ADHD, Executive Functioning & Finding What Works for You
SHOW NOTES: Full transcript here: Permission to be Messy Episode 71 Episode 71: ADHD, Executive Functioning & Finding What Works for You Have you ever tried an organizing system that everyone seems to love, only to find that it doesn't work for you? Or maybe you've finally found something that works, only to discover a few months later that it no longer fits your needs. In this episode of Permission to Be Messy , I'm joined by Sarah Lovell, an executive functioning and ADHD coach, to talk about why getting organized can feel so challenging and why the answer isn't always another planner, app, or organizing method. Sarah helps women, professionals, overthinkers, and recovering perfectionists understand how their brains work so they can stop feeling stuck and find strategies that fit their lives. We explore what executive functioning actually means, how it relates to ADHD, and why challenges with organization, time management, prioritizing, and getting started aren't limited to people with ADHD. We also talk about something I see frequently in my own work: people spending years trying to make organizing systems work for them when those systems were never the right fit in the first place. In this episode, we discuss: What executive functioning is and how it relates to ADHD Why traditional organizing systems don't work for everyone The difference between procrastinating and feeling genuinely stuck How perfectionism and negative self-talk affect our ability to get organized Why support, accountability, and body doubling can make a difference How changes in life, including perimenopause, can affect systems that once worked Why organizing systems have a natural life cycle and sometimes need to change How to experiment with organizing strategies without feeling like you've failed One of my favorite parts of our conversation is Sarah's perspective on the life cycle of systems. We often expect that once we've found a system that works, it will work forever. But our brains change, our lives change, and our needs change. Sometimes a small adjustment is all we need. Other times, it's perfectly reasonable to find a new approach. Sarah and I come at organization from different professional perspectives, but we share a belief that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding what's happening beneath the surface is often the most important part of creating systems that work. About Sarah Lovell Sarah Lovell is an executive functioning and ADHD coach and the founder of Executive Functioning First. With over a decade of coaching experience and a background in social work, she helps women business owners, ambitious professionals, overthinkers, and recovering perfectionists move from feeling stuck to taking action. Her compassionate approach emphasizes self-talk, self-care, and practical strategies that support how each individual thinks and works. Sarah also hosts From Stuck to Started , a podcast featuring realistic, actionable executive functioning strategies in episodes of 20 minutes or less. Connect with Sarah: Website: https://www.executivefunctioningfirst.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/executivefunctioningfirst/ Podcast, From Stuck to Started : https://pod.link/1775241130 Free private podcast, ADHD Action Plan : https://www.executivefunctioningfirst.com/privatepodcast Remember, getting organized isn't about following someone else's rules. It's about discovering what works for you, giving yourself permission to make adjustments, and recognizing that organization is an ongoing process. Connect with JoAnn: If you have questions, feedback, or specific topics you would like covered in future episodes, and to book your free call, reach out to me at https://joannkrall.com/site/contact Visit my Learn With Me page for free resources and ways to work with me.
