I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time

Laura Vanderkam challenges the narrative that high-earning women with children cannot achieve work-life balance. By analyzing a database of 1,001 days in the lives of women earning at least $100,000 annually, she tracks how they actually spend their 168 hours each week. The data shows that these women do not work grueling eighty-hour weeks, but rather employ strategies like the split shift, where they leave the office early for family time and finish tasks after children are in bed. The book introduces the mosaic approach to scheduling, demonstrating how small blocks of leisure and sleep fit into a busy life without requiring major sacrifices.

Professional women and working parents read this book to find practical ways to manage demanding careers alongside personal interests. It appeals to those who feel overwhelmed by the 24-hour clock and seek a broader weekly perspective on their schedules. Readers walk away with log sheets and time-tracking methods to identify wasted hours. They learn to prioritize high-value activities and accept imperfection in domestic chores, gaining a realistic blueprint for maintaining professional momentum while staying present for family milestones and self-care.