I tried Notion because everyone raved about how it was the ultimate productivity tool, but for my ADHD brain, it was a spectacular failure. I spent days customizing dashboards, tweaking templates, and making it look just right—and then never actually used it. It became yet another black hole of good intentions. It made me realize that just because a system works for others doesn’t mean it’ll work for me. Anyone else had a similar tech fail? What apps completely backfired for you, and have you found anything that actually helps?

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Paper is better than any app for me honestly. Color ink pens and a high quality paper tablet are my main adhd helper tools. I take pictures of pages for loss prevention and then use calendar alerts and alarms for deadlines. That’s about it.

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I think Notion is good if you’re collaborating with others and you need to communicate your creative vision. But if it’s just for me, paper scribbles is the way.

I love my reMarkable Pro tablet for helping keep me organized. All the benefits of paper and writing things down, and also all the benefits of digital storage. The tablet has a bunch of templates you can use if desired.

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Oh no I want the scratchy sound. Haha. That’s one of my issues with gas fireplaces. No fire crackles.

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I’ve tried lots of things including notion.

The best systems for me are simple.

Most important for me is I keep files/file folders and bookmarks as organized as possible. I use the file folders as a workflow tool - like within categories I have to do, for review, and done folders.

I learned that adding another layer of lists or organizers like notion just requires more maintenance and I give up on it after a few weeks/months

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The best productivity system is the one you actually use. I’ve wasted more time trying to find the “perfect” tool than just getting stuff done with a sticky note and a timer.

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Oh yeah, love a good well placed written sticky note to my future self from my past self.

Notion never worked for me. The only way I use it is by having a master paper checklist and then any feedback on same project I get during meetings I turn into a todo list on notion and it goes by date. Once the project is done I archive it.

I like ticktick too. But paper has been my biggest ally. I just use a huge grid notebook

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I fell down the same Notion rabbit hole. I spent hours making the “perfect” system, got overwhelmed by all the possibilities, and never opened it again. What actually works for me? A dead-simple to-do list with a maximum of three tasks at a time. Anything more than that, and I get stuck in the planning phase forever.

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https://joinfishbowl.com/comment_gp5nzfacyf

Obsidian is fantabular 🚀🚀

This is more of just a general productivity hack for when you need to leave home and then come back and do something time sensitive. But attach a thought to a particular dvd case. Put that dvd case in your direct walkway when you come home and for some stupid reason I always remember what I mentally attach to the dvd case. 🤷🏻‍♀️🙃 💅🏼

Oh and I chose dvd case because I have plenty and it wouldn’t hurt if I kicked it accidentally walking without purpose.

I've heard the same thing about notion. I've subscribed to Amazing Marvin but have yet to set it up. It can be overwhelming because it's so flexible and you're supposed to pick how it's set up. It was designed with ADHD folks in mind. I've heard people rave about Obsidian.
There's also Cave Squad with caveday.org.

And alarms, lots of alarms!

I haven't ever heard of that before so I will have to look it up but I am not surprised by this. I feel like anytime someone who is nuerotypical recommend something for me, I know it is probably not going to work for the way that my brain works.

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