I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD

Paula Engebretson - ADHD Productivity Coach
  • 4.9 (190)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

How do I increase my productivity and decrease distractions? Is it possible to reclaim my time? How can I get more organized? And can I do it all with ADHD? Welcome to the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast, where we dive into each of these questions and so much more. Every week, life coach and ADHDer Paula Engebretson brings you her best strategies to boost your productivity, manage your time, get organized, and follow through on your goals. Whether you're a fellow ADHDer, you identify with ADHD tendencies, or you simply want to take your productivity to the next level, this podcast is for you. Are you busy being awesome?

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 359: Time Blocking for ADHD: Why Tiles Work Better Than Apps

    Want to SEE what I'm talking about? Check out the YouTube version here!  https://youtu.be/SZSXcVJcdnQ If time ever seems to disappear for your ADHD brain, this episode might resonate. I'm sharing my honest experience using Bravestorming, a magnetic tile-based planning system that turns your schedule into something that makes time tangible, flexible, and finally... real. In Episode 359, You Will Discover: Why your ADHD brain benefits from seeing time as a physical object, and how tile-based planning solves time blindness in a way digital tools simply can't Why "thinking in tiles" can help ADHD brains build a more tangible relationship with time A walkthrough of the full Bravestorming system (Thinker Board, MoveNote, MoverBook, MoverPad, and Tri-fold) and how I use each one in my actual weekly ADHD planning routine The one key principle that matters more than any specific tool: how to give different lengths of time a consistent, recognizable visual form so your brain starts to internalize it Work With Me: Learn more about private coaching here Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains Resources From This Episode: Use code AWESOME20 for 20% off your entire first purchase Bravestorming — the full product lineup Thinker Board — easel-style board for brainstorming and mind mapping MoveNote — A4 folio for weekly planning (no tiles included) MoverBook — compact planning folio with tiles included MoverPad — daily planning pad with a priority grid on the flip side, with tiles Tri-fold — four-months-at-a-glance planning overview Mover Tiles — additional tile set to expand your system Try Todoist for task management here (get two months of pro plan free) More ADHD Resources: Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Free course: ADHD Routine Revamp Learn my Top 10 Tips to Work With Your ADHD Brain Discover my favorite ADHD resources Access the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Stay focused with brain.fm and get a 30-day free trial* This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline 00:00 Magnetic Tiles Breakthrough 01:27 Visual Episode Disclaimer 02:18 What Is Bravestorming 03:26 Why It Feels Different 05:14 Affiliate Note and Plan 06:35 Thinker Board Overview 07:26 Move Note and Move Book 08:57 Trifold and Custom Templates 10:13 How I Use It Weekly 14:19 Tiles Make Time Real 20:27 Flexibility and Overflow Time 23:44 Avoiding Planner Hype 26:47 Who This System Fits 32:51 Links Code and Wrap Up 34:15 Final Thanks and Next Steps

    35 min

  2. Jun 8

    Episode 358: Cognitive Overload and ADHD: 4 Tips To Handle Overwhelm

    Summer is supposed to feel lighter… but for many ADHD brains, it often brings unexpected overwhelm. If your mental tabs are overflowing and you're already spinning in indecision about plans, commitments, and scheduling, this episode is your permission slip to do summer differently. Tune into Episode 358 and discover: Why summer creates unexpected cognitive overload for ADHD brains The four-container method that gets everything out of your head and into a clear, calm action plan. You can finally stop carrying it all alone. A non-negotiable ADHD scheduling support, and exactly how to protect it on your calendar A Decision making approach that breaks through the decision spin cycle Real scripts for saying no so you can save your energy for your full-body-yes moments 🎧 Get the full transcript here Work With Me: Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Learn more about private coaching here Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains Resources From This Episode: Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Try out Wispr Flow (affiliate link) More ADHD Resources: Discover my favorite ADHD resources Learn my Top 10 Tips to Work With Your ADHD Brain Access the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Free course: ADHD Routine Revamp Stay focused with brain.fm and get a 30-day free trial* This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline 00:00 Summer Overwhelm Signs 02:43 Why Summer Hits Hard 05:23 Tip One Brain Dump 10:06 Four Containers Method 14:10 Tip Two Protect Buffers 17:07 Tip Three One Decision 22:35 Tip Four Opt Out 26:16 Recap Start Small 27:48 Wrap Up And Quiz

    29 min

  3. Jun 1

    Episode 357: A Better Way to Build Habits & Follow Through For Your ADHD Brain

    If your planner, routine, or fresh system starts to feel weirdly heavy the moment you sit down with it, you're not alone. So many of us with ADHD brains quietly carry a performance frame over our follow-through built on a "pass fail" mindset, where every slip up turns into evidence of failure. In this episode, we explore a simple reframe that helps make sticking with our habits and routines feel lighter, more doable, and more in line with how our brains actually work. In Episode 357, You Will Discover: The sneaky way the performance frame turns planning, routines, and new systems into high-stakes situations for ADHD brains The one-word shift that helps follow-through feel lighter and builds real self-trust over time Why a rough day becomes useful information instead of evidence that something's wrong with you Three reflection questions to help you find the places where a practice frame might bring more freedom this week Work With Me: Learn more about private coaching here Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains More ADHD Resources: Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Free course: ADHD Routine Revamp Learn my Top 10 Tips to Work With Your ADHD Brain Discover my favorite ADHD resources Access the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Stay focused with brain.fm and get a 30-day free trial* This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline 00:00 Why Planning Feels Heavy 02:41 Performing vs Practicing 05:26 All or Nothing Trap 06:59 Inside the Performance Frame 10:25 Avoidance and Perfectionism 12:02 What Practice Really Means 15:03 Reps Build Self Trust 17:48 Real Life Practice Examples 22:50 Questions to Apply This 27:06 Community and Next Steps 28:15 Wrap Up and Resources

    29 min

  4. May 25

    Episode 356: When Everything Looks Like A Fire: False Urgency & ADHD

    ✨ Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) If you've ever sat down to plan your day and found your ADHD brain staring at a list where every task seems equally on fire, this episode is for you. Our brains generate urgency signals for nearly everything, and sorting genuine priorities from false ones is one of the harder things we ask our brains to do in real time. In episode 356, we're borrowing from the surprising lens of fire lookouts to walk through four practical checkpoints for deciphering a real priority from false urgency. In Episode 356, You Will Discover: How fire lookouts tell real smoke from pollen plumes, and how we can apply that to ADHD prioritization Four checkpoints for sorting genuine priorities from false urgency What "lightning strike areas" and "high-pollen trees" can teach us about where urgency comes from A simple challenge to help you practice what you learn this week Work With Me: Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Learn more about private coaching here Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains Resources From This Episode: Episode 146: 10 Prioritization Traps That Keep The ADHD Brain Stuck Episode 263: ADHD Prioritization Challenges + 2 Powerful Matrices To Help More ADHD Resources: Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Free course: ADHD Routine Revamp Learn my Top 10 Tips to Work With Your ADHD Brain Discover my favorite ADHD resources Access the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Stay focused with brain.fm and get a 30-day free trial* This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline 00:00 Why Everything Feels Urgent 01:31 Fire Lookout Framework 03:15 Pollen vs Smoke Story 06:03 Checkpoint 1 Source Pattern 09:56 Checkpoint 2 Density Color 12:45 Checkpoint 3 Know Sources 16:13 Checkpoint 4 Ask Another 18:40 Coaching Program Invite 20:40 Weekly Challenge Recap 22:25 Wrap Up and Resources

    24 min

  5. May 18

    Episode 355: Low Motivation With ADHD? Consider This.

    ✨ Join the free training here ow motivation and procrastination are some of the most common ADHD challenges, but what's actually driving (or blocking) your motivation goes much deeper than you think. In this episode, ADHD coach Paula Engebretson breaks down the real mechanics of motivation, procrastination, and ADHD, and gives you a practical tool to take back control. Every action we take (or avoid) is driven by one of two directions: moving toward a feeling we want, or moving away from a feeling we don't want. For ADHD brains, the "away from" direction runs the show more often than we realize, and once you can see it, everything starts to shift. In this episode, you'll discover: The two directions of motivation we all navigate, and which one is most likely running your behavior right now How to identify the specific emotion underneath your motivation so you can stop spinning and start moving forward with intention A 4-step check-in tool to shift your thinking, generate the feeling you actually want, and take one small step forward, even on your hardest days Work With Me: Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Learn more about private coaching here Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains More ADHD Resources: Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Learn my Top 10 Tips to Work With Your ADHD Brain Discover my favorite ADHD resources Access the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Free course: ADHD Routine Revamp This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline: 00:00 Relief And Motivation 01:54 Toward Vs Away Drives 03:14 Same Action Different Fuel 05:50 ADHD And Urgency 08:03 Name The Emotion 08:44 Overwhelm Example 09:57 Thoughts Create Feelings 11:59 Shift Thoughts Gently 14:39 Chasing Relief Trap 18:04 Four Step Check In 20:09 Try It This Week 21:03 Free Training 22:04 Wrap Up And Resources

    23 min

  6. May 11

    Episode 354: Forgetfulness and ADHD: Do This To Remember What Works

    ✨ Join the free training here We find something that works for our ADHD brains, and it feels like a win. Then we forget to use it. In episode 354 of the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast, we walk through five reasons ADHD brains lose track of strategies that genuinely help, plus one simple, low-effort system to help you build a bridge back to what works with more ease. The five real reasons ADHD brains "forget to remember" How to create a personalized Tool Card What "drift signals" are and how to use them to re-engage with what works Work With Me: Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Learn more about private coaching here Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains More ADHD Resources: Discover my favorite ADHD resources Learn my Top 10 Tips to Work With Your ADHD Brain Access the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Free course: ADHD Routine Revamp This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline 00:00 Forgetting to Remember 02:09 Welcome and Goal 02:45 The ADHD Strategy Cycle 05:14 Five Reasons We Forget 10:16 Stop the Shame Story 11:00 Build Your Tool Card 12:01 Choose One Focus 15:01 Give It a Reliable Home 16:07 Find Your Drift Signals 21:27 Try It This Week 22:41 Free Training 24:02 Wrap Up and Resources

    25 min

  7. May 4

    Episode 353: ADHD Imposter Syndrome: Owning the Process That Works for You

    There's a sneaky version of imposter syndrome that lives specifically in the ADHD brain… and it has nothing to do with your results. Your process works. Your output is solid. So why does part of you still brace for the moment someone finds out how you actually get things done? In Episode 353, You Will Discover: The specific flavor of ADHD imposter syndrome that drains your energy before you even start — and why it shows up even when your results are strong The difference between workhorse and thoroughbred energy patterns, and how understanding your natural rhythm changes everything about how you work Four reflection questions to identify what you're hiding, what it's costing you, and how to build genuine permission to work your way — without apology Work With Me: Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Learn more about private coaching here Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains Resources From This Episode: Ep. 140: ADHD Imposter Syndrome – The 5 Competence Types & How to Challenge Them Ep. 287: ADHD Energy Levels – Workhorse vs. Thoroughbred More ADHD Resources: Discover my favorite ADHD resources Learn my Top 10 Tips to Work With Your ADHD Brain Access the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Free course: ADHD Routine Revamp This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline 00:00 Fear Your Process 02:05 Coaching Call Theme 03:54 Workhorse vs Thoroughbred 07:15 Unconventional Wins 08:34 Process Imposter Syndrome 10:57 Workhorse World Conditioning 11:41 Sprints and Recovery 14:52 Part Time Worry 17:42 When Process Needs Help 18:23 Webinar Block Example 18:46 Verbal Processing Breakthrough 19:50 Voice Actor Deadline Stress 21:20 Target Dates Not Deadlines 22:25 Stop Performing Productivity 23:07 Belief Mindset Emotional Trio 24:27 Spotting Imposter Thoughts 25:52 Owning Your Night Owl Flow 29:49 Why Belief Work Needs Support 31:05 Group Coaching Invitation 32:12 Questions To Claim Your Process 34:16 Wrap Up Quiz And Subscribe

    35 min

  8. Apr 27

    Episode 352: Always Starting Over with ADHD? The Spiral Staircase of Growth

    Have you ever looked at a pattern you thought you'd "fixed" — maybe you fell back into all-or-nothing thinking, or perfectionism returned, or you found yourself avoiding the very thing you spent weeks building a habit around — and your ADHD brain quietly offers this thought: "Here we go again. After all this. I'm right back where I started." This episode has your name on it. Real ADHD growth rarely moves in a straight line, and understanding why changes everything. In Episode 352, You Will Discover: Why ADHD brains feel like they keep returning to the same patterns (and why you're not actually back at square one) The Spiral Staircase Model of growth and what it really means for your ADHD journey Three reflection questions to help you recognize and learn from the progress you've made Work With Me: Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Learn more about private coaching here Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains More ADHD Resources: Discover my favorite ADHD resources Learn my Top 10 Tips to Work With Your ADHD Brain Access the I'm Busy Being Awesome Planning System Get the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast Roadmap Free course: ADHD Routine Revamp This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure info here. Leave IBBA A Rating & Review! If you enjoy the podcast, would you be a rockstar and leave a review? Doing so helps others find the show and spreads these tools to even more people. Go to Apple Podcasts Click on the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you see the reviews. Simply tap five stars; that's it! Bonus points if you're willing to leave a few sentences sharing what you enjoy about the podcast or a key takeaway from the episode you just heard. Thanks, friend! Chapter Outline 00:00 Here We Go Again 02:03 Growth Is Not Linear 04:20 Spiral Staircase Model 07:11 Catching Old Patterns 08:56 Client All Or Nothing 11:51 Noticing Quiet Progress 13:48 Reflection Questions 17:02 How To Take Action 19:09 Reframing The Moment 20:08 Wrap Up And Next Steps

    21 min
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How do I increase my productivity and decrease distractions? Is it possible to reclaim my time? How can I get more organized? And can I do it all with ADHD? Welcome to the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast, where we dive into each of these questions and so much more. Every week, life coach and ADHDer Paula Engebretson brings you her best strategies to boost your productivity, manage your time, get organized, and follow through on your goals. Whether you're a fellow ADHDer, you identify with ADHD tendencies, or you simply want to take your productivity to the next level, this podcast is for you. Are you busy being awesome?

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