Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Episode 100: Joey and Jeremy

Apr 17, 2025

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Welcome to Episode 100!

This special milestone episode is a no-guest conversation between your hosts Joey and Jeremy. After 100 episodes, they reflect on lessons learned about productivity, focus, neurodivergence, energy management, and finding joy in everyday work.

JN: What has changed in your routines since starting the podcast?

Joey: Shifted to working with ultradian rhythms: 90 minutes focus, 30 minutes break.
Jeremy: Focused more on energy management, not time management. Uses longer focus blocks instead of strict Pomodoros.

JN: How do you apply Pomodoro alongside ultradian rhythms?

Joey: Adjusted breaks for eyesight and movement. Micro-stretches every 30 minutes.
Jeremy: Uses Focus Bear to cue breaks when natural pauses happen. Breaks spark creativity.

JN: How has your work-life balance evolved?

Jeremy: More meetings now, harder to find long focus blocks. Misses the "maker schedule" days.
Joey: Importance of "keystone habits" like journaling. When they slip, everything else follows.

JN: How do you prioritize when things get overwhelming?

Jeremy: Weekly accountability call, paper notes, and identifying the three most important tasks daily.
Joey: Returns to fundamental routines (morning and evening journaling) to regain clarity.

JN: What are your current capture systems?

Jeremy: Paper inbox for short-term, medium-term, and long-term tasks.
Joey: Hybrid journaling system—handwriting for stream-of-consciousness, typing for daily logs.

JN: How do you use journaling for insight?

Joey: Tracks convergence and divergence from personal values.
Jeremy: Journals help identify "intrinsic motivation" versus "extrinsic obligation."

JN: How do you approach "sunk cost fallacy" and project decisions?

Jeremy: Reflects on intrinsic joy versus external obligation. Wants to move toward more internally motivated projects.
Joey: Discusses reframing tough situations to reclaim agency.

JN: How do you inject creativity into boring tasks?

Jeremy: Takes the "scenic route" on tasks (e.g., scripting automation instead of manually updating diagrams) to make work more fun

JN: What role does environment play in focus and creativity?

Joey: Walks in nature for creative thinking.
Jeremy: Flights and long train rides without WiFi help with deep reading and focus.

JN: How do coworking spaces fit into your workflow?

Joey: Home is the cave; coworking spaces offer diffuse, social stimulation.
Jeremy: Sees coworking as a "cathedral" space for connection.

JN: Final reflections after 100 episodes?

Grateful for the journey, lessons learned, and excited for the next 100 episodes!
Invite listeners to suggest guests or topics.