
Focused 113: ADHD and Cognitive Science, with Brittany Smith
Nov 24, 2020
Brittany Smith, a cognitive scientist specializing in attention and focus and herself living with ADHD, dives into the intricacies of productivity. She shares powerful strategies for minimizing distractions and the benefits of accountability partnerships. Brittany discusses the unique strengths neurodiversity offers, emphasizing the importance of internal motivation in habit formation. The dual nature of hyperfocus is analyzed, along with practical tools to manage it. Finally, she highlights essential resources for ADHD management, fostering meaningful connections in our tech-driven world.
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Stretch Breaks
- Brittany Smith uses short, two-minute "stretch" breaks instead of traditional five-minute Pomodoro breaks.
- She finds this helps her avoid workflow disruption and promotes problem-solving.
Motivation Hacks
- Use shorter Pomodoros (e.g., 10 minutes) if you struggle with longer intervals.
- Try the buddy system or accountability partners for support and motivation.
ADHD Diagnosis
- Brittany Smith was diagnosed with ADHD after her brother, who is similar to her, received the same diagnosis.
- A key realization was her inability to focus on a paper without an imminent deadline.




