Explore the struggles of task initiation and executive dysfunction in ADHD, importance of mental and physical health, and creating effective organizational systems. Tips include being kind to ourselves, simplifying systems with checklists, and creating designated spots for items to streamline productivity.
Respecting our physical and mental states is crucial for self-kindness and acknowledging limitations.
Simplify and optimize systems to lower barriers for initiation, emphasizing adaptability even on challenging days.
Deep dives
Acknowledging the Challenges of Task Initiation
Starting a task can be challenging due to executive dysfunction, leading to difficulties in getting motivated and overcoming the inertia to begin. The excitement from planning may help kickstart activities, but often, starting is met with significant resistance. Executive dysfunction can hinder switching gears and starting, causing frustration and feelings of being frozen.
Recognizing Physical and Mental Limitations
Acknowledging our physical and mental states is crucial, understanding that we may not always be at full capacity. It's essential to be kind to ourselves, allowing time for rest and recovery, as pushing ourselves constantly is unrealistic. Taking into account factors like rest, deadlines, and overall well-being can provide a more realistic perspective on productivity.
Implementing Simplified Systems and Checklists
Building effective systems involves simplicity and adaptability to function even on challenging days. Lowering the entry barrier to these systems can facilitate easier initiation, especially during low-energy periods. Utilizing checklists and designated item locations streamlines tasks, making it easier to get started and maintain productivity.
I’ve recently been thinking about task initiation a lot, but while working on the first draft of this episode, I realized that there were a few ideas that were important to explore first.
So in this episode, we’re going to be exploring some ideas of executive dysfunction, but then we’re also going to be getting into stuff surrounding our mental and physical health and then how we can work on our systems that help keep everything in order. Support me on Patreon Ask me a question on my Contact Page Find the show note at HackingYourADHD.com/145 This Episode's Top Tips
We need to recognize and respect our physical and mental states - it crucial that we’re kind to ourselves and acknowledge that we’re not always going to be at 100%. We don’t always need to pushing ourselves and it’s important to we’re giving ourselves time to recover.
It’s important that when we’re build the systems in our lives that we look at making them simple and effective. We want them to be able to work even on our bad days and that means we need to lower the barrier to getting started on them.
One great way that we can implement systems with our ADHD is through checklists and creating designated places for things to go. Again our systems are there to help make our life simpler and streamline the things we need to get done.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode