As those of you who follow my newsletter know, I took a break from writing this newsletter. I had every intention of starting up again after a short break. The short hiatus became a looong one after I began working on some really cool projects (some of which I will introduce you to below). Before I knew it, a good chunk of time had passed. I had planned to send out the newsletter while I was developing these new programs. I didn’t intend not to write the newsletter. It just didn’t happen. Do these mental shenanigans sound familiar?

Eventually, I realized that both developing the new programs and writing the newsletter were not going to happen at the same time. With only 24 hours in a day, wanting 7 hours of sleep and without any magic formula, I had to admit that the newsletter was not going to happen until the programs were well under way.

Sometimes when working on a project, you might become overwhelmed, stuck, or just can’t seem to make any progress. Maybe you have already employed the strategy of “chunking it down” to overcome the overwhelm (contact me if you’re not sure what that is). But now, you’ve been mulling it over in your head the best way to move forward on just one step, but just can’t seem to find the right strategy. You’re stuck. What do you do? Perhaps, the strategy is to move around the block, rather than through it.

Chuck it!

When I get stuck on one step of a project, I get really stuck. I have my head down just looking for a solution to this one step that seems so vital and insurmountable. All of a sudden, it dawns on me that I am inside a box; a box that tells me that this particular step is “vital” and nothing else can be accomplished without it. Perhaps, there is another way to look at it. Yes. There is a bigger picture here looking at the whole project.

Many people with AD/HD have this same challenge. They get so focused on one particular step that they lose the big picture. AD/HD is not really an “attention deficit”. It is often the opposite, of putting too much attention on one step. This is where the strategy of “Chuck it!” can come in handy.

When I am stuck on a step, I ask myself three questions:
1. Is it possible that this step is not so vital to the completion of this project after all?
2. What will happen if I don’t complete this particular step?
3. What will happen if I stay on the course I’m on now (holding this step as vitally important)? Maybe it is important after all.

Often, I find that the overall success of the project does not hinge on my carrying out this single step I have been so fervently focusing on. It was not really so important after all. I “chuck it”, and get myself moving forward. Now, I don’t suggest that this strategy of “chuck it” will work every time, and it does work some of the time to get you moving again.

So, the next time you find yourself overwhelmed, stuck, or just can’t seem to make any progress, ask yourself these 3 questions and take action based on your answers.

More Tidbits to "Chuck it"

• If you want to learn more about the boxes we create about ourselves and others, read the book "Leadership and Self-Deception".
• Take a timeout – another way to get a new viewpoint is to take a break. Leave the project for a specific amount of time (a ½ hour, a day, or a week depending on the scope of the project). You will come back with fresh eyes and a fresh perspective. It’s amazing what getting yourself away for a short time will do for you.
• If your answer to the first question above is “Yes, this step is vitally important.” and you’re still stuck, then what? Well, you might speak with a spouse, friend or coach to get suggestions from another viewpoint. Other strategies will be discussed in a future newsletter. Stay tuned or call me to get the scoop now.

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No part of this newsletter may be used or reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the author. However, please feel free to forward this newsletter in its entirety to anyone who might benefit from receiving it.

Scott Lewis, MSW, CPCC   •    scott@LovingMeAndADD.com     •    651.442.9181