Executive Dysfunction: Why Starting Simple Tasks Can Feel Impossible (And Why I Built Faffalot Simple)

If you've ever looked at a list of things you need to do and somehow ended up doing none of them, you're not alone. You might know exactly what needs doing. You might even want to do it. But somehow, getting started feels impossible.

For years, I thought I was simply disorganised. I tried planners, calendars, productivity apps, time blocking, the Pomodoro technique and countless to-do lists. They all looked impressive, but none of them actually helped me begin. My brain would look at the list, pick the easiest or most interesting task, and quietly ignore everything else until it became urgent.

Over time I realised I wasn't failing because I lacked motivation, I was struggling with executive dysfunction, the mental processes that help us plan, organise, prioritise and start tasks. When those processes aren't working well, even simple everyday jobs can feel impossible.

That's why I built Faffalot Simple.

I didn't set out to create a business or the next productivity app. I simply wanted something that would gently guide me through my day without overwhelming me with long lists or complicated systems. Instead of showing me everything I needed to do, I wanted something that could simply say, "Just do this next."

To my surprise, it worked. I found myself getting started more often, arriving at work earlier, remembering everyday tasks and feeling less overwhelmed. When I shared it with friends and family, they started saying it helped them too. That's when I realised I wasn't the only person who needed an app like this.

Today, I'm delighted to say that Faffalot Simple is now available on the App Store. It's completely free to download, and I hope it helps other people in the same way it's helped me.