Do you immediately assume that doing less equates to being lazy? More than that, do you feel that if you aren't constantly 'on' that the world will assume you aren't a motivated, successful, go-getter?

Over the last few weeks, I've been a guinea-pig in my own 'what's the worst that can happen if I do less?' experiment and the results, so far, have been surprising. Not least because, truth be told, I have created an identity around going above and beyond, over-delivering and always being poised to pounce on the next idea that to make the decision to absent myself from that sense of urgency has been, dare I say, uncomfortable and unsettling.

Whether a down-shift in perceived effort is a good thing is something only time will tell, but nearly a month into this effort, I can definitely tell you what it feels like to consciously 'do' less and how that has been showing up.

It hasn't been particularly comfortable and, as someone who has also responded to my internal Sergeant Major immediately, to suddenly tell that loud, shouty inner voice 'not today' or 'not right now' has led to a fair amount of low level guilt.

Doing less has felt like choosing laziness.

However, doing less via conscious choice as opposed to apathy has changed the texture of my days - even this soon into the experiment. I'm practising this new, slower approach across work, nutrition and training and my one observation across all three is that I feel far more connected to all my tasks and less knee-jerk and reactive. More on this in the episode.

My main takeaway is that this reframe means I'm no longer living in a state of low-grade urgency and the knock-on effects of that have been pleasing so far...

Have a listen and let me know what you think of this experiment, whether you're trying it alongside me or whether this has made you look at your workload differently. Let's chat in the comments over on Substack...

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Have you been sold a lie?

What if doing more is actually a fast track to achieving less?

You know how it goes, you find more time in your schedule, you've become competent at a certain amount of work and so your instinct is to fill the time gap, add more to your workload and generally max yourself out.

I'm not wrong, am I? Women especially have been targeted by a culture of success meaning a side-hustle, having some sort of brilliant entrepreneurial idea that'll make millions and being able to do everything perfectly in all corners of our lives. Yep, we're all expected to be able to do our own accounts, bake a Bake-Off quality birthday cake with no notice and maintain a fitness regime that requires hours in the gym.

It's. All. Too. Much.

So, in this episode I look at the ways in which you can still get everything done but without the accompanying panic, stress, cortisol spike and general urgency that we've been conditioned to lock into in order to appear, and feel, like we're doing things properly.

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It's not that I've been going wrong, as such, but after eight months of effort towards body recomposition, I've had to acknowledge that something wasn't working. I'm not mad or upset because, ultimately, I've maintained my 50lb weight loss. However, if you've set your sights on a goal and after months of effort, you are no closer, it's only sensible to take a look at your output and see what you could be doing differently.

The plot twist here is that my new approach actually feels like doing less.

But, if you don't try you'll never know and as much as this is a huge trust exercise, I am also hopeful that this does work. To be more specific, I really want this to work because if it does then it means there's more than one way to skin a cat (horrible expression, but it's universal) and I can finally let go of the idea that the only way to get to where you want to be is to go at it full pelt until you eventually fall over.

As it turns out, this whole new approach has come at a time when I think I need it most, and not just when it comes to my training, but let me know what you think and if you have any examples where doing less actually got you more...

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It's natural to get to the end of the year and assess and appraise the 12 months that have just passed. As someone who has, for a few years now, found the 'new year, new you' and the whole resolutions/manifesting/visualisation/vision board culture borderline offensive AND ONLY TARGETED AT WOMEN, I haven't indulged too much in the idea that I need to make huge changes.

However, 2025 has involved a fair few realisations, epiphanies and general 'what has worked before is no longer working now' and it's become clear that it's time to try a different tack.

But what does that look like and, as someone who has been programmed to do more and just 'up the effort' when you want better, bigger and more results, is it time to embrace an entirely less 'throw everything at it' approach?

I'd love to know what you think of this episode so let me know by DMing me on instagram where I'm @emmaguns, commenting underneath this substack post (and don't forget to subscribe) or emailing me at [email protected]

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Here's some twinkly goodness in the shape of my Top 10 Feel Good Habits interviews. In this episode, Evy Pompouras.

This episode was originally published in May 2021.

Evy Poumpouras is a speaker, mentor and former Secret Service agent who joins me on the podcast to share her feel-good habits, the strategies she uses and recommends to make sure every day is a good day.

In this episode, @evypoumpouras shares:

•Why avoidance gets you nowhere and it pays to face and address the things in life you find challenging.

•Why so many feel-good habits won’t feel good in the short-term, but it’s the long-term yield that makes consistency and perseverance worthwhile.

•Why her favourite form or instant gratification comes on the shape of a @dunkin Cappuccino Blast.

•Why her evening habits routine is ‘Evy Time’ and is how she can ensure she operates at her optimum.

•Her evening workout, which includes some kit from @onnit and why she loves being strong.

•The benefits she feels from using an inversion table.

•Why cold showers and meditation are part of her post-workout routine.

•The gratitude ritual that allows her to note what has gone well, but also holds her accountable for what hasn’t.

•Why getting outside in the morning is a way to really ‘wake up’ and why getting an errand done first thing leads to greater productivity throughout the day.

•The conversation she had with Marc Bernays-Randolph, the founder of @netflix about success and what makes people successful.

•And much much more…

If you want more of Evy's expertise and insights then her book Becoming Bulletproof is available now.

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Here's some twinkly goodness in the shape of my Top 10 Feel Good Habits interviews. In this episode, Lily Pebbles.

This episode was originally published in August 2020.

Lily Pebbles is a content creator who joins me to share her feel-good habits and how she stops a bad day from becoming a bad week.

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Here's some twinkly goodness in the shape of my Top 10 Feel Good Habits interviews. In this episode, Hannah Ferrier.

This episode was originally published in August 2021.

Hannah Ferrier is a businesswoman and star of Below Deck Me who joins me to share her feel-good habits, the strategies she uses and recommends to make sure every day is a good day.In this episode, @hannahferrier234 explains: - Why she’s leaning into healthy eating and training, not just because her hens’ party is imminent but because the mental clarity is gives her, especially in lockdown, makes it a great habit. - She’s an all or nothing person and that’s why she loves throwing herself into intense exercise. - How hydration makes her feel so good and how she can easily drink three litres a day. - Why she loves to incorporate a ‘cheat day’ into her healthy regime. - How she and her partner have made weekdays no alcohol days. - Why working on superyachts meant she acquired a taste for the finer things in life. - Why cuddling and sniffing her baby daughter, Ava, brings her such joy. - How she may have left yachting but creating a coaching business with Ocean International helps her keep her toe in, so to speak.

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Here's some twinkly goodness in the shape of my Top 10 Feel Good Habits interviews. In this episode, Alex Light.

This episode was originally published in Nov 2020.

Alex Light returns to the podcast to share her feel-good habits, the strategies she uses and recommends to make sure every day is a good day.

During our conversation @alexlight_ldn reveals:

•The importance of good sleep on how she feels.

•The role music plays in her day and why a session on the piano can clear her head.

•The power she finds in being organised and organising.

•The joy that can be found in makeup and skincare.

•Why therapy is the most positive thing she has done for herself and why she’d recommend it to anyone.

•Plus, the distraction to be found in a good session of reality TV.

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Here's some twinkly goodness in the shape of my Top 10 Feel Good Habits interviews. In this episode, Ruth Crilly.

This episode was originally published in April 2021.

Ruth Crilly is a writer, content creator and model who returns to the podcast to share her feel-good habits, the strategies she uses and recommends to make sure every day is a good day.

During our conversation @ruthcrilly reveals:

•Why walking is essential for feeling good, clearing her head and putting life into perspective.

•The joy of some time alone with a magazine and cup of herbal tea. 

•The ceremony and ritual of a daily bath for winding down and putting a full-stop on the day.

•The joy of Mint Magnums and what her special edition Magnum would be if she ever became their spokesmodel.

•Why taking a step back from social media is often a good move for your mental health, and the changes she’d make the platform to make users feel good.

•The distraction of time spent on Right Move, even if you have no intention of moving, and much more.

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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Here's some twinkly goodness in the shape of my Top 10 Feel Good Habits interviews. In this episode, Nadine Baggott.

Nadine Baggott joins me on the podcast to share her feel-good habits, the strategies she uses and recommends to make sure every day is a good day.

As you’d expect from Nadine, these habits are practical, honest and there is absolutely no sugar-coating whatsoever. To quote one of Nadine’s favourite films, ‘buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy night’. 

During our conversation @nadinebaggott reveals:

•The benefits of having pets and the rewards the act of loving and caring for them gives.

•The dangers of externalising your power.

•How to make lists, but lists with real purpose that create action.

•Why it’s important to find pleasure in small things.

•The dangers of being around miserable and/or narcissistic people and why @drramani youtube is a good source for sussing that out.

•Why getting outside is vital for physical, mental, and emotional health.

•How music can play a vital role in setting your mood and making you feel motivated.

•Why @beyonce Lemonade played a crucial role in helping Nadine navigate a challenging time in her own life.

•Why it’s so important to have hope and something to look forward to.

•The friends she has surrounded herself with and what they all have in common and why they are such a positive network of trusted connections, and much more...

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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