Think It Over, THEN Make a Choice
“I have trouble making decisions, because, thanks to my impulsivity, I’ve made bad ones in the past. So now I freeze when I’m asked to make the simplest decision. How can I overcome this?”
You are not alone on this one. As adults, we can all recall making mistakes by impulsive decisions. Yet we rarely give ourselves credit for the decisions that have produced good results. We need to do that more.
For everyday decisions, try using the mantra, “What is the healthiest choice I can make right now for myself and anyone who might be affected by my decision?” For decisions that may have a long-term impact on your life, take your time and talk things over with people you trust. For work-related decisions, talk with a trusted colleague, co-worker, or your boss. For major personal decisions, family and friends who love and care about you can help. A counselor or coach could also give you feedback.
The best way for inviduals with ADHD to make a good decision is by drawing a line down the center of a piece of paper and listing the pros and cons. We can make a better decision when the facts are in front of us rather than swirling in our heads.
Decisions become clearer when we make them based on our values. If we value our health, then skipping lunch or making poor nutritional choices is less likely to happen. If self-respect and the respect of others are important, you’ll avoid distractions and get to work on time or finish a boring assignment without procrastinating.
