Let’s talk productivity. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just not productive enough—maybe you’ve even labeled yourself as a procrastinator or a professional time-waster—this one’s for you. As neurodivergent folks, we often find ourselves trapped in stories we’ve created about our productivity, or worse, stories other people have told us. It’s time to change the narrative and own our productivity style. Ready for a little snarky wisdom? Let’s dive in.

Your Productivity Story Isn’t Set in Stone

First things first, let’s get rid of the old story you’re telling yourself about productivity. You know, the one that says you’re lazy, or that you’ll never be organized enough to actually get things done. That story? It’s garbage. You can change it anytime. The way you view productivity is often shaped by your past experiences—school, jobs, society telling you what productivity “should” look like. But guess what? You’re allowed to write a new story.

When we label ourselves as unproductive, we create a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you’re constantly telling yourself, “I’m just not good at this,” then yeah, you’re not going to be good at it. But here’s the good news: productivity isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. You’ve got your very own unique productivity style. Once you figure out what it is, things will get a lot clearer—and way more fun. No more comparing yourself to someone else’s highlight reel. Instead, start focusing on what works best for you.

And just because something works for you today doesn’t mean it’s going to work forever. That’s part of the joy (or frustration, let’s be real) of being neurodivergent. We adapt, we change, and that’s okay. Embrace the ebb and flow. Your productivity is allowed to evolve right along with you.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else

Productivity tip number one: stop the comparison game. It’s a losing battle. Seriously, comparing your productivity to someone else’s is like comparing apples to pineapples. You don’t know their full story, their skills, or even their struggles. So, let’s agree to drop the comparison game once and for all.

Instead of worrying about how someone else seems to effortlessly breeze through their to-do list, focus on what you’re good at. What works for you? You might be surprised to find that when you stop trying to match someone else’s pace, you actually start moving forward at your own.

Another thing to keep in mind: what works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s perfectly fine. Your productivity is as unique as your fingerprint. Own it. Tailor your systems, processes, and even your mindset to fit you—not the person who seems to have it all together on Instagram.

External Forces Are Real: Don’t Ignore Them

Here’s a little reality check: sometimes, life just happens. And when it does, your productivity might take a hit. It’s not always about being lazy or unmotivated. Sometimes, external forces play a massive role in how productive we can be. Have a sick pet? Family issues? Or maybe, like me, your partner is home, and you’d rather hang out with them than tackle your work. It’s okay—life is full of these little moments that pull us in different directions.

Instead of beating yourself up about not being productive, ask yourself: what’s really going on? Is there something external affecting your focus? Sometimes, acknowledging that there are factors outside of your control can help you feel less guilty about needing to shift your schedule around.

And here’s the kicker: it’s okay to move things around when life gets in the way. Just remember that moving tasks means something else gets shuffled, so be mindful of your priorities. The goal is to bring your best energy to your work—whether that means adjusting your schedule or setting clear boundaries to keep distractions at bay.

Embrace Your Productivity Style (It Can Change, Too)

Believe it or not, you’ve got your own productivity style. In fact, you might even have a few. Let’s break it down into four categories: Efficiency Seeker, Creative Visionary, Systematic Planner, and Big-Picture Thinker. Chances are, you might resonate with more than one of these. That’s cool—our brains don’t fit neatly into little boxes. We’re dynamic like that.

Efficiency Seekers are all about streamlining and hyper-focusing on tasks. They avoid distractions like the plague and thrive on checking things off their list. Creative Visionaries, on the other hand, need to harness creativity while staying time-effective. They’re constantly looking for new ways to do things and might just have an app or automation for everything.

Systematic Planners? They love workflows and organization. Time-blocking is their best friend, and they like to stick to a structured schedule. Big-Picture Thinkers are the ones always keeping their eyes on the long-term goals, breaking down complex projects with ease and making sure every piece fits into the larger puzzle.

The trick is to figure out which style resonates with you right now. Spoiler alert: it can change. Today you might be an Efficiency Seeker, but tomorrow you might need to tap into that Creative Visionary energy. Adapt as needed.

Reward Systems: Do They Work for You?

Let’s talk rewards. Some people thrive on them, others… not so much. For some, the dopamine rush of checking off a task is enough to keep them going. Others need something a little more tangible, like treating themselves to a nice dinner after a productive day. And then there are people like me who think, “Meh, none of these really work.”

But here’s the deal: you’ve got to find what motivates you. Maybe you’re the type who leaves the fun tasks for last as a reward for getting the hard stuff done first. Or maybe you’re all about the instant gratification of taking a break after each task. Whatever it is, lean into it. Productivity isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about creating a system that works for you and keeps you energized.

Just remember, the key is to make sure your reward system doesn’t derail your productivity altogether. If you’re spending more time chasing the reward than doing the work, it might be time to reassess. But hey, no judgment here. We all have our days.

Discover Your Productivity Personality

Curious about what type of productivity style suits you best?  Take my Productivity Personality Quiz and find out! It’s designed to help you uncover your unique strengths and work style, so you can optimize your productivity in a way that feels natural and sustainable. Click here to take the quiz.

Remember, productivity isn’t just about doing more; it’s about doing what works best for you. Start your journey today!