Lessons in Sustainable Productivity from Martine Ellis

How’s your workload feeling right now? Relentless? Overflowing? Spilling over into the weekend?

You’re not alone—and that’s exactly what Martine Ellis tackled in her recent talk for Guernsey Chamber of Commerce: How to Find Focus in Busy Times.

Martine is an educator, coach and productivity-meets-wellbeing champion who knows first-hand what burnout feels like—and more importantly, how to avoid it. Her message is simple but powerful:

To do well, you have to be well.

What is Sustainable Productivity?

Sustainable productivity is about getting stuff done without wrecking your health or happiness. It’s the opposite of the hustle approach; it’s how you sustain good work over time — not just sprint to Friday and collapse.

Martine broke it down into two parts:

  1. Mindset and principles – how we think about work
  2. Practical strategies – what we do about it

Let’s explore both.

First, Get Your Mindset in Check

Wellbeing isn’t a bonus—it’s the base layer.

In a culture that celebrates busyness, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking rest is something you earn after the work is done. But the truth? Rest is part of the work.

Martine makes the case that if we want to consistently perform at a high level—especially in knowledge-based, people-heavy, creative roles—then wellbeing can’t be an afterthought. It has to come first.

Think of professional athletes. They don’t squeeze in recovery after training—they build it into the plan. Sleep, nutrition, downtime, mindset—all these things are treated as core ingredients of performance. It’s the same for us.

Control What You Can

You can’t stop your inbox from filling up or magic away the 3pm meeting that should’ve been an email. But you can shift your focus to what you do control—and that’s where real momentum starts.

Martine introduced the idea of the Circle of Control, borrowed from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits.

It’s simple but powerful: spend your energy on what you can influence, not what you can’t.

Because let’s be honest—worrying about everything you might need to do or can’t change is a fast track to burnout. Focusing on what’s within your control helps you:

  • Feel calmer, not constantly reactive
  • Make clearer decisions
  • Build small wins that compound over time

Next time you feel overwhelmed, try this:
“What’s one thing I can actually do something about today?”
That tiny shift in focus? It’s where clarity begins.

Make Space for Deep Work

If “control what you can” is the mindset, “make space for deep work” is the method.

We all know the feeling: back-to-back meetings, endless notifications, and a half-finished report that’s been open for three days.
You’re busy—but not getting much done.

Martine reminded us that the most meaningful, impactful work rarely happens in 5-minute bursts between meetings. It needs protected time and deliberate focus. That’s what deep work is all about.

Defined by Cal Newport as:

“Distraction-free concentration that pushes your cognitive capabilities to their limit…”

…deep work is where real progress happens.

And no, it doesn’t mean you need to lock yourself in a cabin for three hours. Just 30 focused minutes—no email, no multitasking—can make a huge difference.

Here’s how to start:

  • Time-block deep work like you would a meeting
  • Turn off distractions
  • Start with one task
  • Match it to your energy (e.g. mornings for complex work)

It’s not about doing more—it’s about making space for what actually matters.

 Then, Try These Practical Strategies

These are the tools Martine swears by to stay focused and sane:

Plan Like You Mean It

Good planning isn’t about cramming in more—it’s about protecting your time, reducing decision fatigue, and being intentional with your energy.

Martine recommends:

  • Batching tasks – Group similar tasks together (e.g. all comms or all admin) to avoid context switching
  • Time-blocking – Reserve chunks of time for different kinds of work (deep work, meetings, admin, breaks)
  • Building margin – Don’t fill every minute. Leave breathing space between meetings and tasks
  • Weekly review – A simple Plus, Minus, Next check-in to see what’s working and what’s not

The magic is in creating space for the work that matters—and giving yourself room to think.

Create a Focus-Friendly Environment

Focus isn’t just about willpower—it’s also about where and how you work.

Martine suggests:

  • Loops (earplugs) to reduce noise
  • Pomodoro technique – 25 mins of focused work, followed by 5 min break

  • The whiteboard trick – When random thoughts pop up mid-focus, jot them down and return later
  • Design your space – Use lighting, music, scent, or environment cues that tell your brain: “It’s focus time now”

Small tweaks to your surroundings can make a big difference in how deeply you’re able to concentrate.

Make Your Habits Work for You

  • Weekly planning = book a meeting with yourself
  • Start-up and shut-down routines (even 2 minutes is enough to set and reset your day)
  • Don’t skip breaks – lunch is not optional
  • Microbreaks – Just 30 seconds of rest between tasks can help your brain reboot

Sustainable productivity is built on small, repeatable habits—not huge changes or unrealistic schedules.

Final Thought: Do Less, But Do It Better

Sustainable productivity isn’t about perfect schedules or colour-coded to-do lists. It’s about working in a way you can keep working—without sacrificing your health, creativity, or sanity.

As Martine puts it:

“You cannot give 110% all the time. It is not sustainable.”

So maybe this week, don’t ask: “How much can I do?” Ask instead: “What really matters—and how can I show up for that with my full attention?”

Find out more about Martine Ellis here