I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD

If you are navigating a neuro-mixed relationship in your life whether you have the ADHD brain or someone you care for does you likely know some version of this cycle: a missed task leads to frustration, which leads to defensiveness or shame, which ends in a conflict where no one feels heard.
In episode 343, we are bridging the gap between the differing experiences of an ADHD brain and a Neurotypical brain. Whether they're a partner, a colleague, a friend, or a family member, we're moving away from blame and shame and getting on the same team.
we'll cover the 5 biggest sources of disconnect in ADHD relationships:
Executive Dysfunction
Time Blindness
Working Memory
Emotional Flooding
Hyperfocus
You will walk away with practical scripts, tools, and a new framework to turn your frustration into teamwork.
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:
Episode 247: 8 Discreet Emotional Regulation Strategies for ADHD
Episode 234: Hyperfocus in Adults with ADHD
Episode 296: How to use Reminders & Notifications with ADHD
Episode 302: 5 Hacks to Handle Interruptions at Work & Home
Episode 229: 10 Reasons for ADHD Emotional Disconnect
Episode 149: 5 Core Executive Functions
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
02:10 Understanding ADHD in Relationships
03:46 Common Frustrations in ADHD Relationships
10:03 The Task That Never Gets Done
17:29 Forgotten Plans and Conversations
22:49 Time Blindness and Its Impact
24:56 Understanding ADHD and Time Perception
25:18 Strategies for Managing Time with ADHD
26:42 Building Buffer Times and Communication
28:44 Navigating Emotional Reactions
31:41 Dealing with Sensory Overload
37:46 Hyperfocus and Its Challenges
43:16 Effective Communication and Collaboration
50:40 Final Thoughts and Resources

Does your weekly planning routine usually fall apart by Monday afternoon? If you have a graveyard of half-filled planners and abandoned Notion dashboards, please hear me: it's not YOU. You just haven't found a system that works with your ADHD brain
If you've tried every app, color-coded calendar, and 27-step workflow out there but still feel overwhelmed, this video is for you. Today, we're exploring the Alastair Weekly Log: a ridiculously simple, flexible planning method that uses just one piece of paper (or a notebook page) to give you a clear snapshot of your week.
This isn't about rigid time-blocking or forecasting every minute of your day. Instead, it's a simple approach that helps you visualize your capacity, manage your energy, and start scheduling a reasonable amount for a human (not a robot)
In this episode, you will discover:
Why complex planning systems often fail our ADHD Brains
The simple "split page" setup you can do in under 5 minutes
How to use the "dot method" to handle tasks when life inevitably goes off the rails
Why this visual approach helps curb over-scheduling
5 specific reasons this method is a game-changer for ADHD brains
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:
Get the Alastair Weekly Template Here
My favorite Grid Notebook
Check out the YouTube video 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: Simplifying ADHD Planning
00:46 Introducing the Alistair Weekly Log
04:17 How to Set Up Your Weekly Log
07:51 Five Reasons to Love the Alistair Weekly Log
17:15 Weekly Review and Additional Tips
19:02 Conclusion and Next Steps

👉 Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz!
In Episode 341 You Will Discover:
The Science of "Sticky" Thoughts: What the Zeigarnik Effect is and why unfinished tasks take up twice as much memory space.
The Two Types of Loops: How to distinguish between "trivial urgency" (the loops that don't matter) vs. the actual priorities that need a decision.
Why We Avoid Closing Them: The link between open loops, perfectionism, and the fear of making the "wrong" decision.
Four Actionable Ways to Effectively Close Your Loops: Clear your mind for greater presence, even on low energy 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 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 Understanding ADHD Overwhelm
01:09 Introduction to the Zeigarnik Effect
05:48 The Impact of Open Loops on ADHD Brains
08:38 Examples of Open Loops
17:27 Common Categories of Open Loops
21:54 Strategies to Close Open Loops
27:22 Final Takeaways and Resources

In Episode 340 You Will Discover:
How ADHD low energy is biological, not a discipline problem
Ways to identify which low-energy phase you're in right now
Simple, compassionate tools that match your actual capacity
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:
Learn about the Dopamine Menu here
Episode 251: Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, Sleep Hygiene and ADHD
Episode 327: ADHD Mental Fatigue or Resistance?
Episode 284: Signs of ADHD Burnout + Tips to Rethink How You Work https://imbusybeingawesome.com/signs-adhd-burnout/
Find A Helpline (international crisis and support directory) https://findahelpline.com/
Favorite tools and products mentioned
Heated blanket → https://amzn.to/4q2CYs7
Weighted blanket → https://amzn.to/3YJvsX0
Weighted eye mask → https://amzn.to/3LiglAK
Brown noise machine → https://amzn.to/4axE5va
Daylight lamp (10,000 lux) → https://amzn.to/3KLyiHV
Research mentioned
Research done in the Netherlands (ADHD and seasonal mood swings) → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16458365/
Vitamin D information (NCCIH) → https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-affective-disorder
Weighted blankets / deep pressure research → https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7970589/
2019 bright light therapy study → https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6746555/
Additional Netherlands study reference (via Additude) → [https://www.additudemag.com/winter-depression-adhd-sad-sleep-mood/](https://www.additudemag.com/winter-depression-adhd-sad-sleep-mood/](https://www.additudemag.com/winter-depression-adhd-sad-sleep-mood/](https://www.additudemag.com/winter-depression-adhd-sad-sleep-mood/)
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 Understanding Winter Energy Slumps 
01:55 The Impact of Circadian Rhythms on ADHD 
04:49 Strategies for Low Energy Phases 
08:23 Phase One: 0% Effort Required 
14:38 Phase Two: 5% Effort Required 
21:30 Phase Three: Low Capacity, Some Functionality 
26:11 Conclusion and Additional Resources

In Episode 339 You Will Discover:
Three key reasons change is hard for ADHD brains
A simple, step by step approach to make lasting change
Actionable tips to incorporate these tools into your life today
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:
Episode 172: Procrastination, ADHD, and The Intellectual Yes
Gretchen Rubin's Abstainer vs Moderator Framework
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: The January Slump
00:42 Understanding Resistance and Growth
02:48 Why Growth Feels Uncomfortable
05:57 Facing Uncomfortable Truths
07:42 Identity Loss and Grief in Change
09:03 Biological Resistance to Change
11:16 Making Lasting Change: Full Body Yes
16:24 Choosing Your Approach: Gradual vs. All-In
25:44 Conclusion: Embrace the Discomfort