Before you meet, engage with each of the resources below. You do not have to engage with every resource but try to choose at least three that feel most relevant to you right now. For each resource, you are simply invited to notice what resonates using the prompts below.

Resource 1: Ten quick time management tips, from academics, for academics (10 mins)

As you engage, notice:

• Tips that feel realistic within your current context 
• Small adjustments that could accumulate over time 
• Ideas you instinctively reject, and why 

Resource 2: Are you being efficient? Noticing how you use time in your day (10–15 minutes)

As you watch, notice:

• How your day is actually structured versus how you assume it is 
• Recurring moments of friction, distraction, or delay 
• Patterns shaped by systems, meetings, or culture rather than personal discipline

Resource 3: Be strategic with your time investment: Apply the 80/20 rule (10–15 min)

As you engage, notice:

• Where a relatively small proportion of your work creates disproportionate value, progress, or impact 
• Where you may be investing significant time for relatively low return 
• What would change if you consciously rebalanced your effort, even slightly 

Resource 4 Five practical ways to save time on email using AI (10-15 mins)

As you explore, notice:

• Email tasks that are repetitive or disproportionately time-consuming 
• Where automation could support quality rather than diminish it 
• Any hesitation you feel about adopting new tools, and what underpins it 

The structure below is held collectively by the group. You may choose to rotate who keeps an eye on time or simply move together through the stages.

1. Arrival and framing (5–10 minutes)

• Brief reminder of purpose: learning from different perspectives
• No pressure to have implemented anything yet
• Agreement on confidentiality and respect
• An explicit intention that everyone will have space to speak

2. Resource reflections and shared learning (30–40 minutes)

A simple round:

• One insight that landed “What stayed with you most from the resources?”
• One insight that challenged or puzzled you

Pay attention to differences in how you engaged with the materials. The aim is collective sense-making, not consensus. Encourage one another to ask: “What did you take from this that I didn’t?”

3. Coaching-style reflection: so what? (20–30 minutes)

Each participant shares:

• One thing I will do differently (a behaviour, decision, or boundary)
• One thing I am still unsure about
• One thing I might explore next (information, support, or perspective)

Peers respond with curiosity rather than solutions:

• “What is important about that?”
• “What would help you to get more clarity?”
• “What would it be/feel like in a year’s time if you implement a change?”

4. Closing and commitments (5–10 minutes)

Each person is invited to name:

• One small action they are choosing to take (or consciously not take yet)

Optional:

• Who else they might speak to or share their commitment with
• What would help to stay motivated
• What might get in the way, and how can they overcome that?

This can be very light-touch and self-directed. Possible options include:

• A personal note to self
• A follow-up peer conversation
• Exploring another relevant resource
• Bringing a question to a mentor or senior colleague
• No reporting back is required, however peer group members may request this to create accountability for their intended actions.