
Episode 344: Why "Just Start" Never Works: ADHD Task Initiation Explained
From I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD by Paula Engebretson - ADHD Productivity Coach
March 2, 2026 · 32 min · Episode 344
About this episode
This episode explores the complexities of task initiation for individuals with ADHD and offers strategies to overcome procrastination.
If your ADHD brain struggles with procrastination, or you often find yourself thinking, "Why can't I just do this thing?!" episode 344 is for you. We often think "getting started" is one simple action. But for the ADHD brain, task initiation is actually a complex chain of 5-6 distinct steps, each of which demand our executive functions. When we collapse these steps all into one, we miss the nuance of where the breakdown happens and we default to shame instead of solutions. In this episode, we're taking apart the "I'm just a procrastinator" narrative. You'll learn how to identify which of the 6 stages is actually blocking you from starting and find one small, specific way to make it remove the friction and take the next step. In episode 344, you will discover: The 6 hidden layers of task initiation (and why 'just doing it' is biologically harder for us). How to pinpoint exactly which step has you stuck. One specific micro-step to remove the friction from the step that's holding you back. Work With Me: 👉 Discover Your ADHD Overwhelm Type - Free Quiz! 👉 Enroll in Overwhelm to Action - step by step course for ADHD Brains 👉 Join We're Busy Being Awesome (group coaching) 👉 Learn…
People in this episode
Host: Paula Engebretson
Topics covered
- ADHD
- task initiation
- procrastination
- executive functions
- self-improvement
- productivity
Keywords
- ADHD
- task initiation
- procrastination
- executive functions
- micro-steps
- productivity
Mentioned in this episode
Products: brain.fm
Books & works: Intentional: How to Finish What You Start
More episodes of I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD
- A Flexible Summer Strategy Your ADHD Brain Will Love · May 7, 2026 · 23 min
- Episode 353: ADHD Imposter Syndrome: Owning the Process That Works for You · May 4, 2026 · 35 min
- Episode 352: Always Starting Over with ADHD? The Spiral Staircase of Growth · April 27, 2026 · 21 min
- Episode 351: The Hidden Reason You Can't Turn Off | ADHD & Burnout · April 20, 2026 · 40 min
- Episode 350: The ADHD Productivity Framework: The One Thing Your ADHD Brain Needs to Get Unstuck · April 13, 2026 · 44 min
- Episode 349: The 20 Second Rule Your ADHD Brain Will Love · April 6, 2026 · 23 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD podcast page.