Defining what constitutes an easy or hard task is crucial for effectively managing ADHD and avoiding judgment.
Acknowledging that some tasks are genuinely hard and require effort allows individuals with ADHD to find suitable solutions and effective strategies.
Deep dives
The Importance of Acknowledging Hard Tasks
Acknowledging that certain tasks can be challenging is crucial for individuals with ADHD. It is common to mistakenly assume that tasks should be easy, leading to self-judgment and frustration. Understanding that difficulty varies from person to person and that simplicity does not necessarily equate to ease is key. By accepting that some tasks are genuinely hard, individuals can shift their focus towards finding effective strategies to tackle them.
Defining Easy and Hard Tasks
Defining what constitutes an easy or hard task is an essential part of effectively managing ADHD. It is vital to differentiate between simplicity and ease, as simple tasks may prove difficult depending on individual circumstances. Recognizing that easy tasks often require various steps and can be challenging to complete consistently avoids setting unrealistic expectations. By accurately defining what is hard and what is easy, individuals can avoid judgment and find suitable solutions.
Redefining the Concept of 'Done'
Redefining the concept of 'done' is crucial when approaching tasks with ADHD. It is important to consider the specific end goals and desired outcomes of completing a task, rather than adhering rigidly to societal norms or expectations. Tailoring solutions to fit individual needs and brain functioning takes precedence over traditional approaches. By focusing on functionality and finding what works for individuals, tasks become more manageable and achievable.
One of my favorite sayings from Brendan Mahan of the ADHD Essentials podcast is that ADHD is life on Hard Mode.
The executive dysfunction that comes with ADHD makes everything just a little bit more difficult. From doing the dishes to filling out tax returns we find ourselves needing to put in more effort than our neurotypical peers.
But what’s important for us to remember is that while these things can absolutely be harder for us to do, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Today we’re going to be exploring this idea of doing hard things - what makes something difficult and how we can work on moving ourselves through that process. Support me on Patreon Ask me a question on my Contact Page Find the show note at HackingYourADHD.com/hardthingsThis Episode's Top Tips
It is important for us to define what we find being hard because when we choose to believe something should be easy we tend not to give it the attention that it deserves.
Our problems can’t be solved until we acknowledge them as problems - but also can’t solve those problems unless we put forward the effort of defining them and acknowledging the underlying issues.
Define what done looks like for a task and be sure to be mindful of how that can be functional in your life.
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