“Karen’s Noggin’ 🧠 Nuggets” #31 ~ October 14, 2022
IF IT WASN’T FOR THE LAST MINUTE, I WOULDN’T GET ANYTHING DONE!
Are you ready to get things done?
I’ll be the first to admit that people with ADHD have a higher-than-average tendency to wait until the last minute to get things done. How many of you waited to do your report for school or study for the test until the night before? How about packing for a trip? It’s amazing how much we can get done before leaving on vacation. It’s as if we have to have a deadline for everything in our life. We’re asked, “why didn’t you do that sooner?” And the answer is usually something like because we were working on the other last-minute items that were due before this moment. We’re always scrambling and even though we tend to thrive in chaos, sometimes we’re just wiped out from always trying to catch up.
As I got older, this last-minute trying to catch up made me realize that I’m not too nice to myself. I started to change my thinking and I would train my brain to be nice to myself. When I wasn’t scrambling around, I had more peace and calm and that seemed to be something I could get used to. It was an unusual feeling for someone living on the edge with daily tasks but little by little I accepted this new thinking and way of life that showed me that I cared about myself.
Once again, I learned more on this subject from Laurie Dupar in my classes at https://www.iactcenter.com/ Here are some great suggestions from Laurie if you’re struggling to get things done.
Following are some ways to get into action even if you don’t feel like it:
Take small steps. It’s easier for our brains to resist doing something if it seems too big. Whether you feel like it or not, taking consistent small steps works with your mind’s natural tendency to keep going. Larger or more overwhelming changes result from small changes made consistently day after day.
It’s OK to do it gradually. Be the turtle. Taking consistent small steps, over time, works. We have created a new positive behavior without realizing it and maybe even won the race.
Plan for the exceptions. Changing anything can be challenging, and there will be times when you resist it. So instead of waiting for yourself to slip up, plan these exceptions into your plan, for instance, with the unpleasant job of cleaning the toilet. I have allowed it to be OK so that I don’t have to clean it every week. There will be times when we forget, slip up, or fail. It’s part of my very ordinary, very imperfect ADHD journey. Instead, include these in being successful.
Recharge. Being physically tired or mentally exhausted does not help get things done. Work into your plan the lifestyle changes of getting enough sleep and mind the mental breaks it needs. I understand this is easier said than done, but you will find yourself less able to focus, think, and pay attention without these. With physical and mental rest, you will enjoy the satisfaction and fulfillment that come with a job complete.
The good news is you don’t have to live on the edge with getting your tasks done at the last minute each time! If I can change my ways you can too!
For more information on this subject and/or if you would like to work with a Life Coach to work through some struggles, contact me at https://happybrainlifecoach.com/
Thank you for reading “Karen’s Noggin’ 🧠 Nuggets” #31 ~ October 14, 2022
