Reimagining Productivity with ADHD ADHD and Willpower: Here Is the Better Alternative
Oct 16, 2025
Exploring the flaws of traditional willpower, the discussion highlights its three components and how they relate to ADHD. It emphasizes understanding one’s self-control challenges as a pathway to improvement. The podcast suggests reframing willpower as a GPS that uses external resources as support. Practical strategies are shared for boosting motivation and follow-through, like fostering accountability and utilizing tools. Listeners learn the importance of designing supportive environments rather than relying solely on personal strength.
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Client Who Learned To Ask For Help
- Marla describes a client who said, "I just need to do it," about returning to exercise and assumed willpower would solve it.
- The client instead reached out to a friend for daily check-ins and occasional joint workouts to increase follow-through.
Willpower Broken Into Three Powers
- Willpower is the ability to control attention, emotions, and desires to do what matters even when part of you resists.
- Marla uses Kelly McGonigal's framework of I will, I won't, and I want to explain willpower's components.
Self-Knowledge Is The Foundation
- Self-knowledge about how and why you lose control is the foundation of better self-control.
- Marla emphasizes this understanding is common to everyone and ties it to self-compassion for ADHD adults.
