My low-pressure daily structure that supports my ADHD brain, helps combat burnout, and allows me to get just enough done — even when it feels like I have open, boundless time
I really needed to read this today, thank you! What a great idea, I will definitely be trying this out. I’m currently unemployed and flip flopping between enjoying the feeling of stepping back and resting and feeling guilty for not being more productive. I thought I would use this time to explore creative ideas but I just don’t prioritise those tasks because of the visibility of household chores (I cannot sit in my house if the kitchen is messy 😁). Maybe I can do one creative thing every day- it’s a good start. I’m inspired!
SO glad you found it and that it's resonating. Hope you have luck with it. It's really easy (for me!) to feel like I should be doing more with all of this 'free' time. I think one creative thing is a great start! You may surprise yourself with how that momentum carries you, too :).
I wish I had this structure when I was unemployed. I have written it down and will jump into it immediately if (and probably when) it happens to me again. I was wondering how would you use this list for someone who is employed but still struggles with trying to do the same list? Do you have any advice how to break down a working person's to do list?
Thanks for reading, Brittni! I'm glad it resonates — I, too, wish you had this when you're unemployed. Hopefully, you won't need it for THAT reason ever again, unless you choose that path! ;)
I've been thinking a lot about how to adapt this to different situations, specifically how this could be adapted to those employed/working for a 'boss'/outside the home/etc. When I was working, I would follow a 'list out 3 work-things you want to do, and aim to get one completely done' type of day. My work was meeting-heavy, and my work out of meetings was very task-based, so this was realistic and worked well.
What I love about this framework, though, is that it really does ask you to consider the other areas in your life that are important. So, if I were working, I might follow a similar "list out three work things a day" mentality, but then I'd pick ONE to add to my 'four things'. Then, the other things would be smaller than they are now, given that I'd have 8 hours/day dedicated to that paid work. So maybe a 'creative' task is 10 minutes of writing on a break; a personal task could be take a shower before work (or after); my household task 'load the dishwasher' or 'pack my lunch'.
Another thing I just thought of — could you apply the framework to four areas of your work? Not knowing what you do, but I wonder if your work to-do list could be segmented into similar categories? I just thought of this and haven't tested, so mileage may vary :).
Thanks for the question!! I've been thinking a lot about this and am working on a follow up, to hopefully go live in the next few weeks, so glad to know someone else is thinking about it too. If you try this (or something based on it) in your work day, I'd love to know!
Thanks so much for your reply! There's a lot of good framework here to break down. I like the idea of having those tasks be like 10 minutes and under -. Part of me thinks length of a task is sometimes the hardest thing to process with tasks. Some are repetitive like showers and dishes, but some like a car wash, or finally getting that outline done takes more time so maybe there's a way to break things down into categories but also by smaller to bigger.
Julie! This is fantastic. My daily to-do list is usually a total mixtape of random tasks, and my virgo brain loves the idea of organizing it into your four things framework. Seriously. I love this. And the building momentum point is so true -- kinda reminds me of every time I exercise when I don't want to. I'll tell myself I'll just run for 10 minutes but it usually ends up turning into at least 20 more.
I hope something here works for you! It gives shape to lists that otherwise feel shapeless.
And yes, totally agree on the workout front. So often I do the same — do 5 min of the workout, see what happens. 9/10 times I move through everything I wanted to. And that one time I stop after 5 minutes? It’s the reason why I give myself that permission to stop. Because I know once I get started I’ll be able to tell if I actually am not in the mood for it or not.
Julie this is such a great way to approach it! I'm adding it to the Internet People newsletter that goes out in two weeks! Sooooo helpful for so many people
I really needed to read this today, thank you! What a great idea, I will definitely be trying this out. I’m currently unemployed and flip flopping between enjoying the feeling of stepping back and resting and feeling guilty for not being more productive. I thought I would use this time to explore creative ideas but I just don’t prioritise those tasks because of the visibility of household chores (I cannot sit in my house if the kitchen is messy 😁). Maybe I can do one creative thing every day- it’s a good start. I’m inspired!
Ps I love your newsletter name and want to steal it 😁
SO glad you found it and that it's resonating. Hope you have luck with it. It's really easy (for me!) to feel like I should be doing more with all of this 'free' time. I think one creative thing is a great start! You may surprise yourself with how that momentum carries you, too :).
I wish I had this structure when I was unemployed. I have written it down and will jump into it immediately if (and probably when) it happens to me again. I was wondering how would you use this list for someone who is employed but still struggles with trying to do the same list? Do you have any advice how to break down a working person's to do list?
Thanks for reading, Brittni! I'm glad it resonates — I, too, wish you had this when you're unemployed. Hopefully, you won't need it for THAT reason ever again, unless you choose that path! ;)
I've been thinking a lot about how to adapt this to different situations, specifically how this could be adapted to those employed/working for a 'boss'/outside the home/etc. When I was working, I would follow a 'list out 3 work-things you want to do, and aim to get one completely done' type of day. My work was meeting-heavy, and my work out of meetings was very task-based, so this was realistic and worked well.
What I love about this framework, though, is that it really does ask you to consider the other areas in your life that are important. So, if I were working, I might follow a similar "list out three work things a day" mentality, but then I'd pick ONE to add to my 'four things'. Then, the other things would be smaller than they are now, given that I'd have 8 hours/day dedicated to that paid work. So maybe a 'creative' task is 10 minutes of writing on a break; a personal task could be take a shower before work (or after); my household task 'load the dishwasher' or 'pack my lunch'.
Another thing I just thought of — could you apply the framework to four areas of your work? Not knowing what you do, but I wonder if your work to-do list could be segmented into similar categories? I just thought of this and haven't tested, so mileage may vary :).
Thanks for the question!! I've been thinking a lot about this and am working on a follow up, to hopefully go live in the next few weeks, so glad to know someone else is thinking about it too. If you try this (or something based on it) in your work day, I'd love to know!
Thanks so much for your reply! There's a lot of good framework here to break down. I like the idea of having those tasks be like 10 minutes and under -. Part of me thinks length of a task is sometimes the hardest thing to process with tasks. Some are repetitive like showers and dishes, but some like a car wash, or finally getting that outline done takes more time so maybe there's a way to break things down into categories but also by smaller to bigger.
Julie! This is fantastic. My daily to-do list is usually a total mixtape of random tasks, and my virgo brain loves the idea of organizing it into your four things framework. Seriously. I love this. And the building momentum point is so true -- kinda reminds me of every time I exercise when I don't want to. I'll tell myself I'll just run for 10 minutes but it usually ends up turning into at least 20 more.
I hope something here works for you! It gives shape to lists that otherwise feel shapeless.
And yes, totally agree on the workout front. So often I do the same — do 5 min of the workout, see what happens. 9/10 times I move through everything I wanted to. And that one time I stop after 5 minutes? It’s the reason why I give myself that permission to stop. Because I know once I get started I’ll be able to tell if I actually am not in the mood for it or not.
For me, this works really similarly.
Julie this is such a great way to approach it! I'm adding it to the Internet People newsletter that goes out in two weeks! Sooooo helpful for so many people
🤗 thanks Anna! Hope it’s helpful to anyone who needs it🫶
This is brilliant! I'm in the same scenario right now, and this is such a smart way to approach it
Thanks Janna! I’m glad it resonated with you, and I’m sorry you’re in this scenario too — hoping this makes things the slightest bit easier!
I needed this when I was in between jobs this summer! Such a great approach :)