profile

Martine Ellis

đź’› You Are More Than Your Job

Published 25 days ago • 3 min read

Hello friend,

I hope you've had a good week.

With just over a month to go before I run the London Landmarks Half Marathon, mileage is ramping up, so, I'll be honest, I'm tired and a bit achy.

Thankfully, I'm on a "deload" week. This is a point in my training plan where my weekly mileage is reduced to give my legs a rest. Whereas next week I'll run over 20 miles in total, this week is 15 miles.

But, of course, you don't need to be training for a half marathon to plan deload periods. Rest is an essential part of performance. I hope you have a little "deload time" this weekend.

Enough running talk! Let's get to this week's digest...

✏️ Doodle Essays

​This week's doodle essay highlights the risk of your job being your entire identity. The essay also suggests better questions to ask when you meet people, instead of the default, "What do you do?"

If you are interested in exploring this idea further—particularly the job/identity aspect—I recommend Simone Stolzoff's book, The Good Enough Job. I read it back in 2023 and it explores this topic well.

đź“š Read

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

  • I always look forward to Naomi from Todoist's monthly articles; this one caught my attention as it outlines her daily start-up routine.
  • ​This is a great article from Chris Guillebeau's archive, sharing a video game-inspired, analogue approach to getting through your task list.
  • What do you think about walking meetings? I appreciate confidentiality can be a concern, but I also see the value in walking and talking. This article from The Good Busy explores the idea further.

If you're curious about the books I'm reading, you can see my library in Tana here: Library. I finished "Never Let Me Go" and am still thinking about it. What a read. I'm struggling to pick my next fiction book.

đź“ş Watch

I'm sharing another Cal Newport video this week. This one is an interview with Sarah Hart-Unger, author of Best Laid Plans. Sarah shares how she approaches planning her busy life as a mum, doctor, author, and podcaster.
​

video preview​

​
One of my current experiments is making time every week to do something creative. My hypothesis is around the impact of creative practice on my wellbeing (but it is obviously also an excuse to try lots of different techniques and media). Over the past week or so, I've been block printing. Here's a helpful video for beginners if you fancy trying it too:
​

video preview​

​
On the subject of experiments, I made a start on my classic film list last weekend (as mentioned in last week's email) by watching LĂ©on: The Professional (1994). If you are curious about the details of this experiment, I have tweaked my hypothesis and pact slightly. This is what I've decided on:

  • Hypothesis: I wonder what the effect of watching a large number of classic films without checking my phone will be on my attention span. Will I struggle to do it? How will it feel?
  • Pact: I will watch as many classic films from the IMDB Top 250 as I can, without my phone, in 2026.

The hypothesis and pact format is inspired by Anne-Laure Le Cunff's book, Tiny Experiments. This will be a nine month experiment and I will aim to watch one film a week.

If you'd like to join me in a similar experiment, I shared my film spreadsheet in last week's email.

🎧 Listen

My favourite podcast episode this week was episode 632 of Feel Better Live More. The host, Rangan Chaterjee, interviews Zen Master, Henry Shukman, about meditation.

This one is a bit niche, but I also loved the latest clip compilation from Amy Poehler's Good Hang celebrating one of my favourite TV shows, Parks and Rec.

I've shared video links for podcasts mentioned in this email, but you can listen to the audio versions in your favourite podcast app. Just search for the podcast names, episode titles, or episode numbers.

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.

Ellis HQ, Vale, Guernsey GY6 8EW
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Martine Ellis

martineellis.com

Sustainable productivity starts with wellbeing. Each weekend, I share practical strategies, short essays, doodles, and recommendations to help you live and work in a way that supports your wellbeing.

Read more from Martine Ellis

Hello friend, I hope you've had a good week. My London half marathon challenge is just two weeks away now, which means one thing... taper time (thank goodness: I am TIRED). Most training blocks build in a taper period at the end, which means your weekly training load reduces, so your body and brain have a rest before the race. It's a good reminder that we cannot function at 100% all the time. We need rest. (That being said, I still have to knock out a cheeky 9 miler after I've pressed send on...

4 days ago • 2 min read

Hello friend, I hope you've had a good week. I've been prioritising rest this week (in other words, taking my own advice). Annoyingly, I've had another cold; my second in six weeks. While I am frustrated by the impact the cold has had on my half marathon training, I am listening to my body. I'm also adjusting my race goals a bit. It doesn't matter how long the half-marathon takes, I just want to do the distance and enjoy the experience. And ideally, not come last 🤣 That being said, spring...

11 days ago • 2 min read

Hello friend, I hope you've had a good week. I appear to have accidentally themed this weekend's digest around three of my favourite things: reading, learning, and hobbies. Here you go, I hope you enjoy it... ✏️ Doodle Essays This week's doodle essay explores the idea of our phones being an extension of our bodies, and share a strategy I am testing to become less attached. 📚 Read Here are some articles from other creators I thought you might enjoy: Alexis McElroy's article, The Art of Being...

18 days ago • 1 min read