Cynosure Counselling and Coaching

12/01/2026

Efficient productivity has a nice ring to it.
But there is a dark side that, left unchecked, will not lead to the freed up time that it promises.

In context, efficiency and productivity are great tools.
As ends in themselves, they are harsh task-masters that don't recognise human rhythms or realistic outcomes.

This is one of the ways work-life balance can be derailed.

Talk to me about how I can help to develop a work-life balance that keeps efficient productivity in check.

"I just don't have time," said Joe,
a manager in a busy not-for-profit organisation who asked to work with me.

Joe was finding that he was pulled in so many directions
because of the range of responsibilities that he carried,
and was regularly taking work home with him that he hadn't been able to complete in work time. He was also noticing that he was committing to too many things
and was dropping the ball on many of them.
He knew it was unsustainable but he couldn't seem to break the pattern.

Feeling like there is not enough time is a common complaint
that you may find yourself using often.
In this age of streamlining, automation and efficiency,
it can be easy to think that the issue is simply about time management
and needing to be more organised.
After all, the tools are there to be able to reclaim time taken up with routine, mundane activities.

However, I'm beginning to wonder
if it is the pressure to be in constant production mode
that may actually be responsible for the feeling that there are never enough hours in the day
- coupled with a lack of forethought as to what use to make of your reclaimed time.

One of the 5 Pillars of Prosperity is Rest and Recreation,
which prioritises the need for the body and mind to recharge and rejuvenate.
This requires putting boundaries on how much
physical and mental load you carry on a regular basis,
as well as making space for rest and recovery from the energy you expend.

Joe came to realise that he hadn't made space for much more than work
and so work was taking over more of his life than he wanted it to have.
Helping Joe to identify what he wanted from his life outside of work
and what his natural preferences are
helped him to rein in the hours he was giving beyond the work day
and to pull back on his commitments
so that he can work from his strengths
and experience a better balance in his life.

I help those, like Joe, who want to take control of their time and live the life they really want. Reach out to find out more.

12/01/2026

"I just don't have time," said Joe,
a manager in a busy not-for-profit organisation who asked to work with me.

Joe was finding that he was pulled in so many directions
because of the range of responsibilities that he carried,
and was regularly taking work home with him that he hadn't been able to complete in work time. He was also noticing that he was committing to too many things
and was dropping the ball on many of them.
He knew it was unsustainable but he couldn't seem to break the pattern.

Feeling like there is not enough time is a common complaint
that you may find yourself using often.
In this age of streamlining, automation and efficiency,
it can be easy to think that the issue is simply about time management
and needing to be more organised.
After all, the tools are there to be able to reclaim time taken up with routine, mundane activities.

However, I'm beginning to wonder
if it is the pressure to be in constant production mode
that may actually be responsible for the feeling that there are never enough hours in the day
- coupled with a lack of forethought as to what use to make of your reclaimed time.

One of the 5 Pillars of Prosperity is Rest and Recreation,
which prioritises the need for the body and mind to recharge and rejuvenate.
This requires putting boundaries on how much
physical and mental load you carry on a regular basis,
as well as making space for rest and recovery from the energy you expend.

Joe came to realise that he hadn't made space for much more than work
and so work was taking over more of his life than he wanted it to have.
Helping Joe to identify what he wanted from his life outside of work
and what his natural preferences are
helped him to rein in the hours he was giving beyond the work day
and to pull back on his commitments
so that he can work from his strengths
and experience a better balance in his life.

I help those, like Joe, who want to take control of their time and live the life they really want. Reach out to find out more.

09/01/2026

You are not a machine.

Your life is more than the sum of your achievements
or an accumulation of the work that you do.

To enjoy a rich and full life, it is important to understand
what contributes to not just your performance but also your satisfaction.

Talk to me about how I can help you to find sustainable productivity in 2026.

When you see yourself as a machine, you will stop respecting your humanity.

Machines are designed to work at a consistent pace and output.
While they do need maintenance for continuous productivity,
they have few other obstacles to performing as expected
and can often exceed expectation with modifications and tweaks.

Humans are not designed to work in such a manner.

Output and achievement are only one aspect of human existence.
A full and complete life goes way beyond merely producing, achieving, accumulating.

And staying well requires an awareness of the rhythms that contribute to
optimal performance and a satisfying life
- something a machine can never experience.

Which do you wish for more in 2026 - greater productivity or more life satisfaction?

09/01/2026

When you see yourself as a machine, you will stop respecting your humanity.

Machines are designed to work at a consistent pace and output.
While they do need maintenance for continuous productivity,
they have few other obstacles to performing as expected
and can often exceed expectation with modifications and tweaks.

Humans are not designed to work in such a manner.

Output and achievement are only one aspect of human existence.
A full and complete life goes way beyond merely producing, achieving, accumulating.

And staying well requires an awareness of the rhythms that contribute to
optimal performance and a satisfying life
- something a machine can never experience.

Which do you wish for more in 2026 - greater productivity or more life satisfaction?

05/01/2026

You may have started 2026 with a lot of enthusiasm,
challenging goals and
clarity around the results you want to achieve.

Have you thought about what you need
to ensure that your journey through this year is sustainable,
not just productive,
and more than just survival?

If not, reach out to find out how I can help.

If I were to write a New Year's resolution (a practice that I personally don't engage with),
I would resolve to find joy in every aspect of my life.
No, that doesn't sound like much of a resolution
but it is one that would challenge me to go beyond merely doing things over the year.

I find myself regularly working with people who are high performers in their fields.
These are people who have a high drive to achieve
and the accolades that prove their capability.

Unfortunately, they are often carrying a significant and hidden stress load
that is eating away at their wellbeing
and preventing them from experiencing
- sometimes even recognising -
the life they really want.
No joy, just unrelenting work.

This stress load often stems from linking their productivity with their worth,
and from not recognising what they need to stay well.
In engaging with constant high performance
rather a rhythm of work and rest,
they are prone to depleting their physical, mental and emotional resources
to a point where they find themselves facing burnout.

I use my 5 Pillars of Prosperity as a tool for helping these people
to take stock of where they are and
to work out what their rhythm and priorities need to be
so that they can not just achieve
but also enjoy the fruit of their labours.

Connect with me to find out more.

05/01/2026

If I were to write a New Year's resolution (a practice that I personally don't engage with),
I would resolve to find joy in every aspect of my life.
No, that doesn't sound like much of a resolution
but it is one that would challenge me to go beyond merely doing things over the year.

I find myself regularly working with people who are high performers in their fields.
These are people who have a high drive to achieve
and the accolades that prove their capability.

Unfortunately, they are often carrying a significant and hidden stress load
that is eating away at their wellbeing
and preventing them from experiencing
- sometimes even recognising -
the life they really want.
No joy, just unrelenting work.

This stress load often stems from linking their productivity with their worth,
and from not recognising what they need to stay well.
In engaging with constant high performance
rather a rhythm of work and rest,
they are prone to depleting their physical, mental and emotional resources
to a point where they find themselves facing burnout.

I use my 5 Pillars of Prosperity as a tool for helping these people
to take stock of where they are and
to work out what their rhythm and priorities need to be
so that they can not just achieve
but also enjoy the fruit of their labours.

Connect with me to find out more.

20/12/2025

As with any given year, 2025 has had its share of ups and downs.
I trust that you are coming to the end of this year feeling well over all.

May you experience a peace and joy in the holiday season that carries forward into 2026.
And I look forward to reconnecting in the New Year.

Some Australia-based resources for support are listed below should you need them.

Stay safe until next contact!



As we move into the season of celebration and the end of the calendar year,
I want to give you my best wishes for this time.

May you have a safe, peaceful, and joyful season,
whatever you find yourself doing.
And may your experience of prosperity grow in the year to come
as you continue to strengthen the pillars that support it:
Quality relationships
Meaningful contributions
Personal wellbeing
Rest and recreation
Spirituality

This will be my last post for 2025 as I move towards
a break from work,
some travel and celebrations,
and a much-needed rest.

My business will be closed from end of business Monday, 22 December 2025
and will reopen on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.

While I will not be available for support in this period,
please look in the comments for some resources you can access
to carry you through the season should you need it.

I look forward to reconnecting in January 2026.

19/12/2025

As we move into the season of celebration and the end of the calendar year,
I want to give you my best wishes for this time.

May you have a safe, peaceful, and joyful season,
whatever you find yourself doing.
And may your experience of prosperity grow in the year to come
as you continue to strengthen the pillars that support it:
Quality relationships
Meaningful contributions
Personal wellbeing
Rest and recreation
Spirituality

This will be my last post for 2025 as I move towards
a break from work,
some travel and celebrations,
and a much-needed rest.

My business will be closed from end of business Monday, 22 December 2025
and will reopen on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.

While I will not be available for support in this period,
please look in the comments for some resources you can access
to carry you through the season should you need it.

I look forward to reconnecting in January 2026.

16/12/2025

It's nice to come into the Christmas season and to enter a new year with some encouragement.

Here's the update on the award for which I was nominated in November.

What encouragement have you received in 2025 that gives you hope for 2026?

I recently received an update on for the award for which I was nominated back in November.

It looks like I have an early Christmas gift! 🎉 🎁

Unofficially I have been selected for the category of
Best Life-Transition & Burnout Recovery Counsellor 2026.

Official announcement will come in February 2026.

Thank you to all who have supported my business over the years
and who have been so encouraging in this process.
I couldn't have got to this place without you.

16/12/2025

I recently received an update on for the award for which I was nominated back in November.

It looks like I have an early Christmas gift! 🎉 🎁

Unofficially I have been selected for the category of
Best Life-Transition & Burnout Recovery Counsellor 2026.

Official announcement will come in February 2026.

Thank you to all who have supported my business over the years
and who have been so encouraging in this process.
I couldn't have got to this place without you.

12/12/2025

We can forget the reason that we celebrate in this season
in the stress that can come with the flurry of activity to prepare for it.

Take a moment from the noise of pre-Christmas hype
and reconnect with yourself and the season.
The tips below might help!

For some extra assistance in creating that space,
talk to me about how I can support you
to make the most of this season of celebration.

The countdown is on - 12 days until Christmas.

And if you are feeling squeezed by all the pre-Christmas activity,
here are some reminders to help you minimise the stress.

1. Remember to breathe to remind your body that you are still safe in this season.

2. Remember to make spaces for pause, even if it's just for a few minutes at a time, and to guard your rest.

3. Remember that you can so no. You don't have to do everything that is on offer.

4. Remember to pace yourself. This season has an endpoint and you want to be able to enjoy it and come through the other side with energy to spare.

5. Remember what is important to you and continue to make those things priority.

6. Remember to choose things that bring joy and life rather than obligation and pressure.

7. Remember to spend wisely in your gift giving. A gift does not have to be expensive to be meaningful and appreciated.

8. Remember to watch your consumption and know your limits. Overindulgence will have negative repercussions.

9. Remember those who are less fortunate than you are and be willing to share what you are able.

10. Remember to connect with laughter often as this really does reduce the experience of stress.

11. Remember to be thankful for what you do have rather than comparing your season with others.
12. Remember to maintain those traditions and rituals that make this season special.

Which of these reminders has stood out for you?

12/12/2025

The countdown is on - 12 days until Christmas.

And if you are feeling squeezed by all the pre-Christmas activity,
here are some reminders to help you minimise the stress.

1. Remember to breathe to remind your body that you are still safe in this season.

2. Remember to make spaces for pause, even if it's just for a few minutes at a time, and to guard your rest.

3. Remember that you can so no. You don't have to do everything that is on offer.

4. Remember to pace yourself. This season has an endpoint and you want to be able to enjoy it and come through the other side with energy to spare.

5. Remember what is important to you and continue to make those things priority.

6. Remember to choose things that bring joy and life rather than obligation and pressure.

7. Remember to spend wisely in your gift giving. A gift does not have to be expensive to be meaningful and appreciated.

8. Remember to watch your consumption and know your limits. Overindulgence will have negative repercussions.

9. Remember those who are less fortunate than you are and be willing to share what you are able.

10. Remember to connect with laughter often as this really does reduce the experience of stress.

11. Remember to be thankful for what you do have rather than comparing your season with others.
12. Remember to maintain those traditions and rituals that make this season special.

Which of these reminders has stood out for you?