Identifying Friction: Working with Your Brain

Helps with modifying habitual behavior that doesn’t work for us.

Can be helpful for:

  • Individuals with ADHD.
  • People struggling with establishing or improving habits related to specific tasks.

How To

Rather than trying to work in a way that is constantly challenging, find ways to align tasks with how your brain naturally works. This approach can be especially effective for improving habits for people with ADHD.

  1. Identify the friction points: Analyse where the difficulty lies in the task and remove that obstacle.
  2. Make adjustments to fit your needs:
    • If you always drop dirty laundry in one spot instead of the laundry basket, move the basket to that spot.
    • If cooking is overwhelming because of washing and chopping vegetables, opt for pre-cut frozen vegetables to simplify the process.

What’s the Science?

People with ADHD or other forms of neurodiversity often feel forced to work against their natural tendencies to meet societal expectations. This constant struggle can lead to masking, overcompensation, and learned helplessness. To combat this, identifying friction and designing creative, brain-friendly solutions encourages independence and better habits. By embracing what works for your unique brain, you can create sustainable improvements in everyday life.

References

Gendron, A. (2023). The Mini ADHD Coach. Penguin Random House UK.

 

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