Deep Dive ADHD Stop 3: Executive Function Renovation
Can I be honest for a sec? I’ve been struggling to write this newsletter. (I promise this isn’t a sneaky way of approaching this topic, it really was hard to get started!)
I know a fair bit about ADHD executive functioning challenges and strategies for managing variable energy levels, tips and tricks to overcome procrastination and difficulties with time management and working memory, but I still struggle to get things done sometimes. How about you?
I resist using the strategies in my toolbox and flail around feeling listless. Frustrated with myself for not being able to just get the thing done or get organized or plan ahead or stay emotionally regulated. All of these things fall into various categories of EF.
I’ve noticed a few things about this lately:
1. When I’m not super jazzed about a topic it is darn difficult to get myself to write about it. (Hello interest based brain chemistry!)
2. Sometimes we have to do the thing that doesn’t excite us or that is harder for us and we need strategies to show up for ourselves and figure out how to get it done or how to ask for the support we need.
That’s why I included the Executive Function Renovation in Deep Dive ADHD to begin with.
Routines, structures, and mental fitness play a big part in supporting the creation of flourishing lives with ADHD.
In coaching I love the deep work. Supporting clients in the shifts underneath the surface that allow a new way of being to emerge following a later in life ADHD diagnosis. But there are STILL pesky things we just have to figure out how to get done whether we want to or not. And sometimes that is exactly what is needed for those deep shifts to really take hold.
Stop 3 of Deep Dive ADHD is all about taking a close and honest look at the routines that support us and those that don’t and to start putting in place tiny shifts in behaviors that are more aligned with who we are becoming.
The beauty of it is that self-compassion (Stop 2 of Deep Dive ADHD) is a great place to start. Whether it’s getting really curious about why we’re really avoiding/procrastinating or bringing “kindness, support, and understanding, not harsh criticism” to motivate ourselves*. Or asking the question “What do I need now?” and giving ourselves permission to rest or nourish ourselves in a way that is supportive.
So YES to the routines and structures;
YES to mental fitness (Our brains are a muscle and thanks to neuroplasticity we CAN get better at things with practice);
YES to getting curious about what is underneath the executive function struggle of the moment;
YES to building a life that works for you regardless of what the world thinks it “should” look like.
And especially, YES to saying:
“Hey, that (insert executive function of choice) is not my strength but I’m so good at X and Y and Z, and it’s OK that some things are hard for me. I’ll ask for help in those areas so I can bring my whole awesome self to those places where I really shine.”
(Thank you to Sari Solden and A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD for this reframing.)
If you’re ready for more than tips and tricks for over-coming executive function challenges and ready to deep dive into how to organize your life so you can thrive, maybe Deep Dive ADHD is right for you. Schedule a Discovery Call with me for a chat.
And as for this newsletter? Getting curious about why I was avoiding it allowed me to acknowledge what I love about coaching and how Executive Functioning skills support the deeper shifts.
In great love and compassion for all the hard stuff,
Danica
