{"id":1861,"date":"2025-04-13T10:18:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-13T08:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogger.amazingmarvin.com?p=1861"},"modified":"2025-04-22T13:51:51","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T11:51:51","slug":"dm-how-can-i-be-productive-without-planning-or-scheduling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amazingmarvin.com\/blog\/dm-how-can-i-be-productive-without-planning-or-scheduling\/","title":{"rendered":"DM: How to Get Things Done Without Planning or Scheduling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear Marvin,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve tried making productive plans so many times, but it just never works for me. I always get off track when I make a plan, and whenever I prepare a schedule, it goes to waste the same day I created it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve suspected I might have ADHD for years, but mental health resources are limited where I live, and I haven’t been able to get an assessment. It’s frustrating because I want to be productive, but traditional productivity advice seems impossible for me to follow. Is there any hope for someone who can’t stick to plans?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2728 Yes! Meet: The Buffet Approach to Productivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for sharing your struggles. First, let me say this: you are not broken<\/strong>. The fact that planning and scheduling doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you or that you can’t be productive \u2013 it just means you need a different approach that works with your brain instead of against it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways to approach productivity and there is a framework that doesn’t require you to do any planning or scheduling<\/strong>: I call this the “Productivity Buffet Method,”<\/strong> and it might be exactly what you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udde0 Why Traditional Planning Fails Some People<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into solutions, let’s understand why planning doesn’t work for everyone and can even be counterproductive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udeab Every deviation feels like failure<\/strong> \u2013 When you have a rigid plan, any time you don’t follow it exactly, it can trigger feelings of failure<\/strong>. The more detailed your plan, the more potential “failure points” you create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc9 The spiral effect of negative emotions<\/strong> \u2013 Research shows that these feelings of failure create negative emotions that directly impact our brain’s ability to focus and execute tasks<\/strong>. When we feel bad about ourselves, our brain experiences stress, which inhibits the prefrontal cortex \u2013 the very part responsible for planning, decision-making, and self-control. This is a negative spiral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f1\ufe0f The neuroscience of procrastination<\/strong> \u2013 Studies have found that negative emotions push us toward soothing behaviors and quick dopamine fixes (hello, smartphone scrolling!). This creates a cycle: failure \u2192 negative feelings \u2192 reduced executive function \u2192 escape behaviors \u2192 more failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd0b Plans don’t account for energy fluctuations<\/strong> \u2013 Our energy, focus, and motivation naturally vary throughout the day and can be at times influenced by factors that are not predictable<\/strong>. This can be especially pronounced for people with ADHD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd04 Planning requires executive function<\/strong> \u2013 The very skills that planning demands (prioritization, time estimation, future thinking) might be what you struggle with in the first place. T<\/strong>his creates a frustrating catch-22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were a robot \ud83e\udd16, planning would be perfect. But you’re human, with shifting emotions, varying energy levels, and a brain that doesn’t always cooperate with arbitrary schedules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn’t a personal failure \u2013 it’s neurobiology.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always say, for most people, the most important approach to improving productivity is to focus on energy and emotional regulation. Time management is usually secondary!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f The Buffet Approach: Productivity Without Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instead of planning when you’ll do specific tasks, the Buffet Approach offers a completely different paradigm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine walking into a well-organized buffet restaurant. You don’t decide in advance exactly what you’ll eat or in what order. Instead, the food is thoughtfully arranged in stations, and you choose what looks appealing based on your current appetite and preferences<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you want something light, other times you crave something substantial. The beauty is in having appetizing options organized in a way that makes choosing easy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is exactly how the Productivity Buffet works. You create an organized “spread” of tasks, neatly arranged by category, energy level, or context.<\/strong> Then, throughout the day, you “graze” on this buffet, selecting tasks that match your current state, energy level, and circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key difference from traditional planning is that you never decide in advance when you’ll do what<\/strong>. Instead, you prepare a variety of options and trust yourself to choose appropriately in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how to set up your own Productivity Buffet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udccb Step 1: Collect all tasks in one place<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Think of your to-dos not as obligations but as options. Collect everything you need\/want\/could do in one place<\/strong> \u2013 this could be a digital to-do app or even a simple notebook.

The more tasks you are managing the more flexibility you have using a digital to-do app<\/a> vs pen and paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude0b Step 2: Make Tasks Appetizing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Transform vague responsibilities into “tasty” tasks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Use clear and specific action verbs to start each task (Write, Call, Design, Research)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Break down bigger tasks into small, specific steps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Be specific in describing the task and add subtasks if necessary<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Add duration estimates and keep tasks doable in one sitting (5 min, 15 min, 30 min, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of tasty tasks:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcdd Instead of “work on report,” try “Write introduction paragraph for quarterly report (15 min)” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\uddf9 Instead of “clean house,” try “Wipe kitchen counters (5 min)” or “Vacuum living room (10 min)” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udda5\ufe0f Instead of “update website,” try “Fix broken links on contact page (20 min)” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf31 Instead of “garden work,” try “Weed vegetable garden beds (30 min)” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcde Instead of “call friends,” try “Call Mom for weekly check-in (15 min)”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfd7\ufe0f Step 3: Organize Your Buffet Stations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Group your tasks by meaningful categories <\/strong>that help you choose what to do based on how you’re feeling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the right productivity app you can organize your tasks by multiple dimensions so you don’t have to pick one way to display your tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some powerful buffet organization ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Energy Level Required:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd0b High Energy Tasks<\/strong> \u2013 Require full focus and mental clarity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd0b Medium Energy Tasks<\/strong> \u2013 Need some concentration but not your peak performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udeab Low Energy Tasks<\/strong> \u2013 Can be done when tired or distracted<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Task Duration:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u23f1\ufe0f Quick Wins (under 10 minutes)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f1\ufe0f Short Tasks (10-30 minutes)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f1\ufe0f Medium Tasks (30-60 minutes)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u23f1\ufe0f Longer Projects (60+ minutes)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Task Type:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfa8 Creative Work<\/strong> \u2013 Writing, designing, brainstorming<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcce Administrative<\/strong> \u2013 Emails, scheduling, organizing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcaa Physical Tasks<\/strong> \u2013 Cleaning, errands, movement-based activities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc65 Social Tasks<\/strong> \u2013 Calls, meetings, correspondence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Activity:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcac Communication Batch<\/strong> \u2013 All emails, messages, or calls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfe0 Home Environment Batch<\/strong> \u2013 Tasks related to cleaning, organizing, or maintaining your space<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u270d\ufe0f Content Creation Batch<\/strong> \u2013 Writing, designing, or planning related projects<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcda Learning Batch<\/strong> \u2013 Courses, reading, research on a particular topic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Tip: Take advantage of positive energy!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Try to follow your natural energy and excitement. <\/strong>If you feel a spark of enthusiasm for a particular area, that’s valuable fuel for productivity \u2013 use it! Following this slight excitement often leads to a state of flow where work becomes easier and more enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfaf Step 4: Narrow Your Options with a Daily Focus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One powerful way to make the buffet approach even more effective is to set a loose “focus” for your day. This isn’t a rigid schedule, but rather a theme or area you’d like to make progress on<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start your day by asking:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n