Because apparently, calendars fix everything.
Let’s be honest: the phrase “ADHD marketer” is basically redundant. Creativity? Check. Impulsivity? Double check. Ten tabs open, three Slack conversations half-finished, and a Canva design you might have started at 2:13am last night? Obviously.
Welcome to the glittering circus that is marketing with ADHD.
Now, in theory, there’s a solution to our barely-contained chaos: time-blocking. Yes, that magical unicorn productivity system where your calendar tells you when to eat, breathe, and ideate — and somehow expects you to listen. But don’t roll your eyes just yet. Time-blocking can work… if you approach it with just the right mix of structure, flexibility, and delusion.
Here’s how to use it without losing your soul (or missing your client’s launch date. Again.)
- Treat Your Brain Like a Toddler (with a Netflix subscription)
ADHD brains love novelty, drama, and spontaneous bursts of inspiration that are only ever inconvenient. So instead of fighting it, schedule it. Block “chaos time” — 30 minutes a day to chase shiny objects guilt-free. It’s not procrastination. It’s curated chaos™.
Bonus: calling it “brainstorming” makes it sound strategic.
- Theme Days: Because Variety Needs a Costume
Batching similar tasks into themed days tricks your brain into staying on track — kind of like convincing a toddler that broccoli is “dinosaur trees.”
Monday: Strategy & pretending to be organised.
Tuesday: Design & Canva tantrums.
Wednesday: Writing 1,000 words in 2 hours because you forgot it was due.
You get the idea.
- Micro-Blocking: Tiny Tasks for Tiny Attention Spans
If someone tells you to block out four uninterrupted hours to “focus deeply,” laugh in their face. Then politely walk away. Try 25-minute sprints instead (Pomodoro-style), with 5-minute breaks to scroll, stretch, or stare into space questioning your career choices.
These micro-blocks create momentum — which is ADHD gold.
- Colour-Code Like Your Sanity Depends on It (It Does)
If your calendar looks like a sad monochrome spreadsheet, you’re doing it wrong.
Use colours to signal task type and intensity:
Red = Brain-heavy, proceed with caffeine.
Yellow = Light admin, ideal for post-lunch energy slumps.
Blue = Creative flow. Add music. Light a candle. Become a brand goddess.
Bonus: it’s basically adult colouring with ROI.
- Add Buffer Zones — Because Time Travel Isn’t Real
ADHD optimism is adorable. You think you can jump from a strategy call into high-focus writing with zero transition time. You cannot.
Add buffers. Stretch blocks. Accept reality. You’re not late — your calendar just lacked “vibe recovery time.”
- Automate the Nagging
If you don’t set reminders, did the task even exist? Set alarms. Sync your Google Calendar. Make Alexa your slightly passive-aggressive assistant. You need external accountability — preferably with a robotic voice that doesn’t accept excuses.
- Forgive Yourself When You Inevitably Blow It All Up
Let’s face it, some days you’ll ignore your calendar, rewrite your entire brand strategy at 11pm, and reorganise your Notion dashboard instead of writing copy. That’s okay. Time-blocking isn’t a prison. It’s a map. If you detour, you’re not failing — you’re rerouting.
Final Thought: Time-blocking isn’t about killing your creativity. It’s about giving it a designated stage, curtain time, and maybe even an intermission. ADHD marketing brains are chaotic, brilliant, and sometimes very late — but with a flexible schedule and a colourful calendar, you might just outsmart your own circus.
Now go. Block off 30 minutes to make your calendar look like a rave flyer. That’s productivity, baby.
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