7 Neurodivergent Friendly Executive Function Strategies to Add to Your Productivity Quiver
- Eric Kaufmann
- Aug 15
- 5 min read
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Hi Friend,
Last week, the surf was tiny, but I really wanted to get out there. I grabbed my high-performance board, paddled out, and sucked.
After 20 frustrating minutes and ZERO waves surfed, I paddled in. But I didn’t call it quits.
I grabbed my longboard (which is built for tiny waves) and spent the next hour having an absolute blast!
See, I selected the wrong board for the conditions. My high-performance board is for big, clean waves, and I tried to force it to work in small surf.
The good news is, I was aware of it and had another option. One that made my surf super fun.
For ADHD brains and neurodivergent adults, the executive function systems we use to get stuff done operate in the same way.
Today, we are exploring a new idea that challenges the common productivity advice.
What if you stopped trying to find the right system?
What if bouncing from one system to another, depending on the day, week, or season of life, was the best strategy to improve executive function skills for adults?
Let’s dive in.
Why Don’t Systems Work For Me?
Have you ever felt like no system works for your brain?
It’s very common for people with neurodivergent adults with ADHD to spend a lot of time and money on different calendars, to-do list apps, and struggle to maintain a morning routine.
New productivity apps feel exciting…until they don’t.
Expensive planners work for only a week.
Eisenhower Matrix? Forget it.
Nothing sticks.
It isn't a lack of discipline.
Whether you have ADHD or are otherwise neurodivergent, this is normal.
ADHD brains are wired for novelty, stimulation, and emotional engagement. If you are searching for the perfect executive function tool for ADHD, you are bound for disappointment.
Every novel system will fade in its appeal over time.
Instead of expecting to find the perfect system, think of it like my quiver of surfboards. Accept that you’ll need to switch things up from time to time. That’s okay!
Why Executive Function Systems Fail For Neurodivergent Adults
Trying to use the same system or strategy every day rarely works for people with executive function challenges. Every day is different.
Sometimes we feel energized, focused, and emotionally regulated.
Other days are more stressful because your dog decided to jump on the kitchen table and eat ANOTHER SCRUNCHY!
"We don’t rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our systems.” James Clear
Here are some systems I've attempted and failed at over time:
Relying on urgency to get started.. While this can force us into action, it’s stressful and rarely allows us to do our best work.
Forcing myself to stick with a bullet journal for calendaring. I ended up being late more than on time.
Assuming boredom means the system was a bad choice. Yes, my brain doesn’t like to be bored, but boredom doesn't mean ineffective.
Throwing out a tool forever when it stops working, instead of rotating it back in later. Just because it didn’t work today doesn’t mean it won’t work tomorrow.
Using the same tool for every task, every day. Just like my surfboard quiver, I need different tools for different conditions.
Instead, focus on building up a quiver of strategies that are helpful for different scenarios. Test them out, learn when they are effective 50% of the time, and use them accordingly.
7 Strategies to Add to Your Quiver of Neurodivergent Friendly Executive Function Systems
Here are 7 neurodivergent friendly executive function strategies in my quiver:
Defeat procrastination
Find some awesome music: When procrastination kicks in, I often reach for music. Instrumental beats give my brain the dopamine boost it needs to get started.
Here is an instrumental playlist my co-founder, Sean, and I created to work to.
If you want to go deeper on procrastination, check out my free mini course.
Go to the coffee shop: Boredom is ADHD’s kryptonite.
Change rooms, work from the couch, sit on the other side of the table, or go to the coffee shop and body double with strangers. Keep switching things up!
I love to write at my local coffee shop, High Tide.
Forget less
Write it down immediately: “I’ll remember to do that later” is the biggest lie I’ve ever told myself. I write down everything the second I think of it, or set a reminder.
Google Calendar is my best friend: Digital with alerts for sessions and meetings, paper for daily to-dos and personal appointments. I rotate between Google Calendar, a bullet journal, and a simple paper list.
You can learn more about this strategy in my course, Own Your Hours.
Make it visual: Sticky notes, lists, emailing myself…anything I can do to create a visual reminder helps.
Pro tip: our visual system naturally ignores items it perceives as unhelpful, so move that sticky note to different locations every few days.
Manage stress and anxiety
Morning braindump: When I am overwhelmed or feeling distracted, I braindump my thoughts onto paper. This offloads my working memory and creates space for my executive function skills to thrive.
Go for a surf: Any exercise boosts dopamine levels, making it easier to get started on mundane tasks later in the day. Plus, it just feels good to start the day with a win!
Final Thoughts
Neorodivergent adults, especially those with ADHD, often feel like no system works for them. That’s because our brains are wired for novelty and stimulation. Tools and routines can lose their spark quickly.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
Instead of forcing the same system week after week, permit yourself to switch things up. That's how you improve cognitive flexibility.
I don’t use the same surfboard for every wave size, and you don’t need to use the same system for every day or task.
When the conditions change, your systems should too.
Here's what’s in my quiver of neurodivergent productivity strategies:
Music for a quick dopamine boost
Changing environments to fight boredom
Brain dumps to clear mental clutter
Calendars (digital and paper) for structure
Visual cues for short-term reminders
Morning exercise to boost energy
Writing everything down right away
Approach your systems like a creative scientist. One who is curious, flexible, and willing to experiment.
You have the freedom to change your system whenever you need to. Just match your “board” to today’s “waves.”
In service,
Eric
P.S. Free Mini Course: Break the Procrastination Cycle
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My free mini-course, Break the Procrastination Cycle, teaches the 4 emotions behind procrastination, how to spot them, and a proven toolkit to manage them—all in just 30 minutes
If you or someone you care about struggles with procrastination, this course is here to help.
About the Author
Eric Kaufmann is an Educational Therapist, Certified Executive Function Coach, and speaker. He is the Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, an executive function coaching company that helps adults and workplace teams overcome disorganization, procrastination, and productivity roadblocks. Eric is also the founder of Elevate Learning Solutions, an Educational Therapy practice that supports neurodivergent students in becoming independent and confident. Book Eric to speak or lead a workshop.
