Quora: How do people with ADHD get out of the "paralysis" state?

This question was posted on Quora.

Here is my answer:

The brute force way is to use prescribed stimulant medication which does help so speak to your doctor, but I figured most answers will contain that suggestion so let me give you something else.

Something us ADHD folks have to realize is that you can't always get what you want by forcing it. The solution for us is not willpower even if we could muster some up.

Imagination on the other hand we have in boat loads. So is there a way we could use our highly developed ability to create from seemingly nothing in our minds to move us forward? Yes!

Productivity is the incorrect frame for us to use. I made this word up in the book I wrote about ADHD, Pro-being-tivity, which fits us perfectly. We for some reason don't resonate with doing words. What resonates with us is being words, words that encourage us to become.

Our language is also important. Language frames the way we see the world. It is a model, an abstraction. Its purpose is to be useful to us so lets use useful words. There is a distinction between what we feel and what is true.

So when you're paralyzed… Okay stop there. Check the language. You feel unable to do something now. So it is a feeling and it may be temporary. That's a better description of what is going on. Identify some other elements that tell the whole story.

Next, who would overcome this feeling of paralysis? What would they wear? How would they speak? Play pretend. Create a version of yourself and live it. Act out this character or several characters. Yes, you are now playing this game by your rules. You are playing a game above the game you were struggling with.

Lastly, imagine the process, the motions, the becoming, the transition, just like a pro athlete or fighter. They hardly imagine just the outcome. They see everything. They even feel all the emotions before it happens.

Notice how powerful your mind is. I bet you haven't scratched the surface yet. I gave you 3 basic tools but there are loads more to discover and even deeper depths to use these tools. You are a being and not a doing. So be! And now you have been inspired and empowered also.

Looking forward to hearing your success story.

Link: https://qr.ae/pvYhiJ