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Episode 17 From Invisible to Influential: Reclaim Your Tiger Time and Escape the Busyness Trap

Master Your Peak Hours for Strategic Leadership

Hello, my lovely! Welcome back to the Leader Within Podcast.

In our ongoing six-week journey from Invisible to Influential, we're diving deep into the strategies that move you from working harder to thinking smarter.

This week, we're tackling a challenge many talented leaders face: the busyness trap. You know the feeling – a packed calendar, constant demands, and the nagging sense that your best work is slipping away. It’s not about lacking effort; it’s about a lack of strategic focus on your most valuable time. This episode is your invitation to break free from the patterns that keep you stuck and step into the recognized, influential leader you are meant to be.

Listen to discover:

👉Why a busy calendar doesn't equate to effective leadership.

👉The neuroscience behind decision fatigue and cortisol spikes that sabotage your focus.

👉How to identify and fiercely protect your "Tiger Time" – your peak cognitive hours.

👉Practical strategies, including AI-powered tools, to say "no" gracefully and reclaim your most productive windows.

Episode Navigation: What You'll Discover

[00:03:14] The Myth of the Busy Calendar

Sue-Anne debunks the idea that a packed schedule equals productivity and reveals why attending every meeting might be hindering your leadership impact. Discover how to shift from being a passenger to a driver in your career.

[00:05:13] Case Study: The Calendar Hijack

Meet Sarah, a leader trapped by her schedule, and learn the critical moment she realized her fear of missing out was costing her more than just time. Uncover the hidden drivers behind the compulsion to attend everything.

[00:07:02] The Neuroscience of Calendar Chaos

Explore how decision fatigue, cortisol spikes, and your unique chronotype (your brain's natural rhythm) impact your ability to think strategically. Understand why working against your biology keeps you stuck.

[00:10:52] Power Move: What is Tiger Time?

Sue-Anne introduces "Tiger Time" – your neurological sweet spot for deep work and strategic thinking. Learn why protecting this 90-120 minute window is crucial for high-impact leadership.

[00:12:47] AI Can Help You Protect Your Tiger Time

Discover how AI tools, like the custom "Time Liberator," can help you draft polite yet firm responses to meeting requests and reclaim your focus without guilt or damaging relationships.

[00:16:42] What Tiger Time Could Mean for You

See the transformative impact of reclaiming Tiger Time through a powerful case study. Understand how it leads to increased respect, better strategic conversations, and even influences team culture.

[READY TO IMPLEMENT? WATCH THE FULL EPISODE: by clicking the video link above]

Why This Episode Is Essential Viewing

✅ You feel like you're working harder than anyone else but not getting recognised.

✅ Your great ideas are often ignored or repeated by others.

✅ You struggle to say "no" to meetings and requests, leading to an overwhelming schedule.

✅ You suspect your packed calendar is hindering your strategic thinking and impact.

✅ You're ready to move from being busy to being truly influential.

What You'll Walk Away With

After watching this episode, you'll have:

• A clear understanding of the "busyness trap" and its neurological impact.

• The ability to identify your personal "Tiger Time."

• Strategies to protect your peak cognitive hours without guilt or damaging relationships.

• Insights into how AI can support your time management and influence.

• A renewed sense of control over your schedule and your leadership trajectory.

[TRANSFORM YOUR LEADERSHIP APPROACH: WATCH NOW - Click the Video Above]

Ready to Go Deeper?

If today's episode resonates with you and you're ready to break through your leadership plateau, I have powerful resources waiting for you:

🎯 Free Guide: From Invisible to Influential

Stop being the leader who works twice as hard for half the recognition. Get my proven framework at http://sue-anne.com.au/invisible

🚀 Free Masterclass: The AI-Savvy Leader

Join me for an in-depth training on using AI to amplify (not dilute) your leadership presence at http://sue-anne.com.au/masterclass

💡 Leader Within Coaching Experience

Ready for personalized support? Discover how our structured coaching approach helps you break through specific plateaus by joining the Invisible to Influential in Just 6 Weeks group coaching experience: https://sue-anne.com.au/intentional

What's Next?

Next week, we tackle the chaos that steals your focus. Sue-Anne will show you how to build a daily blueprint that makes your week flow, moving you from firefighting to strategic focus. Don't miss it!

Sue-Anne Higgins

Host, The Leader Within Podcast