{
    "componentChunkName": "component---src-templates-editorial-ssr-tsx",
    "path": "/articles/antonia-bowring-q3-career-chapter",
    "result": {"pageContext":{"editorial":{"title":"Entering Your Career Q3: How Accomplished Women Can Discover What Comes Next","description":"Executive coach and longtime Chief Guide Antonia Bowring says accomplished women should make exploring what comes next a regular practice while they're still leading at full speed.","slug":{"current":"antonia-bowring-q3-career-chapter"},"isPodcast":null,"megaphoneLink":null,"articleAuthor":{"name":"Antonia Bowring","slug":{"current":"antonia-bowring"}},"byline":null,"publishDate":"2026-09-29","episodeImage":{"imageAltTag":null,"asset":null},"heroBackgroundColor":null,"heroImage":{"caption":null,"attribution":null,"altText":"Illustration of paper airplane following curving path","asset":{"id":"image-f569f357348d2d02eb54c24d38d64873feca6dff-2400x1256-png","url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/xcsyo6gw/production/f569f357348d2d02eb54c24d38d64873feca6dff-2400x1256.png"}},"id":"-4833adf2-be4e-5797-8abd-13fe5852d5a4","category":null,"editorialCategory":{"id":"-1459ffb0-8694-5a03-a471-a29b18179e1a","title":"Portfolio & Nonlinear Career Paths","slug":{"current":"portfolio-nonlinear-career-paths"}},"podcastDescription":null,"podcastTranscript":null,"isSponsored":null,"_rawSponsorship":null,"_updatedAt":"2026-09-29T17:14:05Z","content":[{"_key":"086dd5729271","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"bd2dbb8ae9790","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"AB Strategies Principal "},{"_key":"bd2dbb8ae9791","_type":"span","marks":["bec898cbef4a","em"],"text":"Antonia Bowring"},{"_key":"bd2dbb8ae9792","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":" is an author, executive coach, and longtime Chief Guide."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"bec898cbef4a","_type":"link","href":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonia-bowring/"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f7fed7065de6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"113a4694f4fc0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"About a year ago, I found myself feeling very anxious about the future. Both of my sons were in college, my work was going well, and I wasn’t planning to retire. In fact, I’m seemingly allergic to that word and its connotations. But I was starting to think more seriously about what I wanted the next stage of my life to look like."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fe96321c781b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"19337a1537940","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Do I have another big chapter of work in me? Do I "},{"_key":"19337a1537941","_type":"span","marks":["8122846e97c1"],"text":"want one"},{"_key":"19337a1537942","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"? What do I want my work to look like five or 10 years from now? And how does the rest of my life fit into that picture? These weren’t new questions, but I was just paying much more attention to them."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"8122846e97c1","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/category/portfolio-nonlinear-career-paths"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f08ba3cf4ed4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"78fed2d880530","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I began noticing versions of the same questions being asked among the incredibly accomplished and dynamic women I coach and have in my "},{"_key":"78fed2d880531","_type":"span","marks":["35d0800d9db8"],"text":"Chief Core Groups"},{"_key":"78fed2d880532","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":". They may be 45, 50, or 60, and they are still very much in the game, leading companies and divisions, building businesses, and sitting on executive teams. Yet increasingly I hear: “Do I have the energy for another big job?” “Do I want one?” “And if I don’t, what exactly is on the other side?”"}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"35d0800d9db8","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/core-groups"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fd5482991496","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d72b859079910","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"We spend decades intentionally building our careers. We set goals, seek mentors, negotiate opportunities, and plan our next moves. Yet many of us spend little time thinking about what follows our most career-intensive years."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e8ed97cb6ec1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c8b3034522f40","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I think we should start much earlier, not waiting until we are leaving or facing an enormous change."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"1674e53a2a58","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c8452e8ae1ec0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Start Before You Know You’re Leaving"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"6ddfe2b46d4b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"4c35f9f1a8b50","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Thinking about what comes next doesn’t mean you’re winding down. One woman I coached was fired in her early 50s after leading a prestigious luxury fashion company. Her doubts about whether she had another “big” role in her were real.  But she did, and she went on to run a major division of a big public consumer company. Her success there has been extraordinary and hard won."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"1f9137b222cc","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e3943673c2c20","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The point isn’t that another big job is the right answer. There isn’t one right answer, but finding your truth takes time."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"612c1c8531a6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"01b273aae7080","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"We can see the irony here, right? Time and space are exactly what dynamic, accomplished women have very little of. They have all-consuming jobs and are tired. Some know they don’t want to keep working at this pace indefinitely, but they have little bandwidth to think seriously about alternatives."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"328a7f53d1e3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"355fde3aa8c40","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Maybe the answer is smaller and more sustainable: a practice of giving the question some attention while you are still very much in your current life."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"165350edbb7c","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"3063f6f79e230","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Your Old Scorecard May No Longer Work"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"f23523695923","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ef6b2855647e0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"For much of our careers, we know how to keep score. Measures like title, compensation, scope, responsibility, influence, recognition, or achievement can serve us well. But they may not be the right way to keep score in "},{"_key":"ef6b2855647e1","_type":"span","marks":["1de61d0484c4"],"text":"the next chapter"},{"_key":"ef6b2855647e2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"1de61d0484c4","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/prioritizing-alignment-over-authority"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"56a6d7732c8a","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"3b5e349a3fd10","_type":"span","marks":["7fd3558c9f24"],"text":"Arthur Brooks"},{"_key":"3b5e349a3fd11","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" offers a useful lens. Drawing on psychologist Raymond Cattell’s work, Brooks distinguishes between fluid intelligence — our capacity for rapid problem-solving and innovation — and crystallized intelligence, which draws on accumulated knowledge, "},{"_key":"3b5e349a3fd12","_type":"span","marks":["b3503d3556c5"],"text":"pattern recognition"},{"_key":"3b5e349a3fd13","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", and wisdom. Brooks argues that, later in our careers, we need to recognize the value of making greater use of the second."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"7fd3558c9f24","_type":"link","href":"https://richroll.com/podcast/arthur-brooks-683/"},{"_key":"b3503d3556c5","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/ai-imposter-syndrome-women-leaders"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"722c5ec3fc93","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"fafb5fa743700","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I have spent a lot of time asking myself what else I need to learn to stay relevant, particularly as technology and AI "},{"_key":"fafb5fa743701","_type":"span","marks":["1206ba6e1505"],"text":"move so quickly"},{"_key":"fafb5fa743702","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":". But perhaps I need to ask another question, too: What wisdom (dare I use that word?) have I accumulated that I’m ready to share?"}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"1206ba6e1505","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/category/ai-the-future-of-work"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e868889142b9","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f37c57e0136c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Is that less ambitious, or just a "},{"_key":"f37c57e0136c1","_type":"span","marks":["33a37b27ba69"],"text":"different kind of ambition"},{"_key":"f37c57e0136c2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"? For me, it means having a new scorecard for the next chapter. Who knows, yours might measure agency over your time, contribution, relationships, health, curiosity, service, or fun."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"33a37b27ba69","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/when-ambition-evolves-our-definitions-should-too"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"4143d789e495","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"72384cf1f65f0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I see this in another woman I’ve coached. After a senior career in financial services, she moved into leading a nonprofit and is now considering another chapter as a coach. Is coaching “bigger” than her previous roles? Is that even a useful question? What matters more is if it taps into who she has become, allows her to contribute in ways that matter to her, and fits the life she wants to live."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"48629de8aea4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"76c4de9ce85b0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Create a Practice, Not a Plan"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"0afcd3ae3fda","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"1355cc5aff8a0","_type":"span","marks":["65e73366e005"],"text":"Avivah Wittenberg-Cox"},{"_key":"1355cc5aff8a1","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" writes about our new “Q3,” the substantial stage between midlife and old age that longer lives have created. The old career-to-retirement map doesn’t describe the lives many of us are actually living. The possibilities can be exciting and a little overwhelming."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"65e73366e005","_type":"link","href":"https://elderberries.substack.com/"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"cab3c60ba289","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b8b7574172fc0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I’m beginning to think that, rather than another map, the answer is finding time and developing practices that give those possibilities room to emerge."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"58710e10d5be","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"4d4612392c680","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"For me, that has included journaling and reading, talking with my spouse, therapist, and friends, getting financial advice, walking the Camino in Spain, exploring spirituality more intentionally, saying yes to some things and no to others, and paying attention to what those choices tell me."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f24a8b1fe7fc","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"00b67a9e5ec30","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Gradually, things are shifting. I’m beginning to recognize that I may be almost, not quite, ready for a different rhythm. I want more control over my time, more travel, more quiet, and more nature. I’m less interested in filling every available space with work. (I know many of you won’t believe that.)"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0841aa1467a0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"137d12acb10b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"This has started to emerge because I have been giving the questions some room. That is what I mean by making discovery a practice. The practices will be different for each of us. What matters is creating regular space outside the demands of day-to-day work to ask questions, notice what is changing, try things out, and revisit what you are learning."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"581f37ac9164","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"829888f4b2ff0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"For me, two questions are increasingly at the center of that practice: How do I want to live next? And how do I want to serve next?"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"2bc4b2a882b4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b83c3123f9f10","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I don’t have complete answers yet, and that’s OK. You don’t need to know what your next chapter is, but you do need to begin the practice of discovering it."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"supportingContent":null,"_rawEditorialCategory":{"_id":"cb81834e-efb7-4ed6-b4c0-3f4aaa8d9afc","_type":"category","_rev":"lCyVbldkBR4D0kE0au8Ob6","_createdAt":"2025-10-09T14:06:33Z","_updatedAt":"2025-10-26T16:01:20Z","description":"The career ladder is broken. See how women leaders are crafting multifaceted careers through bold pivots, side ventures, and non-traditional paths to success.","hideFromNav":false,"seo":{"_type":"seoFields","seoDescription":"Explore how women leaders are building dynamic, nonlinear careers. Get insights on portfolio careers, pivots, and redefining professional success on your own terms.","seoMetaTitle":"Chief | Portfolio Careers - Nonlinear Career Paths"},"slug":{"_type":"slug","current":"portfolio-nonlinear-career-paths"},"title":"Portfolio & Nonlinear Career Paths","id":"-1459ffb0-8694-5a03-a471-a29b18179e1a","children":[],"parent":null},"article_related_series":null},"next":{"title":"I Keep a To-Don’t List. It Changed How I Work.","article":{"title":"I Keep a To-Don’t List. It Changed How I Work.","description":"Author and former Time Inc. executive Fran Hauser says she spent years trying to figure out how to fit more into her days. Now she’s much more interested in making sure the right things make it in.","slug":{"current":"fran-hauser-to-dont-list"},"isPodcast":null,"megaphoneLink":null,"articleAuthor":{"name":"Fran Hauser","slug":{"current":"fran-hauser"}},"byline":null,"publishDate":"2026-09-24","episodeImage":{"imageAltTag":null,"asset":null},"heroBackgroundColor":null,"heroImage":{"caption":null,"attribution":null,"altText":"Headshot of Fran Hauser","asset":{"id":"image-6b1b51bba3a5c35e4f3f02c73437f5547b4d79a8-1920x1080-jpg","url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/xcsyo6gw/production/6b1b51bba3a5c35e4f3f02c73437f5547b4d79a8-1920x1080.jpg"}},"id":"-86af78d4-ecd0-5c23-bc54-2ed005bc7f84","category":null,"editorialCategory":{"id":"-02442d75-c0aa-5aed-af69-e3094609e593","title":"Work-Life Balance","slug":{"current":"work-life-balance"}},"podcastDescription":null,"podcastTranscript":null,"isSponsored":null,"_rawSponsorship":null,"_updatedAt":"2026-09-24T16:28:01Z","content":[{"_key":"d4d39a2873d6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe40","_type":"span","marks":["e4f03eef7d7c","em"],"text":"Fran Hauser"},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe41","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":" is a longtime champion of women in the workplace and the author of "},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe42","_type":"span","marks":["92ab1bedd517","em"],"text":"Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour: The Ambitious Woman’s Guide to Doing Less and Achieving More"},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe43","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":" and "},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe44","_type":"span","marks":["2d4395d9fedb","em"],"text":"The Myth of the Nice Girl"},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe45","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":". A former President of Digital at Time Inc., she has invested in more than 40 female-founded companies and owns Bedford Books in Bedford, New York."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"e4f03eef7d7c","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/"},{"_key":"92ab1bedd517","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/twentyminutes"},{"_key":"2d4395d9fedb","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/nice-girl"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f7acb90efb8e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c81fc7ae7cf60","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"At this point in my career, I get far more requests and opportunities than I can say yes to."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3378b4ca5f2f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"fcbdac683edd0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"That’s one of the wonderful problems that comes with more than two decades "},{"_key":"fcbdac683edd1","_type":"span","marks":["7b35b5da357c"],"text":"as an executive"},{"_key":"fcbdac683edd2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", investing in 40+ companies, serving on boards, mentoring hundreds of women, writing books, and speaking. There’s always another interesting opportunity landing in my inbox. And because I’m a recovering people-pleaser (anyone else?), my instinct is to consider every single one."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"7b35b5da357c","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/topic/leadership"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a297367878f5","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"0137ddb2009c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I used to spend far too much time agonizing over these decisions. "},{"_key":"0137ddb2009c1","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"Could I squeeze it in? Would I disappoint someone if I said no? Maybe it wouldn’t take that much time?"},{"_key":"0137ddb2009c2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" I wrote a whole book about "},{"_key":"0137ddb2009c3","_type":"span","marks":["457764c0c194"],"text":"being a nice girl"},{"_key":"0137ddb2009c4","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", so believe me, I know!"}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"457764c0c194","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/nice-girl"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5fc8a3bb9939","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5a9bbb5fc9130","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"One of the best ways I’ve learned to protect my time has very little to do with managing it. It has to do with deciding in advance what I’m "},{"_key":"5a9bbb5fc9131","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"not"},{"_key":"5a9bbb5fc9132","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" going to do at all. I call it my “To-Don’t” list."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ad22fbdd1a3f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5f2ed8ea1bcf0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Meet Your “To-Don’t” List"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"44e036789332","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cd5c1458e3780","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I first came across this idea in "},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3781","_type":"span","marks":["85503e55f7d3"],"text":"Arianna Huffington’s"},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3782","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" book "},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3783","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"Thrive"},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3784","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":". She wrote about the satisfaction of crossing something off her to-do list simply by deciding not to do it. That fascinated me. We spend so much time thinking about what we need to accomplish. What if we became just as intentional about "},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3785","_type":"span","marks":["b7435b10cd68"],"text":"what we won’t"},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3786","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"?"}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"85503e55f7d3","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/arianna-huffington-mental-health"},{"_key":"b7435b10cd68","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/can-no-be-a-complete-sentence-for-women-leaders"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"854ad2f57d18","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f61e3872d5550","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"So I created two “to-don’t” lists: one for work and one for my personal life. I started by zooming out and identifying the types of projects and commitments I wasn’t going to prioritize during this season."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0e454ab77bb3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d9461eafc2380","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Right now, my work “to-don’t” list includes investing in companies outside my existing portfolio and taking on new board seats. On the personal side, I’m not taking on leadership roles or running committees for my sons’ PTA."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fd3856c96a34","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"9d7f67ffd23a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Then I took it one step further. For the requests I knew would keep coming, I wrote templated email responses."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e5d9539b74d4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"965b03086b7c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Now, when a founder reaches out about an investment opportunity, I send one of my pre-written emails. I don’t overthink how to respond. I made the decision when I was thinking clearly about my goals, before my people-pleasing instinct had a chance to kick in."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a0bd5c6a2c67","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"9c29708933b90","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Want to create your own to-don’t list? Start with this:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"1d90494b04af","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"4357ae422a010","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"1. Look at your calendar and to-do lists from the past three months. Notice anything you’re doing solely out of habit."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3148f9b9a2fb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"1d2088c5e9410","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"2. Ask yourself:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"b9b89d7dfeff","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"53a7fc000f9a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Does this support one of my current goals?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"14c2b7183288","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"469eb0e5ce730","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Is this a fundamental part of my job?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"c22fd9aed46e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cd59764b2ee30","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Does this give me access to a valuable connection or opportunity?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"82eefc47deb3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"a0d7d209daed0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Does this bring me joy, and do I want to keep making time for it?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"354c92198684","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d3af9ec47d8d0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"If you can’t answer yes to at least one, move it to your to-don’t list."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"2a1bbed3cdda","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"0428c4eb82e10","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Your list will change as your priorities do. The goal is to decide "},{"_key":"0428c4eb82e11","_type":"span","marks":["2b50deea9217"],"text":"what deserves your time"},{"_key":"0428c4eb82e12","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" during this season before everyone else decides for you."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"2b50deea9217","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/meghan-joyce-delegate-mental-load-accountability"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5d9083acafc0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e9785823400a0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Chronos and Kairos: Which One Is Running Your Day?"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"d18a95fc78fa","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"27f3a41fcd190","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The more senior I became, the easier it was to fill my day with “unproductive” things that needed my attention. I could be busy from "},{"_key":"27f3a41fcd191","_type":"span","marks":["1b9a5d840190"],"text":"morning"},{"_key":"27f3a41fcd192","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" to night and still have no time for the work that moved my career forward."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"1b9a5d840190","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/liz-plosser-morning-routine-high-achievers"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ce2dd0d1c5ed","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"439987fae8950","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Then my friend Bronwyn Saglimbeni, a communications coach, introduced me to two Greek concepts for time: Chronos and Kairos."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"003e26c9fb77","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"fca0d94a7e140","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Chronos is time as we usually measure it. Think about your color-coded calendars, schedules, and to-do lists. (I happen to love all of these things, and I suspect you might, too!)"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ff5edc531177","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"917d0f57b9390","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"As leaders, we spend a lot of our days in Chronos. We move from meeting to meeting, respond to emails, approve things, and check boxes. We can finish the day having accomplished an impressive amount while mostly maintaining the status quo."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"44a877812653","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f2752e35ca840","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Kairos, on the other hand, is what the Greeks refer to as the opportune time when the stars align. It’s living in the present moment. At work, I experience Kairos when I’m completely absorbed in something that requires my full presence. I might be working on a book manuscript, preparing for a talk, or mentoring someone through an important decision."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"c8d1e30732ec","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"76302b32a1ed0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I also find Kairos through what I call “passive productivity,” the space we give our brains to make connections without forcing them. It’s why some of your best ideas happen while you’re taking a walk or standing in the shower."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"99024acbc6b1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"be090e60b4320","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When I looked closely at my calendar, I realized I had become "},{"_key":"be090e60b4321","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"extremely"},{"_key":"be090e60b4322","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" good at Chronos time. But I wasn’t leaving much room for Kairos time, which is what moves my career forward."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"79bc2152f96f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"07b8bd2d1b3c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Remember, there is zero correlation between being busy and creating value. The work that moves your career forward requires time to think, create, connect, and make decisions, not just check boxes off a to-do list."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"4cd8c2e2ae0d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d512acc42c880","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The more senior you become, the more valuable your time becomes. Protect it for the thinking, decisions, relationships, and work that only "},{"_key":"d512acc42c881","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"you"},{"_key":"d512acc42c882","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" can do."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f265b5fea5a4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d6ae84e7fe060","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Give Your Best Hours to What Matters"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"4a49778f94b1","_type":"labelledImage","altText":"Cover of Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour by Fran Hauser","asset":{"_id":"image-88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628-png","_type":"sanity.imageAsset","_rev":"PJpa1qlXj0JUppT5EYiNl7","_createdAt":"2026-09-24T16:23:39Z","_updatedAt":"2026-09-24T16:23:39Z","assetId":"88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83","extension":"png","metadata":{"_type":"sanity.imageMetadata","blurHash":"ePLgLd-XyXTT^O%2NGoLWBW;~Bn,IoSeJ6%MWBRja|r@EfX3$*rxrv","dimensions":{"_type":"sanity.imageDimensions","aspectRatio":0.8757961783439491,"height":628,"width":550},"hasAlpha":true,"isOpaque":true,"lqip":"data:image/png;base64,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","palette":{"_type":"sanity.imagePalette","darkMuted":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#5c4464","foreground":"#fff","population":0,"title":"#fff"},"darkVibrant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#0eaa90","foreground":"#fff","population":7.34,"title":"#fff"},"dominant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#d4c4ac","foreground":"#000","population":9.2,"title":"#fff"},"lightMuted":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#d4c4ac","foreground":"#000","population":9.2,"title":"#fff"},"lightVibrant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#fccc4c","foreground":"#000","population":0,"title":"#000"},"muted":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#ae906b","foreground":"#fff","population":4.02,"title":"#fff"},"vibrant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#f2690f","foreground":"#fff","population":4.88,"title":"#fff"}},"thumbHash":"5ggKFgTqx5eGd/dIZ3l2dol3AYevgvc="},"mimeType":"image/png","originalFilename":"Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour.png","path":"images/xcsyo6gw/production/88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628.png","sha1hash":"88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83","size":322172,"uploadId":"a7308eabd164fabdc83e6adac9a84dfd956210f3","url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/xcsyo6gw/production/88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628.png","filename":"Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour.png","width":550,"height":628,"placeholderUrl":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/xcsyo6gw/production/88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628.png?rect=66,0,419,628&w=%width%&h=%height%&q=80","id":"image-88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628-png","children":[],"parent":null},"caption":"Photo Credit: Crown Publishing"},{"_key":"9c18981805c0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"daffad244fc20","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I wrote my new book, "},{"_key":"daffad244fc21","_type":"span","marks":["5d179ac48683","em"],"text":"Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour"},{"_key":"daffad244fc22","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", for women who want to keep doing ambitious, meaningful work without letting it take over every available hour. It’s full of practical ways to find pockets of time hiding in your day and become more intentional about where you put them."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"5d179ac48683","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/twentyminutes"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"724bc37e342e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6b21e641d5800","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I spent years trying to figure out how to fit more into my days. These days, I’m much more interested in making sure the "},{"_key":"6b21e641d5801","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"right"},{"_key":"6b21e641d5802","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" things make it in."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0625356ab8ff","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b0f799fadcbc0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Your time is one of the most valuable things you have to give. Spend it on the work, people, and parts of your life that deserve more of you."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"supportingContent":null,"_rawEditorialCategory":{"_id":"2b197649-61de-47c2-b218-57ebaf0fabfb","_type":"category","_rev":"kuh6IZ2IntHupgeCdkG5dF","_createdAt":"2023-01-23T20:55:48Z","_updatedAt":"2025-10-26T14:46:10Z","description":"Discover how multihyphenate women leaders are changing what work-life balance looks like today. Here's how to make work AND life work for you.","seo":{"_type":"seoFields","seoDescription":"Learn how women leaders who juggle multiple roles are redefining work-life balance in the modern world. Read Chief to find out how to make both your career and personal life thrive.","seoMetaTitle":"Chief | Work Life Balance for Women - Women & Work Life Balance"},"slug":{"_type":"slug","current":"work-life-balance"},"title":"Work-Life Balance","id":"-02442d75-c0aa-5aed-af69-e3094609e593","children":[],"parent":null},"article_related_series":null},"slug":"fran-hauser-to-dont-list","heroImage":{"caption":null,"attribution":null,"altText":"Headshot of Fran Hauser","asset":{"id":"image-6b1b51bba3a5c35e4f3f02c73437f5547b4d79a8-1920x1080-jpg","url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/xcsyo6gw/production/6b1b51bba3a5c35e4f3f02c73437f5547b4d79a8-1920x1080.jpg"}},"content":[{"_key":"d4d39a2873d6","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe40","_type":"span","marks":["e4f03eef7d7c","em"],"text":"Fran Hauser"},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe41","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":" is a longtime champion of women in the workplace and the author of "},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe42","_type":"span","marks":["92ab1bedd517","em"],"text":"Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour: The Ambitious Woman’s Guide to Doing Less and Achieving More"},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe43","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":" and "},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe44","_type":"span","marks":["2d4395d9fedb","em"],"text":"The Myth of the Nice Girl"},{"_key":"3dc4b1f3abe45","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":". A former President of Digital at Time Inc., she has invested in more than 40 female-founded companies and owns Bedford Books in Bedford, New York."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"e4f03eef7d7c","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/"},{"_key":"92ab1bedd517","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/twentyminutes"},{"_key":"2d4395d9fedb","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/nice-girl"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f7acb90efb8e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c81fc7ae7cf60","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"At this point in my career, I get far more requests and opportunities than I can say yes to."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3378b4ca5f2f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"fcbdac683edd0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"That’s one of the wonderful problems that comes with more than two decades "},{"_key":"fcbdac683edd1","_type":"span","marks":["7b35b5da357c"],"text":"as an executive"},{"_key":"fcbdac683edd2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", investing in 40+ companies, serving on boards, mentoring hundreds of women, writing books, and speaking. There’s always another interesting opportunity landing in my inbox. And because I’m a recovering people-pleaser (anyone else?), my instinct is to consider every single one."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"7b35b5da357c","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/topic/leadership"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a297367878f5","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"0137ddb2009c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I used to spend far too much time agonizing over these decisions. "},{"_key":"0137ddb2009c1","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"Could I squeeze it in? Would I disappoint someone if I said no? Maybe it wouldn’t take that much time?"},{"_key":"0137ddb2009c2","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" I wrote a whole book about "},{"_key":"0137ddb2009c3","_type":"span","marks":["457764c0c194"],"text":"being a nice girl"},{"_key":"0137ddb2009c4","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", so believe me, I know!"}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"457764c0c194","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/nice-girl"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5fc8a3bb9939","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5a9bbb5fc9130","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"One of the best ways I’ve learned to protect my time has very little to do with managing it. It has to do with deciding in advance what I’m "},{"_key":"5a9bbb5fc9131","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"not"},{"_key":"5a9bbb5fc9132","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" going to do at all. I call it my “To-Don’t” list."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ad22fbdd1a3f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"5f2ed8ea1bcf0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Meet Your “To-Don’t” List"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"44e036789332","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cd5c1458e3780","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I first came across this idea in "},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3781","_type":"span","marks":["85503e55f7d3"],"text":"Arianna Huffington’s"},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3782","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" book "},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3783","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"Thrive"},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3784","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":". She wrote about the satisfaction of crossing something off her to-do list simply by deciding not to do it. That fascinated me. We spend so much time thinking about what we need to accomplish. What if we became just as intentional about "},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3785","_type":"span","marks":["b7435b10cd68"],"text":"what we won’t"},{"_key":"cd5c1458e3786","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"?"}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"85503e55f7d3","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/arianna-huffington-mental-health"},{"_key":"b7435b10cd68","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/can-no-be-a-complete-sentence-for-women-leaders"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"854ad2f57d18","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f61e3872d5550","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"So I created two “to-don’t” lists: one for work and one for my personal life. I started by zooming out and identifying the types of projects and commitments I wasn’t going to prioritize during this season."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0e454ab77bb3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d9461eafc2380","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Right now, my work “to-don’t” list includes investing in companies outside my existing portfolio and taking on new board seats. On the personal side, I’m not taking on leadership roles or running committees for my sons’ PTA."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"fd3856c96a34","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"9d7f67ffd23a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Then I took it one step further. For the requests I knew would keep coming, I wrote templated email responses."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"e5d9539b74d4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"965b03086b7c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Now, when a founder reaches out about an investment opportunity, I send one of my pre-written emails. I don’t overthink how to respond. I made the decision when I was thinking clearly about my goals, before my people-pleasing instinct had a chance to kick in."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"a0bd5c6a2c67","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"9c29708933b90","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Want to create your own to-don’t list? Start with this:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"1d90494b04af","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"4357ae422a010","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"1. Look at your calendar and to-do lists from the past three months. Notice anything you’re doing solely out of habit."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3148f9b9a2fb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"1d2088c5e9410","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"2. Ask yourself:"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"b9b89d7dfeff","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"53a7fc000f9a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Does this support one of my current goals?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"14c2b7183288","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"469eb0e5ce730","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Is this a fundamental part of my job?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"c22fd9aed46e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cd59764b2ee30","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Does this give me access to a valuable connection or opportunity?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"82eefc47deb3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"a0d7d209daed0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Does this bring me joy, and do I want to keep making time for it?"}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"354c92198684","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d3af9ec47d8d0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"If you can’t answer yes to at least one, move it to your to-don’t list."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"2a1bbed3cdda","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"0428c4eb82e10","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Your list will change as your priorities do. The goal is to decide "},{"_key":"0428c4eb82e11","_type":"span","marks":["2b50deea9217"],"text":"what deserves your time"},{"_key":"0428c4eb82e12","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" during this season before everyone else decides for you."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"2b50deea9217","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/meghan-joyce-delegate-mental-load-accountability"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5d9083acafc0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"e9785823400a0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Chronos and Kairos: Which One Is Running Your Day?"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"d18a95fc78fa","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"27f3a41fcd190","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The more senior I became, the easier it was to fill my day with “unproductive” things that needed my attention. I could be busy from "},{"_key":"27f3a41fcd191","_type":"span","marks":["1b9a5d840190"],"text":"morning"},{"_key":"27f3a41fcd192","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" to night and still have no time for the work that moved my career forward."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"1b9a5d840190","_type":"link","href":"https://chief.com/articles/liz-plosser-morning-routine-high-achievers"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ce2dd0d1c5ed","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"439987fae8950","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Then my friend Bronwyn Saglimbeni, a communications coach, introduced me to two Greek concepts for time: Chronos and Kairos."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"003e26c9fb77","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"fca0d94a7e140","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Chronos is time as we usually measure it. Think about your color-coded calendars, schedules, and to-do lists. (I happen to love all of these things, and I suspect you might, too!)"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ff5edc531177","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"917d0f57b9390","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"As leaders, we spend a lot of our days in Chronos. We move from meeting to meeting, respond to emails, approve things, and check boxes. We can finish the day having accomplished an impressive amount while mostly maintaining the status quo."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"44a877812653","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f2752e35ca840","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Kairos, on the other hand, is what the Greeks refer to as the opportune time when the stars align. It’s living in the present moment. At work, I experience Kairos when I’m completely absorbed in something that requires my full presence. I might be working on a book manuscript, preparing for a talk, or mentoring someone through an important decision."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"c8d1e30732ec","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"76302b32a1ed0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I also find Kairos through what I call “passive productivity,” the space we give our brains to make connections without forcing them. It’s why some of your best ideas happen while you’re taking a walk or standing in the shower."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"99024acbc6b1","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"be090e60b4320","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"When I looked closely at my calendar, I realized I had become "},{"_key":"be090e60b4321","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"extremely"},{"_key":"be090e60b4322","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" good at Chronos time. But I wasn’t leaving much room for Kairos time, which is what moves my career forward."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"79bc2152f96f","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"07b8bd2d1b3c0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Remember, there is zero correlation between being busy and creating value. The work that moves your career forward requires time to think, create, connect, and make decisions, not just check boxes off a to-do list."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"4cd8c2e2ae0d","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d512acc42c880","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"The more senior you become, the more valuable your time becomes. Protect it for the thinking, decisions, relationships, and work that only "},{"_key":"d512acc42c881","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"you"},{"_key":"d512acc42c882","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" can do."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"f265b5fea5a4","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d6ae84e7fe060","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Give Your Best Hours to What Matters"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"heading2"},{"_key":"4a49778f94b1","_type":"labelledImage","altText":"Cover of Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour by Fran Hauser","asset":{"_id":"image-88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628-png","_type":"sanity.imageAsset","_rev":"PJpa1qlXj0JUppT5EYiNl7","_createdAt":"2026-09-24T16:23:39Z","_updatedAt":"2026-09-24T16:23:39Z","assetId":"88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83","extension":"png","metadata":{"_type":"sanity.imageMetadata","blurHash":"ePLgLd-XyXTT^O%2NGoLWBW;~Bn,IoSeJ6%MWBRja|r@EfX3$*rxrv","dimensions":{"_type":"sanity.imageDimensions","aspectRatio":0.8757961783439491,"height":628,"width":550},"hasAlpha":true,"isOpaque":true,"lqip":"data:image/png;base64,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","palette":{"_type":"sanity.imagePalette","darkMuted":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#5c4464","foreground":"#fff","population":0,"title":"#fff"},"darkVibrant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#0eaa90","foreground":"#fff","population":7.34,"title":"#fff"},"dominant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#d4c4ac","foreground":"#000","population":9.2,"title":"#fff"},"lightMuted":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#d4c4ac","foreground":"#000","population":9.2,"title":"#fff"},"lightVibrant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#fccc4c","foreground":"#000","population":0,"title":"#000"},"muted":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#ae906b","foreground":"#fff","population":4.02,"title":"#fff"},"vibrant":{"_type":"sanity.imagePaletteSwatch","background":"#f2690f","foreground":"#fff","population":4.88,"title":"#fff"}},"thumbHash":"5ggKFgTqx5eGd/dIZ3l2dol3AYevgvc="},"mimeType":"image/png","originalFilename":"Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour.png","path":"images/xcsyo6gw/production/88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628.png","sha1hash":"88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83","size":322172,"uploadId":"a7308eabd164fabdc83e6adac9a84dfd956210f3","url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/xcsyo6gw/production/88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628.png","filename":"Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour.png","width":550,"height":628,"placeholderUrl":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/xcsyo6gw/production/88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628.png?rect=66,0,419,628&w=%width%&h=%height%&q=80","id":"image-88603e376f08b16d38da6f873f834e6f4fe39a83-550x628-png","children":[],"parent":null},"caption":"Photo Credit: Crown Publishing"},{"_key":"9c18981805c0","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"daffad244fc20","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I wrote my new book, "},{"_key":"daffad244fc21","_type":"span","marks":["5d179ac48683","em"],"text":"Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour"},{"_key":"daffad244fc22","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", for women who want to keep doing ambitious, meaningful work without letting it take over every available hour. It’s full of practical ways to find pockets of time hiding in your day and become more intentional about where you put them."}],"markDefs":[{"_key":"5d179ac48683","_type":"link","href":"https://www.franhauser.com/twentyminutes"}],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"724bc37e342e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"6b21e641d5800","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I spent years trying to figure out how to fit more into my days. These days, I’m much more interested in making sure the "},{"_key":"6b21e641d5801","_type":"span","marks":["em"],"text":"right"},{"_key":"6b21e641d5802","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" things make it in."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0625356ab8ff","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b0f799fadcbc0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Your time is one of the most valuable things you have to give. Spend it on the work, people, and parts of your life that deserve more of you."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]},"href":"https://chief.com/articles/antonia-bowring-q3-career-chapter","relatedArticles":[]}},
    "staticQueryHashes": ["1283004308","1456097487","1783121836","3101781331","3627451256","3783448019","667690031","772055865"]}