Accept that you have ADHD and the challenges that come with it. Realize that, as much as you may want it to, your ADHD will not simply disappear. Get to know your ADHD and which problems affect your life the greatest. Your problems must be recognized before they can be helped.
Narrow your focus and work on improving only one or two problems at a time. Narrow your focus by asking yourself: which issues affect my life most often? Remember that trying to tackle too many problems at once is overwhelming and likely to not work well.
Strategize about solving your one or two selected difficulties. There is no one method that will help every person with ADHD. Try to find your own strategy that works for you and realize that finding a good strategy may take some time. Don’t just focus on your weaknesses that need changing; focus on your strengths that can lead to a successful strategy!
Work through your strategy. Commit 100% to your chosen strategy and keep up your effort! This means overcoming obstacles, failures, and frustrations that come with any life change.
Evaluate your plan and judge how well your strategy is working. Perhaps, the strategy is not working as planned. In this case, you must ask yourself which parts of the plan are not working and which parts are working. Modify your strategy according to your answers to these questions.
Repeat your strategy that has been working. ADHD is a problem that follows you throughout a lifetime, so your strategies may need to be implemented for a long time as well. After reaching success, the last thing you want is to go back to your old ways.
Of course, the A-N-S-W-E-R method of improving ADHD is easier said than done, which is where ADHD coaching is a huge help.
Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADHD. We have treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.
written by: Brianna Malinowski, Jay Gordon, Ph.D
Ratey, N. A. (2008). The disorganized mind: Coaching your ADHD brain to take control of your time, tasks, and talents. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.
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