How the "Big Paper Planning Day" Science Fair Board Method Helps ADHD Individuals Plan Life and Achieve Goals

Lexi Merritt

Big Paper Planning Day Introduction [00:00]

The speaker introduces her unique life planning method using a giant trifold science fair board, calling it "Big Paper Planning Day." She does this quarterly, individually and with a group, and believes it promotes an experimental mindset towards life.

• The method is designed to be less rigid and more self-compassionate, abstract, and creative, especially for those who struggle with traditional planning.
• It emphasizes visual thinking and "big paper" mind mapping, which helps with object permanence for those who need visual cues.

  

• The process was developed from the speaker's personal experience of needing a different approach to planning due to her ADHD and the ineffectiveness of conventional goal-setting.

Why "Just do it!" Didn't Work for Me [01:51]

The speaker, who is self-employed and has ADHD, shares her struggles with traditional productivity advice like "just do it" and SMART goals.

• Her journey into self-employment was an accommodation for her ADHD, not a planned career move.
• Traditional advice often failed her, leading to feelings of inconsistency and self-deprecating thoughts.
• She found alternative inspiration in design thinking, which emphasizes experimentation and iteration, applying it to "life design."
• The tangible and visual nature of big paper planning appeals to her, helping her to "believe in her body" that life is an experiment.

What Materials Do I Need? [05:56]

The core materials for Big Paper Planning Day are simple and leverage the motivational power of novelty.

• Essential Materials:
  • A big piece of paper (like a trifold science fair board).
  • Writing instruments.
  • Your brain.

    

• Optional Materials:
  • Gold stars.
  • Sticky notes.
  • Gel pens or other craft supplies that evoke a sense of a new beginning.
• The act of school supply shopping and indulging in new supplies is intentionally part of the process, tapping into the novelty-seeking aspect often present in ADHD.
• This reframes the science fair board from a source of past procrastination anxiety into an exciting tool for fresh starts.

Why Every Three Months? [06:13]

The quarterly cycle of Big Paper Planning Day is deliberately structured to harness the power of novelty and continuous iteration.

• Novelty is a strong motivator, particularly for individuals with ADHD.
• Instead of waiting for a yearly reset (like New Year's), this method provides a fresh start every three months (similar to a "12-week year").
• This cycle encourages reflection on what was learned and what needs to change, promoting an iterative and experimental mindset.
• It combines this manufactured novelty with the life design approach and the literal visual symbol of a science fair board, reinforcing that the next three months are an experiment.

Step One: Vision & Values [07:24]

The first step focuses on establishing a clear vision and identifying core values.

• Visioning Exercise:
  • Write a list of 11 desired things.
  • Write a diary entry in the present tense from a day in your life where you have achieved these 11 things. This helps connect with the "desired state" of being.

    

• Time Constraint: This planning is specifically for the next three months, acknowledging that not all long-term desires will manifest within this short period.
• Values Identification: The desired things are seen as representative symbols of deeper values or feelings the individual wants to experience.

  

• The process involves identifying core values and often experimenting with one new value (e.g., beauty, discipline, dignity) for the upcoming quarter.

Step Two: Abstract Goals [09:43]

This step moves away from traditional SMART goals and focuses on "abstract goals."

• Abstract Goals Explained:
  • Defined as a "desired state of being," rather than concrete, measurable outcomes.
  • They focus on the "why" behind desires. For example, instead of "buy a house with a pool," the abstract goal might be the feeling of security or relaxation associated with it.

    

• Example Abstract Goals: The speaker shares her recent abstract goals: "trust myself with money," "create space for magic and good ideas," and "try in public."

  

• Core Motivation: Abstract goals capture core motivation and the desired feeling or experience, making the process intrinsically rewarding rather than solely focused on external achievements.
• This approach avoids the demotivation that can come from feeling constantly far away from concrete, long-term goals.

Step Three: Action Menus [10:38]

Action menus are designed to make abstract goals concrete and achievable regardless of energy levels.

• Purpose: For each abstract goal, an action menu lists various actions that contribute to achieving that goal.
• High and Low Energy Options: Crucially, each menu includes options for both high-energy days and low-energy days.
  • High Energy Examples: Read inspiring content, write, ask for referrals, cold email, design new offers, edit videos.
  • Low Energy Examples: Go for a walk, make coffee at home, brainstorm, volunteer, dance party in office, log expenses.

    

• Visual Cues: These menus serve as visual prompts, ensuring that even on difficult days, there are accessible actions that align with the abstract goals.
• Immediate Achievement: When any action from the menu is completed, it immediately counts as achieving the abstract goal, fostering a sense of accomplishment rather than endless pursuit.

The Identity Shift [13:33]

A significant benefit of Big Paper Planning Day is the shift in self-identity it fosters.

• Strengthening Identity: The method helps individuals see themselves as people who consistently achieve their goals.

  

• Overcoming Negative Self-Perception: The speaker recounts her past identity as "flaky," "forgetful," and "messy" due to ADHD. This planning system provides tangible evidence that she can stick to things and achieve.

  

• Gold Stars: The practice of giving oneself "gold stars" for small actions, like making coffee at home, reinforces the identity of someone who trusts themselves with money, for example.

  

  

• By repeatedly demonstrating to oneself that even small actions contribute to larger abstract goals, the internal narrative changes from one of failure to one of consistent progress.

Step Four: Results & Targets [15:16]

While focused on abstract goals, the method also incorporates concrete targets and results, but with an experimental perspective.

• Monthly Micro-Experiments: Since planning is quarterly, each month is treated as a micro-experiment.

  

• Hypothesis Setting: For specific targets (e.g., gym visits, revenue), a hypothesis is made (e.g., "I will go to the gym 15 times over the next four weeks").
• Flexibility: This allows for fluctuation (e.g., more gym visits one week, fewer the next) and accommodates natural energy cycles (like menstrual cycles), avoiding rigid daily expectations.

  

• Educated Guesses: Targets are encouraged to be "educated guesses" rooted in past data and realistic expectations, rather than arbitrary numbers that set one up for disappointment.
• This approach views results as outcomes of experiments, providing data for future iterations rather than failures.

Consistency = Accommodation [18:32]

The overall philosophy emphasizes that true consistency comes from accommodation and focusing on one's locus of control.

• Locus of Control: The method distinguishes between things within one's control (actions) and things outside of it (results).

  

• Accommodation for Consistency: Consistency in action is achieved through accommodating individual needs, such as varying energy levels, using tools like action menus with high/low energy options.
• Self-Compassion: This fosters self-compassion, allowing individuals to see themselves as capable of doing good things, even on challenging days.
• Fair Target Setting: When setting outcome-based targets (like revenue), it's crucial to identify all actions within one's control that influence that outcome, rather than expecting results to appear magically.

  

• Big Paper Planning Day is presented as an accommodating, self-compassionate, and empowering alternative to traditional, often patriarchal, productivity methods.