An ADD Case Study: When the Pace Picks Up, Learn to Slow DownWritten by ADD Management Coach Jennifer Koretsky
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds. The summer is coming to a close, and it's back to school, work, and other things that we haven't put as much effort into since Memorial Day. Many ADDers welcome this shift, as boredom sets in around August and we long for something bigger to keep us occupied. But while opportunity to dive into new projects and situations is exciting, it can also become quickly overwhelming. One way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by all extra activities that September brings is by remembering to schedule in personal "down time." This means taking a chunk of time for yourself each and every day to relax, unwind, and plan. "Anna" is a client of mine who has given me permission to share her story. I've been coaching Anna for a while, and we just resumed our work together after a month off. Anna owns a business selling her own artwork. She also has a husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a parrot. Her business, like many, is slow in summer months, which works out well for her because she can spend extra time with her kids. Just two weeks ago, though, she started to see more orders coming in from her website for custom-made designs, and she panicked. "All of a sudden, I realized that I had just one week to take my kids school clothes shopping AND school supply shopping, get Butter [the dog] to vet because he can't seem to stop scratching his ear, meet with new web designer and get him materials he's going to need, and find time to make and ship two products which I wasn't expecting orders for. This is in addition to all OTHER stuff I have to do, like grocery shop, cook, clean up, and spend time with my family. So what did I do? I freaked out. Instead of getting to work, I sat on couch and watched talk shows." Although details and tasks will be different for everyone, this is a familiar tale for ADDers. Life seems to be rolling along fine and then, out of nowhere, to-do list seems too big to handle. Overwhelm sets in, and it's easy to shut down under weight of pressure.
| | The Top 10 Ways to Overcome ProcrastinationWritten by By ADD Management Coach Jennifer Koretsky
When a person is bored or uninterested, certain tasks and projects can seem like torture! This feeling usually leads to procrastination, and procrastination often leads to guilt. Here are some practical ways to avoid these situations and overcome procrastination: 1. Recharge Daily Be sure to get enough sleep and rest each day so that you have necessary energy you need to accomplish your tasks. 2. Get a Friend Involved It's harder to procrastinate when another person is involved. If you have a task you aren't looking forward to, invite a friend over to help you out. If you have errands to run, find a buddy who you can run errands with. 3. Reward Yourself You're much more likely to complete that boring task if there is a dinner out or a new CD waiting for you when (and only when) task is complete. 4. Do Things in Pieces Procrastination often comes from feelings of overwhelm. Break tasks, even small ones, into steps so that they are manageable and provide you with a sense of direction. 5. Use Music Turn on some fun and upbeat music and let it pump you up! 80s music and showtunes are often great pick-me-ups that will give you needed energy to tackle your tasks. 6. Don't Be Afraid to do 2 Things at Once
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