How to Get More Done with ADHD: A Simple Approach to Productivity

If you're living with ADHD and constantly wondering how to get more done without feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. The traditional productivity advice of juggling multiple tasks, complex systems, and endless to-do lists often backfires for ADHD brains. Instead, the secret to getting more done lies in radical simplicity: focusing on one thing at a time.

Whether you're struggling to complete daily tasks, feeling paralyzed by your growing to-do list, or finding yourself starting projects but never finishing them, this guide will show you practical strategies that actually work for ADHD minds. The key isn't doing more things simultaneously—it's doing the right things with complete focus.

Understanding Why Traditional Productivity Fails with ADHD

Many people with ADHD have tried countless productivity systems, only to abandon them within weeks. This isn't a personal failing—it's because most productivity methods weren't designed with ADHD brains in mind.

Traditional productivity approaches often involve:

• Managing multiple priorities simultaneously
• Complex categorization systems
• Overwhelming lists of tasks
• Abstract priority levels (urgent vs. important matrices)
• Heavy reliance on time management

For ADHD brains, these approaches create decision fatigue before you even start working. When you're constantly choosing what to do next from a list of 15 tasks, your brain expends energy on decision-making rather than actual task completion.

The solution? Remove the choices. Focus on one task at a time, and make that choice as simple as possible.

The Power of Single-Task Focus

Research consistently shows that multitasking is a myth—our brains actually switch between tasks rather than handling them simultaneously. For people with ADHD, this task-switching is even more costly, often leading to:

• Increased mental fatigue
• Higher error rates
• Difficulty returning to previous tasks
• Overwhelming feelings of being "behind"

When you commit to working on just one task at a time, you eliminate the cognitive overhead of task management during work periods. This is particularly powerful for ADHD brains, which often struggle with executive function and decision-making fatigue.

Learning how to get more done starts with this fundamental shift: instead of trying to manage everything at once, you systematically work through tasks one by one, giving each your complete attention.

The Ivy Lee Method: A Time-Tested Approach

Over 100 years ago, productivity consultant Ivy Lee developed a simple method that remains one of the most effective approaches for focused work. The method is elegantly simple:

1. At the end of each workday, write down six things you want to accomplish tomorrow
2. Prioritize these tasks in order of importance
3. The next day, work on the first task until it's complete
4. Only then move to the second task
5. Repeat until the day ends
6. Any unfinished tasks move to the next day's list

This method works exceptionally well for ADHD because it removes decision-making from the work period. You've already decided what to do and in what order—your only job is to execute.

Practical Strategies to Get More Done

Start Small and Build Momentum

One of the biggest mistakes people with ADHD make is setting unrealistic expectations. If you typically complete one important task per day, don't suddenly plan for five. Instead:

• Begin with 2-3 carefully chosen tasks
• Make sure at least one task is easily achievable
• Celebrate completion of each task
• Gradually increase your capacity over time

Success builds on success. When you consistently complete your planned tasks, you build confidence and momentum that carries forward.

Make Task Boundaries Crystal Clear

Vague tasks like "work on presentation" or "organize office" are productivity killers for ADHD brains. Instead, define exactly what completion looks like:

• "Create outline for quarterly presentation (5 main points)"
• "Organize desk surface—clear everything except computer and lamp"
• "Write introduction paragraph for project report"

Clear boundaries help your brain understand exactly what needs to happen and recognize when you're truly finished.

Use Priority-Based Planning

Not all tasks are created equal. When learning how to get more done, focus on impact rather than quantity. Ask yourself:

• If I could only complete one thing today, what would make the biggest difference?
• Which task, if left undone, would cause the most problems?
• What task would I feel best about completing?

Arrange your tasks with the most important first. This ensures that even if you only complete one item, it's the right one.

Create Implementation Intentions

Research shows that "implementation intentions" dramatically improve follow-through. Instead of just deciding what to do, decide when and where you'll do it:

• "After my morning coffee, I will review my prioritized task list"
• "When I feel overwhelmed, I will look only at the current task"
• "If I complete my top priority early, I will immediately start the second task"

This pre-planning reduces the mental energy needed to get started and helps you move smoothly between tasks.

How Fokuslist Simplifies ADHD-Friendly Productivity

Understanding the science behind ADHD and productivity is one thing—implementing it consistently is another. This is where Fokuslist's simple, focused approach makes a real difference.

Fokuslist embodies the Ivy Lee Method in digital form, but with specific design choices that support ADHD brains:

Locked Priority Lists: Once you set your task order, Fokuslist locks your list and shows you only the current task. This eliminates the temptation to constantly re-prioritize or get distracted by other items on your list.

One-Task-at-a-Time Focus: The interface is intentionally minimal, showing you just what you need to focus on right now. No overwhelming dashboards, complex menus, or distracting features.

Simple Task Management: Adding tasks is straightforward—no categories, tags, or complex organization systems. You list what you need to do, prioritize it, and get to work.

Whether you start with the free plan (perfect for up to 3 tasks per set) or need more capacity with Fokuslist Plus (up to 20 tasks per set), the core philosophy remains the same: radical simplicity that supports sustained focus.

Overcoming Common ADHD Productivity Challenges

Dealing with Task Paralysis

When facing multiple important tasks, ADHD brains often freeze up, unable to choose where to start. The solution is to make this choice once, early in the day or the night before, when your mental energy is higher.

Set a timer for 10 minutes and quickly write down everything you need to do. Then, spend another 5 minutes arranging these tasks in order of importance. Once this is done, you don't need to think about choices again—just execute.

Managing Overwhelm

The feeling of having "too much to do" often stems from seeing everything at once. When you focus on just the current task, the mountain of work becomes manageable. If overwhelm strikes:

• Look only at your current task
• Break large tasks into smaller components
• Remind yourself that you only need to do one thing right now

Handling Interruptions and Distractions

ADHD brains are particularly susceptible to both external interruptions and internal distractions. Create boundaries:

• Set specific times for checking messages
• Keep a "distraction notepad" for ideas that pop up during focused work
• Return to your current task immediately after any interruption

Building Long-Term Productivity Habits

Learning how to get more done isn't just about daily tactics—it's about building sustainable systems. For long-term success:

Review and Adjust Regularly

Every week, take 15 minutes to review what worked and what didn't. Ask:

• Did I consistently complete my top priority tasks?
• What obstacles prevented me from focusing?
• How can I improve my task planning?

Celebrate Progress

ADHD brains often focus on what wasn't accomplished rather than celebrating what was. Keep a simple log of completed tasks and review it regularly. This builds positive momentum and motivation.

Be Flexible with Methods

While consistency is important, rigidity isn't helpful. If your current approach stops working, be willing to adjust. The core principle—focus on one task at a time—remains constant, but the details can evolve.

The Compound Effect of Focused Work

When you consistently complete your most important task each day, the results compound over time. Small daily progress on meaningful work creates significant results over weeks and months.

This is particularly powerful for people with ADHD, who often struggle with long-term projects. By breaking big goals into daily priorities and maintaining single-task focus, you make steady progress without overwhelming your system.

Getting Started Today

Ready to transform how much you get done? Start simple:

1. Tonight: Write down 3 tasks for tomorrow in order of importance
2. Tomorrow morning: Review your list and commit to starting with task #1
3. During work: Focus only on the current task—ignore the rest of your list
4. Tomorrow evening: Note what you accomplished and plan the next day

If you want digital support for this approach, try Fokuslist's task management system designed specifically for ADHD brains. The simple interface removes distractions while the locked prioritization keeps you focused on what matters most.

Conclusion: Less is More

The secret to how to get more done with ADHD isn't about doing everything faster or juggling more tasks. It's about doing the right things with complete focus and attention. By embracing simplicity, prioritizing ruthlessly, and focusing on one task at a time, you can accomplish more meaningful work while feeling less overwhelmed.

Remember: you don't need a perfect system, complex tools, or superhuman focus. You just need to consistently choose what matters most and give it your complete attention. Start with one focused task today, and build from there.

The path to greater productivity isn't complicated—it's simple, focused, and designed to work with your ADHD brain, not against it.