3 weeks to write an email and get my shit together

[randyj302]

I recognize now and during the last 3 weeks I've been in a slump. I just wanted to share. thank you. It's hard to even take the 5 minutes I need to write an email. I always feel as though I am waiting for the right moment when I am inspired. Does this happen to anyone else with important things like client communications!

[Shirleytaps]

I'm not exactly sure what you are trying to communicate. Getting started can definitely be a challenge for me especially when I feel unsure of myself. If you are responding to a client, print the email and write a few notes in the margins. Alternatively, you could copy and paste their email into a new email and respond to them point by point and either leave their text or remove it. If this a contacting a client like a cold call, perhaps a someone you work with could provide a script or a template to get you started. Sometimes we ADHD'ers think about what we are going to say before we say or write it. Maybe take a walk or do some stretches and then try again. Wishing you all the best.

[randyj302 in reply to Shirleytaps]

I'm the business owner

[Shirleytaps in reply to randyj302]

I also own a business. Create a template or an outline and then expand from there. Start with what you want to say, summarize above and below and/or ask a question. Does this help?

[randyj302 in reply to Shirleytaps]

maybe... we'll see. I have a terrible habit of procrastinating beyond a reasonable point

[Shirleytaps in reply to randyj302]

We all procrastinate because quite a lot of us have either a nasty perfectionist drill sergeant in our heads or we are afraid our imposter syndrome will be found out! My recommendation, try the 10 minute start courtesy of the most helpful book I have found with actual tools is The Adult ADHD Tool Kit by J. Russell Ramsay & Anthony L. Rostain. Fast Minds by Craig Surman & Tim Bilkey is also a good one.

[randyj302 in reply to Shirleytaps]

imposter syndrome? already sounds intriguing. I feel like an imposter almost all of the time.

[Shirleytaps in reply to randyj302]

Well you probably aren't an imposter, just a procrastinator!

[Dison]

Listening to music lifts my spirits. I also watch Jeff Dunham, the ventriloquist, and his various puppets. So, music and humor help me a lot.`

[randyj302 in reply to Dison]

I end up spending all of my time going down rabbit holes of exciting and stimulating social content. it becomes a torture after a few weeks.

[RollingThunder in reply to randyj302]

Hi randy, Yup, that is why I have a schedule of what I have to do each day and follow it. Your email, after not doing it for a few days, would make it to The top of my list of the very important thing I have to do that day! If you do that one very important thing then you win Against ADHD that day! It is a good feeling. Try to work within a schedule, If you do not, you won’t win! WE MUCH RATHER DO SO MANY OTHER EXCITING INTERESTING THINGS instead of that one important boring thing. Hugs 🤗

[Shirleytaps in reply to RollingThunder]

Great tips, Rolling Thunder. And about rabbit holes,randyj302, turn off ALL phone notifications, put your mobile phone out of sight, and schedule time for rabbit holing AFTER the gotta dos are done! Sounds like you have the love of learning thing and the researcher thing. You are not alone! Listen to the ADHD Experts podcast and perhaps some of the experts ideas will speak to your particular set of ADHD strengths and weaknesses. Focus on your strengths and chip away at your weaknesses, which means talk to yourself like you would a good friend. Good luck!

[Papa-bear]

I hope this helps you understand some of the reasons we procrastinate; this helped me. William Dodson talks about three defining features of ADHD that explain every aspect of the condition:

• an interest-based nervous system

• emotional hyperarousal

• rejection sensitivity

The ADHD nervous system is interest-based, rather than importance- or priority-based.

The state of hyperfocus when we can get things done is not activated by a teacher’s assignment, or a boss’s request. It is only created by a momentary sense of interest, competition, novelty, or urgency created by a do-or-die deadline.

Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is an intense vulnerability to the perception – not necessarily the reality – of being rejected, teased, or criticized by important people in your life. RSD causes extreme emotional pain that may also be triggered by a sense of failure, or falling short – failing to meet either your own high standards or others’ expectations.

(excerpted from edrevsf.org/resource/3-defi...

[ServiceSloth in reply to Papa-bear]

Just learned about RSD this week!

[ServiceSloth]

Please don't worry over it! I have shoved important things to be done for over 28 days in my calendar! Next day, next day, next day, that day never comes until I'm utterly disgusted with myself! Parallel work sessions help!Coordinating with another ADHD buddy and setting aside 20-25 minutes to get things done! You can do this. AND it's ok. You're ok!