Having an ADHD brain is an adventure. I’ll be reading something for college, become very interested in it (dopamine activation + hyperfocus) and all of a sudden I’m on the library’s website looking up footnotes and finding more books to read). Working on my author website is much the same thing. Though I start with one thing (add an opt-in after my excerpt for a weekly blog event) I’ll think of half a dozen other things that will be nice and soon my to do list is blossoming. Sound familiar?
It doesn’t matter whether you call them shining objects, bouncing balls, or use some other term. All those things that come up when we’re supposed to be working/focusing on something else can be as frustrating and nerve-wrecking as they are fascinating and exciting. Since I’ve heard A LOT of business coaches talk about “shiny object syndrome”, I’m assuming this also happens to neurotypical people. But since I’ve always had ADHD, just haven’t had a diagnosis, I can’t tell you for sure. What I can tell you is that I’ve made dealing with them a part of my process to help avoid stressing out and getting into burnout.
How do you handle those bouncing balls so you can stop chasing them? Corral them! I happen to use Word’s sticky note app and jot down the things I want to do or think about to keep them all in one place. You’re welcome to use anything from a notebook or bullet journal to a Word document or even a to do app like tasks or Todoist. Whatever works for you. The important part is to get those tasks in one place and written down so you don’t forget them.
Next, pace yourself. We’re not meant to work twenty-four hours in a day or even twelve hours a day, though I know many of us do that between all of our obligations. Make sure you don’t put too much pressure on yourself and work through those tasks at your own pace.
On one hand chasing bouncing balls can be fun as you figure out more ways to reach readers and interact with them. On the other, they can be frustrating. The important thing to do is ensure that you don’t get stressed out and those tasks work for you, rather than you working to complete the tasks.
