People & CultureConference40min
The Art of Focus: Managing Productivity with an ADHD Brain (And Why It Matters for Everyone)
Drawing on decades of experience managing severe ADHD, the speaker shares science‑based, practical techniques for improving focus and productivity. The talk explores task management frameworks, motivational tools, and psychological insights to help anyone—neurodivergent or not—work smarter, set boundaries, and regain control over attention and time in an overwhelming world.
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Alyssa NicollProgress
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Friday, April 24, 16:25-17:05
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For over 30 years, I’ve been fighting to pay attention—literally. Living with ADHD, particularly an extreme version of it, has forced me to develop strategies to stay productive, meet goals, and thrive in both my career and personal life. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to be neurodivergent to struggle with attention, procrastination, and feeling overwhelmed.
We live in a world that constantly demands more from us, making focus a rare and valuable skill. Through trial, error, and necessity, I’ve discovered practical, science-backed techniques that help manage the chaos—strategies that anyone can use. From task management frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix to unconventional motivators (yes, bribery works), I’ll walk you through methods that help turn distractions into productivity.
But productivity isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter, protecting your time, setting boundaries, and finding joy in what you do. In this talk, I’ll share both tactical strategies and deeper psychological insights into why focus is so elusive and how we can reclaim it.
Whether you're struggling with ADHD, burnout, or just an ever-growing to-do list, you’ll leave this session with actionable tools to help you work more effectively, reduce overwhelm, and maybe—just maybe—start feeling in control of your time again.
We live in a world that constantly demands more from us, making focus a rare and valuable skill. Through trial, error, and necessity, I’ve discovered practical, science-backed techniques that help manage the chaos—strategies that anyone can use. From task management frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix to unconventional motivators (yes, bribery works), I’ll walk you through methods that help turn distractions into productivity.
But productivity isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter, protecting your time, setting boundaries, and finding joy in what you do. In this talk, I’ll share both tactical strategies and deeper psychological insights into why focus is so elusive and how we can reclaim it.
Whether you're struggling with ADHD, burnout, or just an ever-growing to-do list, you’ll leave this session with actionable tools to help you work more effectively, reduce overwhelm, and maybe—just maybe—start feeling in control of your time again.
Alyssa Nicoll
Alyssa is an Senior Developer Advocate for Progress and a Google Developer Expert for Angular. She has spoken at over 50 conferences locally and internationally. She is the host of the Angular Air podcast and emcees ng-conf as well as Monorepo World. She enjoys gaming, scuba diving, and has a little one that fondly goes by "Mr. Milks".
