Understanding How ADHD Affects Plans:
A Personal Journey

Hello everyone. I'm Kevin Brittain, and today I want to share my experiences with how ADHD affects my plans and schedules, particularly when they fall apart due to circumstances beyond my control. As someone who lives with ADHD, I believe sharing these insights can be incredibly useful for others in similar situations.

Welcome back to yet another day on my journey of running consecutive days, with today's milestone being day 1565. If you're new here and believe in my mission of saving children's lives by attempting the ultimate ultra marathon through run vlogging every single day, do give this a subscribed, share, like and comment. The more people we reach, the more funds we raise, and ultimately, the more lives we save. Let's dive into today's topic.

The Superpower and the Struggle of ADHD

First and foremost, let me state that I view ADHD as a superpower, not a disorder. I thrive with it and believe it brings numerous strong points into my life. My fast-paced mind, problem-solving abilities, creative solutions, and my knack for hyper-focus are just a few examples. However, like any superpower, ADHD has its own set of challenges.

One of the most significant challenges for me is when plans or schedules fall apart, especially through no fault of my own. The structured, rule-based, systems and processes approach I've developed helps me manage daily life effectively. But the moment something disrupts this meticulously planned system, it feels like my world is crumbling.

A Recent Experience

Just yesterday, I had a meticulously planned day with urgent, high-priority work lined up. However, one of my colleagues fell sick, leading to a cascade of changed plans. Now, it's completely understandable; we all get sick from time to time. But for someone with ADHD, the fallout from this disruption was profound.

The disappointment demoralized me, and my initial reaction was to slack off and almost waste the entire day. However, amidst the chaos, I managed to accomplish something productive: I revamped my investment portfolio. It wasn't a total loss, but many days in the past have been completely wasted due to such disruptions.

Developing Coping Mechanisms

So, how do I plan to counter this moving forward? Recognizing that most people can shake off such disappointments quickly, I realized I need robust contingency plans. Here’s my strategy:

Contingency Planning: Whenever I have meetings or events that hinge on someone else, I will draught a secondary plan of tasks I can tackle independently if the original plan fails. This way, I’m not left directionless if something goes awry.

Early Running Sessions: Running is my therapy. When plans fall apart, running serves multiple purposes. It soothes me by immersing me in nature, brings a rush of positive endorphins from exercise, and allows me to vent and cope with the stress through my vlogging. Running early in the day can act as a catalyst to counteract the negativity and set me back on a productive path.

Lessons Learned

The key takeaway here is that ADHD doesn’t have to be a hindrance. With the right structure, rules, routines, and contingency plans in place, it can indeed become a superpower. Learning to deal with sudden changes, especially through a backup plan and leveraging the positive effects of running, can help maintain productivity even when life throws curveballs.

I haven’t mastered these techniques yet, but I'm making strides. Awareness is the first step, and now that I'm conscious of these pitfalls, I'm better prepared to handle them. Next week, for instance, I have a meeting planned every day, and I'll ensure there's a backup plan each time.

By sharing my journey, I hope to provide some insights and strategies that might help others dealing with similar issues. ADHD's challenges are surmountable, and with meticulous planning and effective coping mechanisms, we can all navigate through disruptions more efficiently.

If you have any questions or comments, please drop me a line. I respond to everyone. Remember, subscribing, sharing, liking, and commenting helps us reach more people, raise more funds, and save more children's lives. Thank you for your support. Stay positive, stay happy, and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Best, Kevin Brittain