How to Get More Done in Less Time: ADHD-Friendly Productivity Strategies

Do you find yourself constantly busy but never feeling like you're actually getting things done? If you have ADHD, you're definitely not alone in this struggle. The challenge of figuring out how to get more done in less time can feel especially overwhelming when your brain works differently than traditional productivity advice assumes.

The truth is, most productivity systems weren't designed with neurodivergent minds in mind. They often involve complex workflows, multiple apps, or overwhelming lists that can actually make things worse for people with ADHD. But here's the good news: there are simple, effective strategies that can help you accomplish more while working with your brain, not against it.

In this guide, we'll explore practical, ADHD-friendly approaches to boost your productivity, reduce overwhelm, and finally start making real progress on what matters most to you.

Understanding the ADHD Productivity Challenge

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand why traditional productivity advice often falls short for people with ADHD. The typical recommendation to "just make a to-do list" can actually create more problems than it solves.

When you have ADHD, your brain tends to:

• Get overwhelmed by long lists of tasks
• Struggle with decision paralysis when faced with multiple options
• Have difficulty estimating how long tasks will take
• Get distracted by new ideas or tasks that seem more interesting
• Feel anxious about incomplete work piling up

This means that learning how to get more done in less time isn't just about working faster—it's about working in a way that aligns with how your brain naturally functions.

The Power of Single-Task Focus

One of the most effective strategies for increasing productivity with ADHD is embracing single-task focus. Instead of juggling multiple projects or constantly switching between tasks, you concentrate on completing one thing at a time.

This approach works because:

• It eliminates decision fatigue throughout the day
• Reduces the mental energy lost in task-switching
• Helps you enter a flow state more easily
• Makes progress more visible and motivating
• Prevents you from feeling scattered or overwhelmed

The key is not just choosing one task, but making it impossible to get distracted by other items on your list. When your brain can't see all the other things you "should" be doing, it becomes much easier to focus on what you're actually doing right now.

Start with Strategic Task Selection

Learning how to get more done in less time starts before you even begin working. The secret is in choosing the right tasks to focus on in the first place.

The Priority Framework

Instead of trying to do everything, focus on identifying your most important tasks. Ask yourself:

• What absolutely needs to be done today?
• Which tasks will have the biggest impact on my goals?
• What's been causing me the most stress by remaining incomplete?

For example, if you're a freelancer, your daily priorities might look like:

1. Complete client project draft
2. Send follow-up email to potential new client
3. Update portfolio website

Notice how this list is short and specific. Each item is concrete and actionable, making it easier to know exactly what success looks like.

Time-Boxing Reality

People with ADHD often struggle with time estimation, which can derail even the best intentions. When selecting tasks for your day, be brutally honest about how long things actually take you, not how long you think they should take.

If editing a blog post typically takes you two hours (including getting distracted, taking breaks, and refocusing), plan for two hours, not the 45 minutes it might take someone else.

Creating Your Focused Task Environment

Once you've identified your priorities, the next step in learning how to get more done in less time is setting up an environment that supports sustained focus.

Eliminate Visual Overwhelm

Your physical and digital workspace should support single-task focus. This means:

• Closing unnecessary browser tabs and applications
• Putting your phone in another room or in airplane mode
• Having only the materials for your current task within view
• Using tools that show you one task at a time rather than overwhelming lists

A simple, focused task management approach can make a huge difference here. Instead of staring at a long list of everything you need to do (which can trigger anxiety and analysis paralysis), you see only what you're working on right now.

The Locked-List Approach

One particularly effective strategy is using a "locked" task list where you can't see or access other tasks while working on your current one. This prevents the common ADHD tendency to constantly reassess priorities or get distracted by other items.

This is where Fokuslist becomes incredibly valuable. The app is specifically designed around the principle of single-task focus, showing you only one task at a time from your prioritized list. You can't skip ahead or get overwhelmed by everything else—you just focus on what's in front of you.

Breaking Down the Work Process

Understanding how to get more done in less time also involves optimizing how you approach individual tasks.

The Microtask Method

Large tasks can feel overwhelming and lead to procrastination. Break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces:

Instead of: "Write quarterly report" Try: "Open report template," "Draft introduction paragraph," "Compile Q1 sales data"

Each microtask should be something you can complete in 15-30 minutes. This makes it easier to start (the hardest part for many people with ADHD) and provides more frequent dopamine hits from completing items.

Energy-Task Matching

Pay attention to your natural energy patterns throughout the day. Most people with ADHD have specific times when they're more focused and productive. Schedule your most important or challenging tasks during these peak periods.

For instance:

• High-energy morning: Tackle complex creative work
• Post-lunch dip: Handle routine administrative tasks
• Late afternoon focus: Do detailed editing or review work

Managing Transitions and Context Switching

One often-overlooked aspect of productivity is the time and energy lost in transitions between tasks. For people with ADHD, these transitions can be particularly challenging.

The Power of Completion

Instead of partially completing multiple tasks, focus on fully finishing one thing before moving to the next. This approach to how to get more done in less time might seem counterintuitive, but it's incredibly effective because:

• You get the psychological boost of completion
• You don't waste mental energy remembering where you left off
• You build momentum and confidence
• You actually see concrete progress

Transition Rituals

Create simple rituals to help your brain switch between tasks or take breaks:

• Stand up and stretch before starting something new
• Write one sentence about what you accomplished
• Take three deep breaths and verbally state your next task
• Clear your desk before beginning a new project

These small actions signal to your brain that you're moving into a new focus state.

Practical Implementation with Simple Tools

The key to successfully learning how to get more done in less time is using tools and systems that support your brain rather than fighting against it.

Keeping It Simple

Avoid the temptation to use complex productivity systems with multiple apps, elaborate workflows, or detailed tracking. These often become procrastination tools themselves for people with ADHD.

Instead, look for solutions that:

• Have minimal learning curves
• Focus on one core function (like task prioritization)
• Don't require constant maintenance or setup
• Work the same way every time you use them

The Daily Reset

Start each day by creating a fresh, prioritized list of what you want to accomplish. This prevents yesterday's unfinished tasks from creating overwhelm and helps you focus on what's actually important today.

You can do this with Fokuslist's dashboard, where you create a new set of prioritized tasks each day. The simplicity of focusing on just a few key items (3 on the free plan, or up to 20 with Fokuslist Plus) prevents overwhelm while ensuring you're working on what matters most.

Dealing with ADHD-Specific Challenges

Learning how to get more done in less time when you have ADHD also means addressing specific challenges that neurotypical productivity advice often ignores.

The Hyperfocus Trap

While hyperfocus can feel productive, it can actually hurt your overall efficiency if you're hyperfocusing on the wrong things. Combat this by:

• Setting a maximum time limit for any single task
• Checking in with your prioritized list before diving deep into work
• Being honest about whether hyperfocus is helping you meet your actual goals

Interest-Based Motivation

ADHD brains are often motivated more by interest than importance. When possible, find ways to make necessary tasks more engaging:

• Change your environment (work from a coffee shop)
• Add background music or ambient sounds
• Pair boring tasks with something enjoyable (good coffee, a favorite playlist)
• Find the interesting angle in routine work

Managing Perfectionism

Perfectionism and ADHD often go hand in hand, but perfectionism can be a major barrier to getting more done in less time. Practice:

• Setting "good enough" standards for routine tasks
• Time-boxing work to prevent endless tweaking
• Celebrating completion over perfection
• Remembering that done is often better than perfect

Building Sustainable Momentum

The ultimate goal isn't just to have one productive day, but to create sustainable systems that help you consistently get more done in less time.

Progress Over Productivity

Focus on making consistent progress rather than having perfect productive days. Some days you might complete all your priorities; other days you might only finish one thing. Both are valid and valuable.

Track your wins, no matter how small:

• Completed tasks, even if they were smaller than planned
• Times you successfully refocused after getting distracted
• Days when you followed your planned priorities
• Moments when you chose the important task over the interesting one

Flexibility Within Structure

While structure is important for ADHD productivity, rigid systems often fail. Build flexibility into your approach:

• Allow for adjusting priorities as new information comes in
• Have backup "low-energy" tasks for difficult days
• Accept that some days will be less productive than others
• Focus on weekly or monthly progress rather than daily perfection

Conclusion

Learning how to get more done in less time with ADHD isn't about forcing yourself to work like a neurotypical brain. It's about understanding how your mind works and creating systems that support your natural patterns and challenges.

The most effective approach focuses on simplicity, single-task concentration, and strategic prioritization. By eliminating overwhelm, reducing decision fatigue, and working with your brain's natural tendencies rather than against them, you can dramatically increase your productivity while actually feeling less stressed and scattered.

Remember, the goal isn't to become a productivity machine—it's to make meaningful progress on what matters to you while maintaining your mental health and well-being. Start with one or two strategies from this guide, implement them consistently for a week, and then gradually add others as they become habit.

With the right approach and tools, you can transform your relationship with productivity and finally start accomplishing what you've been meaning to do. Your ADHD brain has unique strengths—the key is building systems that let those strengths shine while supporting the areas where you need more structure.