This book, oh my lord. It feels weird to gush about a time-management book, but I have never felt so seen and affirmed by *anything*. The PLAN is written specifically with lady-people in mind, for the way or brains and bodies and minds work and the ways we’ve been socialized, with *specific* attention on the ways that most of the advice we get about time management, goal-setting, and productivity are just. Not. Built. for our lives and the spaces we inhabit. The suggestions will feel familiar to readers of Adachi’s fantastic first book, The Lazy Genius Way (also brilliant), or listeners of her podcast (also fab) but they are specifically, deeply rooted in a kindness-to-self perspective that is just so necessary, especially those of us late-wave GenX-ers who quickly figured out that feminism had, by the nineties, gotten us to the point not of having it all, but of having to DO it all and also never complain, but then didn’t know where to go from there. And she folds those of us with neurodivergence right in to what she has to say about how to shift your thinking away from productivity culture and into being productive in a way that is personally meaningful and doesn’t wear you down right out of the gate, by focusing on what actually matters to you in a given situation or season of life, and then building from there. Adachi does this with so much grace and humor and kindness, and without making promises about quick fixes. The PLAN is a process, a way to settle into the fact that life is a perpetual work in progress, a way to find some stillness in the chaotic ocean of daily life, and a way to learn to trust yourself and your body even if you’ve always been taught that you can’t or shouldn’t. I feel like a book about getting organized maybe shouldn’t move you to tears on a commuter train, but this one certainly did me. Adachi has made I think a conscious effort to fold in women in a wide range of life stages and situations - so there’s advice that might be most helpful to moms, but also advice that’s helpful to ladies with no kids but long commutes or stressful jobs, and ones with caregiving responsibilities, and many of the other daily-life challenges that we all face. This book isn’t promising you that you’ll set the world on fire, or retire at 40 with a frillion dollars in the bank, or that your days will be perfect, glassy surfaces of uninterrupted productivity where you silence notifications for hours at a time or rigidly block out “deep work” or create complicated workflows or to-do lists that magically tick along towards finished. She’s offering the world we already live in and a way to learn to adjust to the fact that it isn’t static from day to day or week to week, we can’t control everything or sometimes anything, and curveballs don’t just come from the mound but from all the bases and sometimes the outfield or the grandstand or the bleachers or straight out of the heavens. This is so practical, so necessary, and so validating. I can’t say enough nice things. If you are struggling with your self as you are, with your own imperfections, with feeling like everything is out of control, with feeling like your brain went on a long walk in a post-apocalyptic hellscape in the pandemic and never came home, I truly think this book will help you, even if your only takeaway is “Hey ma’am, I see you over there, and you are not alone.”

The PLAN is a productivity book for women. I'm not big on productivity books in general, I find that a lot of them are the same and make me feel worse about myself rather than being helpful. I really liked Kendra's approach to different phases of hormones. The idea being that when you have energy, use it but don't feel bad when you don't was resonant. The pep talks were probably my favorite part of the book.

I liked Kendra's other books much more. Her Kitchen book was very useful.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reading copy.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this book. As a fan of all lazy genius content, I find that some of the books can be repetitive of the podcast content. It’s easy to understand why they’d be shared in both places, but it does give you a bit of “haven’t I heard/read/seen this somewhere before” vibe.

The book content, however, was made for me. I love a good self-help book and her research and statistics about men writing most of them was eye-opening. I’d say I usually ignore those and read women-written books 95% of the time. I was glad to see some call outs in this book that convicted me and think this was an easy, kick-in-the-pants read that I may pick up when I’m feeling especially helpless and without a plan of my own.

I’m excited to go to the Chicago stop on her book tour and get a physical copy! There are many pages I was to highlight and bookmark. My favorite call out was this:

“You want to make hard things a little easier and enjoy life more often than you endure it.” It rings really true for how I want to spend my time.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this early. The author of The Lazy Genius provides time management tips to try to simplify one’s life and make things less overwhelming while living the life you want.
One thing I didn’t love is the use of so many acronyms. There were also parts that were repetitive. Maybe the author just really wanted the reader to focus on those points and thought by doing this, they’d stick?
I feel like this is the type of book that one would need to use as a reference book and go back to certain sections if wanting to implement them into your life.

Big-sister energy meets time management! A refreshingly practical guide for those tired of productivity overload. With humor and simplicity, Adachi helps readers discover how to prepare, live, adjust, and notice what truly matters—right now, not someday. Find freedom from the hustle and embrace what works for your life today!

I wasn’t even 10 pages in when I realized, "Oh—this is the management companion for every millennial and Gen X woman who obsessed over the Barbie movie!" It has strong "it is impossible to be a woman in a man’s word” vibes. This is the productivity guide for the hormone-tracking, energy-identifying, self-compassion-giving woman who craves a balanced life—and Kendra truly delivers. The steps are so accessible yet undeniably insightful. The go-with-the-flow girlies wouldn’t typically pick up this self-help book, but you should! I was a little overwhelmed by all the acronyms 😅 but there’s no other book as wittily engaging and breathtakingly grounded in self-compassion and practical wisdom.

I primarily read the ebook because I wanted to take more notes on my kindle. But Kendra’s voice is so soothing on her podcast that I couldn’t resist listing along to some chapters 🥰 Both format are super engaging!

Perfect for you if you like:
Living fully in the present, not for an imaginary future
Small, practical steps for where you are
A productivity guide that feels more like coffee with a friend
Insightful, transformative tips

Similar to:
Tired of Being Tired by Jess Connolly
Do Less by Kate Northrup
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

The Plan is such a refreshing approach to determining the best way to manage our lives. It doesn't tell us specifics regarding routines and the "best" or "proper" way to do things. Instead, it gives you the tools to decide how to set up the things that you need structure around. While initially, you may see this as a shortcoming in the book's premise, as you continue to ingest the information you realize how freeing and truly helpful the Adachi way is. It is not a planning system as much as a mind-shift system. This means that it can apply to any and all, and adapt to each person's needs. Other planning/organization books are either "right" or "wrong" for you and help or don't. You could need to buy several books to find the one that works for you and then you could need to buy other "right" books later as your needs change. That won't be the case with The Plan. It won't be about "replacing" it as your life shifts but about re-reading to soak in the message that will help guide you down the path that works for you in the now. While I was excited and honored to get an advanced digital copy, I look forward to getting my hands on my physical copy so I can wrap my hands and mind around the printed words of wisdom and further use them to illuminate answers to my planning needs to add order to my life.

Kendra has done it again! This is a wonderful book. It is very much written for a female audience, but it is a read that will empower, enrage, and force you to re-think how you go about the development of your life and plans.

Like all of Kendra's work, this is written from an understanding of that you need to first know what matters most to you. I appreciate that about this book.

I also appreciate that this is written from the perspective of a woman and is deeply critical of the existing productivity space as it's not built for women (and especially those that are moms).

I love how I could hear Kendra’s distinct voice in this. Her writing is so concise, so specific, and so right. The whole book feels like getting a hug and practical advice from a bestie. I always feel affirmed after listening to Kendra’s podcast, and this book made me feel both supported and encouraged.

This is absolutely not an exaggeration-- Kendra Adachi has changed my life. The way that she approaches time management and organization clicks so well with my brain. It just makes sense. She approaches these topics in a way that is kind, non-judgmental, and fully customizable to your individual life and situation. I have never encountered such a flexible system and way of looking at things. It all works so well and will honestly change your life.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to my print copy. If you are a fan of the Lazy Genius Podcast- this book is for you. I’m glad to have everything written in one place that is easy to navigate so I can find what I need in the moment. I see myself referring back to this book often.

Thank you to NetGalley, Convergent Books and Kendra Adachi for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Kendra Adachi and I love how practical and feminist this book is! I didn't realize, until she pointed it out, that the majority of time management books are written by men. They have no idea what it's like to be a mother and a female. Kendra has such a friendly and understandable way of writing; it feels like chatting with a friend who is giving you great advice. I recommend this book for you and for all of your female friends and family!

As a Venezuelan therapist specialized in executive functions, time management, and procrastination, I eagerly anticipate the Spanish translation of this book.
I didn't underline anything at all, and I mean that as a compliment, a huge compliment. From the first page to the Pep Talks, the book felt more like a conversation than a manual. It served as a valuable reminder of the knowledge we possess but often fail to articulate when discussing time management.
The book emphasizes that tools are not the ultimate goal, nor even the ingredients. Their sole purpose is to facilitate a happier life. Kendra's relatable voice guides us through the process, as if we were sharing a cup of coffee in the kitchen. She reminds us that we are normal people living in a chaotic world, not perfectly gridded planners. Goals can change, and our mood plays a crucial role in effective planning.
The section on projects is exceptional—simple, clear, and easy to understand. The "Pep Talks" are like calling Kendra for advice.

The Plan is your comprehensive guide to compassionate and inclusive time management. Kendra points out the the built-in standards and inequities that women often experience based on traditional time management 'personal greatness' strategies. The double standard so many of us are living with is pointed out and gentler ways of scheduling our lives are recommended along with the Lazy Genius method of always naming what matters in your season. A useful pyramid for examining the different facets of our lives and time gives a new paradigm for prioritizing what matters in the busy-ness that is our life.

Did you know that 93% of time management books are written by men?! I didn’t! 🤯📋

I loved The Plan, written by Kendra Adachi.

What separates this book from many others (93%!) is that it focuses on females, and oftentimes on busy working moms (🙋🏼‍♀️!!) and highlights how to use that to gain awareness and appreciation for the uniqueness of those facts. Of seasons of life and understanding what should happen when, of female hormone cycles and how to (to the extent you can) embrace and alter how you spend your time during those cycles.

Some fave quotes:
✨ “You’re not a robot. You’re not a machine to program. You’re not a steadily humming operating system. You’re not something to fix, leverage, or optimize. You’re a flesh-and-blood person with a beautiful, slightly unruly life who just wants to get your stuff done, have fun, not yell at your people too much, and occasionally feel bone-deep contentment.” 👏🏻

✨”Fragmentation is being pulled in too many directions, often to the point of breaking. A common example is when all three of my kids are talking at the same time, one needing an answer, one needing comfort, and one needing a snack. That is a moment where I experience fragmentation, and it feels like pieces of my brain are now on the floor.” 🙋🏼‍♀️ I immediately sent this one to my husband because I frequently experience pieces of my brain on the floor!!!!

✨ “If getting ready for our future comes at the expense of our present, we will always feel discontent.” ⬅️

✨ Big Black Trash Bag Energy 🫠🙋🏼‍♀️

✨ “My brain is a caffeinated squirrel. She is always hoarding, always frantic, always darting from place to place.” ☕️🐿️🙋🏼‍♀️

✨ “What can I do now to make something easier later?” 🙌🏻

I just loved this book and loved Kendra’s constant reminder to stop, put things into motion, to not put it ALL into motion, to pick and choose what works for YOU!

And if you’re looking for another non-fiction personal development book for moms that I love, I recommend How To Design Your Life: A Busy Mom’s Roadmap to Creating A Life You Are Obsessed With by Sharon Leger! 📋

This book releases October 8, 2024! 💖

Thank you to NetGalley, Kendra Adachi, and Convergent Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! ✨

I think Kendra Adachi has added something that has been missing from time management books. The details of successful master planners: moms. Women plan naturally with relationships, priorities, and seasons in mind. Science backs this up with research that either points to the fact that girls are under-diagnosed with ADHD or boys are over-diagnosed with ADHD. Maybe we need to stop labeling and listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us. We are all okay. We were all made different on purpose. It’s not an accident. We are each and all God’s design.

As a BIG fan of Kendra Adachi and the Lazy Genius principles, I had already pre-ordered this book but was very excited to get a digital ARC (thank you to the publisher and NetGalley!)
This book is a lot, I’ll say that up front. That’s not a negative. There is a lot of content to chew on and it’ll be one I refer back to and reread depending on my situation, and had I been reading after release date I think I’d have taken a bit more time.
If you’ve been listening to Kendra’s podcast and reading her newsletter in the last year or two, the content of this book absolutely flows out of all the things she’s been talking about. The inclusion of hormonal challenges specific to women, the acknowledgment of how many darn hats we all wear compared to the dudes, and the way she has made an effort to provide alternative P.L.A.N’s for when you’re just, not holding it all together, struggling, grieving, etc, is just really kind and helpful.
I do think this book could raise the heckles of a few people who might be like “but weren’t you going to tell me how to just do All The Things and be totally organized and achieve all my To-Do’s?” Kendra really rejects the idea that a book or a system should pretend that is possible every day. Instead she’s offering a flexible solution that looks realistically at how life actually is and tries to make it incrementally better and to make you FEEL better about how you’re managing All The Things.
The pep talks at the back are gorgeous and remind me a lot of Kate Bowler’s wonderful blessings for a beautiful, terrible day.
I’ve got a lot of pondering to do still but ultimately, thank you Kendra for your incredible efforts bringing this book to us!

The PLAN - Kendra Adachi
Genre - Nonfiction, Self Help

Kendra Adachi - the Lazy Genius - has been speaking common sense and joy into me from Instagram for a number of years now. When she started talking about her new book - The PLAN, I had to give it a look. I’m so glad I did. Kendra (I like to call her that as if we are friends.) takes on the productivity culture with excellent evidence to back her claim. She advocates throughout the book for living in the now in place of always “planning” for the future - she uses the term integration in terms of a happy life, and I am here for it.
The idea of integration spoke to me - so Kendra had me from the beginning. She (and Brené Brown) refer to integration as “wholehearted living.” I have long worked toward some nebulous future and was seldom mindful about my current life - being integrated involves fully living in the now rather than working toward some future “greatness”. I have never achieved that kind of integration. I couldn’t even fully name what I was looking for, and I love the idea as outlined in this book. She offers three sections toward a more fulfilled life. The first section is Principles, and here is where she offers the basic ideas of the PLAN - hint, it turns the idea of planning as we know it a bit on its head. The second section offers strategies. I love her take on the “to do” list. Most of us could use a bit of “to do” list counseling I think. The third section offers pep talks. I fully believe I will refer to these often. She also provides us with a lovely overview/glossary section which organizes her thoughts for us as a reference. Books like this need to be revisited, and she recognizes the process of trying to change in the way that she organizes the book for easy reference. Kendra writes her book in such a way that you feel like she is sitting across the table from you and talking to you over tea. She is comforting and encouraging and funny.
I have already made some changes to my life based on my reading of this book. I am, quite honestly, living in retirement as I did as a full time teacher. I feel driven to produce and not just anything - something useful or “important” or income producing. All of those things I said I’d do “after I retired” weren’t getting any attention. So last week I pulled out a fancy cookbook and set a fancy table for my husband and me just because I could; I wasn’t too exhausted; and I had time. Listen, I didn’t even photograph the food to prove it happened - so mindful. (I sure did the place setting :-) While this may seem silly to you - it was a big step for me in living a more integrated life. So while I thought maybe this book wouldn’t be for me, it sure was. It likely is for you as well. You don’t have to know the Lazy Genius way or to follow Kendra in the socials to benefit from this book. But when you are done, you will want to get to know her better. And she will make you feel better either way. Go get yourself a copy of Kendra Adachi’s The PLAN and use it to make your life more fulfilling.

A few good nuggets, but as someone who listens to every podcast episode from Kendra + who absolutely loved The Lazy Genius Way, this was both disappointing and surprising in tone. I agree with some of the other reviews that mention the aggressive language (which definitely didn't line up with "kind big sister energy"), how menstrual cycles are way more of a focus than was needed throughout the whole book, how there are way too many acronyms, and that it's very repetitive.

Such a lovely, lovely book about how to be a human, get things done, and make the world a little less terrible in the process. Love how she encourages us, as women, to pay attention to ourselves, and what we need, and then go help the people around us. Time management is such a difficult thing, but Kendra is a steady, reassuring presence along this journey to integrate who I am, what I need to do, and who my people are all into one life-giving adventure. Truly a gem of a book, and incredible.

As a long time listener of Adachi's "Lazy Genius" podcast, I knew I would adore this title. I do not read productivity/self help books anymore, but I made an exception for this title!

Kendra Adachi brings her kind-hearted best friend energy to planning and time management. Her book focuses on how to live your best life, authentically, with your unique values. As with her other books (cookbook, etc), The Plan helps the reader assess a framework for time management that works best for them. She puts the reader in the driver seat. I love this about Kendra.

Read this if you are looking for a different sort of self help, productivity book--one that is feminist, values focused, and kind hearted.

Thank you Netgalley and Convergent books for an advanced copy of this title.