ADHD and productivity are often thought of as two things that can’t coexist. After all, your innovator brain is either full speed ahead or stopped at the station. But having ADHD isn’t a life sentence to feeling unproductive. Here are some tips that anyone with ADHD can incorporate into their life to get more done.
Remove the Chaos from Your Desk
Keep a clean environment and only have the essentials on your desk. This means your computer, your water bottle or coffee, and maybe a pen and paper. When you really need to concentrate, turn your phone over as well so it’s not a distraction.
Map Out How You’ll Prepare for an Event or Meeting
Work backward to map out how you’ll prepare for what’s upcoming. Determine the steps you need to take to feel prepared. Writing it down can help.
Ask for Deadlines
If you don’t have a deadline then there’s no reason to get things done. Because you can become easily distracted, insist that your boss or client give you a deadline. Once you have the dates, plot them on a calendar to keep yourself on track.
Delegate Whenever Possible
If there are tasks you can delegate to others do so, whether that means giving your assistant more responsibility or hiring a house cleaner. You can then focus on the most important aspects of your life without getting consumed by the details.
Don’t Attempt to Multitask
Multitasking doesn’t really exist. What it actually means is doing several things at the same time poorly. Because your brain works differently, it’s better to take on tasks one at a time.
Embrace Short Burst Downtime
When you’re in the zone, you are the most productive. But what about those short bursts of downtime where you are likely to be unproductive. Use this time to catch up on emails, check-in with friends, read, or get in a few minutes of exercise.
Know Your Routine
Stick with a routine to get more done each day. Block off certain times of the day for phone calls, emails, or doing other specific tasks. Stay consistent to improve your daily productivity.
Welcome Accountability
If you have people around that keep you accountable, it’s easier to do that for yourself. Find those people in your life that will help you stay productive, whether that’s a mentor, ADHD coach, friend, or colleague.
Break Down Projects into Steps
Be sure you can always see the end of a project by breaking it down into bite-size steps. Those steps should align with small action items that you can get done in a finite amount of time.
Want to learn more about how to marry ADHD and productivity? Check out our Focus First Executive Coaching program, offering support and coaching for the burnt-out executive.
