Month: August 2023

Hey Focus Masters! 

I remember the day a great friend told me: “So, you know how sometimes I seem a bit scattered or find it hard to focus? Well, it turns out I have ADHD, which stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s actually pretty common, and it just means that my brain works a little differently than others.”

Having ADHD means that my attention span can be shorter than average, and people may have trouble staying focused on tasks or remembering things. It’s like the brain has many tabs open at once, and it can be challenging to keep them organized. But here’s the cool part! People with ADHD often have some awesome strengths too. They tend to be really creative, full of ideas and can be super energetic. Sometimes they have a lot of enthusiasm for things we’re interested in, which can be infectious!”

It’s important for you to know that ADHD isn’t something that people can control or ‘snap out of.’ It’s just a part of who they are; the most important part is knowing how to manage it. Sometimes they might need a little extra support or understanding from friends, and patience and empathy are really appreciated.

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects approximately 5% of adults in America. The majority of them experienced ADHD symptoms since childhood. For those who live with ADHD, life seems like an adventure, full of ups and downs and challenges that they must navigate in some way, somehow. Living with ADHD doesn’t have to be chaos; in fact, there are many tips and tricks that can help you or a loved one with ADHD enjoy life to the fullest!

The tips & tricks that helped my bestie:

Embrace the Power of Routines: While routines may sound boring, they can be a game-changer for ADHDers. Creating a daily routine that includes structured blocks of time for work, leisure, and self-care helps bring order to our days. Start with small steps, like setting consistent wake-up and bedtime routines, incorporating regular breaks, and scheduling activities that bring you joy. Routines provide a sense of stability and help us stay on track with our goals while leaving plenty of room for spontaneity and fun.

Get Crafty with Visual Organization: Traditional organization methods may not always do the trick for our ADHD brains, so let’s get creative! Some strategies that can help improve organization and visual aids can be our secret weapons. Try using color-coded calendars, sticky notes, or whiteboards to capture tasks, deadlines, and important information. Visualizing our commitments in a fun and eye-catching way adds a touch of excitement to the otherwise mundane world of organization. Plus, it makes it easier to remember and stay focused on what needs to be done.

Harness the Power of Mindfulness: With our minds buzzing a million miles an hour, finding moments of calm and clarity can be challenging. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine—whether it’s through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or taking mindful walks in nature. These moments of intentional focus and relaxation help quiet the noise, reduce stress, and enhance our ability to stay present and engaged in the tasks at hand.

Pursue a healthy lifestyle: Exercise, better sleep, and a healthy diet can do wonders for improving focus. Working out regularly in ways you enjoy, such as walking in nature, practicing yoga, or working out in a gym, are amazing ways to boost concentration, calm your anxiety, and channel energy into positive and fun activities. When combined with a healthy balance of sufficient sleep and nutritious foods, you can enjoy benefits such as improved focus and mental and physical health.

Embrace your Strengths and Interests: People with ADHD have many unique qualities, including creativity, hyperfocus, and out-of-the-box thinking. These are actually great strengths to possess and lead to a lot of innovative discoveries. Embrace these traits and take part in activities that align with your interests that leverage your strengths. Not only will you improve your focus, but you will also unlock feelings of fulfillment and accomplishment that should be celebrated. 

Keep it up: It may be a struggle and sometimes seem impossible, but ADHD doesn’t have to prevent you from living a full and happy life. Embrace the ups and the downs, and keep going forward. There are many tools and techniques available today to make life with ADHD easier to manage and help you to achieve great things!

Remember, my focus masters, ADHD is a superpower that comes with its own set of quirks and challenges. But with these tips and tricks in your arsenal, you’re well on your way to embracing a fun and focused life. So, get out there, dance to the beat of your own drum, and make the most of your incredible ADHD adventure!

Have you ever felt guilty at some point for putting off tasks and wasting your free time for hours to avoid something that might have taken ten minutes to complete? Then like me, you are a procrastinator!

It is that constant battle against time and self-discipline. It is a struggle that arises from the propensity to delay important tasks, succumbing to the allure of instant gratification, or the appeal of relaxation in the face of impending responsibilities. Procrastination does not make things happen; if it does, it’s usually rushed and panicked. The struggle lies in the paradoxical cycle of knowing what needs to be done yet continuously choosing to postpone it, leading to increased stress, missed opportunities, and a persistent sense of falling short of own potential.

This leads to a desperate scramble to get something done, often leaving room for mistakes, poor quality, and stress. If you constantly struggle to start a task and complete it within an acceptable timeline, this is what’s worked for me so far:

Get Your Morning Groove On!  One of the first things some of us do in the morning is hit the snooze button one or five times. Then, before we know it, we’re crunched for time and rushing to get out of the door. We’ve started our day procrastinating. Instead of going through this torture day after day, just get up. Take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and mentally prepare yourself to face the day ahead. Use your “snooze” time to get your day started with a morning routine. 

Get Your Tasks in Formation! If you’re not great at making and remembering mental notes because you’re easily distracted, write down a physical list of things you need to do. A to-do list breaks down your tasks for the day, and you can check them off as you complete them. There’s something very satisfying about scratching items off your list once you get them done and out of the way. This can be motivating and make you feel and be productive. 

Tackle the Beastly Tasks Head-On! Tackling the most unpleasant task first works wonders for productivity and peace of mind. Think about it like ripping off a Band-Aid – the sooner you do it, the sooner it’s over! By diving into the tough stuff right at the start, you free up mental space and energy for the rest of your day. Plus, once you conquer that dreaded task, you’ll feel a surge of accomplishment that can carry you through the rest of your to-do list with newfound confidence and a sense of relief. If there’s a particular task that you are absolutely dreading to do, mark it as a high priority and do it first. It’s a technique called “eat the frog” and has been proven to reduce procrastination and improve productivity in all aspects of daily life. 

Nip Those Little Chores in the Bud! When it comes to those small tasks that pop up throughout the day, tackling them pronto is the secret sauce to staying on top of your game. By taking care of those little things right away, you prevent them from piling up and turning into bigger, stress-inducing monsters. Plus, checking off those quick wins gives you an instant boost of satisfaction and motivation to keep going. Trust me; it’s like a mini victory dance every time! So, don’t let those small tasks linger and steal your focus. Small tasks are easily brushed off and can get piled up. If something takes you two minutes or less to complete, do it immediately. This will avoid a massive pile-up and help you stay consistent with productivity. 

Indulge in Well-Deserved Delights! Hey, you deserve a little treat! Rewarding yourself is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for maintaining motivation and celebrating your progress along the way. Think of it as giving yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. Setting milestones and treating yourself when you reach them adds an extra sprinkle of joy to your journey. It could be as simple as indulging in your favorite snack, watching an episode of your favorite show, or taking a well-deserved break to do something you love. By acknowledging and appreciating your efforts, you create a positive cycle of motivation that keeps you going strong. Create a reward system for yourself when you complete difficult tasks or meet particular milestones. You can reward yourself by taking a break, having a snack, doing something you enjoy, like relaxing, watching a movie after work, or enjoying time to yourself or with friends, to name a few.

So, there you have it, my friend—some handy tips to help you dodge the procrastination trap and stay laser-focused. Remember, it’s all about taking small steps, staying organized, and finding what works best for you. Celebrate your victories, learn from your slip-ups, and don’t forget to give yourself a break now and then. 

Procrastination stifles growth and productivity and does a lot more harm than good. When we are in the midst of wasting time avoiding tasks, we don’t see the negative impact until we’re short on time and stressed out. It’s a tough journey to overcome the tendency or habit of procrastination, but it is certainly achievable; with a little determination and these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be well on your way to beating procrastination and accomplishing your goals like a champ. Keep pushing forward, stay positive, and let that inner productivity guru shine! You’ve got this!