YARANGA

Managing productivity with ADHD can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to harness focus, minimize procrastination, and work with your brain rather than against it.

We spoke with three ADHD coaches: Francinne O'Rourke, Agnieszka Chmiel and Steve August and asked them for tips on how to boost productivity at work if you have ADHD.

Here are 20 expert-backed productivity tips to help you stay on track and get things done.

Breaking the Cycle of Procrastivity (Francinne O'Rourke)

Francinne O'Rourke helps late-diagnosed female founders and leaders with ADHD transform distractions into strengths. Here are her top strategies for shifting from busy work to meaningful progress:

1. Spot Your Patterns

   Notice when you slip into procrastination. Are you endlessly researching instead of writing? Organizing instead of executing? Awareness is the first step.

2. Break Big Tasks into Small Steps

   If a task feels overwhelming, your brain will avoid it. Break it down into manageable pieces.

3. Use the 5-Minute Rule

   Commit to just five minutes. Starting is the hardest part, but once you're in motion, it's easier to continue.

4. Time Block & Minimize Distractions

   Dedicate specific time slots to important tasks and eliminate distractions (yes, that includes “quick” social media checks).

5. Leverage Body Doubling

   Work alongside someone else, even virtually. This technique boosts focus and accountability.

Structuring Your Work for Success (Agnieszka Chmiel)

Agnieszka Chmiel, an ADHD coach with firsthand experience, shares the organizational methods that transformed her productivity:

1. Create a Daily Plan

   A predictable structure reduces stress. Plan tasks the night before so you start with clarity.

2. Prioritize with the Eisenhower Matrix

   Divide tasks into four categories: urgent/important, not urgent/important, etc. This ensures you tackle the right work first.

3. Use Task Management Tools

   Relying on memory isn’t effective. Apps like Todoist, Yaranga as an ADHD-friendly PKM and Google Calendar help you stay on track.

4. Adopt the Pomodoro Technique

   Work in 25-minute bursts, then take a 5-minute break to prevent burnout.

5. Eliminate Distractions

   Set up a “work zone” free of distractions. Use website blockers to stay focused.

6. Incorporate Rewards

   Motivation matters. Reward yourself with a small treat after completing significant tasks.

Optimizing Productivity as an Entrepreneur (Steve August)

Steve August, founder of the ADHD Entrepreneur Accelerator, shares how he sustainably doubled productivity while avoiding burnout:

1. Embrace the 2-Hour Workday Mindset

   Peak executive function lasts about two hours. Prioritize essential work during this time.

2. Daily Co-Working Sessions

   Body doubling isn’t just for focus—it builds momentum. Join or host daily work sessions.

3. Plan Rest Intentionally

   Resting feels counterintuitive, but it’s crucial. Schedule downtime before burnout forces it.

4. Stick to a Simple Business Framework

   Avoid shiny object syndrome. Focus on three core functions: Attract, Convert, Deliver.

5. Batch Similar Tasks

   Context-switching drains energy. Group similar tasks together to improve efficiency.

6. Track Progress Over Time

   ADHD brains struggle with long-term consistency. Document wins so you don’t lose sight of progress.

7. Use External Accountability

   Tell partners, teams, or communities about your goals. External deadlines help ADHD brains stay engaged.

8. Simplify Decisions

   Too many choices lead to paralysis. Limit options when structuring your workflow.

9. Trust the Process

   ADHD brains crave novelty, but consistency builds sustainable success. Stick with what works, even when results aren’t immediate.

Useful links as a conclusion:

• NeuroSpicy Mastering - high-impact coaching, training & support services for entrepreneurs and leaders with ADHD

• ADHD weekly dashboard

• Free ADHD assessment from Steve August

Choosing the right Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) tool is difficult. When you have ADHD, it's even harder. Traditional PKM systems like Notion, while popular, may not be the best fit for those with ADHD. They often introduce distractions and overwhelming complexity, which can hinder productivity and focus.

To help you make the right choice, we've compiled a list of tools recommended by ADHD coaches and the ADHD community. These tools provide better alternatives to Notion because they simplify knowledge management, task tracking, and note-taking, helping ADHD adults stay organized and focused.

Why Notion Isn’t Ideal for ADHD Users

While Notion’s vast customization options may look like a blessing, they can spell trouble for ADHD minds. While Notion offers vast customization options, this flexibility can often result in endless tweaking and organizing, rather than accomplishing tasks. The more complex a system is, the more it can feel like a rabbit hole, leading to frustration and decreased productivity. ADHD brains need structure and simplicity to stay focused, and Notion’s open-ended, customizable interface often overwhelms users with ADHD.

How ADHD-Friendly PKM Tools Stand Out

To address the unique needs of ADHD users, we’ve evaluated PKM tools based on the following criteria:

1. Fast idea capturing

2. Ease of setup

3. Interface simplicity

4. Distraction management

5. Support for visual thinking

6. Easy retrieval of information

Yaranga: a PKM for ADHD Brains

Among the alternatives is Yaranga, a free tool that is tailored to ADHD users' needs. Yaranga offers a flat design that integrates note-taking, task tracking, and meeting notes. It’s perfect for ADHD minds who need simplicity and structure without the overwhelming distractions found in traditional tools like Notion.

Key features of Yaranga:

1. ✅ Simple default structures to help users save time on setup

2. ✅ One-click note-taking

3. ✅ Distraction-free interface with focus mode

4. ✅ Visual task organization featuring progress tracking and gamification (in the next release)

5. ✅ AI-powered sorting and structuring (coming soon)

6. ✅ An AI agent serving as a user's second brain, assisting in task prioritization and overall paperwork organization (coming soon)

By combining simplicity with ADHD-specific features, Yaranga makes it easier for users to stay productive without getting overwhelmed.

ADHD-Friendly Task Managers

If your focus is primarily on managing tasks, consider these ADHD-friendly tools.

TickTick

Features focus timers and easy reminders to keep you on track. It also allows for detailed scheduling, and habit tracking, and even offers a Pomodoro timer to break work into manageable intervals. The visual timeline and user-friendly interface make it an excellent choice for staying structured and motivated.

Todoist

Simple, clean, and effective for task organization without added complexity. It supports nested tasks, project labels, and productivity tracking through "Karma Points." Its collaboration features, like task sharing and commenting, make it ideal for both individuals and team users looking for simplicity without sacrificing organization.

Google Keep

Helps capture quick notes and tasks on the go with minimal distraction. Its integration with other Google products, like Google Calendar and Docs, allows seamless cross-platform functionality. You can color-code notes, add images, or even use voice-to-text options, making it great for users who need to quickly offload thoughts or reminders effortlessly.

Note-Taking Tools for ADHD Adults

For those interested in capturing and organizing ideas, these note-taking options are highly recommended.

Roam Research

Great for mapping thoughts visually with interconnections. Its graph-based design allows you to see relationships between ideas, fostering creativity and deep understanding. Roam automates backlinks and builds a network of your thoughts, which is particularly beneficial for nonlinear thinkers.

Logseq

A structured system that emphasizes linking ideas and supporting visual thinkers. Logseq operates offline and is open-source, ensuring privacy and customization. It also offers block-based outlining, making it simple to organize and reorder pieces of information, a helpful feature for ADHD users who thrive on clear structures.

OneNote

Flexible and straightforward, perfect for users looking for simplicity. Its notebook format is familiar and intuitive, allowing you to quickly categorize and retrieve notes. Features like tags, search, and multimedia integration make it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use.

Mem AI

Uses artificial intelligence to auto-organize notes and highlight important information, keeping ADHD users focused. Mem AI’s reminders and smart suggestions ensure you never miss key details, while its minimalist design reduces distractions, allowing you to stay engaged with your tasks.

Slite

Collaborative and uncluttered, making it easy to capture and share notes. Its team-oriented features streamline communication and knowledge-sharing, perfect for projects that require collaboration. The intuitive interface helps ADHD users stay on track without feeling overwhelmed by excessive options or clutter.

Choosing the Right Tool for You

Tools that prioritize simplicity, focus, and logic-driven design are often the best fit for ADHD brains.

By trying ADHD-friendly alternatives to Notion, you’ll discover a platform that enhances productivity without unnecessary complications. Take your first step toward an organized and focused approach to getting things done.