The other day I woke up, stayed in bed a little longer than I usually do. I did my usual routine and wanted to head out to get to writing. I worked later that day so I needed all my “gear” for work. I didn’t realize I was in a massive ADHD slump.

I get to the coffee shop and forgot my charger for my computer. I’m at 35%. I go to grab coffee and realize I left my wallet at home. Also, I forgot my work shirt.

I realized that I was off my game—something was wrong. I had routines built in to my life so I wouldn’t forget this things.

I check for my wallet before I leave for the day.

I check my bag for my equipment at the end of the night.

I make sure I have my shirt with me (or it’s under the shirt I’m wearing.)

My morning started off terrible and because of the frustration, I couldn’t write at all and my head felt full of static. My ADHD was driving the bus and I knew I couldn’t get any work done.

How do you recover when your ADHD has completely taken over like Godzilla stomping though the streets?

I decided to head home and quickly repair the damage my ADHD caused. I’m completely to blame though—I broke my routines, multiple routines. And when you see disasters happen—that’s why—everyone ignored multiple routines and then Godzilla shows up. And he’s all RAWR!

Here’s how I got back on track and fought that huge lizard.

Call the Ball: I didn’t fight the static that was in my head. I acknowledged it. I simply said, “Ok, this isn’t working. We have to change tack now.” I could have sat there and grinded out 500 words, but it would have been painful and an uphill battle. I packed up, grabbed my coffee and headed to the car. No writing would happen today.

Pick Your Battles: I headed home. I needed my shirt, wallet and the charger. That I could do—that I could repair. Sure I wasn’t getting my writing done, but this was a battle I could start and have a chance at winning.

Develop the Small Wins: I got home, grabbed those things and put them on the floor by the back door so I couldn’t forget them. And then I looked around my apartment and saw that it was a wreck. I could still feel the static in my head buzzing—I wasn’t at 100% just yet. So I cued up some music and just started sweeping the place for dirty dishes and trash. Once I finished that, I threw all my dirty clothes in the hamper. Then it became automatic—cleaning off the bathroom sink. I straightened up. I cleaned off stuff. And about 45 minutes later, I had a clean apartment.

The static lifted and because of the small wins, being able to see what I was capable of at that moment and acting on it, it made all the difference.

Revisit the Routine: I didn’t want the static returning—I didn’t want Godzilla emerging from the depths. I checked on what got me here in the first place:

I stayed up late for over three nights binge watching a TV show.

I failed completing my nightly routine: cleaning up, putting my lunch out and laying out my clothes for the gym and work.

Staying up late also kept me in bed longer.

I had to make a change or this static, this frustration, this Godzilla was going to return with a vengeance.

I instituted a new rule: No TV after 9:30 PM. At 9:30 PM the nightly routine starts and then I would just read in bed.

I set an alarm to go off every night at 9:30 PM to remind me. And now that I’ve implemented this for about a week, it’s working. I don’t stick the landing of 9:30 PM every day (in case I’m running errands) , but I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my attention and morning energy.

Godzilla might show up again, but it’s most certainly because I summoned him because of all the disorder I’ve created and broken my routines.

So if you are struggling, figure out a routine that gets you out of that rut—what are the small changes, the small victories you can make that get you where you want to be.

What are some routines that you have that save your bacon? Drop me a line. I read every email I get. Yup, every one!

—Cheers,

Ryan, The ADHD Nerd.

P.S. If you could share this email with friends, family, and complete strangers, that would be a big help.