If you have ADHD, there’s a good chance you’ve tried everything.
Planners. Apps. Morning routines. Color-coded calendars. Productivity books everyone swears by.
And for a short while—sometimes a week, sometimes a month—it works.
Then one day, it just… doesn’t.
You stop using the system, fall behind again, and end up wondering what’s wrong with you.
Here’s the truth: there’s nothing wrong with you.
The problem is that most productivity advice simply isn’t designed for ADHD brains.
Traditional Productivity Advice Assumes a Brain You Don’t Have
Most productivity systems are built on a few quiet assumptions:
- You can access motivation whenever you need it
- Your energy is fairly consistent day to day
- You can hold multiple priorities in your head
- You can “push through” resistance with willpower
ADHD brains don’t work like that.
And when advice ignores how ADHD actually functions, it doesn’t just fall flat—it often leaves people feeling ashamed and defeated.
ADHD Isn’t a Discipline Issue
One of the most damaging messages ADHD adults absorb is that productivity equals self-discipline.
So when something feels hard, the conclusion becomes:
“I must not be trying hard enough.”
But ADHD is about how the brain regulates:
- attention
- motivation
- time
- emotions
This is why you might feel deeply focused and energized when something is interesting—but completely stuck when something is important but boring.
It’s not a character flaw. It’s neurology.
Why “Just Try Harder” Makes Things Worse
A lot of my clients come to me exhausted—not because they haven’t tried, but because they’ve tried too hard for too long.
They’ve:
- forced themselves into rigid routines
- restarted systems over and over
- blamed themselves when things fell apart
Eventually, burnout sets in.
Not because they’re incapable—but because they’ve been using systems that fight against their brain instead of supporting it.
Common Productivity Advice That Backfires With ADHD
Rigid routines
What works beautifully for a few weeks can suddenly feel impossible. ADHD brains often need flexibility, not sameness.
Overly detailed planning
Complex systems require consistent executive function—which ADHD brains don’t always have access to on demand.
Long-term motivation
If the reward feels far away, the ADHD brain struggles to engage. Time blindness is real.
“Hold yourself accountable”
Self-accountability sounds good in theory, but without external support, systems are easy to forget or abandon.
What Actually Helps ADHD Brains Get Things Done
ADHD-friendly productivity looks different.
It focuses on:
- flexible structures instead of rigid rules
- external support instead of self-pressure
- shorter feedback loops
- working with energy, not against it
- reducing shame, not increasing it
This is where ADHD coaching comes in.
Not to give you more tips—but to help you build systems that fit you.
Why ADHD Coaching Feels Different
Most people with ADHD already know what they “should” be doing.
Coaching helps bridge the gap between knowing and actually following through.
In coaching, we focus on:
- understanding your patterns
- creating systems you don’t have to carry alone
- adjusting when things stop working (instead of starting over)
- building consistency without burnout
The question stops being “Why can’t I do this?”
And becomes “What does my brain need right now?”
You’re Not Broken — The Advice Wasn’t Built for You
If traditional productivity advice hasn’t worked for you, that’s not a personal failure.
It means you’ve been trying to fit into systems that were never designed with ADHD in mind.
And you don’t have to keep doing that alone.
Want Support That Actually Works With Your Brain?
If this post feels a little too familiar, you’re not alone—and help is available.
👉 Check out the free checklist > Signs You’re Using Neurotypical Systems With an ADHD Brain
Contact me to book a free initial 15 minute consultation to find out how ADHD coaching with me could help.
CBT, Counselling & ADHD Coaching in North Lanarkshire | Minds Matter Therapy 