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Productivity · Article or course

How to gain control of your free time

TED talk by Laura Vanderkam on prioritizing what matters in 168 hours.

From the Xiry library · Updated 3 October 2026

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This 12-minute TED talk by Laura Vanderkam explores how busy individuals can reframe their relationship with time. Drawing on time-log studies, she argues that time is elastic and stretches to accommodate priorities rather than by finding spare minutes. The talk provides practical frameworks to identify personal priorities and schedule them intentionally into each week.

What it's for

  • Reframe personal mindset around busy schedules and lack of free time
  • Audit weekly time allocation across 168 hours to spot wasted time
  • Prioritize personal and career goals by treating them as non-negotiable emergencies

Features

  • Reframing time management around priorities rather than minute-saving hacks
  • Analysis of 168-hour weekly time logs from busy individuals
  • Strategies to treat priorities like urgent home repairs that get immediate attention
  • Guidance on creating structured 3-part priority lists across career, relationships, and self
  • Time-tracking exercises to identify true availability versus perceived commitments

Pricing

Free to watch on TED and YouTube

Details

Type
Article or course
Category
Productivity
Topic
Time Management
Open source
No
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
For
Professionals and busy individuals looking to improve their work-life balance and time management.
Tags
ted talk, productivity, time management, work life balance, habits

Why it was saved

  • @shivanginarula.in, 21 October 2024: Provides practical mindset shifts to take back control of your schedule and make time for personal priorities.

Related

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