ADHD as failing to convert intentions into actions

ADHD isn't just about converting intentions into actions—it's about learning to make the conversion easier, more honest, and a whole lot less painful.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ari Tuckman—psychologist, author of five books (including the brand new ADHD Productivity Manual), international presenter, and longtime friend and colleague. Ari has been a profound thought leader in our ADHD community for over a decade, and this conversation is packed with his trademark wisdom, humor, and actionable strategies.

From managing shame spirals and pre-deciding your way out of temptation, to understanding why "by the time you feel it, it's too late," Ari breaks down the real mechanics of ADHD in everyday life.

This episode is equal parts validating, practical, and deeply relatable. Whether you're struggling to start, finish, or simply show up as the person you want to be, Ari's insights will help you close that gap between intention and action.

✨ Highlights ✨

• ADHD as a disorder of converting intentions into actions—and why that matters more than attention alone
• The art of pre-deciding: how to set yourself up before temptation strikes
• "By the time you feel it, it's too late"—on deadlines, dopamine, and time machines
• Why shame and guilt make everything harder (and how to interrupt the spiral)
• Bite the bullet: accepting that the task may be mandatory, but the suffering isn't
• Managing your environment > relying on willpower
• The lies we tell ourselves: "I'll remember it," "This will only take a minute," and the sneaky power of the word "just"
• How feeling the future can help you act in the present
• Why your ADHD doesn't invent new problems—it just exacerbates the universal ones

This episode is for anyone trying to show up as the person they intend to be, one decision at a time. We're already plotting part two, because there's so much more to unpack with Ari.

🌐 Find Ari online: AdultADHDBook.com
🎟️ Join us IRL: CHADD ADHD Conference | Kansas City | November 15–17 | TheADHDConference.org

📺 Watch the full conversation with Dr. Ari Tuckman now on Attention Different YouTube:
 👉 youtube.com/@attentiondifferent

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We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

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