ADHD Productivity That Actually Works with Dr. Ari Tuckman

SuccessFULL With ADHD

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to share this conversation with you because today I got to sit down with someone I deeply admire in the ADHD world—Dr. Ari Tuckman. If you’ve ever searched for practical, no-BS ADHD productivity tips, chances are you’ve landed on Ari’s work. He’s a clinical psychologist, international presenter, and leading voice in the ADHD space, known for bridging the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. He’s also the author of five books, including his newest, The ADHD Productivity Manual.

Ari and I dive into what makes productivity so challenging for ADHD brains, why willpower isn’t the answer (and never was), and how we can move from self-blame to strategies that actually stick. We get real about over-scheduling, executive function, people-pleasing, gender roles, and how to stop promising things you can’t deliver. This one’s jam-packed with relatable stories and powerful insights that’ll help you rethink what success looks like with ADHD.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Ari on why willpower alone doesn’t cut it
[1:50] - Introducing Ari and what makes his approach to ADHD so relatable
[3:11] - Why “just try harder” doesn’t work for productivity
[5:27] - The problem with “top 5 hacks” and the danger of flashy solutions
[6:32] - A wild story about $50k coaching guarantees and why they’re BS
[8:53] - How willpower fails and why smarter setups matter more
[10:27] - Real-life ADHD examples, from brushing teeth to bedtime
[12:35] - The power of playful motivation and visual cues
[14:16] - Avoidance goals vs. approach goals—how both play a role
[17:07] - Redefining what a “good life” with ADHD really looks like
[20:35] - Managing expectations when you already feel like a failure
[23:19] - Learning to say no and avoiding the overpromise trap
[26:20] - The cost of overextending, especially for women with ADHD
[29:25] - Acknowledging impact without over-apologizing
[31:44] - Why ADHD strategies fizzle out and how to keep them fresh
[33:23] - Brooke’s planner win and the myth of “nothing ever works”
[36:16] - Planning for setbacks and building flexible systems
[37:26] - Cutting out what no longer serves you and managing guilt
[39:22] - Brooke’s 30-day rule for shiny new things
[40:11] - Final takeaway: dig deeper to understand what really went wrong

Links & Resources

Ari Tuckman’s books and info: adultadhdbook.com

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