About Hillary
I'm author of Productivity is Power: 5 Liberating Practices for College Students, The 7 Secrets of the Prolific: The Definitive Guide to Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Writer's Block, and The Lifelong Activist: How to Change the World Without Losing Your Way. I have taught productivity and time-management classes at top writing, business, educational, arts, and community organizations throughout the United States, and my articles have appeared in Psychology Today, Huffington Post, Fortune, Future Buzz, Time Management Ninja, Tomorrow's Professor, Authors Helping Authors, The Thesis Whisperer, and numerous other publications.
I currently hold an appointment as an Academic Productivity Projects Specialist at Kalamazoo College, where I give workshops and provide individual consultation to students, faculty, and staff.
During a prior career as a technology journalist and consultant, my articles appeared in Wired, Working Woman, Inc. Technology, and elsewhere; I was also interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, and other publications. I've also appeared as a guest on CBS-TV News, WBAI, WBUR, and other broadcasts.
From 2001 - 2012 I worked as a business coach and microlender at two nonprofit agencies in Boston, roles in which I helped hundreds of people from all backgrounds start and grow businesses in fields including art, technology, personal services, professional services, manufacturing, distribution, and retail. It was in the course of this work that I became acutely aware of the forces that hold so many talented, energetic, ambitious, and visionary people back, and it was this awareness that catalyzed my current mission.
On a Personal Note…
I'm a vegan, free software advocate, and lover of life, dogs, and social justice in all its forms. I'm also a former foster mom of four teenage Sudanese refugees (a.k.a., "Lost Boys"), now all adult and living independently. And I'm a living kidney donor. If you're a current or prospective vegan, free software advocate, foster parent, or kidney donor, email me and I will support you however I can.
When I was a kid, I mainly wanted to do two things: write and help. And I find that, as an adult, the more time I devote to these activities the happier I am. I'm a classic "late bloomer" who didn't start coming into my own, professionally or personally, until I was well into my forties, and so I understand first-hand the despair that comes from feeling like you're not living up to your potential. But I now know what I didn't know then: that blocks are often easily overcome once you stop blaming yourself for being "lazy" or "undisciplined" and start looking for the real roots of the problem. And so, my main message to others is often, "relax, it's gonna be fine."
I believe deeply in the power of perseverance, the amazing possibilities of reinvention, and the benefits of living consciously. Life can be difficult, but it is always deeply fascinating.
I was born in the Bronx, spent time in Ithaca, NY, and Boston, MA, and now live in Kalamazoo, MI. My partner, Jan Tobochnik, is a physics professor at Kalamazoo College.
I hope you enjoy your time on this site and invite your comments and questions.
Two Simple Things You Can Do For Me
If my work has been helpful to you and your work, I'm glad! If you are so inclined, here are two simple things you can do that would greatly help me and my work:
Subscribe to my mailing list. (See below, in the whale's mouth!)
If you've read one of my books, please review it on one or more of the online bookstores. Reviews really do drive sales, and even a 1-2 line review is fine!
