In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Barbara Clifford, also known as The Time Tamer, to explore how business leaders can manage time, stress, and wellbeing—not only for themselves but for their teams—as the end-of-year pressure builds. Barbara shares practical and compassionate advice for setting boundaries, saying no with grace, and leading others through emotionally charged periods with empathy and clarity.

In today’s episode, you will learn:

• Why the end-of-year feels like a “finish line” – And how to reset expectations and say no without guilt.
• The power of boundaries – How to assess what’s realistic, what can wait, and how to protect your energy.
• Tips for team leaders – Why recognising emotional triggers and individual stress responses is crucial in supporting your people.
• The "blender" analogy – Barbara’s go-to image to understand why constant productivity is unsustainable and how to prioritise recovery.
• The conveyor belt method – A visual tool to help sort what’s urgent, what can bounce, and what really needs your attention.
• The importance of post-holiday awareness – How to use your downtime to recalibrate your personal wellbeing baseline.
• A simple de-escalation tactic – What to say when criticism comes your way (especially during tricky family or team conversations!).

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