Organizational Hacks for Professionals with ADHD to Excel

Seeking career advancement but concerned about how ADHD might impact your professional aspirations? While ADHD does present certain challenges, it need not be a barrier to your success. In fact, understanding how to manage your ADHD can actually enhance your workplace capabilities. Here are four practical tips from professionals who have successfully navigated these challenges.

Hack #1: Establish a Structured Daily Routine

Peter Shankman, an entrepreneur diagnosed with ADHD in his thirties and host of the podcast “Faster Than Normal,” emphasizes the importance of a structured daily routine for professionals with ADHD. Scheduling tasks like email responses, phone calls, and meetings for specific times can help maintain focus throughout the day. Establishing a morning routine can also prepare you for the day, allowing you to focus your energy more effectively.

Hack #2: Use Daily To-Do Lists

Productivity can be a challenge for busy professionals, especially those with ADHD. Jack Kosakowski, CEO of the U.S. divisions of Creation Agency and SkillsLab, uses a simple whiteboard to keep track of daily tasks. He lists immediate tasks on a small whiteboard at his desk and larger, long-term projects on another board. This method helps him stay focused and prioritize tasks throughout the day.

Hack #3: Embrace Transparency at Work

Damien Hooper-Campbell, who has held leadership roles at companies like eBay, Zoom, and StockX, has found that being open about his ADHD has benefitted his career. By disclosing his ADHD during interviews, such as with eBay, he established transparency from the start, which helped build stronger connections with colleagues and facilitated understanding and accommodations at work.

Hack #4: Leverage Your ADHD Strengths

Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, views his ADHD as a significant asset, particularly his ability to hyperfocus, which has been crucial to his success. Recognizing and utilizing the strengths associated with ADHD, such as hyperfocus, divergent thinking, and high energy, can transform potential drawbacks into valuable assets in the workplace.

By implementing these strategies, professionals with ADHD can not only manage their symptoms but also harness their unique abilities to achieve greater success in their careers.