Do you remember when cars were driven with two feet? This may date me.
Before cars had automatic transmissions, the driver would have to press a clutch pedal with the left foot to change through the gears while applying the gas pedal at the right time. When I was learning to drive my first car, a free, beat-up 1977 Toyota Celica (thank you, Diane), I stalled it out time and time again. Learning how to finesse the clutch just right took practice. The worst was when I would hit the red light on the way to school just after learning to drive my POS. In a long line of traffic, I’d wait praying, my sister holding her breath, that I would maneuver my feet just right to not roll into the car behind me or stall out! Those were the days!
My first car, “Chugger.”
Learning to let the pedal out just enough so I would not roll back was key to my success in mastering the hill. It’s also the key to getting yourself going forward in what you need to get done. I want to share a hack that several successful people who also have ADHD have repeatedly shared with me. I’ve since implemented it into my morning routine.
GET STUFF DONE HACK
If you write a to-do list but find yourself not using it, this trick could be for you.
Before the first task on your list, write down three smaller tasks with at least one you know you will do before the task on your list. Mine looks like this:
- Drink coffee
- Read morning affirmation
- Read 5 pages of my Book of the Month
- Do Yoga Practice
- Write one paragraph for Newsletter
I know each morning I will always have my morning coffee. I always sit down in my sunroom to watch the sunrise, so I get that intense early morning sun on my eyes to set my circadian rhythm. I want to read, so I have chosen to add one small reading before my bigger reading. I will confess that reading hasn’t been as easy for me as it once was. I am trying a new format to meet my goals. After I have been reading, I inserted doing one short yoga practice. I find the morning to be a good time to center my body. Yoga helps me do it in my body and my mind. I also get moving, which helps activate my brain. Then I sit to write one paragraph. I often write more if I have enough time before my alarm goes off to remind me it is time to feed my animals. Yes, I have a pig, if you didn’t already know that. 
You may try tweaking this idea to make it work for you.
Setting yourself up for success may require making your successes smaller and best if they are doable. So, think smaller if you fall into the category of stalled out before you even go anywhere.
How can you get started by easing off your clutch and onto the gas?
If you want to learn more about getting motivated, check out August’s ADHD uPLifted Edition. It’s all about getting stuff done… your way.
Perhaps, your creative mind can tweak this technique. I’d love to hear about your successes and share them with our community. Sharing what works for you might help someone else shift gears in their brain. Getting going is often the hardest part.
Thank you for your attention. I hope this tip is value added.
Warmest regards,
Coach Cindy
CALC, ACC, PQ Coach Member
P.S. Don’t stay stuck. A fresh perspective could be all you need. Hit reply and share the struggle you need to tackle. Together we can come up with some fitting ways to ease up on the clutch so your gas can get you where you need and want to be.
Hi there!
I'm Cindy
Cynthia North is a Certified ADHD Life Coach with specific training in ADHD neurobiology holding her ACC with the International Coach Federation.
