An ADHD Procrastination Aha

When it comes to procrastination, there are two problems:
  1. You are procrastinating… DUH!
  2. The popular tips on beating procrastination don’t work!

Here is the Aha! Ambiguity is a characteristic of a lot of tasks on most people’s procrastination list. Think about it. Lack of clarity is a great reason not to do something. After all, you are not clear on what to do or how to activate. Chunking it down, scheduling sprints or posting goals all over your house sounds good and feels good to try simply because it gives the illusion that you’re doing something. In the long term, you feel worse because it ends up being something to do instead of working on your to-do list.

Here’s the trick! Pay attention to my insight. Begin to observe yourself. Pause and curiously wonder what is ambiguous, not clear.

Here’s an attention exercise.  Make a procrastination list. Ponder and list what might not be clear next to each item. Then brainstorm around how you might bring clarity to what isn’t crystal clear.* If you find yourself seeking clarity, realize, by definition, you are no longer procrastinating!

* A note with the exact URL of a webpage would be specific and clear. If you have to search the Internet for it, it isn’t clear.

Can I get a BOOYA (a yea man!) on that tip?

YES           NO

For more, check out this Attention Talk Video on the topic:

NEXT:  An ADHD Organization Aha