Are You a Multitasking Master or Just Overwhelmed? How to Work Smarter as a Neurodivergent Woman

The Myth of Multitasking

Raise your hand if you’ve ever started an email, folded laundry, brainstormed a work project, and planned dinner—all at the same time. Multitasking can feel like the ultimate productivity flex, but let’s be real: Is it actually helping, or just adding to the chaos?

For neurodivergent women, multitasking often feels like a survival tool. But there’s a difference between productive juggling and frantic energy-draining chaos. Let’s figure out how to work smarter, not harder, with neurodivergent-friendly strategies that actually work.

Why Neurodivergent Brains Struggle (and Excel) with Multitasking

Our brains are wired for creativity, big-picture thinking, and connecting dots others miss. But when it comes to multitasking, those same traits can lead to overload.

Why it’s tricky:

• Task Switching: Jumping between tasks burns mental energy faster.
• Overwhelm: Too many open tabs (mentally or on your browser) can make it hard to prioritize.
• Perfectionism: Trying to do everything perfectly at once? Exhausting.

The Case for Single-Tasking

Here’s a wild idea: What if you just did one thing at a time?

Benefits of single-tasking for neurodivergent women:

• Improved Focus: Your brain can fully engage with the task at hand.
• Less Overwhelm: Breaking tasks into chunks feels more manageable.
• Fewer Errors: Attention to detail improves when you’re not juggling too much.

How to Work Smarter: 3 Game-Changing Strategies

1. Time-Blocking
Instead of multitasking all day, assign specific blocks of time to each task.

• Use color-coded calendars for easy visual organization.
• Schedule focus-intensive tasks during your peak energy hours.
• Don’t forget to add breaks—they’re just as important!

2. The 5-Minute Rule
Overwhelmed by starting? Commit to working on a task for just five minutes.

• Often, the hardest part is getting started. Once you’re in, momentum builds.
• Bonus: This trick works wonders for dreaded admin tasks.

3. Externalize Your To-Dos
Get everything out of your head and onto paper, an app, or a whiteboard.

• Tools like Trello or a simple notebook can help.
• Seeing tasks visually reduces the mental load of “remembering everything.”

The Role of Playfulness in Productivity

Here’s a secret: Productivity doesn’t have to feel like drudgery. Adding a sense of playfulness can boost motivation and creativity.

• Turn tasks into games.
• Reward yourself for completing steps.
• Use fun tools, like colorful sticky notes or timers, to keep things interesting.

Quick Wins for Smarter Working

• Set a timer for 20 minutes and focus on just one task.
• Use a “brain dump” method to clear your thoughts before starting work.
• Batch similar tasks together (e.g., respond to emails all at once).

The Ripple Effect of Working Smarter

When you stop multitasking and start working smarter, you’ll notice big changes—not just in your productivity but also in your energy and mindset. As Dawn Leprich-Graves of Cultivating Bricolage often says, it’s about aligning your approach to productivity with what works for you.

Need Help Working Smarter? Let’s Chat!

If multitasking has you feeling overwhelmed, my coaching program for neurodivergent women is here to help. Together, we’ll create personalized strategies that align with your brain’s unique strengths. Let’s make work (and life) feel easier—one step at a time.

– Dawn Leprich-Graves, LCPC, LPC, PMH-C, ASDCS

Clinician, Coach & Connection Catalyst