I have ADHD. That means some days, my brain looks at a simple to-do list and turns it into a mental war zone. Yesterday, I sat down, opened Notion… and boom — 12 tasks. My brain started doing its thing: panic mode, overthinking. But then I remembered something I read from the Stoic philosopher Seneca: “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” So I tried something simple: I picked one task — just emails — and told myself, "This is the only thing that exists right now." Not the calls. Not the edits. Not the five other projects screaming for attention. Just. Emails. Guess what? I knocked them out in 20 minutes. No anxiety. No guilt. No spiral. Just flow. If you’ve got an ADHD brain, you don’t need more productivity hacks. You need focus filters. Shrink the battlefield. One task. One focus. One win. That’s how you beat overwhelm — the Stoic way.

Working on Lamborghini projects taught me something crucial: You never go from 0 to peak performance instantly. Even the most sophisticated V12 engine needs a proper warm-up sequence. Skip it, and you risk damage. Rush it, and you get suboptimal performance. Your ADHD brain works exactly the same way. The Problem with "Just Start" Traditional productivity advice says: "Just start! Dive right in!" But here's what happens when I try that approach: - Stare at the screen for 20 minutes - Check my phone 47 times - Reorganize my desk instead of working - Feel like a failure before I even begin Sound familiar? The Automotive Solution: The 5-Minute Warm-Up Protocol In automotive engineering, we have specific warm-up sequences. Your brain needs the same systematic approach. Here's my ADHD Engine Warm-Up (takes exactly 5 minutes): Minute 1: System Check - Clear your workspace (like checking fluid levels) - Close unnecessary browser tabs (remove performance drains) - Put phone in another room (eliminate interference) Minute 2: Prime the System - Write down your ONE main task for this session - Set a timer for your work session (25-45 minutes) - Take 3 deep breaths (oxygenate the system) Minute 3-4: Gentle Activation - Open the document/tool you need - Write one sentence or take one small action - Don't aim for perfection—just get the engine turning Minute 5: Full Engagement - Start your timer for 5 minutes (warm-up your brain) - Put on the headphones with white noise - Begin working on your main task - After 5 minutes start your 25-45 minute timer - Trust that momentum will build Why This Works for ADHD Brains 1. Predictable Routine Like a car's startup sequence, your brain learns the pattern and prepares automatically. 2. Removes Decision Fatigue No more wondering "where do I start?" The sequence is always the same. 3. Builds Momentum Gradually Instead of demanding instant focus, you're warming up your attention system.

I used to start my mornings like a checklist robot. Wake up. Coffee. Sit down. Open laptop. Attack the hardest task first. Everyone says, "Eat the frog." But for me, it felt more like eating concrete. My brain resisted. My energy dipped. And worst of all, I started resenting mornings. One day, I changed it. Instead of diving into emails or technical documentation, I started the day different. No pressure. Just play. That morning, I designed a concept car based on a bird’s silhouette—totally impractical, but deeply fun. I noticed something: After 15 minutes of "fun work," I was focused. Energized. I tackled the tough tasks without dread. Now, it’s a ritual. Fun is my ignition switch. Creativity gets the engine running. What about you?