Join me in this transformative episode where I share the planning and prioritization breakthrough that changed everything—and why those beautiful, color-coded plans you spend hours creating but never follow aren’t actually serving your ADHD brain. If you’ve ever felt constantly behind, made gorgeous plans you abandon, or struggled because everything feels equally urgent, this episode will show you exactly how to build a system that works WITH your executive function instead of against it.
What you’ll learn:
- Why your executive function skills aren’t broken—they’re just inconsistent
- My Anime Expo revelation: how having a plan in place prevented the usual post-trip overwhelm
- Why the planning itself became my dopamine hit (and how to break that cycle)
- The “One Thing” daily focus method that builds unshakeable self-trust
- How to use “Main Intentions” vs. overwhelming to-do lists for realistic planning
- The game-changing power of “Would be nice if” language that prevents all-or-nothing thinking
- Why breaking tasks down bypasses the freeze response and reduces resistance
- The 2002 study proving that specific time/place commitments increase follow-through by 91%
- How time tracking revealed I was spending 2 hours getting ready (and how I streamlined it)
Tools I Use and Recommend:
- The ADHD-Friendly Daily Planner system with built-in prioritization
- “One Thing” focus technique for building consistency without overwhelm
- Task breakdown method: making steps so small it’s easier to do them than deal with how you’ll feel if you don’t
- Time tracking for collecting data on how long things actually take
- “When-where-what” commitment strategy for 91% follow-through success
- Overflow management with “Not Now” lists
“I used to make these beautiful color-coded plans that took hours to build, and then I wouldn’t follow them. The planning itself was the dopamine hit. I wasn’t being lazy—it was just executive function dysregulation.” – Mande John
From Overwhelm to Organized
Learn why most planning systems fail ADHD brains and how to create one that supports your executive function instead of fighting it. I share real examples from client work and personal breakthroughs that show how these tools transform scattered thinking into clear daily action.
Resources:
- Free ADHD-Friendly Planner: http://www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/planner
- Learn more about private coaching: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/
- Free Resources: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/freeresources/
- Website: https://www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/
- LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learntothrivewithadhd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learntothrivewithadhd/
This episode is essential for anyone with ADHD who feels constantly behind, struggles with follow-through, or makes plans they don’t stick to. Remember: strengthening planning and prioritization is like building a muscle—it takes practice, not perfection.
Share in the comments: What’s your ONE thing for today, and when exactly will you do it? Let’s build some accountability together!
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