Anyone else here struggle with juggling multiple tasks at work due to ADHD? I find myself starting many tasks but finishing few. It's like my mind is a browser with too many open tabs. How do you manage to stay focused and complete your work?

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Some of that is the nature of corporate America. They give you a ton of tasks over a short period of time with no definitive path or date to completion. Or even much idea on priority/importance. I’m assuming your role is project based. I do a couple things.

1. When a project or task is assigned, ask for a completion date and any expected touch points along the way. Also ask for priority to other projects. If there are no expectations, test out asking for a due date or initial touch point 2-3 weeks out, depending on the project and your workload. Negotiate timing from there.

2. Separate your work into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Some projects require a daily touch and some can be looked at 2-3 times a week. Put some thought into sequencing based on timing and due dates. Then the fun (for me) can start.

3. Use your calendar and some type of spreadsheet or kanban board to organize the heck out of yourself. I like online platforms but sometimes I’ll go low tech for a quarter and put everything on a whiteboard or journal. Find whatever platform that will allow you to hyper fixate on getting organized. (Side note: organization requires upkeep. It’s not one and done. Schedule yourself upkeep time as well)

4. Make it aallll into a game. If you complete side quests (daily tasks) it’s worth x points. If you complete a mission (project) milestone it’s worth y points. Then create a reward system. This doesn’t have to be super formal. It can be as easy as “I got a lot done this week and I feel accomplished. I’m going for ice cream”

I’m a 40 yo woman in corporate with ADHD. I have so many strategies in place to remain productive it’s not even funny. But I also give myself a ton of grace when I fail and just course correct as needed. It took me a long time, tears, and anxiety to be as grounded as I am now.

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After (trying to manage) all this, I then end up with no energy left for the actual tasks themselves 🫠

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This is me, thank Gos for Aderall, but it definitely wears off.

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Try breaking each task down into smaller tasks. Then it feels like starting something new every so often. Also helps combat overwhelm.

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“Yes” -everyone here
I use the app Opal to block my social media during the day. I also use a physical daily planner like Moleskin or a knockoff to write down a todo list for the day. Some have hours so you can say “im working on this task from 9-11am then this other task 11-1230” and so on. I never get it all done but usually like 3/4 sometimes more sometimes less. Sometimes i try to knock off shorter tasks first and save bigger ones for the afternoon depending on deadlines. Also find that if i use my phone a lot on the morning it kills my day. Days when I’m not on my phone much till around noon are the most productive.

I have always struggled with this. I have to focus on one thing and get it done or it will never get done because I will keep hopping from thing to thing an rarely getting one thing done.

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How do you approach projects when your boss plays the "guess what's in my head" game?

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