Are you being asked to do more and more with less - whilst also managing a team who are stressed, overwhelmed, and burning out?
Join 150+ healthcare leaders in...
The Shapes Academy
The membership for leaders under pressure.
Giving you the tools you need to set boundaries around your work, stop rescuing your team and get your time back.
Do less, achieve more
Stay on top of your workload even when the demands are overwhelming.
Know exactly what to prioritise and what to let go of, with tools that help you quickly respond under pressure.
Stop taking responsibility for everyone and everything, and take back control of your time.
Leave work at work
Stop waking up worrying about missing something, making a mistake, or letting people down.
Use our system to set boundaries, say no and deal with pushback.
Feel calm and confident about your decisions, without the guilt of never having done enough, or the fear of 'dumping on colleagues'.
Get a productive team
Support others to do their jobs without doing their work for them - so you can get on with yours.
Tackle team issues like resentment, stress and conflict early, before they spiral out of control.
So you can get a thriving team, where everyone can beat burnout and work happier.
Before I tell you all about the programme, let's talk about who this is for:
You're a doctor, senior healthcare professional, trainer or supervisor, coach or mentor, leader or manager in health and social care, with way too much on your plate.
You're doing a demanding day job and also supporting your colleagues, often doing their work for them when they can't cope.
It's exhausting.
There simply isn't the time or resources to do it all. Your days are spent dealing with other people's crises, or wading through admin and staffing issues.
(That's before you've even got to your do-do list.)
Everyone is stretched thin, and wishing someone else would support them. You're desperately trying to support your team.
But what if I told you that you might inadvertently be making your overwhelm worse by:
1. Taking responsibility for things which you have NO control over because you feel guilty, (even though you can't do anything about it).
2. Rescuing your team and 'fixing it' for them by taking on their work when they can't cope.
3. Avoiding those difficult conversations which you know you need to have, causing issues to escalate and create more work in the long run.
The Shapes Academy is a practical way for leaders like you to think differently about your work, feel on top of your workload and get a better work / life balance.
Using an easy-to-implement system that helps you tackle the demands of a high-stakes job - and build a resilient team who can solve their own problems and support each other.
Imagine going from...
→ Firefighting urgent requests from others all day without prioritising your own important stuff because you don't want to let people down
→ Saying no to things you haven't prioritised, but then letting your boundaries crumble in the face of pushback
→ Constantly worrying you've dropped a ball or that someone, somewhere is messing up (and it's all your fault)
→ Avoiding conflict for fear of upsetting others or inviting criticism of everything you're not doing.
To a role where you...
→ Have a set of tools to help you stay on top of your workload, so you can focus on the stuff that really matters.
→ Know your team are happy, thriving, and productive - and can solve their own challenges when they arise, without you having to do everything for them.
→ Can leave work at work, and no longer feel responsible for things that are outside your control.
→ Lead confidently, and feel capable and calm. No longer feel guilty or worry about dropping the ball, upsetting your team or making a mistake.
The Shapes Academy is designed specifically for leaders in high-stakes roles like healthcare.
You simply don't have time for management theory, complicated ideas, or strategies that need you to work out how to implement them.
You need tools that work - fast.
Find out more about the Shapes Academy in this short video from founder and host, Dr Rachel Morris
"They really get what it's like working in the NHS in a high-stress job."
“As a busy GP/ PCN CD The Shapes Academy has been absolutely brilliant.
I feel much more in control over my ‘NHS overwhelm’. Best for me is the prioritisation grid. I plan time for the things important to me and that includes my non work interests which I find I am now doing more and more of since putting ‘shapes’ into my daily practice.
Rachel and the team just get what it is like working in the NHS in a high stress job. The meetings with them feel safe and personal and the in the break out rooms, listening to how other people are doing, it is very normalising and reassuring.
I’d recommend this if you just feel too busy and drained, you are saying yes to everything and never having time to look after yourself.
I’d give this a 5 star rating in every way and am so glad I signed up. Thank you."
GP - South London
What You'll Get When You Join
Here's what's included in your Shapes Academy Membership.
The Shapes Academy Core Curriculum Programme
9 x core content video lessons with accompanying handouts and activities.
Understand how to use the Shapes Toolkit to manage your workload, prioritise, set boundaries and support your team.
Quarterly Live Masterclasses
Quarterly 90-minute deep dive group coaching masterclasses to help you take the lead on wellbeing, resilience and beating burnout in your organisation.
In 2025 these will happen from 12.30 - 14.00 on:
Thursday 13th February | Tuesday 13th May | Wednesday 10th September | Thursday 11th December
Replays available if you can't be there live.
Team Resources Library
Access our comprehensive library of done-for-you Shapes handouts, Conversation Canvasses, Bitesize training videos and activities to help your team handle challenges and tackle stress.
Easy to find - categorised by topic, and available for instant download in ready to use formats.
Monthly 5-minute Booster Video
Every month you'll receive a 5-minute "Shape of the Month" Work Well Booster video with ONE simple, practical idea you can apply right away - and an accompanying coaching activity. Use yourself, and/or share with your team. 5, 20 or 40-minute done-for-you activities are available.
What's inside the membership?
In this short video, Rachel lifts the hood and shows you what's inside the Shapes Academy membership and what you can expect every month.
Plus special bonuses
On joining today you will also receive instant access to the following:
FREE Access to ALL our monthly Work Well lunchtime webinars 12.30 – 13.15pm
Featuring our MOST POPULAR Shapes Toolkit Training content
FEB: How to support you colleagues without burning out yourself
MARCH: How to have conversations that get you unstuck
APRIL: How to reduce stress at work
MAY: How to say no, set boundaries and deal with pushback
Escape The Urgency Trap (value £47)
One of our most popular trainings, available on demand. Join Dr Rachel Morris and learn:
✏️ How to “triage” your to-do list and turn it from a terrifying wall of tasks into manageable chunks you can easily prioritise
🧭 The simple tool to help you answer the dreaded question “where do I even start?” (it’s not always where you think!)
🪷 How to avoid burnout when you're in a high-pressure, high-stakes role where walking away isn’t an option (because if you don’t do it, no one else will!)
"This Time It's Awkward" workshop series (value £127)
Full recordings of our half-day "FrogFest Virtual" event, with expert workshops on tackling awkward conversations.
Dr Rachel Morris - Why we need more conflict not less
Why avoiding conflict can be toxic and how you can increase conflict in your team whilst making your relationships even better.
Jane Gunn - Managing the Elephants in the room
Learn how to talk with your team and colleagues about what REALLY matters, with practical suggestions for how to surface the 'Elephant in the room' when everyone else is avoiding it.
Dr Chris Turner - Challenging the worst behaviour
Co-founder of the 'Civility Saves Lives' movement shares groundbreaking research and practical techniques to call out unhelpful behaviour without making things worse for yourself and others
Dr Sarah Coope - How to have THAT challenging conversation
A practical framework for managing yourself and having that difficult conversation when the buck stops with you, and you're terrified of the reaction you'll get.
Wellbeing QI Toolkit (value £47)
A step-by-step guide to support you in improving the wellbeing of your team, department or organisation.
Learn how to undertake a wellbeing QI audit and then create a plan for making changes that can improve the wellbeing of individuals & teams in organisations.
Including:
- Information and guidance about QI (Quality Improvement) and PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycles.
-
A team, or department, wellbeing audit tool and instructions
-
Templates for leadership review and wider organisation review meetings
-
Short 'do-it-yourself' bitesize team wellbeing training activities / interventions for you to do wherever you work.
100% no quibbles money back promise
If within 30 days you haven’t found any of the tools, resources, videos and webinars of any value, simple email us and we will refund 100% of your payment. No questions asked.
SPECIAL BONUS...
LIVE taught cohort ‘LEADING WITH THE SHAPES’ with Dr Rachel Morris.
Join the Shapes Academy by 7th February 2025 and work through the Core Shapes Academy Programme with Dr Rachel Morris.
- Live 6-week Zoom taught group core content programme 7-8am
- 6 modules of LIVE teaching with Rachel
- Get your questions answered live in the group
- Peer support and accountability
26th Feb | 12th March | 26th March
9th April | 23rd April | 7th May
JOIN NOW
"I'm better at managing my time, better at saying no - and I don't feel so guilty."
"One of my colleagues went off with burnout - it could have happened to any of us. When I talked to my GP, they were supportive, but their advice was basically "the next step is to take time off". But I really wanted to try and do something other than that.
I've always wanted to do something that helps our whole team rather than just me. So I asked work to fund a place for me on the Shapes Academy.
It rescued me last year, I have to say.
What worked best for me was having a little bit every month, that regular drip feed. Now, I'm better at managing my time. I'm better at saying no. And I'm much better at scheduling time to do non-work things, and I don't feel so guilty about doing it.
It should be part of our mandatory training."
Jayne - Consultant Physician
...and there's more!
Become a Platinum Member
Love the You Are Not A Frog podcast too? Get the best of both worlds.
Join The Shapes Academy as an Annual Member, and you'll get the chance to become a Platinum Member - by adding our FrogXtra GOLD annual membership at an exclusive discounted rate. Giving you free tickets to our Virtual FrogFest Live half day events, bonus podcast episodes, our exclusive Time Management podcourses... and more! Plus get a very special bonus. Just choose to add the Platinum option onto your membership when it's offered to you after you checkout.
Join Now
Discover the training, tools and done-for-you resources for you to support your team to thrive even in high-stakes, high-pressure environments.
Shapes Academy: A down-to-earth online membership programme for busy leaders who want to escape the overwhelm, get control of their time and workload and build a happy and thriving team
Giving you the complete Shapes Toolkit™ system and coaching tools so you can:
✔️ Do less, not more and feel on top of your workload with time and headspace to focus on what really matters.
✔️ Leave work at work and get a healthy work / life balance.
✔️ Feel like you’re doing a great job with a happy and productive team.
Membership includes:
✔️ The online Shapes Toolkit Core Curriculm for Leaders.
✔️ Monthly 'Shape of the Month' bitesize video and brand new team activity.
✔️ Full library of done-for-you team activities, including downloadable slides & worksheets and options for 5, 20 or 40-minute activities.
✔️ PLUS access to our 90-minute quarterly live Wellbeing Leads Training & Coaching Masterclasses.
BONUS RESOURCES: You'll also get
✔️ Access to our monthly lunchtime live 'Work Well Webinars'.
✔️ This Time It's Awkward" - 4- workshop series on handling difficult conversations and conflict
✔️ "Escape The Urgency Trap". A 45-minute training on prioritising your to-do list when everything is urgent.
✔️ LIVE taught cohort of 6 sessions led by Dr Rachel Morris
✔️ The Wellbeing QI Toolkit for teams and practices
✔️ Special discount on our live Wellbeing Leads day in London on 21st May
Get your time back today
Shapes Academy
- Full Shapes Academy Core Content course
- Monthly bitesize videos
- Online video and Shapes resources library
- Quarterly live Masterclasses
- BONUS trainings
- Live taught core programme sessions with Dr Rachel Morris
- Access to monthly Shapes Work Well lunchtime webinars
- App for your phone
- Annual or monthly subscription
£297 annual
- 12 months' access (renewed annually)
- Immediate access to the Shapes Toolkit online resource library
- Live quarterly lunchtime Shapes Masterclass sessions (available on replay too)
- Brand new 3-5 minute "Shapes booster" video every month with a practical, relevant tool to apply
- Full Escape The Urgency Trap Training (45m)
- "This Time It's Awkward" Viurtual workshop series
- Access to monthly Work Well lunchtime webinars.
For enquiries or or questions relating to the Shapes Academy, please visit the FAQ below or contact us.
100% no quibbles money back promise. If within 30 days you haven’t found any of the tools, resources, videos and webinars of any value, simple email us and we will refund 100% of your payment. No questions asked.
Try the Shapes Academy with zero risk with our 30-day 100% no quibbles money back guarantee.
TEAM MEMBERSHIP
Want to join with your organisation?
Team membership is an affordable way for healthcare trusts to buy their teams' wellbeing, resilience and training.
Please contact us to find out about the support we offer for organisations.
CONTACT USINTRODUCING THE SHAPES TOOLKIT
Transforming healthcare leaders and their teams
The Shapes Toolkit forms the core content for the Shapes Academy. These on-demand resources are one of the key things missing from most leadership training. The last thing you need is something else to add to your plate - and having to do all the legwork to implement a new strategy.
The Shapes Toolkit is a tried and tested system that's done-for-you - drawn from coaching techniques, the latest leadership thinking, and neuroscience. In other words - you can start using these TODAY with your team and implement this framework directly into your organisation, right where you are.
It was created by Dr Rachel Morris, a former GP who learned these tools when she trained as an Executive Coach - and wished she'd discovered them years ago when she first qualified as a doctor. She has since shared the Shapes Toolkit with thousands of doctors and other healthcare professionals to transform the way they and their teams are approaching their work.
Find choices and stop feeling trapped by your many responsibilities.
The Zone of Power helps you work out what's in and what's out of your control
Feel calmer, respond better, say no and set boundaries.
The 'In the Corner' shape helps you understand how you react to stressful situations and change how you think and respond
Get clear about the causes of workplace stress.
The Stressors Hexagon helps you find out what's really going on and make the small changes that count.
Know how to tackle stress before it turns into burnout.
The Vortex of Busyness helps you identify the wellbeing factors which will help you feel better and work well.
Get the time and headspace to focus on what’s important.
The Prioritisation Grid helps you to manage your workload and escape the urgency trap.
Save time and stress by empowering your team to take control of their needs and support each other.
The Conversation Pentagon helps you take a coaching approach rather than trying to fix it for everyone.
Help people around you without constantly rescuing them.
The Drama Triangle helps you identify when you're taking a victim, rescuer or persecutor mentality and helps you escape these toxis roles.
AS A SHAPES ACADEMY MEMBER,
Here's how we'll save you time each month...
Just choose how much - or how little - you want to do! (And of course, all the resources, videos and masterclass replays will be available in the online resources centre so you can catch up at any time if you miss them - we know you're busy people!)
WEEK ONE
Your bitesize Shapes Booster Video is delivered direct to your inbox (5min max!)
Watch, reflect on the concept, and start using it in your day-to-day interactions.
WEEK TWO
The Core Content Module for this month’s Shape teaches you a different way to approach different challenges - from your to-do list to tricky 1:1s.
Watch a 15 minute video and complete the accompanying worksheet.
WEEK THREE
Prioritising your own wellbeing is easy. Join the lunchtime webinar (or watch it on catch up) to discover the latest thinking.
Enjoy peer support, time to reflect, and tools to tackle your current challenges.
WEEK FOUR
Bring the bitesize resources (video & slides) to your team meeting and help your colleagues get more done.
Choose the 20 or 40 minute option (with a 5 minute activity as backup in case things don’t go to plan!)
What members say...
"Using the tools I can quickly assess what's important, what to prioritise, and what to let go."
“Before I started the Shapes Academy I had 13 projects on the go and 10k emails in my inbox. I was stressed, anxious and not coping. I ended up needing to take some time off, and realised things needed to change. Now, I'm back at work and using the Shapes Toolkit I've transformed my approach. My role is still extremely high pressured. In fact I now have 29 projects on the go - but I actually feel in control! I still receive 50 emails in an hour but using the tools I can quickly assess what's important, what to prioritise, and what to let go. The academy has given me the ability to be assertive, say no and mean it - reducing conflict with managers and other colleagues. I love knowing I can log on any time I want and watch a quick bite-sized video - I use the tools and resources every day.”
- Mark Thompson, Development Support Manager, Training Hub
About us
The Shapes Academy was created by Dr Rachel Morris, founder of Wild Monday and a former GP with a background in Medical Education - who created the Shapes Toolkit to support leaders in healthcare who wanted to help their teams beat burnout and thrive at work - without taking on everything themselves.
The Shapes Academy is based on the Shapes Toolkit, a series of coaching and productivity tools which has helped hundreds of doctors, managers and other professionals take back control of their time and thrive.
Rachel also hosts the popular ‘You Are Not A Frog’ podcast for doctors and other professionals in high stress jobs. A thought leader on resilience in the workplace, an executive and team coach, she’s a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators and taught for many years on the Faculty for the University of Cambridge. She regularly lectures around the country on leadership, resilience, combatting stress and thriving at work.
FAQ’s - your questions answered
Can’t find the information you need below? Please get in touch with the team using the form at the bottom of the page.
Watch this short video where Rachel answers some of your FAQs.
What will I get?
Can I use my study budget to fund this course?
How does this course work?
What if I have NO time?
Will I get CPD points?
How much does it cost and is there a guarantee?
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