Podcast Summary
Podcast: Adult ADHD ADD Tips and Support
Host: Michael Joseph Ferguson
Episode: ADHD Mind Mapping – How to Break Down Overwhelming Tasks
Date: February 10, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode focuses on using mind mapping as a practical strategy to break down large, overwhelming tasks—a common challenge for adults with ADHD. Drawing from personal experience and coaching methods, Michael Joseph Ferguson illustrates how unclear, “simple” tasks can paralyze progress, and explains step-by-step how mind mapping transforms them into manageable action items. The episode features a real-world example and highlights the importance of clarity, systems, and breaking tasks into sessions.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Simple Tasks Become Overwhelming
- Unrecognized Complexity:
- Many tasks seem simple but are subconsciously avoided because they have hidden complexities or unclear components.
- Overwhelm is often caused by a lack of clarity.
- Quote:
- “If you're finding yourself in that position, it's usually because the task is more complicated than you're giving it credit for and probably has some key components to it that are overwhelming.”
— Sam (00:00)
- “If you're finding yourself in that position, it's usually because the task is more complicated than you're giving it credit for and probably has some key components to it that are overwhelming.”
- The ADHD brain tends to push off tasks that are not well-defined.
2. Introducing Mind Mapping for ADHD
- Definition & Benefits:
- Mind mapping is presented as an essential tool for the ADHD brain, allowing for visual breakdowns of big tasks.
- Quote:
- “Mind mapping can be the crucial tool to make your life so much better when our brains are wired this way.”
— Michael Joseph Ferguson (01:22)
- “Mind mapping can be the crucial tool to make your life so much better when our brains are wired this way.”
- Community Resources:
- Mention of ongoing workshops and accessible software for mind mapping.
3. Walkthrough: Breaking Down an Overwhelming Task
- Case Study – “Clean My Home Office”
- The task “clean my home office” seems basic but is usually too broad, leading to overwhelm.
- Quote:
- “If you came to me and I was coaching you and I heard that, I would say, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'd stop you and say, that's too broad. You need to break that down.”
— Sam (03:16)
- “If you came to me and I was coaching you and I heard that, I would say, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'd stop you and say, that's too broad. You need to break that down.”
Step-by-Step Mind Mapping Example
- Step 1: Place the “clean and organize the office” task at the center of the mind map.
- Step 2: Identify the three main subcategories:
- Boxes (e.g., old documents to be sorted)
- Top of the Desk (e.g., messy papers, items to be organized)
- Shelves (e.g., books and items in disarray)
- Step 3: Break each subcategory into actionable items:
- Boxes: For each box, decide:
- What needs filing?
- What can be thrown away?
- What goes into storage?
- “Now you've given yourself the directive. If you're working on boxes, now you've got three things that you know you need to do...”
— Sam (06:41)
- Top of Desk:
- File papers, throw away trash, put away items (like cups).
- Organize and set up the desk to increase productivity.
- Place planner or necessary tools nearby as reminders.
- Shelves:
- Straighten and organize as needed. Often the easiest, so it can help create a sense of accomplishment.
- Boxes: For each box, decide:
- Step 4:
- Prioritize the order based on need (e.g., top of the desk first if it most impacts work capacity).
- Split the larger task into sessions (e.g., first deal with the desk, then boxes, then shelves on another day).
- Schedule sessions in your calendar with reminders.
- Quote:
- “Maybe, maybe I only got an hour today to work on this. So let's start with the top of the desk. And now you've got your task list. You're clear now what you need to do. And you're just going to tackle that and you tell yourself that's it.”
— Sam (09:34)
- “Maybe, maybe I only got an hour today to work on this. So let's start with the top of the desk. And now you've got your task list. You're clear now what you need to do. And you're just going to tackle that and you tell yourself that's it.”
4. Generalizing the Approach
- Use mind maps for any complex task:
- Write the task in the center.
- Break it into main components.
- Make actionable to-do lists for each branch.
- Divide into realistic work sessions.
- Quote:
- “Pick your task. You can go through that same basic planning method and do your mind map and extract from that a clear action item list and see if you can split it out into sessions.”
— Sam (10:25)
- “Pick your task. You can go through that same basic planning method and do your mind map and extract from that a clear action item list and see if you can split it out into sessions.”
5. Mind Mapping as a Lifelong Skill
- When practiced regularly, mind mapping becomes second nature for handling overwhelming situations.
- The technique isn’t just for cleaning, but for any project—planning, writing, brainstorming, or problem-solving.
- Quote:
- “When you get in the habit of doing this, then you're no longer pushing things out. You're switching a light on and saying, wait a minute, I know how to handle this, I'm going to break it down and here's how I do it.”
— Sam (00:44)
- “When you get in the habit of doing this, then you're no longer pushing things out. You're switching a light on and saying, wait a minute, I know how to handle this, I'm going to break it down and here's how I do it.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “The lack of clarity causes overwhelm and then you push it out." — Sam (03:37)
- “Mind mapping is such a useful tool.” — Michael Joseph Ferguson (11:28)
- “So as you can hear from that example, this all sounds blaringly simple, but we forget to do it.” — Sam (10:04)
- “If I handle the top of the desk. I'm done for the day.” — Sam (09:34)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00–01:22 – Why we procrastinate on “simple” tasks; role of overwhelm
- 01:22–03:16 – Introduction to mind mapping for ADHD
- 03:16–09:34 – Step-by-step mind mapping example: Cleaning a home office
- 09:34–11:05 – Scheduling and splitting tasks into sessions; setting reminders
- 11:05–12:34 – Recap, encouragement to use mind mapping for various projects
- 12:34–13:51 – Announcements and community invitations (skip for content)
Additional Resources Mentioned
- ADHD Mind Mapping workshop: Next session Feb 28, follow-up Mar 3.
- Community Gathering: Online event Feb 24.
- The Drummer and the Great Mountain: Books, quizzes, and mailing list for future events.
- Mind mapping software offered free during workshop.
Tone & Takeaways
The tone is practical, upbeat, and empathetic, acknowledging common difficulties for adults with ADHD while offering clear, actionable solutions. The episode empowers listeners to recognize task avoidance as a signal for breakdown and clarity, and demonstrates mind mapping as a versatile, confidence-building tool for neurodivergent minds.
This summary captures the episode’s structure, main lessons, tools discussed, and specific approach outlined by the host, giving practical value even to those who haven't listened.