Struggling to stay focused and motivated as a freelancer with ADHD? Discover the ultimate ADHD-Friendly Tech Toolkit packed with game-changing apps and strategies designed to boost your productivity, simplify your workflow, and make your workday smoother. From clever AI hacks to smart scheduling tools, this guide has everything you need to thrive and it might just help everyone, ADHD or not!
Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on [Youtube], or scroll down for the summary!
In this week’s The Freelancer’s Tea Break I’m chatting about something close to my heart: tools that make life easier for freelancers with ADHD.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed, suspect you might have ADHD, or simply struggle with focus and motivation, these tools can help you work with your brain instead of against it. They’re also brilliant for freelancers in general, even if ADHD isn’t your thing. You might just find a new favourite system or app. You’ll find links to all the tools and apps mentioned in this post are listed with links at the end for easy reference.
1. ChatGPT – for Motivation, Not Content Creation
Okay, I know I’ve said in past episodes that AI can kill creativity… but hear me out. When used right, ChatGPT is brilliant, especially for ADHD brains.
Rather than using it to create content, I use it for processes and motivation. I’ve “trained” it around Jesse J. Anderson’s Four Cs of Motivation – that’s fun, novelty, competition, and urgency.
For example, if I’ve got a to-do list full of dull admin, I ask ChatGPT to help me reframe it through one of those lenses. Maybe it suggests a way to make it more fun or turns it into a mini-challenge. It’s honestly been a game changer.
Book tip: Check out Jesse J. Anderson’s ADHD-friendly book: Extra Focus. It’s packed with short, easy-to-digest strategies you can try straight away.
2. Notion – Your Second Brain
If you’ve never tried Notion, imagine a digital version of your brain, but far more organised. It’s like building your own personal Wikipedia for your business and life.
I use Notion for:
Client and meeting notes
Tracking podcast, newsletter, and social content
Recording metrics and goals
Managing standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Even planning holidays, birthdays, and meals
It’s endlessly customisable and perfect for teams too. The basic plan is free, and it keeps my head (and desktop) much clearer.
3. Sunsama – For Focused Daily Planning
Sunsama has been my go-to productivity tool for years. It connects your email, tasks, and calendar in one place and the best bit? It tells you off if you overload your day.
You can drag emails into your to-do list, block tasks into your schedule, and let the AI help you prioritise. It’s been a game changer for managing my workload without burning out.
4. OneTab – For Tab Hoarders Everywhere
If you’ve ever had so many browser tabs open that you can’t even read the titles (guilty!), you need OneTab.
This free Chrome extension collapses all your open tabs into a single list. This instantly frees up memory and your mental load. You can reopen tabs later or look back through your “tab history” to see what you were researching on Tuesday at 11pm (no judgment).
5. Be Present – For Limiting Phone Distractions
If you run a business on social media, it’s easy to end up glued to your phone. Be Present is an iPhone app that helps you create mindful boundaries.
You can set limits on how often and how long you open certain apps (for me, it’s Instagram). It even rewards you with streaks and small perks, like free audiobooks and Headspace trials, for sticking to your goals.
I’ve now deleted Facebook from my phone entirely and use it only on desktop. But this app helped me ease into healthier habits first.
6. Notability – For Digital Handwritten Notes
If you love handwriting notes but have 27 half-filled notebooks scattered around your office, Notability might be your solution.
It lets you write on your iPad with an Apple Pencil (or cheaper dupe), record audio during meetings or events, and store everything neatly in one searchable place.
While AI note-taking tools are catching up, Notability is still unbeatable for visual thinkers and pen-to-paper types.
7. Speechify – For Turning Text into Audio
This one’s a gem. Speechify turns any text, e.g., emails, newsletters, even Kindle books, into spoken audio.
It’s perfect for ADHD freelancers who like to multitask or struggle to sit still reading. I often use it to listen to long newsletters while making a cup of tea.
The free version is great, but there’s a paid upgrade if you fancy celebrity voices (I mean, who wouldn’t want Snoop Dogg reading your inbox?).
These are the tools that keep me focused, organised, and (mostly) sane as a freelancer with ADHD. But they’re also brilliant for anyone who juggles multiple projects or struggles to stay motivated.
If you’ve got a favourite ADHD-friendly app or tool I should try, I’d love to hear it! Come chat in the Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group, over on Discord, or on Instagram @EmmaCossey
Extra Focus by Jesse J Anderson
Notion
Chat GPT
Sunsama affiliate link
OneTab extension
Be Present
Notability
Speechify
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Email: hello@emmacossey.com
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