I’m hearing the words 'very busy' a lot. So many people I’ve spoken to recently have responded to the question “How are you” by starting with “I’m very busy …” ... very stressed ... very tired. In today’s fast-paced world this isn’t an uncommon feeling and often it’s almost a default, automatic response to the question “How are you?” It’s become a habit but what does it actually mean and how can you break the very busy cycle and do something about it?   Define the 'very busy' problem Notice how often and when you respond to 'how are you' with 'very busy'. Using the word very to describe ..read more

Boundaries are simple guidelines for establishing limits around your time and your space. They’re also about how you want others to treat you and what behaviours you’re willing to accept or not at work and in your personal life. Healthy boundaries are essential to protect your time and enable you to remain productive. They’re important to protect your mental health and emotional wellbeing. They also provide a guide for how you'll respond when someone steps over your boundaries. Having healthy boundaries builds a foundation for a positive environment on a professional and personal level. When ..read more

There are a few common myths and pitfalls about time management that need to be dispelled and addressed. Starting with the misconception of “I’m the only one experiencing this”. When you start sharing your challenges or struggles you begin to realise you’re not alone. Whatever story you tell me about how you’re struggling with your time management and productivity, I’ll have heard it before. Try me!   Common Myths and Pitfalls These are a few of the most common myths and pitfalls people have about time management and your ability to use your time more effectively.   There’s a magi ..read more

  It’s cold outside and I’m wrapped up in several layers at this time of year, indoors and out. The lower temperatures, shorter days and post-holiday blues make it a little more challenging to kickstart the year with the same level of energy and focus you feel when it’s warm and sunny. However, there are plenty of ways to change your mindset and boost your motivation in January. So far you've ... Set your goals for the year … Decided where you want to focus and what’s important … Spent time organising your workspace for the coming year … Here are a few ways to boost your motivation an ..read more

Planning is always key at this time of year. Ticking off a few of your January tasks will set you up for a more organised and productive year. Whether you run your own business or want to improve your productivity at work, here are a few tasks to have on your list. Complete them by the end of this month, if you haven't done them already. Top 5 January Tasks Complete your annual goals and objectives. For your business, work and personal development. If you have a business plan, have you updated it for this year? Break them down in to more manageable blocks of time - quarterly or monthly. Use ..read more

Neurodiversity comes up a lot these days particularly in the media. It’s a term to describe the differences in how our brains work. A term we tend to associate with ADHD, autism and dyslexia. Neurodiversity is a natural difference, in the same way other human factors such as height, body type, eye colour, hair colour vary. No two fingerprints are the same (unless you’re identical twins), and neither are our brains. The way we think and behave is different for what’s neurotypical and what's neurodivergent. It affects how we think or see the world. This is important when it comes to time ..read more

Distractions are one of the biggest sources of time wasting. Whether you  distract yourself or others distract you. Research shows distractions can waste over 2 hours a day. Each time you're distracted, you break your focus to deal with the distraction. It takes several minutes to get back to the task in hand. Whether you’re a busy professional trying to juggle multiple responsibilities or a small business owner, reduce your distractions so you can reclaim precious time.   Identify the source of your distractions What are the main sources of distraction throughout the day? Your env ..read more

Completing the 30 Day Challenge has highlighted the positive impact of little and often and the importance of routines in creating more consistent habits. It's helped refocus on little and often and getting back on track with a couple of habits I do regularly but not necessarily consistently. These are: Daily movement Increasing flexibility and just being more active. I’ve found 3 ‘workouts’ that require no equipment, don’t take up much time and are easy to do at home or even in the office. A 4 minute - quick work stretch, to counteract sitting in front of a computer all day. Two easy 7 min ..read more

It’s November! The clocks changed at the weekend, the nights are drawing in and it’s getting colder. Ward off that hibernation feeling, stay focused and make the most of the last two months of the year with these November tasks.   Review and Reflect Reassess your work, personal and financial goals for the year. Review your progress over the last 10 months and use what you’ve achieved and what you’ve learned to plan ahead for next year. If you’re on track great! If you’re not, what’s a realistic target for the rest of the year. Make a plan for what you want to achieve for the remaining ..read more

The effectiveness of bullet journalling has been highlighted again recently when a client transformed their way of working. Using it to organise their time, increase their productivity and confidence. I've used bullet journaling for years. I love the simple pen and paper approach to planning, scheduling and organising, so it's a system that works well for me. As Ryder Carroll, the inventor of Bullet Journaling says - it’s to track the past, organise the present and plan for the future. Keep it really simple. Find what works for you and adapt it to your daily needs. Include whatever you want ..read more