If you want to become an expert at something, hard work matters. Research suggests that it takes around 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become an expert in a particular field. We tend to focus on that part: the work. But there’s another essential piece we often overlook: deliberate rest.

Because I write, doodle, and speak about productivity, you might assume I’m in a permanent state of productive flow: focused, energised, and ending each day with a clear to-do list. Let me reassure you: that’s not always the case.

Resting when you are already exhausted is too late.

“Practice makes perfect” might not be a phrase I love (perfection isn’t the goal), but the core idea holds up. We improve at what we do often. The thing is, this works both ways.

Positive self-talk... I know it sounds a bit woo-woo, but it matters.

If your work involves leading or supporting others, you’ll know how much energy it takes. Some activities leave you feeling energised, while others drain your reserves.

It’s tempting to fill our calendars with back-to-back meetings. But without space to think, process quick actions, and (at least for me) decompress, we carry mental residue from one meeting into the next.

Every situation presents us with two handles. One leads to frustration and negativity, while the other offers understanding and growth. The choice of which handle to grasp is ours.

On 1 June 2024, I made a decision that has (and I know this sounds dramatic) quietly changed my life. That decision was to take a month off drinking alcohol.

The best leaders I’ve worked for followed what Mike Fisher calls The New Golden Rule.

I’m a slow runner. Not "slow for a beginner" (I’ve run two marathons). I’m just... slow.

I’m rarely in the mood to exercise. Dragging myself to the gym or for a run often feels like the hardest part. But I never regret it.

I had the pleasure of falling into a Simon Sinek rabbit hole on YouTube last night, and this was my biggest takeaway: Leadership isn’t a job title; it’s a behaviour.

We all know what it’s like to manage multiple projects at the same time. It’s become a common part of modern work life, and we assume, “This is just how work is.”

These certificates don’t exist…

We are often encouraged to keep pushing for more: more output, recognition, results... For some of us, "more" has become a default state. We don't question it.

We often think of wellbeing and performance as opposites: you can look after yourself and your needs OR get results. But that’s just not true.

One of my favourite low-effort, big-reward wellbeing tips is to keep a Smile File.

I am writing this post on my 47th birthday, which seems bizarre, as in my head, I'm about 28. In no particular order, here are 47 things I’ve learned about wellbeing, health, and productivity.

One of the mistakes I see most often in people trying to get on top of their workload is reaching for a new task management app, thinking it will solve all their problems.