- It is repetitive, routine, and boring.
- Those with ADHD refuse to be bored.
Here is the Aha! ADDers struggle with agitated boredom (a certain kind of boredom). Agitated boredom is a physical discomfort where one is motivated to escape the plight. In simple terms you’re so uncomfortable that you’ll do anything to get comfortable even if you have to do something that has negative consequences, like, playing video games instead of studying or surfing the Internet instead of doing a boring audit for work. Practicing or exercising is BORING! You’ll find any excuse not to do it!
Dr. Thomas E. Brown observes that, as the need for independent work increases, ADHD performance decreases. Independent work is hard and boring!
Here’s the trick! It has been said, when it comes to real estate, it is about location, location, location. I say when it comes to boring, make it social, social, social. Did you hear me say social? If it isn’t social, something else has got your attention. Exercise is a secondary activity, like watching TV while you’re on a life cycle. Watch TV and a workout tags along.
In sharing the previous ADHD Aha, we introduced the notion that ADHD is not a deficit of attention but rather a self-regulation issue. Note, unanimously experts agree that mindful attention exercise significantly helps those with ADHD because it improves the ability to self-regulate. It is also unanimous that it is more difficult for those with ADHD to do such exercises because they are boring. Of all those I have coached around practicing and exercising, 90% of the time we have found success when it was made social!
Here’s an attention exercise. Meditate by yourself for 10 minutes a day every day for one week. Meditation is an exercise and is boring. I bet you can’t do it. If you can do it, notice how much effort or willpower it takes! Ugh!
Can I get a BOOYAH (a yea man!) on that tip?
For more, check out this Attention Talk Radio episode on the topic: “ADHD: Do All Roads Lead to Mindfulness?”
NEXT: An ADHD Aha on the Aha