Showing posts with label procrastination. Show all posts
Showing posts with label procrastination. Show all posts
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
When it ain't workin' Don't force it!
You can take this one to the bank: You will never get results using mental coercion.
Since ADHD is a mind disorder, using mind to manage its symptoms makes sense. However, understanding how the mind works is crucial. Your mind responds to your thoughts whether positive or negative. This is good, but on the other hand, it sabotages efforts for success.
For example, let's use the common symptom procrastination. You have a project that must be completed. You make note of it in your mind, write it on the calendar, and list it as a priority on your to do list. The task is in your conscious mind as long as you think about it, talk about it, or entertain thoughts about it. The task is in your unconscious mind as well. Our knowledge of the brain assures us that once the idea of the task is accepted by the unconscious, it will act on it-make it happen. All you need is confidence and faith that tomorrow morning you will start work on the project and complete it as listed.
Sounds good until the ADHD steps in and feeds the unconscious mind negative thoughts. From whatever source, negative thoughts reflect lack of confidence, usually based in fear. Leading up to the procrastination may be the seemingly harmless thought, "Actually, I can still complete this project if I wait until Tuesday or Wednesday to start work on it." You think this with conviction and confidence and alas! the unconscious accepts the idea wholeheartedly. Even though it is written on Monday's To Do list, you can be assured that you won't get around to it until Tuesday or Wednesday.
That first thought begins the chain of negative thinking. "It's going to be hard." "I may never get it finished." "It isn't going to be right, even if I get it finished." "I wish I hadn't taken this on." And the negative thoughts, self-talk in your mind continue.
How do you change this?
Start with constructive thinking. Do not allow negative thoughts to take hold. Whenever a negative thought begins, stop it in mid-sentence by affirming the exact opposite. Giving your unconscious mind mixed signals and messages is no different than someone giving you contradicting messages. You don't know what to do, so you do nothing. Your goal is to come to a distinct, crystal clear message in your conscious mind. The unconscious will bring the message to fruition.
Coercion, will power, and mental force will not bring successful results. It takes a relaxed, confident, assuring mind with clear input to achieve desired results.
Visualization, or imagination will boost your ability to achieve. Allow no negativity while you picture positive outcomes. See it, feel it, hear it, smell it, taste it-Believe it!
The work you put into monitoring, guarding, and changing your thoughts will be well rewarded. Your mind is powerful. Use it.
Since ADHD is a mind disorder, using mind to manage its symptoms makes sense. However, understanding how the mind works is crucial. Your mind responds to your thoughts whether positive or negative. This is good, but on the other hand, it sabotages efforts for success.
For example, let's use the common symptom procrastination. You have a project that must be completed. You make note of it in your mind, write it on the calendar, and list it as a priority on your to do list. The task is in your conscious mind as long as you think about it, talk about it, or entertain thoughts about it. The task is in your unconscious mind as well. Our knowledge of the brain assures us that once the idea of the task is accepted by the unconscious, it will act on it-make it happen. All you need is confidence and faith that tomorrow morning you will start work on the project and complete it as listed.
Sounds good until the ADHD steps in and feeds the unconscious mind negative thoughts. From whatever source, negative thoughts reflect lack of confidence, usually based in fear. Leading up to the procrastination may be the seemingly harmless thought, "Actually, I can still complete this project if I wait until Tuesday or Wednesday to start work on it." You think this with conviction and confidence and alas! the unconscious accepts the idea wholeheartedly. Even though it is written on Monday's To Do list, you can be assured that you won't get around to it until Tuesday or Wednesday.
That first thought begins the chain of negative thinking. "It's going to be hard." "I may never get it finished." "It isn't going to be right, even if I get it finished." "I wish I hadn't taken this on." And the negative thoughts, self-talk in your mind continue.
How do you change this?
Start with constructive thinking. Do not allow negative thoughts to take hold. Whenever a negative thought begins, stop it in mid-sentence by affirming the exact opposite. Giving your unconscious mind mixed signals and messages is no different than someone giving you contradicting messages. You don't know what to do, so you do nothing. Your goal is to come to a distinct, crystal clear message in your conscious mind. The unconscious will bring the message to fruition.
Coercion, will power, and mental force will not bring successful results. It takes a relaxed, confident, assuring mind with clear input to achieve desired results.
Visualization, or imagination will boost your ability to achieve. Allow no negativity while you picture positive outcomes. See it, feel it, hear it, smell it, taste it-Believe it!
The work you put into monitoring, guarding, and changing your thoughts will be well rewarded. Your mind is powerful. Use it.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
5 Steps in Making a To Do List Work
Yes! I have a To Do list. I made the form myself and fill it in at each day's end, ready to go for the next day.
The ADHD mind plays amazing, but deceptive tricks. I fill in the spaces from 1-10 and believe great things will happen. Projects will fly off my desk, signed, sealed, and delivered.
Reality kicks in. The purpose of the To Do list is to increase productivity by prioritizing tasks, completing each one, and moving to the next. Its purpose is not to master the art of making a list.
When I discovered changing the date on my list was all that was necessary, I realized something was wrong. Something that creating a new form wasn't going to fix.
Avoiding tasks is usually fear-based. Many of us, admittedly or not, are perfectionists. We put off tasks fearing the end product will be less than perfect. Or, perhaps we don't feel qualified to complete the task. The logic, usually unconscious, is how can we fail at something we don't attempt? If I never finish my novel who can say it wouldn't be a best seller? Procrastination haunts most of us with ADHD, and can be damaging. (If you are a notorious procrastinator, I suggest you click the link.)
These 5 steps will revitalize your To Do list, increase your productivity, and make you look procrastination in the eye.
The ADHD mind plays amazing, but deceptive tricks. I fill in the spaces from 1-10 and believe great things will happen. Projects will fly off my desk, signed, sealed, and delivered.
Reality kicks in. The purpose of the To Do list is to increase productivity by prioritizing tasks, completing each one, and moving to the next. Its purpose is not to master the art of making a list.
When I discovered changing the date on my list was all that was necessary, I realized something was wrong. Something that creating a new form wasn't going to fix.
Avoiding tasks is usually fear-based. Many of us, admittedly or not, are perfectionists. We put off tasks fearing the end product will be less than perfect. Or, perhaps we don't feel qualified to complete the task. The logic, usually unconscious, is how can we fail at something we don't attempt? If I never finish my novel who can say it wouldn't be a best seller? Procrastination haunts most of us with ADHD, and can be damaging. (If you are a notorious procrastinator, I suggest you click the link.)
These 5 steps will revitalize your To Do list, increase your productivity, and make you look procrastination in the eye.
- Prioritize tasks into 3 categories: (a) Critical (b) ASAP (c) Needs to be done
- Move the task that you dread most, or least desire, into the number one spot. Do this for each category
- Move the task you most look forward to doing into the second position. Do this for each category
- Order remaining tasks in each category alternating from Most dreaded to Most desired
- Begin with the Critical category and progress through B and C completing each task in turn
The ADHD accomplice, Focus, will try to mess with you. Counteract it by having the second task, and third if necessary, from your list layed out and ready to go. When you lose focus with task one, simply transfer to task two and work on it. Move back to task one and repeat the process.
By the way, make sure you keep returning to task one. Afterall, you don't want procrastination to win.
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