Managing adult ADHD symptoms is a daily battle, there's no doubt about it. Throughout the day I find myself going through the motions with a racing mind, and I've got to catch myself every time. Otherwise I can easily make a bad decision or get frustrated, which never ends well. Regardless of how severe your adult ADHD is, here are five tips for managing the symptoms that can hurt you in day-to-day life:

1. Live in the Moment

This might sound "heavy" or spiritual, but does it ever work! As a naturally determined person with adult ADHD, this tip has made the biggest difference in my life. I am able to get out of my own way by not worrying about what tomorrow will bring. I choose to focus on and do the best I can each hour of each day, having faith that things will work out how they are meant to. Life is full of challenges that can come up anytime, so why fixate and worry endlessly about them when worry will only make you feel worse and possibly hurt your progress?

2. Be Open to Medication, and Be Patient

Though I'm not on any medication right now, I'm reminded every day that this might be a good avenue to explore in the future. If I notice I'm repeating patterns that could sabotage my career or personal development, I'll keep an open mind about going to therapy and taking medication. After all, why would I (or anyone) say no to something that has the potential to improve my life? Sure, it may take time and patience to find the right prescription, but it's definitely worth a try if I need help staying focused.

3. Organize Your Life

Since 1999, I have had a weekly day planner where I write my up-coming appointments. I also keep a small notepad on me wherever I go to capture random ideas throughout the day. I can't stress enough how much this simple step has improved my life. Even if I succumb to distractions at some point during the day, I have that physical reminder to get me back on track. It helps me sleep better at night, knowing I have the important things written down for the next day.

4. Learn Your Patterns

Put simply, you can't fight what you can't see. Throughout The Adult ADHD Blog I created, there are many posts about how important it is to take time to figure out what your specific behaviors are — particularly the ones that aren't helping you in life. Whether you're like me and have a racing mind; or anxiety from the stress of self-perfection; or you're too distracted to remind yourself to take a few deep breaths and live in the moment, one must make it a daily habit to pay close attention to how our minds are working. After all, how can any of us with adult ADHD ever begin to live a fuller, happier life if we don't recognize the behaviors getting in our way?

5. Be Gentle on Yourself

Wow, do I ever need to be reminded of this one. I'm my own worst critic, just as you are probably your own worst critic. After all, those of us with adult ADHD have made mistakes in our pasts. At the very least, we've been told we're doing things wrong because we think and feel differently than "normal" people. We feel deeply, we see the "big-picture" of things so vividly, and we're determined to live life on our terms, but the linear-thinking world that began with grade school was never the best fit for minds like ours! Thus began the self-doubt and shame, from an early age, for many of us, and we're still trying to seek "our place" in society. Do you feel that way? Countless people I speak with feel that way, and they are incredibly passionate about finding solutions that will help unlock the door to a calmer, more enjoyable, more satisfying life.