ENCORE: How to Feel More Successful and Productive by Doing Less

In a world bombarded with optimization strategies and endless to-do lists, Lisa challenges the conventional wisdom that more equals better. This episode cuts through the noise to reveal why high-performers often sabotage themselves with impossible standards and how to break free from the "all or nothing" trap that keeps you stuck.

We're drowning in information about how to optimize everything, and it's creating paralysis for high-achievers. When you can't do something perfectly, you opt out entirely. This happens with health, relationships, business, and self-care. The result? Zero action equals zero results, even though some results are infinitely better than none.

Lisa breaks down the core pillars that actually matter for performance: sleep, movement, nutrition, outdoor time, relationships (especially with yourself), and hydration. These basics don't change, but we get distracted by every new optimization strategy instead of mastering what we know works.

Everyone's talking about cold plunging for nervous system benefits, but Lisa reveals why she doesn't do it despite knowing the benefits. She's already doing hard things and chooses different hard things that support her nervous system post-burnout. The lesson? Don't do things just because others say you should. Choose what works for YOUR life and nervous system.

What if you gave yourself permission to go to the gym once a week instead of five times? What if you committed to one healthy breakfast instead of overhauling your entire diet? What if you meditated for five minutes instead of aiming for an hour? The key is finding the minimum you can commit to and actually stick with it.

For years, Lisa used being hard on herself as motivation. This worked until it didn't. When you're using self-criticism to move forward, you're in an abusive relationship with yourself. The shift? You can achieve more through strategic kindness than constant criticism.

Sometimes the answer isn't adding more strategies—it's consciously deciding what to stop doing. Put a pin in optimization techniques that don't fit your current bandwidth. Schedule a reminder to revisit them in three to six months. Give yourself permission to let things go without guilt.

Can you sit with yourself in silence for five minutes? If not, what does that say about your relationship with yourself? What are you running from? What stories are you telling yourself about what you "should" be doing? These questions reveal the deeper patterns keeping you stuck.

This episode is for high-achievers who feel like they're constantly failing despite doing everything "right." If self-care feels like another job on your to-do list, if you opt out of healthy habits because you can't do them perfectly, or if you're ready to challenge the stories keeping you overwhelmed, this episode will shift your perspective.

Choose one foundational area where you want improvement. Ask yourself what's the absolute minimum you can commit to and actually stick with. Notice what stories come up when you consider doing "less." Then give yourself permission to let everything else go for now while you build this one sustainable habit.

Success and fulfillment don't come from doing all the things—they come from doing the right things consistently. When you master the basics and build on a solid foundation, you don't need to constantly add more to feel successful. You'll actually start enjoying your life instead of grinding through it.

Ready to master the art of prioritizing yourself and creating a life filled with joy, fulfillment, ease, and peace? Fill out the application https://lisacarpenter.ca/wwm/ and let's discuss how to get you the results you're after without sacrificing yourself to achieve them.

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