do you read more about it? Practice more? Ask someone for help? Close your eyes and wing it?

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I share a two-pronged strategy for improving at anything, whether it’s a skill for school, a work task, or a personal goal.

You’ll learn why most people only use one side of the strategy (and stay stuck), and how you can use both sides to make faster, more reliable progress on whatever it is you want to get better at.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to get better at something using my 2-pronged approach

✅ The difference between “thinking about” a skill and actually practicing it 

✅ How to apply this two-pronged method to school, work, or personal goals

✅ Why most people only use one side of the strategy (and how not to be most people)

✅ Practical examples of using this strategy to learn something faster

• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

🔗🎙️Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 64: How to Do Hard Things
• Episode 67: Why Critical Thinking Matters

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)

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, we tackle one of the biggest energy drains no one talks about: unfinished projects.

You’ll learn how to get clarity on your half-done tasks, make intentional decisions about what to finish (and what to release without guilt), and reignite your momentum for what matters most.

Whether you’re a working professional with unfinished work projects, or a student with unfinished academic projects, this episode will give you a clear map forward.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How unfinished projects silently drain your focus and confidence

✅ The real reason we avoid facing half-finished things

✅ A step-by-step strategy to get total clarity on your projects

✅ Criteria for deciding which projects to finish—and which to let go

✅ How to spot the “sunk cost fallacy” and stop it from sabotaging you

✅ How to restart a project strategically (without overwhelming yourself)

✅ How to postpone a project properly (hint: it’s not procrastination!)

• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 08: Motivation vs Discipline: Which One Matters More
• Episode 54: The Secret Ingredient Behind Every Accomplishment Ever
• Episode 55: Body Doubling for Focus
• Episode 64: How to Do Hard Things

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)

Why do you still forget tasks even though you write everything down? And how are you supposed to keep up with grad school reading when there’s more than you could ever finish — and you’re already behind?

In this Q&A episode, I answer two listener questions that hit close to home for so many of us. 

The first question comes from a professional who says his system feels “full of holes” — he’s writing things down but still missing the little stuff. I walk through how to fix your capture and review process, what’s going on with your working memory, and how to seal the cracks in your productivity system.

The second question comes from a grad student who’s a self-described slow reader. She’s trying to stay on top of her reading load, but can’t keep up — and it’s starting to affect her ability to write papers. I explain my Layered Reading strategy, how to stop aiming for perfection, and how to turn your reading time into paper prep time.

Whether you’re a student or a working professional, these are real-world challenges with practical, doable solutions.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Why your system might be “leaking” — even if you write everything down

✅ How to build a reliable capture + review process

✅ What’s actually happening in your brain when you’re overwhelmed

✅ My three-layered strategy for grad school reading

✅ How to prep for writing while you read

• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

🎙️Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 05: Secrets of a Good Task Management System
• Episode 10: Task Management Q&A
• Episode 48:: Student Task Management Q&A
• Episode 65:The Sunday Reset
• Blog: How to Annotate a Textbook

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)

What makes someone a strong leader? How do you manage people without micromanaging? And how do systems help you lead with clarity and calm?

In this expert interview, I talk with Richard Regitano, Managing Director of Engineering and Operations, about the real-world habits and mindsets that support effective leadership. We talk about emotional intelligence, team trust, recurring one-on-ones, and why every leader should know how to manage their own information before managing other people.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a student thinking about leadership down the road, this episode offers clear, practical takeaways.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to build trust with your team—and why that trust starts with your words

✅Richard’s favorite systems for tracking projects, people, and problems

✅How recurring one-on-ones double as performance indicators

✅Why emotional intelligence might matter more than technical skill

Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Connect with Richard
• LAWS Podcast on YouTube 

✏️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)

Ever feel like you're smart and trying—but still constantly behind?

You might be missing the one set of skills that makes everything else possible: executive function.

In this episode, I break down the 10 executive function skills you actually need in the real world—skills like starting tasks, managing your time, organizing your space, regulating emotions, and following through on long-term goals.

These aren’t just school skills. They’re life skills. And if no one ever taught them to you, you’re not alone.

I’ll show you what these skills look like in real life (especially when they’re not working), and I’ll walk you through simple strategies to start building them—whether you’re a student, a working professional, or someone with ADHD.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ What executive function really means—and why it matters

✅ 10 essential EF skills that impact everything from focus to follow-through

✅ How to recognize executive dysfunction in your day-to-day life

✅ Why you should stop trying to “remember harder” and start supporting your brain

✅ Practical strategies you can use to build these skills—starting now

If you have ADHD, this episode is sooo totally for you.

Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 09: 3 Most Important Areas to Organize
• Episode 28: 6 Tips for Organizing Papers
• Episode 41: 100 Organization Tips (Part 1)
• Episode 42: 100 Organization Tips (Part 2)
• Episode 59: ADHD Organization Tips
• Episode 35: Executive Function Coaching
• Episode 37: How to Accept Feedback

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)

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)

What does it really mean to “think critically”? In this episode, I chat with college professor Mark Massaro about how students can build critical thinking skills through reading and writing—and why these skills matter way beyond the classroom. 

We talk about everything from resume writing and job interviews to recognizing bias and reading the room in high-stakes situations. If you’ve ever wondered how analyzing a short story could help your future career, this episode will make it clear.

Never stop learning.

What You’ll Learn:

• What critical thinking actually is (and how to build it over time)
• How students can practice these skills through reading and writing
• Why these skills are essential in the workplace and relationships
• How AI is impacting student writing and thinking

🎙️Resources and Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Blog Post: What’s the Real Point of School
• Video: Writing Tips for Students Who Get Stuck

About Mark Massaro:

Mark Massaro earned a master’s degree in English Language & Literature from Florida Gulf Coast University, and he is currently a Professor of English at a state college in Florida. His writing has been published in The Georgia Review, The Hill, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Master’s Review, Newsweek, and many others.

✏️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)

Do you ever find yourself wasting time at work or between college classes, even though you want to be productive? Despite your best intentions, you’re just NOT getting done what needs to get done?

In this Q&A episode, I answer two listener questions — one from a remote marketing professional and one from a college sophomore — about how to actually get work done instead of spinning their wheels.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why an admin block can help you stop getting sucked into non-important
• How a lack of clarity leads to procrastination
• Ways to structure your work or study schedule for better focus
• The importance of prioritization (Eat the Frog, deadlines, social accountability)

Resources and Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Ep. 3 – Admin Blocks
• Ep. 8 – Motivation vs. Discipline
• Ep. 36 – Procrastination Solutions
• Ep. 55 – Body Doubling for Focus
• Ep. 65 – The Sunday Reset
• Blog Post: 21 Productive Ways to Use Your Time Between College Classes

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)

We all know that feeling — Monday morning hits, and suddenly we’re overwhelmed, scrambling to figure out what’s due, what meetings we have, and where the weekend even went. But what if we could prevent that Sunday night dread with a simple reset routine?

In this episode, I walk through five core elements of a solid Sunday Reset — plus ten optional add-ons—to help us start the week with clarity and confidence. 

A Sunday Reset doesn’t have to take long (just 45 minutes!), but it can make all the difference in how the rest of the week plays out.

We’ll Cover:

• Planning ahead so nothing sneaks up on us
• Prepping food, clothes, and essentials to reduce midweek chaos
• Handling email tasks so we don’t start Monday in a panic
• Resetting our space for better focus and productivity

Even if we just do one of these steps, our future selves will thank us.

Never stop learning.

🎙️Other Episodes + Resources Mentioned

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Ep 21: How to Plan Your Ideal Week
• Ep 15: Email Management Tips 
• Ep 62: Managing Email Inbox Chaos
• Ep 63: My Personal Productivity System
• Ep 64: How to Do Hard Things

⭐Enroll in SchoolHabits University

✏️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)

We all know that feeling: you sit down to start something challenging, and suddenly, everything else feels more appealing. Your phone, a snack, even cleaning out your sock drawer. Anything to avoid the hard thing in front of you.

But here’s the truth: being able to do hard things is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.

In this episode, I’m sharing seven practical strategies to help you move forward when something feels impossible. These aren’t vague “push through it” tips—they’re real, actionable techniques that help you break tasks down, shift your mindset, and get started even when your brain is screaming NOPE.

You’ll also hear how procrastination, overwhelm, and cognitive distortions get in the way—and how to outsmart them.

Hard things don’t have to take you out at the knees. Let’s do this.

Never stop learning.

🎙️Other Episodes + Resources Mentioned

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 36: How to Stop Procrastinating
• Episode 38: How to Be a Resourceful Person Who Can Figure Things Out
• Episode 52: Episode 52: SOPs and Workflows
• ⭐Enroll in SchoolHabits University

✏️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)