So, I’ve this unhealthy behavior. I depart my electronic mail open on my pc. This implies I’m incessantly checking my electronic mail. When confronted with author’s block, I examine my electronic mail. Any time I open my pc, I examine my electronic mail. When I’m bored, I examine my electronic mail. I’m continually checking my electronic mail. This hurts my productiveness. Is that this weblog submit a declaration that I’ll examine my electronic mail much less? Properly, no. I’m nonetheless most likely going to examine my electronic mail fairly a bit, however I feel being conscious of how usually I do it’s creating a brand new consciousness for me. I need to be extra conscious of how I exploit my time and the way varied duties both drain my vitality or re-energize me. In brief, I need to get off auto-pilot and be extra answerable for my life. Granted, there are many issues in life which can be past my management, however there are many issues I can management. I’m reminded of the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to just accept the issues I can not change, the braveness to vary the issues I can, and the knowledge to know the distinction.
How will we do that? How will we acknowledge what’s in our management and let go of the issues we can not management? I feel it goes again to pausing and desirous about the state of affairs rationally. Simpler mentioned than carried out, I do know. Nevertheless, if we catch ourselves early sufficient we will take a look at the state of affairs and ask, “What’s in my management right here?” Very often, the one factor in our management is how we reply and our personal actions. That is irritating, however it’s true.
So, by pausing, we create a possibility to ask what’s going on, how we want to reply, and what we will do. In doing this, we will get off auto-pilot and take management of our life. So, I invite everybody studying this to pause extra. Sure, that is exhausting for these of us with ADHD, however it’s obligatory. If we’re not actively our life and the way we spend our time, we slip into auto-pilot. I do know I spend an excessive amount of time watching television, however I’m too caught in auto-pilot to make a change. I would like a sample interrupt.
After working all day, I simply need to sit on the sofa and watch television. Nevertheless, there are different issues I can do. One factor I want to do extra is learn. I are likely to retailer my books in the identical place on a regular basis, and I by no means actually see them. They’ve blended into the background. If I have been to retailer them in locations the place I’ll see them extra, I’d be extra prone to learn. The opposite factor I can do is remind myself of the completely different locations my thoughts can go if I learn extra. I have a tendency to look at the identical television reveals again and again. Nevertheless, I hardly ever learn a guide twice. Whereas there may be consolation in revisiting the identical television reveals again and again, I can go to new locations and have interaction my mind extra by visiting different tales. My ADHD mind wants engagement, and I don’t get sufficient of it by doing the identical issues on a regular basis. In brief, I’ll thrive if I swap issues up.And, right here’s the kicker: ADHD brains love new issues. Why am I not indulging in tales I’ve by no means learn or seen earlier than? I like a great thriller, however I don’t usually learn Agatha Christie. I want to learn her extra, however I don’t.
It’s not even about studying. It’s about exposing myself to the unordinary. I’ve routines, however I hardly ever escape them. My leisure decisions are simply a part of the difficulty. I started this weblog by speaking about checking my electronic mail on a regular basis. What if I have been to do one thing completely different? Can I swap issues up in my routine? Sure. Will I? I have no idea. So, the reply to the early query about what can I modify is: Lots.
How will I modify? Step one is consciousness, and I’ve that. Subsequent, I would like to decide on the completely different. That might be troublesome for me, however it isn’t inconceivable. Right here is hoping you, expensive reader, and I get off auto-pilot and begin taking management of our lives.
