# 478: ADHD at work

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bike-shed/478-adhd-at-work
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bike-shed/478-adhd-at-work.md
Podcast: [The Bike Shed](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bike-shed)
Published: 2025-10-14T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://bikeshed.thoughtbot.com/478
Audio file: https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/167c01a1-0eb9-4640-b488-c2f6d6866650/438f04ec-b795-4de9-85fc-d15e46f43b75.mp3
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-bike-shed/episodes/478-adhd-at-work
Duration seconds: 2267

## Resource

Aji and Sally share personal strategies for managing ADHD in a high-pressure software engineering environment. They discuss the necessity of external systems to combat context switching and time blindness.

## Highlights
- Practical takeaway: Use single-threaded workflows and limit 'in-progress' tasks to prevent the cognitive cost of context switching
- Failure mode: Relying on internal memory for time-sensitive tasks can lead to 'time blindness,' where only 'now' and 'not now' exist
- Main idea: Externalizing reminders via Slack or physical tools like Moleskine notebooks acts as a necessary prosthetic for working memory
- Practical takeaway: Use digital 'scratch pads' or task-specific sections to hold information without triggering a full context switch
- Main idea: Establishing clear boundaries, such as calendar-blocked lunches or Slack reminders to end the workday, is vital for remote workers

## Topics

ADHD, Software Engineering, Productivity Systems, Remote Work, Context Switching, Time Management, Neurodiversity, Note-taking

## Chapters
- 1:00 — Gem Development Challenges: Sally discusses the complexities of testing a Ruby gem that functions as a generator and relies on external dependencies.
- 9:15 — Managing ADHD at Work: A discussion on the guilt of not having 'perfect' systems and the reality of navigating neurodivergence in a professional setting.
- 12:05 — Note-Taking and Tactile Tools: Exploring the use of physical Moleskine notebooks and fountain pens versus digital tools to anchor focus.
- 17:40 — The Cost of Context Switching: How jumping into Slack or Jira can derail deep work and the importance of maintaining a single-tasking mindset.
- 23:25 — Hyperfocus and Productivity: The double-edged sword of hyperfocus and the ability to produce significant work in short bursts.
- 31:50 — Time Blindness and Reminders: Using automated reminders to navigate the 'now vs. not now' perception of time and managing transitions between work and home life.

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## Transcript

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