To celebrate the onset of the tenth month of the year, I thought I’d write a blog On Eight. Poor old October, previously occupying the premium eighth spot in the calendar and then condemned by the Romans to forever more have a name that didn’t make sense in the calendar that’s been used ever since in the Western world.

The bright sun and carefree days of the Gregorian eight month pale away to the stark clarity of modern-day October and with that, you’ll have noticed people starting to insert fear about the dark and the cold into their daily chit-chat. This Philosopher-in-Residence has come up with a magic 8 tips to help members of Plankind combat gloomy thoughts this autumn-time…do let us know if you try any of them and how they work for you…

1. The 20 minutes of fresh air rule. This can be accumulated if you can’t do it in one go, and regular chores like walking from shop to shop around town can be included. You’ll feel much better than being constantly stuck indoors.

2. Season of self-care: at least once a week, schedule some time for some self-care – could be a face mask, playing a few of your favourite songs and doing absolutely nothing else while they’re on, anything that will make you feel good.

3. Say thank you – make a conscious effort thank a higher being if you believe in one, or thank yourself or a loved one as a way of welcoming each day. It is a blessing to be alive after all.

4. Reminisce. Even if you’re achieving #1 no problem, likely you won’t be outside quite as much as in the summer months. So use the time indoors to reminisce over old photos, mementoes and memories.

5. Hobby club. Re-engage with one hobby a week you haven’t done for ages.

6. Hobby club continued! Try a new hobby, ideally at least once a week.

7. A letter to yourself. Might sound strange, but don’t knock it til you try it! Tell yourself what you like about yourself, things you might believe about yourself but don’t say often enough.

8. Rest. Rather than feeling guilty about X, Y or Z you would normally feel like you had to be rushing round constantly trying to do, add some extra rest time into your week. It can be just ten minutes a couple of times a week until you get more accorded to having a greater amount of planned rest. You will be more productive, I promise.

Next fortnight I’ll be writing On The Real Living Wage, as the Living Wage Foundation announces this year's rates. It'll pay for your to drop by and find out more.

Please get in touch with any particular aspects of this subject you’d like me to write about.

In the meantime,

Happy Planning

PS If you want some other free tips for your business life, check out the Working Well blog – out fortnightly on Wednesdays, courtesy of Make Me A Plan’s Productivity Expert, Penny Le Kelly. Browse the latest edition here:

https://www.makemeaplan.com/news/creating-a-safe-and-welcoming-space-for-everyone/