I blogged earlier about playing zombie games. I had to ask myself what I like about them. Was it the bodies splattering? Was it the flying guts? Actually, it was neither. I noticed those games all had several things in common. First, they give you goals to achieve. Second, as you achieve those goals, you are rewarded with things like upgrades, coins, or the privilege to move to a harder level. That combination is perfect for motivating the ADHD mind.
The next time you’re having trouble keeping on task, write down what it is you want to accomplish. What do you want to do? Read the Bible in a year? Complete that essay? Write a memo? Sell so many widgets? Write it down so that it is real to you. Next, write down what the reward will be. It can be a tangible reward (I’ll get an increased chance of promotion) or an intangible one (I’ll have a sense of accomplishment).
If you are going to do this to achieve your goals, I suggest you start off small, otherwise, you’ll get discouraged and start the whole procrastination cycle over again.
Phillipians 3:14 (NLT)
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Category Archives: Procrastination
Obsessive Procrastination
One of the reasons I started this blog is to help myself get over something I call obsessive procrastination. I think of obsessive procrastination as the reluctance to do now something I should have done yesterday. Or last week. Or three years ago.
Yeah.
Procrastination is a classic symptom of ADHD. Everyone procrastinates, but ADDers can make it an art form.
It’s weird. Anything that I love or want to do, I catch myself doing all the time, especially when I shouldn’t. But the moment that activity becomes something I should do, a mental barrier to doing it forms in my mind.
That’s what happened to Attention Defecit Devotional. I was loving it. I had a very small, but loyal readership. And then, the blog became something that I should do. But before I realized it, a month, then two months passed, and I had made no entries. That’s an eternity in cyberspace.
I can relate to the Apostle Paul when he writes, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. (Romans 7:19 NLT)”
I wish I could tell you that I’ve conquered procrastination and will now share my secret.
I can’t.
What I can encourage you to do is to constantly surrender that area of your life to Christ. When you stumble, take responsibility for your actions (or inactions), then trust in His grace and forgiveness.
Why I Procrastinate – Part 2
The second reason I procrastinate is usually because it’s a task I hate. If it’s something I despise, I have an extremely difficult time staying focused on the task. But while I can’t get myself to start tasks I hate, I can hyperfocus for hours on something that keeps my interest. So how do I get around it?
Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Think of “interest” as a synonym for “heart.” We folks with ADD tend to follow our hearts wherever they lead us. So what I try to do is convince myself of the value of the task. I visualize the good that will come from completing the task and make that my treasure. And often, my heart (interest) follows. When there’s something you can’t get yourself to do, fix your heart on the reward for getting it done.
See you on Monday for the next devotional.
Why I Procrastinate – Part 1
Procrastination. It’s the bane of all who suffer ADHD. I’ve found there’s two main reasons I put things off. The first is a feeling that I just can’t do it. I see the messy office, the stacks of to-do lists, piles of laundry, and feel overwhelmed. Powerless. And it’s easier to just walk away. But I’ve taken encouragement in this verse:
Phillipians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Read that verse in different versions. It means exactly what it says. When I feel like I just can’t tackle the paperwork, or anything, I remind myself that I can rely on the strength of Christ.
We’ll talk about the second reason I procrastinate tomorrow.
ADD: Attention Deficit Devotional 