I’m sure I can’t be alone in leaving workshop planning/editing/producing manuals and paperwork until the last minute? I have always told myself that I thrive on the urgency but the truth is that I often feel stressed and rushed – and I will probably pop off this mortal coil a lot sooner because of my lack of focus and preparation!

It is true that the last-minute panic can concentrate the mind, some of my best ideas have been at the eleventh hour – but executing them with no time for outside help (specialist printers or other trainers) isn’t then always logistically possible, meaning the fabulous idea has to wait till next time or worse, go to waste.
 
So, my best three Top Tips, from Stratus’ own ‘Where Did the Day Go?’ time management workshop, would be:
 
Consider your style of working: Build an atmosphere of trust, avoid having to confirm everything in writing – allow others to do the same. Allow staff to make some decisions or act without requiring written permission from you. Don’t make it a point of honour to take work home with you. Reading work-related material in bed is not a sign of a professional; it means you are not handling information properly during the day.
 
Consider your Circadian Rhythms: It is a good idea to contemplate your personal energy cycle when planning your day. Some of us are at our peak first thing, while others don’t come alive until late afternoon (this is definitely me!). Plan to do your most important tasks when you are feeling alert and creative. For the times when you know you will feel low in energy, allocate less important or routine tasks that need minimum brainpower.

Consider having meetings with yourself: It is important to insert some time in your programme to think and plan. Thinking things through first can save time and errors. Have meetings with yourself regularly, they can be very productive! Don’t worry that people will think you are doing nothing; the brain needs time to assimilate information and ideas.