Less than 8% of people actually stick to their New Year’s resolutions each year (according to a study conducted by the University of Scranton). Sure, resolutions can be an amazing way to meet goals. They can also feel like a major setup. And, if you’re an adult with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it can be even more challenging to stick to those resolutions. So, an ADHD counselor is here to share words of wisdom on how to stick with them. For adults with ADHD, it’s not the ideas they struggle with. It’s the “not getting overwhelmed or sidetracked” part. But, if you can pare down and structure your New Year’s resolutions, this time next year you’ll be patting yourself on the back.
Here are Five Tips From An ADHD Counselor On Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions When You have ADHD:
1.Keep it simple.
So just how many New Year’s resolutions do you have there? It’s common for people to pick many parts of their life to focus on. Ok, I want to start working out, start listening to my partner better, get a better financial plan, see my friends more, meditate, do yoga, play guitar. Sound familiar?
What helps is picking one or two you really care about. Find things that can reasonably improve in a year and stick to them. You can have other goals throughout the year, but those “New Year’s resolutions” you want to last all 12 months should stay simple.
2. Find an accountability person.
Why keep a resolution a secret? Some people find it helpful to find someone to keep them in check. A spouse, a trusted friend, ADHD counselor, etc. Adults with ADHD can thrive off external accountability. So find someone positive (no need to tell a taskmaster or shamer) and ask that they check in with you on your goal.
3. Plan smart and make habits.
You already have amazing ideas. It’s the getting them done part, right? The good news is, you can’t learn to be creative or brilliant, but you can learn to get things done.
The key to planning is to set a tangible (and specific) goal. If one year from now you want to be better with your money, what does that mean? More savings? More debt paid off? Great. Now figure out how to get there. Establish a habit. Check-in with your bank account on Sunday mornings twice a month. Get a mantra together: “if I don’t check my bank account, I won’t improve my savings.” Decide on clear, manageable steps to help you stick to your plan.
4. Have self-compassion.
If you’ve got big ideas––and ADHD––you likely struggle with a self-critic. It’s highly common for adults with ADHD to be unhappy with their productivity. They’ll find themselves using hard judgments like “I’m lazy” or “I’m just unmotivated.” But struggling to get things done is more likely about not knowing how to channel your ADHD “symptoms” into superpowers.
Finding ways to give yourself a pep talk about what you have done is helpful for many. It may feel easier said than done, but start small (“I decided on this goal”) and take it from there. The more you build yourself up, the more natural it will feel.
5. Create visual tools.
Adults with ADHD thrive off visual checkpoints. They help “offload” the brain’s to-do list. Creating a vision board is a creative way to picture your goals and write out the steps to get there. Or try using a habit tracker calendar, where you can write out daily, weekly, and monthly actions to check off on your way to meeting your resolutions.
Begin ADHD Treatment in Columbus, Ohio
If you’d like to take a more personalized approach to meet your goals this year and feel like you could use some professional support, our Columbus, OH counseling practice can help. Focused Mind ADHD Counseling has caring therapists that specialize in ADHD treatment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for ADHD treatment in Columbus Ohio.
- Contact Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
- Meet with a caring ADHD specialist
- Focus your mind, and start achieving your goals
Other Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
ADHD Treatment is not the only service we offer at our Columbus, OH-based practice. At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services. As an adult with ADHD, we know you may also be dealing with a quarter-life-crisis, work stress, anxiety, or even depression. Feel free to view our blog for other resources and helpful information!
