Just a gentle nudge
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Click here to get your free AI Hacks For Academics Guide 〰️
I was speaking with a prospective client recently during a consultation (any of you can book one of these for free btw, here) and we were laughing about the emails that begin with “just a gentle nudge…”
This can instantly be followed by that internal: “oh shit — what ball have I dropped now?”
What’s actually going on is this:
Someone checking in with you about something you haven’t done yet feels awful.
So you assume the problem is: “I’m disorganised.”
Maybe. But more often, the real problem is what you make it mean, even when you’re actually not that disorganised.
You get to decide:
a) Did you actually drop the ball?
If yes — fine. What’s the fix?
Do you need a clearer time-management system?
Or have you simply got too much on your plate and it’s time to cut something back?
b) Or… is it completely reasonable that you haven’t prioritised it yet?
If they haven’t given you a timeline, or if it hasn’t hit the top of your list, that’s OK.
Their urgency doesn’t automatically become your priority.
This is the core of time management: the mechanics AND the mindset.
Not just organising the work — but deciding when things are actually a problem based on your terms, not when someone else needs a thing. And sometimes that means letting your own priorities come first and accepting that people might have opinions about you that are simply wrong. Getting comfortable with that is the ultimate time management hack.
Need help with this? On Tuesday 2nd Dec at 1pm GMT (UK time), I’m hosting a free webinar for women academics: 20 time management mistakes academics make. Sign up here to join.
