Get Things Done: Productivity Strategies for Adults with ADHD (with Linda Walker, PCC)

Expert Linda Walker, PCC shares unique strategies for getting things done on time when you have ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are always looking for new ways to be more effective and productive in their lives. But listening to productivity strategies from top gurus will get you nowhere. More experts don’t factor in the unique wiring of the ADHD brain or understand the ADD-friendly approaches we need to be truly productive.
In this webinar, learn how to assemble a productivity toolbox that works for your ADHD brain. ADHD expert Linda Walker will help us embrace and use ADHD-specific approaches to get things done.
Download the slides associated with this webinar here:
www.additude.com/webinar/adul...
3:05 Objectives
4:10 The 2 Minute Rule
6:25 The Catch-All List
10:41 Manage Energy Not Time
15:33 Build Momentum
18:48 Less is More
25:51 Plan by Projects
30:32 Use Systems Whenever Possible
32:52 Energy Management
36:03 Recap
37:44 Q&A
1. [Self-Test] Do I Have ADHD? ADD Symptoms in Adults
www.additudemag.com/adhd-symp...
2. Popular Productivity Advice That Torpedoes the ADHD Brain
www.additudemag.com/adhd-brai...
3. Download: Focus Your ADHD Brain With 5 Helpful Hacks
www.additudemag.com/download/...
4. 6 Pieces of Life Advice (& 6 Apps) That Make an Immediate Impact
www.additudemag.com/life-advi...
5. 8 Paper Planners That Will Change Your Life
www.additudemag.com/slideshow...
Subscribe to the ADDitude KZbin Channel: / @additudemag
Visit the ADDitude web site: www.additudemag.com
Follow ADDitude on Facebook: / additudemag
Follow ADDitude on Instagram: / additudemag
Follow ADDitude on Twitter: / additudemag

[@kietro8319]

Excellent video! If ADDitude would just add chapters, it would be perfect. (It’s such an easy thing to do, and it would make the channel way more ADHD friendly.)

[@nath1284]

Great idea. I agree 👍

[@laurelb4193]

Yes please!

[@1980rlquinn]

Agreed!

[@msmarisadenise]

Yes for sure!

[@msmarisadenise]

Yes for sure!

[@ilibertyi]

My biggest productivity difficulty is overwhelm and procrastination...I will put off for days and days something that ends up taking an hour to do!

[@MellowBellow1]

I also love ticking off tasks achieved. Or writing a list of what I’ve DONE in the day. So achieved, not “to do”. That is a real celebration every day.

[@abj136]

I struggled with time management for years. Last year I finally came up with something that really started to work. It is basically this video: Set up projects and organize your days into routines and put the right task at the right time of day. It works great!

[@Nyny.1000]

So funny, I recently came to some of the same strategies too! Really based on the failing at so many common methods. I’m at the start but I’m so grateful to get some consistency and progress.

[@elkisa6223]

You explained it way more succinctly. Thanks

[@malindarayallen]

I've never seen such clear debunking of so-called "universal" tenets of organization and time management. She really breaks down WHY they don't work for people with ADHD and offers alternatives. I'll be watching this video again and again.

[@lesligrant2166]

Prioritise So helpful, I"m just getting started at 75! oh now my life makes more sense.

[@BladeTushar]

Best of luck mam

[@jaelynrae6045]

A video for those with ADHD that is over an hour long??? 😱 I guess I will add it to my watch later list and listen in chunks.

[@derrickpohl7191]

Fantastic. Maybe the best Additude webinar yet of the 20 or so I've heard (all are excellent). Answers a pile of crucial questions about productivity and getting things done that have plagued me since childhood, as undiagnosed ADHD all but destroyed my life. Illuminating and liberating, yet, or because, it's as practical and pragmatic as it's possible to be.

[@ZaritaTheFloridian]

A good rephrasing of the famous quote, when referring to your particular energy times is: The early bird gets the worm...and so does the middle bird, and the late bird, just as long as you get out there and get the worm.

[@ZaritaTheFloridian]

PS I'm just discovering all of this, I think I'm 2e, don't have the funds right now to get diagnosed, but looking for strategies. This makes me so happy because it's like the light has been turned on, I like my good traits oh so very much, just need to be able to focus. Oh the possibilities!!!

[@ktw70]

Love this!

[@jonathanberry1111]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:32 📊 *Productivity Strategies Introduction* - Productivity strategies often taught by gurus are not ADHD-friendly. - Linda Walker will discuss strategies tailored to the ADHD brain. - The importance of being engaged and interested in tasks for productivity. 03:08 🕐 *The Two-Minute Rule Reconsidered* - The two-minute rule suggests doing short tasks immediately. - Problems with the two-minute rule: poor time estimation, lack of task prioritization, and lost focus. - Linda recommends keeping a catch-all list for quick tasks and regular review. 09:12 🦗 *The "Eat That Frog" Myth* - "Eat That Frog" advises tackling the hardest task first. - Challenges: Assumes all hours are equal, can lead to paralysis, and ignores energy patterns. - Linda suggests identifying your peak energy times and building momentum for daunting tasks. 16:37 🪚 *The Pitfall of the Pickle Jar Approach* - The "Pickle Jar" analogy involves filling time with tasks like pebbles and sand. - Problems: Overwhelming schedules, assuming doing more is better, and neglecting meaningful tasks. - Linda emphasizes doing the right tasks over doing more tasks. 21:43 🗒️ *Rethinking To-Do Lists* - Linda challenges the common practice of creating to-do lists. - Post-it note clutter and digital overload can hinder productivity. - Linda encourages finding alternative methods for task management. 22:10 📋 *Planning by Project* - Prioritizing tasks by project instead of a to-do list. - Reducing overwhelm by eliminating unnecessary tasks and transferring the rest to project task lists. - Weekly planning to determine project-related priorities. 30:33 🔄 *Managing Energy, Not Time* - Recognizing and optimizing your energy patterns for better productivity. - Using routines, checklists, technology, and reminders to support your tasks. - Taking care of your mental energy with adequate sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction. 32:41 🧠 *Understanding Time Management* - Shifting the focus from managing time to managing tasks and energy. - Matching tasks with your energy levels throughout the day. - Maximizing productivity by working with your strengths. 36:48 🗂 *Catch-All Lists and Non-Project Tasks* - Differentiating catch-all lists from to-do lists as a brain dump. - Managing transitions by jotting down tasks that come up during focused work. - Addressing non-project tasks like housework and pickups within your weekly planning and priority setting. 44:05 📝 *Managing the Catch-All List* - Creating a catch-all list to capture miscellaneous tasks. - Importance of treating the catch-all list after initial capture. - Transitioning from relying on the catch-all list as you become better at managing projects. 45:46 🧹 *Managing Recurring Tasks* - Creating checklists for recurring tasks like cleaning. - Establishing routines and schedules for recurring tasks. - The concept of a "purgatory list" for non-project-based tasks. 48:33 📅 *The Weekly Priority List* - Using a weekly priority list for planning tasks. - The importance of realistic planning. - How to estimate task durations and match them with your energy levels. 55:01 🚀 *Dealing with Urgent Tasks and Emergencies* - Strategies for managing urgent and emergency tasks. - Allocating specific time slots for addressing urgent matters. - Balancing planned work with the occasional urgency. 57:02 🌱 *Incorporating Personal Development and Hobbies* - Treating personal development and hobbies as projects. - Allocating dedicated time in your schedule for personal growth. - Creating a balance between work, relationships, and personal interests. 59:34 🙋‍♀️ *Dealing with Procrastination and Motivation* - Strategies for overcoming procrastination. - Identifying the sources of procrastination and addressing them. - Techniques like starting with small, motivating tasks and using "body doubling." 01:03:16 🎯 *Linda's Eight-Week Planning Program* - Information about Linda's eight-week planning program. - The recommendation to sign up for updates at creativegeniusreport.com for program availability notifications. Made with HARPA AI

[@KMHSeattle]

Thank you! 💞💜💞

[@camellia8625]

I particularly relate to your momentum suggestion of starting with a shorter more energising task as a lead in to tackling a more daunting task

[@SN-sz7kw]

So wonderful - just what I needed to hear as I’ve just retired with a chronic illness. My home life is piling up and overwhelming me. My ADHD brain is struggling not only with energy but with finding post-work meaningfulness. This gives me a refresher and new ideas to tease out a path to get on top of the important things. Thank you!

[@jimwilliams3816]

This provided some very good insights. I'm repurposing it somewhat, because I am no longer self-employed, and the job I have now, while I like it and my boss is reasonable, is not structured well for me, and has contributed to a mental health decline that has now seriously compromised both my work and my entire life. The brain wave table was instructive, because I have always been prone to the dark sides of beta, and I think my overreliance on staying in that state to get work done has worsened those problems...what I have heard some refer to as "hyperfocus having its downsides." So I need to make some changes for my very survival, not simply to get work done. This will amount to my making adjustments myself, and also requesting some accommodations. I realize now that I was not too terrible at managing my work for brain function when I was self employed, but at work my boss can throw my setup into chaos with sudden changes to my workflow.

[@nath1284]

Only 15 minutes in and already know this is filled with gold! Thanks so much for these wonderfully informative and helpful webinars. With my late diagnosis I really have learned so much from ADDITUDE and appreciate you 🙏

[@sarahswanray9775]

This is the BEST content on this topic that I’ve found yet! I have ADHD inattentive, and time estimation and task/project management are major challenges. I ❤ Trello! RIP sticky notes (they were everywhere!)

[@sjmjohans]

❤

[@entrepinoyeurship]

Love Trello!

[@MellowBellow1]

I absolutely LOVE the pickle jar rejection. I’m NOT ADHD and I’ve despised the pickle jar, rocks in the jar idea. I’ve always made appointments with myself and never ever allowed people to add meetings into my schedule. Using different methods for reminders is brilliant. And using written tools/note system is brilliant because we remember things differently when we write it down.

[@wej0w]

Great listen while managing my to do lists and other notes. Always at start when I see these are an hour long I tend to get scared Ill lose interest but I can digest it decently sometimes need to rewind a bit as I lose focus but it goes by quicker than it seems to be.

[@barbh1]

I'm binging on these Additude videos having got interested by my five year old great grandson, who is diagnosed with ADHD. I loved when the author said that when someone says ADHD people cannot concentrate for more than 15 minutes. I know for a fact that is not true. I took the child to see The Nutcracker Ballet at Christmastime, and he sat and watched for two hours! And the first hour, both of us had to go to the bathroom and had to wait until intermission! 😀 I feel like he is exceptional and wonderful, but his parents are struggling about how best to care for him. These videos are really helpful.

[@elay4005]

Thank you. I am a gatherer of strategies and information. I've never implemented any if it. Never really been aware of it. Thank you.

[@CC-gb4ym]

Great video. Just listening to some of these tips has felt empowering because they address so many common issues that I’ve struggled with for so long. Overwhelm really can be crippling Ie the pile of scribbled on post it notes is a recipe for nothing getting done. Thank you so much for these useful strategies!

[@thedokkodoka4349]

Highly recommended to watch this a couple of times. Great presentation.

[@Iquey]

I like how the lists week to week is similar to what I've already been doing, as I always compare and contrast what got done or what didn't, WHEN I actually had some time to make lists, but the idea of estimating and documenting the imagined vs. real time amount on the task after it got accomplished helps you learn how long stuff actually takes to do. 😌

[@mycotripssertraline]

👆

[@robertomarianosanchezleyva8732]

awesome, thanks for share

[@AqilahNaqlis]

So so helpful, thank you for this!!

[@untitledsixtynine]

I learned an incredible amount from this webinar. I’m taking the challenge to implement at least one of items discussed. I’m going to attempt the project lists. Currently building my notion. I feel like, at least I’ll feel busy if I can visualise my projects. Perhaps it will help me not overwhelm myself by taking on anymore projects 😂 buuuuut unlikely

[@gothicgrandma]

Same! Notion is great!

[@debbiedebbie9473]

Thank you for your videos

[@thekingwhostitches]

Both “Eat the frog” and “the pickle jar” assume that bigger is better. Big task = more success. What would it be like if they assumed smaller was better?

[@abj136]

Big is not “better”, but if you do all the small things you can’t do the big thing. But if you do a big thing, you can still to small things.

[@jonathanberry1111]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:03 📢 *Introduction to productivity strategies for adults with ADHD,* - Linda Walker is introduced, an expert in productivity strategies for adults with ADHD. - The challenge of finding ADHD-friendly productivity strategies is highlighted. 03:08 🧠 *Understanding the limitations of traditional time management strategies,* - The Two-Minute Rule is discussed, which may not be suitable for individuals with ADHD due to time estimation challenges. - Multitasking and its drawbacks are mentioned. - The importance of maintaining a catch-all list for tasks is emphasized. 09:12 ⏰ *Challenges with "Eat That Frog" strategy,* - "Eat That Frog" strategy, focusing on the hardest task in the morning, is explained. - The concept of varying energy levels throughout the day is introduced. - The importance of recognizing and utilizing your individual energy patterns is discussed. 15:41 🥒 *Problems with the "Pickle Jar" time management approach,* - The "Pickle Jar" time management analogy is described, focusing on fitting tasks of all sizes into your schedule. - The misconception that doing more tasks equals success is addressed. - The importance of prioritizing meaningful and impactful tasks over sheer quantity is highlighted. 21:43 🗂️ *Rethinking traditional to-do lists,* - The challenges of managing to-do lists, including cluttered Post-It notes, are mentioned. - The idea of moving away from traditional to-do lists is introduced. - The need to focus on meaningful tasks and reduce unnecessary clutter in task management is emphasized. 22:10 📝 *Managing tasks with ADHD.* - Avoid relying solely on to-do lists, especially long ones. - Prioritize tasks by project rather than creating extensive to-do lists. - Plan weekly by projects, reducing tasks to a manageable level. 25:53 🗂️ *Planning by project for quick progress.* - Focus on seeing quick progress in your work to prevent frustration. - Prioritize your projects, working on a select few at a time. - Determine what tasks are priority for each project on a weekly basis. 30:18 ⏰ *Managing energy, not time.* - Leverage your energy patterns to match tasks with your most productive times. - Optimize mental energy with good sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. - Recognize that time itself is not under your control; focus on task management and energy optimization. 44:05 📝 *Managing a catch-all list and its importance* - The catch-all list is essential for capturing tasks and ideas. - Tasks from the catch-all list can be organized into projects or scheduled based on priority. - As you become better at managing projects, the catch-all list may become less necessary. 45:46 📋 *Creating checklists for recurring tasks and purgatory lists* - For recurring tasks like cleaning, creating checklists can help establish a routine. - Purgatory lists are for tasks you want to do eventually but aren't immediate priorities. - Incorporate items from the purgatory list into your weekly priority list as needed. 48:33 🗓️ *Weekly planning and the importance of the priority list* - Weekly planning involves reviewing projects and creating a priority list. - The priority list is used for planning tasks and scheduling them in your agenda. - Prioritizing tasks based on impact and allocating time slots helps improve productivity. 51:36 ⏰ *Dealing with procrastination and getting started* - Combat procrastination by starting with smaller, energizing tasks. - Use strategies like body doubling, recognize the source of procrastination, and address it. - Create pockets of time for personal growth, hobbies, and relationships in your agenda. Made with HARPA AI

[@Adam-cw8jo]

Great value video

[@jermainejennings1514]

Lol Reading the comments while reading…. ADHD 😢

[@lesligrant2166]

all of above

[@ParasTube]

I didn’t understand the body double please share an example or link 🙏🏾

[@entrepinoyeurship]

It's similar to an accountability partner that's doing what you're doing. An example is a workout buddy or a study partner at school where you both go to the gym or library and you're essentially both doing similar activities.

[@dalbecsail]

What computer software do you recommend for planing by project for people with ADHD? BTW, excellant content in this video!!!

[@BrentoftheUTube]

evernote, onenote, notion

[@pazu8728]

OMG. at 24:35, "most productive time of the day is btwn 4:30pm and 6pm". Yes, that is my most productive time - end of the day, when people started to leave.

[@brightpage1020]

Prioritization

[@user-zt4zr7eg6z]

No its a total misunderstanding: we procastinate always. We cant just started. It just doesn't work. The source of the procrastination is adhd. Not anxiety etc. It was a good, interesting and helpful interview. But its not solving my issues.

[@compedium]

Really? hour long slide shows is how you're going to appeal to adhd-ers? REALLY?!

[@IDiveInFirst]

Unfortunately this was too boring to stay focused on. I lasted 3 minutes.