Discussion on To-Do Lists and Emotional Aspects of ADHD

Episode Overview: Welcome back to Week 3 of the ADHD reWired Coaches Round Table! This episode dives into the intricacies of to-do lists and how to adapt them for ADHD brains. Eric, Kristen, and Brian explore how traditional productivity tools often fall short for neurodiverse individuals and share strategies to make them more effective. We're kicking off early bird registraton this week for our summer coaching groups. Take Advantage of our Early Bird Special - Join for only $999. Offer ends May 27, 2024. Learn more at Key Topics Discussed: Emotional Connections to ADHD and Productivity: Recap of last week's discussion on writing letters to ADHD. Importance of addressing emotional issues to enhance planning and productivity. Reimagining To-Do Lists for ADHD: Brian explains the common struggle with to-do lists designed for neurotypical people and the need to tailor these tools for ADHD brains. Exploration of different approaches to using to-do lists effectively, including bringing real-life data into coaching sessions. Common Pitfalls and Solutions: Challenges with traditional to-do list items like vague entries (e.g., "doctor") and how they create confusion and resistance. Introduction of "vision verbs" to provide clear, actionable steps. Importance of specificity and context in to-do list items to reduce the mental energy required to activate tasks. Personal Experiences and Group Insights: Kristen shares her group's emotional and vulnerable discussions about old to-do list items and the associated shame. The benefits of having accountability teams and how they integrate with to-do lists. Scaffolding and the 'Why': Eric introduces the concept of including the "why" in to-do list items to connect emotional importance with tasks, boosting motivation and activation. Examples of how understanding the "why" can make it easier to tackle tasks, such as scheduling a vet appointment for a beloved pet. Practical Tips and Next Steps: Encouragement to experiment with new strategies and understand the trade-offs in time and executive function. Teaser for next week's topic on daily and weekly planning, routines, and managing transition times between tasks. Quotes: "Think about how long we sort of wrestle with things that are just sticking around on our to-do list, or even worse, start working on a task we've already done." - Eric Tivers "Tasks often create tasks. It's just called adulting." - Eric Tivers "You can spend time on the front end or the back end, but one of them makes you feel bad." - Kristin Marts Final Thoughts: The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of re-engineering productivity tools to suit ADHD brains, addressing both the emotional and practical aspects of task management. Stay tuned for next week's discussion on establishing effective routines and planning strategies. Hosts: Eric Tivers Kristin Marts Brian E Join us next week as we delve into the foundations of daily and weekly planning to enhance productivity and reduce the stress of managing tasks. *This summary was generated using Ai.*