Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could just take 60 minutes and finish that overdue work assignment?
How would you like to have a basement that’s clear of old furniture, tax returns, and your college-bound daughter’s old clothes?
Wouldn’t you love to get through that pile of damp laundry on the basement floor?
You’d feel great, right? Then why is it so hard to start these tasks… and finish them?
I also have ADHD. I understand the struggle to start and finish a project. It can sometimes feel like everyone you know does their chores, reports, homework, and paperwork in the blink of an eye.
But your ADHD symptoms get in the way.
Why it’s hard to start a project with ADHD
Many behaviors common to ADHD can make starting a project hard. These including being:
- easily distracted
- disorganized
- likely to procrastinate
- overwhelmed by tasks that require sustained mental effort
- constantly on the go
Adults with ADHD struggle with organizing tasks and activities. You might say:
- “Where do I even start?”
- “It’s impossible!”
- “I can’t focus long enough to tie my shoes.”
- “How am I supposed to clean the garage?”
You end up procrastinating because you avoid tasks that are boring or difficult. You probably would rather have a cookie than file the paper piles stacked on your desk, right?
Why stopping is hard with ADHD
And when you finally jump back in after procrastinating for days, weeks, or maybe even years, have you ever found yourself unable to stop? Even for a bathroom break?
Well, if the answer is yes, you might be wondering why this is.
ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsivity don’t help.
You feel great! You’re relieved. You bit the bullet. You’re enjoying the ride after avoiding the project for so long. And you want it done. NOW.
Poor time management may also be at play. Time slips away when you’re absorbed in a project. Before you know it, it’s 2 a.m.
Perhaps, you’re also avoiding something else that’s far more boring or taxing than the task at hand.