{"id":2657,"date":"2011-02-04T10:21:07","date_gmt":"2011-02-04T15:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/?p=2657"},"modified":"2025-06-26T16:50:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T20:50:53","slug":"managing-your-add-takes-time-and-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/managing-your-add-takes-time-and-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing Your ADHD Takes Time and Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"

I introduced the Six Stages of Change in the previous article, Understanding and Managing Your ADD: Change Can Happen\u2026. If you haven\u2019t read it yet, I suggest you read it before continuing.<\/p>\n

Then read on to continue learning about the Stages of Change.<\/p>\n

Can You See<\/h2>\n

Choices. Everyday, we make choices. Depending on the circumstances, we are more or less conscious of the implications of our daily decisions.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, we have no idea of what may follow from a seemingly inconsequential decision, like Gwyneth Paltrow’s decision to take one train over another in the movie Sliding Doors.<\/p>\n

It is true. Sometimes, we make choices in the moment, and we have no idea what could follow from that decision. We decide to go to a restaurant and end up meeting someone who impacts our personal or professional life. We decide to talk to someone on the train. We make these decisions in the moment, and they change our lives.<\/p>\n

Seeing Is Believing<\/h2>\n

Other times, we may be able to\u00a0 \u201csee\u201d what could become of one decision or another.<\/p>\n

Still, we may continue to choose to bump along in our life even when a particular aspect of our life is problematic. We are not ready to change.<\/p>\n

If you are in Stage 1, the Precontemplation Stage, you may choose not to see that you may have ADD or, alternatively, that your ADD symptoms are problematic in your life. You can read more about this stage in Understanding and Managing Your ADD: Change Can Happen\u2026.<\/p>\n

Stage 2: Contemplation Stage – Jumping the Denial Hurdle<\/h2>\n

Once you’ve jumped the “denial hurdle,” you are ready to enter the Contemplation Stage. You are willing to consider that your ADD symptoms are creating problems in your life and are willing to learn more about ADD.<\/p>\n

In this stage, while you may still be ambivalent, and may procrastinate about making any change, you are also seriously considering taking action. You are dipping your toes in the water, getting ready to jump in…<\/p>\n

Give yourself credit for taking this step. Even though it does not look action-oriented, in truth, there is a lot going on. It is just not obvious, as it is mostly internal work.<\/p>\n

Stage 3: Preparation – Don’t Skip This<\/h2>\n

Then, in the Preparation Stage, you are ready to make a commitment to manage your ADD. You may say things like,<\/p>\n

“I’ve got to change. I don’t want to keep going on like this. What can I do? Where can I get help?”<\/p>\n

In this stage, you create a plan to effectively make changes in order to manage your ADD.<\/p>\n

You may be tempted to skip this step. After all, you are tired of your ADD symptoms! You want a \u201cfix\u201d and you want it now!! Understandable.<\/p>\n

But a commitment to change is not enough. Without a realistic plan and support system, your efforts may fall flat.<\/p>\n

You know what happens then\u2026 Your commitment wavers because you do not see your efforts getting you anywhere. You decide it will never get better. You quit.<\/p>\n

Take time to plan and find support.<\/p>\n

Faster is not always better.<\/p>\n

Questions to consider:<\/strong><\/p>\n