I picked up The PLAN out of curiosity, open to explore a time management approach that wasn’t all about productivity. While not previously acquainted with Adachi’s Lazy Genius system, I was intrigued by the promise of a framework that recognizes our fluctuating energy and focus throughout the day and week—a reality that traditional methods often ignore.

Adachi’s system is particularly refreshing because it speaks directly to the complexities modern women face. Our realities are often neglected by conventional time-management guides and gurus. Yet even though it is written for a female audience, the cover is an understated design that offers an honest counterpoint to the typical "screaming pink" offerings for women. This reinforces the awareness that effective planning is not about rigidity but about adaptability and compassion for oneself.

While the PLAN Adachi promotes is itself straightforward and useful, one of the book’s unexpected strengths lies in its later section of pep talks. I initially planned to skip these, assuming they’d be superfluous. However, when I reached the third and final part of the book, I found these motivational passages sincere. For me, I appreciated the advice on how to say no and how to manage on days when exhaustion is a driving force. These moments of encouragement reiterate a refrain found throughout the book and serve as a powerful reminder that even on our less than perfect days, there’s kindness in acknowledging our limits while still moving forward.

Overall, The PLAN stands as a practical guide that validates the everyday struggles of balancing a busy life with the need for self-compassion. While the layout and tone might not resonate with every reader, its core message is both empowering and reassuring. Time management is about adapting to life’s ebb and flow rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all model. For many women (and indeed anyone caught in the daily hustle), this book offers an invaluable blend of realistic strategies and empathetic advice.

A time management book by a woman for women. Kendra explains why the time management books and standards women struggle to follow won’t work, and why they need to stop blaming themselves. She reframes the way women can approach managing their time, and most importantly, their mindset.

The book is broken into three parts. The first part explains the principles of the “PLAN” (lens), which is more of a mindset shift than a rigid system. The second section then gives examples of how Kendra uses that mindset framework to plan a day, week, month, and more, with some practical ways to approach the things you have to do and hope to do, taking into account the PLAN mindset. The third part is a series of specific pep talks, that you can go back and read/listen to when you need motivation or a reset for your mindset for a specific challenge.

There is so much I love about Kendra (and this book), but mostly, it’s the way she shares her gift of her mindset. She is pragmatic, practical, funny, and compassionate, which makes her (and her books) so inspiring and motivational. I love the casual tone of the book. She manages to be so wise (sometimes I just want to tattoo all her words into my brain), but also so relatable (no judgment at all, and will crack a joke just when you need it to help you let your guard down and remember the idea better). She also is a master of analogies and imagery. She teaches her lessons in multiple ways that are accessible and memorable (one involves a taco floatie). Again, the silly helps cut through the tough, which cracks open more room for growth.
The third pep talk section is quite clever. It allows you to easily pick up the book when you are struggling and have an easy refresh on the things you need to hear most. The pep talks also will cross-reference chapters you may want to re-read to help you in that moment. It makes the book a book worth purchasing, because it allows you to use the book as a future reference guide (not just a book you pick up once and then are done with) (case in point, I own this as an audio book and print book, and I’m a 99.9% library user).

If you are a long time lover of all things Lazy Genius, this book fits in with a lot of the Lazy Genius principles, but puts together the thing you are familiar with in a new way. It shows you how versatile the 13 Lazy Genius Principles are (and the The Lazy Genius Method introduced in Kendra’s second book), but I think even if you know the Lazy Genius principles, it is helpful to see all the different ways you can use them to live a more authentic, and less exhausted, life. If you are not familiar with the Lazy Genius principles, I would start with Kendra’s first book (The Lazy Genius Way), then move to this one. You don’t need to read The Lazy Genius Way to follow or understand this book, but there is so much goodness in that book that I would start with that one (it will also help you see if the mindset shifts are for you).

The only complaint I have (although I mean this as a compliment, not a complaint), is that I wanted more. I think it works that this is short and not overwhelming. I think there was a lot of intention in keeping it the exact length it is (short and packed with helpful information). The book is by no means lacking in goodness. It’s more that I can’t get enough of her examples and stories, and applications of her ideas, so I could have kept on reading, even though she covered all the bases and explained everything well. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I just always want more time inside Kendra’s brain.

This was technically my first ARC (although I ended up waiting for the audiobook to finish it, and I bought a physical copy after I read it). I never ask for ARCs (because I don’t want to feel forced to write a review about a book that wasn’t for me), but I was so confident I would love this one, and Kendra didn’t disappoint. I also was fortunate to snag a spot with her pop in book club tour, and spending time talking to Kendra with our book club made me appreciate this book even more. I can’t wait for her next book!

4.5/5⭐️

I have read Kendra's other two books and I'm an avid listener of her podcast. However, not too far into this book, I started to think, "I don't like this." But I wanted to be fair and read the whole book. I have not changed my mind. I'm actually a natural planner/organizer person, but I've still cleaned wisdom from Kendra in the past. This felt like a hodgepodge of all the advice she's ever given...with a lot of confusing acronyms/diagrams. It even felt like a hodgepodge of other people's advice. I agree with other reviews--there's a pretty aggressive feminist tone throughout this book that's fairly off putting. Mostly though, I just thought this book was completely overwhelming. Would not recommend.

Okay, hear me out - any book that says “I know you want to punch me in the boob for saying that” is a 5 star book. I will die on this hill. And a book about planning and overwhelm that says that? Yeah, you’ve got me, I’m all in.

Now, admittedly, that quote wasn’t until nearly the end, however, Adachi had me from the start. Her mentions of what the current productivity culture looks like, why it’s different for women, and what we can do to start understanding that we cannot - and SHOULD NOT - do it all won me over long before she got to that quote.

This is my new go-to recommendation for all the women in my life. Loved it.

A different take on time management, as Kendra Adachi promises. She attends to energy, motivation, and self-compassion. This is much less about getting things done than it is figuring out how to make space for what matters and come to terms with what is realistic. I did not finish the book with loads of actionable steps but that was not the goal of the book. Adachi wants more of a mindset shift for her readers, most of whom are female, in the male-dominated productivity space.

This was a great read for anyone looking to manage their time better! Kendra always has practical, thoughtful advice, and this book was no exception!

Kendra Adachi has long been one of my favorite podcasters. When she published her first book, The Lazy Genius Way, I immediately bought it. Since then, I have purchased and enjoyed every one of her books. Her latest book, The Plan, delivers! PLAN is an acronym for prepare, live, adjust, and notice. Kendra walks you through these letters with her wit and genius. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kendra Adachi has done it again! She's purposefully and thoughtfully captured the exact organization and planning method I've been searching desperately for for years and bundled it all up in the most useful guide. Wherever Kendra goes, I will follow!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is a perfect read for people that enjoy productivity. It's a great read on time management and productivity. Kendra offers tips on making time and the acronym plan was determined to mean to prepare, live, adjust, and notice. Inspiring and motivating.

This is a time management book that is more focused on helping you with the life you're actually living. I really appreciated the focus on acknowledging that plans need to change based on what's happening in your life. I thought the book was full of interesting ideas and planning methods that I think will be useful to me.

The Plan is an organization book from a good friend. Kendra provides common sense advice that she has implemented on her own.

I never really realized how much general "self help" books are really geared toward men until it was pointed out in this book. The PLAN helped me see that I can be productive, manage my time, and also balance that with rest & other people's priorities. I don't need help being a better CEO to a hedgefund full of finance bros or to lift 400 pounds at the gym. I just need to learn how to balance my priorities with the other stuff I "have" to do.

The PLAN is equal parts motivating and validating that it's just as productive to step back when I don't have the energy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Plan by Kenra Adachi!

The Lazy Genius changed things big time for me, so I was excited to give this one a read. Kendra Adachi always seems to be one step ahead in the efficiencies of life and I’m grateful she chooses to share her wisdom with her audience. I found this book filled with practical tips, tricks, and lessons on time management!

I understand the need to write a book like this for women and I liked the tone. However, because it is aimed at women, I understandably didn't feel it appealed to me at times.

I wanted to love this. I love Kendra so much and find her tips and podcast so helpful. But I left this one feeling like I wish she had just stuck to The Lazy Genius Way and that's it. Although I found the parts of the book that equated planning to a woman's cycle interesting, the rest of it was alphabet soup. Waaaaaay too many acronyms and things to remember. I did like the practical applications at the end of the book but overall I feel like simpler is better and I wish she had stuck with book one.

I'm a little biased in this review because I love Kendra so so much. The Plan was no different from all of the other content that Kendra provides - smart, thoughtful, full of grace. She's like that annoying big sister who is always right and always wise. I've read many time management books and I've never *felt* a time management book like this before. Whereas other time management books made me feel bad because I was "wasting" time, The Plan made me feel like it had a way to manage my goals, expectations and projects to be more efficient and to actually get them done (or not done). All of Kendra's content resonates, no matter if it's a newsletter, podcast or full book and The Plan is no different.

As always, Kendra Adachi dispenses organizational advice with a healthy dose of humor and wisdom. I love that she builds on familiar Lazy Genius principles to approach planning differently from the typical productivity mindset. This is one of those books that you highlight and revisit over and over again!

2.5 stars rounded down to 2

To be up front - I am not familiar with Kendra Adachi's other work. I've never read her other books or listened to her podcast. I think maybe that would have helped going into this.

I enjoyed the *concept* of this book. But the execution was confusing and left a lot to be desired.

It's nice reading a productivity book that's not all about the "grindset" or hustling your way to the top. I appreciated that women's issues were somewhat brought into the fold, since apparently and unsurprisingly, most productivity literature is written by and geared towards men.

However, it all fell a little short. I found there to be way too many frameworks and acronyms and plans (ha) for it to be actually useful. It felt like she was attempting to resolve too much and just ended up confusing me a bit. I did find parts of it to be useful and some of the quotes were good reminders. But the chaos of the book makes me feel unlikely to ever pick it up again, unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

An easy to read and practical book about compassionate time management, with strategies for getting things done without overhauling your life.