I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD

Paula Engebretson - ADHD Productivity Coach
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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?

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 351: The Hidden Reason You Can't Turn Off | ADHD & Burnout

    Do you find yourself trying to rest, but your ADHD brain is mentally sprinting through your entire to-do list? There's a belief running quietly underneath every productivity system you've ever tried, and it's the real reason your ADHD brain can't relax. It's time to learn how to rest with ADHD. In episode 351, you'll discover: Where the "rest must be earned" belief actually comes from, and why it made complete sense at the time The four hidden costs of this belief and its connection to ADHD burnout Five concrete moves to loosen its grip so you can finally be present in the life you've built Work With Me: Learn more about private coaching here Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains Resources From This Episode: Episode 310: The Work is Never Done + How To Accept Unfinished Work Episode 334: ADHD Relaxation: Why Traditional Rest Doesn't Work & What Does 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 Why Rest Feels Impossible 01:40 The No Rest Rule 03:41 Roadmap to Rest Episodes 05:11 Name the Belief 08:19 Where It Comes From 13:00 Guilt Lazy Worth Layers 16:25 The Hidden Costs 22:53 Coaching 24:23 Notice the Water 28:32 Five Practices to Shift 36:18 Wrap Up and Next Steps

    40 min

  2. APR 13

    Episode 350: The ADHD Productivity Framework: The One Thing Your ADHD Brain Needs to Get Unstuck

    👉 Download the free Podcast Roadmap: https://imbusybeingawesome.com/map You've tried every planner, every productivity hack, every "just write it down" system — and none of them stuck. This is because most productivity systems weren't built for the ADHD brain. After 350 episodes and thousands of hours coaching, this is the framework I come back to again and again: Plan, Act, Complete. It's the ADHD productivity system that's both effective and sustainable. In this episode, you'll discover: The 3 stages where ADHD brains get stuck — and the specific traps at each one (time blindness, task initiation, the dreaded "last 5%") Simple supports to move through overwhelm and burnout without white-knuckling it How to honor your energy to ensure sustainable change without ADHD burnout Work With Me: 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 Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Resources From This Episode: Episode 146: 10 Prioritization Traps That Keep The ADHD Brain Stuck Episode 219: What Is The ADHD Burnout Cycle? 6 Different Stages Episode 220: 7 Steps To Recover From ADHD Burnout Using 'Low Power Mode' Episode 319: 5 Ways To Stay Motivated After The Dopamine Drop Episode 327: ADHD Mental Fatigue or Resistance? How to Know Which One You're Experiencing Episode 338: I Never Finish Anything! ADHD & The Last 5% Episode 341: The Zeigarnik Effect & ADHD: How to Stop Spinning on Unfinished Tasks Episode 344: Why "Just Start" Never Works: ADHD Task Initiation Explained 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 Framework Overview 05:31 Overwhelm And Burnout 09:25 Map The Stuck Point 12:17 Stage One Plan 21:44 Stage Two Act 28:18 Stage Three Complete 33:11 Coaching Invite 35:00 Energy Rhythms Recovery 40:11 Iteration Mindset 41:19 Wrap Up Next Steps

    44 min

  3. APR 6

    Episode 349: The 20 Second Rule Your ADHD Brain Will Love

    Get the Newly Updated Podcast Roadmap Here! You know that frustrating feeling where you know exactly what to do, but your ADHD brain just won't let you start? SAME. If you've ever had a habit you wanted to keep but somehow couldn't, or found yourself doing something on autopilot that you'd really like to stop, this episode is for you. Today we're talking about the 20-Second Rule: a deceptively simple framework for making good habits easier to start and unwanted habits just a little bit harder to access. The secret is in the friction. In this episode, you'll learn: What the 20-Second Rule is and why it works so well for ADHD brains How to identify the "friction" that's quietly derailing your best intentions Real-life examples of removing friction (and adding it) that actually work How to do a Friction Audit on your own habits — right now This is one of my favorite frameworks to use with coaching clients, and I think once you see it, you'll start spotting friction everywhere. 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: The Happiness Advantage - Shawn Achor Episode 192: How Tiny Habits Create Lasting Change (Big doors swing on little hinges) 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 Tiny Glitch Big Habit 01:29 Why Friction Matters 02:05 Starting Small Explained 04:25 The 20 Second Rule  07:24 ADHD Friendly Reframe 10:09 Friction and Podcast Roadmap 12:03 What Friction Looks Like 14:28 Real Life Friction Fixes 19:26 Run Your Friction Audit 20:37 Key Takeaways and Next Steps 21:55 Wrap Up and Resources

    23 min

  4. MAR 30

    Episode 348: 10 Years of ADHD Lessons in 35 Minutes

    "There's no way you have ADHD." That's what the psychiatrist said to me, right before he laughed out loud. Why? Because I had a PhD, a job as a professor, and a marriage. In his mind, my "success" canceled out my struggle. That moment was my first lesson in self-advocacy, and it sparked a journey that changed everything. Ten years later, I'm sharing the 10 things I wish I could go back and tell that version of myself and anyone else navigating a late ADHD diagnosis. Today in episode 348, we're covering: Why understanding your brain's need for stimulation, cognitive flexibility, and working memory can transform how you approach daily life with ADHD How masking and rejection sensitivity quietly drain your energy and keep you stuck — and what to do about it The counterintuitive truth about self-acceptance and why it's the foundation for lasting change 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: Learn about Rejection Sensitivity Here Learn about ADHD Masking Here Learn about Working Memory Here Learn How to Deal with ADHD Boredom and Understimulation 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 0:00 Dismissed on the Phone: The Laugh That Started It All 1:54 10 Years Later: Birthday Reflection & Why This Episode Matters 6:13 Today's Format: A Letter to My Newly Diagnosed Self (10 Things) 7:57 Falling Asleep & Understimulation 10:52 Meds Help, But Pills Don't Teach Skills 14:04 Cognitive Flexibility: Why Transitions and Plan Changes Hurt 16:47 Notes Aren't 'Cheating': Working Memory, Lectures & the Teleprompter 20:55 The Exhaustion of Masking (and How It Gets Better) 23:19 When People Doubt Your Diagnosis: Trust Your Experience 25:25 Rejection Sensitivity: The Shame Spiral Behind Avoidance 28:07 Knowing Better ≠ Doing Instantly: Give Yourself Time to Change 30:10 Self-Acceptance Is the Real Catalyst for Growth 31:53 Your Emotions Are Not Too Much 33:22 Recap of the 10 Lessons 34:17 Closing: Reflect, Share, and Next Steps

    35 min

  5. MAR 23

    Episode 347: ADHD Productivity Looks Different: Here's How

    Time management might not be the problem we need to solve right now when it comes to ADHD productivity. If you've tried every planner, app, and calendar blocking strategy out there but still feel behind, you are not alone. For years, we've been taught that if we could just manage our time better, everything would click into place. But for adults with ADHD, the old "time equals money" equation doesn't always hold up, especially when we're doing complex knowledge work. In episode 347 of the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast, we're challenging core productivity beliefs and exploring an approach that serves our brains better. We're shifting the focus from the clock ticking on the wall to the internal resources we actually have agency over. In this episode, you will discover: Why traditional time management advice often fails neurodivergent brains. A compassionate, ADHD-friendly definition of a "productive day." The three core elements that impact your output more than time. Practical ways to work with your natural peaks and troughs rather than fighting them. It's time to stop trying to manage the unmanageable and start honoring how your brain actually works. Work With Me: Learn more about private coaching here Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains Resources From This Episode: Episode 172: ADHD, Procrastination, and Wanting to Do The Thing Episode 192: How Tiny Habits Create Lasting Change for ADHD (small hinges swing big doors) When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink 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 Introduction: Rethinking Time Management 02:01 The Historical Context of Time Management 03:16 Redefining Productivity: Energy, Attention, and Emotions 05:20 Managing Your Energy 06:54 Focusing Your Attention 10:42 Understanding 7 Allowing Your Emotions 14:57 Practical Steps to Boost Productivity 16:34 Next Steps

    18 min

  6. MAR 16

    Episode 346: ADHD Burnout: When "Just Work Harder" Stops Working

    Episode 346: ADHD Burnout - When "Just Work Harder" Stops Working Are you that high performing ADHD brain who always figures it out, regardless of how much it impacts your well being? Have you relied on this strategy for most of your life, only to suddenly realize it's not sustainable? On the outside, you look successful and put-together. But inside, you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and terrified because the strategies that got you here won't get you there. In episode 346 of I'm Busy Being Awesome, we explore a challenge many mid-career adults with ADHD face: the moment your "sand foundation" of grit, hustle, and anxiety-fueled deadlines finally gives way. If you feel like you're drowning despite working harder than ever, episode 346 of the I'm Busy Being Awesome podcast is for you. In episode 346, you will discover: Why high-achievers with ADHD often unknowingly build success on a "sand foundation." How to process the fear of realizing what once worked isn't working What it means to pour a reliable "concrete foundation" designed for your unique brain. Three simple experiments to start rebuilding sustainable support without burnout. Work With Me: Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Paula here Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) 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 Introduction: When ADHD Strategies Stop Working 01:44 Welcome 02:13 Understanding the Friction Point 03:08 Building on a Sand Foundation 08:57 The Emotional Work Required 14:40 Getting Curious and Trying New Strategies 21:29 Concrete Experiments to Try 26:07 Final Thoughts 30:24 Recap

    33 min

  7. MAR 9

    Episode 345: ADHD Brain Overwhelmed by Newsletters? Try This.

    Episode 345: ADHD Brain Overwhelmed By Newsletters? Try This. I currently have over 800 unread newsletters in my inbox…and I'm pretty sure I subscribed to almost every one on purpose. 😅 If you can relate to the overwhelm of a cluttered inbox, this episode is for you. Today I'm sharing my personal "Inbox Reset" experiment. If you're overwhelmed by email but afraid to unsubscribe because of FOMO (or because your ADHD working memory fears you'll forget that creator exists!), I'm sharing the exact safety net strategy I'm using to let go. In this episode, you will discover: Why we struggle to unsubscribe My "6-Month Rule" for deciding what stays and what goes. The specific Bookmark Trick to support your working memory so you can confidently unsubscribe How changing your physical environment can lower the friction of reading. This isn't about reaching a perfect "Inbox Zero"—it's an experiment in progress to stop the overwhelm and make space for what we actually have the capacity to enjoy. 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 Introduction 00:16 The Newsletter Overwhelm Experiment 02:36 The Love for Newsletters and the Overwhelm 03:55 Uptick in Newsletters 06:58 The Experiment Plan 07:40 Dealing with Scarcity and FOMO 10:50 Strategy to Remember 12:57 Setting Aside Reading Time 14:52 Summary and Steps to Manage Newsletters 16:22 Conclusion and Call to Action

    18 min

  8. MAR 2

    Episode 344: Why "Just Start" Never Works: ADHD Task Initiation Explained

    If your ADHD brain struggles with procrastination, or you often find yourself thinking, "Why can't I just do this thing?!" episode 344 is for you. We often think "getting started" is one simple action. But for the ADHD brain, task initiation is actually a complex chain of 5-6 distinct steps, each of which demand our executive functions. When we collapse these steps all into one, we miss the nuance of where the breakdown happens and we default to shame instead of solutions. In this episode, we're taking apart the "I'm just a procrastinator" narrative. You'll learn how to identify which of the 6 stages is actually blocking you from starting and find one small, specific way to make it remove the friction and take the next step. In episode 344, you will discover: The 6 hidden layers of task initiation (and why 'just doing it' is biologically harder for us). How to pinpoint exactly which step has you stuck. One specific micro-step to remove the friction from the step that's holding you back. Work With Me: 👉 Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! 👉 Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains 👉 Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) 👉 Learn more about private coaching here 👉 Join us in Overwhelm to Action here Resources From This Episode: Check out brain.fm and get a 30-day free trial* Get Chris Bailey's Book Intentional: How to Finish What You Start here 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 Introduction: Overcoming Procrastination 01:52 Understanding ADHD and Task Initiation 05:05 The Six Steps to Getting Started 05:35 Step-by-Step Breakdown of Task Initiation 18:30 Identifying and Easing Friction Points 19:34 Practical Strategies for Each Step 28:32 Conclusion and Next Steps

    32 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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