October 3, 2024
Living with ADHD doesn’t stop me from being productive.
I’ve noticed my mornings really set the tone for my entire day.
When I’m intentional right from the start, everything goes much smoother.
Planning
I sit down the night before and map out exactly what I need to do.
I keep it simple – just bullet points on paper.
No fancy apps or complicated systems. This way, when I wake up, I don’t waste mental energy trying to figure out what to tackle first.
Silence
Everything gets muted.
Email notifications, Slack messages, social media alerts – all of it goes quiet.
The constant pings are like magnets pulling at my attention.
With notifications off, my brain gets the quiet space it needs to actually focus on one thing at a time.
Blocks
I break my day into clear time chunks.
Maybe it’s 45 minutes of focused work, then a 15-minute break. Or sometimes two hours if I’m really in the zone.
The key is having a clear start and stop time. This structure helps my ADHD brain stay on track instead of falling into an endless time void.
Movement
I don’t stick to just one spot.
Sometimes I work at my desk, other times on the couch, or even standing at the kitchen counter.
Moving around keeps my brain engaged and stops me from getting that restless, trapped feeling that kills my focus.
Distance
My phone lives in another room while I work.
Not just on silent – physically away from me. Out of sight, out of mind really works.
When my phone isn’t within arm’s reach, I’m not constantly fighting the urge to check it.
Momentum
I start with something small but important.
Maybe it’s sending that one crucial email or finishing up a quick task from yesterday.
Getting that early win gives me a boost of confidence and motivation that carries through the rest of my day.
When I stick to these strategies, I can actually get things done despite my ADHD.
Nothing fancy or complicated – just simple habits that work for my brain.
Conclusion
Here’s my complete morning routine for ADHD productivity:
- I plan my day before it starts
- I silence all notifications
- I set a time and work in blocks
- I work in different spots
- I put my phone in another room
- I create momentum by completing an important but small task first
These aren’t revolutionary tips, but they work for me.
The key is being consistent and patient with yourself.
Some days will be better than others, but having a solid routine to fall back on makes all the difference.