People with ADHD sometimes put off doing things because it feels like too much with “everything else” going on. But, when “everything else” stops and we have free time to do whatever we want, it can also make us unproductive. 

ADHD coach Jaye Lin talks about what happens when the chaos stops, but we still can’t get things done. Listen for some tips on how to get just the right amount of stress to actually be productive. 

Related resources

• When “ditzy” is finally diagnosed as ADHD (Jen’s story)
• Trouble getting work done is real. Executive function challenges may be the culprit.
• The pressure to be productive with ADHD (Dani Donovan’s story)

Timestamps

(00:40 ) Jen’s quote

(03:05 ) Jaye’s reaction

(03:37 ) Why a lot of ADHDers live in a constant state of chaos

(04:49 ) The burnout that comes after living in chaos for too long

(06:16 ) Why having nothing to do actually works against productivity

(08:02 ) Finding the right balance of stress

(09:57 ) Keep windows of work time shorter

(11:33 ) Make mini-deadlines for yourself, and tell others about what you plan to have done

(13:40 ) Recap

To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the MissUnderstood podcast channel page at Understood.

Have a challenge you’d like Jaye to talk about in an episode? Email or send a voice memo to us at adhdcoachtips@understood.org

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give