This Philosopher-in-Residence loves a salient point or a tasty morsel of sage advice. This fortnight, when reflecting on this for todays blog, I thought back to the “40 at 40” advice almanac I invited my friends to help compile for my 40^th birthday. This consisted of 40 sage quotes, some of my favourites I had used as mantras over the years and others sent across from friends and workmates. There were no rules – the quote could be by anyone and about anything, as long as it was a favoured quote of the sendee.

My little niece, who was 3 at the time, inadvertently submitted one of the most sage sayings when my sister was chatting with her and asked “Do you think Mummy works hard?”

Imagine a cocked toddler head, deep in Cartesian consideration, eventually proclaiming: “I think you should work gentle, Mummy, because then you will feel better!”

Even if you don’t feel you can work more gently all the time, try to hear those wise words every now and again during your next working week and take things down a smudge from breakneck pace. And if it works for you, tell us and other people!

Next fortnight, I’ll be writing On Ante Bellum, reflecting on anchor points in these turbulent times. 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/line-managers-compassionate-role-in-team-wellbeing/