Why do I start 5 things and finish none with ADHD? 

You put a routine in place, and it works for a few days, maybe even a week. Then, without warning, everything starts to unravel. By the end of the day, you have touched five things and finished zero. This pattern of scatter and stall is a common struggle in ADHD task completion, fuelled by multitasking issues, attention drift, and the wiring of your executive function. 

The ADHD brain craves stimulation and novelty. So once a task becomes repetitive or slow, your attention slips, even if it is important. You might chase the next urgent thing, follow a new idea, or just mentally check it. It is not a lack of discipline. It is executive dysfunction interrupting your ability to sustain effort and sequence tasks through to the end. 

What’s Causing the Finish-Line Fade? 

Here is why ADHD minds leave so many things half-done: 

Low tolerance for boredom or delay: 

Tasks that do not provide an immediate sense of reward are easily dropped. Breaking work into smaller tasks helps build motivation and momentum. 

Impaired task-switching control:  

You jump between projects as thoughts or distractions arise. Using focus blocks or “one tab” work rules can limit mental splintering. 

Weakened sense of task priority:  

Everything can feel urgent or nothing does. Visual planners and priority grading help clarify where to focus energy first. 

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations focused on task completion strategies and executive function support tools.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Losing track of conversations or tasks.