174 - Alan P. Brown Teaches Us Goal Setting For ADHD
Jan 6, 2025
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Alan P. Brown, an ADHD coach and author of Zen and the Art of Productivity, shares his transformative insights on effective goal-setting for those with ADHD. He discusses the importance of clear objectives and actionable plans, while encouraging a joyful and playful approach to achieving personal growth. Alan emphasizes creating categories for goals, maintaining motivational themes, and integrating daily activities. Listen as he offers 25 impactful strategies and a metaphorical take on life as a race, inspiring listeners to embrace their unique journeys.
Setting specific and realistic primary goals increases the likelihood of success, especially for individuals with ADHD.
Adopting a guiding theme for the year provides motivation and clarity, enhancing decision-making and personal growth efforts.
Deep dives
Foundations for Change
The podcast introduces the theme for January, focusing on establishing foundational changes to address ADHD challenges. It emphasizes the importance of not only setting goals but also having the right mindset about goal-setting during the new year. The host highlights that common New Year’s resolutions often fail due to their unrealistic nature and a lack of meaningful motivations. By adopting a more structured approach to goal-setting, individuals can create a clearer path toward personal development and fulfillment, even considering their ADHD struggles.
Setting Effective Goals
An effective goal-setting strategy is discussed, stressing the need for specificity and realism in selecting goals. Listeners are encouraged to choose one primary goal rather than multiple vague resolutions, as this increases the likelihood of success. The conversation highlights research indicating that the failure rate of resolutions can exceed 92%, often due to overly ambitious expectations and lack of motivation. By establishing a clear 'why' associated with each goal, individuals are better equipped to stay committed and track their progress throughout the year.
The Importance of Planning
Planning plays a crucial role in achieving goals, as the discussion illustrates that simply stating a goal without a practical plan will lead to failure. The conversation prompts individuals to map out their goals, identifying specific activities that support progress in a structured manner. The concept of 'activity buckets' is introduced, allowing individuals to categorize their actions into manageable areas, such as diet, exercise, or professional development. This organized approach not only enhances accountability but also clarifies the steps needed to work steadily toward the designated goals.
Mindset and Themes for Success
The podcast emphasizes the significance of selecting a guiding theme for the year, which serves as a motivational focal point for achieving goals. A personal theme can help refocus efforts and reminds individuals of their overarching intentions, aiding in decision-making throughout the year. By revisiting this theme regularly, listeners can ensure their actions align with their objectives and maintain a positive mindset. The discussion encourages a playful, flexible attitude towards goal-setting and personal growth, with an emphasis on enjoyment rather than just pressure and obligation.
What a great way to kick of 2025 - a productive conversation with one of ADHD's finest: Alan P. Brown. He's here to teach us some awesome big yearly goal strategies. I have already begun implementing what he talked about on the podcast.
If you wish to view the interview to see what Alan was sharing with me, you can check out the video of our conversation on youtube: https://youtu.be/dYmXHQnJElc
Alan's bio: An ADHD coach and author, Alan P. Brown created of the award-winning ADD Crusher™ video program for ADHD teens/adults. Undiagnosed for decades, his untreated ADHD manifested in underachievement, substance abuse, and worse. Once diagnosed, he found it difficult to learn coping strategies from books, so he researched his own evidence-based “brain hack” strategies to fuel a successful advertising career and two start-ups. A featured conference presenter internationally and a TEDx speaker, he’s the #1 best-selling author of Zen and the Art of Productivity. Get his eBook, “5 Things We're Doing Every Day that Make Our ADHD Worse” at www.ADDCrusher.com
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