Make Me a Plan

ON DEPENDENCE

The Philosopher-in-Residence Blog Series from Make Me A Plan's Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe

03.07.2025.

With Independence Day in everyone’s minds this weekend, this Philosopher-in-Residence felt like being a little contrary and focusing on dependence instead. Songs, books, poems, treatises have all determined the importance of independence. So when did dependency become...

HOW TO AVOID BURNOUT IN THE WORKPLACE

The Working Well Series, from Make Me A Plan Productivity Expert, Pen Le Kelly

25.06.2025.

Burnout isn't just a buzzword — it's a growing problem across UK workplaces. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), over 17 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, with burnout being a leading...

ON SPLENDOUR

The Philosopher-in-Residence Blog Series from Make Me A Plan's Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe

19.06.2025.

This Philosopher-in-Residence invests a fair bit of time trying to be the positivity Pollyanna in the room, usually this is out of a wish to see fellow humans being nicer about themselves rather than an ill-founded distance from reality. When I was a teeny-weeny...

SURVIVING EXAM SEASON: A WORKING PARENT'S GUIDE

The Working Well Series, from Make Me A Plan Productivity Expert, Pen Le Kelly

11.06.2025.

Let’s be honest — exam season can feel like a second full-time job. Between managing meetings and mealtimes, working parents often find themselves doubling as tutors, counsellors, and cheerleaders. But fear not! With a little planning and a lot of patience, you...

ON AMAZEMENT

The Philosopher-in-Residence Blog Series from Make Me A Plan's Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe

05.06.2025.

This fortnight, this Philosopher-in-Residence is going full pseud and reserving the whole column simply for describing and encouraging amazement. No place here for the modern, often usage with negative connotations of disbelief. Today, just for a few minutes, read, absorb,...

THE POWER OF CONNECTION: WHY TEAM BUILDING MATTERS MORE THAN YOUR THINK

The Working Well Series, from Make Me A Plan Productivity Expert, Pen Le Kelly

28.05.2025.

Hello there, Fans of Plans! Here’s a question for you: When was the last time you checked in with a colleague just to say hello? In today’s fast-paced, hybrid-working world, it’s easy to fall into a routine of emails, meetings, and deadlines — often...

ON DUCKS

The Philosopher-in-Residence Blog Series from Make Me A Plan's Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe

22.05.2025.

Ducks, whether wheaten or bright-hued, have the distinction of being the basis of several phrases in commonplace English use. Being “out for a duck” signifies getting bowled out in cricket having failed to score any runs. Sad times. “Water off a...

STAYING MOTIVATED AT WORK: SIMPLE TECHNIQUES THAT REALLY WORK

The Working Well Series, from Make Me A Plan Productivity Expert, Pen Le Kelly

14.05.2025.

Let’s be honest—staying motivated at work every single day isn’t easy. Even the most passionate people hit walls. But the good news? There are some tried-and-tested techniques that can help you keep your momentum, stay on track with your goals, and even...

ON WHERE IT ALL WENT WRONG

The Philosopher-in-Residence Blog Series from Make Me A Plan's Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe

08.05.2025.

It’s all going on in the world at the moment, isn’t it, simplified this Philosopher-in-Residence. So, just where DID it all go wrong? Was it the way we voted, the choices we made in our personal or professional lives? Perhaps chaos theory, innocent but harbinger...

HOW BEHAVIOURS CREATE CULTURE IN THE WORKPLACE – AND HOW BUSINESSES CAN SHAPE IT

The Working Well Series, from Make Me A Plan Productivity Expert, Pen Le Kelly

30.04.2025.

When we think about workplace culture, we often imagine the big things – mission statements, office perks, team away days. But in reality, culture is built quietly, day by day, through behaviours. Every conversation, decision, and habit adds a brick to the foundation...