In the couple or so years that this Philosopher-In-Residence has been pondering on these pages, one thing has always been constant: in true Make Me A Plan style, I’ve always written about the topic I promised was upcoming in the previous fortnight’s edition.

As I put keys to keyboard two Thursdays ago, the world as we know it changed and in the most horrifying way imaginable for the people of Ukraine.

So today’s blog is going to be On Surviving. Everyone here in this United Plandom sends sincere prayers and heartfelt wishes for peace in the direction of Ukrainians at home and abroad.

The (fairly poor quality) photo accompanying this blog was taken in 2019 at Lviv International Airport. At the time, I took the snap as I have a habit of taking a picture of any pieces of art or design that comprise my two favourite colours and Make Me A Plan’s brand palette. I’d expected to one day upload the picture in a light-hearted post on Instagram. Things don’t always turn out as expected.

Amongst other Eastern European countries and cities, that year I also visited Russia and Belarus. In the former, I was struck by the vast differences between Moscow (where I stayed half the trip, in the cosmopolitan business district) and Suzdal (where I spent the rest of the time at a trail running event). Having learned a bit of Russian and the Cyrillic alphabet, I’ll never forget asking for a couple of chocolate bars in a shop and wondering why the lady kept saying one, I was sure I had got the pronunciation of the Russian for two correct. After a while, I suddenly realised that she was saying one because they only had one chocolate bar in stock. In the entire town. It was one of many wake up calls about my cosy UK life being more privileged than I thought.

In Minsk, Belarus, it was one of the most astonishingly naturally beautiful places I have ever been. Where people talked about their government using words that wouldn’t get them in trouble with the authorities, but intonation that spoke volumes about what we who live in liberal democracies take for granted.

In Lviv, Ukraine, I ate, drank, was merry and as ever in European countries, was amazed at how cool the nightlife and café culture was compared to home. I cannot imagine how the people who welcomed me to the hotel, served me coffees and walked past me in the street then now feel as they see their compatriots’ cities decimated by Putin’s megalomania and know that their city is also on his hitlist.

Like many readers, I divide my time between feeling powerless and trying to do small things from afar. This is another of those small things.

Ukraine, we are all rooting for you On Surviving.

Next fortnight, I’ll be musing On When.

Please get in touch with any particular aspects of this topic 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/human-resources/