{"id":7619,"date":"2022-03-11T10:15:05","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T10:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/?p=7619"},"modified":"2024-02-22T10:35:52","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T15:35:52","slug":"tools-to-manage-your-adult-adhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/tools-to-manage-your-adult-adhd\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Choosing the Right Tools to Work with Your ADHD?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(Originally published May 23, 2016, Updated March 11, 2022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know you may be thinking, \u201cThat’s ridiculous! Why would I waste my time looking for an answer I already have!\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One reason for this could be that you have not customized the solution to fit your preferences and needs, including your ADHD challenges. It’s also possible that your ADHD challenges are getting in the way of consistently implementing a strategy or tool that could work. Another possibility is that one or more of your mindsets is getting in your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s get on with seeing what would most effectively help you adopt the right solutions for whatever problem you are trying to solve.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"adhd<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Be Specific About the Problem You Are Trying to Solve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before looking for a solution, you need to identify the problem you want to solve<\/strong>. I know this may seem obvious. But I also know you may not always do this. Instead, when you are frustrated and want things to be better NOW, you might start impulsively searching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example<\/strong>, if you want to be more consistent in following through, you may decide you need better habits. So, you start googling, \u201cbest habits to adopt, habits to improve the quality of life, how to adopt habits, etc.\u201d Though you may have used different search terms, I bet you have done this before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, pause<\/strong> and be curious b<\/strong>efore going down this rabbit hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can start by asking yourself what is causing your frustration. Then think about your possible options. Of course, reach out for help if you need it. Because, though you might have correctly identified what you need, the solution might lie elsewhere. And then you won’t be any further ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about it. If you tend to look for solutions before you have fleshed out the problem, pause and take your time to identify what you need. So, your search doesn’t end up being a distraction or a means to procrastinate and then wasting your time and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Capacity to Adopt a New Strategy or Tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to make a change and need a new tool or strategy to do this, you’ll need to evaluate how much time and energy you have to invest. That is, are you willing and able to put in the time and energy into adopting a new strategy or tool right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take time to ponder this question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because many tools and strategies will not work right out of the box for you. So, you may need to spend time, maybe a considerable amount, figuring out how to customize it to work best for you. If you decide you aren’t willing to invest the time right now, you have other options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you might decide to hold off trying something new until you feel more ready. Alternatively, you may decide you don’t want to wait. You want to make the changes now. In this case, you may look for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might initially look for help implementing the new strategy or tool. So the process is as easy and effective as possible, especially if there is a steep learning curve. Then you might choose to get the support you need to use it consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Your ADHD Gets in the Way of Adopting Processes and Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As part of the process of adopting a new tactic, you will want to consider your ADHD. You already know your ADHD can get in the way of executing. But do you think of this when trying to adopt a tactic? If you don\u2019t, you might be making it harder to do this in a way that will work best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when you intentionally incorporate your understanding of your ADHD challenges you will be more successful in adopting the tools and strategies you choose. Promise!  To help you start to think about how your ADHD can make it harder to adopt a tactic check out this list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n