Manage Your Time - Productivity for Neurodivergent Professionals

Can I be candid for a second? I was going to say honest, but that’s not it. Honesty goes without saying. I want to share something that I’d normally keep behind the scenes. The bad news: We’re pressing pause on the Happy Space Podcast for a few weeks.?

Why?

The main reason is that my editor has decided to go back to school and can’t manage both obligations. I’m so excited for her to follow her path. I’m putting the word out and trusting we’ll find the right next editor for this labour of love.

Also, two podcast guests postponed discussions planned for the next two episodes. Despite wanting to be ahead of the delivery date each time, I have not been able to get us there. Rather than adding pressure, I’ve decided to remove it. Can you feel the exhale?

The good news: I’ve got lots to share in this biweekly newsletter because of the two seasons of Happy Space Hot Topics I’ve delivered over Fishbowl Live - more on that below.

SHARPENING FOCUS

My vacation reading was Tom Webster “The Audience is Listening - A Little Guide to Building a Big Podcast” and he’s invited me to think about “who I am for”.?

I’m focusing on where I can add value. I started the podcast in April of 2022 for Highly Sensitive People (HSP), titling the podcast Happy Space Podcast (HSP) fimly embedding the connection to the topic. I’m a sucker for “clever”, even if it gets in my own way. I later described Happy Space as the place where “productivity meets inclusivity” and everyone gets things done. Now, I’m more clearly going to be having conversations with those who can inspire the creation of more Happy Spaces - those safe places where people can perform at their best. I’m looking at the curators of cultures, shapers of spaces, and engineers of experience to share their wisdom. It’s about the democratization of neurologically safe design in the name of greater inclusion. If you know of a guest that fits this bill, please do connect us.

Happy Space Hot Topics Part of the reason we got a bit behind on the podcast is that I took on a couple of seasons of sharing content over the Fishbowl Live audio app. While I work on future podcast episodes, I’ll be sharing summaries and videos of the conversations that took place on the app. We filmed them on Zoom so the videos will be shared here, as well. The April - June collection was a solo series on “Productivity for Neurodivergent Professionals”. I covered managing time, designing your space, speaking up for what you need, and behaviour change. The Sept - Nov collection is an interview series - my fave format. You can still sign up for the Oct 30 and Nov 13 conversations on Negotiating Team Agreements with organizational psychologist, Liane Davey , and Creating a Safe Space with Chief People Officer, Syntax, Dessalen Wood . Register at happyspacehottopics.com

Time management can be a challenge for anyone, but for neurodivergent professionals, it often feels like an uphill battle. Over the years, I’ve coached countless individuals who struggle to keep up with time, especially those with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent conditions. As someone who identifies as neurodivergent, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to feel like time is always slipping away.

That’s why I’m passionate about sharing strategies for managing time in a way that’s personalized and, more importantly, compassionate. We don’t all fit into the same mold, and expecting one-size-fits-all solutions to work is unrealistic. I’ve learned that productivity is personal, and it’s a message I aim to convey in everything I do.

Productivity is Personal

One of the first things I tell my clients is that productivity is personal. It’s not about following generic tips or tricks—it’s about understanding your own relationship with time and creating systems that work for you. This is especially important for neurodivergent individuals, as our perception of time can feel different from the norm.

I’ve worked with many clients who come to me feeling frustrated. They spend the entire day busy but often end it with a sense of “What did I actually accomplish?” That sense of uncertainty and lack of clarity can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. I’ve been there, and I understand how disorienting it can be. That’s why it’s so important to develop strategies that help us feel proud of what we’ve achieved, rather than constantly feeling like we’re falling behind.

Cultural Relationships with Time

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been raised in a culturally diverse household, which gave me a unique understanding of how different people relate to time. My mom is from England, and she instilled in me the importance of punctuality and structure—classic tea time traditions included! On the other hand, my dad, who’s from India, often experienced a much more fluid approach to time. “Indian Standard Time,” as we lovingly called it in our family, meant showing up a bit later, maybe even beyond fashionably late.

This blend of cultures helped me understand that time isn’t universal—our relationship with it is influenced by where and how we were raised. This realization became even more profound when I lived in Japan, where punctuality was practically a national virtue. Missing a train by just one minute could send you in a completely different direction!

Understanding these cultural nuances has helped me and my clients come to terms with our personal relationship with time. As neurodivergent professionals, we might not always align with society’s expectations about time. And that’s okay. The trick is to find what works for you while still meeting the expectations that matter.

The Struggle with Time Blindness

For many neurodivergent professionals, time can feel abstract—especially for those with ADHD, who often experience time blindness. This term refers to the inability to sense how much time has passed or how long something will take. Many of my clients describe time as “now” and “not now,” making it difficult to plan for the future or stick to deadlines.

I, too, struggle with time blindness, and it’s something I’ve had to learn to work around. One of the most helpful tools I’ve found is using analog clocks and timers. Digital clocks, while convenient, don’t give me the same sense of time passing. The physical movement of the hands on an analog clock helps ground me in the reality of time slipping by.

Another helpful tool is using a large, physical calendar that lets me see the entire month at a glance. It makes planning feel more tangible, and having a physical representation of time helps me better anticipate what’s coming next.

Building Time Awareness

Developing a better relationship with time doesn’t happen overnight, but there are strategies that can help make time feel less elusive. Here are a few that have made a world of difference for me:

1. Use Timers: Whether it’s a kitchen timer or an app, setting a timer helps me stay on track. I like to play “beat the clock” with myself, turning tasks into a game. For example, I’ll see how much I can get done in 15 minutes and try to finish before the timer goes off. It turns time management into something fun, not stressful.
2. Create Structure: Even if you don’t have a packed schedule, having a routine can bring much-needed structure to your day. I’ve often said that even my cats have a routine—they know exactly when it’s time to eat, sleep, and play. As humans, we need a similar structure, even if it’s as simple as setting specific times for meals, exercise, or relaxation.
3. Turn Time into a Physical Experience: For those of us who struggle with time blindness, it’s helpful to make time something you can interact with. I recommend using tools like visual timers or large, visible clocks that help you stay connected to the passage of time.

Navigating Hyperfocus

One of the superpowers of being neurodivergent is the ability to hyperfocus—getting so absorbed in a task that hours fly by without you realizing it. While hyperfocus can be incredibly productive, it also has its downsides. I’ve had days where I get so lost in a task that I can forget about everything else, leading me to deprioritize other activities.

To manage this, I’ve learned to set boundaries around hyperfocus. I start by asking myself, “What’s the cost of letting myself go down this rabbit hole?” By identifying potential consequences, I can make a conscious choice about whether to indulge in the hyperfocus or refocus my attention. I’ve found that this awareness makes all the difference.

Honoring Your Natural Rhythms

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of honoring my chronotype—my natural rhythm for sleep, wakefulness, and energy. Are you a morning person, or do you thrive in the evening? Knowing when you’re most alert can help you structure your day in a way that maximizes your productivity.

For me, I know that I’m at my best in the morning, so that’s when I tackle my most challenging or least-likely-to-do-when-tired tasks. I save more routine or relaxing activities for the afternoon when my energy starts to wane. By designing my day around my natural rhythms, I’m able to work more efficiently and avoid burnout.

Work Your PECS: Planning, Execution, and Calibration

I encourage my clients to think about time management as a cycle: planning, execution, and calibration. Here’s how it works:

1. Planning: Set your intention for the day. What do you want to accomplish? What are your priorities?
2. Execution: Do the task, staying mindful of how long it’s taking and how you feel about it.
3. Calibration: Reflect on how things went. Did you underestimate the time it would take? Did something distract you? Calibration is all about adjusting for next time.

This cycle has been a game-changer for me because it allows me to improve continuously. It also encourages self-compassion—if something didn’t go as planned, I choose to learn from it rather than beat myself up.

Making Time Tangible

The key to managing time as a neurodivergent professional is making time as tangible as possible. By using physical tools like analog clocks, calendars, and timers, you can create a more concrete relationship with time.

Time management isn’t about squeezing every minute out of the day—it’s about creating a system that works for you, one that helps you feel accomplished and in control. For neurodivergent individuals, that means finding strategies that align with our unique needs and respecting our personal relationship with time.

Speaking of time, thank you for spending yours here.

ps. Here again is the link again to register for Happy Space Hot Topics and the Zoom after parties. I look forward to seeing you there.

Links

Happy Space Podcast on Youtube

Happy Space Podcast page

Happy Space Hot Topics Sign-Up - an opportunity to join me and guest experts in conversation about designing inclusion