After studying in Paris, Oxford, Cairo and Jerusalem, I taught politics at London University and social sciences at the Open University for 14 years. This fuelled a fascination in the role of motivation in teaching and learning which led me to train as a certified coach at the renowned Coaches Training Institute.

In 2008 I launched my consultancy, JLP Coach, to promote time management and organising skills. I also applied coaching strategies to help people who felt overwhelmed by too many belongings in their home or workplace. Since then, I’ve coached hundreds of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including many with challenges relating to neurodiversity, physical disability and/or mental health issues.

But what really qualifies me to talk about procrastination doesn’t appear on my CV – it’s the Oxford doctorate (in Middle East Studies) that I researched for years but never managed to complete because I was paralysed by perfectionism. So it’s my own personal experience that also drives me to understand the self-limiting stories that we tell others – and ourselves – and the obstacles that we put in our own way.

As a coach I now help people from diverse backgrounds to review and reduce their to-do lists and share strategies to kickstart them into action. The aim is not only to boost performance but to reduce stress, improve wellbeing and develop vital life skills. From students avoiding assignments to writers facing a blank screen, from business owners who are too busy to tackle key tasks to retirees ready for change but hesitating to take next steps – procrastination is a habit that can be shifted.

In addition to coaching, I love leading time management workshops, online or in person, in boardrooms, classrooms, conference halls and even spas! I’ve written two books, Being More Productive (2017) and Clearing Your Clutter (2018), and contribute to news articles on motivation and related topics.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me reading, writing, cooking, walking the dog, going to the theatre and trying to follow my own advice.

 

Share Circle Square: Member Q&A

What 3 words best describe you?
Independent, idealistic, overthinker. (It took me an age to answer these questions!)

If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?  
Believe in yourself and don’t worry what others might say.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?  
Devising, writing and leading the first UK training courses for professional organizers and declutterers. For 6 years I was the head of training for APDO Association of Professional Declutterers & Trainers (yes, really!).

Which person (dead or alive) would you most like to invite to dinner?   
My Burmese grandfather who died before I was born. I’d love to know more about his life and about our family history.

How has age strengthened your advantage? 
I’m still figuring this out.

What inspired you to join Circle Square?  
I’m embarking on a new phase of life, adjusting to being an ‘empty-nester’, ready for new challenges and looking to meet new people in relaxed, friendly surroundings. When I read Noam’s posts about Circle Square on LinkedIn, I decided to give it a go.