You Don’t Need a Perfect Notion Setup—You Just Need One That Works
Still overwhelmed by Notion? This 5-step framework helps you reset your system—without burning out or starting over again.
If you’ve ever opened Notion and immediately felt like slamming your laptop shut—you’re not alone.
Over the past few years in my Facebook group Notion for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs and in YouTube comments, I’ve heard it over and over:
“I always forget to open it.”
“It’s just sitting there… unused.”
“I downloaded 20 templates and now I’m even more confused.”
Here’s the truth: Notion isn’t for everyone. And it’s definitely not something you’ll master in a day (despite what all the aesthetic Pinterest boards might suggest). I’ve been using Notion for 4+ years and I still change my system regularly.
I get so many people telling me they MEAN to use it but it’s just too overwhelming or they forget!
So I decided to figure out what the main reasons were behind this and I created a quick video walkthrough talking about it.
I’m calling this the S.P.A.C.E. Framework—a 5-part guide to help you figure out if Notion is for you, and how to use it in a way that actually works with your brain, not against it.
🟡 S = Start Small
Don’t try to build a 13-board life tracker on Day 1. Start with one thing—like your to-do list, content calendar, or book tracker. Use that daily for a week. Try different views. Click the buttons. Get familiar.
Most people expect Notion to click instantly. But honestly? It took me six months to feel confident. It’s a tool, not a magic wand.
🟡 P = Personalize It
Here’s a word I use all the time: Frankenstein. You have to Frankenstein your system. Take templates, mix them up, throw out what doesn’t work, and keep what does.
This is exactly why I prefer Notion over tools like ClickUp or Trello. Those systems feel rigid. Notion feels like LEGOs. You build what you need, how you need it.
💡 And if you’re asking: “Can I customize your templates?” YES. You should.
🟡 A = Action vs. Archive
This right here is where most people get stuck.
They’re dumping ideas, notes, screenshots into boards… but never doing anything with them. So ask yourself:
Is this a to-do list or a just-in-case list?
Is this for action? Or for storage?
I separate mine. I even use Notion Calendar to visualize what’s actionable and when it’s happening. It integrates with Google Calendar too—and for me, blocking my filming time on Mondays has helped me stay consistent with content.
💡 Pro tip: I walk through how I use Notion Calendar + Google Calendar in this video. Seeing your tasks laid out visually can shift you from hoarding ideas to actually doing the thing.
🟡 C = Cut the Perfectionism
Nobody sees your Notion. Not unless you’re sharing it on YouTube like I am. 😉
If you’re tweaking fonts, moving emojis, color-coding statuses but never getting anything done… you’re in the land of procrastivity (my favorite word: procrastination + productivity). It’s fake progress.
Remember: progress over pretty. Notion should work. It doesn’t need to win a design award.
🟡 E = Evolve Over Time
My setup now looks NOTHING like what I posted in my first Notion video years ago. And that’s the point.
Notion is meant to evolve with you. Your needs change. The software changes. (They just added charts, Notion Mail, and a ton of AI features.)
And for photos or visuals, I offload that to Google Photos—I’ve made a bunch of videos on how I use it alongside Notion, especially when organizing content as a creator.
Even the way I teach has changed. My Notion Foundations course is currently getting a full 2.0 relaunch (coming late June—join the waitlist!). I’m rebuilding everything based on how you actually use Notion, not just the way I do.
💥 Bonus: ChatGPT x Notion = Magic
I now use ChatGPT with Notion, and it’s a game-changer. Whether it’s generating ideas, breaking out action steps, or even creating databases—it’s become my thinking partner.
Notion stores info.
ChatGPT moves me forward.
Together, they balance each other out. ChatGPT gets me out of my head. Notion helps me remember where I’ve been.
🎥 Want to see how I use ChatGPT + Notion together? I’m working on a tutorial for that—subscribe to my YouTube to catch it when it drops.
🧠 Final Thoughts (from an ADHD-autistic entrepreneur)
As someone who’s neurodivergent, I know how tempting it is to dive into Notion when I’m overwhelmed. It feels soothing. It gives me a sense of control. It’s almost like a stim—just clicking, organizing, cleaning up boards.
But here’s the real talk: that’s not always productive.
At some point, you have to leave Notion and actually do the thing.
That’s the power of this framework: it gets you back on track without shame, without overwhelm, and with a system that’s built for you.
✨ Resources:
🔗 Join the waitlist for Notion Foundations 2.0
📁 Grab my templates and toolkits
https://jennaredfield.com/resources
Jenna 🌸