I’m busy. — No, you only have one thing to do.
I don’t need to write it down. — Oh, really?
It’ll be OK. — No, it won’t.
I have plenty of time. — Yeah, right! How many ways can you find to screw around so that you’ll wind up late?
I have to —. No, you don’t have to do anything (except die maybe). You choose which consequences you choose to have.
doug
Bonus point:
Here is a great comment I got on the first edition of this post, from Jeff:
Also, you forgot one of the lies I often tell myself: “I’ll have more time to work on this later.” – No I won’t. I have to realize this lie isn’t true, and keep that in mind upon deciding when and if to work on the task at hand. Jeff
Orlov on “have to” and on nagging
@addstrategies @dougmkpdp #add #adhd
Time is a booger.
ADDadultstrategies 
Ha ha I know these well! By the way, loving your images – I fess up to saying I’m nicking them for my Facebook!
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ken – thanks,. i’ll fess that i dont know where i nicked them from. feel free.
best wishes
doug
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I used one of those the other day. I needed to write a blog post and actually had time right then. Instead, I said to myself: “I’ll just do it later.” Yeah. That was a great decision. Later – about 8:30 p.m., I was exhausted and writing a blog post was the last thing I wanted to do. The really dumb thing is that I KNEW THAT WOULD HAPPEN. So why did I say that. It was definitely a lie and I paid a price later.
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homey – aren’t we remarkable. we don’t listen to the little voice. slow learners.
thank you for the comment.
doug
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Doug, I disagree with “I’m busy” being a lie. I really am busy! I have MANY things to do and catch up on. Why? Because I’m still working on the various strategies I use to cope with my ADD. I hope to improve, and gradually be less busy. But in the meantime I have to work harder than the average person who doesn’t have ADD.
Also, you forgot one of the lies I often tell myself: “I’ll have more time to work on this later.” – No I won’t. I have to realize this lie isn’t true, and keep that in mind upon deciding when and if to work on the task at hand. Jeff
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jeff – as you will read, i think “busy” is an attitude not a fact. you only have one thing to do right now and the strategy is to focus on that and forget all the other things on your list for the moment. it will make your life better.
yes, we do have to work harder but that doesnt have to be busier.
great point about “later”, I’ going to add it. good strategy for noting it – it is another red flag
thank you for commenting, as always
doug
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