Wellbeing Wisdom February 2025

The Productivity Lie That’s Wrecking Your Wellbeing

I've been known as a bit of a rule breaker all my life, so here I go breaking another one (albeit a made-up one—actually, aren't they all made up?) sending well wishes to you all for a great 2025 (after the supposed cut-off for that of 31 January). I hope the year is amazing for you.

I saw a post the other day that said, “Wake up at 4am, journal, do yoga, work 12 hours, meal prep, side hustle, and if you’re tired—drink water. No excuses.”

?? This is peak productivity cult nonsense.

If you’re grinding, hustling, and running on fumes, let’s get real: ?? You don’t need another time hack—you need better boundaries. ?? If your ‘to-do list’ owns you, you’re not leading. You’re surviving.

This month, I’m talking all about boundaries in leadership—because "overwork" isn’t a leadership skill, and burnout doesn’t get you a medal.

?? Read on for tips, tools, and straight-up truths about leading without losing yourself.

THE LEADERSHIP EDGE

How to Set Boundaries Without Sounding Like a Jerk

Let’s cut the excuses. If you keep saying yes to everything:

• Your team will keep bringing you their problems instead of solving them.
• You’ll spend your day in reactive mode (hello, email overload).
• Your actual priorities? Buried under someone else’s urgent request.

?? Time to set boundaries that don’t feel awkward.

Try these:

1. ‘The Redirect’ (When Someone Dumps Their Work on You)

?? “That’s a great idea. How do you see yourself tackling it?” (Translation: I’m not fixing this for you.)

2. ‘The Time Protector’ (When People Interrupt You Constantly)

?? “I’m deep in focus right now—can we talk at [set time] instead?” (Translation: Your emergency isn’t my emergency.)

3. ‘The Clarity Check’ (When You’re Given More Work Than You Can Handle)

?? “I can take this on, but it means X will have to wait. Which is the priority?” (Translation: If everything’s urgent, nothing is.)

?? Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about leading with clarity, confidence, and sustainability.

?? Need more help with this? My new Boundaries for Leaders eBook and Online Course is coming soon—stay tuned!

BLOG & FREE DOWNLOAD OF THE MONTH

?? NEW BLOG: ‘Talking Up: Mastering Communication with the Execs’

• If you’ve ever wondered?“Why do my reports barely get a glance?” or “Why do I keep getting cut off?”, this blog is for you. Communicating with executives is an art—and a science. Nail it, and you’ll be seen as a strategic thinker. Get it wrong, and you’ll blend into the noise. ?? Read it here
• Don't miss the FREE Executive Summary Report Template included in this blog—crafted to help you cut through the noise and get your message across effectively.

WHAT'S COMING UP?

???Boundaries for Leaders – My New Course is Almost Here!

If you:?

?? Feel like?your leadership role is running you (instead of the other way around) ?? Struggle to say no without feeling guilty ?? Want a proven strategy to lead with authority and protect your time

…this is for you. Details coming soon! Want early access? Let me know here.

???Hunter Regional Safety Summit 2025

Last year at this event I spoke about difficult conversations and the elephants in the room, and I’m thrilled to be attending the Psychosocial Safety Summit again this year! This event is all about?tackling the challenges of workplace mental health and wellbeing, with a focus on?practical solutions, courageous conversations and meaningful change.

????Exclusive Offer for My Network: Nicole from Neon Shed has generously offered a special ticket discount that isn’t available anywhere else:

Option 1:?777 Early Bird Price (inc. GST) for the full 2-day Summit (use the code EARLYBIRD) Option 2:?Invest in a full price Summit ticket and add the September follow-up workshop for free (a bonus valued at 299! - use the code MICHELLE).?

Get your tickets here.

RAPID FIRE TAKE AWAYS

?? Podcast I’m Loving: Dare to Lead – Brené Brown on Boundaries

?? Book That’ll Change Your Thinking: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins - GAME CHANGER!!!

??? Tool That Makes Life Easier: The ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature—your best friend for focused work

?? Question to Reflect On: If you say yes to this, what are you saying no to?

FINAL THOUGHT

Your Permission Slip to Stop Overworking

If you’re constantly exhausted, let me remind you:

? ? ??? Working yourself to the bone isn’t leadership—it’s self-sabotage.

? ? ??? You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t have to prove your worth through exhaustion.

? ? ??? Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re the foundation of sustainable leadership.

?? Your challenge this month: Pick one boundary to set—and actually stick to it.

?? Hit reply and tell me: What’s the hardest boundary for you to hold? I want to hear it.

LET'S WRAP THIS UP

This month was all about boundaries, boss moves, and leading with confidence. If this resonated, stick around—bigger things are coming.

As always, if there is a topic you'd like me to cover, let me?know!??

If you were forwarded this email - feel free to subscribe?here.??

See you next month—until then,?hold your boundaries.

Yours in Wellbeing

Michelle

I’m Michelle and I specialise in helping organisations and leaders navigate complexity with clarity, courage, and a touch of grace (or at least less chaos). Whether it’s guiding tough conversations, driving meaningful change, or supporting teams through uncertainty, I bring fresh insights, practical solutions, and the occasional laugh to the table. I do this through the wisdom and experience I gained in 25 years in CEO and Senior Executive positions in Local Government.

What will I do for you? Amongst other things, I’ll support and train middle to senior leaders to step into their potential, strengthen their impact, and tackle leadership challenges with confidence and strategy—all without losing sight of their humanity.

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership or organisation:

?? Send me a message or email and we can connect and explore how we can work together ?? Sign up to my Newsletter at michellemcfadyen.com - free, impactful, and only mildly disruptive ?? Connect here with me for insights, ideas, and the occasional leadership truth bomb.

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