9 ADHD Productivity Hacks | The Neurocuriosity Club

Summary

This video script from Megan of the Neuroc Curiosity Club addresses the unique challenges of ADHD and productivity. Megan offers nine practical hacks tailored for individuals with ADHD, including visual timers, body doubling, 'procras working,' and more. The goal is to help viewers work with their ADHD brains more effectively, reduce overwhelm, and increase productivity without constant self-doubt or the need for external validation.

Takeaways

• 😔 ADHders often feel the pressure to constantly search for productivity hacks and struggle with feelings of inadequacy or laziness in a productivity-focused society.
• 🌐 The speaker, Megan, aims to change societal perceptions about productivity and provide support for those with ADHD through her YouTube channel, the Neuroc Curiosity Club.
• ⏳ Many with ADHD experience a 'misperception of time' or 'nonlinear understanding of time,' which differs from the societal expectation of linear time perception.
• 🕰️ Visual timers can be a helpful tool for those with ADHD to overcome the 'waiting mode' and to better perceive the passage of time, aiding in task initiation and completion.
• 🤝 'Body doubling' is a technique where having others around can increase productivity for some with ADHD, regardless of whether they are also productive or not.
• 🔄 'Procrastiworking' is a strategy where engaging in a less disliked task can help overcome the inertia of starting a more disliked task, which might otherwise be avoided.
• 📝 Writing a to-do list with only five items can reduce overwhelm for ADHders, making it easier to start tasks without feeling overwhelmed by a long list.
• 🤔 Doing tasks inefficiently on purpose can sometimes break the cycle of getting stuck on efficiency and actually get tasks done.
• 🚫 Throwing distractions physically away can help reduce the barriers to starting and maintaining focus on tasks.
• 🐞 'June bugging' is a cleaning strategy that involves focusing on one small area at a time, allowing for gentle returns to the task when distractions occur.
• 👐 EFT tapping, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, can help process emotions without becoming overly agitated, potentially freeing up mental energy for productivity.
• 🎉 Celebrating small wins along the way is crucial for ADHders, as the brain's reward system may not provide the same gratification as non-ADHD brains, making continuous rewards important for motivation.

Q & A

Why should people with ADHD not have to constantly search for productivity hacks on social media platforms?

People with ADHD should not have to constantly search for productivity hacks because they should not feel defined by their productivity or lack thereof. The world should offer more support and less severe consequences for when they lack productivity.

What is the goal of the speaker in relation to the world and people with ADHD?

The speaker's goal is to change the world to be more accommodating for people with ADHD and to help them survive until that change comes, addressing issues like bills, relationships, parenting, and more that are affected by productivity.

Why did the term 'time blindness' become outdated in referring to the ADHD experience with time?

The term 'time blindness' became outdated because the Blind and Visually Impaired Community requested not to use it, leading to the adoption of terms like 'misperception of time' or 'nonlinear understanding of time' instead.

How do visual timers help individuals with ADHD to perceive time more effectively?

Visual timers help by showing the passage of time through a disappearing colored section, providing a visual representation of time that can help individuals with ADHD, who often have a nonlinear perception of time, to better understand and manage time.

What is the purpose of using a visual timer to overcome inertia when starting a task?

Using a visual timer can help overcome inertia by setting a timer for a longer period than expected, allowing the individual to start the task and then see how much less time it actually took, training the brain to adjust expectations and reduce resistance to starting tasks.

How does the 'body doubling' productivity hack work for individuals with ADHD?

Body doubling involves having other people present in the same space while an individual with ADHD is trying to be productive. Their presence can provide a sense of accountability and support, even if they are not actively participating in the task.

What is the concept of 'procrastiworking' and how can it benefit someone with ADHD?

Procrastiworking is a strategy where an individual works on a different, less daunting task to overcome the inertia of starting the primary task. It can benefit someone with ADHD by providing a lower barrier to entry and helping them get into a work mode.

Why is writing a to-do list with only five items recommended for individuals with ADHD?

Writing a to-do list with only five items can prevent overwhelm and the feeling of being unable to accomplish tasks. It allows individuals with ADHD to focus on a manageable number of tasks and reduces the pressure of tackling an extensive list.

What is the 'do it inefficiently' productivity hack and why might it be helpful for someone with ADHD?

The 'do it inefficiently' hack involves intentionally doing tasks in a less efficient manner to break the cycle of getting stuck on the need for efficiency. It can be helpful for someone with ADHD by allowing them to start and complete tasks without getting caught up in the perfect order or method.

How does 'throwing your distraction' help in reducing barriers to productivity for individuals with ADHD?

Throwing your distraction, or physically removing it from your immediate vicinity, helps reduce the visual cues that can trigger the ADHD brain's attention regulation issues. This can lower the barriers to starting and staying focused on a task.

What is 'June bugging' and how can it be applied as a cleaning strategy for ADHD individuals?

June bugging is a cleaning strategy where one focuses on a specific, small area and allows themselves to gently return to it after getting distracted. It helps ADHD individuals by setting a clear, manageable focus and reducing the shame associated with distractions.

How does EFT tapping support emotional processing and productivity for individuals with ADHD?

EFT tapping, or emotional freedom techniques, involves tapping specific points on the face while processing difficult emotions. It can support productivity by allowing individuals to feel and process their emotions in a calm state, freeing up mental resources for task completion.

Why is it important for individuals with ADHD to celebrate their wins as they progress?

Celebrating wins as they progress is important for individuals with ADHD because their brains may not release dopamine in the same way as non-ADHD brains, making delayed gratification less effective. Continuous rewards can help maintain motivation and a sense of accomplishment.