Do you interrupt when others are talking? Are you just skimming this blog? When you see something you like but don’t need, do you buy it anyway? Are you likely to jump out of something you’re doing into something more interesting? Do you act without thinking? Do have impulsive behaviors?
If you have ADHD, some or all of these may feel familiar.
Is there a solution? Not really, sad to say. It’s matter of calming down and asking yourself if you really need to do or say something right at that time. Awareness is key.
Awareness, however, can be difficult when dealing with impulsive behaviors – that’s sort of the point.
Google “awareness,” “practicing awareness,” or something similar and you will get results from just about every discipline imaginable – from the American Psychological Association to Harvard Business Review. Of all the Tips, Tools, Exercises, and Ways to become self-aware, there are three out there that seems to come up most often:
- Meditate: Find some way to spend some time with just your brain and learn how to slow things down.
- Keep a Daily Journal: Write down all your reactions, impulses, feelings. No judgements, just what happened.
- Ask a Friend: Talk to someone who cares about you and will tell you the absolute truth – whose opinion matters to you. Ask about your strengths and annoying habits.
Just like with any habit, awareness takes time, practice, and patience. Keep at it, though, it’s worth the trip.
-Sydney Metrick