

Work + Life Harmony | Time Management, Organization and Planning for Overwhelmed Women
Megan Sumrell: Time Management and Productivity Coach
You wake up with a plan. By 10 AM, it's completely off the rails. By bedtime, you're mentally running through everything you didn't get to and wondering how tomorrow will be any different.Work + Life Harmony is the weekly podcast that teaches women a completely different approach to time management, weekly planning, and productivity.Hosted by Megan Sumrell, a time management expert with 20+ years in systems and planning, this show will change the way you think about your calendar, your to-do list, and how you spend your time.Megan covers everything from weekly planning strategies and daily routines to goal setting, organization, and how to handle the curveballs that throw your whole week off. Her approach was built specifically for women managing work, family, and the million things in between, not recycled advice from productivity systems designed for someone else's life.If you've been stuck in the cycle of overwhelm, guilt, and never-ending to-do lists, start here. New episodes every week.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2023 • 17min
[Part 4] The 4 Levels of Planning
Welcome to the final part of the 4 levels of planning...weekly planning! This episode unlocks the mystery of weekly planning and unveils the differences between weekly and monthly planning. I smash the myth that continuous list-making equates to effective weekly planning and equip you with practical strategies to boost your productivity.Weekly planning takes those vague monthly intentions and transforms them into actionable tasks with set dates and times. We're not striving for a jam-packed schedule; we're ensuring balance by scheduling white space to absorb unexpected tasks. The real game-changer? The introduction of a weekly checklist that keeps recurring tasks on track.When it comes to weekly planning, a question I get a lot is "What about all the stuff that pops up during the week?" I cover that in a short blog post here: https://www.megansumrell.com/blog/3-planning-systems-to-stop-overwhelm-in-its-tracksGRAB THE 4 LEVELS OF PLANNING CHECKLISTAka get my (never-before-shared) cheat sheet of what you need to do when doing annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly planning.https://www.megansumrell.com/4levels________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Sep 26, 2023 • 22min
[Part 3] The 4 Levels of Planning
Welcome to part three of the 4 levels of planning. In this episode, I am unraveling the subtle power of monthly planning. This episode presents you with clear strategies on how to efficiently map out your month and get a grip on how much of your time is already accounted for. I'll guide you through a process of evaluating your quarterly activities, tweaking them if necessary, and capturing your monthly planning details, irrespective of whether you're a digital calendar user or a paper planner fan.No one wants to be swamped with too much detail, so I'll show you how the level of detail changes from quarterly to monthly planning. I’ll reveal how to block off chunks of time in your calendar, make notes in your planner, and set aside personal time without feeling guilty. GRAB THE 4 LEVELS OF PLANNING CHECKLISTAka get my (never-before-shared) cheat sheet of what you need to do when doing annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly planning.https://www.megansumrell.com/4levels________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Sep 19, 2023 • 21min
[Part 2] The 4 Levels of Planning
Welcome to part two of the 4 levels of planning. By the end of this episode, you will have the tools you need to create an effective quarterly plan that aligns with your annual goals. In today's episode, I cover the basics of quarterly planning, discussing how to incorporate your personal, work, and business activities seamlessly. Beyond this, you’ll gain insight into how to prioritize and protect time for business activities without sacrificing your personal life events.GRAB THE 4 LEVELS OF PLANNING CHECKLISTAka get my (never-before-shared) cheat sheet of what you need to do when doing annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly planning.https://www.megansumrell.com/4levels________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Sep 12, 2023 • 20min
[Part 1] The 4 Levels of Planning
Want to know the secret to harmonizing all aspects of your life? I'm here to share with you the 4 levels of planning to do just that! This week, I'm kicking off a four-part series that is set to revolutionize the way you plan. With my guidance, you'll gain insights into integrating personal, work, and business plans for a more balanced life. In today's episode, we're kicking things off with a deep dive into the highest and most abstract level of planning: Annual Planning. I want you to rethink what annual planning means. It's not just about adhering to the January-to-December calendar; it's about creating a personalized blueprint for your future, regardless of the timeline that suits you best, whether that's a fiscal year or a unique 18-month strategic plan.GRAB THE 4 LEVELS OF PLANNING CHECKLISTAka get my (never-before-shared) cheat sheet of what you need to do when doing annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly planning. https://www.megansumrell.com/4levels________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Sep 5, 2023 • 16min
5 Things I Do Each Week to Keep my Digital Life Organized
Ever wondered how to stay on top of the digital declutter? In this week's episode, I'm going to guide you through five effective strategies that have transformed my digital life, from managing emails and digital photos to social media and data backups. Digital decluttering refers to the process of organizing and streamlining the digital aspects of our lives, including emails, files, photos, and tasks. It's a vital practice in our increasingly tech-driven world where the digital clutter can accumulate quickly, leading to stress and overwhelm. The digital realm's stress factor arises from the fact that, unlike physical clutter, we often don't see it until it's too late. Hidden behind screens, the accumulation of unorganized emails, countless unsorted photos, and incomplete tasks can become a daunting, invisible source of anxiety. Join me, as I share my personal weekly tasks that ensure a clutter-free digital environment. ________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Aug 29, 2023 • 21min
3 Tools to Help You Stop Procrastinating
Are you stuck in a cycle of constant overwhelming feelings and procrastination? We've all been there! Today, I'm breaking down the barriers to your productivity and reclaiming your time. We'll discuss the whys and hows of procrastination and, based on my personal journey, I'll be sharing three practical, life-changing tools to get you past these hurdles. But we're not stopping there! I'm delving deeper into the psychology of our brains - how they seek pleasure and avoid pain, and how we can flip that to our benefit. You'll discover the concept of temptation bundling and how it can be instrumental in overcoming procrastination. Plus, you'll learn about the intriguing productivity power of self-talk. So get ready to trade in the stress and chaos for a harmonious, productive life. ________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Aug 22, 2023 • 29min
Decluttering Your Digital Life with Lydia Martin
Tired of the chaos in your digital world? Fear not, we've got you covered with some remarkable takeaways you'd get from my chat with Lydia Martin, the brain behind Banish Business Clutter. Lydia, known for her profound understanding of the human brain and its operations, shares her wisdom on organizing your digital space. Together, we explore the benefits of digital decluttering and the remarkable transformation one can achieve by establishing a confident system.Brace yourself as Lydia guides us through her two-step process to conquer eight major online systems and turn that digital dread into digital prowess. So, consider this your golden ticket to a cleaner, more effective tech space.Connect with Lydia:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiamartinbiz/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lydiamartinbiz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiamartin1/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LydiaMartin117 Mentioned in the episode:Free bookmark folder system: https://msumrell--banishbusinessclutter.thrivecart.com/digital-clutter-cure/6475e64a67f44/ ________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Aug 15, 2023 • 23min
Synchronizing Digital and Paper Planning Systems
Are you grappling with the conundrum of how to synchronize your digital and paper planning systems without duplicating information? The answer lies within this episode where I demystify the necessity of digital calendaring for effective time blocking and shed light on why a paper planner provides a superior bird’s-eye view of my schedule. This episode is a treasure trove of strategies that harmonize these two systems for efficient time management and planning.Join me and dive into the nuances of my weekly planning, nestled within the realm of my paper planner, and contrast it with my monthly planning, which takes up residence in my digital realm. Get ready to embrace the best of both worlds without the overwhelm of information redundancy. ________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Aug 8, 2023 • 36min
Navigating Motherhood without Losing Your Identity with Dr. Morgan Cutlip
How can you as a mom retain your individuality while taking care of your family? Meet Dr. Morgan Cutlip, a psychologist who's dedicated her career to relationship education and is a mother herself. We'll get a glimpse into her journey from the academic world of psychological theories to the practical world of day-to-day motherhood. Just like machines, we too need regular refueling to function efficiently. The crux of our conversation with Dr. Cutlip revolves around the concept of self-care in motherhood, a topic often pushed to the back burner. We deliberate on how the starvation principle affects both our needs and those of our children, and the shifts we need to make to prevent reaching that point of desperation. We also explore the art of rediscovering joy and using self-care as a decompression tool rather than merely a path to self-improvement. Motherhood can leave you feeling misplaced. Dr. Cutlip and I delve into the importance of acknowledging this sense of displacement and debunk the myth of balance. We talk about the significance of having systems to check in with ourselves constantly and how to put a pin in issues when we don't have time to deal with them. Not only do we discuss the importance of maintaining self-focus as mothers, but Dr. Cutlip also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book filled with invaluable insights for moms.Purchase her book: Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourselfhttps://a.co/d/4PHJrbRConnect with Dr. Morgan Cutlip:http://www.drmorgancutlip.comhttps://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutliphttps://www.facebook.com/mylovethinks ________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell

Aug 1, 2023 • 19min
Choosing the Right Productivity Tools
Ever feel overwhelmed by the plethora of apps and tools available, each one claiming to skyrocket your productivity? Let's pull back the veil together and learn how to critically evaluate these digital offerings, ensuring they're worthy of your time and energy. We'll tackle questions like "What's the true purpose of this tool?" and "Is it really solving a problem for me?". We take this evaluation a step further by assessing if the tool is indeed worth the time it takes to master it, creating a foolproof process that saves you both time and resources.In this episode, I also focus on helping you first make the most of what you already have before splurging on the latest shiny app. This includes setting a time-box to thoroughly test the tool, ensuring it effectively addresses your needs. If it's a hit, we discuss processes to prevent your valuable information from getting lost in the digital abyss. And as an extra treat, I introduce the Pink Bee app, a treasure trove of my training materials, ready to boost your productivity. So, buckle up and join me on this enlightening journey to work smarter, not harder.________________________________💻 Free TrainingOverwhelmed? Frazzled? Tired of your calendar controlling you? You’re in the right place. Sign up for my free, on-demand training and learn how to take control of your time—no matter what life throws at you. 👉 https://www.megansumrell.com/freetraining________________________________📱 Get The Pink Bee AppAccess planning tools, trainings, and support all in one place. 👉 https://www.onelink.to/qxdcwu________________________________Thanks for tuning in!Megan 🩷🐝www.megansumrell.comwww.instagram.com/megansumrellwww.youtube.com/@the_pink_beewww.facebook.com/megansumrell


