Men's ADHD Support Group Brendan Mahan on Goal-Setting and the Wall of Awful™
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Jan 30, 2024 
In this discussion, Brendan Mahan, an ADHD expert and educator, sheds light on practical goal-setting techniques tailored for individuals with ADHD. He tackles the 'Wall of Awful', addressing emotional barriers in productivity. Brendan introduces the S.M.A.R.T. framework and a unique 'premortem' strategy to foresee potential obstacles. He emphasizes self-awareness, the importance of learning from failure, and how personal reflections can promote motivation. Listeners gain valuable insights into navigating ADHD-related challenges effectively.
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Wall Of Awful Builds From Emotional Bricks
- The Wall of Awful is a model where repeated failures add emotional "bricks" of failure, disappointment, and anticipated rejection.
- Brendan warns these bricks land even if the feared rejection never occurs, so we must talk back to those inner voices.
Two Healthy Ways To Get Past Walls
- Avoid staring at or trying to go around the Wall of Awful because that increases avoidance and distraction.
- Climb the wall by processing emotions or put a door on it by changing your emotional state (use music, cues) to activate.
Start Goals By Clarifying Motivation
- Begin goal setting by clarifying motivation: are you moving toward something or away from something, and which feelings you want to have?
- Identify whether goals are for yourself, for others, and whether you need external accountability because ADHD often needs external motivation.