Hello shiny new year, fresh notebooks, and big plans!

In this mini episode of Productivity Nerd, Kathy kicks off 2026 with a thought experiment inspired by productivity favourites Ali Abdaal, Will MacAskill (maybe?), and Stephen Bartlett.

It’s a bit of a mash-up - like most good ideas - and it all centres around how we spend our time.

Think of your hours like casino chips. You get 100 a week (after life’s essentials like sleep, snacks and showers). How are you spending them... and more importantly, would you choose to fast forward through some of them?

Kathy introduces the “Fast Forward Test” , a simple but brilliant way to check in with how you’re using your time.

Are you speeding through your days like a bad audiobook on 1.8x speed, or are you actually enjoying the moments that make up your life?

It’s a gentle nudge to be more present, notice what brings real satisfaction, and maybe tweak the parts of your week that feel more chore than choice.

Perfect for business owners, freelancers and permanently exhausted pigeons looking to make 2026 feel a little more intentional.

Nothing says “festive cheer” like a looming tax deadline, right?

In this not-at-all-scrooge-y episode of Productivity Nerd, Kathy is joined by resident tax whisperer Laura Green for a surprisingly comforting chat about self-assessment. Whether you’ve already filed, haven’t started, or are deep in denial, this one's for you.

Expect:

📆 The key dates you really shouldn’t ignore
💸 What happens if you miss them (brace yourself)
📎 Common mistakes people make (and how to dodge them)
🧾 When to call in an accountant (or just call it quits and outsource)
📬 And what to do if you open your return to find a scary number you can’t pay

Plus, Kathy shares a cautionary tale about one very lost Government Gateway number, a swearing fit, and a smug dad with two coffees and a completed return.

So, if you’d prefer your January to involve less panic and more smugness, pop this in your ears. Filing may not be fun...but it can be a whole lot less faffy.

It’s beginning to look a lot like… planner season!

Only joking - in this mini-episode of Productivity Nerd, Kathy’s resisting the urge to bang on about her favourite notebooks (again) and is instead diving into a festive round-up of productivity books.

Think of it as a Christmas wishlist for nerds. Or a gift guide for that one organised friend who colour-codes their inbox.

From timeless classics like Getting Things Done and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to the broccoli-in-book-form that is Deep Work, this is a whistle-stop tour through the titles that might just help you get your life together in the new year (or at least feel smug reading about how you could).

Expect strong opinions, some festive sass, and a reminder that “Eat That Frog” is both a book and a terrible breakfast idea.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or trying to drop unsubtle hints to your loved ones, this episode has your productivity stocking fillers sorted.

This episode mentions:

• Getting Things Done – David Allen

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey

• Eat That Frog – Brian Tracy

• The 4-Hour Workweek – Tim Ferriss (brace yourself)

• Deep Work – Cal Newport (aka productivity broccoli)

• Atomic Habits – James Clear

• Plus bonus nods to Michael Hyatt and Leena Norms

Snuggle up with a Baileys, embrace your inner nerd, and let’s get bookish.