I COMPLETELY related to someone posting about having a scattered mind and scattered life and wanted to post one solution that is INCREDIBLY HELPFUL every time I do it. My friend and I happened upon it but in an ADD class I learned that it’s a recommended technique called “body double.”
When paperwork or other dreaded tasks build up, it’s hard for me to ask for help because 1) I can’t really pay someone to help every time 2) I’m embarrassed about the level of backlog and chaos and 3) much of it feels like tasks that only I can handle because I’ve got so much info in my head. Well, my friend was able to relate so we started booking “work dates.” We plan a 3-4 hour block of time in the same room. At the beginning we take 5-10 minutes to write down what we are most avoiding and determine priorities. We say out loud what we’re hoping to accomplish. We commit to NO CALLS, NO SOCIAL MEDIA, NO EMAIL for the duration of our time together. We set a timer and work for 50-55 mins and then stop (sometimes flexing time a little if we’re not both at good stopping point) and then we DANCE FOR 5 minutes to celebrate doing something we didn’t want to do!
Three things happen with this practice: 1) I’m sooooo much more motivated just by having another focused person in the room (and this was the benefit named by the ADD coach for adults and kids alike.) 2) I feel excited about work dates because they include some silliness/ fun and they also benefit my friend (so I feel less ashamed for needing help). 3) I ALWAYS start to feel empowered within about 10-15 mins of starting the dreaded tasks and the momentum builds to complete it...starting is in itself a motivator. I end up asking myself EVERYTIME, “Wait, why was I avoiding this? It’s not THAT hard and feels so much better to get done than to avoid it!”
Trick is finding a person to buddy up with. I just moved so it’s harder to find time with this friend but I started a “coworking” meetup to find others who would benefit from working side by side. My meetup is for entrepreneurs so it might be interesting to start a meet up for people with ADD and just be transparent about the strategy!
Hope that’s helpful!