Learn and Work Smarter

Katie Azevedo
  • 5.0 (22)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Whether you're a student or a working professional, the Learn and Work Smarter Podcast delivers the clarity, strategies, and encouragement you need to stay focused, organized, and on top of your tasks.  Hosted by Katie Azevedo, M.Ed.—a private executive function coach with 20 years of teaching experience and a deep background in ADHD and cognitive science—this show is your practical guide to building the real-life skills that school and work demand but rarely teach. Episodes cover a range of topics, including time management, productivity, studying smarter, focus strategies, task initiation, and executive function habits. Each topic is approached through a lens of neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and deep compassion. You’ll learn systems that are teachable, sustainable, and immediately actionable. No fluff. No hype. Just real strategies for getting things done, reducing stress, and showing up as the most capable version of yourself.

  1. 107. Simplifying Multi-Client Task Management and Managing Afternoon Energy Slumps (Q&A)

    3D AGO

    107. Simplifying Multi-Client Task Management and Managing Afternoon Energy Slumps (Q&A)

    In this monthly Q&A, I answer two questions submitted by listeners of the show. While the questions are different in their details, the fundamental theme of today’s show is consistent: the key to learning and working smarter is knowing what’s in our control and what’s not, and optimizing everything we have the power to change. What You Learn: The real reason juggling multiple client systems creates admin chaos - plus a three-part system to regain controlWhy task inboxes and task management systems aren't the same thing - and how confusing them keeps you overwhelmedHow to figure out if afternoon focus crashes are biological or just a narrative you've reinforced over timeSimple fixes for afternoon energy slumps: strategic eating, movement timing, and classroom positioningWhy you should optimize your schedule around energy patterns and experiment with changing those patterns at the same time🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned: Episode website with transcript⭐SchoolHabits University: (SchoolHabitsUniversity.com)⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (CollegeNoteTakingSystem.com)⭐Assignment Management Power System (AssignmentManagementSystem.com)Episode 10: Task management Q&A❤️ Connect: InstagramFacebookPinterest✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here. Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!! LET'S CONNECT Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard. For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com. Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits) Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

    35 min
  2. 106. The Anti-Goal Goal-Setting Strategy: 3 Tweaks That Change Everything

    12/25/2025

    106. The Anti-Goal Goal-Setting Strategy: 3 Tweaks That Change Everything

    Most people set goals completely wrong. They focus on outcomes they can't control, ignore their real schedules and energy levels, and wait for January 1st like it's some magical reset button. Then they wonder why they quit by February. In this episode, I'm showing you a different approach: the anti-goal goal-setting strategy. This isn't about avoiding goals altogether. Instead, it's about setting them in a way that’s realistic. I'm breaking down the three biggest mistakes people make when setting goals (whether it's New Year's resolutions or any other time of year) and giving you the specific fixes for each one. These aren't just woo-woo mindset ideas… they're practical strategies you can apply immediately to any goal you're working toward. What You Learn: Why focusing on outcomes instead of effort sets you up for failureWhy your goals keep failing even when you have good intentionsHow to make sure your goals fit your real schedule and energy (not your fantasy version)The psychology behind why we give January 1st so much powerHow to evaluate whether timing actually matters for your specific goalWhy judging yourself only by outcomes leads to burnout🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned: Episode website with transcript⭐SchoolHabits University: (SchoolHabitsUniversity.com)⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (CollegeNoteTakingSystem.com)⭐Assignment Management Power System (AssignmentManagementSystem.com)Episode 54: The Secret Ingredient Behind Every Accomplishment EverEpisode 47: How to REALLY Change a HabitEpisode 76: Using Your Calendar EffectivelyEpisode 95: Time Estimation Tips (especially for ADHD)❤️ Connect: InstagramFacebookPinterest✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here. Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!! LET'S CONNECT Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard. For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com. Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits) Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

    29 min
  3. 105. The High Performer's Trap: Why Being Capable is Exhausting You

    12/18/2025

    105. The High Performer's Trap: Why Being Capable is Exhausting You

    Are you someone who says yes because you can see exactly how to make it happen? Do people come to you because they know you'll deliver? And are you so darn exhausted because of it? In this episode, I'm diving into the high performer's trap, a pattern where your competence becomes the primary reason you say yes to everything. The better you get at something, the more people ask you to do it. And because you're capable and can envision the path forward, you say yes… … Until eventually you can't sustain it anymore. In this episode, I'm breaking down why capable people keep saying yes until they burn out. Then I reveal five specific strategies to help you become more strategic about your commitments and five ways to say no without damaging relationships or over-apologizing. If you've ever felt trapped by your own competence or built a reputation for saying yes that you can't seem to escape, this episode will help you protect your capacity while maintaining excellence on what truly matters. What You Learn: Why high performers fall into the trap of saying yes to everythingHow your ability to envision solutions makes saying no feel impossibleThe difference between being engaged with your work and being boundaryless5 strategies to evaluate commitments strategically (including the Energy ROI Assessment and Strategic Subtraction Exercise)5 ways to say no diplomatically while maintaining professional relationships🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned: Episode website with transcript⭐SchoolHabits University: (SchoolHabitsUniversity.com)⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (CollegeNoteTakingSystem.com)⭐Assignment Management Power System (AssignmentManagementSystem.com)❤️ Connect: InstagramFacebookPinterest✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here. Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!! LET'S CONNECT Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard. For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com. Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits) Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

    34 min
  4. 104. 3 Reasons Your Study Methods Stopped Working (And How to Fix Them)

    12/11/2025

    104. 3 Reasons Your Study Methods Stopped Working (And How to Fix Them)

    You had a study system that worked perfectly. Then suddenly... it didn't. What happened? In this episode, I'm breaking down the #1 reason why legitimate study systems stop working: developmental transitions. Whether you're moving from high school to college, freshman to upper-level courses, or undergrad to grad school, the academic demands don't just get harder…they fundamentally change. I'm walking you through the three major shifts that happen at every academic transition. Then I'm giving you three concrete strategies to level up your study methods so they match where you are now. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but still not getting the results you used to, this episode will help you understand what's really happening and what to do about it. In this episode of Learn and Work Smarter, I'm giving you the truth about why study systems fail and exactly how to scale yours up. What You Learn: Why your study methods stopped working (and what to do instead)The three academic shifts that break your study systemWhy "knowing the material" doesn't mean you'll ace the testHow to create study materials that match your exam's thinking level🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned: Episode website with transcript⭐SchoolHabits University: (SchoolHabitsUniversity.com)⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (CollegeNoteTakingSystem.com)⭐Assignment Management Power System (AssignmentManagementSystem.com)Episode 07 - How to Learn ThingsEpisode 20 – How to Use Active RecallBlog Post: When Your Study System Stops WorkingVideo: How to Use a Mind Map to Study❤️ Connect: InstagramFacebookPinterest✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here. Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!! LET'S CONNECT Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard. For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com. Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits) Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

    29 min
  5. 103. How Long Should I Study and How Do I Stay Motivated? (Q&A)

    12/04/2025

    103. How Long Should I Study and How Do I Stay Motivated? (Q&A)

    In this month's Q&A episode, I'm answering two questions that hit on some of the biggest study and productivity myths out there.  Question One: A college student asks how to study for six to eight hours straight without crashing. My answer? Don't.  Question Two: Someone asks about staying motivated to finish projects once the initial excitement wears off. Spoiler: motivation isn't the answer.  In this episode of Learn and Work Smarter, I give you the real talk about effective studying, the truth about motivation, and the systems that actually help you get things done. What You Learn: Why 6-8 hour study sessions are a really bad ideaA study structure that actually worksWhy those "study with me for 12 hours" YouTube videos are misleadingThe truth about active recall and why it's exhausting (and why that's good)Why motivation is overrated and what to rely on insteadHow to take action even when you don't feel like it🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned: Episode website with transcript⭐SchoolHabits University: (SchoolHabitsUniversity.com)⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (CollegeNoteTakingSystem.com)⭐Assignment Management Power System (AssignmentManagementSystem.com)Episode 08 - Motivation vs. Discipline:Episode 24 – Why You Can't Focus (And What to Do About It)Episode 54 – The Secret Ingredient Behind Every Accomplishment EverEpisode 55 – Body DoublingEpisode 72 – How to Finish Unfinished Projects❤️ Connect: InstagramFacebookPinterest✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here. Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!! LET'S CONNECT Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard. For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com. Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits) Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

    27 min
  6. 102. The Friday Review: A Simple Weekly Habit for Calm Productivity

    11/27/2025

    102. The Friday Review: A Simple Weekly Habit for Calm Productivity

    Most of us end our week by simply stopping, closing the laptop, and walking away. But then we wonder all weekend long why we can’t stop thinking about work or school. That’s where the Friday Review comes in. This simple 5–10 minute habit helps you close the loops from your week, get some clarity about what your weekend work schedule might be (or not be!), and set up next week so you’re not starting Monday from zero. In this episode of Learn and Work Smarter, I walk you through the four-step Friday Review, how it fits into your larger weekly system, and why this tiny routine immediately creates more calm, clarity, and momentum for students and professionals. What You Learn: Why work thoughts follow us into the weekend (and what to do about it)The 4-step Friday Review that closes out your entire weekHow this routine supports your Sunday planning + daily habitsWhat belongs on your weekend to-do list (and what doesn’t)🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned: Episode website with transcript⭐SchoolHabits University: SchoolHabitsUniversity.com⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (CollegeNoteTakingSystem.com)⭐Assignment Management Power System (AssignmentManagementSystem.com)Episode 21 – Weekly Planning TipsEpisode 65 – The Sunday ResetEpisode 93 - The 10-Minute Daily HabitEpisode 101 - Digital Declutter Tips❤️ Connect: InstagramFacebookPinterest ✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here. Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!! LET'S CONNECT Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard. For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com. Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits) Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

    23 min
  7. 101. Digital Declutter Strategies for School and Work: 5 Clutter Zones and How to Handle Them

    11/20/2025

    101. Digital Declutter Strategies for School and Work: 5 Clutter Zones and How to Handle Them

    Digital clutter is easier to ignore than physical clutter, because we can hide it behind folders and tabs. But eventually, digital clutter builds up so much that it impacts our focus and productivity even more than the physical mess around us. In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I'm diving into the hidden consequences of digital clutter, the 5 zones digital clutter accumulates the most, and a framework that can help you declutter each one. The strategies apply to students and professionals. What You Learn: Why digital clutter secretly drains your productivityThe 5 zones where digital clutter hidesThree questions to declutter any digital spaceThe simplest folder structure that actually worksWhy maintenance habits beat massive overhauls🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned: Episode website with transcript⭐SchoolHabits University⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)⭐Assignment Management Power System (Brand New Program!)Episode 15 – Email Management Best PracticesEpisode 62 – Email Paralysis and Overwhelm ❤️ Connect: Instagram @schoolhabitsFacebook @schoolhabitsPinterest @schoolhabits✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here. Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!! LET'S CONNECT Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard. For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com. Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits) Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

    34 min
  8. 100 Tips to Learn and Work Smarter (Celebrating 100 Episodes!)

    11/13/2025

    100 Tips to Learn and Work Smarter (Celebrating 100 Episodes!)

    This is our 100th episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast! To celebrate this cool milestone, I've gone back into every single episode and extracted one key tip to re-share with you. Grab your pen and paper (or grab the transcript at learnandworksmarter.com/podcast/100) and be prepared to get inspired. I read each episode number, the episode title, and the key takeaway ... and if you hear something you want to learn more about, take note of the episode number so you can dive into the full episode afterward. Thank you for being on this podcast journey with me! I can't wait to do another 100. What You'll Learn: 100 tips for learning and working smarter, spanning the following topics: organizationstudyingexecutive functionsADHDfocustime managementtask managementcareer advicecollege advicemotivationproductivitynote-takingmindsetself-advocacy🔗Resources Mentioned: Episode website with transcriptSchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)Assignment Management Power System (Brand New Program!)❤️ Connect: InstagramFacebookPinterest✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here. Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!! LET'S CONNECT Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard. For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com. Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits) Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

    42 min
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About

Whether you're a student or a working professional, the Learn and Work Smarter Podcast delivers the clarity, strategies, and encouragement you need to stay focused, organized, and on top of your tasks.  Hosted by Katie Azevedo, M.Ed.—a private executive function coach with 20 years of teaching experience and a deep background in ADHD and cognitive science—this show is your practical guide to building the real-life skills that school and work demand but rarely teach. Episodes cover a range of topics, including time management, productivity, studying smarter, focus strategies, task initiation, and executive function habits. Each topic is approached through a lens of neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and deep compassion. You’ll learn systems that are teachable, sustainable, and immediately actionable. No fluff. No hype. Just real strategies for getting things done, reducing stress, and showing up as the most capable version of yourself.

Information

  • Creator
    Katie Azevedo
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Learn and Work Smarter
  • Show Website
    Learn and Work Smarter