Thank you for the chance to review! 3.5/5 stars
I LOVE Kendra, particularly her first book "The Lazy Genius Way" and I was SO excited to read a book about planning! I love to plan, but I am definitely one of those people who sees plans fall short frequently.
PLAN being an acronym is great, and I loved all the moments this connected to the Lazy Genius Principles. But at times I just felt very...over and underwhelmed simultaneously? Like I thought I was going to get a bit more of a step by step, or some real fundamental driving principles, but it felt a little more like a down with the patriarchy rant and less about planning at times? Like as a person who doesn't have a normal menstrual cycle...can I not plan well? Just a lot of struggle for me in certain places, where I felt a bit lost. I'm not sure, unlike the LGP, that I would be able to go out and apply the plan to my life.
But what got this to 3.5 stars for me was two sections: 1) weekly/monthly planning and seasonal planning, with the purposeful intentions of reviewing your past to start your present. UGH brilliant. So many times I make the same mistake year after year because I don't go back and think about the year prior! I also thought the pep-talk section was just beautifully Kendra.

I’ve been listening to the Lazy Genius Podcast for years and of course I’ll read anything Kendra writes. Like her book, The Lazy Genius Way (which honestly totally reframed my way of thinking about so many things), this book is full of mindset shifts and practical tips for all the planning and coordinating we have to do constantly.

I loved that this book, unlike many productivity books, was written specifically for women and addressed the specific factors that affect our daily lives. This book was full of easy-to-digest but powerful takeaways and I’ll definitely continue thinking about the framework she presents in the book.

I’d definitely recommend this book if you’re a Lazy Genius fan, but maybe even moreso if you’re not familiar, as some of the principles might be even more mind-blowing if you’re not already familiar with Adachi’s work.

Three things I loved about The PLAN by Kendra Adachi:

1. It's so relatable! This is the first productivity book I've read that understood my real life and didn't make me feel bad for it!

2. It's part strategy, part pep-talk, part friend.

3. I learned so many ideas, but more importantly I learned what I need for MY unique life.

Adachi has a wonderful way of relating to the reader, and this book is worth buying to go back to again and again. Plus, the hardcover is stunning!

Kendra Adachi’s latest book, The PLAN, promises a fresh perspective on time management, building on the concepts introduced in her previous work, The Lazy Genius Way. As a fan of her earlier book and its practical strategies (and as a time management nerd myself), I approached this new title with excitement. However, I found myself feeling somewhat let down by the execution.

While Adachi presents several valuable ideas—such as the need for a more inclusive approach to time management that recognizes the voices often sidelined in this space and the importance of adapting planning to align with our seasonal energies—these messages can get lost amid an overwhelming number of strategies and acronyms contained in the book. The abundance of steps and tips felt daunting, which detracted from the overall effectiveness of her advice.

Additionally, Adachi's conversational style, while initially engaging, begins to wear thin over time. Phrases using “vibe” are repeated so frequently that they lose their humour and charm. Although she encourages readers to pause and implement her suggestions if they start to feel overwhelmed, many of us simply want to read through the material and absorb the strategies without feeling bogged down by excessive detail.

In a genre that often benefits from simplicity and clarity, The PLAN sometimes seems to miss the mark. While there are certainly nuggets of wisdom to be found, the delivery may leave readers wishing for a more streamlined approach. In the end, sometimes less truly is more.

This was an ARC review for NetGalley.

I’ve read all three of Kendra Adachi’s books, and I was a huge fan of her first two! But I didn’t quite love this one as much as her other books. I missed the personal anecdotes that made the first two so relatable, and there was a huge “not like all those other productivity books” vibe that I found just a little off-putting. That said, there was still lots of useful advice (I am especially guilty of “Big Black Trash Bag Energy,” the tendency to want to throw everything out and start fresh when something isn’t working), and I definitely will be trying to apply a lot of it to my own life.

"The Plan" by Kendra Adachi is a concise and impactful book that offers valuable insights on time management and planning. While the book may be short, it's packed with practical advice and strategies that can help readers take control of their time and achieve their goals.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its focus on simplicity and actionability. Adachi breaks down complex ideas into manageable steps, making it easy for readers to apply her advice to their own lives. The author's warm and encouraging tone also helps to motivate readers to make positive changes.

Although some readers may wish for a more in-depth exploration of certain topics, "The Plan" still manages to deliver powerful insights and strategies in a compact and accessible format. It's a great resource for anyone looking to improve their time management skills and create a more productive, fulfilling life.

Overall, "The Plan" is a valuable addition to any personal development library. Its clear, practical advice and empowering message make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking to make the most of their time and achieve their goals.

This book is AMAZING!! It’s exactly what we need, and I loved every moment of it. Kendra’s writing is authentic & gripping. I am absolutely ordering the real book so I can highlight the heck out of it. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Kendra’s brain is so organized and precise! She’s somehow able to put what my brain does naturally into explicit language that anyone can follow. Just that trait itself is amazing, and then you read her book. She’s so good at creating frameworks for anyone to apply to their own unique life to help make it all a little bit easier.
Thank you Kendra!

I so badly wanted to love this book. On paper, I’m the target demographic - I’m a plannerholic who is always positive I’m one purchase away from getting my life together and MEETING ALL THE BIG GOALS. “The Lazy Genius Way” and “Lazy Genius Kitchen” were favorites that I have gifted to others. I adore Kendra’s podcast, and I like the way she thinks about using time and focusing our efforts. She is an absolute gem of a human, and I’m convinced she’s just as lovely in person as our one-sided friendship would suggest.

But. But. A sad but. Her message on planning didn’t translate well for this particular reader. There were helpful takeaways. Gentle nuggets of wisdom. She addresses the complexities of planning as a woman who experiences hormonal fluctuation. She talks about the double standards that saturate our patriarchy, acknowledging the real emotional and actual labor disparities. I found myself nodding a LOT. I just didn’t find myself taking many notes on what I learned or rethought.

I kept waiting for an aha moment that didn’t come, the same way it came with her other books. Maybe that was an unfair expectation on my part. The constructs she set up as a way to consider planning felt hard to follow and fell flat for me. They may be multi-dimensional and sing like angels for you. I hope they do. This is probably a great book - it just wasn’t great for me. And that’s okay.

Kendra Adachi's book is the voice of reason that so many women need to hear in their lives. I’ve been a weekly listener to her podcast for over four years and have read both of her other books. The copy I read was an advance digital copy, but I would highly recommend a physical copy of this book. This is the type of book that should be read slowly to digest the ideas. This would make a great book club book that meets for multiple sessions. I would have loved to have read it with others to help flesh out the ideas and how to practically implement them in my life. The quick reference guide at the end is an amazing summary of the principals of the books and really just pulled it all together. A physical book would have let me reference it often. This is the kind of book you are going to want to highlight. It is full of ideas you won’t read anywhere else. At the same time, as a long time listener, I thought the book did a great job of organizing and systemizing the ideas and mantras Kendra has been using for years. It is for the overwhelmed woman who needs practical ideas. It is kind and encouraging and helps the reader see that you are not alone. As a mom and wife who works three part time jobs and whose children part time homeschool, I found many ideas I could implement even while starting small as is suggested. Compassionate time management needs to be practiced more in our society today and this book shares how to do it.

Kendra Apache's THE PLAN was everything I'd hoped for, yet not at all what I expected. Ostensibly about planning for real lives being lived by real women, her excellent book is that life-changing cup of tea across the table from a wise, articulate, funny friend who tells it like it is, was, and can be. I loved every moment of it, even the parts that made me cringe a little in tirades about the patriarchy and menstrual realities. I loved it all, especially those parts, because they challenge my rock-solid, incredibly useful world view about how to live a meaningful and productive life and left me gape-jawed at the genuine truth of our unlimited possibilities. Hyperbolic? Perhaps. But my genuine experience with a deeply enjoyable woman through her words. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars

As always, a refreshing perspective from Kendra Adachi, The Lazy Genius. I appreciated the emphasis on focusing on where you are (day, year, or season of life) and aligning your hopes, dreams, and to do lists accordingly.

“Your new goal is to live an integrated life that starts exactly where you are” “it’s not optimization or efficiency or taking on the world.”

Thank you NetGalley and Convergent Books for the advanced digital copy! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I did not realize how much I needed this book until I read it. Adachi’s premise is that traditional productivity advice simply doesn’t work for most women, and most certainly not for women entrenched in caregiving roles. (Parents, for example.)

My parenting days are far behind me, but I still found much to use in my current season of life.

Adachi offers a framework or approach for not only doing the important work, but also navigating the unexpected. I love her idea of honoring seasonality— not only the seasons of the year but also of our lives and roles.

Since reading the book I’ve embraced the idea of starting where I am on any given day and working on the most important things from there. It’s helped me get through a busy time with more grace (for myself) than I usually inhabit. I recommend it for busy women everywhere.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Kendra Adachi, known for her practical and compassionate approach to life management, brings her signature “Lazy Genius” philosophy to the realm of time management in The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius.

This book is a refreshing departure from traditional productivity guides, offering a more humane and realistic approach to managing one’s time.

Adachi structures the book around the acronym PLAN, which stands for Prepare, Live, Adjust, and Notice. Each section delves into practical strategies and insights that help readers align their time management practices with their personal values and life circumstances. The book is designed to be both a guide and a companion, encouraging readers to adapt the principles to their unique situations.

Adachi’s writing is warm, engaging, and often humorous. She adopts a conversational tone that feels like advice from a trusted friend rather than a strict instructor. Her ability to blend practical advice with personal anecdotes makes the book relatable and inspiring. The inclusion of real-life examples and light-hearted commentary helps demystify the often daunting topic of time management.

One of the standout features of The PLAN is its emphasis on self-compassion and flexibility. 

The PLAN is about living wholeheartedly and intentionally. Adachi explores themes of self-awareness, adaptability, and the importance of aligning one’s actions with their values. 

The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius is a must-read for anyone overwhelmed by traditional time management systems. Kendra Adachi offers a compassionate and practical alternative that empowers readers to take control of their time in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, or simply someone looking to live more intentionally, this book provides valuable insights and tools to help you manage your time like a Lazy Genius.

I was looking forward to this time management book, and while a quick and easy read, I wasn't really left with any solid takeaways and feel this will probably be totally forgotten by next month. Totally agree with another reviewer that this was both too much and too little information, and didn't really feel like it will stick. I enjoyed the Lazy Genius Kitchen, but this one just didn't feel cohesive and just slapped together without a solid plan. It was an easy read, but by the end I was just bored and ready to move on.

This was great! Everything Kendra touches is good so this was no exception. Love a time management book that is actually practical. Great book!

It never occurred to me that the reason time management books weren't helpful was that they were written by men, for men, and women's experience is so different. I loved Kendra's previous books, and this one is great as well. It explains so much about women's situations, and it gives an easy to follow, relatable framework for evaluating what you have going on and how to accomplish things. I love the section of pep talks, all the advice, and the Quick Reference section at the end. This is the book I didn't realize I was waiting for.

I was sold on this book from the first page. This is not your average time management book. It's the first of its kind and it is stellar, per usual from Kendra (the Lazy Genius.) If you're a woman you need this. The end.

I'm a fan of the Lazy Genius Way. I was really anticipating the advice Kendra would give in The PLAN because she tends to bring the broad picture into focus with practical advice. I felt a bit overwhelmed by the PLAN. There are steps that are pulled from her Lazy Genius Principles, but the advice is general to reach a broad audience, rather than specific to application. The book is introduced with the discussion of time management books being primarily written towards men who don't have to deal with hormonal cycles each month. Interesting and helpful fact. But, the repetition of the steps along with the repetition against the patriarchy was tiresome.

If you're looking for ways to simplify life, I'd stick with the other Lazy Genius books. If you're implementing those effectively, you'll almost be putting the PLAN into action.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you, NetGalley, Kendra Adachi, and Convergent Books for the review copy of The Plan!

I have been looking for a gentler method of planning from the moment I started using my first Franklin Planner! As a chronically ill, low-energy person, none of the methods out there worked for me, and the hustle culture certainly did not resonate with me, even on my good days (which would invariably be followed by several bad days, thanks to the hustling). The Plan takes into account anything that might impact one's ability to get things done, including one's biological gender (because men and women's bodies do work differently) and energy levels. The discussion of the effect of a women's cycle on her energy levels and productivity is especially informative, particularly because Kendra relates it to the seasons of the year, which can affect everyone.

I do take issue with Kendra's insistence that the current planning/hustle culture is focused on and designed for white men. I think, rather, that is is focused on and works best for persons with high energy levels: men and women of every color and race who simply need less sleep, less rest, and have more “get-up-and-go” than others. Anyone outside of that group would benefit from a planning system that accounts for natural fluctuations in energy and productivity, and Kendra Adachi's The Plan does just that. If you've been frustrated that your plans never quite fit into your available time; that you don't seem to be able to get it all done; that everyone around you seems to be managing “just fine,” this is the book for you.