Why Time Blocking Doesn't Work For ADHD & What To Do Instead

About this video

• Video Title: Why Time Blocking Doesn't Work For ADHD & What To Do Instead
• Channel: Ruri Ohama
• Speakers: Ruri Ohama
• Duration: 00:20:11

Overview

This video explains why traditional time blocking methods are ineffective for individuals with ADHD and offers an alternative system called "sprinting" or "batching by energy." The speaker, Ruri Ohama, shares her personal experiences and a structured approach to productivity that accommodates the unique challenges of ADHD, focusing on novelty, urgency, and fun, rather than rigid schedules.

Key takeaways

• Time Blocking Ineffectiveness for ADHD: Traditional time blocking fails because it assumes stable energy levels and a consistent sense of time, which are often not present in individuals with ADHD. It also treats all tasks equally, ignoring the emotional and motivational factors crucial for ADHD brains.
• "Sprinting" as an Alternative: Instead of batching by activity type, the suggested method involves batching tasks by how stressful or energizing they feel, referred to as "sprints." This approach aligns with ADHD brains' need for novelty, urgency, and fun.
• Personalizing Sprint Categories: The speaker suggests creating personal sprint categories based on factors like urgency (due today/overdue), approaching deadlines, draining "admin" tasks, and energizing "creative" tasks.
• Following Energy, Not Rigid Schedules: The method emphasizes working with one's current energy and mood rather than forcing oneself to do difficult tasks first ("eat the frog"), which can lead to resistance and inaction.
• The Importance of Work Logs and Kaizen: Keeping a detailed work log is crucial for understanding personal energy patterns and optimizing the sprint system. The entire approach is framed within the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement (Plan, Do, Check, Act).
• Guardrails for Structure: To prevent infinite procrastination, the system includes guardrails like a "daily highlight" (one key task to make the day a win) and a hard stop time for working each day.