Head's up, there could be affiliate links ahead!
HB90 sounds like a Star Trek character or the model number of a hair dryer, but it’s not. It’s a 90-day productivity planning system, created by prolific self-published author, Sarah Cannon.
Why would anyone want to learn about productivity from a writer? Because there’s one role in life where you could procrastinate until the cows come home, it’s self-publishing a book, and she’s done it again and again. The system is not about book writing though, although you could use it for that.
Why is HB90 So Effective?
First of all, she has a ravenous fan club around this system, which is helpful for generating enthusiasm around something most ADHDers don’t like to do (planning and following through). Second of all, it’s very aspirational, but not in a cheesy way. Clearly, this gal has figured out how to live life her way, and I like to take advice from people whose lives I admire.
HB90 covers how to address prioritization and energy balance in a way that I can resonate with. Zero hustle culture. Lots of self-compassion and talks about her own journey through depression and how trying to do too much can lead to that.
HB90 Offers Structure (Ideal for ADHDers)
The structure is very ADHD-friendly (unintentionally because I don’t believe she has it). The process is tactile and visual. She uses a sticky note kanban system on her wall because that’s what works for her brain, and seeing the sticky notes migrate down her wall gives her energy. I like that, although I didn’t do it myself because I hate visual clutter. But you could very easily do it in Notion or on a mini board.
Lastly, the community element is helpful and supportive. There’s a Facebook group for newbies and a separate group for alumni. This is where that hardcore fan club is. I love that. Also, she drips the content week after week, so it’s good for someone like me who will go hard on the first 50% of a thing but then completely forget it exists. She paces you.
Also, there’s a live kickoff, and she’s accessible in the group, but you don’t have to show up every week at a certain time. I like that.
Overall, I really like the program, and while I don’t use it to a T, there are pieces of it that have inspired my own productivity journey, most specifically, the energy management piece and the kanban format.
What I Don’t Like About the HB90 System
It’s a lot. Meaning, she could have made the sessions shorter, so I listened to it on 2x speed. Once I got the gist of what she was saying, I moved on to the next component.
There are a lot of flat lay shots where you’re just seeing her hands. I don’t know how I feel about that. On the one hand, it’s something different, but on the other hand, I found myself thinking, “does she really move her hands that much when she’s writing, or is that hand acting?”
Lastly, this is a paper-based system, and your girl is a Notion freak. That said, the journaling pieces were good to do in writing. I just took my planning to digital, so it wasn’t a huge deal.
Final Verdict – Is HB90 ADHD-friendly?
I would say that HB90 is ADHD-Friendly, but again, I doubt any ADHDer would follow her system to the letter. In fact, I don’t think anyone would, and she encourages you to do what works and leave the rest. The point is to help you get clear on what’s important and schedule time for it. She also gets into time blocking, which is important for ADHDers as well.
How is HB90 Different from Distraction to Action?
Distraction to Action was designed specifically for ADHD brain, so it goes into the neuroscience of why we get distracted and how to overcome it. It also focuses on follow through a lot more than HB90 does. Finally, Distraction to Action is structured around 6-week sprints of work.
HB90 is designed across a 90-day period, so it doesn’t honor the unpredictable energy that the ADHDer might experience. However, it’s probably the better choice if you want to focus on a longer term project.
Finally Distraction to Action is available anytime, where as HB90 is only available a few times a year.
Hope that was helpful! Let me know if you have questions about either program.
Leave a Comment