Top 10 Takeaways from ‘I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time’ by Laura Vanderkam
Here are the top 10 takeaways from the book ‘I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time’ by Laura Vanderkam:
- Successful women prioritize their time.
- They focus on their most important goals.
- They delegate tasks and say no to things that don’t matter.
- They create systems and routines to make their lives easier.
- They take breaks and schedule time for relaxation.
- They manage their energy levels and avoid burnout.
- They have a strong support system of family and friends.
- They are constantly learning and growing.
- They live their lives with purpose and meaning.
These are just a few of the key takeaways from the book ‘I Know How She Does It’. If you’re looking for ways to be more productive and efficient in your time management, I highly recommend reading this book.
II. Takeaway 1
The first takeaway from the book “I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time” by Laura Vanderkam is that successful women have a clear sense of their priorities. They know what is important to them and they focus their time and energy on those things.
This is a key skill for anyone who wants to be more productive and efficient. When you have a clear sense of your priorities, you can make better decisions about how to spend your time and energy. You can also avoid getting overwhelmed by the number of things that you need to do.
If you’re not sure what your priorities are, take some time to think about it. What are the things that are most important to you? What do you want to achieve in your life? Once you have a clear sense of your priorities, you can start to make changes in your life so that you can focus on the things that matter most.
Takeaway 3
Laura Vanderkam argues that one of the keys to success is to focus on your most important tasks first. She suggests that you create a list of your top priorities each day and then work on those tasks first, before you tackle anything else. This will help you to stay focused and motivated, and it will also help you to get the most important things done.
III. Takeaway 4
Takeaway 4: It’s okay to say no. One of the biggest challenges of being a successful woman is learning to say no. There will always be more demands on your time than you have available, so it’s important to learn to prioritize and to let go of the things that aren’t essential. When you’re faced with a request, take a moment to consider whether it’s something that you really want to do and whether it’s worth the time and effort. If it’s not, don’t be afraid to say no.
Takeaway 5
Laura Vanderkam emphasizes the importance of setting priorities and sticking to them. She says that one of the biggest mistakes that people make is trying to do too much. It is important to focus on the most important tasks and activities, and to let go of the things that are not essential.
Vanderkam also recommends creating a daily to-do list and sticking to it as closely as possible. She says that it is important to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day, and to not set yourself up for failure by trying to do too much.
By setting priorities and sticking to them, you can become more productive and efficient in your time management. You will be able to focus on the things that are most important to you, and you will be less likely to feel overwhelmed or stressed.
Takeaway 6
Set priorities and focus on the most important tasks.
One of the most important things you can do to manage your time effectively is to set priorities and focus on the most important tasks. This means identifying the tasks that are essential to your success and making sure that you allocate enough time for them. It also means being willing to delegate or say no to tasks that are not as important.
When you are setting priorities, it is important to consider the following factors:
- The urgency of the task
- The importance of the task
- The impact of the task
- Your ability to complete the task
Once you have considered these factors, you can start to create a list of priorities. The most important tasks should be at the top of the list, and the least important tasks should be at the bottom.
It is also important to remember that priorities can change. As your circumstances change, so too will your priorities. Be willing to adjust your priorities as needed in order to stay on track with your goals.
Takeaway 7: Learn to say no
One of the most important things you can do to manage your time effectively is to learn to say no. This means being able to decline invitations, requests, and demands that are not a good use of your time. It also means being able to set boundaries with your work and personal life so that you don’t overcommit yourself.
Saying no can be difficult, especially if you’re a people-pleaser. But it’s important to remember that you can’t do everything, and that it’s okay to turn down requests if you don’t have the time or energy to fulfill them.
When you’re faced with a request, take a moment to think about whether it’s something you really want to do. If it’s not, don’t be afraid to say no. You can be polite and gracious, but you don’t need to justify your decision.
Learning to say no is an important part of managing your time and setting boundaries. It will help you to focus on the things that are most important to you and to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Takeaway 8
Takeaway 8: Be willing to delegate tasks. One of the biggest time-savers is to delegate tasks to others. This can be difficult for some people, especially those who are used to doing everything themselves. However, it is important to remember that you cannot do everything yourself, and that delegating tasks can actually free up your time so that you can focus on the most important things.
One of the biggest challenges that successful women face is the feeling that they have to do everything on their own. They may feel like they can’t delegate tasks or ask for help because they don’t want to appear weak or incompetent. However, it’s important to remember that everyone needs help sometimes, and there’s no shame in asking for it.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others. This could mean hiring a virtual assistant, asking your spouse or partner to help with chores, or asking your friends or family members to pitch in. It’s also important to be willing to ask for help from your colleagues at work. If you’re struggling with a project, don’t be afraid to ask for advice or assistance from someone who knows more about the subject.
Remember, there’s no shame in asking for help. In fact, it’s often the best way to get the job done. So don’t be afraid to delegate tasks, ask for advice, and lean on the support of others.