32 | Why Time Management Strategies Alone Aren’t Saving You & What Really Will

Feeling burnt out—even when you're checking all the boxes?

Do you ever look at your perfectly planned calendar and still feel like you're failing? 😩 You're not lazy. You're not disorganized. You're carrying a mental load no planner can fix—and it's time we talked about it.

In this solo episode of Career Growth for Working Moms, we’re flipping the script on time management and going deeper into what actually helps career moms thrive.

🔥 In This Episode:
✔️ Why time management hacks fail high-achieving working moms
✔️ The 3 layers of time strategy (and why most people only use one)
✔️ A coaching-style reflection to uncover what’s really draining your energy
✔️ Strengths-based shifts by leadership style to reclaim your time and power

💬 Key Quote:
"It’s not about getting more done—it’s about choosing what matters. Energy. Identity. Boundaries. That’s real time strategy." — Shannon

🛠️ Try This Action Step:
Audit your last 3 “yeses.” For each one ask:
✨ Did it energize or drain me?
✨ Did I say yes from desire—or guilt?
✨ Would I say yes again?

Then choose one layer (task, energy, or identity) to focus on this week. Small shifts = big wins.

💼 READY TO LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE & CALM?
🚀 Take the FREE Leadership Style Quiz to uncover your strengths and unique leadership path
📲 Join the FB Group for exclusive career tips and networking
💌 Become an Insider and receive weekly career tips, time saving tools & strengths based leadership tips

🎧 LOVE THE SHOW?
👉 Subscribe & leave a review so more career moms can discover these game-changing career strategies!

✨ New episodes drop every Tuesday & Friday! Subscribe and leave a review if this resonated with you.

Kat and Tanner by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Transcript

Shannon Fox:

If your calendar is packed but you still feel like you're failing, this episode is for you. Let's have a real coaching moment just you and me and talk about what actually is going on beneath the overwhelm.

Intro:

Hey mama, welcome to Career Growth for Working Moms.

If you're stuck in a job that doesn't fit or burning out trying to do it all, you're in the right place.

I'm Shannon, a career coach and fellow working mom. Here, you'll get simple career strategies and strength-based leadership tips to help you grow with clarity and confidence.

So grab your coffee – or reheat it for the third time – and let's do this.

Shannon:

Hey friend, welcome back to the show. Today, I want to do something a little different.

Let’s pretend we’re in a coaching session. You’ve got your earbuds in – maybe the kids are finally at camp or you’re on your lunch break – and you’re telling me:

“Shannon, I’ve tried everything! The planners, the checklists, the morning routine hacks. I’m managing a job, the house, the kids, everything…but I still feel behind. Why am I like this?”

Here’s what I would say to you if we were face-to-face:

It’s not you. It’s the system you’re trying to fit into.

Time management strategies are everywhere, but most weren’t built for you – not for a working mom with emotional labor, mental load, and multiple full-time jobs happening at once.

Reflection Prompt:

Let me ask you this – answer in your heart:

👉 Are you carrying more than what’s actually written on your calendar?

Because here’s what I see every week with my clients:

• You’re managing logistics – work deadlines, school drop-offs, kids’ schedules.
• You’re carrying emotions – your kid’s rough day, your coworker’s tension.
• You’re processing decisions – when to transition careers, how to ask for help, what to cook for dinner tonight.

That’s not just time management. That’s mental load triage.

No time-blocking hack will solve what is actually an emotional energy issue.

Naming the Truth:

If you feel exhausted at 10 a.m. and you “haven’t done anything yet,” it’s not because you’re lazy.

It’s because your brain has already lived a full day. Let’s name it.

Hard Truth Coaching:

I love a well-built plan. I’m not anti-tools. But here’s the real talk:

👉 Time management tools fail when they’re built on top of shame, perfectionism, or people-pleasing.

If your system was built because:

• You’re afraid of being seen as lazy
• You’re trying to prove your worth through performance
• You think asking for help means you’re failing

…then even the prettiest planner will leave you feeling hollow.

What You Actually Need:

You need permission.

✅ Permission to honor your rhythm.

✅ Permission to drop things that no longer align.

✅ Permission to lead your calendar, not follow it like a tyrant.

Quick Reflection Exercise:

If you can, grab a pen or open your notes app.

List the last three things you said yes to – at work, home, or socially.

For each one, ask yourself:

• Did it energize me or drain me?
• Did I say yes from desire or guilt?
• Would I say yes again, knowing what I know now?

No judgment – just notice.

Because sometimes the time problem isn’t too much to do – it’s too many yeses that weren’t yours to begin with.

Teaching Moment – The Three Layers of Time Strategy:

This is something I walk my private clients through all the time:

1️⃣ Task-Level Strategy:

Your basic calendar – what’s scheduled, what’s urgent, to-dos, deadlines, appointments. Necessary? Yes. But limited.

2️⃣ Energy-Level Strategy:

Shifting from what needs doing to how it feels while I’m doing it.

If a 30-minute meeting wrecks your energy for three hours, plan with that knowledge. Build in recovery time, creative space, and boundaries.

3️⃣ Identity-Level Strategy:

The deepest layer:

What does saying no mean about me?

Do I feel guilty when I rest?

Who do I believe I have to be in order to be valuable?

Because until we shift identity, the calendar always returns to chaos.

Leadership Style Examples & Shifts:

💼 Boss Lady in Action:

• Says yes to leading new projects even when her plate’s full
• Micromanages at home because she doesn’t trust things will get done right
• Skips meals, rest, or fun because they’re “not productive”

Shift: Completion isn’t your worth. Rest is not optional.

👑 Charismatic Queen:

• Says yes to events, meetings, collaborations for the energy boost
• Feels drained without feedback or appreciation
• Overdelivers to stay visible even when depleted

Shift: Influence starts with self-alignment, not applause.

💖 Heart-Centered Guide:

• Keeps saying yes to everyone’s needs except her own
• Forgets her own goals to keep harmony
• Feels guilty setting boundaries with people she loves

Shift: Boundaries protect your ability to serve long-term.

🧠 Visionary Brainiac:

• Has 12 ideas but acts on none
• Waits until she has it all figured out
• Keeps reworking something until it’s perfect and never ships it

Shift: Done is better than brilliant. Momentum creates clarity.

Your Action Plan for the Week:

1️⃣ Take the leadership style quiz at theshannonfox.com/leadership-style if you haven’t already.

2️⃣ Audit your last three yeses. What did you learn?

3️⃣ Pick one of the three time strategy layers to focus on this week. Adjust accordingly.

Friend, if this episode spoke to something deep inside you, would you leave a review? It helps this show grow and helps another mama know she’s not alone in the overwhelm.

✨ You don’t need a better planner. You need a better approach. And you’re already on your way.

I’ll see you soon.

Outro:

Hey, Working Mama, I hope you enjoyed today’s episode.

If so, would you take 30 seconds to share it with a friend who’s stuck in her career but doesn’t want to sacrifice her family to grow?

Please leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts – it seriously lights me up to know this show is helping you navigate burnout, find clarity, and lead with confidence.

All right, time to shut down my laptop and pretend I’m not hiding from folding that laundry.

I’ll meet you back here soon for another episode of Career Growth for Working Moms.

You’ve got this.