Rethinking Time and Balance: Marissa Morrison of ZipRecruiter on Intentional Time Use — Part 1

In this episode of Time Billionaires, Rebecca speaks with Marissa Morrison, Vice President of People at ZipRecruiter, about the unseen power of “micromoments” and how small, intentional choices compound into greater creativity, energy, and focus. They explore the idea that time is our most precious currency, after all, a billion seconds equals roughly 31 years, and discuss practical ways to reclaim the seconds between meetings, chores, and digital distractions. Marissa introduces her three-tiered framework for decision-making, reminding listeners that every “yes” comes at the expense of something else and encouraging a mindful approach to protect energy for both obligations and personal passions.   Throughout their conversation, Rebecca and Marissa dive into the art of self-awareness: using writing and stillness as tools for reflection, treating past decisions as “data points” rather than failures, and viewing play as an essential category of micromoments. They share tactics like morning pages, one-word debriefs after meetings or events, and periodic check-ins to ask, “How am I feeling right now?” These simple practices help identify which activities give energy, which drain it, and guide listeners toward saying “yes” to what truly matters.   By the end of the episode, you’ll walk away with actionable advice on journaling without judgment, scheduling fun alongside work, and giving yourself the grace to learn and iterate. Whether you’re feeling overcommitted or simply curious about optimizing your days, Marissa’s insights make it clear: small shifts in awareness and intention can turn fleeting moments into lasting productivity, and a more energized, fulfilled life.   Timestamps  Writing, journaling, and sitting in stillness as mindfulness practices – 00:00:00 Protecting your time and energy by setting boundaries and saying no – 00:02:00 Viewing feelings as data points and using self-compassion in decision-making – 00:03:00 Embracing play and micromoments for creativity and productivity – 00:07:00 One-word reflection after meetings to capture key insights – 00:10:00   Connect with Marissa Morrison LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissamorrison/     For more insights on turning hidden minutes into your greatest asset, connect with Rebecca and follow the podcast on LinkedIn!  Time Billionaires on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/time-billionaires-pod Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccashaddix/   And if you love the show, Subscribe to follow it.    Shout-out to Graham Duncan from East Rock Capital for the "Time Billionaires" concept that inspired our show name - originally shared on The Tim Ferriss Show. Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Live More Productively With Time(00:00:55) - Welcome to Time Billionaires Podcast(00:02:01) - How to Prioritize Your Time(00:04:05) - Being Intentional About Your Time(00:06:55) - How To Balance Your Priorities and Family Life