I'm Busy Being Awesome
Paula Engebretson
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
8 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 29min
Episode 329: ADHD People Pleasing Holiday Edition: Why We Say Yes to Everything (+ How to Stop)
Dive into the complexities of holiday people-pleasing, especially for those with ADHD. Discover the emotional triggers and impulsive yeses that create anticipatory dread with every invitation. Explore rejection sensitivity and how it fuels the need to please others. Learn about a people-pleasing inventory to recognize patterns and understand your emotions. This insightful discussion reframes people-pleasing as a survival strategy, offering a nonjudgmental approach to breaking the cycle.
Nov 10, 2025 • 31min
Episode 328: Holiday Stress & ADHD: 5 Coping Strategies for a Calmer Season
Explore the holiday stress curve specifically for ADHD brains. Discover practical strategies to soften stress buildup and learn about the Good, Better, Best framework for managing expectations. Simplify tasks by asking what makes things easier and plan ahead with if-then strategies for predictable challenges. Understand how to complete the stress cycle during peak times and practice self-compassion post-holidays. Equip yourself with tools for a calmer, more meaningful season.
7 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 16min
Episode 327: ADHD Mental Fatigue or Resistance? How to Know Which One You're Experiencing
Discover the unique fluctuations of energy in ADHD and why understanding them is crucial. Explore the push–pull dilemma, where fatigue can feel like resistance, and learn how to differentiate between the two. Gain insights on assessing your energy levels with practical check-in questions. A guiding question about kindness helps clarify whether to rest or engage. Paula even shares a personal decision-making moment that illustrates this approach, encouraging listeners to embrace self-kindness in their choices.
10 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 27min
Episode 326: ADHD Activation and the Yerkes–Dodson Law
Explore how ADHD brains can swing between under-activation and overdrive, influenced by dopamine differences. Discover the Yerkes–Dodson Law, illustrating optimal performance at moderate activation. Learn how urgent behaviors can push you past your limits and why hyperfocus might signal burnout rather than productivity. Paula shares strategies for balancing activation, from energizing music to calming exercises. Track your moments on the curve to find steady, sustainable effort and avoid the pitfalls of constant overdrive.
9 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 23min
Episode 325: ADHD Object Permanence & 3 Tips to Support Your Brain
Explore how working memory affects daily life for those with ADHD. Discover the concept of object permanence and its impact on daily tasks like managing bills and medications. Learn three effective strategies to boost working memory, including visual cues and habit pairing. Gain insights into using reminders effectively and the benefits of keeping items visible. Paula also shares personal anecdotes and encourages choosing one small support to implement this week for a lighter cognitive load.
11 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 23min
Episode 324: ADHD Overwhelm Types - 4 Patterns and How to Manage Them
Explore the four overwhelm types that can affect those with ADHD: the driven Lion, the fast-moving Gazelle, the planning Turtle, and the empathetic Chameleon. Each type has unique triggers and coping patterns that can lead to burnout or avoidance. Discover how these patterns form over time and why they're not flaws but natural responses. Listeners can take a quiz to identify their type and learn strategies tailored to their needs, promoting personal growth and effective action.
10 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 16min
Episode 323: ADHD Habit Formation - 3 Powerful Ways to Build Habits That Last
Discover how a sneaky thought—'Let's see how long this lasts'—undermines habit formation. Explore the power of identity-based habits to lessen pressure and enhance consistency. Learn three practical strategies: use identity language, redefine consistency, and embrace judgement-free returns to strengthen your routines. Insights on overcoming doubt and building lasting habits will inspire anyone navigating life's challenges.
12 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 21min
Episode 322: 4 Ways To Manage Competing Priorities at Work
Explore how to identify high-interest projects that demand your attention and why managing them like credit cards can boost your productivity. Discover the concept of making 'minimum payments' on tasks to maintain mental clarity. Learn two effective strategies for tackling projects: the avalanche method for urgent tasks and the snowball method for a smoother approach. With a simple four-step plan, you can prioritize effectively and conquer overwhelm while maximizing your focus and energy.
Sep 22, 2025 • 25min
Episode 321: ADHD Chronic Overwhelm + 4 Steps To Deal With It
Explore the unique challenges of ADHD and the heavy toll of chronic overwhelm. Discover how to recognize overwhelm and its emotional, physical, and practical costs. Learn practical strategies to shift your mindset, turning overwhelm into a signal for action. Self-compassion and a growth mindset play key roles in regaining momentum. Plus, find helpful resources and quizzes to better understand your overwhelm type!
Sep 15, 2025 • 36min
Episode 320: 5 Best Productivity Books for ADHD Brains (That Actually Work)
Explore five transformative productivity books tailored for ADHD minds. Discover why these reads stand out and how they can revolutionize your approach to time management. Learn to identify which book can provide the most significant benefits for your unique needs. This conversation shifts the focus from traditional work hustle to embracing self-awareness and flexibility in productivity. Get ready to rethink your productivity strategies!
