Learn How ADHD Adults Use a Task Manager to Reduce Their Overwhelm
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Learn How ADHD Adults Use a Task Manager to Reduce Their Overwhelm

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: If you are an ADHD adult and have a long and complicated task list, you will benefit from using an electronic task manager. As using one will help you to manage and execute on your important work so you can feel less stress and overwhelm. And I know that is something you definitely want! KEY TAKEAWAY: TRANSCRIPT: 00:00 You may think using a task manager won’t work for you because you have ADHD. I don’t think that’s true. Where do you keep your list of tasks right now? If you don’t have one central place, they may be on stickies pads of paper, somewhere in your meeting notes, maybe in emails or on the memo app on your phone. You write them down in these various places,…

ADHD Adults Who Want to Be Productive and Not Stressed Use These Calendar Tips
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ADHD Adults Who Want to Be Productive and Not Stressed Use These Calendar Tips

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, Blog

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: (Originally published February 22, 2019, Updated July 28, 2022) The calendar is a critical tool for ADHD adults. But many are not using it as effectively as they could to ensure they are planning their time in alignment with their values and goals. Learn some tips on how you could use your calendar better. KEY TAKEAWAYS: And effectively constructed calendar can help you see whether you are spending your time doing what’s important to you. The calendar is also an important tool to help you remember where you need to be at a certain time, of course. It should be the heart landscape of your life and only include those things that you intend to do at a certain time and nothing else….

Long roadway with the word Start painted on the pavement, symbolizing how ADHD adults struggle to begin tasks.
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How To Make Getting Started Easier When You Have ADHD

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Emotional Regulation, Blog

(Originally published February 23, 2017, Updated July 8, 2022) In the previous post, I explored why it is hard for ADHD adults to start tasks and suggested that because of this challenge you may over-rely on urgency for motivation. So now, if it is your go-to strategy, it is likely because you do not have other tools in your toolbox to help you get started when it is hard. It has become a habit. Whereas neurotypical adults can do what they should because they have an importance-based nervous system, it is harder for you. In part because ADHD adults have an interest-based nervous system. This means you are more motivated to do a task when it is interesting, challenging, novel/creative, or urgent. So, what can you do when you need to do…

ADHD Adults Need These 5 Strategies to Break Free of Decision Paralysis
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ADHD Adults Need These 5 Strategies to Break Free of Decision Paralysis

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Planning & Prioritizing, Blog

You make lots of decisions every day. But, because you are on autopilot for at least half of each day, you may not even realize you are making decisions. You’re just acting out of habit. Also, one of your ADHD superpowers may be your ability to make decisions in emergencies. So, whether you are on autopilot or in an emergency, it doesn’t feel hard to make the decision. Then there are those times when you feel paralyzed trying to decide, like you’re in quicksand. Sometimes it’s because you’re stuck in analysis paralysis, trying to research and consider all aspects of the decision. But not able to make the decision. Alternatively, you might procrastinate even thinking about the decision even when the lack of a decision keeps you from moving…

adhd decision making
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ADHD Adults Need These 5 Mindsets to Be Successful

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Emotional Regulation, Blog

(originally published July 26, 2013, updated April 14, 2022) When you think about whether you can learn and maintain changes to feel more in control and less overwhelmed you may wonder if it’s possible. After all, you’ve been trying to make these changes for a long time. And you’ve had varying degrees of success. Maybe not enough, yet. So, can an old dog learn new tricks? Yes, definitely! And you can, too.? Sure, you might need additional knowledge to make these changes. But I think you probably know much of what you need already. What you might need, though, is a shift in your mindset. Think about it. You have had many years of formal schooling. You’ve also picked up additional skills and knowledge to navigate your personal and professional life since….

adhd mindset
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The ADHD Adult’s Guide To The Weekly Review

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Planning & Prioritizing, Blog

 (originally published July 10, 2016, updated April 4, 2022) While it may seem simple and straightforward, I know adopting a practice of weekly review and planning is hard for adults with ADHD. It is also hands down the one strategy many of my clients have said gave them the most benefit in terms of being productive and feeling grounded. Yet, I know you may overlook or even resist doing it because you: Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll be willing to give it a try, whether you’ve attempted to do it before or not. Because you’ll both buy into that it’s a good use of your time and feel more capable of doing it. Ready to see if this could be true for you, too?…

adhd planning
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Are You Choosing the Right Tools to Work with Your ADHD?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

(Originally published May 23, 2016, Updated March 11, 2022) It makes sense to look for a solution when you have a problem. And you may spend a fair amount of time looking for answers to your ADHD-related challenges. You probably found this article in one of your searches, right? Even though you may already have what you need. I know you may be thinking, “That’s ridiculous! Why would I waste my time looking for an answer I already have!” Sure, if you realized you had the answer, you wouldn’t continue searching. But sometimes you are not aware you already have the answer because you are not effectively using your tools and strategies. One reason for this could be that you have not customized the solution…

adhd self-talk
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Part 2: Effective ADHD Adults Know How to Use These Self-Talk Skills

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Emotional Regulation, Blog

(originally published August 3, 2016, updated December 15, 2021) As I noted in Part 1, self-talk either helps you reach your goals or gets in the way. I explored how you can develop a habit of using more positive and helpful self-talk to take effective action. I also shared how to use self-talk to develop more self-compassion and diffuse negative thoughts and feelings. In this post, Part 2, I’ll share with you how your current self-talk contributes to your procrastination and how you can turn this around. First, I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of criticism. Who hasn’t? Of course, nobody likes to be criticized. As an adult with ADHD, maybe you’ve had more than your fair share of criticism from your parents, teachers,…

Effective ADHD Adults Know How to Use These Self-Talk Skills
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Part 1: Effective ADHD Adults Know How to Use These Self-Talk Skills

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

(originally published September 6, 2019, updated December 14, 2021) If I were to tell you ADHD adults commonly need to upgrade their self-talk skills, you might think, “What? I talk to myself all the time!” I know you do. In fact, just before reading this article, maybe you told yourself: “I should be doing my work. I’m going to be late delivering, again!! Why can’t I get stuff done like everyone else? And then, completely frustrated, you might have decided to read this article. Because, you told yourself, “I’m going to be late getting it in, anyway. Reading one article is not going to make a difference.” While you may be well versed in the above self-talk, engaging in this kind only serves to hinder…

Are You Wondering if Medication Is the Best Way to Treat ADHD?
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Are You Wondering if Medication Is the Best Way to Treat ADHD?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

(originally published April 19, 2017, updated November 11, 2021) Making the decision to take ADHD medication can be challenging for ADHD adults. Some may struggle to make this decision because of the uncertainty of whether to take medication at all. Others are fine taking medication but are concerned about the effects and unclear about the benefits. You may also have these concerns. And the decision can be even more difficult because there is so much, sometimes conflicting, information out there. My hope is, whether you decide to take medication to treat your ADHD or not, you can feel confident you are making an informed decision based on accurate information. Let’s get on with helping you do that. The Role of Medication in Treating Your ADHD…