At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.
Practicing positive thinking allows people with ADD to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows us to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck.
The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:
1. Take Good Care of Yourself
It's much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.
2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For
Stresses and challenges don't seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.
3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions
A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member's bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don't waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.
4. Refrain from Using Absolutes
Have you ever told a partner "You're ALWAYS late!" or complained to a friend "You NEVER call me!"? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like 'always' and 'never' makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.
5. Detach From Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts can't hold any power over you if you don't judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don't follow it.
6. Squash the "ANTs"
In his book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life," Dr. Daniel Amen talks about "ANTs" - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like "Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me," or "The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!" When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!
7. Practice Lovin', Touchin' & Squeezin' (Your Friends and Family)
You don't have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn't touch!
8. Increase Your Social Activity
By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!
9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person
Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.
10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination
If you find yourself ruminating, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It's never productive, because it's not rational or solution-oriented, it's just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music.
Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She encourages clients to increase self-awareness, focus on strengths and talents, and create realistic action plans. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carAre you completely happy in your life right now? Honestly?... Read More
Everyone faces challenges during their life, from suffering the death... Read More
During a Messenger chat session the other day, I asked... Read More
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't... Read More
"You can't always get what you want . . ."... Read More
The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More
"At birth, a baby's brain contains 100 billion neurons, roughly... Read More
P.M.A - so what is it? Some people will automatically... Read More
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More
As if choreographed and rehearsed the night before, one lays... Read More
Most of what we've been taught about how to be... Read More
I woke up this morning feeling sour.No. That's an understatement.... Read More
For most of us our lives are a problem which... Read More
The way we use language can have a huge impact... Read More
Many people who suffer from low self-esteem would give anything... Read More
Believe me, today is the most wonderful day of your... Read More
HOW YOUR OUTLOOK INFLUENCES HEALTH AND ABILITY TO CONTROL ANGERJane... Read More
What do you do when things in your life don't... Read More
James Allen, who wrote the masterpiece, As a Man Thinketh,... Read More
Who are the Whiners? Whiners are the people who always... Read More
Every day that I eat EnergyRich? Food, I get almost... Read More
I thought this was fitting sense I just experienced a... Read More
As we enter this holiday season, and this time of... Read More
Look at this glass on the table in front of... Read More
There is a growing appreciation of the impact of psychic... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Do you ever feel sorry for yourself? Do you ever... Read More
What is an affirmation? One possible definition is a specific... Read More
Recently a great idea popped into my head about creating... Read More
In talking with a coaching client recently, she made a... Read More
Every day that I eat EnergyRich? Food, I get almost... Read More
Henry Ford, after he had achieved great success, was the... Read More
I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More
IntroductionDid your boss, took you for a ride? Did your... Read More
There is no such thing as failure ? only feedback... Read More
You don't need to a piece of paper to prove... Read More
P.M.A - so what is it? Some people will automatically... Read More
The other day I bought an unusual piece of software:... Read More
In the latest and final Star Wars saga, Anakin Skywalker... Read More
The quality of your life is directly related to your... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
In the international bestseller, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell explains how researchers... Read More
The power of positive thoughts to affect one's experience of... Read More
What is a paradigm? In my own words, a paradigm... Read More
It is widely believed that just anybody has the intrinsic... Read More
How do you explain things to yourself? With positive self... Read More
As a trainer of coaches I often teach my students... Read More
Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More
Did you ever run into that person that just nags... Read More
It started out as a windy, rainy day. A tropical... Read More
For the twelve hundred hostages, most especially Timur Kasumova.It's a... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |