ADHD: How To Actually Finish What You Start (3 Easy Steps) 

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TLDR: I discovered kind of accidentally that I work very well and very hard for 1 hour and 50 minutes. I had set a 2 hour timer one day prior to a meeting. I stopped working because I was bored and discovered I was 10 minutes off of 2 hours. Coincidentally, I did the same thing a few days later. Exact same result: my brain said I'm done at 1 hour 50 minutes. I now set a 2 hour timer, stop automatically 10 minutes before it goes off and take that as a break. I also work from home as an independent contractor with --- luckily --- four clients. I rotate through all four clients each day and devote a half hour at the beginning and end of my day for organization, planning and pep talks, so I work more or less 8 hours a day, just in odd chunks. In between two hour segments, I'll go do laundry, make lunch, walk, do other household chores. I count those as side quests and find they last just as long as it takes to make a cup of coffee or heat up lunch. The ADHD have-to-get-it-done-before-something-ends kicks in and I take full advantage of it. I also take a nap occasionally -- which lasts just about 2 hours. It's created a very odd side effect feeling there are more than seven days in a week though. Some days seem very expansive, like I'm surprised to find it's still Tuesday, rather than days later, because I've done a whole bunch of 'things' and see progress, but I haven't yet given up on any one thing. There are other days where I just stay in bed and don't bother 😺

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

I’m probably a more conceptual learner. Once I get the larger breakthrough on something, anything, it instantly becomes much more interesting which is when I watch videos and make visual aids for myself

I always finish what I start bc I count quitting as finishing

This vid, above all others I’ve watch from him, explains soooooo much to me…. My “superpower” is how fast I learn and how easy it is for me to retain it. BUT, if I’m forced to learn something (ie: required college course), I’ve learned how to “cram & dump.” I can shove stuff into my head for very short term regurgitation, then it just “evaporates.” I think in pictures. Doesn’t matter how the info is presented, if I HAVE to know it (it’s serious) or I’m interested, I easily constrict a picture. Once the picture is there, it’s forever.

The editing on this is EXTREMELY ADHD friendly, thank you.

This one was fantastic! Thank you. The “firebreak” is something I’ve been doing for about 7 months now without even realizing it. I always go on a bike ride during my lunch break and have no idea where I’m going. I let the impulsiveness take the wheel (handlebars?) and end up seeing new places while also getting the mental boost from the exercise. That sometimes puts me in dicey situations with traffic, and/or being away from work longer than I should be..😅 but I also come back from the physical sprint ready for another mental “sprint” in the least novel environment imaginable.. on the phone in a cubicle.😂

When he said week three ... My jaw dropped because i juuust figured this out via tracking and was thinking about how to leverage that info to my advantage

There are three Buddhist ways of watching television. It's essentially the same way, but it looks different at different stages of practice. First, you watch TV with the sound off. For about half an hour a day, your favourite shows. When the thought arises that something important and interesting is being said on TV, you become aware of it the moment it occurs and thus neutralise it. At first you'll cringe and switch on the sound, but gradually you'll get used to it. The main thing is not to feel guilty when you can't help yourself. It happens to everyone at first, even llamas. Then you start watching TV with the sound on but the picture off. And finally, you start watching the TV switched off. This is actually the main technique, and the first two are preparatory.

I seem to need to know everything about a subject-when I'm fully knowledgeable about it, I get a sick feeling and don't want to even look at it. I got hooked on PC's late 1980s, the internet 1990's, iPhones early 2000, Blockchain technologies and now AI - I've been very successful in my working life as an IT and business consultant. I semi-retired during covid lock downs and published 17 business/self-help books 2020 - then outsourced the translations into Spanish. I'm totally absorbed in turning those books into online courses now. It is ALL absorbing. I love the process. My wife told me about ADHD... It seems I have most of the traits. I'm in my 60s and am working through it.

Honestly thinking about it and having someone else saying it are two completely different things. Thank you

And here I am trying to muster up the willpower to go get the icecream from the fridge because I got tired of all my other snacks that are scattered around me on the couch...

I’m primarily an experience-learner. Experience is the best teacher and might be supported by other types of learning, like verbal, visual and auditory. Information without the experience doesn’t have the same value for me

I work in a call center where sprints isn’t possible. I hate this job, but I’m stuck since it pays better than anything around here. I have to work at the times when my brain is the most energized and focused. So depressed.

If I brake...I cant get restarted. I have to keep going.

Oh btw, you are the reason I got diagnosed a few months ago but also the reason why I didn't become depressed during the hardest years of my life because I found out (from one of your TikTok) that I have ADHD a few years back Thanks for your work!

Great stuff again !!! It so makes sense ....I do not have so many problems doing my work in the Office ( I am a clinical psychologist), because my Job is full of variety, every day is different, every hour is different....and I am helping the clients with their issues , and they are giving me very good Feedback, which is very fulfilling.....What I find challenging are my everyday household Tasks at home.....as soon that comes into my mind I find myself feeling almost immediately complete tired and exhausted. The same occurs with having to write long reports on my clients ....my eyes get so tired doing so.....

You said week three and my life flashed in front of my eyes😳 Edit: breaks mean I'm never coming back🤦‍♂️

Firebreak! I’ve done a version of this but never planned them. Love the name of this strategy - Thank you!

Im a butterfly or chameleon. I bounce through all the learning styles. The one that is most effective for me wasn't mentioned. That's teaching the information. I wanted to learn shibori fabric dyeing. Too boring. So I offered to teach a class. I learned so I could teach others. My 1st project was my class sample, made the night before class, of course. Great class, good results. I did the same thing for paper marbling. One of my students became a professional paper marbler. I never touched it again.

My problem with Pomodoro is that my breaks are becoming longer than my work. Instead of a 5 minute break it became a 1 hour break. tf

This video was sooooo helpful to me! Thank you for sharing this knowledge! In the future, could you please pleasee make a video on ADHD and maladaptive daydreaming and how to stop daydreaming so much?

You had me at "stop trying" 😃

Man, this is pure gold. Congrats from Brazil!

you are helping me a lot by the way. thank you very much i have more than 8 hobbies and skills but i can't committed to one single hobby to make money. i was frustrated and my self esteem was getting low. but now Thank God Your videos opened my Eyes and changed my perspective

Thank you for highlighting and visualizing the proclivities of our mind while we're trying to wrangle it. The firebreaks always felt like indulgences rather than re-ignition. Legitimizing it trickles down progress for our tasks. Thank you, my friend.

Thank you! Sounds promising 👌🏻

Nik! You are truly a God-send man! Thank you so much for your channel! I’m learning so much about myself. Broke down in tears yesterday morning finally realizing that nothing is wrong with me, I just think and see the world differently! Thank you so much! Keep up the great work!

Soooo perfectly explained. Thank you.

At the age of 45, I've become more of a marathon with firebreaks type of guy. No more sprints, stress, pressure: the job will.get.done. And that feeling of closure afterwards...priceless

Absolutely true 💯 thank you for this video!

I learn better Visually and someone showing me.

This video is truly a remarkable piece of work. indeed.

Love your videos helps a lot

Your videos are very informative with concepts that actually make sense to me. Best wishes from San Francisco!

Thank you so much !!! It helps a lot 🙏🏻🙏🏻💞💞💞

Subscribed! Thanks for explaining how I've been holding myself back.

Great vid!

Thank you. I learned a lot that will help me going forward.

Your consistent effort to provide high quality content regardless of your ADHD is fantastic as for me.

I found the best channel today😊thanks

Helpful... thank you

I suspect it's related to an issue with differentiating between what I have to do, what I want to do and what other people want me to do. I'm fine slugging away at something - it's when other people make me feel guilty for not going bigger or faster.. That's when the wheels come off.

Love you ❤ and your content SO much, Nik. You’ve helped me understand myself and be more productive. -from a very late adult diagnosed ADHDer.

Dobar dan! And thanks! Subbed after seeing your Britta short 😁👍

Hvala vam!

I love that you have a pomodoro body doubling video! I’m going to check it out!

I found this video interesting and I realized I already had it on my watch later list 😅😂

Realy good video

conceptual and visual

I love the idea of outsourcing areas of weakness. Could you do a video on examples of outsourcing or resources for resources that has help you? That would be helpful.

Conceptual, Intuetiv, visual and the most kinestetic. Learning to drive is just such a fun thing to do for me.

Thank you

Love the camera analogy 3:40

The content and the editing was a banger. Anyone know what music is used??

I love how you've added that specific ADHD relief music that'll keep us interested in the video. Smart.

Giving a bonus/dopamine in an ADHD video for staying until the end must be criminal lol.

I iddentify me more with the one that is verbal and conceptualize and also the visualization like you

Let’s clean up the diet and start from there

Watching and listening to this video has really opened my eyes to my son's world. He struggles at school, with focus, but other times of the day in school, he can do fantastically. I would like to show him this video, but i am wondering if you could also do a school friendly, simpler version. As i know my son gets frustrated with himself over not being able to start things..he gets stuck! 😔 thank you for your content 👏👍😊

I cannot try harder. It gives me a headache and shuts my brain down. Instead I will rest for an hour. Usually I get energy later in the day after supper. I have protein and this helps.

so i rotate in and out things to make them feel fresh but have realised I need to schedule rest in there

i like your vids they make sence the 3 week thing wow thats me

You did something consistently for 4 years?!?! Are you sure you're ADHD?!? I mean... I brush my teeth more than 4 years but the mint wakes me up. And that refreshment excites and comforts me daily. It frames my day.

Audio learning and kinetic, which considering the methodology of my US educational experience was 'sit still, stay quiet, and read your assignment' which is impossible unless I love the topic it's no wonder I failed English with all those boring classical literature requirements about how much life sucked in 18th century Europe, looking at you Les Mis, but give me a modern classic that was about science or some of Shakespeare's satirical works and I could deconstruct it for hours.

Firebreake - awsome

Kinesthetic, Visual, Conceptual ❤

Can you make a video about adhd medication? 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

“You have permission to ask for help on your weaknesses” is true… unless you ask for help and get told “no.” That’s been my experience; numerous times. So then what? I’m usually left floundering on my own, which usually ends in burnout

Great advice. Scheduling like this is easy when you are a RU-vidr. I’m a public school teacher. I’m stuck

Hello, I am an add girl. I love your videos, and you give me an inspiration and a lot of hope for a better life. As you know, our kind of people have to make a lot of effort to concentrate on a mission. At this moment, my mission is to understand your videos and apply you're going ideas. But, I can't do it easily because I have a big obstacle, and it's the music in the background of the videos. In my mind, I know that the words are more important, but I can hear the music so much stronger. My problem is that I dont know what to relate to first, is it to the music or to your words. If you won't mind, please remove the music from the background. I'm begging you. Many thanks in advance.

9:38 Apparently, the stunning view associated with the concept of "break" made me cry... Maybe I need one actually

Make a video on supplements and nootropics. I take various nootropics to deal with my symptoms.

Damn. I wanted to hate your channel but the information is so good. Thank you

breaks make things new again!!!

I am trying to understand my brain, because my thinking style is compartmentalizing my feelings and converting into language, thinking linguistically and can think in pictures extremely clear, but sometimes my brain function is so bad that I have trouble talking. I am diagnosed autistic as a little kid but I also relate a lot to adhd which I have a feeling people may assume that I maybe a hypochondriac for mental disorders though I am careful of saying that I have something.

It's just feels so scammy Nik. I hit the wrong button got booted from the webinar and when I went back in you told me it was still live and restarted.😂

Depends on the things i need to learn...if it is a college course, i learn visually, i retain the page number where the info i need is located, the position on the page, the color is written with etc. And it helps alot if i write the info, not just reading it from a book, because i retain info while i write😅 If i need to learn to use a program, for example, i learn by doing...intuitive...maybe watching a tutorial but i just look for the little info i need in that moment, like where is the button that does that thing, so i always skip thru tutorials and watching at 2x speed (i love it when there are chapters) 😂 The problem with the sprint is that once i take a break, i freeze and i am not capabale of starting again😅

I do it same way😊😊❤

If only I could finish this video...

1) Which video with one more technique is refered to at the end? I can't find it in the description. And 2) who is doing the awesome editing?

I watch this 5 mins. after it posted

The next suggested video was not there!!!

I noticed that I am able to complete tasks in the morning after that my brain goes to sleep. 😴😴😴

I like the music in the background... What is it? 👌🎶

9:46 exactly me right now 🤯 😂😂😂

❤❤❤❤

If you have adhd and you know some hack to manage it, feel free to comment it here, cuz we adhd ppl prefer reading comments than pay attention to what actually in the video 😅.

Hey Nik - great content. Question for you… have you any idea weather there’s a correlation between AuDHD/ADHD and Aphantasia? (The ability to see the mind pictures others see with their eyes closed?). IE you think of a pink elephant standing on a green apple that’s hanging from a Christmas tree - some can visualize this as if it’s there.

It helpt me to just try randon calestanics and parkourskills i have seen or youtube. Or to just experement with the envirement instead of following a training plan.

Dang I switched to another video and realized what I did so I came back 🤣🤣

Sir I love the work you are doing and I respect it , I need some advise to how can I calm my mind night before sleep ,for example when ever I close my eyes I feel like some lifetheretnig is going to occur to me I do not know is it from my ADHD or something else but it is quite irretating , if you can please help me.

How will you rank forgetfulness on the list of ADHD symptoms. I need an answer please 🙏

Do you have to sign up for Focus Revolution to get the Momentum Tracker and Consistency Checklist?

I've only know for about a year that I have ADHD (I'm 36 now), so a lot of eye-opening events since then! By any chance, are you Belgian? It won't be obvious to anyone else, but your accent kinda reminds me of Flemish.

The music reminds me so much to "Rick's origin story song" from Rick and Morty :D

Verbal and conceptual totally; the problem with visual is that if you study really specialistic stuff (phisics, medicine) you won't find no Netflix or RU-vid content that match your needs

The closer you get to the limit, the more trying harder will just cause emotional dysregulation and/or distress.

I wonder how David Goggins despite having adhd straight up just say stay hard & surprisingly it had worked for him ...can anyone answer