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"Who's the Boss?"
10 ways to start taking control
(time
management, goal setting, record tracking)
At first glance, it would seem that positive
thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do
with one another. But many with ADD develop negative thinking
patterns because they become frustrated by challenges and frequent
feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it
even harder for them to manage those challenges and move forward.
Practicing positive thinking allows people with ADD
to focus on their strengths and accomplishments, which increases
happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows them to spend more
time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The
following tips provide practical suggestions that can be used to
help shift into more positive thinking patterns that will improve
your mental health:
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
unfounded. 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. Remember "Do unto others".
5. Detach From Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts can't
hold any power over you if you don't dwell on them. If you notice
yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, acknowledge it,
but 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, realise that they are nothing more than
"ANTs" and squash them!
7. Practice Lovin', Touchin' & Squeezin' (Your Friends and
Family, complete strangers may take offence and/or do you bodily
harm)
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.
When it comes to the corporate world, protocol is
pretty much the religion. To know the things needed to do are the
basics of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind
makes up the entire thing to true productivity. There are those who
seem to work well even under pressure, but they're uncommon ones and
we are human and imperfect. To let little things like stress get
under our skins won't solve our problems. Sometimes it takes a bit
of courage to admit that we're turning into workaholics rather than
allow that we're not doing our best. Your mental health and
attitude are extremely important, you must do everything you
can to stay on an "even keel"
Further Self Improvement resources are
available from
The Freedom
Seed
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