Boundaries are better than ‘balance’
Through my work I have the privilege of hearing other women’s aspirations, concerns and insights into the minutiae of what it takes to be at their best. One thing that comes up time and again is boundaries. Not the leylandii/neighbour dispute type, but the demarcations we use to ensure we spread our energy around a range of pursuits. In this post I’m offering boundaries... Read More
Change Fest’ – Ditch the Diet
It’s January and if you’re looking to make a change, this insight from the world of psychology will be a help. This was first written and published as a ‘Here’s a Thought’ column in February 2008. “The drugs don’t work, they just make you worse…” so The Verve sang and the same is true of most ‘diets’ out there. It may be the time of year or just a coincidence... Read More
Mothers & Sleep
Hello you holidaymaking mother of character, Now what’s better than sunshine and well behaved children on your summer break from business as usual? The answer from my POV is very definitely a bloody good night’s sleep on at least as good a mattress as I have at home. On our break in North Yorkshire the sun shone, our friends were as awesome as ever and we had a seriously good... Read More
Last night of the passion
Picture the scene: Saturday morning, about 8am standing in my kitchen stirring a pan of porridge (I’ve just discovered it’s so much better done this way – instead of the microwave – and it’s a great excuse for not multi-tasking for it has to be stirred continuously) listening to BBC Radio 3. Something I hear causes me to grab my iphone and promptly text husband... Read More
Holiday Psychology
Do you know how to have a great holiday? I thought I did but given the number of letdowns we’ve had, our friends know there’s a fair chance they can bob round the day before we’re due back and be welcomed in for tea and cake – which makes me think I’ve definitely got a bit to learn. A number of psychologists have set about answering the question “are holidays worth... Read More
CAMPAIGN: Mother The Mother
It occurred to me after having my children, but before I started work on my first book, Mothers Work! that as a society the UK needs to get better at mothering our mothers. I say get ‘better’ but what I really mean is start mothering our mothers; looking after, lending a hand, doing favours, taking time to nurture the women who are nurturing others. Mothering the mother is... Read More
Working Your Wellbeing
How are you? Upbeat? Tired? Energetic? Bored? Whatever your state of mind and body it’ll be improved by the end of March if you a cop a load of this post about working your wellbeing at work. We’re honing in on what you do at lunch (but not in a soggy stodgy sandwich versus super-food salad sort of way) because it might be the key to career acceleration and going home earlier. I’m... Read More
Jessica on Heart FM
The sexily-smart voice of Heart FM’s breakfast show, Natalie Besbrode, asked me to share some ‘January Blues Buster’ tips with her listeners. From counting blessings to smiling at strangers to giving yourself license to try something new without commiting to keep it going here’s a one-a-day prescription to make your January rosier. Share them with other women... Read More
Goodness Gratitude Me
Trawling through all the life coach columns I’ve written since 2004, I found this from January 2008 and re-publish it to help you flourish. In 3 years nothing’s changed with the NEXT sale in any case. Will we ever get bored of shopping? Had the women at the 4am opening of the Next sale not had enough of queuing, crammed car parks and overheating credit cards last month?... Read More
Life Lesson
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the jar… and the coffee… A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.... Read More
