What’s your default comfort show? You know, the TV show you put on at the end of a long day or while you’re doing dishes that you know every word of. You can leave the room to do a load of laundry, walk back into the room and know exactly what’s happening. 

My show of choice: Friends. I can put it on and my brain goes offline. I know exactly what is going to happen because I’ve watched it so many times.

We want to do the same things in our business. Put tasks on repeat. 

I’m choosing to write about this because this is a “I need to practice what I preach” moment.

I have been out here in a season of minimal childcare running all around my to-do list and that needs to stop now. 

I sit down at the computer for a few precious hours of childcare time and I am getting way too browsy on my task list instead of having a clear plan of action and I know I’m wasting valuable time!

So come with me while I help myself and help you with creating a default workweek so we can get more done with less time. 

A Workweek Planning Solution Business Owners with ADHD: The Default Workweek

First, and most importantly, I do not like rigidity. This is why TiMeBlOcKiNg doesn’t work for me and many other people with busy brains. I do not want my calendar to tell me what to do and when to the hour.

I will actively resist that and suddenly my kitchen has never been more clean.

The point of the default workweek is to create a structure or framework to operate inside of and reduce some decisions. No one around here needs more decisions. Certainly not business owners with ADHD, moms, or honestly humans in general. Deciding what to have for dinner every night is enough of a decision. 

What is a default workweek?

First things first, let’s get clear on what a default workweek even is!

Put simply, a default workweek is a repeatable structure that removes the daily pressure of deciding what to focus on or wondering when you’re going to get a certain task done. 

Do you ever get in a flowstate while you’re working? Your brain is in the zone and you’re just knocking things out. You feel in control and accomplished. You’re not clicking between different tabs and bouncing back and forth between tasks. 

You can try to recreate that flowstate by task batching, which is way differently than time blocking! 

What tasks should be a part of your default workweek?

Your default work week should include any tasks you’re doing every week or almost every week. 

Some common things that come to mind: 

• Writing a newsletter
• Writing a blog (very meta to mention this)
• Client check-ins
• Bookkeeping
• Planning social media content
• Inbox management
• Client meetings

What tasks should not be a part of your default workweek?

If you have a one time task or project, that’s not something you want to add to your default workweek. The default workweek is for tasks you write down every week to be completed or recurring tasks in your project management tool of choice. 

If you have long term clients or recurring client work that could be a part of your default workweek, those things are great to include. For example, I manage a client’s inbox and have decided that I check it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. That is a part of my workflow and workload for the week. 

How To Create Your Default Workweek as a Business Owner with ADHD

1. Look at your project management tool or planner and write down all the tasks you regularly do for your business. 

In this step, seriously lay it allll out. Even it’s a small task that you do regularly, write it down!

2. Group tasks that you like to do together. 

For example, grouping writing tasks together (newsletters, blogs), group content creation together (video editing, Canva shenanigans).

3. Create an order that makes sense for the tasks. 

This can still be just in a list format, but think about things like if you use your blog to inform your social media posts or newsletter, your blog publishing should come before your social/newsletter day. 

4. Consider other life obligations.

For me, those are things like childcare, or days I like to do meetings. For you that might be, following the flow of your business, balancing your 9-5 or workout classes. A bookkeeper might want to hold meetings later in the month so they can work on closes in the first part of the month. 

5. Map out your ideal week.

I’d do this on paper, but a digital calendar can be great, too! 

Bonus idea: use a post-it for each task and physically move them around to create the ideal week, then record it on paper and hang it where you can see it or transfer it to your project management system.

Default Workweek Example 

To help you get a better idea of what a default workweek can look like in action, let’s map out my ideal week together:

Tasks:

• Newsletter
• Draft blog
• Schedule Threads
• Client check-ins
• Instagram posts
• Client meeting slots on my scheduler

Considerations: I have childcare Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I submit my blog draft to Natty in The Writer’s Room by Thursday night. My newsletter, Clean Sheet Sunday, is sent on Sunday mornings.

With all of this in mind, here’s what my default workweek might look like:

• Monday: Schedule threads, IG posts, Client meeting slots
• Tuesday
• Wednesday: Draft newsletter, Client meeting slots
• Thursday: Draft blog
• Friday: Client check-ins, Client meeting slots

By taking the time to map out my workweek, I’m able to predict when the tasks that are important to my business will get done. Additionally, I can set up my meeting scheduler to match the availability I’ve mapped out. 

My Tuesdays and Thursdays are lighter and the main tasks I’m doing are client work if necessary because I spend the majority of the day doing household things or being a mom. 

Need help creating your default workweek?

If you love the idea of creating a default workweek, but you need help organizing your tasks, a Stop the Spiral Sprint is perfect for us to look at what tasks you can put on repeat. 

We’ll look at tasks you’re doing regularly in your business (or want to be doing!) and figure out how you can structure your week so that when you sit down to work, you know exactly what you’re going to work on!