I Reclaimed My Time—and My Focus—With a 15-Minute Daily Habit

Key takeaways

• Headway helped EVP Melissa Sierra reclaim her focus and leadership clarity with a 15-minute daily habit.

• Listening to short nonfiction summaries during her commute helped her approach each day with intentionality.

• The app inspired mindset shifts that improved her communication, deepened team collaboration, and aligned her leadership style with purpose.

In leadership, time is the most limited asset and the most powerful tool. For a long time, I was spending my time chasing growth in every direction. I was deeply committed to evolving both personally and professionally, but I often found myself scattered, pulled in multiple directions. I felt unfocused trying to keep up with multiple resources that both informed and challenged me in my pursuit to grow my self-awareness and leadership skills. Then I found Headway. 

Why I chose Headway for daily personal growth

Like most of us navigating a fast-moving business world, I wasn't looking for more information — I was looking for clarity, insight, and a way to stay consistent. I heard a few ads on YouTube about Headway, and my interest was piqued. I thought listening to snackable content that could boost my information intake and application of learnings 10x was worth a try.

That decision — to give it a try — has changed the way I lead.

What I gained from listening to Headway every morning

Now, I usually listen to Headway on my way into work. It's become my way of setting the tone for the day, before circumstances, meetings, and challenges try to influence my state of mind. It also helps me craft ideas around projects, set meeting agendas, or talk tracks for tackling unresolved operational issues.

There was one moment early on that stopped me in my tracks. I was listening to The Noticer, and this line hit me: "Challenges can be opportunities too; your definition of your experiences is dependent on how much perspective you have." That shifted something for me. That single sentence reframed how I see the tough parts of leadership. It gave me language for what I already sensed: growth isn't about avoiding difficulty — it's about how you define it.

One small but powerful shift I've made is how I think about consistency. It's not just about showing up — it's about leveling up. Consistency in how you evolve as a leader is key. What got me to this level wasn't necessarily what's required to improve. Being a constant student and applying what I learned from Headway's content is what's essential.

Over time, these small shifts have added up. I find I am more mindful of how I communicate, both in written form and orally. I now ensure my words have meaning, and that I have an understanding of who is on the other side receiving my information.

It's not just me who's noticed the difference. I find my relationships have a deeper mutual understanding. How much of what was not being said was taken for granted, and the way I present my ideas has allowed for better collaboration.

And it's had ripple effects on my team, too, especially in meetings with the intent to drive culture. My team has appreciated the context and has better understood my vision, where they are within the organization, and how we can achieve our goals together.

The power of a 15-minute habit

If I had to put my current mindset into three words, they would be: Clarity. Focus. Purpose. Headway has helped me move from assumptions of how best to approach today's business world to real-life scenario applications that further innovation, corporate culture, and leadership.

Fifteen minutes a day may not sound like much. But I've found perspective, growth, and presence in those minutes. And more importantly, I've reclaimed my time and how I use it.

Ready to reclaim your time and refocus your mindset? Try Headway

Melissa's story is one of many we hear from leaders, professionals, and lifelong learners who are striving to stay sharp, intentional, and growth-driven in an always-on world. If you're navigating the demands of your career while craving a way to learn smarter — not harder — Headway was built for you.

With just 15 minutes a day, Headway helps you unlock powerful insights from the world's best nonfiction books. Whether commuting, prepping for a meeting, or simply carving out a moment of focus before the day begins, Headway fits learning into your schedule without the overwhelm.

From summaries that spark "aha" moments to practical takeaways you can immediately apply to your work, team, and leadership style, Headway supports your evolution, one page — or listen — at a time.

Join thousands of high-performing professionals who use Headway to lead with clarity, focus, and purpose. Download the app and start your first summary today.