Wow. I am a 33 year old man who works in the field of behavioral health. I help children with autism overcome learning challenges and eliminate challenging behavior. I have severe ADHD, and it has been a massive barrier to living a fulfilling life for as long as I can remember. I was heavily over medicated when I was a child, which led me to have an extremely negative view of ADHD meds. This video was the single most helpful thing I have ever seen for helping me take the next step on my ADHD journey. The way you framed this helpful information in such a compassionate and empowering way literally brought me to tears. I want to thank you for your message and tell you that you made a difference in my life. I wish more people were like you and I hope you continue to produce such incredible content!
I'm almost 40 years old and have been struggling with ADHD my entire life even though I've only been diagnosed a couple of years ago. This is the best video on task initiation I have ever seen, it goes much further than the typical Tips video recommending using the Pomodoro technique or dividing the task into small steps. When you are paralyzed and feel like you can't even move a little finger, any small step is impossible. However, this approach of changing the mental process can help a lot. I loved your video and I will follow your channel with great interest.
Starting with 1 step and not planning out the whole task. Honestly that alone helped me. I just feel so overwhelmed right off the bat and honestly the things I need to do are so big and complex I can't even plan the entire thing and just stop before I even start. Just starting with step 1 is easy. And the weird thing is I've heard this before but the way you phrased it really helped
Boy am I glad I found you. You helped me take a bath (after I shouted and startled the cat haha woops) I try to get through each day with diagnosed OCD/ADHD and I'd be lost without people like you providing support and tips. Especially when feeling, alone, lazy and misunderstood. Thank you and love to you all! X x x x
Step number 5 😂 literally made me snort. The mental agony is SO real, thank you for this video. I am so glad to have found your channel just today. I’ll be trying these steps in the morning. Edit: So I tried these steps and it worked brilliantly! The emotional awareness step felt loving and acknowledging the mental pain felt like I was giving the tasks at hand the respect they deserve. It’s scary being a “grown up” and it felt good to move these emotions out of my body and create that sense of urgency
Asking for prayers for my hubby. His biopsy results came back positive for Cancer. Prayers are greatly appreciated. Thanks & praying for y'all too. 🙏✝️❤️🕊️💜🌹
Sending prayers of comfort & healing to your husband.. I hope he makes a full recovery. Praying for strength & peace for you as you lovingly support him on this journey. Keep the faith 🙏🏻♥️
I did the 3 minute writing. I have wanted to start journaling all year and have not made much progress... until this exercise. When the timer went off, I was kind of sad. But I started and wrote down a really good paragraph on the fly. Thank you.
Did I watch parts 1, 2, and 3 out of order? Of course I did! But also did I tear up a little when you said it's not laziness, it's a disability? Also yes 🥺thank you for this video
Just found your channel the other day and I've found so much useful information and validation. I can't speak highly enough of the way you discuss some of these topics in ways that make me feel so seen. I've been struggling so much with task initiation and "waiting for the motivation" or some version of that. The idea of implementing steps to get the task done can feel overwhelming, it's like "now, not only do I have to get the task done, but I have to do all this extra shit in order to even start." My demand avoidance, or whatever we call it these days, loops so hard and feeds me the most counterproductive thoughts: how unfair it feels that I have to try so much harder to get less done, how other people are going to judge my struggles, comparing myself to more productive versions of myself from better days or how I wish I could be. I feel this aversion to starting and doing the task, but I want to get it done. I want to already be done with it, not have the work ahead of me filling me with dread, have the feeling of relief as the responsibility is lifted, and this has led me so often to just give up and lift the stress from myself by telling myself that I'm just not going to do it. This has built up so much regret and anxiety and self hatred and depression and just... It's easy to loop. It's way harder to consider the consequences of giving up rather than the relief that it will bring in the short term. Those consequences don't feel real, or I'll talk myself into some way to avoid those too. The real consequence that I haven't been able to avoid is my opinion of myself slipping into the gutter, but now that it's there, I feel so stuck here. The 123GO! trick, journaling, the external or physical tasks feel like just another thing I'm not going to be able to make myself do. I really hope being kinda vulnerable about this is okay here and I don't seem like I'm discounting your advice. It feels so close to being exactly for me, and I think that's triggering some feelings I struggle to articulate.
I’m in bed having a nightmare of a time falling asleep and came across this video and sis when I tell you every single sentence out of your mouth was speaking to my soul … well, tell you what, it is. I’m going to finish listening to your video now. Thank you for this.
I have been struggling alot lately. Watching every CZcams video under the sun about how to live and work with my ADHD. This is one of the only creators ( so far) where i felt normal and gave me real life steps to help me. Im going to try this and binge the rest of your content lol!
I loved the way you validated ADHD struggles, it made me cry . . . Now I feel like a heavy load has lifted off me. Btw d entire video was helpful. I am so happiiiiiiieeeeeeee 🎉
powerful tips! I love the emphasis on using your body. I've been doing this intuitively and hearing you talk about about it makes me want to amp it up even more! I also really liked the tip to prioritize and just start with whatever task allows you to get going, even if it's not the "#1 priority task". Thank you!
I wished the problem was just with the initiation. Even when I get started (after a long mental struggle) I have a really hard time maintaining it for more than a few minutes. Then it gets incredibly harder to start again each time I fail to continue maintaining it and the cycle goes on. What I found interesting in this video is the way she put it "it's always gonna suck" and the fact that there's no hack to get rid of it.
Am i the only one instantly distracted by the bookshelves behind the speaker, and making myself batty trying to read the titles, which are never in quite enough focus, and also listen??
Thank you. I needed some understanding and kindness, some tips and good motivation to get started on what is another day of one small step on a mountain of steps. All the other vids just told me what task initiation is, and other info that I already know. I know the thing. Doesn't mean I can do the thing in this moment. Thank you again. I've started with the list and the other exercises, and that's started me off nicely- and with a lovely dopamine hit because I've successfully completed something this morning. 😊 PS if 123go doesn't work try counting down from 5 to "launch off"
Tha KS for making the video.. As way of Constructive feedback, getting right to the point of the video, answering the question posed by the video title, will make your content even more valuable. I got sidetracked by all the first 2+ minutes that are unrelated the question I am trying to answer.
I just put in my planner in space of mantra of the week your phrase "choose to face one mental pain in order to avoid another". And not just for the week, will be for life! Very touching video, thanks!! kisses from Brazil
Deciding to suffer now is pretty profound. Admit you’re going to suffer. Stop beating yourself up because other people don’t have to suffer. They can just do things. It doesn’t mean we’re being weak or deciding to turn ourselves into victims. It’s going to be painful and it’s going to suck, but we’ll survive it. It’s going to be OK afterwards.
There is some stuff from How To ADHD youtube channel to help with starting tasks as well. I personally use the dual tasking method where you can choose 2 tasks to "bounce" between to work on with a work timer.
"You're working double time to get half the results. That's not laziness; that's disability."
👏
Wow. I am a 33 year old man who works in the field of behavioral health. I help children with autism overcome learning challenges and eliminate challenging behavior. I have severe ADHD, and it has been a massive barrier to living a fulfilling life for as long as I can remember. I was heavily over medicated when I was a child, which led me to have an extremely negative view of ADHD meds. This video was the single most helpful thing I have ever seen for helping me take the next step on my ADHD journey. The way you framed this helpful information in such a compassionate and empowering way literally brought me to tears. I want to thank you for your message and tell you that you made a difference in my life. I wish more people were like you and I hope you continue to produce such incredible content!
I'm almost 40 years old and have been struggling with ADHD my entire life even though I've only been diagnosed a couple of years ago.
This is the best video on task initiation I have ever seen, it goes much further than the typical Tips video recommending using the Pomodoro technique or dividing the task into small steps.
When you are paralyzed and feel like you can't even move a little finger, any small step is impossible.
However, this approach of changing the mental process can help a lot. I loved your video and I will follow your channel with great interest.
Starting with 1 step and not planning out the whole task. Honestly that alone helped me. I just feel so overwhelmed right off the bat and honestly the things I need to do are so big and complex I can't even plan the entire thing and just stop before I even start. Just starting with step 1 is easy. And the weird thing is I've heard this before but the way you phrased it really helped
Boy am I glad I found you. You helped me take a bath (after I shouted and startled the cat haha woops) I try to get through each day with diagnosed OCD/ADHD and I'd be lost without people like you providing support and tips. Especially when feeling, alone, lazy and misunderstood. Thank you and love to you all! X x x x
I also just tested the trick on getting a shower! 😅 I almost ran the stairs. The tips really sound good, I'll need to take the rest of them to use.
Step number 5 😂 literally made me snort. The mental agony is SO real, thank you for this video. I am so glad to have found your channel just today. I’ll be trying these steps in the morning.
Edit: So I tried these steps and it worked brilliantly! The emotional awareness step felt loving and acknowledging the mental pain felt like I was giving the tasks at hand the respect they deserve. It’s scary being a “grown up” and it felt good to move these emotions out of my body and create that sense of urgency
Yesssss, I'm so glad it worked for you!!!
Asking for prayers for my hubby. His biopsy results came back positive for Cancer. Prayers are greatly appreciated. Thanks & praying for y'all too. 🙏✝️❤️🕊️💜🌹
Bot? What a weird place to post this.
So so so many prayers for your husband! Really, really pray with all my heart that he gets well sooner than soon 🌻✨
Lots of love and care to you too 💛
Hey, I wish onto your husband n ur family the strength, wisdom n unwavering optimism, to get through this. Sending u love n light ❤
Sending prayers of comfort & healing to your husband.. I hope he makes a full recovery. Praying for strength & peace for you as you lovingly support him on this journey. Keep the faith 🙏🏻♥️
Thank you for being so validating… the part about feeling pain about starting a task 🥺
I feel so lazy and ashamed. It feels like its getting harder to keep up all the time. Im a 47yr old single mom w/4 kids. Than you for this video.
I did the 3 minute writing. I have wanted to start journaling all year and have not made much progress... until this exercise. When the timer went off, I was kind of sad. But I started and wrote down a really good paragraph on the fly. Thank you.
Did I watch parts 1, 2, and 3 out of order? Of course I did!
But also did I tear up a little when you said it's not laziness, it's a disability? Also yes 🥺thank you for this video
Just found your channel the other day and I've found so much useful information and validation. I can't speak highly enough of the way you discuss some of these topics in ways that make me feel so seen.
I've been struggling so much with task initiation and "waiting for the motivation" or some version of that. The idea of implementing steps to get the task done can feel overwhelming, it's like "now, not only do I have to get the task done, but I have to do all this extra shit in order to even start." My demand avoidance, or whatever we call it these days, loops so hard and feeds me the most counterproductive thoughts: how unfair it feels that I have to try so much harder to get less done, how other people are going to judge my struggles, comparing myself to more productive versions of myself from better days or how I wish I could be. I feel this aversion to starting and doing the task, but I want to get it done. I want to already be done with it, not have the work ahead of me filling me with dread, have the feeling of relief as the responsibility is lifted, and this has led me so often to just give up and lift the stress from myself by telling myself that I'm just not going to do it. This has built up so much regret and anxiety and self hatred and depression and just... It's easy to loop. It's way harder to consider the consequences of giving up rather than the relief that it will bring in the short term. Those consequences don't feel real, or I'll talk myself into some way to avoid those too. The real consequence that I haven't been able to avoid is my opinion of myself slipping into the gutter, but now that it's there, I feel so stuck here. The 123GO! trick, journaling, the external or physical tasks feel like just another thing I'm not going to be able to make myself do. I really hope being kinda vulnerable about this is okay here and I don't seem like I'm discounting your advice. It feels so close to being exactly for me, and I think that's triggering some feelings I struggle to articulate.
This video is gold 💯🔝
I’m in bed having a nightmare of a time falling asleep and came across this video and sis when I tell you every single sentence out of your mouth was speaking to my soul … well, tell you what, it is. I’m going to finish listening to your video now. Thank you for this.
I have been struggling alot lately. Watching every CZcams video under the sun about how to live and work with my ADHD. This is one of the only creators ( so far) where i felt normal and gave me real life steps to help me. Im going to try this and binge the rest of your content lol!
God, this video is THE BEEEEEEST!!!!
I loved the way you validated ADHD struggles, it made me cry . . . Now I feel like a heavy load has lifted off me. Btw d entire video was helpful. I am so happiiiiiiieeeeeeee 🎉
powerful tips! I love the emphasis on using your body. I've been doing this intuitively and hearing you talk about about it makes me want to amp it up even more! I also really liked the tip to prioritize and just start with whatever task allows you to get going, even if it's not the "#1 priority task". Thank you!
I wished the problem was just with the initiation. Even when I get started (after a long mental struggle) I have a really hard time maintaining it for more than a few minutes. Then it gets incredibly harder to start again each time I fail to continue maintaining it and the cycle goes on. What I found interesting in this video is the way she put it "it's always gonna suck" and the fact that there's no hack to get rid of it.
I’m pretty sure I have ADHD and wow I feel so seen in your video. To finally accept that i am not lazy means so much. Thank you for your videos
Am i the only one instantly distracted by the bookshelves behind the speaker, and making myself batty trying to read the titles, which are never in quite enough focus, and also listen??
Thank you. I needed some understanding and kindness, some tips and good motivation to get started on what is another day of one small step on a mountain of steps. All the other vids just told me what task initiation is, and other info that I already know. I know the thing. Doesn't mean I can do the thing in this moment. Thank you again. I've started with the list and the other exercises, and that's started me off nicely- and with a lovely dopamine hit because I've successfully completed something this morning. 😊
PS if 123go doesn't work try counting down from 5 to "launch off"
Them you said to stim i started flapping my hands around. And then you said it and i felt both so seen and dusturbed hahaha
Tha KS for making the video.. As way of Constructive feedback, getting right to the point of the video, answering the question posed by the video title, will make your content even more valuable. I got sidetracked by all the first 2+ minutes that are unrelated the question I am trying to answer.
What an interesting work flow! I haven't come across anything like it. I'm going to try it!
I just put in my planner in space of mantra of the week your phrase "choose to face one mental pain in order to avoid another".
And not just for the week, will be for life!
Very touching video, thanks!!
kisses from Brazil
Thank you. Your words made me cry. For the first time I felt valued and seen and understood. You soundwd so sincere❤
I’m only a minute in and I love this, really good content
That's so helpful! Thank you 💘
Deciding to suffer now is pretty profound. Admit you’re going to suffer. Stop beating yourself up because other people don’t have to suffer. They can just do things. It doesn’t mean we’re being weak or deciding to turn ourselves into victims. It’s going to be painful and it’s going to suck, but we’ll survive it. It’s going to be OK afterwards.
The first actually helpful adhd video
you just conjured me to randomly scream with step 6 LOL
Really needed to hear the reminder at 1:16 :( Thank you for this video!
Thank you i needed this ❤🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for CZcams, I feel so understood
This was really helpful and reassuring, thank you ❤
Love this video! Almost cried a couple of times lol
Thank you so much dear ❤❤😭😭
I think you are awesome :)
Omg, thank you 🥹🥹🥹
1:56 Aaagh, too much empathy don't make me cry
It at least got me off CZcams after I'd finished my sandwich.
Heck yeah!
Starts at 2:20
This didn't work for me :(
There is some stuff from How To ADHD youtube channel to help with starting tasks as well. I personally use the dual tasking method where you can choose 2 tasks to "bounce" between to work on with a work timer.
2x speed is not fast enough for this video
I like you!!
8 executive functions? I believe there's only 7?
"life coach" wearing yellow hmmm... okay 😂
123 go is about to change my life