Why Time Management Isn’t the Answer to Your Stress

#LeadandLift | Episode 132 | Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath

You’re Managing Time. But Is It Managing You?

If you’ve ever thought, “I just need to manage my time better,” you’re not alone. As high achievers, we’re conditioned to believe that stress is the result of an overstuffed calendar, missed deadlines, or not enough hours in the day.

But here’s the hard truth: your to-do list isn’t the problem. 

In this empowering blog, taken from episode 132 of the Lead and Lift Podcast, Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath unpacks the real root of stress for high-performing women—and it has nothing to do with poor time management.

1. Time Management Is Like Rearranging Deck Chairs on the Titanic

Let’s be real:
You could wake up at 5 a.m., plan your day to the second, and still feel like you're sinking.

That’s because stress isn’t about how much you do—it’s about the weight you carry while doing it.

✅ The real issue?
You're tying your worth to your productivity.

We’ve been taught that stress is part of success. That we have to hustle, prove ourselves, and smile through burnout.

But productivity won’t save you if you're constantly measuring your value by how much you check off a list.

Instead of asking “How can I fit more in?”
Ask, “Why do I believe I have to do it all to matter?”

 "Time management is only surface level...what we need to focus on is below the surface, the real iceberg, which is the expectations, the self-judgement and the pressure beneath it all." - Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath

2. The Secret Is Energy Management, Not Time Management

Here’s the truth:
You’re not a robot. You’re a woman. A creator. A leader. A human being with cycles, seasons, and rhythms.

We’ve been conditioned to push through, power up, and ignore what our body or soul is asking for: Rest. Stillness. Breath. 

💡 You don’t need to be more efficient.
You need to honor your energy.

Productivity isn’t the problem—self-abandonment is.
Stress shows up when you force output without respecting your internal flow.

That’s why energy is one of the core pillars of the STRESS Framework I teach my clients.
Because when your energy is low—your performance, clarity, and joy follow.

3. The Real Leak Isn’t Time—It’s Boundaries

Imagine pouring water into a cup with holes in it.  That’s your day when you’re lacking boundaries.

Time isn’t what you need more of—you need guardrails that protect your priorities.

Are you saying yes when you mean no?
Are you checking your email before you even brush your teeth?
Are you letting guilt guide your decisions?

Stress thrives where boundaries are weak.  And building strong ones is a leadership skill—one that honors your peace, protects your purpose, and frees up your emotional bandwidth.

Boundaries = self-trust.
And without them? Your calendar will always serve others more than it serves you.

✍️ Action Step:

Grab your journal and take 5 minutes to answer this: 

“Where am I leaking energy in my day?”

It could be:

• Morning doom-scrolling
• Overcommitting out of guilt
• Thinking about everyone else’s needs before your own

🌱 Awareness is the first step to creating change.
Write it down—and reclaim your power.

You Don’t Need More Time—You Need More Alignment

You weren’t meant to manage stress. You were meant to master it.

Here’s what I want you to know:

You’re not failing.
You’re not behind.
You don’t need more time.

You need more truth, more energy, and more boundaries.

Stress isn’t about your to-do list.
It’s about the pressure you carry—silently, constantly, invisibly.

It begins with acknowledging that stress isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a signal. A signal that it’s time to lead yourself first. To slow down, get clear, and choose courage over chaos.

The good news? You don’t have to carry it alone.

✨ I created a free 25-page eBook for high-achieving women just like you:
“The #1 Reason You’re Stressed—And What To Do About It.” 

Inside, you’ll discover:

• The STRESS Framework I teach my private clients
• Science-backed tools to reset your nervous system
• The exact mindset shift that brings calm without canceling your calendar

🎁 Download your copy now at www.leadandlift.com/stress

You’re here to lead powerfully and lift others—
But that begins with lifting the weight off yourself.

Links mentioned in this episode: 

• Chabidaye Facebook
• Chabidaye Instagram
• Chabidaye LinkedIn
• Chabidaye Website