How I Trick My ADHD Brain Into Being Productive

I have a very chaotic ADHD brain, four children, I work full-time, and life can feel like a lot — yet somehow, I still manage to get things done. People often ask me, “How do you manage it, Rhi?” And honestly? I’ve just found ways to trick my ADHD brain into being productive — even when it doesn’t want to be.

So if you feel like you’re drowning in tasks, chaos, and overwhelm, and you just can’t seem to get anything done, you’re not alone. This is the blog for you.

And if you’re wondering, “Hmm… maybe I have ADHD, but I’m not sure,” I’ve got something that might help. Grab my free printable — 100 Signs of ADHD You Might Be Missing. It’s not a medical diagnostic tool, but it’s a fantastic starting point to help you recognise patterns and start the conversation with your GP or healthcare provider.

Think you might have ADHD?

Or just curious if your everyday struggles are more than just “being disorganised”? Download my free guide: 100 Signs Of ADHD You Might Be Missing. It’s packed with the real-life traits I only recognised after my diagnosis at 40. If you’ve ever said “I thought that was just me”… this is for you.

ad affiliate disclosure – this blog post may contain affiliate links

Quick disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or medical professional — just a mum who was diagnosed with ADHD at 40 and has been learning (and unlearning) a lot ever since. These are simply the signs and patterns I’ve noticed in myself as I’ve started understanding how my brain works. Just because you relate to some of these things doesn’t mean you do have ADHD — and just because you don’t tick every box doesn’t mean you don’t. If anything here resonates and you have questions, please do speak to your GP or a qualified healthcare professional.

Outsourcing My Brain (Because I Can’t Hold It All)

If it’s not written down or recorded somewhere, it basically doesn’t exist. Relying on my memory is a one-way ticket to disaster. So, I outsource my brain in a few different ways:

• Digital calendars that are synced with the whole family
• Recurring events for things like swimming, dance, PE kits — so we don’t have to think about them
• Alarms that go off to remind me to stop work and collect the children (because time blindness is real)

Most of all, I use my Organised Life Planner. I created it because no planner I bought ever worked quite right for my ADHD brain. Mine has 30-minute time blocking, space for brain dumps (aka the ADHD side quests), to-do lists, habit tracking — the lot.

And if I’m not near my planner, I’ll add things to a brain dump note on my phone. The key is: get it out of your brain.

Meet Me: Mum of Four With an ADHD Brain

Hi! I’m Rhiannon (everyone calls me Rhi), and I’m a busy ADHD-brained mum of four — though two of them are taller than me now! I also have four children with autism, which adds a whole extra layer to our daily lives.

I used to think I was just bad at mum life, constantly trying to hack it. Turns out, I was actually trying to hack ADHD life without realising it. Now I build routines, systems and strategies that actually work, and I share them all inside my Organised Life Club.

Let me know in the comments — are you also ADHD? Diagnosed or just figuring it out like I was?

Making It Easy & Obvious (for Future Me)

Another way I stay on top of things is by setting up systems that make it easy to do the things I mean to do. For example:

• Supplements go in a basket I leave out the night before, so I actually take them in the morning
• Hay fever meds? I’ve got a daily reminder
• Cleaning cloths in the bathroom, so when the mood strikes, I can clean right then
• Workout gear lives in the room I’ll use it in — yoga mat behind the sofa, dumbbells in a toy box in the living room

If I have to go hunting for something, I’ll get distracted and forget what I was even trying to do.

Habit Stacking & Productivity Anchors

I’m big on habit stacking. That means pairing something I need to do (but might put off) with something I already do, or even something I enjoy. Like:

• Using my walking pad while I work at my desk
• Listening to a podcast while decluttering
• Watching a Netflix show while cooking dinner

Walking Pad

I also use productivity anchors — little things that signal to my brain, “We’re in work mode now.”

• My Tenzing drink makes me feel productive
• My pink water bottle is cute, so I actually drink from it
• My indoor “go shoes” (yes, really) make me feel faster and more energised

Do these things sound a little silly? Maybe. Do they work? Absolutely.

Destructive Decluttering & Fake Deadlines

One of my most chaotic-but-effective strategies is what I call destructive decluttering. Instead of pulling out one drawer, I’ll tip out the whole cupboard. Why? Because then I have to finish it. There’s no going back.

It’s a bit mean to future me, but finished me is always grateful.

I also create fake deadlines — like setting a timer (Pomodoro-style) or giving myself a task to complete by lunchtime. Even though I work for myself, I create accountability through routines, upload schedules, and by promising things inside the Organised Life Club — like when printables will be live or when we’re holding our next workshop.

That accountability really works for my ADHD brain.

The Power of Templates, Checklists & Accountability

My ADHD brain is constantly worried I’ve forgotten something. So I rely heavily on templates, outlines and checklists— and I’ve created loads of them inside the Organised Life Club.

Whether it’s packing for a trip, planning meals, or preparing for a new school term, there’s probably a printable or checklist I’ve made to help me — and you.

We also hold a monthly planning party inside the Club. It’s the perfect reset: we reflect on the month gone by, set goals, and build a plan for the one ahead. It helps me stay focused, and it gives other women that same calm sense of control.

If you haven’t joined us yet, you can get started for free at mummyoffour.com/join — or upgrade for even more support, exclusive content and all the printables.

Minimising Distractions (Because Everything Is a Distraction)

I keep my notifications OFF — always. During work hours, only my children’s school or my family can get through to me. Social media, email, all of it — completely off unless I’ve chosen to check it.

I also need clear physical space. A cluttered desk = a cluttered mind. So I make sure the rooms I work or rest in are as tidy as possible, even if the rest of the house is a little… lived in.

Making Things Pretty (It Actually Helps)

I know I’m more likely to use my planner if it’s pretty. So I colour code it with highlighters. I use erasable pens so I don’t feel scared of “ruining” it. I decorate my desk. I drink out of a pink water bottle. I create a space that feels good — because when it looks nice, I actually want to sit down and do the thing.

Even rewards help. No sticker charts here, but I’ll tell myself, “Once I finish this job, I can have a treat, or a show, or a nice lunch.” It works.

Eat the Frog (and Start Small)

If there’s something I’m dreading — the big, annoying, frog of a task — I try to do it first thing. That way, the rest of the day feels lighter.

If I’m really stuck, I just start tiny. I tell myself I’m just going to do one thing. And often, that’s enough to build momentum and keep going.

Understanding My ADHD Changed Everything

For most of my life, I thought I was just bad at adulting, or lazy, or failing at mum life. But the truth is — I have ADHD. And understanding that helped me stop beating myself up, and start working with my brain instead of against it.

Now I use the systems, tools and routines I’ve built — and I share them inside the Organised Life Club so you don’t have to figure it out the hard way.

You don’t need to be perfect to be productive. You just need to find what works for you.

Come and join us — and if you haven’t already, download your 100 ADHD Signs printable. It might just be the beginning of making your life easier too.

See you soon,

Rhi x

Join My Organised Life Club

Get My Free Ultimate Mum Bundle Of Organisation Printables

Ready to take your organisation to the next level? I’ve created the Ultimate Mum Bundle of Organisation Printables to help you stay on track and bring some order to the chaos. Best of all, it’s completely FREE! This bundle includes everything from meal planners and weekly schedules to budgeting sheets and more – all designed to make life a little easier for busy mums like you. Download your free bundle today and start organising your life with ease!

Create Your Own Organised Life Binder (My Secret Weapon)

One of the best tools I’ve used to stay organised and on top of everything is my Organised Life Binder. It’s my secret weapon for managing all the chaos of daily life – from family schedules and meal planning to work tasks and self-care. With everything in one place, I can easily track goals, plan ahead, and keep myself focused. In this post, I’ll show you how to create your own binder so you can experience the same sense of clarity and control in your life!

Grab The Resource I WISH I Had When My Kids Were Being Assessed For Autism

Navigating the autism assessment process can be overwhelming, and when my kids were going through it, I wish I had a resource to help me stay organised and on top of everything. That’s why I’ve created a comprehensive Autism Journey Journal. This resource is everything I wish I’d had at the time – a place to record dates, appointments, meeting notes, and reflections, all while helping you stay prepared every step of the way. Grab your copy now and make the process a little bit easier for you and your family.

Shop My Planners

Watch My Latest YouTube Video

Watch More From My Magical Adventures Channel

Check out the latest video from my Magical Adventures channel! You may know it as Mummy of Four Does Disney, and I’m still sharing Disney videos every weekend. But now, I’m also bringing you along for our magical family days out and mini-breaks across the UK too! Don’t miss out on all the fun—watch the latest adventure here.