A Productive Conversation

Laura McClellan Talks About Simplifying Productivity and Making a Life That Matters


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This episode is brought to you by Your Clockwise Week—a personalized weekly structure built around your actual life, not an ideal one. If your week feels full but not fitting, you can learn more at mikevardy.com/yourclockwiseweek.


In this Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, I reconnect with Laura McClellan, lawyer, writer, and host of The Productive Woman podcast. Laura shares insights from her sabbatical, her evolving perspective on productivity, and how she balances her legal career, podcasting, and personal pursuits. Our conversation is both reflective and forward-looking, exploring how intentional productivity can help craft a meaningful life.

Laura discusses the journey from focusing on productivity tools and techniques to embracing a broader, more philosophical approach. Together, we revisit our original 2016 conversation and explore how the years have reshaped her understanding of productivity and her priorities.

Key Discussion Points

  • Laura’s decision to take a sabbatical from The Productive Woman and how it’s shaped her perspective.
  • Shifting focus from tools and techniques to the bigger picture of making a life that matters.
  • How productivity frameworks, like daily theming, can work for those with structured, client-facing schedules.
  • Balancing the demands of a legal career and creative projects during transitional life phases.
  • The importance of pre-deciding tasks to reduce decision fatigue and increase focus.
  • Leveraging sabbaticals for clarity and realignment in both personal and professional spheres.
  • Tips on handling interruptions and staying productive in unpredictable work environments.

  • This reflective episode with Laura McClellan showcases the power of intentional productivity and the importance of aligning daily actions with long-term values. If you’re navigating transitions, considering a sabbatical, or looking for ways to simplify your productivity systems, this episode is for you. Be sure to subscribe to The Productive Woman and revisit Laura’s archives for even more insights. (Originally released November 2015)

    Links Worth Exploring

    • Connect with Laura: Website | Instagram
    • Listen to The Productive Woman
    • My /now page
    • Related Conversation: Episode 78: Annie Mueller
    • Related Blog Post: Why Theming My Days has Made Me a Better Dad

    • Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

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      Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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      If this episode resonated, I’m exploring ideas like these more deeply in my upcoming book, Productiveness. You can follow along as it takes shape at mikevardy.com/productiveness.

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