How to Actually be Productive with ADHD

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As an ADHD coach and someone diagnosed later in life, I’ve spent years obsessing over how to actually be productive when you have an highly distractible brain. What I’ve discovered might surprise you: the secret isn’t in finding the perfect planner or the ideal morning routine. Today, I’m sharing the five principles that transformed my approach to productivity – and they might just change everything for you too.

The Reality About ADHD Productivity

Let’s get one thing straight: productivity isn’t about being busy or checking off endless to-do lists. It’s about taking actions to get what you want in the more effective way possible. For those of us with ADHD, it’s also about creating sustainable systems that work with our unique brains, not against them. After years of trial and error, I’ve identified five core principles that make the difference between constant burnout and sustainable success.

Self-Awareness – It Can Make Or Break You

The foundation of ADHD productivity isn’t a fancy app or expensive planner – it’s understanding yourself. The more aware you become of your unique ADHD presentation, the better you can work with it (click here to figure that out). This means:

• Recognizing when your productive energy naturally shows up
• Understanding your personal strengths and weaknesses
• Identifying what truly drains or energizes you

I’ve learned that my symptoms show up less when I work with my natural tendencies rather than fighting against them. This isn’t about “curing” ADHD – it’s about working smarter, not harder.

Clarity is Everything

Here’s a truth bomb: you can’t be productive if you don’t know what you’re working toward. But here’s where it gets tricky – knowing what you want isn’t just about the end goal. It’s about understanding:

• The process required to get there
• Whether that process aligns with who you are
• If the journey itself is something you’re willing to embrace

Life happens in the process, not in achieving the goal. That fancy job or perfect marriage? They aren’t destinations – they are processes that include a before and after journey. If you only focus on getting the thing, and pay zero attention to how it feels in the process of getting there, there’s a very good chance you might end up being disappointed with the outcome.

Ditch Goals for Systems

This might sound controversial, but hear me out: goals alone are useless. Because at the end of the day, what you write down at the start of the year, doesn’t change anything. It’s what you actually take action on that does, and that starts with the systems you create to achieve them. Instead of setting ambitious goals, focus on:

• Creating frictionless processes
• Building sustainable habits
• Making small, manageable changes

Let me share a personal example. When I lost 80 pounds in my twenties, it wasn’t through dramatic changes or unsustainable diets. It was through tiny, consistent adjustments – walking that became running, removing the bun from my burger, choosing salad over fries. These small changes created a sustainable system that’s helped me maintain my weight even through menopause.

Planning is Non-Negotiable

You might resist planning (I know I did), but having a planning system is crucial for ADHD brains. Without one, we’re at the mercy of:

• Other people’s priorities
• Constant distractions
• Energy-draining context switching

Your planning system doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it needs to exist. It’s your roadmap to creating a future different from your past. Personally I use Notion to plan my personal life and business activities. If you’re a small business owner, this is a MUST! You can find more about my personal planner here, and my business planner right here. They do so much more than just plan your time.

Master Your ADHD Capacity

This final principle is often overlooked but absolutely crucial. Capacity isn’t just about time – it’s about:

• Energy levels
• Interest and focus
• Available resources
• Emotional bandwidth

Understanding and managing your capacity prevents burnout and helps you make realistic commitments. I use my planning system to regularly check in with my capacity at monthly, weekly, and daily levels so that I don’t overcommit myself. This is the only way I know how to prevent crushing overwhelm and ultimately ending up in burnout.

So that’s what I’ve learned about ADHD over the last 4 years of being an ADHD’er and certified coach. Please hear me on this – what I just shared isn’t just another list of random pieces of advice – this is a battle-tested process that has enabled me to build the life and business of my dreams.

I hope it inspires you to do the same!