Narrowing the Focus

One of the characteristics of my adult life "riddled" with ADD has been the constant pursuit of about 20 goals or projects at any given moment.  I've never been satisfied with a few pursuits like one job, a hobby, the yard, and reading the Bible.  I have always had about 20, including research projects, multiple business ideas, websites, creative projects, church tasks, many personal goals, etc.  I can dream up and start anything, but I have never finished any of it.  In addition, the new ideas seem to come on a daily basis, sometimes even multiple times per day.  It has not been helpful that I was usually hyper-confident and optimistic about the pending success of every idea I came up with.  Well, as I attempt to start anew, my current "goal" is to try and pursue only a few things for now.  I am narrowing my focus.  I am attempting only a few endeavors including my new job, my health, my family, and just a few creative outlets.  So far it seems to be working, although I have to constantly ignore the flashes of ideas, possibilities, and dreams that flood me each day.

Comments

[cowboy]

Howdy. I thought you were gone for good. Glad one of your goals is to write this blog. Seems I too have way too many tasks and complete but a very few. When I do get something done, I feel good about it. Don't know why I done finish more and feel better. I guess I'm not too smart.

I met someone two days ago who said she might have ADD. She wanted to know how to get tested. I took the link test you have. Is this good enough or is there somewhere she should go to get information?

Don't know if you read this, but if so, give some feedback, please.

[toby]

Hey Cowboy. The ADD test on this blog is kind of for fun. However, I first realized I had ADD when I took the test in the book Delivered from Distraction by Hollowell. In it there are about 128 questions. The more you answer "yes" the more likely you may have ADD. After I took the test, I saw a psychologist who confirmed my suspisions. Links to Hollowell's blog and his center are listed above.

[cowboy]

Sounds like the book I need. I'll look at the store or order it on line. Anxious to see what it says. I'll let you know the results from me and my friend.

thanks.

[Caren]

I don't think "ignore" is the best choice of words for what you need to do with your ideas. I applaud your choice of the word "focus." Since I am so anti-ADD, I realize I cannot empathize with the multiple thoughts and ideas you generate each day and even each minute, but I do know that when I am successful, focus is key. You certainly don't have to decide either "I am creative,and I embrace it" or "I am creative, and I ignore it." I think you can be creatively focused, and those amazing creative ideas will see the light of day and bless so many of the people who love you, are influenced by you, and are drawn to you because of how amazing you are! I love you!!

[cowboy]

Maybe I am just playing word games, but I have a "what if". What if some of that creativity be directed to how to accomplish a goal? I keep trying to aim at the end of a task but so many other things come to mind and I start them. How can I learn to get something done before I begin something else? You mentioned in another post that spending a set amount of time on one thing. I have been doing too many projects to try that, but I think that would be good. Caren's post above says you can generate multiple thoughts and ideas. I certainly am not in that catagory but there are lots of things I would like to do. Some famous person, I don't know who, said "Ideas without action are worthless." I think a lot of what I do is worthless. That's not the way I would like to live my life and be remembered.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Grandpa]

Hey, I actually managed to do this. Old doesn't necessarily mean no technology.

I know this is too long and an ADD person can't read this much. Maybe if you ever seen this (I'm at the bottom of the grouping so probably not) you could read in small chunks.

Some interesting reading in all your articles. Learned some of what I didn't know. Saw others have been adding to this. Seems to be fun and informative and a good way to sound off.

In the second or so post of March something, I was sadden to read that Grammy and I sent the wrong impression that we thought everything would be "fixed" with just a little medicine. In the experience of both of us, major changes, life changes are not so simple. Like in some of the articles I have read on ADHD of people recognizing personality shifts to a more friendlier, pleasant, fun person, I admit we did see that change. Maybe it was not so obvious to you, but the cool, original person was coming through.

Having everything change from struggling with multiple directions to one or two goals and totally focusing on them and all being okay, just didn't come to mind. Really, that would be a process and not an event. Time, effort, practice, three steps forward then two steps backward, optimism then discouragement would seem to be more likely of the journey.

I am, as always, proud of how you are seeking to do/get better with this. Grammy looks at you with amazement. It's not easy, but you have never had an easy road all through your life. I know others have thought things were just given to you or we catered to your every want and need. However, that couldn't be further from reality.

It is not easy having so many people look to someone with such high expectations. That is what happened to you at school, church, athletics, and neighborhood. With your asthma and competition with many other talented people, I guess I shot way too short. I just hoped you would get to play some and be involved in somt things around you. I was honestly supprised at all you were involved in and accomplished. Grammy and I wanted you to at least have a chance and encouraged you to "try out" for sports, school government, and other things. That you were so successful was a testament to your abilities. You overcame and dealt with soooooo much more than the "average" outstanding young person. I don't think you remember or even realize how your younger years were. If you are ever interested in our perspective, we would love to share it with you. You might be suprised that you could learn some new insights.

Reading from Caren above, I agree with her. Seems that cowboy is having some of the same struggles. Maybe you can help him.

I have a few more comments for another time. Hopefully all this is supportive and in no way judgemental.

I have class now. Bye.

Bet you a coffee to a coke you don't see this.