Cassie Holmes on Time + Happiness - S3E41 - Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of "Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most."

SummaryIn this episode of Lassoing Leadership, Jason and Garth sit down with Cassie Holmes—professor at UCLA and author of Happier Hour—to explore a powerful and often overlooked leadership truth: how we spend our time is how we shape our lives.Cassie shares her personal journey into the science of happiness, unpacking the concept of time poverty and how the feeling of “never having enough time” is one of the greatest barriers to well-being. But instead of offering productivity hacks, she flips the script—suggesting that time isn’t the problem… it’s the solution.Through practical tools like the Five Whys exercise, Cassie challenges us to align our calendars with our purpose, prioritize meaningful connection, and rethink what it truly means to live—and lead—well.This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about how we lead others… it’s about how intentionally we lead our own lives.KeywordsHappiness, Time Management, Intentional Living, Purpose, Well-Being, Leadership, Personal DevelopmentThemesThe hidden cost of time poverty and why busyness is not a badge of honourHow our perception of time shapes happiness more than the amount of itWhy purpose—not productivity—should guide our schedulesThe Five Whys as a tool for uncovering what truly mattersShifting from quantity of time → quality of momentsLeadership through intentional living and modeling balanceQuotes:“Time is the solution, not the challenge.”“Purpose guides how we spend our time.”“If you say you don’t have time, what you’re really saying is it’s not a priority.”“It’s not about having more time—it’s about using it with intention.”“Weekly coffee dates can create a lifetime of connection.”Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Cassie Holmes and the Science of Happiness01:25 – Cassie’s Journey into Happiness Research04:33 – Understanding Time Poverty and Its Impact07:15 – Time as the Solution, Not the Challenge09:17 – Rethinking Balance Through Purpose and Connection11:12 – The Power of the Five Whys Exercise15:49 – Time Audits and Appreciating Life’s Moments20:51 – Quality Over Quantity in Time and Happiness23:03 – “I Don’t Have Time” Reframed26:28 – Making Time for What Matters Most28:35 – Ted Lasso, Leadership, and Living with IntentionWhat we learned:Busyness is not effectiveness—it’s often misalignment.Time poverty is a mindset as much as a reality.Leaders who model intentional time use create healthier cultures.Purpose should drive your calendar—not the other way around.Small, consistent moments (like a weekly coffee) create outsized impact.Asking “why” repeatedly can reconnect you to what truly matters.spotWhere to find more....📘 Happier Hour by Cassie Holmes🎓 UCLA Anderson Faculty Profile (Cassie Holmes)🧠 Five Whys Exercise – Harvard Business Review📺 Ted Lasso