[Applause] I grew up in a double wide trailer at the dead end of a dirt road in eastern North Carolina. It wasn't much. You know, the porch creaked, the floor slanted.Depending on the season, you were either freezing or sweating. It may sound like some type of crazy soap oper, but it was just our home and and we loved it, right. It wasn't that trailer that made the biggest impact on me, though.It was one decision that my mother made. You see, she needed help. We needed money.It would have been perfectly rea ...

Burnout & Productivity - The workforce is facing increasing burnout, with 66% of American employees struggling with it in 2025 [3] - Younger generations are experiencing even higher burnout rates, with 83% of 25-34 year olds affected [3] - Over-complicating time management with numerous apps and hacks contributes to burnout and hinders work-life balance [1][2] Time Management Framework - A simple time management framework of "Prioritize, Plan, Protect" can transform one's perspective on time and improve productivity [8][25] - Prioritizing involves identifying what is most important in life and work [10][11] - Planning involves intentionally allocating defined units of time to tasks, visualized through written plans [14][17][18] - Protecting involves defending one's plans and saying "no" to distractions or additional commitments to avoid burnout [22][24] Impact of Time Management - Visualizing tasks through written plans improves time management and ensures time is spent on the most important things [18] - Effective time management can lead to increased productivity, reduced stress, and a better ability to focus on what truly matters [19] - Poor time management and burnout can turn individuals from assets into liabilities for their families, organizations, and communities [24] - Shifting the mindset to view time as a tangible measuring unit can help manage it differently [17]

When I was invited to be a speaker for this year's TEDex South Street, I was really so excited to say yes. But for some reasons like I am not so confident enough for this big stage, big red dot in November. It was a no.But you know what. I get to realize that this is actually a big opportunity to share my thoughts on giving responses to everything that comes our way and especially in today's world that constantly pushes us to say yes to do more or to be more outside our capacity. Hi, I am architect Makia Se ...