Michele Novotni, PhD

It’s been almost two years since I wrote my first blog post. At the time I had the intention of writing a post at least once a month. Time flew by and the task of writing a blog seemed to keep moving to the bottom of my list. Finally it fell off my list completely. It wasn’t a high priority/urgent item for me. But it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to dialogue with you. I thought it could be helpful because sooooo many folks with ADHD feel like they are out there alone. I love the idea of sharing ideas,thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, procrastination ended up erasing even the intention for a long time.

I don’t usually struggle with procrastination. In fact I often am helping people with ADHD not procrastinate. In this case, it was something that was unfamiliar to me. I didn’t really understand much about blogs. I didn’t take any steps to better understand blogging so I let it drop off my radar–even though I thought it was important.

All of us tend to procrastinate most on tasks we feel are overwhelming, too big and will take too much time, energy and effort. We procrastinate when we don’t know exactly what to do or how to do it. We rarely procrastinate on tasks which we enjoy and feel competent and capable of doing quickly. This is true if you have ADHD and if you don’t.

Writing a blog now seems less overwhelming to me. And connecting with you through a blog is still important to me. I am now ready to try again. Trying again is a critical life skill (more on that topic in another blog).

I will post a blog at least once a month.– There, now I’ve said it out loud. Stating your intention is a great coaching strategy to help you and me attain a goal (more on that topic in another blog too).

Please share your thoughts on this blog. Does procrastination stop you from your intentions? What have you found to help you jump in to those tasks that seem overwhelming?

Looking forward to blogging with you,

Michele

My husband and I have been in a year long process of renovating our home. The experience was a disaster in many ways — at least partly due to contractor difficulties — but that’s another story. But this whole process has given me the opportunity to grow in understanding for people who have difficulty seeing potential and possibilities.

I’ll confess. I was decoration phobic. Decorating or anything associated with decorating has always been overwhelming for me due to DDD– Decorating Deficiency Disorder.

I have a great deal of difficulty “seeing” what a different color would do for a room, or “seeing” the possibilities for an old chair. When it comes to decorating I only knew if I liked something or didn’t when I actually had it physically in front of me.

As I worked with others who had the gift of “seeing” potential and possibilities when it came to decorating, I was amazed. How did they know that the furniture would good arranged in this way? How could they “see” the potential for an old chair? We were both looking at the same item and I was embarrassed by my lack of decorating sense.

However, I’ve gotten some guidance and support from others who have talent in this area, experience, practice and studying.  I’ve actually started looking at decorating magazines from Real Simple to Architectural Digest and watching decorating television shows like Design on a Dime and Designed to Sell. I have become much better at the decorating process. I can now pick up an item and often see possibilities. I have even painted three pictures for our home! Sometimes I even enjoy the decorating experience now. I never thought that would happen.

This experience gave me a better understanding of how I could “see” potential in people that they were unable to “see” for themselves. To me the strengths and gifts stand out and are visible just as color schemes and furniture placement are evident for the talented decorators.

Most of the folks I work with don’t “see” their strengths and gifts. They see their failures, struggles and difficulties. Overcoming DDD has given me a better understanding of the people I work with as I strive to help them “see” their potential too.

What has helped you “see” your potential and possibilities? Please share your thoughts. I look forward to getting a dialog started here.
Thanks!

I wish you well.

Michele

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