3 Productivity Tricks That Actually Work for an ADHD Brain
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3 Productivity Tricks That Actually Work for an ADHD Brain
ADHD brains aren’t wired for one-size-fits-all productivity advice. “Just make a list and follow it” might sound good in theory, but in reality, the list gets buried under yesterday’s mail or turns into a 40-item overwhelm trap.
Instead, productivity strategies for ADHD need to be simple, flexible, and forgiving — things you can actually use on a good day and a distracted one.
Here are three practical tricks that ADHD brains often find helpful:
1. The Two-Minute Rule
If a task will take less than two minutes, do it immediately.
Reply to that text, put the dish in the dishwasher, send the quick email. Short wins build momentum and stop small tasks from piling up into an overwhelming mountain.
I love this free timer for when I'm working at my desk: e.ggtimer - a simple countdown timer
2. Body Doubling
Work alongside someone else — even virtually.
Having another person “present” while you do your tasks can help your brain stay engaged. This can be a coworker, a friend on a video call, or even a YouTube “study with me” session playing in the background.
You can search Youtube for some free body doubling pre-recorded videos. There are a few different ones that I really enjoy including this one here.
3. The Ten-Minute Start
When a task feels impossible to begin, commit to just ten minutes.
Often, the hardest part is simply starting. By lowering the commitment, you trick your brain into action — and once you begin, you may find it easier to keep going.
Final Thought
Productivity for ADHD isn’t about perfection — it’s about finding ways to start, keep going, and forgive yourself when it’s messy.
The more you experiment with small, adaptable strategies, the more you’ll discover what works for your brain.
