I created this for my PCP and thought others might enjoy it.

I've been coaching Tiny Habits(R) habiteers this week, and BJ Fogg's blog about "Untangling Bad Habits" has been on my mind a lot:  http://tinyhabitsacademy.org/what-do-tangled-ropes-and-breaking-habits-have-in-common/

We've been trained to think that "if we just set our mind to it, we can do anything!" But that's not always true, and sometimes it's like sailing - you have to use the wind the way it blows. So that sometimes means making a zig-zag pattern to go against/into the wind.

Let me first clarify that I am not good at sailing - I took it as a PE elective and I turned over the tiny boats far too often for comfort in a lake full of alligators.

​But I remember enough - in order to get somewhere when the wind is coming from that direction, you can't sail directly at your destination - the wind is going to push you backwards. You have to harness the wind to sail to the side of your destination, then turn and sail 90 degrees in another direction. So you're doing a lot more work, you feel like you aren't making any head-way, and you're tired. But eventually, you get to your destination.

In case you didn't actually read BJ's blog post above, the short version is that a bad habit cannot easily be replaced with a new, good habit, usually because a truly bad habit is often a mess of habits. Made that resolution on January 1st to stop smoking? Broke it the next morning over coffee because the habit is so ingrained? Or maybe on the 5th when you met up with friends for drinks and it just felt natural in your hand?

So back to tacking into the wind - if you have a big goal to accomplish, it's ok to start with a small act in a tangential direction - that might be what you need to do to untangle that first rope. And the next action might be in another direction - you might not seem like you're making progress. But if you are taking some kind of action in a positive direction, you are still moving forward.

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What are ADHDers if not constantly looking for NEW and EXCITING?

Actually, I've know about BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits Coaching certification program for about 5 years, but always thought it was a little out of my budget, but I finally decided that this was the perfect time to invest in becoming a Tiny Habits(R) Coach. 

What does that matter to you? Tiny Habits(R) is amazing for ADHD brains! Here's the basic way to create the recipe: You find a current habit - specifically the very tail end of it. You attach a small new habit that you would like to add consistently. And then you celebrate! 

What?

Repetition does not create habits - emotion does! It's going to take longer than 27 days to create a habit that you hate. Your brain feels the hate and isn't going to go along with it. But if you love it (or at least pretend to), your brain might go ahead and get with the program, if it's not too hard to do.

And that's what's key for us to understand - you have to have the correct tail-end action to connect your new habit to, and that new habit has to be small enough that it doesn't trigger our executive function over-ride. And you have to release happy hormones to set it in your brain.

If we want to start flossing, our recipe works best like this: "When I put my toothbrush back in the holder, I will floss one tooth." Not all of our teeth - just one. Because it's not so big that it feels too big, and our petulant brain overreacts and refuses to do it, like a kid who falls on the floor and wails that they "can't do it!"

Put the toothbrush in the holder, floss the tooth, and do a victory dance. And then decide if you want to do all of your teeth, or skip the rest for the night.

The more you practice the recipe and do the celebration, the more likely you will floss the rest of your teeth, and the more likely you will add the habit without having to think about it to get it done - it will start to happen easily and without reminder.

I invite you to grab a session or two on my calendar and let's get you moving forward toward your goals, including using Tiny Habits(R) in your arsenal.

Local friends, I'm offering a summer series of "drop-in book club" opportunities. (Nearly) every Monday, I will be at the Nokomis Starbucks from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Please drop in to talk, or borrow one of my ADHD-related books.

If you aren't local, you can text me to see if I have time to connect. That's probably a great time to connect with me, in case it's a quiet evening.

1183 N Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, FL 34275