Most productivity advice is written by neurotypical people for neurotypical people. "Just write it down!" "Make a list!" "Set a reminder!" As if we haven't tried that a thousand times. Here's what actually works for ADHD brains.

The ADHD Paradox

ADHD doesn't mean you can't focus—it means you can't choose what to focus on. You have more thoughts than average, not fewer. The problem isn't having ideas; it's that they arrive at inconvenient times and vanish before you can act on them.

Why Traditional Tools Fail

Before we talk about what works, let's acknowledge why conventional productivity tools often don't:

❌ "Write it in your notebook"

Notebook isn't with you. Or you'll lose the notebook. Or you'll start 47 notebooks and never look at any of them again.

❌ "Organize it in folders"

Deciding which folder takes so long the idea is gone. Also, you won't remember which folder later.

❌ "Set a reminder"

You'll set 50 reminders, ignore all of them, and feel guilty about it.

❌ "Build a second brain system"

You'll hyperfocus on building the perfect system for 3 weeks, then abandon it entirely.

The ADHD-Friendly Tool Framework

Tools that actually work for ADHD brains share certain properties:

1. Zero Decisions Required

Every decision point is a chance to get distracted or give up. The best tools eliminate choices: one button, one action, done. No "where should this go?" No "how should I tag this?" Just capture and move on.

2. Works in Under 5 Seconds

ADHD working memory is shorter than neurotypical working memory. If your tool takes 10+ seconds to use, you've lost the thought. Voice capture beats typing because you can get the idea out before it evaporates.

3. Always Within Reach

Shower thoughts. Driving epiphanies. 3am revelations. If the capture tool isn't there in that moment, the idea is lost. Wearables, voice assistants, and always-on devices matter more for ADHD than for others.

4. Forgives Chaos

Your capture will be messy. Half-sentences, tangents, random observations. The tool should handle chaos gracefully—ideally, with AI that makes sense of the mess so you don't have to.

5. Finds Things You Half-Remember

"That thing I thought about last week about the project..." ADHD memory is associative and approximate. Search that requires exact keywords fails. Semantic search that understands meaning succeeds.

Tools Worth Trying

For Idea Capture: Voice-First Apps

Voice capture is transformative for ADHD. Speaking is faster than typing, requires less executive function, and preserves the natural flow of thought.

Try: Thoughtmarks, Otter, Voice Memos (but Thoughtmarks adds AI organization)

For Task Management: Body Doubling Apps

Working alongside others (even virtually) helps ADHD brains maintain focus. Body doubling apps create that accountability without requiring actual coordination.

Try: Focusmate, Flow Club, or even just Discord study channels

For Time Awareness: Visual Timers

Time blindness is real. Visual timers that show time passing (not just counting) help ADHD brains develop time awareness.

Try: Time Timer app, Visual Timer on Apple Watch

For Focus: Distraction Blockers

ADHD impulse control is weak. Remove the temptation entirely rather than relying on willpower. Block distracting sites and apps automatically.

Try: Freedom, Cold Turkey, Screen Time (built into iOS)

The Anti-Advice

What NOT to do:

• Don't try to build the perfect system. You'll hyperfocus on the system instead of using it.
• Don't add more tools. Each new tool is another thing to remember to use.
• Don't fight your brain. Work with how it functions, not against it.
• Don't feel guilty about "messy" capture. Messy but captured beats elegant and forgotten.

Built by Nick—Who Has ADHD

Thoughtmarks was built by a woodworking, filmmaking computer nerd with ADHD: 5-second voice capture, zero organization required, AI that handles the mess, and semantic search for half-remembered ideas.

14-day free trial. $5/week, $15/month, or $60/year.