I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD
Paula Engebretson - ADHD Productivity Coach
How do I increase my productivity and decrease distractions? Is it possible to reclaim my time? How can I get more organized? And can I do it all with ADHD?
Welcome to the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast, where we dive into each of these questions and so much more.
Every week, life coach and ADHDer Paula Engebretson brings you her best strategies to boost your productivity, manage your time, get organized, and follow through on your goals.
Whether you're a fellow ADHDer, you identify with ADHD tendencies, or you simply want to take your productivity to the next level, this podcast is for you.
Are you busy being awesome?
Welcome to the I'm Busy Being Awesome Podcast, where we dive into each of these questions and so much more.
Every week, life coach and ADHDer Paula Engebretson brings you her best strategies to boost your productivity, manage your time, get organized, and follow through on your goals.
Whether you're a fellow ADHDer, you identify with ADHD tendencies, or you simply want to take your productivity to the next level, this podcast is for you.
Are you busy being awesome?
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2026 • 35min
Episode 348: 10 Years of ADHD Lessons in 35 Minutes
A ten-year reflection on a late ADHD diagnosis, sharing ten concise lessons learned over a decade. Topics include understimulation vs. laziness, why medication helps but skills matter, and using notes as working-memory support. The episode covers masking and how it drains energy, rejection sensitivity and shame spirals, and why self-acceptance is the foundation for lasting change.
10 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 18min
Episode 347: ADHD Productivity Looks Different: Here's How
They rethink time management for ADHD and explain why the clock may not be the real problem. The conversation highlights energy, attention, and emotions as the three drivers that shape output. Practical ideas include working with natural peaks and troughs, spotting overwhelm patterns, and choosing tiny experiments to move forward.
10 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 33min
Episode 346: ADHD Burnout: When "Just Work Harder" Stops Working
A dive into ADHD burnout and why hustle-powered strategies stop holding up. The sand-versus-concrete foundation metaphor explains hidden fragility. Role changes and masking that expose limits are discussed. Practical mini-experiments — responsibility audits, transition rituals, and reframing by advising a friend — are offered to rebuild sustainable support.
Mar 9, 2026 • 18min
Episode 345: ADHD Brain Overwhelmed by Newsletters? Try This.
A host experiments with an 'Inbox Reset' to tame 800+ unread newsletters. They explain why newsletters multiply and how overflowing folders create stress. Learn a six-month rule for deciding what to keep and a Bookmark safety net to unsubscribe without losing creators. Practical tips cover scheduling reading time and changing your environment to reduce friction.
13 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 32min
Episode 344: Why "Just Start" Never Works: ADHD Task Initiation Explained
They unpack why “just start” fails for ADHD brains by showing task initiation is actually six separate transitions. They break down each step from deciding what to do to the uncomfortable warm-up into flow. They help listeners pinpoint which specific transition is stuck and suggest one small, targeted tweak to reduce friction and make starting 10% easier.
Feb 23, 2026 • 52min
Episode 343: ADHD in Relationships: From Frustration to Teamwork
They unpack common relationship friction caused by executive dysfunction, time blindness, working memory gaps, emotional flooding, and hyperfocus. Practical workarounds like external memory systems, timers, signals, and break-it-down strategies are highlighted. A four-step teamwork framework and communication scripts aim to move interactions from blame to collaboration.
16 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 21min
Episode 342: The SIMPLE Weekly Planning Method My ADHD Brain LOVES: Alastair Weekly Log
A simple, one-page planning method that helps visualize your week and avoid over-scheduling. A quick split-page setup you can create in minutes and use nightly. A dot-based system for placing tasks across days and spotting capacity with a heat-map view. Practical tips on pencil, color, and tweaking the approach to fit different ADHD brains.
12 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 30min
Episode 341: The Zeigarnik Effect & ADHD: How to Stop Spinning on Unfinished Tasks
They explain the Zeigarnik Effect and why unfinished tasks stick in memory. You hear about the two types of mental loops: trivial urgencies versus real priorities. The conversation covers where open loops show up most and common ADHD responses to overwhelm. Four practical tactics are offered to close loops without completing everything, so you can clear mental clutter and regain presence.
22 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 30min
Episode 340: The ADHD Low Energy Survival Guide: Your Wintering Toolkit
A deep dive into winter low-energy for ADHD and why it is biological, not a discipline issue. Practical phase-based tools for extreme exhaustion, gentle activation, and low-capacity functioning. Concrete sensory supports like warmth, weighted pressure, and morning light routines. Advice on lowering demands, preserving capacity, and when to seek extra help.
11 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 28min
Episode 339: Why Is Change So Hard? Especially With ADHD
They unpack three core reasons change feels hard for ADHD brains: facing truths, identity loss and biological resistance. A simple 'full body yes' check and crafting a compelling personal why are explained. Two practical paths are compared: tiny under-the-radar steps versus an all-in, time-boxed approach. A concise checklist helps keep momentum through discomfort.
