ADHD? Hack your brain with these productivity tips!

ADHD 🧠s unite! Before you even finish the intention of being productive, your mind is wandering over to another subject. Been there… Well, I’m still here 🙄. It’s frustrating at times to say the least, because you WANT to get things done and you’re bothered by stagnation, but at the same time staying focused for a long time is hard. So, you’re not where you want to be. The good news? There are some methods that work and even supercharge productivity for our unique brains. ✅

Before we dive in, a quick reminder: always consult a medical professional regarding your ADHD. This post talks about methods that have worked for me (and others with ADHD), so if you’re curious, give them a try! 🤗

Time blocking

I have already spoken about time blocking in this post. To summarize this method: you divide your time into blocks that you assign to certain things you need to do. Task batching comes first, so you don’t forget to get ingredients for dessert while you’re out to get some milk. The time blocking method is there to avoid overwhelm and decision paralysis. When you know that running errands is from 9 AM to 11 AM, you can relax and use the rest of your day to plan other tasks in different time blocks🫸🫷.

Break it down

I can feel quite overwhelmed sometimes when I need to tackle big task. Where to start? Does it have to take that long? I want to do something else! This tactic has been a life saver for me 😮‍💨. If I need to tidy my home and see a mess everywhere, it feels like a huge sacrifice. Instead of thinking that I have to do it all at once, I break it down into smaller tasks. Clear surfaces ✅. Tidy the couch ✅. Clear the floor ✅.

These smaller tasks are easier to do, and they don’t feel like mountains I have to climb. Eventually, I get into a flow and my home (or even just the living room) is tidy and my mind more at ease. 😌 This goes for everything that you’re dreading to do, whether it’s something from work, your studies, or a chore like I mentioned. It always works like a charm! ✨

Everyone needs a dash of Pomodoro

Have you heard of the Pomodoro Technique? I didn’t until recently, but now it’s a staple for me! You set a ⏱️ for 25 minutes and focus on one or a few tasks at a time. If 25 minutes feels too long, you can adjust it to 15 minutes. Make it work for you.

Personally, I use this worksheet to list everything I want to do during these 25 minutes. I start the timer and get to work 🏃‍♀️. If something comes up that I need to remember, I write it down in the notes section. This method is one of the best ways I get things done. It’s amazing 🤩. Plus, you get a break after each session to recharge before diving back in. This technique is proven to work, so I’m sure you’ll find it helpful too! 🌱

Singletasking. Is that a word?

Forget multitasking for now 🚮. Singletasking is where it’s at, especially for an ADHD brain. You’ll feel better after finishing one thing well rather than switching between multiple tasks and not doing any of them right.

If focusing is still a struggle, use this printable to break tasks down further and add some accountability by writing down your start and end time. I find listening to rain, nature sounds, or even library sounds (I love the sound of turning pages 📚) helps keep my mind focused.

Prioritize yourself to FEEL and BE better

We hear it all the time: exercise, eat healthy, get enough sleep, take enough breaks. Well, they’re being said for a reason. You’ll actually feel better when you do them. Your mind will feel clearer, you aren’t tired as much, and you’ll be able to hold your own for a longer time. The key is to stick to a routine.

So, my aim is to work out three to four times a week. Do you know when I stick to this goal? It’s when I drop my kids off at school and immediately go to the gym. If I go home, I won’t work out. It’s really that simple, and I’m kind of embarrassed to admit it. 😶‍🌫️

The same goes for getting enough sleep. If I don’t start my bedtime routine on time, I end up going to bed late and waking up groggy at 6 AM. And you better believe that I’m cranky and snappy by 4 PM. I also feel better when I don’t overload on sugary foods and eat too much 🍞. The choices we make each day affect not just how we feel that particular day, but also how we’ll feel in the days to come. I discovered this the hard way 😩

That’s it for these tips! I really hope you find something useful in this post. I hope these tips help you thrive and be productive whenever you need to! 🫶

Until next time,

Maya