Reminder: These reminder posts cover points I have already made but they are things I often have to remind myself about. If I need a reminder about it, maybe you do too.
Left to its own devices, my ADHD brain would convince me that there is a perfect time to do everything, that there is no point in starting something if I don’t have time to finish it, and that I need to do a lot of thinking/figure something out before I start working on it.
All of that stuff is only partially true.
There are some times that are better than others for doing things but any time is better than no doing it at all.
It’s better to get a bit of something done, to give myself a foothold, than to wait until I have time/energy to do the whole thing. (In fact, if it seems like it is going to take A LOT of energy, my brain is going to put all of its resources into resisting that thing.)
And while I may need *some* time to think before I get started, I don’t need as much as I imagine I do. In fact, if I keep all my thinking in my head instead of putting it into a list or a drawing, I may never get started.
It’s better for me to get enough info to start and then plug away at it to figure out the next steps.
Now, I know that my brain goes to extremes with this type of thinking but I have heard from lots of neurotypical people that they are plagued by this kind of thinking sometimes too – especially when they are trying to build habits or do something new.
That might look like “There’s no point in exercising for 5 minutes a day.” or “I’ll never be stronger if I only lift 5lb weights.” or “I have to figure out a workout plan and then I’ll get started.” or “The best time to meditate is first thing in the morning but I’m too busy then.”
Now, this is when a lot of well-meaning Instagram posts would be telling you ‘No Excuses!’ or ‘Your dreams are on the other side of your excuses!’
Blech.
I don’t find those things helpful at all. Sure, those thoughts are technically excuses but they aren’t you consciously trying to weasel out of something.
They are sneaky thoughts that feel like obstacles-
And you know that I advise respecting your obstacles.
So, instead of yelling at yourself about not accepting any excuses, I’m going to recommend that you borrow a different, determined (but not mean) phrase that I use to get myself on task when my brain tries to pull the tricks I described above:
Doing things gets them done.
Yeah, I know it’s a ridiculously obvious thing to say but it stands in opposition to all of my brain’s automatic thoughts and it will stand in the way of yours, too.
Yes, it may be best to meditate in the morning but since doing things gets them done, you can meditate now and it will be done.
Yes, it might be ideal to create a big workout plan but since doing things gets them done, you can workout without a big plan and your workout will still be done.
The idea of working out with 5lb weights or exercising for a short period of time may not feel useful right now but if you can’t manage a longer workout yet or if you can’t lift heavier weights yet, you can remind yourself that doing things gets them done. In this case, the phrase has extra meaning because doing these ‘first steps’ kind of workouts gets them done AND lets you build toward the workouts you envision.
No matter how you are trying to expand your life, doing the tasks related to that expansion not only gets those tasks done but the effort is part of the expansion process.
So, Team, please remember that your efforts today matter.
Not only are you giving yourself the boost of doing what you intended to do today but you are also moving toward something you want or need in your life.
Don’t let your brain tell you otherwise…
Doing things gets them done.
Here’s your gold star for your efforts today.
Be kind to yourself, pretty please!
As someone recently diagnosed with ADHD, thank you for this reminder!