Dyslexics Are Tactical Not Strategic: How To Get More From Doing Less

Have you ever left a meeting feeling seen because someone mentioned a problem you share? That happened to me the other day, and it nudged me to look at one of my own stumbling blocks. In this episode, I explore a challenge many of us with dyslexia face every day.

The heart of it involves seeing our thought patterns in a fresh way. These patterns aren’t always obvious until someone else points them out. When we do notice them, we can start shifting our behaviour. That small shift often unlocks better results, both in work and personal life.

Recognising a Common Challenge

One theme stood out in the meeting—I realised I was avoiding certain tasks because they demanded more concentration than I wanted to give. In the moment, it felt easier to leave them for “tomorrow.” That same challenge pops up for many dyslexics. We’re juggling so many ideas that the unexciting stuff gets pushed aside.

Procrastination isn’t unique to dyslexia, but we’ve got our own twist on it. We struggle when something feels too linear or detailed. If it’s not inspiring or filled with creativity, we might hesitate. Once I recognised this, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Why It Matters

Avoidance creates a buildup of pressure. The longer we put off key tasks, the more anxious we feel. Meanwhile, our creative energy wants to dive into new ideas. It’s a tug of war between excitement and routine.

That tension can cause:

• Stress from undone projects
• Guilt or shame around missed deadlines
• Frustration in teams when tasks stall

It might look like a small challenge on the surface, but it affects our confidence and relationships. Sorting it out early helps us stay on top of our workload and frees our mind to do the creative work we love.

Embracing an Effective Approach

I’ve learned that the power of creating frameworks can’t be overstated. Big picture thinking is amazing, but we all need a scaffold to keep critical tasks from slipping through the cracks.

Consider these steps if you’re feeling stuck:

1. Identify one simple system to capture your tasks (paper notebook, app on your phone, or a whiteboard).
2. Rank tasks by importance, not by how fun they are.
3. Give yourself a time limit for the most boring or detailed tasks.
4. Reward yourself with a creative break after you’ve checked off a key item.

It doesn’t have to be complex. Even switching to bullet points can shift our minds from chaos to clarity.

Insights from the Podcast

During the episode, I shared the spark I felt in that meeting and how it led me to reflect on the bigger picture. One phrase from the conversation still sticks with me:

“One many dyslexics will have and could be a key to unlocking better results.”

That simple realisation turned a nagging sense of frustration into a plan of action. When we notice a recurring pattern, we can start to address it before it becomes a real hurdle. It’s not about eliminating our creative spark. It’s about shaping it in a way that supports our day-to-day life.

Moving Forward

So, what now? We build a routine that respects our dyslexic minds. We understand that we can’t do it all at once. Small changes, like using a more collaborative approach at work or setting shorter deadlines for tasks, go a long way.

I’m still learning, and I’m guessing you are too. If you’ve ever felt the weight of putting something off, I encourage you to step back and test one strategy. Trust that it’ll make a difference.

• Identifying and naming the challenge is half the battle.
• Procrastination grows if we don’t take small steps to tackle it.
• It’s vital to build simple frameworks we can stick to.
• We still get to embrace the creativity that dyslexia brings.

Ready to dive deeper? The conversation continues in the podcast player (at the top of the page), where I share personal experiences and extra tips. Give it a listen and let’s figure this out together.