Keeping up the energy to get going is pretty stressful. I am now beginning to realize that it’s not simply about building up too many good habits and trying to do too many “good things” at once.

I have a more fundamental problem right now, and that is something I dreaded in a long time:

Some of the podcasts and coaches have been sounding this warning, but I was all too enthusiastic and in my hyperfocus to realize that I would run into a cul de sac.

That means:

• I feel exhausted, but not burnt out.
• I feel unhappy, but not depressed
• I feel an unrest, but not anxious
• I feel inadequate, but not worthless

Reflecting on myself is good. Overthinking too much is bad. This is one of the traps I fell into and I hope it’s not lasting for too long. But I tend to get into my catastrophising loops and that is something that even got me to the point of thinking “Why not have a drink?” – The bad advisor crawls back and that is what I was warned about.

What happened to realize so? I realized that it is starting with an unease to get me motivated for work and for chores at home.

This has partly to do with the “good habits” taking its toll from my energy levels. That is the moment I am starting to reallocate motivation and energy from work to divert it into other activities and routines that are seemingly as important, but more rewarding.

Sounds familiar? Yes, it’s procrastination.

So, what can I do?

Making Appointments Great Again.

Getting into my ADHD and the psycho educative aspects gives me a good lifeline to solve the problem, though, and maybe without philosophizing too much (which would be a procrastination tool to avoid appointments if possible).

This lifeline comprises the following questions:

• Is the appointment interesting?
• Is the appointment challenging?
• Is the appointment urgent?
• Is the appointment something new?

Getting into these questions can give methodical answers to the problem of trying to avoid an appointment.

Example:

• Is the appointment interesting? This is the question of the contents of what to deal with: Do I have to accompany a parent in education issues? Can I play something with a client that is motivating to him and/or me?
• Is it challenging? What makes the appointment worth putting energy into to solve the problem?
• Is it urgent? Well, this is a no brainer, because it should have an urgency, since if I don’t have regular appointments, there will be a loss of trust and thus generating problems in my job.
• Is it new? Well, if it is a new client, the three questions above apply.

Working with these 4 questions and granting me a small reward afterwards may be just the trick to make it a sustainable habit in terms of James Clear’s atomic habits method.

And: I should use these 4 questions to change my perspective back at my job in a way that it is more interesting than what procrastinating would offer me.

This is good for my self efficacy; my Core; my identity.

To stay sober and sane.

Until next time: Keep up the faith in yourself and take one step at a time.