(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: aren’t sure… Continue reading…
Part 2 – Frustrated by Wasting Time? Here Are 7 Fixes You Can Use Today
(originally published Jun 23, 2017, updated December 2, 2020) Once you’ve decided what’s essential to you, and you have a task list that reflects this (per my previous post), it’s time to execute. And to do this you’ll need to use ADHD time management tactics to decide when to work on your various tasks. Because you know just having a list of essential tasks is not a guarantee that you’ll follow through, right? Especially… Continue reading…
What Doesn’t Motivate ADHD Adults to Follow Through
I know you’re curious as to what will help ADHD adults execute better. But have you ever wondered what doesn’t motivate ADHD adults? Recently I was talking to a client about adopting more helpful self-talk when faced with starting a task that was not intrinsically interesting to her. She commented that it sounded a little hokey and, besides, “I’m used to using more “forceful” self-talk,” she said. I noted that doesn’t seem to… Continue reading…
Part 3 – Getting from Task List to Execution When You Have ADHD
Making decisions of any kind can be a challenge for ADHD adults. You get that. This is true of deciding how and when to do your myriad of tasks. To more easily make these types of decisions the first step is to create an effective to-do list. Because it just doesn’t work for ADHD adults to keep your to-do’s in your head. One reason, of course, is you just won’t remember them. Also, it… Continue reading…
3 Ways You Can Use Planning to Prevent ADHD Overwhelm
You know planning is a good thing. But, if you’re like most adults with ADHD, when you think of planning the first thing that comes to mind might be, “Yeah, I know I should do more. But I don’t. It’s too hard.” You might also think of the adage, “If you fail to plan you are planning to fail.” And I imagine the combination of these thoughts doesn’t motivate you to want to learn… Continue reading…
How to Stop Following the Squirrel and Be More Intentional
Do you sometimes feel your ADHD symptoms are in the driver’s seat and you are not able to steer your life? In my last post, I made the case that mindfulness, as part of your ADHD treatment plan, can change this. And I focused on how you can easily incorporate meditation into your mindfulness practice. If you have not read it, check out, “Here Is How You Can Easily Use Meditation to Treat… Continue reading…
Overwhelmed by too Many Choices? Here are the Solutions for ADHD Adults
Adults with ADHD are often overwhelmed by decision-making. But having lots of options is a good thing, right? After all, it allows you to get exactly what you want. At least that is what our modern consumer culture leads us to believe. More is better, right? But what about when you account for the time, energy and stress involved in choosing between so many options? Is more still better? Many adults with ADHD struggle… Continue reading…
The 6 Steps ADHD Adults Use to Solve Just About Any Problem
Problem-solving is hard for ADHD adults. Not exactly rainbows and unicorns. I know. And you may be tempted to stop reading this article right now. But, if you want to become better at handling adversity, I hope you’ll hang in there with me a bit longer. I thought of writing this article while reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Ordinarily, I would bypass a book with this title…. Continue reading…
Discover the Secret Sauce ADHD Adults Use to Create Routines
It feels great when you can easily start and follow through on a task or activity that is important to you, right? But contrast that with those times that it feels like you are wading through quicksand, due in part to the challenges that come with your ADHD symptoms. It can be frustrating, to say the least. And I know you may be hard-pressed to come up solutions. While I write about many ways… Continue reading…
How ADHD Adults Fix Their Love-Hate Relationship with Routines
You’ve probably heard time and time again that adding structure to your life can help you manage your ADHD and keep you from floundering — doing whatever catches your attention in the moment. It’s true. Yet, if you are like many adults with ADHD, when you think of adding structure to your life you probably think, “I definitely need to do that! And I’ve tried… It just always seems to fall part.” So, you… Continue reading…