Robert Peake

When did you first discover GTD, and what inspired you to become a trainer?

I met David Allen and attended an early version of his GTD seminar just weeks after leaving university. One exercise--the "mind sweep"--had a profound impact on me. For the first time, I externalized everything on my mind in one place: goals, chores, dreams, taxes, all of it. Seeing it all laid out was both liberating and overwhelming, and I knew that there had to be a better way to manage it all without burning out.That moment set me on a path of discovery that ultimately shaped my career. I feel very lucky to have found such a big key to my own personal happiness, but what kept me engaged was its lasting impact on others. Now over two decades later, I continue to share these principles because I know firsthand how transformational they can be--not only in managing work but in creating a more fulfilling life.

What goals do you have for the work that you do with clients?  What do you want them to achieve and experience?

My first goal with any client is clarity--helping them articulate what they truly want, sometimes even uncovering deeper aspirations they haven't fully expressed. I want them to achieve success on their own terms, and continually return to their vision of excellence as a reference point for progress during our engagement.I work with high-achievers, but my real joy is helping them create sustainable change--—where progress is not only measurable but also deeply satisfying and even fun. Awareness, put into action and refined over time, can lead to lasting fulfilment. I have experienced this consistently through this work, and that's what I want for my clients: to not only accomplish more but to engage fully with the work they’re meant to do.

What’s a fun or unexpected fact about you?

People are often surprised to learn that, alongside my consulting and coaching work, I have a wide range of creative interests—from poetry to woodworking to electronic inventions. I actually love being a beginner, translating insights from one field into another in unexpected ways, and learning outside my comfort zone.This curiosity shapes my approach to coaching and consulting as well. I strive to stay open, willing to understand problems deeply on their own terms while balancing fresh thinking with experience. In a world that prizes specialization, I’ve always believed that a broad, creative perspective is just as powerful--if not more so--in unlocking meaningful results.

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