My husband got laid off recently. Part of what that means is that my previously semi-unstructured days working from home are now even less structured. It’s been a challenge to be as productive as I once was because my environment has changed.

As someone with Attention Deficit Disorder, I need a structured environment in which to work and yet I find it hard to do that for myself. I’ve learned that re-framing my focus, or my way of looking at the situation can sometimes help me.

For instance, I belong to a gym. I should go several times a week because it’s good for my body and my ADHD. But does that get me off the couch and out the door, gym bag in hand? Uh, no, sorry. It doesn’t.

However if I re-frame my focus – my way of looking at the situation – I can also change my mind. Going to the gym, while being good for me in general, is also a chance to have 45 uninterrupted minutes to myself. 45 minutes of solitude. Now that will get me moving.

You can use this idea for all sorts of things, including how you think of your symptoms. Are you unable to concentrate on a single thing at a time, or are you great at multi-tasking? Are you hyper, or just full of energy?

Re-framing your focus can work wonders in your life. How could you apply it in yours?