Episode Overview

Podcast: The Lazy Genius Podcast
Host: Kendra Adachi (The Lazy Genius)
Episode: How to Finish Last Minute To-Do Lists (Part 2)
Date: December 8, 2025

This episode is a follow-up to last year’s December “How to Finish Last Minute To-Do Lists.” Kendra helps listeners navigate the stress and overwhelm of last-minute to-do lists (especially around the holidays) by introducing practical, compassion-focused systems. Her aim: help you break down huge, intimidating lists into short, finishable bursts—so you can enjoy the season with less dread and more flexibility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap: The Three E’s of Last-Minute Task Handling (Energy, Execution, Enjoyment)

Timestamp: [03:30–08:00]

• Energy:
  Assess emotional and physical bandwidth before attempting to tackle lists.
  "You as a person are more important than sending out Christmas cards by an arbitrary date… Pay attention to your energy." — Kendra ([04:27])
• Execution:
  Focus on HOW you’ll get things done—think batch processing, delegating, or ruthless prioritization.
• Enjoyment:
  Make tasks as pleasant as possible by pairing unenjoyable chores with things you like (e.g. watching a movie while paying bills).

Notable quote:
"All three matter. So often we only focus on that second E—the execution… but it will only have hard edges if you do not cushion it with your energy and your enjoyment."
— Kendra ([07:46])

2. Main Strategy: Break Big To-Do Lists into Short, ‘Finishable’ Lists

Timestamp: [09:55–27:00]

A. Find and Consolidate Your List

• Identify where your to-do items live: your head, post-its, planner, apps, etc.
• Gather everything into one “master” area.

B. Break Time into Short Timeframes—Create “Cubbies”

• Instead of treating all of December (or any busy season) as one overwhelming block, divide it into 3–4-day “cubbies.”
  • Example structure for December:
    • Monday–Thursday (one cubby)
    • Friday–Sunday (next cubby), etc.
• Annotate each timeframe with contextual notes about special events or busy days.

"Don’t look at December as one big space. Break it into sections so that you can see what you need when you need it, rather than everything at once." — Kendra ([12:30])

C. Put Every Task on Its Own Scrap of Paper

• Write each task—no matter how small—on a separate piece of scrap paper.
• Add deadlines if needed, or color/star/highlight priority tasks.

"Maybe there is a movie night that is essential to your family traditions [...] put a big old star on that piece of paper." — Kendra ([17:53])

D. Distribute Tasks into Timeframe “Cubbies”

• Place each task under its most reasonable timeframe.
  • Example: “Ask grandma what to bring for Christmas” goes in the last cubby before Christmas, not now.
• If a cubby-list still feels too long, break it further into daily lists.

E. Only Look at Today’s (or This Cubbie’s) List

• Transfer finished lists to digital calendars or sticky notes, wherever you’ll see them.
• “Do not look at any list beyond the one for the time frame that you’re in right now.” ([22:25])

F. Adaptability

• When new tasks come up, slot them into an appropriate cubby—don’t cram them onto the current list.
• "Adding a new task to a short list feels entirely different than adding a new task to a long one." — Kendra ([23:50])
• The system makes adjusting less stressful—like “moving a canoe versus a cruise ship.”

Summary Recap:

"Short lists are easier to finish. So gather your big list. Create some small time frames. Then write each task on a specific piece of paper and just play."
— Kendra ([25:10])

3. Music Recommendations: Kendra's Seasonal Listening

Timestamp: [28:33–32:45]

Kendra shares her favorite current albums and Christmas playlists:

• Albums:

  • Shore Like Seashore by Fleet Foxes (crisp, weather-appropriate, family-friendly)
  • Messy and The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean
  • Bedroom Walls by November Ultra (ethereal, moody winter vibe)
  • Wonder by Michael Van Patter (instrumental, gentle Christmas background)

• Playlists:
  All are on her public Spotify (search "Kendra Joiner Adachi" or look for the "Winter Playlists" folder).

  • Kids in the Kitchen (for baking with children)
  • Pour Me an Old Fashioned (crooners for evening ambiance)
  • Smiley Christmas & Holiday Starlight (for lights-viewing, cozy evenings)

"When I make a playlist I encourage you to not shuffle because it is made in vibe order. But of course I can't stop you. Live your life." — Kendra ([31:55])

4. Lazy Genius of the Week: Katie from Kentucky

Timestamp: [32:55–34:10]

• Katie habit-stacked her family’s Friday movie night and weekly sheet-changing:
  • Kids bathe, then watch a movie, and she changes their sheets during the film.
  • End result: Clean sheets + happy kids in one simple routine.

"It's habit stacking but stacking something that you love and always do with something you don't love and always do... movie nights and washing sheets." — Kendra ([33:22])

5. Mini Pep Talk: Navigating Unmet Expectations

Timestamp: [34:10–38:00]

• High expectations are a hallmark of the holiday season, often unarticulated until unmet.
• Prevention: Name your important expectations in advance—imagine what would make key events disappointing, then share these (if needed) with involved people.
• If disappointment comes:
  • Your feelings are valid; express them kindly.
  • Extend grace: “Unmet expectations are a chance to connect more deeply with someone.” ([36:49])

"Expectations are a way to let people in and I hope that that reframe encourages you even when your expectations are not met." — Kendra ([37:23])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Short lists are easier to finish. That's the lead, you guys." ([03:10])
• "You get to decide what to be a genius about and you get to let the other things be less important." ([05:37])
• "Adding a new task to a short list feels entirely different than adding a new task to a long one." ([23:50])
• "This is like planning your hot dogs. You don’t borrow worry when you’ve already made the decision." ([25:53])
• "You might honor the list and then stop. You might play a game with your family or... take a nap. Shorter lists create more space for you to enjoy your life." ([26:10])

Key Timestamps for Sections

• Recap of Part 1 (Three E’s): [03:30–08:00]
• Main List-Breaking Activity: [09:55–27:00]
• Personal Story/Example of Adjustments: [23:42–24:50]
• Music Recommendations: [28:33–32:45]
• Lazy Genius of the Week: [32:55–34:10]
• Mini Pep Talk on Expectations: [34:10–38:00]

Summary Takeaway

The key to finishing last-minute to-do lists isn’t working harder or hustling more—it's breaking your list into short, manageable groups assigned to small, defined stretches of time. By moving tasks into clearly marked “cubbies,” you create finishable lists, reduce stress, and give yourself permission to rest and enjoy the season. When expectations (for yourself or others) go unmet, use it as a chance to connect, communicate, and show yourself kindness.