A common struggle for ADHD? Focusing on priorities. Often this is a distraction issue. But, not always. I find sometimes clients don’t focus on their priorities because they have no idea what their priorities even are.
If you have a five page to do list but you still can’t decide what to work on it’s time to clarify your priorities.
One of the tools I teach my ADHD coaching clients to use is a Priorities List. It’s like an emergency room triage system to decide who gets medical attention first.
Read about Maya’s experience with ADHD and focusing on her Priorities in the ADHD Success Club here. (The Success Club is my affordable, group ADHD coaching program.)
Without some sort of a priorities guide, you’ll focus on the urgent or the shiny and not the important things. It’s inevitable.
Your ADHD Priorities List will help you think ahead about what’s most important to you. It becomes a key piece of structure for your day. It helps you dodge distractions so you can get the important stuff done.
Dana’s Working Hours ADHD Priorities List
Here’s an example of my work time priorities. I have a different Priorities List for my personal time. One that’s filled with family, home, and fun.
How do I use this list? In two ways. First, to plan my time so I am clear about where to focus during the work day. Second, deciding what to focus on when tasks are flying at me.
-
Family Emergencies. Family first is one of my guiding beliefs. So, if someone I love has an emergency that can’t wait until after work, then everything else gets set aside. Notice the keywords here: after work and emergency. I don’t set aside work for things that can wait.
-
My Brain Care. If I’m going to work, then my brain has to work. That means eating lunch, taking a few breaks, and drinking water are high priorities for my work day. Everyone with ADHD has to make brain care a high priority. Trust me on this one.
-
My ADHD Coaching Clients. Emails and texts from my clients get a prompt response. Other work projects get pushed aside in order for me to attend to them.
-
My Support Team. Questions from the experts who run the technical parts of my business. Otherwise, I become a bottleneck and slow everyone down.
-
Spreading the Word about ADHD. This includes writing ADHD Success. Though this is important to me, notice that it’s lower on my Priorities List. Those rare weeks you don’t get an issue of ADHD Success? That’s because higher priorities took over. That doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.
-
Administrative Tasks. Paying the bills, planning, etc. Not my favorite tasks, but if I don’t plan to do them they don’t get done.
-
New ADHD Coaching Programs. I have big goals for helping 10,000 ADHD adults live more successful and effortless lives. That means creating new programs to make ADHD coaching more affordable and accessible.
That’s a sample of my priorities. Yours will be different.
If you have ADHD, knowing your priorities is important. Decision making gets easier. So will staying focused on the tasks that will help you reach your goals.
I encourage you to pay attention to your ADHD. Focusing on your priorities is an essential skill for living successfully with attention deficit.
Tired of struggling with ADHD? You’re in the right place. ADHD Success is loaded with free, practical tips to help you get organized, manage your time, and live more easily with Adult ADHD. Like what you read? Sign up for the newsletter now! No Spam. I promise!
0 Comments