| Do you have a "three-quarter rule"? What if you get | | | | project going to do for you when it's done? How are |
| something launched and it's going well enough to exist, | | | | you going to feel? What is the end result of whatever |
| but it's not really polished the way it should be. It's at | | | | it is? |
| about 75% of what it should be, but your ADD just | | | | Maybe you're creating a product. Maybe you're |
| won't allow you to make it awesome. | | | | creating a new system. What is the benefit to you? If |
| Well, what if you hire someone, and their only job is to | | | | you hate creating a system in your business or life, and |
| finish all the stuff that you don't finish? They're probably | | | | it's just horrible, then think not about creating the |
| going to be very happy, because they're learning about | | | | system and how much you hate it, but about how |
| all the really cool, creative things that you're doing. | | | | much free time you're going to get when you're at the |
| But they're definitely not going to be an ADD-style | | | | end of it. |
| person. The person you hire should be very, very | | | | If you're writing a book, and you're having trouble |
| organized, very meticulous, and very good at just | | | | finishing that last 15%, think about all those people who |
| sitting down and focusing on something until it's done, | | | | will want to read it, and visualize it as vividly as you |
| regardless. If you're in business, this will be one of the | | | | can. Imagine yourself in an arena with 30,000 people in |
| most valuable people in your company, and you | | | | a stadium opening your book, your piece of information |
| probably won't believe how well this arrangement | | | | that you put out to the world, smiling, loving it. Imagine |
| works out. You'll be getting all the stuff that your ADD | | | | the feedback that comes back when you finish this |
| self left unfinished done. | | | | project and when these people can tell you what an |
| Sometimes, people with ADD feel guilty for not | | | | amazing thing you've done. |
| completely things, especially when things pile up. But | | | | This is huge in getting a project done. It's essential. You |
| does everything you start have to get done? You've | | | | need to be looking at not only what it's going to be like |
| probably heard it from parents and teachers. Right? | | | | when it's finished, but you have to imagine it in the |
| But is it true for someone with ADD? | | | | most exciting way. Exaggerate. See yourself winning |
| The direct answer to that is, "No. It absolutely does | | | | the Pulitzer Prize or your novel being made into a |
| not." If you have ADD and find yourself battling the | | | | Hollywood film. |
| urge to walk away, it's okay to leave some things | | | | One of the biggest problems that ADD people run into |
| unfinished if it's not going to impact you financially, | | | | is trying to picture what it's like when it's going to be |
| spiritually, emotionally or mentally in a way that's very | | | | done. In fact, only 20% of ADD and non-ADD people |
| negative. | | | | out there can actually picture anything in their heads |
| You're just hung up on "You've got to finish what you | | | | when they close their eyes. That's only a small |
| start"? That's where the guilt comes from. But think | | | | percentage. |
| about this: This is probably coming from people without | | | | But if you're one of the 80% who can't visualize, how |
| ADD, who are really focused people and people who | | | | can you use that? Shut your ADD brain down for a |
| only start one project at a time. | | | | minute. Then, rev it up to imagine what it completing |
| But ADD people automatically start multiple projects at | | | | your project will sound or smell or feel like. Those are |
| a time, and if you have ADD, you need to set the | | | | all different ways you can wake up from your fantasy |
| expectation that not all of your projects are going to | | | | and finish what you've started. |
| be finished or amazingly successful. | | | | And there's one more thing---you can always revert |
| If you're 85% finished, and you just can't finish go on, | | | | to, or add to, your stash of little tools and tricks on how |
| that's should be the critical point where you say, "Is this | | | | to get the project done-a reward. What is it that you |
| project worth finishing?" Here, don't let your ADD do | | | | really want that you can hold out for yourself, as kind |
| the thinking. Be honest. If you say, "No," drop what | | | | of a carrot for finishing the project? |
| you're doing---immediately. If you say, "Yes. It is worth | | | | The whole idea is not to feel inadequate or lazy if you |
| finishing. I'm just having trouble with this last 15%," try | | | | just can't get a project to its final stages. That's what |
| involving all your senses. ADD people respond better | | | | ADD brains do. If you feel that the project is worthy of |
| when all of the senses are involved. Their ADD brains | | | | being finished, hire someone to finish it, or imagine how |
| won't be bored because it's concentrating on more | | | | great it will be when it's done. Or, pat yourself on the |
| than one thing. | | | | back by doing or buying something you really want as |
| Also, set a deadline for yourself. Set timers. You can | | | | a reward for getting the project to completion. After all, |
| even do mini deadlines. If you have a whole project | | | | not all projects should be finished. If you find one that |
| going, and there's one more thing your ADD brain | | | | should and you finish it, you've not only accomplished |
| doesn't want to finish, you have to picture what your | | | | something important, you've learned to control your |
| project will be like when it's complete. What is this | | | | ADD. |