The 1-3-5 Rule: Stop Chasing Shiny Objects and Crush Your Goals
Are you juggling ten half-finished projects at home? Is your inbox overflowing with courses you enthusiastically bought but never quite completed? Don’t sweat it - you’re absolutely not alone. That giddy excitement for new and shiny things is something I’ve got a handle on too, and guess what? I’ve got a straightforward strategy to share that might just be your game-changer.
Why Do We Chase Those Shiny Objects?
First things first, why do our ADHD brains love new, exciting stuff? They’re literally wired for novelty. Our brains seek out fresh and unique angles, adding vibrant splashes of color to our lives. That new project? It’s a much-needed dopamine hit. The latest, greatest course? It promises to be the magic solution we’ve been searching for.
But here’s the kicker: chasing a hundred different things means not catching any of them.
Introducing the 1-3-5 Rule
Here’s today’s quick win for all you extraordinary ADHD moms: the 1-3-5 rule. One big goal, three actionable steps, and a five-minute start.
One Big Goal
Select your main focus of the day—or week or month. Just one big thing. Write it down somewhere you’ll see it daily.
Three Action Steps
Break that big goal into three concrete actions. Make them small enough to feel doable and not overwhelming.
Five-Minute Start
Commit to working on one of those steps for just five minutes each day. Yes, you heard it right—just five minutes!
Why This Works Wonders for ADHD Brains:
Here’s why the 1-3-5 rule works like a charm: it creates clear boundaries. Even though we rebel against structure, our brains crave it. This method offers measurable progress—oh, the sheer joy of crossing something off a to-do list! Plus, it’s flexible, fitting snugly with our energy levels rather than rigid timelines.
I was blown away when I realized that having a flexible structure is okay. After all, ADHD brains thrive on energy management over strict time management. When I embraced this, I started completing tasks more easily and quickly.
How to Pick That One Big Thing
Okay, you’re sold. But how the heck do you choose just one thing when you have a thousand ideas buzzing around? Well, I give myself the freedom to have all the ideas. They can hang out on paper or float around in my head, but here’s the challenge: pick one!
Pause for a moment and let your thoughts swirl around. Your answers are usually what rises to the top or sinks to the bottom. Is there a business idea, a creative project, or a long-needed home organization waiting for your attention? Focus on that.
Visualize Your Action Steps
Got your big idea? Now let’s visualize your action steps. Imagine three giant balloons above you, each representing a step. What are they? Picture yourself holding these balloons—go on, it’s fun! Remember, each step should be a bite-sized task you can tackle in five minutes or begin easily.
And there you have it—the 1-3-5 rule in action!
