Productivity isn't About Getting More Done
I have a confession.
For years, I thought productivity meant becoming more disciplined and squeezing more into every day.
My goal was simply to work hard and get further into my ever-growing to-do list than I did the day before.
It was a losing battle!
Like many successful professionals and experts, I built a reputation for being reliable, capable and productive. The person who could always be counted on to get things done.
And it took all my energy to try and keep that up.
Because, no matter how much I achieved, there was always more to do.
The finish line kept moving.
And if productivity was really about getting everything done, then I was failing before I'd even started.
That's why I was so excited to welcome productivity mentor Louise Miller onto the podcast.
Because her approach challenges almost everything we've been taught about productivity.
And for entrepreneurs, particularly thoughtful, values-led entrepreneurs, and those with ADHD, it might just be the mindset shift we need most.
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“Productivity is about doing what's important as efficiently as possible so that you can create space for what you love.” — Louise Miller
The productivity trap most entrepreneurs fall into
One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Louise shared the question that changed everything for her:
"Why are you always rushing to get everything done?"
It sounds simple.
But for many business owners, it's surprisingly difficult to answer.
Because somewhere along the way we've absorbed the idea that there will eventually be a moment when everything is finished.
The inbox will be empty.
The projects will be complete.
The website will be perfect.
The marketing will finally be done.
Except that moment never arrives.
There is always another task.
Another opportunity.
Another thing we could improve.
And when we believe productivity means doing everything, we create a game we can never win. So instead of ending every day feeling accomplished, we end it feeling like a failure.
Why "everything is important" is rarely true
When I coach business owners on their marketing, one of the biggest challenges isn't knowing what to do.
It's deciding what not to do.
Louise made a point that I think many entrepreneurs need to hear:
Not everything is important.
It might feel important or feel urgent.
But that’s not the same thing as being the most important or urgent.
Truth is, the entrepreneurs who make the most progress aren't necessarily the busiest.
They're the ones who become skilled at discernment.
They know how to ask:
- Is this moving me towards the business I want?
- Is this helping me serve my clients?
- Is this aligned with my vision?
- Or is it simply keeping me busy?
That distinction changes everything.
Because productivity isn't about doing more things, but about doing more of the right things.
"Productivity isn't about doing more things, but about doing more of the right things. Being productive in the wrong direction still takes you further away from where you want to be." — Louise Miller
The treehouse every entrepreneur needs
Louise shared a beautiful analogy during our conversation.
Imagine you're walking through a forest.
You're focused on the ground beneath your feet.
Avoiding roots.
Navigating muddy puddles, and
Trying not to get lost.
Eventually, you become exhausted.
And because you're so focused on the next step, you lose sight of where you're actually going.
At that point, you have a choice.
You can keep pushing forward.
Or you can climb up into the treehouse.
From there, you can see:
- How far you've already come
- Where you're trying to get to
- The clearest route forward
The irony?
The most productive thing you can do in that moment is stop. And yet that's often the thing we're least willing to do.
I see this all the time with my clients (and I used to experience it a lot myself). The moment they feel overwhelmed is often the moment they most need to pause.
Not because they're giving up.
But because clarity lives in the pause.
Productivity starts before action
This was perhaps my favourite insight from the entire conversation.
Louise explained that productivity doesn't begin when you start working.
It begins long before that.
She shared her Progress Cycle:
Pause → Reflect → Choose → Act → Complete
Most people focus only on the action stage.
But the quality of your action is determined by everything that happens beforehand.
The pause.
The reflection.
The choice.
Without those first three stages, it's incredibly easy to spend hours being busy without making meaningful progress.
How often have you sat down to work, only to find yourself checking emails, scrolling social media, or bouncing between tasks?
We've all done it.
But when you take a moment to pause, reflect, and consciously choose what matters most, everything becomes more intentional. And that’s when we start to see real momentum, progress and traction in our business.
Why energy matters more than schedules
One thing I particularly appreciated about Louise's approach is that she doesn't believe productivity should look the same for everyone. Because we're not all wired the same way.
Some people do their best work at 7am.
Others come alive at 7pm.
Some people thrive in quiet spaces.
Others find a bustling café helps them focus.
The goal isn't to find the perfect schedule.
The goal is to understand yourself and what works best for you, and at what times and in what circumstances.
You want to notice:
- When your energy is highest
- What kind of work energises you
- What drains you
- What environments help you thrive
This resonates deeply with Value Whispering.
Because so much traditional business advice assumes there is one right way to succeed.
One right marketing strategy.
One right sales process.
One right schedule.
One right approach.
But sustainable success usually comes from understanding yourself well enough to create a business that works with your natural strengths, not against them.
"To build momentum and gain traction in your business, you don't need a perfect schedule. You need a rhythm that works for you." — Louise Miller
The real reasons things aren't getting done
Towards the end of our conversation, I asked Louise what she sees most often when people struggle with productivity.
Her answer was refreshingly honest.
People typically fall into one of three traps:
1. They're not focusing on the right things
They're busy, but not necessarily progressing in a meaningful way.
2. They're not setting themselves up for success
They underestimate how long things take and overestimate their capacity. That results in the creation of plans that fail as they were never realistic in the first place.
3. They're not working on their business
They're so busy, they never stop to think what their business actually needs in order for them to attain their goals. They never stop to evaluate what is (and isn’t) working for them. And they never stop to choose a better approach.
However, when they stop and use Louise’s Progress Cycle, that's often when the real breakthroughs happen.
A final thought to reflect on
If you've been feeling overwhelmed lately...
If your to-do list feels endless...
If you've been telling yourself you'll stop and think once things calm down...
Perhaps that's your invitation to do the opposite.
Pause first.
Not when everything is done.
Not when you've earned it.
Not when you've finally caught up.
Now.
Because sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop long enough to remember where you're going, and plan a better way forward.
And from there, everything becomes a little clearer.
About Louise Miller
Louise Miller is a productivity mentor who helps entrepreneurs focus on what matters most, create sustainable ways of working, and build businesses that support the life they want to live.
Through her coaching, workshops, and Make It Happen Club, she helps business owners move away from overwhelm and towards a more intentional, energising approach to productivity.
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In just a couple of minutes, you'll gain personalised insights and practical next steps to help you focus on what matters most and create more space for the things you love.
About Your Host, Melitta Campbell
Melitta Campbell is an award-winning business coach, TEDx speaker, author of A Shy Girl’s Guide to Networking and founder of The Value Whispering Circle.
Through her Value WhisperingTM Blueprint, she helps introverted female entrepreneurs build quietly impactful businesses that grow through clarity, trust, and alignment.
Learn more about working with Melitta here
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