It was great to introduce our two job-share receptionists to Robyn’s Getting a Grip on The Paper War text. It became a catalyst for us to improve our administration proce..." Marie Collins, Business Manager, The NZ Institute of Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery
Thank you for all the tips and words of advice you and your team have sent through.I have been constantly reading it and it does wonders to my line of work and also being a wife and mot..." Anaseini Liku, Communication & Media Coordinator, Ministry of Education, Cook Islands
I have just finished reading 'Getting a Grip on Time' and 'Getting a Grip on the Paper War'. Particularly your book on 'Time' got me back on track, and during the day I catc..." Ingrid Geerlings, Owner, www.houseofmilk.com
‘I’ve just been reading ‘Getting a grip on Leadership’. It is very good and has had an impact on me. I realised I’d lost my way a bit re who I am ..." Heather Millar, Manager, Professional Practice, Central North Island Kindergarten Association, New Zealand
I have personally known Robyn Pearce for around 16 years.
From time to time my firm has contracted Robyn on a project basis to work with our professional staff as well as partners in the fi..." John Hackett, Partner, A J Park, New Zealand
The kick-start that I needed was delivered by a velvet glove, but make no mistake the iron hand within the glove ensured that the message was received and understood. If you are going to spend some..." Heather Jenks, Associate University Librarian (Research and Learning Services), University of Canterbury
Having worked already very successfully with our NZ Team, Robyn's support of the Australian Team over a 12-month period was fundamental to helping us cope with increased day to day workload - espec..." Julia Braun, General Manager - Marketing, Beiersdorf Australia
I have used Robyn as an Executive Coach for key Senior Staff for a number of years now and couldn't recommend her more highly. I've found as people step up in the organisation they often struggle t..." Merilyn Havler, Then General Manager, Beiersdorf New Zealand
When we reviewed the progress made as a result of your concepts, a staggering number of them had become an integral part of our day to day business, collectively making a huge difference to our eff..." Wayne & Lisa Hughes, Occupational Therapy Helping Children, NSW, Australia
I'd like to highlight the benefits felt both by the staff members attending your sessions, and the motivational flow-on effects experienced throughout the Hotel.In the developmental sta..." Human Resources Manager, Wentworth Hotel (part of the Rydges chain)
Thank you for your interesting and indeed challenging speech. I could see all the people who've ..." Australian Institute of Credit Managers, Sydney Branch
On behalf of the team at Strategic Lifestyle Management and our client Lend Lease I would..." SLM Conference and Incentive Manager, for client Lend Lease
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The response to the program was extremely positive, with an average rating of 4.4 out of ..." Noel Cook, GM, Outdoor Network, Australia
Your time management seminars are one of the best things we've ever done. Weeks l..." Centrelink, Dubbo, New South Wales
Now several months later and my productivity has increased between 30% and 50%. I'm seeing more and bette..." Senior financial planner, IPAC, Australia
A wonderful surprise to learn how much I had improved since the first programme with you nine months a..." National Sales Manager, Personal Insurance, GIO Australia
Feedback from the staff was very positive... all felt they had gained a great deal of control and di..." MD, C.Y. O'Connor College of TAFE, Northam, WA
A lot of great new ideas and some very good new tools that I shall start implementing immediately. Group Services Trainer, Adecco
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You presented a most informative and challenging training session. Your ability to gain q..." Human Resources Manager, Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal of NSW
Once again you combine an enthusiastic presentation style with useful tips and techniques. Succinct and fun ..." Manager - Training & Development, Real Estate Institute of NSW
Your presentation was brilliant, and your thoughts on how to make time management beneficial to eve..." Barbara McCarthy, President, Chatswood Chamber of Commerce, Sydney
We could not have chosen better. Your contribution was just what we wanted and needed, and I was t..." Raewyn James, Tamaki Teachers' Conference
Robyn, you gave a fantastic speech, and I am still having positive feedback about your talk to this day..." Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator, Swiss Grand Hotel, Bondi, and co-ordinator of Eastern Suburbs Women's Breakfast
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Robyn gave much more than the professional information imparted in this kind of session...." Principal Heritage Officer, Heritage Council NSW
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Your down-to-earth common sense certainly hit home to a lot of people, and the feedba..." Lyn McDermott, Ass. Director, Marketing and Communication, L.J. Hooker Ltd
Robyn, in light of this morning's session (and comments about short emails!) I could leave it the..." Wilf Marley, Principal, Marley Loft Systems (Accountants)
We've had great feedback since your last session with the NZ Institute of Charte..." Denise Bovaird, Past President, New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants
Since your time management course our managers have found that they ca..." John Moore, Then-HR Manager, International Cricket Council, Dubai
Robyn spoke to four of my Academy groups in the space of 11 days. I wa..." Barrie Barrett, Chairman, Academy for Chief Executives, United Kingdom
I just thought I'd spend a few minutes in the Proactive/Value-adding quadrant and let you know ho..." Law Clerk, Bell Gully, New Zealand
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Since we worked with Robyn 5 months ago our team of 12 underwriters and support staf..." Senior Underwriter, QBE Insurance, New Zealand
Thanks very much for the Time Management programme you have conducted over the ..." Gareth McCulloch, National Sales Manager, Southern Hospitality Limited
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The best tip I ever learned was to be up and dressed before starting the day with our children. Here’s the article I wrote about it in my second book “They look so lovely when they’re asleep.
Power-dressing for mothers
I’VE ALWAYS WONDERED HOW teachers manage. When they ask my child to sit on the mat, it never occurs to her to climb onto the kitchen bench. When they ask her to tidy up the block corner, she not only puts all the blocks away in their correct places according to size and shape, she even races to get it done quickly and then asks if there is anything else she can help with. And this from a child who, at home, can scarcely raise the motivation to put two books on her shelf without her mother resorting to dire threats.
I have finally discovered the teacher’s secret. She gets dressed before she goes to work! By the time she greets my child, she is fully clothed, has combed her hair, cleaned her teeth, and has her eyes wide open. No wonder they take notice of her.
Contrast this scene. I stagger out of bed in a nightie named ‘Old Faithful’. Pretending great joy at the blessings another day may have to offer, I shamble into the children’s room saying ‘Wake up, darling, time to get dressed’, and, under an illusion completely unaffected by years of experience to the contrary, imagine that my children understand this to mean ‘Get out of bed, get dressed, pack your bag and appear cheerfully for breakfast’.
When I return ten minutes later, clad in a damp towel and a few soap-flakes, no one has moved. Clearly shouting is the answer, so I do, causing the recipient to bury deep into the protective covers.
Mustering as much dignity as semi-nakedness allows, I noisily throw all the bedclothes on the floor. I must have done this many times, because my children are so skilled that they can get under the bedclothes before they (the blankets) hit the ground. The day goes steadily downhill from here.
There is a solution. It is called Power Dressing.
Get up a quarter of an hour before them. Be showered, dressed and ready. Then you can control your day – and the start of theirs. You can set the tone, be the example, be in charge.
Every time I begin my day this way, it works. It’s just that steeling myself to do it is so hard. I think I can manage to try again next Thursday.