I have a confession: I am absolutely, unabashedly in love with TODO lists. Not just fond of them, not just dependent on them — I’m talking about a deep, passionate love affair that has lasted my entire career. And as a neurodivergent engineer with ADHD, this isn’t just a quirky productivity habit. It’s my secret superpower.

The ADHD Brain and External Memory

Most neurotypical people use TODO lists as reminders. For neurodivergent minds, they’re something far more powerful: an external memory system that compensates for our unique cognitive patterns.

My brain is fantastic at:

  • Seeing connections others miss
  • Hyperfocusing on fascinating problems
  • Generating creative solutions
  • Thinking in systems and patterns

My brain is terrible at:

  • Remembering what I was supposed to do 10 minutes ago
  • Prioritizing boring but important tasks
  • Keeping track of multiple threads simultaneously
  • Not getting distracted by shiny new problems

TODO lists bridge this gap perfectly. They become my external prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that handles executive function, which often works differently in neurodivergent minds.

Why Traditional Productivity Advice Fails Us

Most productivity gurus tell you to:

  • “Just remember to do it”
  • “Build better habits”
  • “Use willpower and discipline”
  • “Focus on one thing at a time”

This advice assumes a neurotypical brain that naturally maintains focus and remembers tasks. For neurodivergent minds, this is like telling someone with glasses to “just see better.” Our brains literally process information differently.

The magic of TODO lists is that they work with neurodivergent cognition, not against it.

My TODO System Evolution

Over 15 years of software engineering, my TODO system has evolved from sticky notes to sophisticated digital workflows. Here’s what I’ve learned works:

Level 1: Brain Dump Lists

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- Fix the login bug
- Review Sarah's PR
- Call the client about deployment
- Research new monitoring tools
- Write architecture doc
- Buy groceries
- Schedule dentist appointment

Simple brain dumps work when everything feels overwhelming. Just getting it out of your head reduces anxiety and frees up mental bandwidth.

Level 2: Categorized and Prioritized

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HIGH PRIORITY - DO TODAY:
- [URGENT] Fix production login issue
- [BLOCKING] Review Sarah's PR (she's waiting)

WORK - THIS WEEK:
- Research monitoring tools (Friday)
- Write architecture doc (Thursday AM when focused)
- Client deployment call (scheduled for Wed 2pm)

PERSONAL:
- Groceries (weekend)
- Dentist (call when they open at 9am)

Categorization helps ADHD brains sort the noise from the signal. Priority levels prevent everything from feeling equally urgent.

Level 3: Context-Aware System

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## CURRENT FOCUS: Q4 Platform Reliability

### ACTIVE (2-3 items max)
- [ ] Implement circuit breaker pattern (IN PROGRESS)
- [ ] Review monitoring dashboard designs

### BLOCKED/WAITING
- [ ] Load testing - waiting for staging env (follow up Fri)
- [ ] Security review - scheduled for next week

### BACKLOG
- [ ] Database connection pooling
- [ ] API rate limiting improvements
- [ ] Documentation updates

### QUICK WINS (< 30 min)
- [ ] Update team status page
- [ ] Reply to architecture RFC comments
- [ ] Schedule 1:1 with junior dev

This system acknowledges that ADHD brains work best with:

  • Limited active focus (2-3 items max)
  • Clear context switching (when blocked, what’s next?)
  • Dopamine hits (quick wins for bad brain days)

The Psychological Benefits

For neurodivergent engineers, TODO lists provide more than organization — they offer psychological safety:

1. Anxiety Reduction

That nagging feeling that you’re forgetting something important? The list holds it for you. Your brain can finally relax.

2. Executive Function Support

Can’t decide what to work on next? The list has pre-made that decision during a high-clarity moment.

3. Progress Visibility

ADHD brains struggle with seeing progress on long-term projects. Checking off TODO items provides regular dopamine hits and visible forward movement.

4. Context Switching Recovery

When interrupted (which happens constantly in engineering), the list helps you remember exactly where you were and what comes next.

Professional Impact

My TODO obsession has had measurable career benefits:

Reliability: I never miss deadlines or forget commitments because everything lives in the system.

Leadership: I can delegate effectively because I track what I’ve asked people to do and when to follow up.

Project Management: Complex projects become manageable when broken down into trackable tasks.

Stakeholder Communication: I always know the status of everything, making updates effortless.

Career Progression: Managers notice engineers who consistently deliver and communicate well — traits enabled by good task management.

Tools That Work for Neurodivergent Minds

Digital Tools I Love

  • Obsidian: For complex projects with lots of connections
  • Linear: For engineering tasks with great keyboard shortcuts
  • Apple Reminders: For location and time-based triggers
  • GitHub Issues: For code-related tasks that live with the project

Analog Backup

I still keep a notebook for:

  • Quick capture during meetings
  • Daily priorities (physical crossing-off is satisfying)
  • Sketching out complex problems
  • When digital tools feel overwhelming

The Hybrid Approach

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Phone notification: "Daily planning time"
↓
Open notebook, write today's 3 priorities
↓
Transfer to digital system for tracking
↓
Check off in both places (double dopamine!)

Advanced TODO Techniques for Neurodivergent Engineers

1. Time-Boxing with Buffers

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9:00 AM - Review overnight alerts (30 min + 15 min buffer)
10:00 AM - Deep work: circuit breaker implementation (2 hours + 30 min buffer)
12:30 PM - Team standup (actual: 15 min, scheduled: 30 min)

ADHD time estimation is notoriously bad. Build in buffers.

2. Energy-Aware Scheduling

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HIGH ENERGY (10 AM - 12 PM):
- Complex problem solving
- Architecture decisions
- Code reviews requiring deep thought

MEDIUM ENERGY (2 PM - 4 PM):
- Writing documentation
- Refactoring familiar code
- 1:1 meetings

LOW ENERGY (4 PM - 6 PM):
- Responding to emails
- Updating tickets
- Administrative tasks

Schedule tasks based on your energy patterns, not arbitrary priorities.

3. The “Dopamine Economy”

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HARD TASKS (high cognitive load):
- Pair with REWARD TASKS (quick wins)
- Break into smaller pieces
- Celebrate completion meaningfully

EXAMPLE:
- [ ] Implement complex authentication logic (hard)
  - [ ] Write failing test (quick win)
  - [ ] Implement basic structure (medium)
  - [ ] Add error handling (medium)  
  - [ ] Write documentation (reward)
  - [ ] Deploy to staging (celebration!)

4. The “Future Self” Protocol

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## For Future Me:

**Context**: Working on user authentication bug reported by customer
**What I was thinking**: The issue seems to be in the token validation middleware
**Next steps**: 
  1. Check the JWT expiration handling
  2. Look at the refresh token logic
  3. Test with various user roles
**Resources**: 
  - Slack thread: #incident-auth-bug
  - Related code: /auth/middleware/validate.js
  - Customer report: TICKET-1234

Leave breadcrumbs for context switching. Future you will thank past you.

When TODO Lists Become Overwhelming

Sometimes the system itself becomes a source of stress. Here’s how to reset:

The Weekly Purge

Every Friday, ask:

  • What can I delete? (things that seemed important but aren’t)
  • What can I delegate? (things others can handle)
  • What can I automate? (repetitive tasks)
  • What should move to “someday/maybe”? (good ideas without urgency)

The Emergency Protocol

When everything feels urgent and the list is anxiety-inducing:

  1. Stop adding to the list
  2. Pick 3 things maximum for today
  3. Move everything else to “tomorrow” or “this week”
  4. Focus only on those 3 things
  5. Celebrate when they’re done

The Perspective Check

Remember: The TODO list serves you, not the other way around. If it’s causing stress instead of reducing it, something needs to change.

TODO Lists as Career Accelerators

In the fast-paced world of software engineering, the ability to reliably execute is a superpower. Neurodivergent engineers often have incredible creativity and problem-solving skills, but we can struggle with the execution side.

TODO lists level the playing field. They let us:

  • Compete on our strengths (creativity, deep thinking, pattern recognition)
  • Compensate for our challenges (memory, attention, executive function)
  • Build trust with colleagues and managers
  • Take on bigger responsibilities with confidence

Advice for Fellow Neurodivergent Engineers

Start Simple

Don’t build a complex system immediately. Start with brain dumps and evolve based on what works for your specific brain.

Experiment Fearlessly

What works for others might not work for you. Your TODO system should fit your unique cognitive patterns.

Embrace the Obsession

If you find yourself spending “too much” time organizing and planning, that’s probably time well spent. The upfront investment pays dividends in execution.

Share Your System

Help other neurodivergent engineers by sharing what works. We’re often told to hide our differences, but our adaptations can help others.

Advocate for Accommodations

If your team uses project management tools that don’t work for your brain, speak up. Good managers want to help their engineers succeed.

The Bigger Picture

TODO lists, for neurodivergent engineers, are more than productivity tools. They’re assistive technology. They’re external cognitive scaffolding. They’re a way to work with our brains instead of against them.

In a field that often values raw intelligence over consistent execution, having a system that ensures reliable delivery is career-changing. It lets us focus on what we do best — solving complex problems and building amazing things — without drowning in the cognitive overhead of keeping track of everything.

My love affair with TODO lists has made me a better engineer, a more reliable colleague, and a happier human. If you’re neurodivergent and struggling with task management, I encourage you to find your own system. Experiment, iterate, and remember: the best productivity system is the one you’ll actually use.

Your TODO System Checklist

Ready to level up your task management? Here’s where to start:

  • Identify your patterns: When do you have high/low energy? What causes you to lose focus?
  • Choose tools that fit: Digital, analog, or hybrid — whatever feels natural
  • Start with brain dumps: Get everything out of your head first
  • Add categorization: Separate urgent from important, work from personal
  • Build in buffers: Time estimation is hard; plan for it
  • Create quick win categories: For low-energy days
  • Schedule regular reviews: Weekly planning and purging sessions
  • Iterate relentlessly: Your system should evolve with your needs

Remember: You’re not broken and you don’t need fixing. You just need systems that work with your beautiful, complex, neurodivergent brain.

What’s your relationship with TODO lists? Have you found systems that work with your neurodivergent brain? I’d love to hear about your approaches and what’s worked (or spectacularly failed) for you.