Most people would like to make some improvements to themselves and their lives. If you have ADHD, then probably some of those changes will be related to your ADHD.
For example:
- Stop procrastinating
- Pay attention in meetings (even if they are really boring)
- Exercise every day
- De-clutter home and office
- Pay bills on time
- Eat healthy foods
The trouble is, when you look at a list that highlights all the areas that need improvement, your heart sinks; you feel bad about yourself, and seek comfort in one of your unhealthy habits.
However, there is a very easy way to start making changes in your life, and it seems so easy it might seem almost too good to be true. But it works! Noah St. John created a new type of affirmation, which he called Afformation.
You have probably heard of a traditional affirmation, a statement about things you want in your life. For example: ‘I am happy, wealthy and have the perfect partner.’
The trouble with these statements is your body and mind knows that that isn’t true at the moment. Your inner voice says, ‘No, I’m not’ and then you get on with the rest of your day and your reality doesn’t change.
Noah suggests replacing the traditional statement with a ‘Why’ question. This is effective because when you ask a question, your brain really wants to answer it. This is called, the Embedded Presupposition Factor.
Noah says, “A problem is a question that hasn’t been solved yet,” so as an example, if we take the list at the beginning of the article and then turn them into WHY questions you can see the difference.
- Why am I so good at taking action on tasks?
- Why am I alert and focused in meetings?
- Why do I love exercising every day?
- Why is de-cluttering my home so much fun?
- Why is paying bills on time so easy for me?
- Why is eat healthy foods so effortless?
When you read that list, it feels more empowering doesn’t it?
You don’t need to know the answer straight away. But if you ask the question regularly, small changes begin to happen, and then, bigger changes follow.
You can use this formula for ANY problem you have in your life.
Your action this week is to:
1) Write a list of all the things in your life that are bothering you at the moment.
2) Turn those items into why questions.
3) Write those why questions into index cards.
4) Read the index cards once or twice a day.
5) Observe the magic!