Everyone should have the same opportunity to learn and achieve their ambitions in life, in their communities and at work. Because our business is to look at what works and what doesn’t in
learning, skills and employment, we have direct experience of the
“wrongs to be righted”. And we have the evidence to back up our
recommendations. That’s why, as well as delivering Adult Learners’ Week
(now in its 24th year), we campaign, lobby and advocate on behalf of
learners of all kinds, especially those at most disadvantage. In the recent years, we have campaigned to:
Highlight the unintended impact of 24+ Advanced Learning Loans for apprenticeships
Gain support for an Apprentice Charter that would benefit apprentices and employers
Support people in low pay to progress in their careers
Help marginalised learners to access better opportunities through the Equality, Diversity and Innovation Fund
Help adults improve their literacy and discover a love of reading, through our continued support for Quick Reads
Help adults improve their numeracy with the Maths Everywhere App
Deliver Community Learning Champions – supporting volunteers who help adults to learn
Help people plan for a longer working life through our Mid-life Career Review
Reach deprived and marginalized learners, through our management of the Community Learning Innovation Fund
Encourage schools to use the Pupil Premium for family learning – something we know has a dramatic impact on children’s and parents’ learning
Ensure Trainee ships are available to older learners link to the following news story on the new website please
Raise awareness of the needs of both young adult carers and care leavers
We want to work with anyone who is as passionate about learning and addressing disadvantage as we are. So if you develop policy, inform opinion or develop learning and
skills practice, or if you just care about learning, we want to
challenge your thinking, engage you in debate, and encourage you to
advocate alongside us, so that everyone can benefit from lifelong
learning.
Implement Your Chosen Coping Strategies
Stress is common in our everyday lives. For the purposes of improving
overall productivity and lowering stress, it is important to manage
your time effectively, plan your day, and prioritize task demands. At
the same time, it is highly beneficial, and recommended that you work on
developing and have various coping strategies available to you; their
regular use will help keep stress levels down. If you are currently
feeling overwhelmed by this process, you may consider setting up a
consultation with a licensed mental health clinician. - See more at: http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/articles/first-things-first#sthash.w1KwoDKY.dpuf
Now,
I don't doubt the necessity of planning out one's day in advance. If we
are to be productive, we must consider what needs to get done and how
we're going to do it. Rather, it's how we think about and approach our tasks, duties, and
responsibilities - and the level of significance that we ascribe to
their completion which can cause some of us considerable anxiety.
Ultimately we may forget to do things, choose to ignore our
responsibilities, or do them in a haphazard fashion. Even worse, we can
become clinically depressed. In order to remain healthy, we should always consider the importance
and value of our priorities. In our personal and professional lives,
however, many of us want to accomplish multiple goals at once. Often
times, we don't care to work toward them in an incremental or step-wise
fashion. - See more at: http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/articles/first-things-first#sthash.w1KwoDKY.dpuf
Now,
I don't doubt the necessity of planning out one's day in advance. If we
are to be productive, we must consider what needs to get done and how
we're going to do it. Rather, it's how we think about and approach our tasks, duties, and
responsibilities - and the level of significance that we ascribe to
their completion which can cause some of us considerable anxiety.
Ultimately we may forget to do things, choose to ignore our
responsibilities, or do them in a haphazard fashion. Even worse, we can
become clinically depressed. In order to remain healthy, we should always consider the importance
and value of our priorities. In our personal and professional lives,
however, many of us want to accomplish multiple goals at once. Often
times, we don't care to work toward them in an incremental or step-wise
fashion. - See more at: http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/articles/first-things-first#sthash.w1KwoDKY.dpuf
First Things First: A Mindful Approach to Choosing Our Priorities at Home and Work
Now,
I don't doubt the necessity of planning out one's day in advance. If we
are to be productive, we must consider what needs to get done and how
we're going to do it. Rather, it's how we think about and approach our tasks, duties, and
responsibilities - and the level of significance that we ascribe to
their completion which can cause some of us considerable anxiety.
Ultimately we may forget to do things, choose to ignore our
responsibilities, or do them in a haphazard fashion. Even worse, we can
become clinically depressed. In order to remain healthy, we should always consider the importance
and value of our priorities. In our personal and professional lives,
however, many of us want to accomplish multiple goals at once. Often
times, we don't care to work toward them in an incremental or step-wise
fashion.
Self-Imposed Stress From "Taking On Too Much"
For these reasons, try to think about what you're doing and why. Ask
such questions as "Is it really important that this gets done now or can
it wait?" Essentially we must be more mindful of our own
thought processes. This is a very deliberate and intentional practice
requiring substantial mental focus. We need to know and be more
connected with our ideas, expectations, and intentions, particularly
those that will advance us toward our goals. Thinking in a more purposeful manner will decrease your experience of
stress. Specifically, it relaxes you, allows you to be more flexible /
revise goals as necessary, and decreases anxiety.
Prioritize And Plan Your Day
Know yourself well! Specifically, understand your strengths and weaknesses, including your unique work habits.
In all situations, time will dictate what happens next. You will
improve your efficiency if you know which tasks you can fit into the
time that is left over once all the major tasks have been completed.
Obviously, larger tasks will have to be broken down into smaller
tasks. For example, you might not have enough time today to write the
report that is due next Tuesday, but you can use the next 20 minutes to
write the introduction while waiting for a meeting to start.
Doing smaller, less significant tasks first (i.e., to lower your
anxiety), is okay, and in many cases desirable. But do them quickly and
without interfering with the important tasks. The important tasks are
the ones that will have serious ramifications if you do not finish them.
This is similar to the fourth point: Procrastination is the
practice of putting off your more important tasks until later, while
completing the less important or more pleasurable tasks first. To some
extent procrastination is normal, even healthy as a coping mechanism to
deal with anxiety about deadlines. But, it can decrease productivity, in
addition to driving up your sense of anxiety, resulting in stress, even
feelings of guilt.
Compartmentalize your efforts. By that I mean that you should try to
keep various assignments and issues separate from each other. Isolated
and focus only on those details necessary to complete a task.
Concentrate on the task before you, and don't let your mind wander,
i.e., thinking about what you have to do next. Learn to say "no" to
anything that doesn't deserve your immediate focus or time. By not
allowing yourself to be derailed by non-essential thoughts or details,
you will greatly increase your overall accuracy and cut down on the time
needed to complete assignments or home-related chores and activities.
Multi-task whenever necessary, provided the other activities don't
diminish your ability to focus or return your attention to the task
before you.
Know which assignments require more attention to detail and which do
not. This might be difficult if you are a perfectionist, but you will
save much time, while freeing yourself up to complete other items on
your list.
Be able to recognize when your anxiety or stress level is going up. Have a plan for how you will decompress.
When you get home from work, give yourself permission to switch
gears between work and family mode. Try to be present and mindful of the
fact that you're at home. You can remind yourself that whatever it is
that your mind keeps drifting back to regarding work can wait until
tomorrow. Also, remind yourself how continually thinking about work
while you're at home can have serious health consequences for your
physical and emotional functioning.
Implement Your Chosen Coping Strategies
Stress is common in our everyday lives. For the purposes of improving
overall productivity and lowering stress, it is important to manage
your time effectively, plan your day, and prioritize task demands. At
the same time, it is highly beneficial, and recommended that you work on
developing and have various coping strategies available to you; their
regular use will help keep stress levels down. If you are currently
feeling overwhelmed by this process, you may consider setting up a
consultation with a licensed mental health clinician.
- See more at: http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/articles/first-things-first#sthash.w1KwoDKY.dpuf
First Things First: A Mindful Approach to Choosing Our Priorities at Home and Work
Now,
I don't doubt the necessity of planning out one's day in advance. If we
are to be productive, we must consider what needs to get done and how
we're going to do it. Rather, it's how we think about and approach our tasks, duties, and
responsibilities - and the level of significance that we ascribe to
their completion which can cause some of us considerable anxiety.
Ultimately we may forget to do things, choose to ignore our
responsibilities, or do them in a haphazard fashion. Even worse, we can
become clinically depressed. In order to remain healthy, we should always consider the importance
and value of our priorities. In our personal and professional lives,
however, many of us want to accomplish multiple goals at once. Often
times, we don't care to work toward them in an incremental or step-wise
fashion.
Self-Imposed Stress From "Taking On Too Much"
For these reasons, try to think about what you're doing and why. Ask
such questions as "Is it really important that this gets done now or can
it wait?" Essentially we must be more mindful of our own
thought processes. This is a very deliberate and intentional practice
requiring substantial mental focus. We need to know and be more
connected with our ideas, expectations, and intentions, particularly
those that will advance us toward our goals. Thinking in a more purposeful manner will decrease your experience of
stress. Specifically, it relaxes you, allows you to be more flexible /
revise goals as necessary, and decreases anxiety.
Prioritize And Plan Your Day
Know yourself well! Specifically, understand your strengths and weaknesses, including your unique work habits.
In all situations, time will dictate what happens next. You will
improve your efficiency if you know which tasks you can fit into the
time that is left over once all the major tasks have been completed.
Obviously, larger tasks will have to be broken down into smaller
tasks. For example, you might not have enough time today to write the
report that is due next Tuesday, but you can use the next 20 minutes to
write the introduction while waiting for a meeting to start.
Doing smaller, less significant tasks first (i.e., to lower your
anxiety), is okay, and in many cases desirable. But do them quickly and
without interfering with the important tasks. The important tasks are
the ones that will have serious ramifications if you do not finish them.
This is similar to the fourth point: Procrastination is the
practice of putting off your more important tasks until later, while
completing the less important or more pleasurable tasks first. To some
extent procrastination is normal, even healthy as a coping mechanism to
deal with anxiety about deadlines. But, it can decrease productivity, in
addition to driving up your sense of anxiety, resulting in stress, even
feelings of guilt.
Compartmentalize your efforts. By that I mean that you should try to
keep various assignments and issues separate from each other. Isolated
and focus only on those details necessary to complete a task.
Concentrate on the task before you, and don't let your mind wander,
i.e., thinking about what you have to do next. Learn to say "no" to
anything that doesn't deserve your immediate focus or time. By not
allowing yourself to be derailed by non-essential thoughts or details,
you will greatly increase your overall accuracy and cut down on the time
needed to complete assignments or home-related chores and activities.
Multi-task whenever necessary, provided the other activities don't
diminish your ability to focus or return your attention to the task
before you.
Know which assignments require more attention to detail and which do
not. This might be difficult if you are a perfectionist, but you will
save much time, while freeing yourself up to complete other items on
your list.
Be able to recognize when your anxiety or stress level is going up. Have a plan for how you will decompress.
When you get home from work, give yourself permission to switch
gears between work and family mode. Try to be present and mindful of the
fact that you're at home. You can remind yourself that whatever it is
that your mind keeps drifting back to regarding work can wait until
tomorrow. Also, remind yourself how continually thinking about work
while you're at home can have serious health consequences for your
physical and emotional functioning.
Implement Your Chosen Coping Strategies
Stress is common in our everyday lives. For the purposes of improving
overall productivity and lowering stress, it is important to manage
your time effectively, plan your day, and prioritize task demands. At
the same time, it is highly beneficial, and recommended that you work on
developing and have various coping strategies available to you; their
regular use will help keep stress levels down. If you are currently
feeling overwhelmed by this process, you may consider setting up a
consultation with a licensed mental health clinician.
- See more at: http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/articles/first-things-first#sthash.w1KwoDKY.dpuf
First Things First: A Mindful Approach to Choosing Our Priorities at Home and Work
Now,
I don't doubt the necessity of planning out one's day in advance. If we
are to be productive, we must consider what needs to get done and how
we're going to do it. Rather, it's how we think about and approach our tasks, duties, and
responsibilities - and the level of significance that we ascribe to
their completion which can cause some of us considerable anxiety.
Ultimately we may forget to do things, choose to ignore our
responsibilities, or do them in a haphazard fashion. Even worse, we can
become clinically depressed. In order to remain healthy, we should always consider the importance
and value of our priorities. In our personal and professional lives,
however, many of us want to accomplish multiple goals at once. Often
times, we don't care to work toward them in an incremental or step-wise
fashion.
Self-Imposed Stress From "Taking On Too Much"
For these reasons, try to think about what you're doing and why. Ask
such questions as "Is it really important that this gets done now or can
it wait?" Essentially we must be more mindful of our own
thought processes. This is a very deliberate and intentional practice
requiring substantial mental focus. We need to know and be more
connected with our ideas, expectations, and intentions, particularly
those that will advance us toward our goals. Thinking in a more purposeful manner will decrease your experience of
stress. Specifically, it relaxes you, allows you to be more flexible /
revise goals as necessary, and decreases anxiety.
Prioritize And Plan Your Day
Know yourself well! Specifically, understand your strengths and weaknesses, including your unique work habits.
In all situations, time will dictate what happens next. You will
improve your efficiency if you know which tasks you can fit into the
time that is left over once all the major tasks have been completed.
Obviously, larger tasks will have to be broken down into smaller
tasks. For example, you might not have enough time today to write the
report that is due next Tuesday, but you can use the next 20 minutes to
write the introduction while waiting for a meeting to start.
Doing smaller, less significant tasks first (i.e., to lower your
anxiety), is okay, and in many cases desirable. But do them quickly and
without interfering with the important tasks. The important tasks are
the ones that will have serious ramifications if you do not finish them.
This is similar to the fourth point: Procrastination is the
practice of putting off your more important tasks until later, while
completing the less important or more pleasurable tasks first. To some
extent procrastination is normal, even healthy as a coping mechanism to
deal with anxiety about deadlines. But, it can decrease productivity, in
addition to driving up your sense of anxiety, resulting in stress, even
feelings of guilt.
Compartmentalize your efforts. By that I mean that you should try to
keep various assignments and issues separate from each other. Isolated
and focus only on those details necessary to complete a task.
Concentrate on the task before you, and don't let your mind wander,
i.e., thinking about what you have to do next. Learn to say "no" to
anything that doesn't deserve your immediate focus or time. By not
allowing yourself to be derailed by non-essential thoughts or details,
you will greatly increase your overall accuracy and cut down on the time
needed to complete assignments or home-related chores and activities.
Multi-task whenever necessary, provided the other activities don't
diminish your ability to focus or return your attention to the task
before you.
Know which assignments require more attention to detail and which do
not. This might be difficult if you are a perfectionist, but you will
save much time, while freeing yourself up to complete other items on
your list.
Be able to recognize when your anxiety or stress level is going up. Have a plan for how you will decompress.
When you get home from work, give yourself permission to switch
gears between work and family mode. Try to be present and mindful of the
fact that you're at home. You can remind yourself that whatever it is
that your mind keeps drifting back to regarding work can wait until
tomorrow. Also, remind yourself how continually thinking about work
while you're at home can have serious health consequences for your
physical and emotional functioning.
Implement Your Chosen Coping Strategies
Stress is common in our everyday lives. For the purposes of improving
overall productivity and lowering stress, it is important to manage
your time effectively, plan your day, and prioritize task demands. At
the same time, it is highly beneficial, and recommended that you work on
developing and have various coping strategies available to you; their
regular use will help keep stress levels down. If you are currently
feeling overwhelmed by this process, you may consider setting up a
consultation with a licensed mental health clinician.
- See more at: http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/articles/first-things-first#sthash.w1KwoDKY.dpuf
125g butter, softened
100g light brown soft sugar
125g caster sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
225g self-raising flour
½ tsp salt
200g chocolate chips
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4.
2. Cream butter and sugars, once creamed, combine in the egg and vanilla.
3. Sift in the flour and salt, then the chocolate chips.
4. Roll into walnut size balls, for a more homemade look, or roll into a
long, thick sausage shape and slice to make neater looking cookies.
5. Place on ungreased baking paper. If you want to have the real Millies
experience then bake for just 7 minutes, till the cookies are just
setting - the cookies will be really doughy and delicious. Otherwise
cook for 10 minutes until just golden round the edges.
6. Take out of the oven and leave to harden for a minute before
transferring to a wire cooling rack. These are great warm, and they also
store well, if they don't all get eaten straight away!
There are few things more frustrating than not being able to fall asleep at night, and just lying there tossing and turning.
The
more frustrated you get, the less likely you are to fall asleep, and
then it becomes a psychological battle which can lead to longer term
insomnia.
But a Harvard-trained physician thinks he has a method which, if used properly, means you can get to sleep in 60 seconds flat. Dr. Andrew Weil pioneered the 4-7-8 technique, which sounds quite easy...
1) Breathe in for four seconds
The 4-7-8 technique can help you relax and get to sleep
2) Hold your breath for seven seconds
3) Breathe our for eight seconds
4) Repeat this three times (which takes 57 seconds)
5) You should then feel incredibly sleepy
We tried it in the office and it does very much make you want to go to sleep
Why does it work?
The eight seconds of
holding your breath is the important part. Following filling your lungs
with oxygen after a deep breath, it allows that oxygen to circulate.
This relaxes your body, while focusing on the breathing means you empty all the stress and frustration from your mind. It's
similar, in a way, to breathing techniques used in Mindfullness, which
also seeks to help you get rid of those recurring thoughts that just
won't go away. Source
Now,
I don't doubt the necessity of planning out one's day in advance. If we
are to be productive, we must consider what needs to get done and how
we're going to do it.
