Why Smart People Get Stuck
Keynotes & workshops that help teams reduce cognitive overload, maintain agency alongside AI work, and overcome the friction points in their days.
Signature Talks & Workshops
Why Smart People Get Stuck (And what actually gets things moving again).
Thinking in the Age of AI: Building Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Self-Trust
The Cognitive Overload Crisis: Why Everyone Feels Busy But Nobody Feels Clear
About Áine
Áine Kmen (pronounced Awnya) is the founder of JournalingFix and a speaker focused on cognitive overload, decision-making, and the science of getting unstuck.
Before founding JournalingFix, she spent more than a decade leading marketing and growth for startups across three continents, working inside fast-moving environments where clarity, focus, and rapid decision-making directly impacted results.
Today, she helps leaders, founders, and teams understand why smart people get stuck, and how simple reflection practices can reduce mental clutter, improve decision quality, and restore momentum.
Her work blends neuroscience, psychology, performance science, and practical workplace application into tools audiences can use immediately.
Audience Feedback
“What stood out most was how it helped clear the feeling of overwhelm and mental fatigue. It gently broke things down into manageable pieces, making it easier to process what’s in front of you and then shift into your next task with clarity and ease. It’s the kind of practice that doesn’t just feel good in the moment—it actually changes how you move through your day.”
Brain x writing: Why this simple process can change everything
A few minutes of guided writing can change how people process information, regulate stress, and take action - because it reduces ambiguity, clears mental residue, and creates a clean next step. These sessions translate that science into repeatable micro-protocols attendees can use immediately.
“The feedback from our members was overwhelmingly positive. Many were genuinely surprised by how this simple process could help them have a more productive workday. Several members even asked if we could bring Aine back for another session.
If you’re looking for a valuable event, I highly recommend inviting Aine to host this workshop at your location. It’s practical, engaging, and clearly resonated with our members.”
“I’ve used JournalingFix on two projects. It’s helped me put aside demanding tasks when I need to focus on other things, and they’ve helped me get started on tasks I resist doing. The journal entries are fast. I usually spend about five minutes. They don’t feel like extra work. They’re each structured for one goal, so they’re easy to apply. ”
Ideal For:
Leadership teams navigating change, growth, and uncertainty
Founders and entrepreneurs managing competing priorities and constant decision-making
High-performing professionals experiencing overwhelm, context switching, and mental fatigue
HR and L&D teams looking for practical tools, not just inspiration
Innovation, technology, and professional communities focused on performance and preventing burn-out
“As a developer, my brain is juggling 15 threads at once by noon. AI tools make me faster, but they also add a whole new layer - more decisions, more context-switching, more information flying at me constantly. The micro-journaling techniques in Áine’s seminar gave me a way to dump the noise, quiet the mental chatter, and reconnect with my own voice and creativity. That clarity is everything. ”
“I came to Áine’s workshop stuck on procrastination and avoidance of hard tasks, and left with simple techniques that work. I use it every day now and am excited to see what else JournalingFix has in store.”
In-person and remote options
Clear session timing provided, simple setup needs, copy and paste marketing descriptions, and optional digital takeaways shared via QR code or your event app. Easy to run, whether you’re programming a ballroom keynote or a breakout track.
Flexible Formats
Available as keynote, workshop, breakout session, leadership offsite, virtual session, or custom program.
Bring Brain × Writing to Your Team, Event, or Community
Whether you're planning a conference, leadership offsite, professional development event, or community gathering, sessions can be customized for your audience, goals, and format.
Download the speaker one-pager or get in touch to discuss your event.
Based in San Diego, CA · Available for travel