Tips for Getting Stuff Done

If you want to make stretching a part of your daily activities, but you struggle with boredom as you count to 10 for each stretch, try this--

For each number, move your eyes to a different object. You can make a game out of it--try to find (for example) ten different objects that are blue.

I’ve found this works best for the Habitica website because of the reward system, but I imagine it could work fine on regular checklists as well.

If there are larger tasks that you feel overwhelmed by, try sub-tasks for those.

For example, I have “Writing” as a daily task, and my goal is to write 500 words a day. To help reach that goal, I have the smaller goals: “100 mark”, “200 mark”, “300 mark”, “400 mark”, “500 mark”. On really tough days, I may have “One sentence”, “Two sentences”, etc.

Here’s an excerpt from a page I read online, explaining Interval Training.

“1. Set a task to focus on (writing, drawing, strength training, meditating, etc).

2. Set a timer for 10 minutes. 5 minutes is also fine if 10 is too long. Don’t go longer until you get good at 10 minutes, then increase to 12 and eventually 15. I don’t find I need to go beyond 15-20 minutes even when I’m kicking butt.

3. Do nothing but sit there and watch your urges, or push into your discomfort by doing the task.

4. When the timer goes off, give yourself a 5-minute break.

5. Repeat.

You can train for several intervals, or potentially for an hour or two. Then take a longer break, and do another set of intervals after that.

This kind of interval training is fantastic, because it’s not that hard, you really train yourself in discomfort and watching urges, and you can get a lot done this way.”

The website Habitica can help motivate people to get tasks and chores done. (And if something happens, such as illness, taking a vacation, or something else, then you can “check into the inn” to pause damage. A quick google search will help you figure out how to do this, if you don’t know how.)

I totally understand where you’re coming from, and it’s a hard situation to be in.

A friend of mine takes medication for her ADHD, and it certainly helps her with focus and motivation, and I’ve known it to be really effective for others as well. I hope it works for you!

Keep in mind that different medication has different effects on different people–I don’t remember the name of the brand, but there’s a certain type of ADHD meds that interact badly with people who have mood disorders, so it would be a good idea to check with your psychologist (if you have one or can afford one) about that.

Best of luck to you, anon!

If you find yourself avoiding a task, stop what you’re doing and think.

What barrier is in the way of you doing this task?

Do you have to draw a hand at an angle you haven’t learned?

Is the kitchen sink so dirty that you’d rather the dishes pile up than have to clean it?

Is your room messy, but you won’t clean it because you don’t know where to put things?

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start something, try making yourself just do the first few steps.

For example, if you know you need to draw but you’re struggling to get yourself to do it, don’t worry about the actual drawing process right now. Just set up your computer, grab your tablet and pen, plug in your tablet, open the drawing, zoom in, and click on the necessary brush (or whatever your specific process may be).

This is less focused on executive dysfunction and more aimed towards people with misophonia--

If your sound triggers include noises your pets make, and you aren’t able to spend much time around them because of it, here’s a method that I use:

I work “hang out with cats” into my schedule, giving it about an hour, and then I grab my headphones and some sort of device that plays sound. I sometimes draw to music, but I usually go with a video game of some sorts. That way I can hang out with them without my misophonia acting up.

I’ve found that I started looking forward to these sessions, as they give me a break from other work, and I get to play a video game while not feeling guilty / feeling like I’m “wasting time”.

I’ve found that doing things with people can be very helpful.

Make a list ahead of time of all the potential meals you can have.

You can sort it by time of day, how heavy or light the meal is, how easy it is to make, what types of nutrients it provides, whatever is most helpful for you.

One of my main problems with showering is, basically, having nothing to do while I’m in the shower.

For anyone who struggles with this as well, here’s some ideas on how to fill the time:

- Pick a topic (movies, shows, books, characters, animals, songs, etc.) and see if you can find one for every letter of the alphabet.

- Sing

- Write songs or poetry

- Make a re-write / spoof of a song you like (I personally like to change the lyrics to fit fictional characters and stories)

- If you’re a writer or a role-player, think about plots for your novel or role-play. Figure out the answer to a question you need to know for the plotline (character motivations, details of someone’s powers, whatever necessary).

- Play music (place your device somewhere it doesn’t risk getting wet, of course, unless it’s water resistant)

- Practice words of a language you’re learning

- If you play a sport or an instrument, mentally practice doing so

One trick I’ve found for this is to count the number of circles on each row of teeth, so I have a specific goal to work to. 10 for the front of the lower set, 10 for the top, 10 for the back, 10 for the front of the upper set, etc. Whatever is necessary.

Focus on one thing at a time.

This can be really hard to do, but do your best. It helps a lot.

Think to yourself--what’s one single thing I can do to tackle this issue? What is one small step?

Then do it.