ADHD and The Two Key Steps To Creating The Change You Want
As you are reading this
- you are thinking you should change.
- someone wants you to change.
- you want someone else to change because you think it will make your life better (and maybe theirs).
- you are getting ready to make changes so some aspect of your life is better.
- you are in the process of making changes, and wondering if you are doing it right.
Perhaps, these changes are related to your ADHD. Change is something we think about all the time.
Sometimes we act, and other times we just continue thinking… It is normal
But When Are We Ready?
I would like my eating habits to be better. I don’t consistently eat as well (read, nutritious meals) as I would like. And, if the truth be known, I also overeat. That is, I eat even when I am full.
I know I don’t eat well largely because I do not have a meal plan. I need more structure.
I also know that I overeat because of boredom, poor impulse control / not being mindful of what I am putting in my mouth and my need for stimulation; all common reasons for people with ADHD to overeat.
Yet, while I think about doing something to change this, I have not. I just have not tapped into my motivation to do anything about it right now. And no amount of “words of wisdom” from a nutritionist or anyone else is going to change where I am. I’ve heard them before.
According to the Six Stages of Change Model, which I shared in Understanding and Managing Your ADD: Change Can Happen…, I am in the Contemplation Stage.
I’m sure you also want some aspect of your life to be better. It could be your relationships, job, home life, health or a myriad of other aspects of your life.
Are you ready to act?
Getting Ready
I am no stranger to making changes, and I bet you are not either.
Since you are reading my newsletter, it is likely that you have some sense that your ADHD symptoms are preventing you from being who you want to be and / or doing what you want to do.
You may know the outcome you want. Do you know the specific behaviors that will yield this outcome? Identifying these behaviors is the First Step
If I want to eat better, I know that I need to buy the right foods, create a specific meal plan and drink lots of water.
The authors of the book, Influencer: The Power to Change Anything call these vital behaviors. These three behaviors are the ones that will create the greatest leverage in helping me to eat better.
I know this…
Are you concerned that your ADHD symptoms are getting in your way, and you want “it” to be better? Can you identify the vital behaviors that will give you the greatest leverage in getting you the outcome you want?
When Will I Be Ready?
I know what I need to do to eat better. Yet, I’m not doing anything. Nada, zip, zero. Even as I write this, I know that I am not ready.
Once we identify the behaviors, the hard part begins. Yes, the hard part.
What is going to prompt me to shop differently and plan meals?
It is not “verbal persuasion.” If only it were that easy…But it is not.
The Second Step is being able to answer these two questions:
- Is it worth doing?
- Can I do it?
And I can’t say “yes” to either of these, yet.
ADDed Perspectives Bottom Line
Once you identify your vital behaviours, you need to be able to say “yes” to the above questions.
Think of a change you are considering. How do you answer these questions?
Having trouble answering these questions? Check out Are You Motivated? Answer These Questions To Find Out.
