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I have always been obsessed with productivity systems, even before I started planning in notion, and I’m sure many of you can relate. I’ve tried every system under the sun, and while most of them have worked for a little while, eventually they all failed me.
And for a long time, I thought it was my fault. I thought I was the reason why I couldn’t stick to a system. But the truth is, most productivity systems are created by neurotypical people, and they just don’t work for neurodiverse individuals like me.
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Planning in Notion – An ADHD Dream Come True
That’s why I decided to create my own productivity system in Notion. I recently tried the 12 Week Year, which is a system that condenses your annual goals into a 12-week timeline. The idea is that the intensity and urgency of a shorter timeline will help you focus and achieve your goals faster. But I quickly realized that this system wasn’t working for me. The timeline was too condensed, the review cycles were too fast, and it didn’t give me enough time to be methodical or thoughtful about the things I was doing.
Instead, I went back to the Notion productivity system I had been using for over a year and a half, and I used the learnings from the 12 Week Year to enhance and revamp it. I stretched out timelines, added more visual elements, and created a template that flowed better for me. And most importantly, I gave myself permission to follow what felt good and what aligned with my energy.
Learn From Your Planning + Productivity System Failures
I know that finding a productivity system that works for you can be a challenge, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to fit yourself into a mold that someone else has created. You have to find what works for you. That’s why I recommend staying curious, be open to iterating, and not just jumping from one system to the next. Ask yourself why a system isn’t working for you, and make tweaks or move away from it based on your learnings.
If you’re struggling to find a productivity system that works for you, consider working with an ADHD coach. They can help you prioritize your goals, design a system that works for your energy, and provide support and accountability along the way.
Finding your own Planning Style in Notion
And if you’re a Notion user like me, you might be interested in my Notion template that will help you learn more about yourself and inspire action towards your goal. In addition to including several self-evaluations that will help you get clear on your strengths, values and needs, it can also help you prioritize your goals, plan out your tasks, and track your progress all in one place. It’s a customizable tool that you can tailor to fit your needs and preferences.
So don’t give up on finding a productivity system that works for you. With a little experimentation and some self-reflection, you can create a system that will help you achieve your goals and thrive with your neurodiversity.
ADHD Coaching Can Help With Your Planning + Productivity Roadblocks
If you have a hard time sorting through what works and what doesn’t work for you in terms of productivity systems, consider working with me as your ADHD Coach. We can spend an hour strategizing on the best system for you, or a longer term engagement where I can help you plan out your goals and keep you accountable to achieving them.
If you prefer a more DIY approach to creating a productivity system that works for you, consider my Distraction to Action program, which is designed to help you understand how your ADHD-brain, get past procrastination and into massive action.
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