Ways to Take Control
At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and attention deficit disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and have frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us 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. As a result, we can spend more time making progress and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:
- Take good care of yourself.
It’s much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.
- 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.
- 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 not reality. 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.
- 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.
- Detach from negative thoughts.
Your thoughts can’t hold any power over you if you don’t judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don’t follow it.
- Squash the “ANTs.”
In his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” Dr. Daniel Amen talks about “ANTs,” or 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, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs, and squash them!
- Practice Loving, Touching, and Squeezing (with Your Friends and Family)
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!
- 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!
- 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.
- 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 hyperfocusing 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. Knowing what needs to be done is the foundation of productivity, but interaction and maintaining a steady mind make up the entire picture of true productivity. There are those who seem to work well even under pressure, but they’re uncommon, and we are all human and imperfect. To get these little things under our skin, like stress, won’t solve our problems. Sometimes it takes a bit of courage to admit that we’re turning into workaholics rather than tell ourselves that we’re not doing our best.
