71. Task Management Gaps and Grad School Overload (Q&A)

Why do you still forget tasks even though you write everything down? And how are you supposed to keep up with grad school reading when there’s more than you could ever finish — and you’re already behind?

In this Q&A episode, I answer two listener questions that hit close to home for so many of us. 

The first question comes from a professional who says his system feels “full of holes” — he’s writing things down but still missing the little stuff. I walk through how to fix your capture and review process, what’s going on with your working memory, and how to seal the cracks in your productivity system.

The second question comes from a grad student who’s a self-described slow reader. She’s trying to stay on top of her reading load, but can’t keep up — and it’s starting to affect her ability to write papers. I explain my Layered Reading strategy, how to stop aiming for perfection, and how to turn your reading time into paper prep time.

Whether you’re a student or a working professional, these are real-world challenges with practical, doable solutions.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Why your system might be “leaking” — even if you write everything down

✅ How to build a reliable capture + review process

✅ What’s actually happening in your brain when you’re overwhelmed

✅ My three-layered strategy for grad school reading

✅ How to prep for writing while you read

🎙️Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 05: Secrets of a Good Task Management System
• Episode 10: Task Management Q&A
• Episode 48:: Student Task Management Q&A
• Episode 65:The Sunday Reset
• Blog: How to Annotate a Textbook

Get my free parent training! How to Help Your Student Handle School Like a Pro -- Without Study Frustration, Assignment Overwhelm, or All the Drama. 

Get my free parent training! How to Help Your Student Handle School Like a Pro -- Without Study Frustration, Assignment Overwhelm, or All the Drama. 

Get my FREE Parent Training! How to Help Your Student Handle School Like a Pro -- Without Study Frustration, Assignment Overwhelm, or All the Drama

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