5 Time Management Tips Every STEM Professional Needs to Know
When you work in STEM, deadlines, experiments, meetings, and unexpected roadblocks are part of the job. But according to AdaMarie Expert Dr. Sycatta Wallace, time management isn’t really about the clock — it’s about lifestyle choices, boundaries, and the courage to prioritize what actually matters.
Here are five practical takeaways from her Career Accelerator session that you can start using today.
Treat Time Management as a Lifestyle, Not a To-Do List
Work-life balance isn’t about splitting your hours evenly; it’s about making intentional choices. If you don’t have a process for deciding what matters most, you’ll end up overwhelmed. Start by visualizing your life as an empty jar:
Big stones = your most important priorities (career-defining projects, health, family, personal growth)
Small stones = nice-to-haves
Sand = low-priority tasks, distractions
If you fill the jar with sand first—emails, unnecessary meetings—you crowd out what counts. Flip it: put your big stones in first, and the rest will fit around them.
Boundaries Are Non-Negotiable
Prioritization only works if you protect it. That means saying no — without over-explaining — to tasks and requests that don’t align with your top priorities. Dr. Sycatta’s reminder: You can do anything, but not everything.
Sometimes, letting go of old problems or obligations is the fastest way to reclaim your focus.
Use the 10-10-10 Method to Make Decisions
When something new comes up, ask yourself:
Will this matter in 10 days?
Will it matter in 10 months?
Will it matter in 10 years?
Often, what feels urgent in the moment is really just sand. This mental reset keeps you focused on what’s truly impactful over the long term.
Build Your Confidence Alongside Your Calendar
Sometimes we avoid tackling our “big stones” because of confidence, not capacity. Do you feel audacious enough to name your real priorities, even if they feel big or scary? If not, lean on your community for support and encouragement.
And if it feels uncomfortable to start saying “no” or to focus on fewer things, that’s normal. Over time, you’ll realize your jar still feels full—just with what actually matters.
Anchor Yourself With Simple Routines
You don’t have to join the 5am club to be productive. But you do need stability. Keep your daily routines simple, commit to them, and set reminders to check in on your priorities.
The more you revisit your “why,” the more natural it feels to stay on track—and the less guilt you feel about letting the sand wait its turn.
Time management isn’t about squeezing more in. It’s about doing what matters most, for you. For the next week, try writing down your three “big stones” each morning and give them space in your day before anything else. Notice how your days feel—and let yourself be surprised by the difference.
If you have a time-management trick or a big stone you’re committing to share it with Dr. Scyatta in the AdaMarie Network space!
