ADHD procrastination tip: Change your spots

If a task feels too difficult, it's probably because you haven't made it easy enough yet.

So here's a simple motivation hack straight from the ADHD strategy playbook: change your spot!

Turn restlessness into focus

If you have a desk/book/computer-based task that you want to do, and you're wanting a bit of extra oomph to get into it, a very simple way to help yourself is to go somewhere else to do it.

Yesterday, I was writing a blog post, and I went to: a cafe, a library, another part of the library, and an outside table by a lake. Each time, I worked there for about 40 minutes. That adds up to a lot of work done (especially compared to an alternative amount done, namely Nothing).

If you're at a workplace, there may be different spots within the building or nearby that you can go to work for an hour on a challenging project.

Move to magic motivation

This works because: it adds novelty, you're going there with a specific intention, and there's not much else to do but what you went there for.

(If using this technique, I recommend earplugs for the sound-sensitive.)

The other way that this breaks through procrastination is that the act of changing your spot isn't, in itself, work. You have a little bit of travel time in which you can luxuriate.

Work with your ADHD brain

After all, putting things off is one of life's simple pleasures! (This is clearly a joke, but, honestly, I’m not even joking.) It's the guilt and dread we want to avoid, and an hour's work is a great way to get rid of those feelings and get that momentum going again.

If you find this technique helpful and want to hear what else I’ve got up my sleeve, you can book a free introductory chat with me.