Do You Want to Learn to Take Control of Your Life in 10 Steps?

by: DickIngersoll
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At first glimpse, it would appear that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But a lot of us with ADD acquire negative thinking patterns as we become defeated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even more difficult for us to manage those challenges and move forward.

Applying positive thinking allows people with ADD to concentrate on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases well being and motivation. This, in turn, enables us to pass more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips supply practical suggestions that you can use to help shift into more positive thinking patterns:

1. Take Good Care of Yourself - It is a great deal easier to be optimistic when you are eating well, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep.

2. Remind Yourself of the Things You're Grateful For - Stresses and challenges don't appear quite as bad when you are unceasingly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking only 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make an immense difference.

3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions - A fear of not being liked or accepted occasionally leads us to take for granted that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are generally not reality. If you have a fear that an acquaintance or family member's bad humor is due to something you did, or that your colleagues are secretly gossiping about you behind your back, speak up and ask them. Do not waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have validation that there's something to worry about.

4. Abstain from Practicing Absolutes - Have you ever told a spouse "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 appear tougher than it is, and programs your mind into believing that certain people are unable to deliver.

5. Detach From Negative Thoughts - Your thoughts can't hold any power over you if you do not judge them. Whenever you notice yourself holding a negative thought, come away from it, witness it, and do not follow it.

6. Squash the "ANTs" - In his book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life," Dr. Daniel Amen talks about "ANTs" - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like "Those people are laughing, they must be discussing me," or "The boss wants to talk to me? It must be negative!" Once you notice these thoughts, realize that they're nothing more than ANTs and crush them!

7. Practice Lovin', Touchin' & Squeezin' (Your Friends and Family) - You don't have to be an expert to recognize the benefits of a good hug. Supportive 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 a few of her customers on the arm as she gave them their checks. She picked up higher tips from these customers than from the ones she did not touch!

8. Increase Your Social Activity - By expanding social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, cheerful people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!

9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person - Everybody feels good after assisting. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you release into the universe, the more you will receive in return.

10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination - If you discover yourself ruminating, an excellent way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and push yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It is never productive, because it is not rational or solution-oriented, it is just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outdoors. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or listen to some music.

When it concerns the corporate world, protocol is pretty much the religion. To recognize the things to be done are the fundamentals of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind makes up the entire path to true productivity. There are those who appear to work well even under pressure, but they're uncommon ones and we are human and imperfect. To get these little things like stress under our skins won't solve our troubles. Sometimes it requires a bit of courage to admit that we're turning into workaholics than tell ourselves that we're not doing our best.

About the Author

Dick Ingersoll is an incessant student, and is fired up to share what he has learned with others. He has pulled it all together for you at: Simple Goal Setting  

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