Podcast

September 18th, 2025

The Apple Cart: S4, E3: How to Reframe Productivity and Make Things Happen

In this episode of the Apple Cart, I’m joined by Louise Miller to talk about how to reframe productivity and make things happen.

Louise is on a mission to change the world by helping her clients change the world. She partners with coaches, consultants and community-builders who have a big, exciting vision, helping them land their ideas in reality, reach more people and make a bigger impact, whilst taking care of everything they’re juggling day-to-day and being kind to themselves along the way.

Described by her clients as a soothing balm and a magician, Louise’s experience of work-related stress and anxiety led her to develop a slower, more mindful approach to productivity, which she uses to help her clients get the important things done.

Listen to the Interview

How Louise Helps Her Clients

The Make it Happen Club is designed to help busy people to achieve more in their business, but it’s not about applying productivity tricks or using pomodoro timers. To explain it, Louise has come up with an analogy that compares running your business to walking through a forest.

“You want to get to the other side, but you’re looking down at where you’re going so you don’t trip over. As you walk, you worry that you’re going round in circles and you’re headed in the wrong direction. You start to panic, so you stop to consider your options.

“You know that either you keep walking and maybe get more lost, or you find another way. And you look up and see a treehouse in one of the trees. So you head into it to catch your breath, sit down and have a cup of tea and a biscuit. You start feeling better.

“Then you look out of the window and see where you’ve come from, and then see where it is you’re aiming for. You can plan your route and spot the potential obstacles, so when you leave the treehouse you know can find your way out. So the Make it Happen Club is that metaphorical treehouse.”

Where people go Wrong with Productivity

When it comes to productivity in today’s busy world, we’re all trying to tick too many things off our list. Louise says that people think they’re being unproductive and give themselves a really hard time, but are just trying to do too much.

“The hustle culture makes people feel that if they slow down a bit, they’re somehow being lazy. But if you slow down a bit, you’re likely to get more done, or at least get more of the right things done. It’s not possible to try to do everything in one day.

“And where it becomes damaging is that most people then start to believe that there must be something wrong with them. They start looking for solutions, the magic wand we know doesn’t exist. They read books and download apps, and they do what other people tell them to do. But what works for one person might not work for another.

“Then they think they’re broken and they’re never going to get things done. There’s a kind of shame, because if others can do it, why can’t they? When the truth is, they’re trying to do too much and use techniques they aren’t suited to.”

productivity

How Louise Reframes Productivity

If the issue is that we’re all doing too much, then maybe the problem is the word ‘productivity’. Maybe you need to get better at the things you have to do, and prioritising tasks is more important than a to-do list. Books like David Allen’s ‘Getting Things Done’ aren’t helpful for everyone.

Louise says: “I read it when it first came out, and I thought that as I was an organised and productive person it was going to solve all my problems. I went into my office over the weekend with loads of new stationery to set the whole thing up.

“And it didn’t work. So that was actually the start of my journey to thinking there was something wrong with me. But then I started to reflect on how I felt about the word productivity and find a different way.

“So my definition allows me to do what I do in a way that feels good. ‘Productivity is about doing what’s important as efficiently as you can to create space for what you love.’ Don’t try to do everything.”

Why Your Mindset Matters More Than a Quick Hack

When Louise is helping people to get things done, she’s careful not to talk about tips, tricks and hacks because, they don’t work for everyone. And when they don’t work, you feel crap.

“So if people ask me for a tip, I give them the same response. Just pause. When you’re feeling overwhelmed you get stuck in a loop. You’re feeling frantic and frazzled. The only way out of it is to pause. Then you’ll feel calmer and able to take action again.

“One of the smaller ways that you can do that is once you’ve completed a task, close all of the tabs, put away the papers, and just pause for long enough to consciously choose what you’re going to do next. And that is a really good way to counter that feeling that you’re bouncing around all over the place.”

How to be More Creative

Louise has recently been enjoying pottery, which is not only fun but a good way to help her be more patient. “You have to wait for it to dry, and you don’t know how it’ll turn out. If it’s a different colour from what it was when it went in, you have to just accept it.

“I think there is such huge benefit in finding a creative outlet that works for you. If you’re looking for your own outlet, then first of all prioritise time to explore different options. When you do, it’ll allow you to rest and recharge in a way you might not expect.

“Prioritise playtime and expand your idea of what creativity is. Sitting and doing a jigsaw could be creative because it’s using a different part of your brain. Knitting, baking, doing yoga without someone telling you what to do – those are all creative. But whatever it is, it should let you play outside of work, so make time for it.”

Time Stamps

  • 01:28 – 05:01: How Louise got to where she is today
  • 06:21 – 10:31: How Louise helps her clients
  • 12:11 – 13:56: The benefits of a quiet space
  • 15:22 – 17:46: Where people go wrong with productivity
  • 19:48 – 21:56: How Louise reframes productivity
  • 22:51 – 25:07: Why your mindset is more important than a quick hack
  • 29:12 – 30:57: Louise’s approach to business networking
  • 35:00 – 36:30: Exploring creativity through pottery
  • 36:36 – 39:10: How to be more creative

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