I was diagnosed with moderate ADD when I was 20 years old, I am now just about 25 and have tried many different medications. I like the medicine I am on now and I think it does a good job helping me maintain focus. However I have real issues with motivating myself to do things. This is a huge problem being that I work from home and only talk to my boss every few weeks. Now my lack of motivation isn’t only for work related stuff, in truth there is stuff that I really do want to do but I put it off and end up never doing it. I love my job and the line of work I’m involved in but I seriously think I am about to lose this amazing job because I can’t motivate myself. FWIW I am a sales rep, I should be spending my days out on the road visiting clients, today like most days I am sitting here in my sweats on the recliner not doing a GD thing. When I do get out and make sales calls I enjoy it, but I can’t seem to get my ass out the door.
So my question is, is this ADD or is it an extreme case of laziness? Dopers who have dealt with this problem how did you motivate yourself?
Personally, when I have a dozen tasks that need to be done, my brain just won’t settle on one, so I end up getting none of them done. It always makes me think of when the Three Stooges all tried to go through a door at the same time, so none of them actually went through it.
The only way I ever get anything done is to make lists. If I’m faced with a dozen things to do, I break them up into discrete tasks that can be done and then crossed off. Having a list like that and making a plan for the day based on it relieves your brain of having to decide what to do next.
ADHD is, in part, a lack of internal organization, so external organization is vital. There’s a book called Getting Things Done by David Allen that’s all about organizing your life into a series of lists; it has a bit of a cult following among IT types, and for good reason. It might be worth looking into.
Remember, though, that for ADHD-ers, organizational schemes are disposable. If you manage to get your shit together and it all falls apart in three months, don’t feel bad about it; after all, you were a bit more together for three months. Rebuild and start over.
I’m in my mid-30’s I was diagnised when I was 14. Medicated until I was 27. Motivation comes from with my man. Sorry, ADD and motivation in my experience are loosly linked. Depression has a much higher involvment with motivation than ADD does. Not that motivation and ADD have no linkage, it’s just a small percentage of a larger issue.
How is your diet? I changed my lifestyle through diet and had a wonderful benefit. I also gave up alcohol. Again a huge benefit…
My diet is good, I gave up soda at least 6 months ago. I drink every once in awhile but not often. Eat lots of veggies and fruit and whole grains. Doesn’t seem to be helping my motivation however.
Phlosphr, or anyone: how exactly did you change your diet to help your ADD?
Barrels, I understand your problem, because I grapple with it every day. I don’t think it’s a problem with motivation so much as it is a problem with execution–a subtle difference, I grant you, but an important one.
For me, I often get spurred to act based on fear. 5 1/2 years ago, I was burnt out, and I lost my job when my wife was pregnant with our first child. A lot of times I just need to reflect on that period of my life to realize that I NEVER WANT TO BE IN THAT POSITION AGAIN.
I have more thoughts, but no time to post them, and I just didn’t want to see this thread die.
Read the labels. No dyes like Red or Yellow-#5,6,7 or whatever. Plenty of vitamin rich foods like bananas, pomagranite, egg plants, dark green stuff. Limit caffiene, limit sugar - eat as balanced as possible.
I have an interesting book called You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy? about adult ADD. I found it very helpful.
I was diagnosed with ADD as an adult, but I’m not sure I believe it. I have some of the hallmarks, like all stimulus having the same value, but I’ve used that in a way that means I can multi-task very well.
I can focus on one project while it interests me, but if I get frustrated, it’s over. I have many glass projects half finished for that reason.
I would like to hear more about the difference between the two in your mind. I think I understand what you are getting at and would like more of your thoughts on the difference between the two.
Lack of motivation is definitely (though not exclusively) an ADD thing. The situation you describe has been called ‘Paralysis of the Will’ by some ADDers (see the about.com ADHD forum).
You may need a coach or you may need to set up a software program or watch to remind you to do things. There are lots and lots of resources for folks with ADD with your problem. Are you on any ADD forums? About.com has a good one but there are many others. I have to zip but I’ll check back later and give you a few more to try if you like.
