Hello friend,

I hope your first full week of 2026 was a good one.

Guernsey took quite a battering from Storm Goretti, with winds well over 100 mph. Although my home sustained some damage, everyone is safe, and it's all fixable, so I am thankful for that.

While I really benefited from downtime over the festive period, I really missed writing my weekend newsletter to you, so it is good to be back. Here is this weekend's digest for you.

---

✏️ Doodle Essays

This week, I have a doodle essay and a voice note for you.

​My doodle essay makes (what I think is) a compelling case for boredom and suggests ways to create boredom gaps for anyone who struggles to do absolutely nothing (in other words, me, but perhaps you too).

This week's voice note shares a small experiment I'm undertaking with my task list to help with prioritisation.

---

📚 Read

Here are two articles from other creators I thought you might enjoy:

• ​The Good Busy reminds us that "go big or go home" is not the only approach to self-improvement.
• And, in the latest article from Ness Labs, we learn about the Devotion-Friction Matrix and how discipline is ultimately overrated.

If you're curious about the books I'm reading, you can see my library in Tana here: Library.

You might notice I am reading a book about sourdough bread called The Sourdough Framework (I've got a new starter on the go, so I thought I would get nerdy about it). The book is free and available here from The Bread Code; so far, it's fantastic. Find out more in the short video below and check out the author's YouTube channel if you're bread-curious ⬇️

​

​

---

🧰 Tools

I have four recommendations for you: two apps, a course, and a physical thing.

• Apps: Both are nutrition-related, and I am not an affiliate for either; I just really rate them. The first is Zoe (I've listened to their podcast for ages and finally became a paying member this year). I'm loving learning about simple changes to improve my gut health and am excited to receive the results of my gut-health test. The second is Mob, a wonderful repository of recipes with an emphasis on healthy eating and meal prep.
• Course: This might make me sound like a bit of a weirdo, but I did this Google Sheets course over the festive break, and it was excellent.
• Thing: I'm loving my new water bottle (I have two now, so I thought it was probably time to add it to my essential office kit list). Anything that helps me hydrate is a worthwhile investment.

---

🎧 Listen

I thought this episode of Simon Sinek's podcast, in which he interviews author Fredrik Backman, was a charming listen (and the reason I am currently listening to the audiobook version of My Friends).

I listen to podcasts in the Snipd app, but you can find shows and episodes I recommend on your preferred podcast platform. Use my referral link to get a month of Snipd Premium for free.

---

That's all from me today. Have a great week, and I will be in touch again next weekend.

Best wishes,

Martine

P.S. If you enjoy my newsletter and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee here. It’s always appreciated but never expected.

---

Whenever you’re ready, here are a few ways I can help:

• ​Coaching: Book a free call to explore one-to-one coaching.
• ​Digital Products: Browse my growing collection.
• ​Skill Sessions: Book a one-hour session for your team.
• ​Training: Learn about my tailored sessions on sustainable productivity, communication, and confidence.

You can also read what others have said about working with me here.