CorporateSkills

Nov 2, 2025

Stop Chasing Focus: ADHD Productivity Hacks That Actually Work (From a Former Scatterbrain CEO)

I used to be the perpetually distracted guy—the one who’d check email before breakfast, start five projects before lunch, and end up doomscrolling social media when I needed to be working. Not exactly the image of a hyper-focused CEO, right? The turning point: the day I realized the best in the world weren’t muscling through distractions—they were hacking their brains. If you’re sick of losing battles with your own mind (or just want a few unfair focus advantages), you’re in the right place. Here’s what actually worked for me (and no, it’s not just about bullet journaling or lighting candles). 1. The Anti-Todo Revolution: Why Cutting Out Tasks (and Toxic People) Is the Start of Real Focus Let’s flip the script on productivity. If you’re like me—ADHD, easily distracted, and tired of fighting your brain—here’s the truth: the most productive people don’t muscle their way through endless to-do lists. They use ADHD productivity hacks that start with subtraction, not addition. The first and most powerful hack? Creating a Not-To-Do List. Why a Not-To-Do List Beats a To-Do List Focus isn’t a muscle you build by piling on more tasks. Focus is a filter. The more you cut, the clearer your path. Every new “yes” is a “no” to your dreams. I live by this: "You don't do more to win, you do less, but you make the things you say no to, the right yeses." The Plinko Effect: Visualizing Your Energy Picture the game Plinko: you drop a ball, and it bounces off dozens of pins, landing somewhere random. That’s how most people live—scattering energy across distractions. But if you remove those pins (distractions, tasks, toxic people), your energy shoots straight to what matters. Prioritizing tasks becomes effortless when you subtract the noise. What Goes on My Not-To-Do List? Low-value tasks: If I can pay someone else or automate it, it’s gone. Outsourcing and routine elimination are game-changers. Bad habits and vices: For me, late-night gaming was a killer. I’d stay up, then drag through the next day. Cutting it out gave me back hours of focus. Energy vampires: Some people (and activities) drain your creative energy. If someone leaves you feeling depleted, they’re off my calendar. Research backs this up: Subtracting just 3-5 persistent distractions can increase your daily focused time by up to two hours. Eliminating energy vampires and time-wasters isn’t just about productivity—it’s about protecting your mental bandwidth. Saying No Is a Skill Here’s my unpopular opinion: saying no is the real productivity superpower. It’s not easy, but your focus depends on it. Every “no” to a low-value task or toxic person is a “yes” to your biggest goals. Start your own not-to-do list today, and watch your focus sharpen.2. Tricking Your Brain into Flow: Rituals, Environments, and Built-In Triggers Here’s the truth: focus isn’t a muscle you flex—it’s a filter you set. If you’re like me (a former scatterbrain CEO), waiting for inspiration to strike is a recipe for endless distraction. Instead, I learned to create focus triggers—deliberate cues that help me slip into Finding Your Flow on demand. As I always say, "See, flow state isn't random, it's designed." My Unexpected Toolkit for Deep Work Blocks Location: I have a specific chair for reading and brainstorming. When I sit there, my brain knows it’s time for Deep Work Blocks. Even quarterly planning offsites with my wife have become rituals—those locations are triggers for designing our future, not worrying about the day-to-day. Sound: Headphones are my armor. I use playlists with no lyrics or binaural beats (yes, the science-y stuff!) to anchor my attention. The ‘focus playlist’ experiment? For me, binaural beats + headphones = productivity magic. Routine: If it’s not in my calendar, it doesn’t exist. I block 60–120 minute sessions—my prime time for deep work. World-class athletes rehearse routines before every game. Why shouldn’t we? My mornings start with the same sequence: coffee, headphones, and a closed door. That’s my signal to my brain: it’s go time. Visual Cues: A closed door, a ‘do not disturb’ sign, or just visible headphones signal to others (and myself) that I’m in a Building Distraction-Free Environment. Personal Routines for Focus: Why Routine Isn’t Boring People think routine is dull. But you know what’s really boring? Never finishing anything because you’re constantly distracted. Routine is the rhythm of success. Research backs this up: establishing three or more unique focus triggers (location, sound, routine, visual cues) correlates with higher self-reported productivity. Multiple sensory cues—where you sit, what you hear, and what you do—prime your brain for flow. My advice: design your environment so that deep work becomes automatic. Don’t wait for focus to find you. Build your own triggers and watch your productivity soar. 3. Build Your Focus Fortress: How to Be (Strategically) Hard to Reach and Manage Distractions Let me take you back to the most productive week of my life: editing my book in a WiFi-free mountain cabin with my friend Chris. No notifications, no inbox, no distractions—just 16 hours a day of deep work, for five days straight. We finished the book. That experience taught me the power of building a true distraction-free environment and being intentionally hard to reach. Be Accessible Online, But Hard to Interrupt Personally Here’s the truth: most of us make it way too easy for others to interrupt us. The constant ping of notifications, the endless stream of emails—these are productivity killers. I live by this rule: be easy to find online, but hard to reach in real time. My phone only allows notifications from two people: my wife and my assistant. Everyone else can wait. Turn off all notifications. Go into your app settings and swipe them off. Seriously, try it. You’ll be amazed at how much mental space you reclaim. Restrict channels of interruption. The fewer ways people can reach you instantly, the more deep work you’ll get done. Batch Your Communications for Maximum Focus Your inbox? It’s just a “Your inbox is nothing more than a public to-do list of other people's priorities on your time.” Instead of letting it dictate your day, batch your responses. I schedule dedicated 60-minute windows to reply to texts and emails—sometimes while relaxing in the hot tub. This is a powerful time management technique that turns communication from a distraction into a productivity tool. Use Visual Signals and Environmental Cues Headphones = Do Not Disturb. When I put on my headphones, everyone knows not to interrupt unless it’s urgent. Closed door rules. My family knows that a closed office door means “focus mode”—unless it’s an emergency, they wait. Change Your Environment to Suppress Interruptions Sometimes, the best way to manage distractions is to physically remove yourself. Work from a coffee shop or another quiet space. Here’s an advanced move: leave your power cable at home. With only your laptop battery, you’ll be forced to focus and finish before the juice runs out. Managing distractions isn’t about willpower—it’s about building systems and environments that protect your focus. Try these strategies and watch your productivity soar.4. Turn Up the Pressure—But on Your Own Terms: Using Urgency and Gamification to Outwit Your Inner Procrastinator If you have ADHD (or just a wandering mind), you know how easy it is to let tasks stretch out forever. Here’s the truth: Parkinson’s Law Productivity is real. As the saying goes, "There's this thing called Parkinson's law that states the work will expand to the available time given to it." If you give yourself three months to move out, you’ll pack slowly, get distracted, and procrastinate. But if you only have three days? Suddenly, you’re laser-focused and unstoppable. That’s the power of a Sense of Urgency. Shorten the Timeline, Raise the Stakes Artificial deadlines are my secret weapon. When my team says, “I’ll get it to you by the end of the week,” I push back: “Why not by 3 p.m.?” Shorter timelines force creativity and focus. But urgency alone isn’t enough—you need real consequences. I once had a team member, Jen, who wanted to lose weight. She made it public, and we set a non-negotiable: if she didn’t hit her goal by the deadline, her job was on the line. The stakes were real, and her focus followed. Gamifying Work Motivation: Make Progress Visible Here’s another ADHD Productivity Hack: Gamify your work. Video games are addictive because you see your progress—levels, streaks, XP bars. I track my writing sessions like XP points. Every finished draft is a “level up.” When you can see your progress, you’re less likely to get bored or distracted. Immediate Rewards—like checking off a to-do, hitting a streak, or moving a progress bar—keep your dopamine (and motivation) high. Break big tasks into “levels” or milestones Track streaks for daily habits Use visible progress bars or checklists Celebrate small wins—don’t wait for the finish line Research shows time constraints enhance focus and creativity. Gamification increases dopamine and keeps you motivated. If you can’t see your progress, your brain gets bored and wanders. Design visible, trackable wins to keep your attention locked in. Data Point Insight Refocus time after distraction 23 minutes average (per research) Public commitment to team Job at stake for missing goal Gamified work Adding 'levels' increases task completion rates Conclusion: Not-So-Obvious Truths About Focus—And the Real Source of Productivity If you’ve made it this far, you already know this isn’t your typical list of ADHD productivity hacks or generic focus strategies for ADHD. Here’s the not-so-obvious truth: Stop trying to brute force yourself into focus. The real game-changer isn’t more willpower—it’s about hacking your context and environment until they work for you, not against you. For years, I thought my problem was distraction. I’d blame boredom or lack of discipline. But the real reason I drifted off task? I couldn’t see my progress. When you can’t see the finish line (or even the next step), your brain goes hunting for something easier, shinier, or just less frustrating. That’s why managing distractions is less about ironclad self-control and more about making your progress visible and your environment frictionless. Here’s what actually works: Success is a subtractive game. Most of us try to add more—more apps, more routines, more rules. But the magic happens when you start cutting out what doesn’t serve you. For example, I bought a new chair just for my “hard tasks.” Now, it’s the only spot I write from. No emails, no scrolling—just deep work. It’s a tiny shift in context, but it’s changed everything about my workflow. That chair is my productivity hack, and it’s weirdly sacred now. Perfection is a myth, especially with ADHD. The real win is consistently showing up and stacking small victories. Some days, that means writing one paragraph. Other days, it’s just opening the document. What matters is the ritual, not the outcome. Experiment with your rituals—personalize, tinker, and keep what works (and toss the rest). If something feels forced or makes you miserable, ditch it. Your best focus strategies for ADHD are the ones you invent for yourself. And let’s not forget: saying “no” is a radical productivity strategy. Seriously. Every time you cut out a commitment, a distraction, or a tool that doesn’t fit, you’re making space for what matters. That’s the real source of productivity—not more effort, but better choices. So, stop chasing focus and start designing your environment. Your brain (and your to-do list) will thank you.TL;DR: Productivity isn’t about relentless self-discipline—it’s about clever systems that fit your brain. My top hacks: ruthlessly curate your 'not-to-do' list, set up focus triggers, make yourself hard to reach, lean into pressure, and gamify your progress. ADHD or not, use these strategies to get out of your own way and achieve real, meaningful output.

10 Minutes Read

Nov 2, 2025

Speak Like a Leader: The Strange Art of Saying Less and Earning More Respect

I’ve lost count of the meetings where I watched brilliant people talk themselves in circles, their best ideas buried under a mountain of I think’s and just a thought’s. Early in my career, this was me—the queen of qualifiers. But here’s the twist: the real power in leadership communication isn’t about talking more or louder. It’s about wielding words with precision. Picture this: my first time firing someone, nervously over-explaining until even I wasn’t sure what I meant. (Spoiler: I bumbled it. But I learned fast!) Let’s unravel the unexpected skills that make confident leaders sound, well, like leaders—and not apologetic weather forecasters. 1. Say It Like You Mean It: From Uncertain to Unstoppable Confident Communication is the foundation of effective Leadership Communication. Over the years, working under—and eventually becoming—an executive, I’ve learned that the way you speak shapes how people see you. The most respected leaders in any room aren’t necessarily the ones with the fanciest titles, but those whose words match their ambition. If you want to be seen as powerful, respected, and confident, you have to say it like you mean it. Stop Speaking Just to Be Liked—Speak to Lead Early in my career, I made the classic mistake of trying to please everyone in meetings. I’d soften my input, add qualifiers, and hope to blend in. But I noticed something: the people who got listened to, the ones who influenced decisions, didn’t speak to be liked. They spoke to lead. They owned their opinions, even if they weren’t in charge—yet. “The mindset shift that the people who are successful have is: I am a leader, even if they aren't yet.” In my current company of over 250 team members, I see this play out every day. Those who act like leaders—who communicate with certainty—stand out. Those who hedge, apologize, or shrink their words, unintentionally erode their own credibility. Leadership Style isn’t about waiting for a title; it’s about how you show up and speak up, right now. Ditch the Qualifiers: Speak with Certainty One of the simplest, most powerful Communication Skills I’ve learned is to remove unnecessary qualifiers from my language. Phrases like “I think” or “I feel” may sound polite, but they actually undermine your authority. When you say, “I think we should try this,” you’re signaling uncertainty. Swap it for, “The best path forward is…” and watch how the room responds differently. Instead of: I think we should try this. Say: The best path forward is… Instead of: I feel like this might work. Say: Here’s the strategy that will get us this result. These language tweaks may seem small, but they make a huge difference. When you speak with clarity and certainty, you project authority. Clear Communication is a hallmark of effective leadership. People naturally gravitate toward those who sound sure of themselves. Own Your Perspective—Every Leader’s View Is Valid Top executives and CEOs don’t wait for permission to have a point of view. They use their experience and perspective to frame their communication. Even if you’re not the most senior person in the room, your perspective is valid. You’re there for a reason. When you own your view and share it with confidence, you build credibility and authority. Remember: Confident Communication isn’t about being the loudest voice. It’s about being the clearest, most certain one. Practice these language swaps, adopt a leader’s mindset, and you’ll move from uncertain to unstoppable—no matter your current title.2. Out-Logic Your Emotions (or: The Blade of Grass Principle) Let’s be honest: emotions are powerful, but unchecked, they can sabotage your Leadership Communication. I’ve seen it time and again—when someone lets their emotions take the wheel, their words come out reactive and unsure. Around here, we have a saying: high emotion, low intelligence. It’s blunt, but it’s true. When you’re in emotional overdrive, your logic takes a back seat, and that’s when your message—and your credibility—start to unravel. Think about the people you know who are always venting, dramatizing, or spinning stories about what’s wrong. They rarely have a circle of winners around them. Their business relationships struggle, and their teams don’t thrive. Why? Because when emotion clouds your decisions, you lose the clarity and composure that Effective Leadership demands. Reactivity erodes trust; composure under pressure inspires confidence. “Never let your emotions override your message.” Adaptability: The Blade of Grass Principle Here’s a visual that changed the way I handle tense moments: I imagine myself as a blade of grass. Picture this—a rock falls onto a blade of grass. The grass bends, flexes, and then springs back up. Now, imagine that same rock hitting a toothpick. The toothpick snaps. The difference? Adaptability. In Leadership Communication, you want to be the grass, not the toothpick. When criticism or chaos hits, don’t stiffen up and break. Instead, absorb the pressure, let it pass through, and return to your steady self. Blade of grass: Flexible, absorbs pressure, returns to form—demonstrates adaptability and resilience. Toothpick: Rigid, snaps under stress—symbolizes brittle, reactive leadership. Respond with Data and Grace, Not Outbursts Effective Leadership means letting emotions pass through you, not letting them dictate your response. When someone comes at you with an emotional outburst, don’t match their intensity. Instead, listen, let their words flow past, and respond with logic and empathy. Use data, ask questions, and stay composed. This approach not only keeps your message clear, but it also builds trust. People follow leaders who are steady, not those who are swept away by every emotional wave. Just this week, I witnessed someone lose control in a meeting—an emotional outburst that instantly lowered my confidence in them. Their inability to handle rejection or criticism with grace revealed a pattern: decisions driven by emotion, not logic. Over time, this erodes confidence and undermines leadership. Remember, you can’t be a leader if people don’t trust and follow you. Empathy and Emotional Self-Management Empathy isn’t about absorbing everyone’s emotions and reacting in kind—it’s about understanding, then responding with intention. Emotional self-management is essential. When you let emotions pass through you, you create space for logic and clarity. That’s how you earn respect and maintain authority, especially in high-pressure situations. Emotional overdrive signals uncertainty—leaders channel logic instead. Visualize yourself as a flexible blade of grass, not a brittle toothpick, when criticism or chaos hits. Let emotions pass through you, respond with data and grace, not outbursts. In short, adaptability, empathy, and composure are the hallmarks of Effective Leadership. Out-logic your emotions, and you’ll find your words carry more weight—and your team’s confidence in you will soar.3. Stop Monologuing: The Subtle Power of Question Masters When I first started leading teams, I thought authority meant having all the answers. I quickly learned that the real power in leadership communication comes from asking the right questions—not delivering endless monologues. The best leaders aren’t answer-machines; they’re expert untanglers, using open-ended questions to uncover what truly matters and to draw out the wisdom of their teams. Great leaders speak with weight, not with volume. Every time you enter a conversation, ask yourself: What impact do I want to make here? If there’s no clear reason for you to be in the room, it’s better to leave than to fill the air with empty words. When you do participate, show up with intention. Your time—and your voice—should be spent where it matters most. Why Questions Trump Answers in Leadership Communication It’s a myth that leaders must always know what to do. In fact, “The best leaders think of themselves as professional problem solvers, and the reason they're able to solve these problems better... is simply because they ask more questions.” Open-ended, targeted questions are the secret weapon. They deepen understanding, reveal hidden obstacles, and invite genuine feedback from your team. This is the heart of active listening—not just hearing, but truly understanding. Open-Ended Questions encourage participation and richer feedback. Active Listening builds trust and empathy, strengthening team rapport. Strategic questions guide conversations, helping you identify the real issues. From Awkward to Artful: My ‘Question Game’ Story My earliest lesson in communication skills came from a childhood ritual my parents called the “question game.” At family gatherings, my mom would nudge me toward an adult—let’s call him Mr. Bob—and challenge me to ask him three questions. Terrifying? Absolutely. But it forced me to keep the conversation alive, even when I ran out of things to say. If I stalled after one or two questions, my mom would coach me with new ideas and send me back for another try. This awkward practice taught me something priceless: the art of curiosity. It’s not about dazzling people with knowledge—it’s about drawing them out, making them feel heard, and uncovering what’s really going on beneath the surface. As a leader, this skill is invaluable. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to move beyond timid, yes/no questions and into meaningful dialogue. Ask Better, Lead Better: Practical Questioning Tips Replace “How’s it going?” with “What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing right now?” Swap “Can we fix this?” for “What would it take to ensure this never happens again?” Instead of “What do you think?” try “What data supports this decision?” Remember: the quality of your questions determines the quality of your results. Don’t settle for surface-level answers. Strategic, open-ended questions plant you at the helm of the conversation—and the team. Curiosity, not expertise, is what sets true leaders apart.4. The Silent Mic Drop: Why Saying Less Makes You Sound Like a Boss Let’s talk about one of the most overlooked secrets of leadership communication: the power of saying less. Early in my career, I learned this lesson the hard way. I was 23, sitting across from someone I had to let go. I’d been coached to deliver a clear, direct message—no debate, no drawn-out explanations. But when the moment came, nerves took over. Instead of sticking to the plan, I started oversharing. I told them how wonderful they were, how much I enjoyed working with them, and how difficult this was for me. The more I talked, the more tense and uncomfortable I became. I kept circling, never landing, and instead of a decisive conversation, we just had a painfully awkward chat. I had to try again the next week. It was embarrassing—and it taught me everything I needed to know about clear communication and authority in meetings. Here’s the truth: oversharing reeks of insecurity. When you overexplain, you’re not just filling the silence—you’re signaling to everyone in the room that you’re not confident in your message. As I learned that day, “Overexplaining is an indicator that you are not confident.” The most effective leaders don’t ramble. They don’t soften their feedback with endless qualifiers or seek validation with nervous add-ons. Instead, they replace overexplaining with firm, respectful statements that maintain control, even in tough discussions. This is especially important when the stakes are high. Whether you’re giving feedback, making a tough decision, or leading a meeting, leadership communication is about landing your point and letting it stand. Think of it like an airplane coming in to land: you want to touch down smoothly and decisively. But we’ve all been in meetings where someone keeps circling—repeating themselves, adding new angles, never quite finishing. It’s exhausting for listeners. This kind of verbal “takeoff, circle, never land” routine creates listener fatigue and erodes your authority. Transparency and clarity are vital for effective leadership. When you speak with confidence and brevity, you show respect for your audience’s time and intelligence. You also leave no room for confusion or nervous rambling. The best communicators—think of high-level CEOs—are direct and deliberate. They don’t seek validation from the room; they deliver their message with grace and move on. That’s how you earn respect and establish authority in meetings. In the end, communication skills aren’t just about what you say—they’re about what you choose not to say. The silent mic drop is real. When you know what needs to be said, say it clearly, say it kindly, and then stop. Let your words land. That’s how you speak like a leader—and that’s how you earn more respect by saying less.TL;DR: Cut the fluff, keep your cool, ask sharper questions, and always say less than you’re tempted to—real leadership communication is about substance, not show.

11 Minutes Read

Million Dollar Weekend: Building a Business (and a Life) in 48 Wild Hours

Stop Chasing Focus: ADHD Productivity Hacks That Actually Work (From a Former Scatterbrain CEO)

Speak Like a Leader: The Strange Art of Saying Less and Earning More Respect