The Power of Habits

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You know lately we’ve spent a lot of time on this blog talking about alternatives to prescription medications for managing ADHD symptoms.

Treating ADHD, with medication or other methods, is not the entire answer. When your symptoms become less bothersome, they need to be supported with good habits. Good habits have the power to make your life with ADHD a whole lot easier.

Popular theory suggests that a good habit needs to be practiced for at least 21 days in order to become routine. For those of us with ADHD, I’d suggest 28 days. And please, one good habit at a time. I know what you’re like; putting 12 good habits into place today will accomplish two things: it will make your life more difficult and guarantee failure. Better to try one new habit a month.

Good habits need thought and preparation before putting them into practice.

Let’s start with two ideas:
1. What one thing, if you could change it, would make the biggest difference in your life?
2. What’s the easiest change you could make that would still make your life easier?

Choosing the first selection will have a profound and positive impact on your life, but it may be difficult to figure out how to implement it.

Choosing the second selection will be quick and easy and give you a sense of success. A better choice, I think.

Let me give you some examples from my life.

Right now, the biggest thing that would make a difference in my life would be to be more organized. Yes, I know where to find what I need, and most days I wouldn’t be embarrassed if you stopped by unexpectedly. The organization I need is mostly related to my business. I could use better organization of my files and bookmarks on my laptop, and I’ve got a new business I’m starting that would benefit from organization right from the start.

A quicker, easier habit for me to develop might be my nighttime routine. I pretty much don’t have one. I need to get more structure in that part of my life: remembering to wash my face every night and take my Omega 3.

That sounds like a pretty easy one to implement, and I could start by putting the Omega 3 capsules next to my toothbrush. See how easy that was? Now at least I’m more likely to take them. If I store my facial cleanser in a basket with the toothpaste, toothbrush, and Omega 3 capsules, I’ve got a really good chance of remembering everything.

What ONE good habit are you going to develop?

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle is the writer of Lacyestelle.com and the Podcast host for An ADD Woman.

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