The Lazy Genius Podcast: Episode 445

“When You’re Maxed Out”

Host: Kendra Adachi, The Lazy Genius
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kendra Adachi addresses the overwhelming feeling of being "maxed out," especially as the holiday season ramps up and life becomes a swirl of obligations, joy, and stress. She offers a thoughtful, permission-giving framework—a five-step “path”—to help listeners identify, address, and better manage the overload, all while honoring what matters most. The episode is packed with practical advice, relatable anecdotes, and gentle reminders to practice kindness (to ourselves and others) amidst busy seasons.

The episode also includes:

• A “little extra something” on the virtues—and ease—of homemade granola
• A Lazy Genius of the Week tip on working out in pajamas
• A mini pep talk for when you’re feeling misunderstood

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recognizing Universal Overwhelm

• Kendra’s personal experience: She shares feeling near “full on maxed out” even before Thanksgiving, with life’s demands piling up: “We’re all like a little wide-eyed, like a bunch of deer in headlights. And that feeling, it is exhausting.” (11:28)
• Listeners are not alone: Overwhelm isn’t unique; almost everyone she knows is feeling this way.

2. The Lazy Genius Path for Maxed Out Moments

Step 1: Name the Noise

Kendra introduces the acronym S.L.E.W. to help listeners identify the sources of overwhelm:

• S – Schedule: “You might be drowning in scheduling details… my Google calendar in December looks like modern art.” (17:20)
• L – Living: Regular life (meals, laundry, bills) doesn’t stop for the holidays.
• E – Expectations: Pressures—internal or external—to do things right, be available, make holidays memorable, or manage everything effortlessly.
• W – World: The wider context of news, injustice, and crises can feel overwhelming, along with everything else:
  • “What has made that particular category easier for me… is that I have limits on my news intake. I schedule rest.” (30:28)
    Action: Ask, “What does my brain need to rest from? What in the slew is loudest or heaviest for you?” (23:48)

Step 2: Name the Problem

• Get specific: Use four pieces of scratch paper labeled with S, L, E, and W. Write down both the category and any specifics contributing to overwhelm. Then, physically rank them from most to least overwhelming for clarity and focus.
• “If you are too maxed out to even know what’s maxing you out... move the pieces of paper around until you have an order that feels more or less accurate.” (27:22)
• Kendra’s example: For her, “schedule” is top—“My calendar is like your Uncle Joe after Thanksgiving dinner who needs to loosen his belt. He’s happy, but his pants are way too tight.” (35:09)

Step 3: Name What Matters

• Identify your priority: “Name what matters about that thing.” (39:20)
  • For Kendra: “If my thing is limited margin, guess what matters? The margin that I do have. I am protecting my margin so hard.” (39:48)
  • Protect your own humanity and well-being, not just your to-do list:
    • “There is no task on your list more important than your own humanity or the humanity of others. Never.” (41:56)

Step 4: Pick Your Principle

• Apply relevant Lazy Genius principles: (They’re in her book, but some highlighted here.)
  • Put Everything in Its Place: Use a planner/calendar to reclaim control.
  • Decide Once: Reduce decision fatigue—e.g., gift everyone something food or book-related.
  • Start Small: Especially helpful when the world’s problems feel too big.
• “No matter your problem, there is a principle that’s going to rise to the occasion to help you solve it.” (45:10)

Step 5: Plan Like a Lazy Genius

• The PLAN acronym:
  • P: Prepare
  • L: Live
  • A: Adjust
  • N: Notice
• The PLAN pyramid:
  • The base is what matters NOW.
  • The three sides—Prepare, Adjust, Notice—hold equal weight.
  • Living is the point: “When you prepare, adjust, and notice in equal measure, it lets you live.” (49:40)
• Example: If Kendra plans to record a podcast but is unexpectedly hungry, she’ll adjust and take a break for food, not just push through.

Summary of Five Steps: (52:09)

1. Name the Noise
2. Name the Problem
3. Name What Matters
4. Pick Your Principle
5. Plan Like a Lazy Genius (Prepare, Adjust, Notice, to help you Live)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the reality of busy seasons:

  • “Ordinary life does not stop just because it’s December. You know, you still have to pay bills and water the plants and wash your underwear. December does not care that you do not have time to wash your underwear.”
    — Kendra (20:55)

• On being stretched thin:

  • “My calendar is like your Uncle Joe after Thanksgiving dinner who, like, needs to loosen his belt. Like, he’s happy, but oh my goodness, his pants are way too tight.”
    — Kendra (35:09)

• On choosing what matters most:

  • “It’s so easy to think that my list matters more than my margin does. And that will never be true.”
    — Kendra (41:16)

• Permission to keep it simple:

  • “There is no task on your list more important than your own humanity or the humanity of others. Never.”
    — Kendra (41:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Main episode introduction & context | 10:12 | | Introducing the five-step maxed out path | 14:02 | | Step 1: Name the Noise (S.L.E.W.) explained | 17:20 | | Step 2: Name the Problem + paper sorting activity | 23:50 | | Kendra’s personal maxed out ranking & example | 33:54 | | Step 3: Name What Matters | 39:20 | | Step 4: Pick Your Principle | 44:05 | | Step 5: Plan Like a Lazy Genius (PLAN Pyramid) | 48:50 | | Five steps summarized | 52:09 | | Little Extra: Granola wisdom | 55:30 | | Lazy Genius of the Week: Working out in pajamas | 59:40 | | Pep Talk: When People Don’t Understand | 61:05 |

Little Extra: Magical Granola (55:30)

• Why homemade granola?
  • Tastes better, makes your house smell incredible, cheaper, lasts a long time, and is endlessly versatile.
• Kendra’s granola philosophy:
  • “Eyeball ingredients so that you can use fewer dishes. Nobody needs extra dishes to wash. Cooking is supposed to be lighthearted and full of love.” (56:50)
• Challenge: Make granola this week. “I want you to make it. Your house is gonna smell amazing… and I know you’re gonna love it.” (57:10)

Lazy Genius of the Week (59:40)

Mary from Virginia:

• Tip: Work out in pajamas!
• Why? With little kids and unpredictable timing, waiting for workout clothes might mean no workout at all.
• Memorable quote:
  • “What matters is doing it, not what you’re wearing while you’re doing it.” — Kendra (60:42)

Mini Pep Talk: When People Just Don’t Understand (61:05)

• On feeling misunderstood:
  • “Experiences are so personal and specific and nuanced, and we just can’t assume we know what someone is going through. I think that helps us be more compassionate across the board.” (62:42)
• Advice: Practice patience and compassion with yourself and with others. Stress makes us more sensitive and less gracious—so be gentle with misunderstandings.

Takeaways & Tone

• The episode is warm, pragmatic, and gentle—full of real-life examples, self-grace, and actionable tips.
• Kendra’s tone is understanding, slightly humorous, and always compassionate.
• Listeners walk away with concrete steps and permission to let go of unnecessary perfectionism, plus encouragement to protect what matters to them.

For Further Support

• Lazy List (Podcast Recap Email): Kendra’s team takes notes for you—sign up at thelazygeniuscollective.com/listens
• Granola Recipe: Search “Lazy Genius Granola” for the easy, forgiving recipe.
• Books/Principles: Consider reading The Lazy Genius Way and her third book, The Plan, for more principles and planning wisdom.

“Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.” — Kendra Adachi