In this discussion, Skye Waterson, an ADHD coach and academic, shares insights from her upcoming book, "Focused, Balanced Days with ADHD." She highlights personalized strategies for managing executive function challenges and reducing burnout. Skye emphasizes the importance of effective organizational tools, the balance between stimulation and focus, and the unique difficulties individuals with ADHD face during relaxation. She also critiques current ADHD research, urging for a flexible approach to enhance well-being and productivity.
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insights INSIGHT
Defining Executive Function
There's no single, universally agreed-upon definition of executive function.
This lack of clarity exists not only within the ADHD community but also across various mental health fields.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Strategies for Executive Function
Develop strategies for different executive function aspects and test their effectiveness.
Trust your own experience if something works for you, even if it deviates from typical approaches.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Skye's ADHD Journey
Skye Waterson didn't initially recognize her ADHD, attributing challenges to not finding the right career.
She often switched between different pursuits, believing the next one would be the perfect fit.
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This book by Skye Waterson offers practical advice and strategies for individuals with ADHD, particularly those diagnosed later in life. It focuses on how to manage distractions, capture and organize ideas, and maintain focus on important tasks. The book introduces concepts like the 'Dopamine Distraction Dial' and a three-step process to stay focused, which includes identifying common distractors, capturing ideas, and implementing a system to ensure tasks are completed without forgetting important details[1][3][4].
Hey Team!
This week we’ve got Skye Waterson of Unconventional Organization back on the show to talk about the book she’s working on, Focused, Balanced Days with ADHD. Skye is an academic and ADHD coach with over seven years of experience in adult education. She has studied various fields, including Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Population Health. Skye also hosts "The ADHD Skills Lab" podcast, where she discusses research-backed tips and advice to help individuals navigate life with ADHD.
Today, as I mentioned, we’re going to be getting into her serialized book that she’s releasing chapter by chapter as she works through them on Substack. Our discussion today focuses on what’s already been released, regarding Skye’s ADHD story and executive function but we also get into a whole host of other things from systems and calendars to burnout.
Avoid overcomplicating your organizational tools, and try to rely more on basic principles, such as having a capture space, a prioritization system, and a scheduling system.
Aim for 80% consistency with your systems and give yourself grace to bounce back after setbacks. No one will ever follow any system perfectly, so work on choosing tools and systems that can adapt to missed days without derailing your progress entirely.
Don’t forget to prioritize at least a little fun in your planning. Building dopamine into your day through enjoyable activities can help you stay consistent and avoid burnout.
Hacking Your ADHD 
