Meet Dina. She grips the steering wheel tighter as her phone buzzes in the cup holder. At a red light, she glances down, her daughter’s text flashes on the screen: “How far are you? We’ve been waiting.”
Her stomach sinks. She should’ve left the office an hour ago. But one email led to another, and now she’s late for dinner again.
Dina is the Senior Director of Customer Service at a fast-growing software company. She’s driven, reliable, and endlessly available. Between long meetings, Spanish classes, and cello lessons, she fills every moment, but still feels exhausted. Beneath her achievements lies a quiet longing for calm, clarity, and time with her family.
Today, Jay sits down with Maura Thomas, one of the top time management experts in the world, a TEDx speaker, and author of six books, including Attention Management and Everyone Wants to Work Here. Maura teaches leaders that true productivity isn’t about managing time, it’s about managing attention. Her Empowered Productivity System helps professionals reclaim focus, reduce stress, and accomplish more of what matters most.
Together, Jay and Maura unpack how leaders like Dina can break free from distraction, redefine success, and create a life that’s not just full, but fulfilling.
Notable Quotes
“It’s hard to get somebody to believe something when their livelihood depends on them not believing it.” — Maura Thomas
“You can’t solve a distraction problem with a time solution. The antidote to distraction is attention.” — Maura Thomas
“Sometimes the best thing you can do for your work is not work.” — Jay Abbasi
About Our Guest
Maura Thomas is an award-winning speaker, trainer, and author recognized among the world’s top 10 time management professionals. Through her Empowered Productivity System, she helps individuals and organizations regain control of their attention, achieve peak performance, and cultivate work-life balance. Maura’s work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal, and her clients include Google, Dell, and the U.S. Air Force.
Resources and Links
Maura Thomas
Website – https://www.maurathomas.com/
The Empowered Productivity Assessment – https://www.maurathomas.com/productivity-assessment
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauranevelthomas-productivity-trainer/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/regainyourtime
Jay Abbasi
Website – https://jayabbasi.me/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast
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Join Us Next Time
On Friday, Jay explores five simple strategies to reclaim your attention, practical, evidence-based methods to help you regain focus, cut through distraction, and take back control of your day.
If you’ve been feeling scattered or overstimulated, this next episode will help you get grounded, clear, and present in what truly matters most.
Until then, stay mindful, stay intentional, and stay Unstuck.