485 episodes

A podcast intended to help busy women find the tools and encouragement they need to better manage their lives, their time, their stress, and their stuff, so they can accomplish the things they care about and make a life that matters.

The Productive Woman Laura McClellan

    • Education
    • 4.6 • 459 Ratings

A podcast intended to help busy women find the tools and encouragement they need to better manage their lives, their time, their stress, and their stuff, so they can accomplish the things they care about and make a life that matters.

    Productive Living: Having It All, with Brooke Bentley

    Productive Living: Having It All, with Brooke Bentley

    This week's episode features my conversation with Brooke Bentley, mother, author, and former television anchor and award-winning sports reporter, talking about "having it all" and how to manage a busy life and be productive, without feeling overwhelmed.







    Having it all--possibility or myth? Brooke Bentley has some thoughts.



    I'm excited to share with you my conversation with mother, author, and former sports journalist Brooke Bentley as part of our Productive Living series.



    Who is Brooke?



    Brooke is a former television anchor and award-winning sports reporter. After graduating with a master’s in journalism from the University of Southern California, she spent two years working for the Houston Texans as a media personality and over a decade working in sports journalism. She recently released her first novel, Sideline Confidential, inspired by her work as a journalist in the NFL. Brooke now devotes her time to championing local nonprofits, including Homemade Hope, where she serves as the development director. She and her husband live in Houston and are raising two young boys. 



    How Brooke got started



    Brooke was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and always loved playing sports growing up. She also loved going to Houston Rockets games, which is where she saw a female sports reporter for the first time. Brooke decided that she would be a sports reporter someday too. She went on to Davidson College, where she played volleyball. She also got her Master's Degree in Journalism at USC and pursued her dream, despite her fears of being a female in the male-dominated industry of sports. She wasn't sure there was a place for her. Right out of college though, she did end up getting a job with the Houston Texans, which was both an exciting and humbling experience. Brooke was one of the few females working for an NFL team at the time but she learned a lot about herself and how to navigate tricky situations. Brooke realized that all the experiences she was having would make a great book. She wrote small stories here and there, but writing an entire book was hard to make time for.



    Brooke went on to work as a sports anchor and a sports reporter and also had her two children. During this time, she hung on to the dream of writing a book and was able to put in time here and there, but again, it was hard to get any real work done.



    In 2020, Brooke left sports reporting and began working in the nonprofit sector. She was no longer in the hectic space of the sports world and had some time to devote to her book. She set goals, disciplined herself, and learned more about productivity. She was able to finish her book, which came out in 2023. Brooke considers writing this book to be the most rewarding part of her career. Brooke wrote this book to share a message; it is very difficult for women to be a part of a male-dominated industry but it is possible to succeed. This book is a combination of Brooke's personal experiences, as well as those of other women. There is some fun, juicy fiction in there as well.



    A typical day for Brooke



    Brooke is a morning person and does her best work at the earliest part of the day. She typically gets up before 5:00 am so she can begin writing before her children wake up. After writing for a while, she gets her children up, makes them breakfast, gets their lunches ready, and then takes them to school. She then comes home and continues to write until lunch time. She will use her lunch break to not only eat but to exercise, take a walk, or be involved in the community in some way. She is very involved in the nonprofit organization she and her sister formed, Homemade Hope, which teaches at-risk children how to cook healthy foods.

    • 55 min
    Work-Life Integration

    Work-Life Integration

    Most of us have many responsibilities outside of work. How can we balance it all, though? Join me as we talk about a term that was new to me: work-life integration.



     







    Work-life balance . . . or work-life integration?



    Of course we’ve all heard and read about work-life balance, a phrase I’ve known for years but never much liked to use because to me it implies, first, that work and life are separate things, and second, that balance--in terms of having just the right amount of each--is possible. And in my experience it hasn’t been. So then I’ve felt like I was doing it wrong. 



    Recently, though, I read about the phrase “work-life integration,” and did some investigating into what it means and how it differs from work-life balance. Interestingly, most of the articles I found addressed the topic from the employer’s perspective, rather than the employee’s, offering suggestions for how business owners or managers can create a workplace that meets individual needs in a way that boosts both individual and company productivity. The concept and discussion are, nevertheless, worth considering for employees and the self-employed.



    Understanding Work-Life Integration



    Definition: The concept of work-life integration is perhaps best understood by how it differs from the traditional concept of work-life balance.



    There is a difference between work-life balance and work-life integration: 



    “Work-life balance is focused on keeping your work life and your personal life separate, but equal, whereas work-life integration is centered on the belief that there is no distinction between the two and that both must coexist in harmony.” [Stephen Kohler, CEO and Founder of Audira Labs, quoted in Work-Life Integration is the New Work-Life Balance. Is Your Team Ready?] 



    Another way of saying it: “While work-life balance typically emphasizes maintaining a healthy divide between our professional and personal life, work-life integration seeks to find a way for both aspects to coexist peacefully. . . . As opposed to work-life balance, which implies scales tip in one direction or another, work-life integration suggests finding harmony.” [from Work-life integration: What it is and 5 ways to develop it - emphasis mine] 



    “Rather than having distinct periods where you work for hours and then go home to do personal activities or spend time with your family, work-life integration involves working and doing personal activities when they make the most sense. An example of this is completing more work early in the morning so that you can attend a dentist's appointment in the afternoon without taking time off.” [from Work-Life Integration vs. Work-Life Balance: Key Differences]



    Evolution: The concept of work-life integration has developed in response to changing work environments, technology, and societal expectations.



    Remote work, flexible hours, and technology have blurred the lines between personal and professional life, necessitating a shift toward integration. This is magnified by the diverse needs of the workforce, including different generations, parents, singles, and those with caregiving responsibilities, and how integration accommodates these varied needs. 



    “The pandemic spurred a work-life integration that spiraled into a brimming burnout crisis. 95% of human resources executives admit that employee burnout is a leading cause of workforce turnover. Thus, enabling a healthy work-life balance is a major challenge for organizations today.

    • 29 min
    Resources for Making a Life That Matters

    Resources for Making a Life That Matters

    There are endless resources (including people) that can help us create a life that matters



    Creating a life that matters is a deeply personal and evolving journey, one that encompasses the pursuit of fulfillment, meaning, and impact in the areas that are most significant to you. For women, this journey can be particularly complex, navigating societal expectations, personal aspirations, and the many roles we might hold. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available designed to support us in this endeavor. Some of those resources are internal, and we’ll talk about them more in the future. This week we’re exploring a variety of external tools, platforms, and communities aimed at empowering women to craft a meaningful life, professionally, personally, and spiritually. Some of these are resources I’ve used myself, while others are new ones I’ve found by researching resources available in various categories. Most of these are online resources available to you no matter where you are located. 



    Professional Development 





    * Lean In: Founded by Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In offers women the tools to achieve their career goals, including peer support circles, educational resources, and inspiration. It's particularly beneficial for women looking to climb the corporate ladder or make significant strides in their professional lives. 

    * Ladies Get Paid: This community is focused on closing the wage and leadership gap. It offers resources such as salary negotiation workshops, job opportunities, and webinars designed to empower women financially and professionally, as well as a free e-newletter full of useful career advice. 

    * Skillshare and Coursera: For those looking to expand their skill set, online learning platforms like Skillshare and Coursera offer courses in various fields, including creative arts, technology, business, and more. These platforms can help women gain new skills or improve existing ones in a flexible, self-paced learning environment.





    Personal Growth and Wellness 





    * The Happiness Project: Gretchen Rubin's project and subsequent book offer insights into finding daily joy and satisfaction. Her practical advice is backed by research and can be a guide for women looking to enhance their personal happiness. Also check out her podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin. 

    * Calm: Mental wellness is crucial for a fulfilling life. Calm provides meditation and mindfulness practices tailored to various needs, helping women find peace, manage stress, and cultivate a positive mindset. 

    * Zen Habits: According to this blog’s creator, Leo Babauta, “Zen Habits is about finding simplicity and mindfulness in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find happiness” Over a million readers find inspiration, encouragement, and practical ideas for making their own lives that matter.





    Networking and Community 





    * Ellevate Network: A global network of professional women committed to elevating each other through education, inspiration, and opportunity. Ellevate offers events,

    • 27 min
    Productive Living: Reimagining Success, with Anna Lundberg

    Productive Living: Reimagining Success, with Anna Lundberg

    How do you define success in your professional and personal life?



    I'm excited to share with you my conversation with author, podcaster, and business owner Anna Lundberg as part of our Productive Living series.



    Who is Anna?



    Anna is the founder of OneStep Outside, where she helps experienced professionals around the world design a career, a business and a lifestyle that brings them more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment - outside of the conventional 9 to 5. She is the author of Leaving the Corporate 9 to 5 and Outside of the 9 to 5, and host of the Reimagining Success podcast. She lives with her two young children on the south coast of England. 



    How Anna got started



    Anna is originally from Sweden but grew up and currently lives in the south of England. She studied at Oxford University and although she was successful academically, she still wasn't sure what her career path would be. After college, she found herself working in Marketing at Proctor & Gamble but left that career in 2013 and has been working for herself since then. Her life looks very different now but she is happy with where she is, despite the twists and turns along the way.



    A typical day for Anna



    A typical day for Anna is tricky because her days revolve around her children and their schedules. She tends to have longer days on Mondays and Thursdays, which means she can get more done. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are shorter and her son is with her on one of those days. In general, though, Anna tries to get up before her children each day so she has some time for herself to have tea, play a game, and give herself some quiet time. After that, she or her partner will take the children to daycare and then she will try to get a run in.



    Anna is a big fan of time blocking and tries to work in flexible blocks throughout her day, prioritizing what is most important and focusing on that first. She is also really conscious of breaking up her day to include walks along the beach, having a snack, and getting in time to read or play a game.



    Anna works with professionals to help them design their lives. Her work is varied, especially right now because she is pivoting a bit. When she first left her job in 2013, she didn't have a plan or even support. She initially did some consulting and then moved on to coaching. Eventually, she created a nice blend of both of these and combined them with her background in marketing. This all happened very organically and Anna enjoys her current work. In the future, she wants to grow to focus more on companies and share her message of balance and productivity there within the corporate framework. Her message isn't just for individuals and small business owners.



    Anna is currently doing her work with the assistance of her accountant, her podcast editor, and her assistant. Having a support team is important, as it allows her to create balance in her own life with all the things she needs to do.



    Productivity tools Anna recommends



    When Anna first started, she wanted freedom - no alarm clocks, no schedule. Just the ability to do what she wanted, when she wanted. She realized, though, that she wouldn't go very far with this and it wouldn't help her to build her business. Anna is a fan of the "ideal week", mapping out how she wants each day to look.

    • 47 min
    Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

    Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

    Imposter Syndrome is (unfortunately) common, but we can learn how to manage and overcome these feelings



    We’ve talked a few times in the past about imposter syndrome, those feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of success. It’s something I’ve been thinking about lately, so I dug into some recent research and learned a few new things. I thought it was worth looking at again because of its impact on our mental health, career progression, overall well-being, and, of course, productivity.



    What is imposter syndrome?



    I did some research trying to understand the difference between self-doubt and imposter syndrome. While they are related, I think they are not precisely the same. All of us experience self-doubt at times: questioning our choices, our skill, and our competence.  



    Imposter syndrome has a self-doubt component, but it goes beyond self-doubt and is a fear or belief that we don’t deserve our success, our awards or accolades. That when we succeed, it’s not because we earned it, but because we were in the right place at the right time, or because other people helped us, or because we were just lucky. One article says, “Those with Imposter Syndrome have one or more of the following thoughts: I’m a fake; My accomplishments are due to luck, not talent; and My accomplishments aren’t really that great.” One journalist, in a New Yorker article, described her experience this way: “more specific than mere self-doubt; it was a fear of being found out, revealed for what I really was.” It’s the feeling that we must wear a mask and hope no one ever sees behind it. 



    Do those thoughts feel as familiar to you as they do to me? 



    It’s important to recognize that it is an internal judgment of yourself. Dr. Ginnifer Cie Gee, Associate Vice Provost of the University of Texas, San Antonio, has said it this way: “‘Imposter Syndrome’ is an internal belief (perception) that you are a fraud; it isn’t specifically someone telling you that you are a fraud.”



    Dr. Michele Gaspar, a veterinarian and psychotherapist, has identified several personality traits that are linked to imposter syndrome: “Perfectionism, overworking, undermining achievements, fear of failure and discounting praise. To stave off feelings of Imposter Syndrome, it’s common to put off projects that can’t be completed flawlessly, or to work hours beyond the end of scheduled shifts. Other ways of coping include not learning new skills (for fear of not performing at an expert level) or deflecting praise with self-deprecation.” 



    The good news is that because it is, so to speak, in our minds, that means we can manage it by managing our minds.

    • 41 min
    Harder Than It Needs to Be?

    Harder Than It Needs to Be?

    Life is already so complicated; let's not make it (and productivity) harder than it needs to be



    Welcome back! I hope the year is off to a good start for you. Thank you for giving me the grace to take the month of January off to focus on some other things, to rest, to think and pray and plan. I’m excited to be back in front of the microphone and looking forward to this year. 



    One of the things I’ve thought about a lot during the month is the ways we--I--often make life harder than it needs to be. For me, that’s manifested in worrying about things that might (or might not) happen, stewing over regrets from the past, and putting off doing things that hang over my head.



    I decided I’d share with you some of my thoughts. I also did some research on what others have had to say about this, and will share some links below to other resources in case you want some ideas for ways to eliminate things you’re doing that make life and productivity harder than they need to be.



    1. Procrastination



    Impact: 



    When we put things off until the last minute, we give ourselves less time to do a good job and increase the stress of whether we'll get it done in time and correctly, carrying it around in our head for much longer than the time it would take to just do it. This is true of important projects and small tasks, like making a phone call or running an errand. However it manifests in our lives, it simply makes life harder than it would be if . . . well, if we didn't procrastinate.



    Solution:



    Develop habits of planning ahead and allowing sufficient time for important projects so that you’re not waiting until the last minute. (Same true of small tasks.)



    2. Accumulation 



    Impact: 



    The more stuff we have, the harder we have to work (and the more time and money we have to spend) to maintain it, clean it, keep it organized, clean around it. This has a direct impact on productivity, as it takes time we can’t use to do other things. For example, the more clothes we (or our children) own, the more laundry we have to do. The more “stuff” we have on our counters, shelves, etc., the harder it is (and the more time it takes) to keep those counters, shelves, etc., clean. People whose space is over-cluttered also are more distracted and have a harder time concentrating and making decisions. 



    There’s also the mental/emotional load of clutter. WebMD article cites a study that found that women who see their homes as cluttered produce consistently high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), while women who described their homes as well-organized and restful showed lower levels of cortisol. People with chronically high cortisol levels can experience symptoms like high blood pressure, insomnia, weight gain, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, headaches, and more.



    Solution:



    Be more thoughtful and intentional about the things we own. For example:









    * Use the one in, one (or two or three) out rule: Each time you buy a new item, donate, sell, or trash one.

    * Cancel subscriptions for publications you don’t read, apps you never use.

    * Don’t bring anything home that you don’t know exactly where you’re going to put it. 

    * Cultivate habits of “a place for everything and everything in its place.

    * Schedule regular times for purging, such as:



















    * Clothes at the change of season 

    * Books when you finish reading them 

    * Children’s toys at birthdays and Christmas? 













    3. Disorganization - when belongings don’t have a designated place 

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
459 Ratings

459 Ratings

nicallday ,

Like getting advice from a good friend!

I am a big fan of this show. I enjoy a good balanced productivity podcast and this feels like getting advice and counsel from an wiser, more experienced friend.

bellpwrr ,

Free Medicine 😊

I recently gave birth to my baby girl and was feeling quite overwhelmed . My maternity leave allows me to have a lot of free time which is not really my own . My free time is filled with getting my six year old son through the challenges of first grade, my husband who has a challenging career in the food industry , completing my MBA online and nurturing my new baby girl . Most days I find myself feeling unproductive as I need time to just sit and complete preparations. This podcast provided a fresh prospective on how to cope with my anxiety . It was helpful knowing that I’m not alone and that it is possible to have good days . Thank you for the insight !

Cariwac ,

My go to for motivation and celebration

Laura celebrates women. Laura motivates women. I started listening to this podcast near the time I was faced with having to go back to school at age 50. I needed to find a way to do it all. Two teenagers still at home, full-time job and going back to school to get my paralegal degree. The Productive Woman podcast helped motivate me, but also gave me tips on how to be more productive, when faced with so many tasks. Fast forward to working at my dream job, I still look forward every Wednesday seeing that new episode notification. This podcast has truly inspired me to be all that I can be. Thank you Laura.

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