Why ADHD Brains Thrive on Seasonal Planning with Erik Fisher [Re-release]

Text your thoughts and questions! When the seasons change, many of us notice a shift in our energy, our focus, and even our patience with ourselves. But what if, instead of fighting that shift, we planned around it? This week, in episode 337 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, we're revisiting a conversation that's stayed just as relevant since we first recorded it in 2023—seasonal planning as an energy management tool, with Erik Fisher, host of the Beyond the To-Do List podcast. As part of our ongoing exploration of energy, rhythm, and sustainable productivity, this re-release dives into why forcing the same pace every week of the year simply doesn't work—especially for ADHD brains. Erik Fisher is the host of Beyond the To-Do List, where he's been interviewing productivity experts, authors, and creatives since 2012. He also lives and works with ADHD, and in our conversation, he shares how seasonal planning became a personal energy management tool—one that lets his focus and motivation rise and fall naturally instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all schedule onto himself. Research suggests most adults with ADHD have an internal clock that runs later than the general population, which is one more reason why rigid, uniform routines often fail us. In this conversation, Erik breaks down the different layers of seasonality—from daily rituals, to the four seasons of the year, to quarterly and annual cycles, to the broader "seasons of life" tied to the hats we wear and the roles we hold. He explains why going at full speed all the time is a recipe for burnout, how to recognize when it's time to ramp down and renew, and why acceptance (not giving up) is the key to moving through change. He also shares how he uses bucket lists and periodic brain dumps to clear mental clutter and make room for what's next. Key Takeaways: There's never a season where we stop expending energy, but there has to be a natural cycle of ramping up and ramping down, or burnout becomes inevitable. Seasonality shows up on multiple levels: daily rituals, the four seasons of the year, quarterly/annual cycles, and broader seasons of life tied to our roles and responsibilities. What works for one season of your life won't necessarily work for the next, and what works for someone else may not work for you at all. Self-awareness is essential: knowing your own capabilities, energy patterns, and what drains versus feeds you is more useful than following someone else's cookie-cutter routine. Acceptance isn't giving up. It's acknowledging what's happening and moving forward with it instead of resisting constant change. Seasonal affective disorder and other energy dips are real signals to do less, not reasons to push harder. "Finessing" a season (working with your natural energy) is more sustainable than "forcing" yourself through it. Bucket lists and someday/maybe lists help you hold onto ideas for a future season without pressure to act on them right now. Periodic brain dumps (quarterly, or even weekly) help clear mental RAM and surface subconscious stressors you might not otherwise notice. The right thing, at the right time, in the right way for you—that's what seasonal planning is really about. What season are you in right now, and what season is coming next? What would it look like to plan for each of them exactly as they are? Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways! Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/ Stop trying to fit into someone else’s productivity rules! Grab my free Productivity Toolkit, a collection of workbooks designed to help you explore how you work, uncover what truly matters to you, and create your very own energy-friendly systems. Get it here: www.positivelyproductive.com/plpkit CONNECT WITH ERIK FISHER: Website/Podcast: https://www.beyondthetodolist.com/ Social: Search "Erik J Fisher" on any platform CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY: Facebook Instagram Resources Work with Lisa!  LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 331: Matching Your Schedule with Your Circadian Rhythm Episode 161: Why Your Neurodiversity is a Productivity Advantage Focus File worksheet (Lisa's mind sweep tool) Getting Things Done by David Allen (Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.) Book a Clarity Call Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3 Music by Ian and Jeff Zawrotny Start your own podcast with Buzzsprout!