The whole setting a timer thing…let me just say that I only recently started putting a basic overview of tasks in my phone calendar (such as from 9am-10:30 eat breakfast, make a daily plan… from 11-1 work on xyz…) and then setting alarms on my phone to remind me to switch more detailed tasks within that schedule. (So I have one to remind myself to eat lunch at a certain time on my in-person yoga class days, and I have one to remind me to get ready to leave) and I know people have been doing this for ages but I’m like “Wow, I’m so productive now!” I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner
It's a game changer and if you ever explain to someone that they should consider putting something like "Eat lunch" or "Pick Son up from school" on your calendar they'll either look at you like you have two heads, because "How could you forget to do those things." or they'll take their phone out and either show you that they do it too, or start putting things in it!
Thanks for reading Tiffany, I'm glad you found something that works.
Me too, the only problem being harnessing it to use it on the right things. I can turn a quick easy win like tidying my desk into rearranging all of the desks in the office rather than what I'm actually supposed to be doing!
I love this!!! I'm going to reread at the beginning of tomorrow. As a freelancer, I do allow myself to circulate among tasks, but I think this metaphor is going to help me pay attention to different types and fine-tune the process. Looking forward to reading more from you, Mark!
I'm a freelancer too, and having that flexibility to set your schedule and walk away if you need to has been life-changing for me. I've never been happier or more productive since I found a method that worked for me.
I’m glad you found what works for you, Virg, going to use this opportunity to say I had the obvious typo “bland” instead of “blend” which I left in, and then I meant “Laid” but said “Lait”, I also added an apostrophe, I’m hoping those were the ones you found because nothing was underlined!
Thank you 😊 I'm not sure if being a freelancer would be more or less freeing, making all of your decisions on what to work on rather than being served tasks. 🤔
Love this! Your articles are always so creative, Mark! ✨ I resonate with this too. I can focus for hours but only when I'm in the flow, not when it's forced. I find that it's best to lean into my energy and embrace the chaos—a messy start is better than not starting at all. The important thing is to just keep making progress 💖
Thanks Alea, I’m finding that I really enjoy writing things like this, so it’s great so many people seem to feel the same 😊
The trouble with work you have to do, rathe than want to do is that it always feels forced 😂 being able to flit over to something else though is as good as a rest sometimes.
Thanks Alea 😊I mostly will stick to being me, I do have the odd day where I get to be angry Mark though, and I do especially enjoy writing little rants that mostly never see the light of day, but I do have a post tentatively named “Write Angry” that might see the light of day in the future. Other than that though, I’ll continue to be not angry me, it’s more fun that way.
I loved this piece. I have never been diagnosed with ADHD, but I have many of the same issues that ADHD'ers do. I am saving this one for later review. I found two typos! Love, Virg
Thanks Virg, for both reading it, enjoying it and the treasure hunt you are about to send me on looking for the typos!! I’m hoping they are underlined!!
I always find my typos after I hit publish! My brain has always gone faster than my fingers can write. Back when I used a pen, and even as a typist and I’m a fast one! No shame in your game, Mark. Authentic writing is what’s most important. A couple of typos don’t matter, our brains are quite adept at filling in the correct sequence or missing word or punctuation. That’s one problem I find as a freelancer. I get blind to mistakes in my own writing because I know what I want to say, and my brain doesn’t alert me to all errors. I need to step away and do something else, then come back and re-read with a fine -toothed comb for the second pass edits.
What you said about not spotting mistakes because you know what you want to say, yes! My natural writing process is just bang out the first draft, stream of consciousness style, typos and all, my fingers are pretty good at keeping up, my thumbs too on my phone, then edit it a bit to make it read better then I get bored of it, leave it for a while and come back with fresh eyes.
I’m just waiting for the time I hit publish and I leave in the text placeholder that says [Insert picture of sentient biscuits here] instead of actually adding the picture 😂
I don’t mind the odd typo if I’m honest, it’s much easier to spot someone else’s than your own though.
I can relate to so much of this Mark. I've started leaning into my natural tendencies more, and for me, watching TV or movies really helps shut my brain off—it’s honestly the only thing that does. For the longest time, I’d beat myself up for doing that, but I’ve stopped punishing myself and just let it be part of my process.
And you’re so right—things aren’t linear when it comes to getting stuff done. Like last night, I worked a 12-hour stretch almost nonstop, but then there are days when even five hours feels impossible. It’s like the energy comes in waves, and it’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it.
I think we get the ideas in our head of what we "should" be doing and feel guilty when we stray from it. Just realising that we can actually do whatever works is really freeing, if that's binging on TV that's great.
I don't like engaging TV but if it's a film I've seen a million times on in the background for "company" that's helpful.
I see your "waves" example it's all or nothing sometimes and that also feels wrong! But why? It's our body or brain telling us to take a break.
We have access to so much more info than we used to. It’s easier than ever to find others experiencing similar things, so it does help normalize it which does help us accept behavior society may view as “wrong” or less than ideal.
Realising “you can” do things is freeing. Not in a motivational sense. When I was little I was allowed to play out, but only around where I lived, and that was my bubble. Friends at school asked if I wanted to play football and I said no, because I wasn’t allowed to the football field, it was too far from my house. That lasted a while until I mentioned the other kids were playing football one day so that’s why I wasn’t playing in the street, my mum asked “Didn’t I want to play?” I said yes, but I’m not allowed. She told me it was fine, as long as she knew where I was and I remember that being so freeing, I was allowed! I could. I just didn’t because I was in a cage of my own making.
All that to say, sometimes we put ourselves in that cage because we don’t know any better, and it’s other people sharing their experiences that teach us there is often a better way. It’s what I hope to do sharing the things I learn or think about and if it helps someone else like I have been helped then that’s amazing!
That’s interesting Mark because many times our parents do put those constraints on and then we take those with us into adulthood. It sounds like your mother giving you permission allowed you realize at a younger age you were restricting yourself.
It makes me wonder what other unnecessary things we bring from childhood that we don't realise.
My partner leaves a little tea in every mug and won't drink it all, why? Because that's what her parents used to do, and their parents before them, from before teabags were a thing and you wouldn't want to drink the loose leaves which had settled on the bottom.
We need to allow ourselves to drink all of the tea ☕
Now that's interesting… But yes I agree we need to drink all of the tea or at least examine why we're doing certain behaviors and whether they still serve us.
I really like the metaphor of cooking with multiple pots, burners, etc. to name different large and small activities, and giving time and energy for them, so everything progresses. Like you I cannot do one thing for hours on end - except reading novels when on vacation - but instead break-up projects into blocks of time and activities, which I’ve learned to evaluate based on work required. But I go with the flow, and if I’m “in the zone” and things are flowing I stick with it until it ends and reorganize my planning. I live by my Outlook Calendar because I need to externally visualise, and this discovery made a huge difference. Here’s the post I wrote about last year (https://brynstorming.substack.com/p/time-management)
It sounds very familiar Bryn! I love a good metaphor, I think linking something potentially confusing to something familiar really links a process together for me, so I am glad you liked it.
The whole setting a timer thing…let me just say that I only recently started putting a basic overview of tasks in my phone calendar (such as from 9am-10:30 eat breakfast, make a daily plan… from 11-1 work on xyz…) and then setting alarms on my phone to remind me to switch more detailed tasks within that schedule. (So I have one to remind myself to eat lunch at a certain time on my in-person yoga class days, and I have one to remind me to get ready to leave) and I know people have been doing this for ages but I’m like “Wow, I’m so productive now!” I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner
It's a game changer and if you ever explain to someone that they should consider putting something like "Eat lunch" or "Pick Son up from school" on your calendar they'll either look at you like you have two heads, because "How could you forget to do those things." or they'll take their phone out and either show you that they do it too, or start putting things in it!
Thanks for reading Tiffany, I'm glad you found something that works.
That hyperfocus is what fascinates me. Like a terrier down a rabbit hole.
Me too, the only problem being harnessing it to use it on the right things. I can turn a quick easy win like tidying my desk into rearranging all of the desks in the office rather than what I'm actually supposed to be doing!
I love this!!! I'm going to reread at the beginning of tomorrow. As a freelancer, I do allow myself to circulate among tasks, but I think this metaphor is going to help me pay attention to different types and fine-tune the process. Looking forward to reading more from you, Mark!
I'm a freelancer too, and having that flexibility to set your schedule and walk away if you need to has been life-changing for me. I've never been happier or more productive since I found a method that worked for me.
I’m glad you found what works for you, Virg, going to use this opportunity to say I had the obvious typo “bland” instead of “blend” which I left in, and then I meant “Laid” but said “Lait”, I also added an apostrophe, I’m hoping those were the ones you found because nothing was underlined!
Thank you 😊 I'm not sure if being a freelancer would be more or less freeing, making all of your decisions on what to work on rather than being served tasks. 🤔
Love this! Your articles are always so creative, Mark! ✨ I resonate with this too. I can focus for hours but only when I'm in the flow, not when it's forced. I find that it's best to lean into my energy and embrace the chaos—a messy start is better than not starting at all. The important thing is to just keep making progress 💖
Thanks Alea, I’m finding that I really enjoy writing things like this, so it’s great so many people seem to feel the same 😊
The trouble with work you have to do, rathe than want to do is that it always feels forced 😂 being able to flit over to something else though is as good as a rest sometimes.
I agree! Allowing your brain to relax and do other things is actually more productive than forcing your way into completing a task :)
Also keep being you, Mark! 💖 As a reader, I can also feel how much you enjoyed writing this piece~ I love seeing writers having fun with their craft ✨
Thanks Alea 😊I mostly will stick to being me, I do have the odd day where I get to be angry Mark though, and I do especially enjoy writing little rants that mostly never see the light of day, but I do have a post tentatively named “Write Angry” that might see the light of day in the future. Other than that though, I’ll continue to be not angry me, it’s more fun that way.
I loved this piece. I have never been diagnosed with ADHD, but I have many of the same issues that ADHD'ers do. I am saving this one for later review. I found two typos! Love, Virg
Thanks Virg, for both reading it, enjoying it and the treasure hunt you are about to send me on looking for the typos!! I’m hoping they are underlined!!
I always find my typos after I hit publish! My brain has always gone faster than my fingers can write. Back when I used a pen, and even as a typist and I’m a fast one! No shame in your game, Mark. Authentic writing is what’s most important. A couple of typos don’t matter, our brains are quite adept at filling in the correct sequence or missing word or punctuation. That’s one problem I find as a freelancer. I get blind to mistakes in my own writing because I know what I want to say, and my brain doesn’t alert me to all errors. I need to step away and do something else, then come back and re-read with a fine -toothed comb for the second pass edits.
What you said about not spotting mistakes because you know what you want to say, yes! My natural writing process is just bang out the first draft, stream of consciousness style, typos and all, my fingers are pretty good at keeping up, my thumbs too on my phone, then edit it a bit to make it read better then I get bored of it, leave it for a while and come back with fresh eyes.
I’m just waiting for the time I hit publish and I leave in the text placeholder that says [Insert picture of sentient biscuits here] instead of actually adding the picture 😂
I don’t mind the odd typo if I’m honest, it’s much easier to spot someone else’s than your own though.
Great metaphors!!!
Thanks Nolan, ever since I started writing I love a good metaphor, perhaps I went through a metaphor-phasis?!
I can relate to so much of this Mark. I've started leaning into my natural tendencies more, and for me, watching TV or movies really helps shut my brain off—it’s honestly the only thing that does. For the longest time, I’d beat myself up for doing that, but I’ve stopped punishing myself and just let it be part of my process.
And you’re so right—things aren’t linear when it comes to getting stuff done. Like last night, I worked a 12-hour stretch almost nonstop, but then there are days when even five hours feels impossible. It’s like the energy comes in waves, and it’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it.
I think we get the ideas in our head of what we "should" be doing and feel guilty when we stray from it. Just realising that we can actually do whatever works is really freeing, if that's binging on TV that's great.
I don't like engaging TV but if it's a film I've seen a million times on in the background for "company" that's helpful.
I see your "waves" example it's all or nothing sometimes and that also feels wrong! But why? It's our body or brain telling us to take a break.
We have access to so much more info than we used to. It’s easier than ever to find others experiencing similar things, so it does help normalize it which does help us accept behavior society may view as “wrong” or less than ideal.
Realising “you can” do things is freeing. Not in a motivational sense. When I was little I was allowed to play out, but only around where I lived, and that was my bubble. Friends at school asked if I wanted to play football and I said no, because I wasn’t allowed to the football field, it was too far from my house. That lasted a while until I mentioned the other kids were playing football one day so that’s why I wasn’t playing in the street, my mum asked “Didn’t I want to play?” I said yes, but I’m not allowed. She told me it was fine, as long as she knew where I was and I remember that being so freeing, I was allowed! I could. I just didn’t because I was in a cage of my own making.
All that to say, sometimes we put ourselves in that cage because we don’t know any better, and it’s other people sharing their experiences that teach us there is often a better way. It’s what I hope to do sharing the things I learn or think about and if it helps someone else like I have been helped then that’s amazing!
Sorry to make you read all that Bette!
That’s interesting Mark because many times our parents do put those constraints on and then we take those with us into adulthood. It sounds like your mother giving you permission allowed you realize at a younger age you were restricting yourself.
It makes me wonder what other unnecessary things we bring from childhood that we don't realise.
My partner leaves a little tea in every mug and won't drink it all, why? Because that's what her parents used to do, and their parents before them, from before teabags were a thing and you wouldn't want to drink the loose leaves which had settled on the bottom.
We need to allow ourselves to drink all of the tea ☕
Now that's interesting… But yes I agree we need to drink all of the tea or at least examine why we're doing certain behaviors and whether they still serve us.
I really like the metaphor of cooking with multiple pots, burners, etc. to name different large and small activities, and giving time and energy for them, so everything progresses. Like you I cannot do one thing for hours on end - except reading novels when on vacation - but instead break-up projects into blocks of time and activities, which I’ve learned to evaluate based on work required. But I go with the flow, and if I’m “in the zone” and things are flowing I stick with it until it ends and reorganize my planning. I live by my Outlook Calendar because I need to externally visualise, and this discovery made a huge difference. Here’s the post I wrote about last year (https://brynstorming.substack.com/p/time-management)
It sounds very familiar Bryn! I love a good metaphor, I think linking something potentially confusing to something familiar really links a process together for me, so I am glad you liked it.
I'll see you on your post, thanks for reading!