All the little things make a big difference.
As an adult with ADHD who struggles with daunting tasks, this could not be more true and relevant. Just the thought of writing these posts and knowing I need to have them done by a certain time can cause a lot of stress an anxiety.
If I had to spend a day writing content, nothing would get written. I would find excuses to put it off because the thought of the amount of brain power needed to do it would overwhelm me and I would shut down. So I write a few sentences each day and over time, have a ton of content that I can use, but I never feel pressured to write it.
Small, consistent and disciplined action over time will always yield big results. You do not need to have ADHD to understand the value in this.
Teens have so much on their plate these days, way more than we ever did when we were growing up. The academic expectations, after school activities, socializing and finding their tribe and this need to have a presence on social media can all be so overwhelming for them.
When your teens are acting out, they are telling you something is wrong and many times if you can ask the right questions and speak to them not at them, they will share that they are stressed out and anxious about all the things they need to do or perceive they need to do.
Teaching them the power of consistent and disciplined action to help handle their school and personal workload is key to their success. Some of the most talented and successful people are not necessarily the smartest or inherited their place in life. It is that consistent action and discipline, constantly moving the needle forward that led to their success.
Next time your teens are struggling to stay focused and organized or avoiding a task because it is so daunting, help them break it down into smaller digestible chunks. Show them the power of planning and daily consistent action.
You cannot win the war if you don’t find ways to win the small battles along the way.
CREDIT TO MARK CHERNOFF FOR THESE LESSONS