Laura Vanderkam – författare

''Laura Vanderkam is one of the world''s leading experts in time management and productivity . . . her insights in Off the Clock can change your life'' - Dorie Clark, author of Stand Out''Laura Vanderkam delivers a compelling and evidence-based argument that busyness is overrated in our current culture. Living a full life, at work and at home, is about doing the right things well, and confidently missing out on everything else'' - Cal Newport, bestselling author of Deep Work

''I loved it . . . Vanderkam expertly weaves together interviews with experts, anecdotes about her own personal life, philosophical musings, and scientific research'' - Shana Lebowitz, Business Insider UK

Learn to savour life''s best moments - no matter how busy you are - through mindset shifts that alter your perception of time.

Laura Vanderkam, the acclaimed author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, isn''t like other time-management gurus. She''s not trying to shave off 30 seconds here or there; she''s interested in the emotional and psychological side of the 168 hours everyone has each week. Her message is that we all have more time than we think we do, and can feel less stressed while getting more done.

With the right habits, you can live efficiently and effectively, and yet still see time as abundant. For instance, Vanderkam teaches:

- How to clear your calendar of activities that are boring, stressful or simply not the best use of your time- Why tackling your top priorities during the hours when you have the most energy will change your perception of what it means to be productive- How to linger in great experiences while they''re happening, and why good memories seem to make time expand

Packed with insights from busy yet relaxed professionals, including ''time makeovers'' of people who are learning to use these tools, Off the Clock can inspire the rest of us to creative lives that are not only productive, but enjoyable in the moment.

For instance, the average couple spends $5,000 on engagement and wedding rings, making these pricey purchases largely because everyone else does. But what if you decided to spend $300 on rings and apply the rest to future date nights, weekend getaways, and thinking-of-you bouquets over the next ten years? In he long run, what would bring more joy to your marriage? Likewise, will owning a home with a pristine lawn and a two-car garage—the American Dream—really make you more satisfied? Or are you saving up for this investment just because financial planners tell you it’s worth it?

Vanderkam shows how each of us can figure out better ways to use what we have to build the lives we want. Drawing on the latest happiness research as well as the stories of dozens of real people, Vanderkam offers a contrarian approach that forces us to examine our own beliefs, goals, and values.

Among her advice:

Drawing on her 18 years of experience working remotely, plus original interviews with managers, employees, and free agents who''ve perfected their remote routines, Laura Vanderkam shares strategies for productivity, creativity, and health in the new corner office.

How do you do great work while sitting near the same spot where you watch Netflix? How can you be responsive without losing the focus necessary for getting things done? How can you maintain and grow your network when you spend less time face to face?

The key is to detach yourself from old ways of working and adopt new habits to match your new environment. Long before public health concerns pushed many of us indoors, some of the most successful people fueled their careers with carefully perfected work-from-home routines. Drawing on those profiles and her own insights, productivity expert and mother of five Laura Vanderkam reveals how to turn "being cooped up" into the ultimate career advantage. Her hacks include:

- Manage by task, not time. Going to an office for 8 hours makes you feel like you''ve done something, even if you haven''t. Remote workers should set 3-5 ambitious goals for each day and consider the work day done when these are crossed off. - Get the rhythm right. A well-planned day features time for focused work, interactive work, and rejuvenating breaks. In place of a commute, a consciously chosen shut down ritual keeps work from continuing all night. - Nurture connections. Wise remote workers can build broader and more effective networks than people sitting in the same cubicle five days a week.

Whether you''re an introvert or an extrovert, a self-starter or someone who prefers detailed directions, you can do your clearest thinking and deepest work at home--and have more energy left over to achieve personal goals or fuel bigger professional ambitions. In fact, soon you might find it hard to imagine working any other way.

''I''m a longtime fan of Laura Vanderkam''s insightful work - her recommendations for getting the most out of every day are often counterintuitive but always realistic and manageable.''- Gretchen Rubin, author of Better Than Before and The Happiness Project

''Laura is my go-to expert on time management.''- Chris Guillebeau, author of The $100 Startup and The Money Tree