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Time Wise: Powerful Habits, More Time, Greater Joy
Learn how to become time wise using the hacks that high achievers rely on to accomplish more than the average person – so you can do your best work and have fun while doing it.
Organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber has interviewed more than 150 bestselling authors, musicians, entertainers, entrepreneurs and business leaders for her podcast, How I Work, to get inside their heads and understand the routines and rituals that enable them to achieve their purpose.
Three years and over 3 million podcast downloads later, she has uncovered a wealth of proven strategies that anyone can adopt to improve their productivity, work and lifestyle – whether you are a CEO, working parent, small business owner or university student.
In this clear and value-packed book, Amantha brings together all the gems she’s learned from her conversations with guests including Adam Grant, Dan Pink, Cal Newport, Mia Freedman, Turia Pitt, B.J. Fogg, Sandra Sully, Kochie, Gary Mehigan and Gretchen Rubin, to name just some.
Covering energy, efficiency, decision-making, self-talk, digital distractions and more, Amantha’s practical and research-backed guide will allow you to shortcut your way to achieving more in less time, with less stress and greater joy.
Organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber has interviewed more than 150 bestselling authors, musicians, entertainers, entrepreneurs and business leaders for her podcast, How I Work, to get inside their heads and understand the routines and rituals that enable them to achieve their purpose.
Three years and over 3 million podcast downloads later, she has uncovered a wealth of proven strategies that anyone can adopt to improve their productivity, work and lifestyle – whether you are a CEO, working parent, small business owner or university student.
In this clear and value-packed book, Amantha brings together all the gems she’s learned from her conversations with guests including Adam Grant, Dan Pink, Cal Newport, Mia Freedman, Turia Pitt, B.J. Fogg, Sandra Sully, Kochie, Gary Mehigan and Gretchen Rubin, to name just some.
Covering energy, efficiency, decision-making, self-talk, digital distractions and more, Amantha’s practical and research-backed guide will allow you to shortcut your way to achieving more in less time, with less stress and greater joy.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2022
157 people are currently reading
1599 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 17, 2022
URGH what a punish this book was. Entitled, condescending and privileged and full of “Reflect on XYZ, write down lists, keep data. Then figure things out. Don’t want to be scared? Then just give it a go! Simples!”. #easyasthat #exceptitsnot
If you really want to be Time Wise - don’t read this book. There, you’ve saved yourself time. You’re welcome.
If you really want to be Time Wise - don’t read this book. There, you’ve saved yourself time. You’re welcome.
April 8, 2023
Probably a 2.5 star read. Non-fiction is always a struggle for me and this one was no different. It was written like a report, intro to subject, explanation, followed by a recap so it feels like you're reading the same content over. This might be a handy strategy for getting techniques to stick but was a little frustrating when listening to the audiobook.
The book is definitely more suited to a office bound person with the ability to set their own schedule & meetings etc. As my customer services based work place doesn't reflect this many of the techniques are not particularly useful (E.g. I can't say "My chronotype is a night night owl so I won't come in to work until midday" because we are open to patrons from 10am, this just doesn't work.) There is also an assumption of some privilege in the techniques (which the author does address) eg. to get time back pay someone else to do the stuff you don't enjoy/take too much time to do.
There were a few items that were discussed that I did think were useful:
-The whole section on Connection p.215-248, but particularly being a better networker, reinvigorating dormant ties, and sending funnier emails.
-Rubber band technique, putting bands on your phone so you have to make a conscious choice to remove them and disengage with your work.
-Giving yourself more solitude (I'm guilty of almost always consuming content of one or another, so having some time to just let my subconscious breathe may be helpful!)
The book is definitely more suited to a office bound person with the ability to set their own schedule & meetings etc. As my customer services based work place doesn't reflect this many of the techniques are not particularly useful (E.g. I can't say "My chronotype is a night night owl so I won't come in to work until midday" because we are open to patrons from 10am, this just doesn't work.) There is also an assumption of some privilege in the techniques (which the author does address) eg. to get time back pay someone else to do the stuff you don't enjoy/take too much time to do.
There were a few items that were discussed that I did think were useful:
-The whole section on Connection p.215-248, but particularly being a better networker, reinvigorating dormant ties, and sending funnier emails.
-Rubber band technique, putting bands on your phone so you have to make a conscious choice to remove them and disengage with your work.
-Giving yourself more solitude (I'm guilty of almost always consuming content of one or another, so having some time to just let my subconscious breathe may be helpful!)
June 11, 2023
"Use shortcut keys...." (about sums it up). When you have read nearly all the known time management books it's difficult to not get disappointed with one that has mixed reviews already in the start. Picked up this book due to it's strong marketing summary. Probably I'm not the intended audience for it and it's not a bad book for someone who is new to personal productivity. The book offered very little original and mostly was talking about productivity "influencers" who are also known for aggregating different methodologies whose books I have also not rated too highly. The exception here is Adam Grant, but why read about his theories from someone else's books when you can read from the source instead. Another thing that I disliked that a lot of the examples were around and for people who are writing books for living to finish writing as soon as possible and increase it's sales success. Hearing about such books and authors raise a red flag for me, when someone has not put in the time and effort into something non-fiction it has low odds of being great. I also felt that there was quite a lot of "lowballing" i.e. set minimum and maximum targets and do not exceed the maximum (AKA moderate effort gives moderate results at maximum while real difference starts from stepping out of your comfort zone).
January 3, 2023
Great book to start off the year! I loved the straight taught forward way Amanda Imber writes where she focuses on cutting out the fluff personal development books often have, and gets straight to the point. This book is great to chip away at with really short chapters and summarised learnings. While some theories I had learned before, there were still some non-obvious learnings and strategies I got value from.
November 14, 2022
Lots of useful tips, can be overwhelming though.
January 31, 2024
This was fairly simplistic, but a nice read
November 17, 2023
Great book for learning strategies to become more time efficient. However, a few of the suggestions are dependant on income. For example, one suggestion was to buy three or more laptops to help separate tasks-which was amusing.
June 24, 2023
I've listened to alot of productivity podcasts and read a large number of books. While this doesn't introduce anything new it is a great summary of the various techniques and mindsets required for success.
• The more successful you become, the more requests you will have for your time - Say yes when it makes sense, but don't be afraid to say no
• Systems are more valuable than SMART goals
• Identify a personal board of directors that can give you help and guidance
• The 4 F Decision framework
○ Frame the question
○ Fact finding - gather data/evidence
○ Final decision - book a time and force your hand
○ Follow-up - review, reflect and course correct
• Meetings
○ Ask yourself
§ Does it bring me joy
§ Does it move me forward
§ Is it required for my job
○ As the organiser
§ Describe the meeting purpose
§ What role do I play
○ Prior to the meeting
§ Have an agenda - Topics must be presented the day before (in writing)
§ Can the meeting be replaced with a mail or a video update?
○ In the meeting
§ Have an agenda - Convert this into a "to be discussed list"
§ Time shouldn't be wasted in meeting bringing people up to speed
§ Those who want to talk on a topic must have read and commented on the topic prior to the meeting
§ Timebox discussions to 5 minutes… if consensus is not reached then it is parked and a decision maker identified… the decision will be made outside the meeting
§ Reversible decisions
□ Spend less time on two way doors
□ Allow reversible decisions to be delegated
§ One way doors - ensure the leader is involved
• Make time to reflect - daily
○ Focus on today
○ Focus on tomorrow
○ Focus on other people
• There are some lists more valuable than To do lists
○ Might do
○ Don't do
○ Closed list - limit it to 5 priorities
○ "To discuss" - this can save a lot of short disruptive communications and meetings
• Remove bullshit from your calendar
• Schedule breaks, and don't book yourself 100%
• Close unnecessary open windows
• Stop manually performing repetitive tasks
• Kill the zombie tasks
• Mail
○ Structure/flags
§ To do
§ To do later
§ Read
○ Don't live in email - move tasks to task lists, and schedule time for activities
• Accountability - let others know your goals and hold you accountable
• Nudge behaviour
○ Make it easier to do the things you should be doing
○ Make it harder to do the things you shouldn't (such as keep your phone out of sight during meetings)
• The more successful you become, the more requests you will have for your time - Say yes when it makes sense, but don't be afraid to say no
• Systems are more valuable than SMART goals
• Identify a personal board of directors that can give you help and guidance
• The 4 F Decision framework
○ Frame the question
○ Fact finding - gather data/evidence
○ Final decision - book a time and force your hand
○ Follow-up - review, reflect and course correct
• Meetings
○ Ask yourself
§ Does it bring me joy
§ Does it move me forward
§ Is it required for my job
○ As the organiser
§ Describe the meeting purpose
§ What role do I play
○ Prior to the meeting
§ Have an agenda - Topics must be presented the day before (in writing)
§ Can the meeting be replaced with a mail or a video update?
○ In the meeting
§ Have an agenda - Convert this into a "to be discussed list"
§ Time shouldn't be wasted in meeting bringing people up to speed
§ Those who want to talk on a topic must have read and commented on the topic prior to the meeting
§ Timebox discussions to 5 minutes… if consensus is not reached then it is parked and a decision maker identified… the decision will be made outside the meeting
§ Reversible decisions
□ Spend less time on two way doors
□ Allow reversible decisions to be delegated
§ One way doors - ensure the leader is involved
• Make time to reflect - daily
○ Focus on today
○ Focus on tomorrow
○ Focus on other people
• There are some lists more valuable than To do lists
○ Might do
○ Don't do
○ Closed list - limit it to 5 priorities
○ "To discuss" - this can save a lot of short disruptive communications and meetings
• Remove bullshit from your calendar
• Schedule breaks, and don't book yourself 100%
• Close unnecessary open windows
• Stop manually performing repetitive tasks
• Kill the zombie tasks
○ Structure/flags
§ To do
§ To do later
§ Read
○ Don't live in email - move tasks to task lists, and schedule time for activities
• Accountability - let others know your goals and hold you accountable
• Nudge behaviour
○ Make it easier to do the things you should be doing
○ Make it harder to do the things you shouldn't (such as keep your phone out of sight during meetings)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2022
I discovered Time Wise via Sana Qadar's ABC Radio National series All in the Mind. Sana talks to Amantha in the episode "Taking back control of your time", and you should totally check it out as a free taster for the book. Some of the best ideas are covered in the podcast.
There's a bunch of humble bragging that I could do without, but you come to expect it from self-help and management books. It's enough for me that Imber is an organisational psychologist with a passion for the topic. Do other readers need to hear about the author's business success and famous connections before they'll take the book seriously?
The book is a tad repetitive if you read it from cover to cover, but that's by design. You can dip in and out without missing helpful context, and I recommend looking at the section summaries to guide your reading if you approach it this way. (I pondered whether the summaries would be more effective and accessible if collated as an extended table of contents or index.)
The suggestions are all helpful, and most are practical. Imber admits that a few are accessible only to people of considerable wealth or privilege. Two examples that stand out are: (1) paying someone to chop your vegetables for you, and (2) purchasing four or more computers so that each device is dedicated to a particular activity.
There's a bunch of humble bragging that I could do without, but you come to expect it from self-help and management books. It's enough for me that Imber is an organisational psychologist with a passion for the topic. Do other readers need to hear about the author's business success and famous connections before they'll take the book seriously?
The book is a tad repetitive if you read it from cover to cover, but that's by design. You can dip in and out without missing helpful context, and I recommend looking at the section summaries to guide your reading if you approach it this way. (I pondered whether the summaries would be more effective and accessible if collated as an extended table of contents or index.)
The suggestions are all helpful, and most are practical. Imber admits that a few are accessible only to people of considerable wealth or privilege. Two examples that stand out are: (1) paying someone to chop your vegetables for you, and (2) purchasing four or more computers so that each device is dedicated to a particular activity.
July 31, 2022
A book full of good tips and habits for productivity, time management and working with teammates. It's structured into the chapters of Priorities, Efficiency, Focus, Connection and Energy - all of which cover my crazy workday.
I like how these aren't tips just by the author, instead they're from many other people (industry leaders etc.). Some of the tips don't work for my job, but all are thought-provoking and the ones I've tried have been awesome so far.
This could be a book I think I'll be referring to for some time yet. Highly recommend.
I like how these aren't tips just by the author, instead they're from many other people (industry leaders etc.). Some of the tips don't work for my job, but all are thought-provoking and the ones I've tried have been awesome so far.
This could be a book I think I'll be referring to for some time yet. Highly recommend.
January 17, 2023
Time wise recoge algunas ideas interesantes sobre cómo aprovechar de forma eficiente el tiempo. Retoma propuestas de otros autores; en ocasiones, las resume en una forma un tanto superficial. No hay en este libro originalidad Además se extiende mucho y repite conceptos. Sin embargo, hay varias sugerencias rescatables e interesantes.
July 22, 2022
Helpful handy hints on how to save time from various high performing people across all walks of life.
It is presented in easy bite size chunks that you can delve in and out of when the need arises.
It is presented in easy bite size chunks that you can delve in and out of when the need arises.
June 18, 2023
Amazing insights. Quite a few contra intuitive suggestions. Treasure house of ideas to improve focus and lead a more enriching life.
Must read.
Must read.
April 17, 2025
Time Wise is a practical and easy-to-read book on how some of the world’s most successful people manage their time. As a self-help junkie, I found it packed with useful insights that not only reinforced what I already knew about productivity but also gave me fresh ideas on managing my time better. If you’re looking for tips and strategies to improve your time management, this book is definitely worth checking out.
Here are some of my favorite takeaways:
Focus on Systems, Not Goals
Instead of always aiming for a goal, which can make you feel like you’re failing until you reach it, creating systems is better. Systems are ongoing habits that help you improve continuously, without that feeling of failure.
Use Mental Shortcuts to Avoid Burnout
Using mental shortcuts or heuristics can help you make decisions quickly and avoid decision fatigue, which in turn helps prevent burnout.
Create a Personal Board of Directors
A personal board of directors is a group of people you trust and can turn to for advice, feedback, or even connections. These are not just casual contacts, but people who can truly help you grow and make better decisions.
The 4Fs Decision-Making Process
A simple framework for making decisions:
Frame the Question: Have at least two options to choose from.
Fact Find: Gather relevant information to help you decide.
Final Decision: Make the choice and set a time to commit to it.
Follow Up: Review your decision later to see if you need to change course.
This process helps take the stress out of big decisions and makes it easier to move forward.
Use a Struggle Timer to Push Through Obstacles
When you hit a mental block, set a timer for five to ten minutes and try to push through the challenge. If you are still stuck after that time, take a break. But often, you will find you’ve gotten past the obstacle and back into the flow.
Overall, Time Wise is a great read for anyone looking to manage their time more effectively. Whether you’re already familiar with productivity methods or new to the topic, this book offers easy to apply advice that can make a real difference.
Here are some of my favorite takeaways:
Focus on Systems, Not Goals
Instead of always aiming for a goal, which can make you feel like you’re failing until you reach it, creating systems is better. Systems are ongoing habits that help you improve continuously, without that feeling of failure.
Use Mental Shortcuts to Avoid Burnout
Using mental shortcuts or heuristics can help you make decisions quickly and avoid decision fatigue, which in turn helps prevent burnout.
Create a Personal Board of Directors
A personal board of directors is a group of people you trust and can turn to for advice, feedback, or even connections. These are not just casual contacts, but people who can truly help you grow and make better decisions.
The 4Fs Decision-Making Process
A simple framework for making decisions:
Frame the Question: Have at least two options to choose from.
Fact Find: Gather relevant information to help you decide.
Final Decision: Make the choice and set a time to commit to it.
Follow Up: Review your decision later to see if you need to change course.
This process helps take the stress out of big decisions and makes it easier to move forward.
Use a Struggle Timer to Push Through Obstacles
When you hit a mental block, set a timer for five to ten minutes and try to push through the challenge. If you are still stuck after that time, take a break. But often, you will find you’ve gotten past the obstacle and back into the flow.
Overall, Time Wise is a great read for anyone looking to manage their time more effectively. Whether you’re already familiar with productivity methods or new to the topic, this book offers easy to apply advice that can make a real difference.
November 12, 2024
Things mentioned that I liked:
- make process more enjoyable
- activities in distant future are more appealing than immediate future so ask yourself “what if it’s next Tuesday? Will I still be excited?”
- focus on the following day (what do I need to achieve tomorrow?)
- we prefer activities we choose instead of things we feel forced to do
- it’s easy to be mindless about how you allocate time with so many minutes
- pack things away! Closure to work day
- seeing the clock instils a sense of urgency = maintains motivation
- small changes in where you place objects can lead to large changes in behaviour
- practise remembering things in order to remember them
- label your emotions = reduces the intensity
- telling yourself you have to do things = resentment
Say > I get to. Reframes from chore to gift
- when in group settings, look for an odd number
- people appreciate small acts of kindness - say yes BUT I’ll only be able to stay for 20 mins for example
- make process more enjoyable
- activities in distant future are more appealing than immediate future so ask yourself “what if it’s next Tuesday? Will I still be excited?”
- focus on the following day (what do I need to achieve tomorrow?)
- we prefer activities we choose instead of things we feel forced to do
- it’s easy to be mindless about how you allocate time with so many minutes
- pack things away! Closure to work day
- seeing the clock instils a sense of urgency = maintains motivation
- small changes in where you place objects can lead to large changes in behaviour
- practise remembering things in order to remember them
- label your emotions = reduces the intensity
- telling yourself you have to do things = resentment
Say > I get to. Reframes from chore to gift
- when in group settings, look for an odd number
- people appreciate small acts of kindness - say yes BUT I’ll only be able to stay for 20 mins for example
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
Some of the strategies in here have genuinely changed the way I’m working for the better. I wanted some help for time management, I got some. That said, there are a lot of places I felt very alienated from the target audience. More than one piece of advice was dependent on having the money to spend (one section’s end point was genuinely to buy one of those timed locked kitchen boxes that are like £70..), or some poor soul to delegate your unwanted tasks to. A few sections also felt fairly repetitive.
I think this could have worked better if it was a workbook rather than a series of short essays and bullet points/sign postings to her website… aaaand if there was more of connection to how most people are living in this day and age.
It shall be a reminder for me to read a little further before buying a similar book.
I think this could have worked better if it was a workbook rather than a series of short essays and bullet points/sign postings to her website… aaaand if there was more of connection to how most people are living in this day and age.
It shall be a reminder for me to read a little further before buying a similar book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2023
Amantha Imber’s "Time Wise" is a transformative book, transcending traditional time-management concepts. Each chapter houses practical, actionable solutions, creating a seamless blend of theory and practice.
Crucially, these aren't mere theoretical ideas - they are proven strategies employed by notable high-achievers across diverse fields.
In a nutshell, "Time Wise" is more than a compelling read. It is a dynamic guide that empowers readers to harness their time efficiently. Dive into its pages and prepare to redefine your relationship with time.
Crucially, these aren't mere theoretical ideas - they are proven strategies employed by notable high-achievers across diverse fields.
In a nutshell, "Time Wise" is more than a compelling read. It is a dynamic guide that empowers readers to harness their time efficiently. Dive into its pages and prepare to redefine your relationship with time.
February 25, 2025
Solid Read - Repetitive In Parts but could be useful as a reference point
I’m fairly well read in the productivity and time management space, so overall I didn’t really take away much from the book. There were a few useful sections, but I’d come across quite a lot of the content before.
I feel like it would be a good reference book for someone starting out in the time management space, or someone looking for a few quick ideas on how to boost productivity.
Not a book I would add to my list of solid recommendations, but I can see the value someone may get from it.
I’m fairly well read in the productivity and time management space, so overall I didn’t really take away much from the book. There were a few useful sections, but I’d come across quite a lot of the content before.
I feel like it would be a good reference book for someone starting out in the time management space, or someone looking for a few quick ideas on how to boost productivity.
Not a book I would add to my list of solid recommendations, but I can see the value someone may get from it.
January 30, 2023
I’m a total Amantha fangirl (especially the “How I Work” podcast), so naturally I lapped this up. So much good stuff in here but I really liked her advice to setup habits instead of goals — because goals rely on reaching achievement, whereas good habits (or systems) give you continuous progress (ie. you’re in a “constant state of success, as opposed to a constant state of failure until you reach the goal).
November 3, 2022
Great read - full of great tips and tricks for managing your time. Definitely going to be applying some of the tactics.
This is definitely a book with a specific audience in mind, so won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But If you’re a professional that is caught in meeting overload, or a feeling of busy work, then this is going to be a very helpful read.
This is definitely a book with a specific audience in mind, so won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But If you’re a professional that is caught in meeting overload, or a feeling of busy work, then this is going to be a very helpful read.
June 12, 2023
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. If you've ever faced challenges optimizing yourself and your time, this book offers abundant practical information you can readily apply and test. Dr. Imber's insights are invaluable, providing actionable strategies to significantly impact your personal and professional life.
August 18, 2024
The author sounds like such a girlie swat - as the young ones would call her. Her bio is scary - youngest graduate, runs a business, also had a musical career? runs a podcast, writes books…
Like a lot of these sort of books, it takes stuff from all the other books of the same type.
But it does it well.
4 stars
So far this year my library saved me $1951.47
Like a lot of these sort of books, it takes stuff from all the other books of the same type.
But it does it well.
4 stars
So far this year my library saved me $1951.47
September 26, 2024
This book summarizes many other books with short and straightforward chapters and some actionable items at the end of each one. I liked the format and that it didn't include never-ending fake stories to illustrate the point. Otherwise, I didn't find any insights I hadn't heard before, and the I-want-to-be-so-funny writing style didn't connect with me.
February 15, 2023
Helpful strategies and the layout is really good. The evidence and stories from other people is done really modestly compared to other books of this nature. Sometimes they can be great excuse to name-drop but this was done very well.
April 15, 2023
Great and inspiring ideas/tips along with loads of motivation... a lot to take in and know where to start... but perfect to pick and choose options that resonate for your own individual needs and your personal requirements for successful time management. Enjoyed audio and Aussie accent.
September 11, 2023
the book has good strategies that can be implemented to ensuring we use our time more wisely but for me i felt as though it was written with the focus of those who work in the corporate world and how they can manage their time, meetings, work and commitments
December 25, 2023
These highly digestible chapters are highlights of various podcast episodes. I've listened to the podcast over the years, but while there wasn't really anything new, I appreciated being able to find a key lesson easily, and see direct tips to put it into practice
January 2, 2024
Tried to listen to audiobook and had to return it because voice was grating! Reading ebook was better but being self-help probably needed to read slowly and implement one chapter at a time, rather than read all at once and forget it as quickly.
May 28, 2024
I thought this was going to be just another time management book, but was surprised in how good it was. I dont feel she is bringing anything new herself, but instead summarising techniques from other experts. However there was some great concepts and I liked the simple layout.
September 8, 2024
i read this on the flight. really good tips for my incredibly crazy busy days.
I liked the ‘to-discuss’ list. Let me see how i can make that work for me..
..and i finished my yearly goal. This would be the earliest i finished all 20 books for the year.
I liked the ‘to-discuss’ list. Let me see how i can make that work for me..
..and i finished my yearly goal. This would be the earliest i finished all 20 books for the year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews