External Brain — Don't Remember, Record
Compensating ADHD's working memory limits with tools
ADHD working memory is significantly smaller than typical. You forget a phone number between hearing it and writing it down. "What was I going to do?" happens 10+ times daily.
Improving this through effort takes a lifetime. Instead, build a memory system outside the brain.
External Brain = Trusted System
David Allen's GTD principle: Use the brain for thinking, let systems handle remembering.
Habit of immediately recording thoughts, tasks, ideas. Where? One always-accessible place. Notion, Obsidian, paper notebook, phone notes — doesn't matter. Key: collect in one place.
ADHD-Adapted External Brain Rules
Input as fast as possible — If it takes over 30 seconds to record, it won't get recorded. Voice memos, photos, one-line notes.
Organize later — Separate recording from organizing. Dump everything first, schedule weekly organization time.
Keep the system simple — 10 folders, 50 tags = won't use it. One inbox + per-project pages is enough.
Practical Setup
Memo widget on phone lock screen. Must be able to write in 3 seconds when an idea strikes. ADHD brains forget in 30 seconds.
How to Practice
Create one inbox — Notion, Obsidian, paper notebook, anything
Dump everything into inbox immediately (don't organize)
Organize inbox weekly — sort into tasks, ideas, references
Memo widget on lock screen — environment where 3-second capture is possible