Episode 4 - Why Winter isn’t the time to “smash it” - Rethinking productivity after the holidays

In this episode, Juliet lets her wonderfully rebellious side shine as we question a familiar organisational expectation: the idea that we should march back into January bursting with energy, focus, and motivation - ready to “smash it” after the holiday break. The pressure is everywhere, yet most of us secretly feel the opposite.

We explore how this mindset completely ignores something pretty fundamental: our evolutionary biology.

Winter has always been a season for slowing down, conserving energy, and rebuilding. But in modern work culture, we push straight through as if our bodies and brains are unaffected by shorter days, colder weather, and deeper fatigue. No wonder so many people find themselves dragging their feet, struggling to wake up, or feeling inexplicably burnt out - even after time off.

Our conversation dives into what might happen if we allowed ourselves (and our teams) to tune into the season a little more. Could we actually achieve more over the long term by embracing rest when it’s needed? Could creativity flourish if we stopped forcing winter to behave like summer? We think so - and it’s a relief to say it out loud.

If you’re wondering why you’re not bouncing into January full of “New Year energy,” this episode might just be the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.