Stop Trying to Do Everything (It’s Not Working)

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Hi friend!

Happy Momentum Monday (on a Sunday)! 

 

This week we’re diving into time management, prioritization and task-switching.

Have you ever said:
“I just don’t have enough time 😩”

…while also trying to:

  • start a new routine
  • answer texts, emails, teams and slack messages
  • reorganize your life and your closet
  • drink more water
  • work out
  • cook real meals with enough protein and fiber
  • AND somehow become a calm, regulated human being overnight???

Yeah. Same. 😅

But here’s the uncomfortable truth (said with love):

👉 It’s usually not that we don’t have enough time…
👉 It’s that we’re trying to do too damn much with the time we have.

There’s this quote I saw recently that hit me right between the eyes:

“When you give up the unwinnable struggle to do everything, that’s when you can start pouring your finite time and attention into a handful of things that truly count.”

Oof. 😮‍💨

 

Why This Hits So Hard for ADHD Brains

Our brains are idea machines.
We don’t just want to do a few things, we want to do ALL the things.

And not only that… we tend to:

  • underestimate how long things take
  • overestimate our future energy
  • and feel like we should be able to do more

So we stack our days like an unrealistic Pinterest board…

…and then wonder why we end up overwhelmed, frozen, or avoiding everything.

Sound familiar? 🙃

This isn’t (necessarily) a time problem.
It’s a capacity + prioritization problem.

 

Also… Let’s Talk About Where Your Time is Actually Going

Because even if you do pick the “right” 3 priorities…

…it’s really hard to make progress when your time gets shredded into tiny pieces all day.

ADHD brains are basically built for and very used to:

  • “quick check” → turns into 20 minutes
  • bouncing between tasks
  • getting pulled into distractions (hi, phones 🙃)
  • starting a bunch of things… and finishing none

So by the end of the day, you’re like:
“I’ve been busy ALL day… but what did I actually do??”

Yeah. That….Woof.

That’s not a motivation problem.
That’s a fragmented attention problem.

 

Why This Matters

Every time you task switch, your brain has to:

  • stop
  • reset
  • remember where you were
  • and re-engage

That burns energy fast.

So instead of making real progress on one thing…
you end up doing a little bit of everything and finishing nothing.

 

The Shift: Do Less (And Actually Finish It)

Instead of asking:
“What can I fit into my day?”

Try asking:
👉 “What actually matters today?”

Because when everything is important… nothing gets your full attention.

This builds on your “bones of the day” idea, and now we’re protecting it.

Side note: this will feel clunky and sticky and like it “doesn’t work for you” at the beginning. It’s a skill we have to practice. A muscle we have to build. 

 

Key Habits to Try 

1. Pick 3 (MAX) Non-Negotiables
Not 10. Not 7. THREE.
These are your “if I do nothing else, I still win” tasks.

Everything else? Bonus.

2. Do a “Nice Try, Not Today” List
Write down everything else your brain wants to do…

…and then intentionally DON’T do it today.

We’re not deleting it.
We’re just not trying to be superheroes today.

3. Protect One Focus Block (20 Minutes Ish)
Pick ONE of your priorities and give it:
👉 30 minutes of focused time

That means:

  • notifications off
  • no switching tasks
  • no “real quick” detours

Just you and the task.

Then go check your phone like a gremlin after 😏

4. Build in White Space
If every minute is accounted for, your brain will rebel.

Leave gaps. ADHD brains need breathing room.

5. Catch the Lie
When your brain says:
“I can squeeze that in real quick…”

🚨 That’s the trap.

Pause and ask:
“What would happen if I just… didn’t?”

 

This Week’s Action Item

Instead of trying to “do it all better” this week…

we’re going to practice something different:

doing less… on purpose… and being okay with it

Here’s how:

1. Make a “Not Now (Maybe Not Ever)” List
Pick 2–3 things currently on your mental load and decide:

👉 “I’m not doing this this week.”

Not because you can’t.
Because you’re choosing not to.

2. Leave One Thing Intentionally Unfinished
I know. This feels illegal 😅

But pick something and stop before it’s fully done.

Let your brain learn:
👉 unfinished ≠ failure

3. Decide What Gets to Be “Good Enough”
Choose one area of your life this week and lower the bar on purpose.

Meals? Emails? Cleaning?

Let it be a B-.

4. Protect One Pocket of “Nothing”
Not scrolling. Not catching up. Not optimizing.

Just existing.

Even 20 minutes. 

5. Focus on What You’re Willing to Let Suck

This one hits HARD.

You cannot optimize everything.

So the question becomes:
👉 “What am I okay being mediocre at… so I can protect what matters?”

You’re not behind.
You’re just overloaded.

Let’s stop trying to do everything
and start doing what actually matters.

Hit reply and tell me—how does this land for you? 👀

Let’s build some momentum (without the burnout),

Leah 🌶️

 

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