Smarter

The essential guide for working Smarter in all facets of your life from harnessing your talents and increasing productivity, to improving your work-life balance and reaching your goals.

WINNER OF THE BUSINESS BOOK AWARD, WORK & LIFE 2025

'A manifesto for working women' THE SUNDAY TIMES STYLE

'A new practical guide and empowering manifesto for those ready to break free from burnout and redefine what it means to thrive. This book will be your blueprint for leveraging your strengths, boosting your productivity and achieving lasting success on your own terms.' VANITY FAIR

Busyness has become a status symbol, colloquially used to intimate success. The 'more is more' philosophy still prevails, running us into the dirt and out of natural energy. We jostle for our position balancing work, family life, fertility, misogyny and mental health, and we have been told that working late, over-caffeinating, being the first in and last out, sacrificing our personal lives, and eating on the go, are conducive to succeeding long-term. But instead, we are burnt-out and less motivated than ever. That's where SMARTER steps in.

SMARTER reframes the idea of over-productivity equalling success, and will ultimately show that those who work smarter, are those who achieve more long-term success. Featuring 10 achievable steps, and the experience of successful entrepreneur, E.M Austen, SMARTER will show you how to reframe previous systems that your brain predicts, switch your mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance, join the 8am club, conduct a busyness detox, define what success means to you, track your energy not your time, identify and set healthy boundaries, time block, habit pair and switch to mono tasking, and so much more. Inside you'll discover how to embrace your talents, harness your productivity, create a consistent work-life balance and empower you to reach your goals.

This is not for the bare minimum Mondays or the take it easy Tuesdays. It's for those who strive for success; for ambitious women wanting to do it all, those who understand that you have to make a deposit to be able to make a withdrawal. For those who have skin in the game. For the overlooked, the under appreciated. The full timers and the 'not quite made it yetters'. Those looking for a smarter way to do it.

With this essential guide you'll find it's not about unlearning what you've been taught, it's modifying what you already know, so that you can unlock your power and lead a life that's SMARTER.

About the Author

E.M Austen is the founder and CEO of EMERGE, an award-winning PR agency based in London, working with global brands, including Huel, Spanx, Red Bull, Castore, The Birley Clubs, Lick, PE Nation, Abercrombie & Fitch, Fitflop and more. The 26-strong team was started by Emily in 2012, at the age of 22, after she graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Law. She has guest lectured at Harvard University and has been featured in '300 Years of Leadership and Innovation'.

Emily is a Strategic PR advisor to UN Women UK, tackling challenging conversations such as domestic violence and gender inequality, and works with the General Assembly to effect change. She is also a Strategic Advisor to ESI Media Group.

Over her career, she has been involved in the communications to raise over 500 million for start-ups in the wellness, fitness, tech and feminine care sectors. She has a diploma in Venture + Finance from Oxford University. Emily is an advisor to William Chase and a founding partner in Goldling, a ready-to-drink seltzer brand. Marie Claire named her the most inspiring female entrepreneur on Instagram, Sheerluxe included her on their 2024 'Most Inspiring List' and she has been featured in the Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Grazia and Forbes, and has also written for Harper's Bazaar, Stylist and Glamour.