By Seth Jones, ADHD Coach
Why Feedback Matters
People with ADHD often struggle with long-term projects, particularly when they work in isolation. We are often more externally motivated and work better under the pressure of a deadline. This means we are more likely to engage in challenging tasks for someone else than for ourselves, and we have better productivity when we know someone else will be expecting to see our work on a certain day. Without regular check-ins, and interim deadlines, longer-term projects can feel overwhelming and progress can stall. We do not always know what step to take next and, thus, our minds often race down many different competing paths, not knowing which way to go. In many instances, this can lead to taking no next step at all.
Making Feedback Work
As a former elementary school principal, I saw firsthand how collaborative planning and regular meetings with teachers (especially those with their own attention struggles) kept motivation high, created clarity of direction, and strengthened performance across the board. Now, as an ADHD coach for professionals and college students, I encourage clients to build the same habits at their own places of work or their academic setting, through scheduling consistent check-ins for long-term projects and assignments. These check-ins do not have to be with a supervisor or professor. Strategies like peer/colleague status reviews or meetings with a coach or consultant can create the sense of urgency that increases focus, boosts motivation, and improves follow-through by providing clarity on what step needs to come next.
Benefits for Everyone
When organizations prioritize collaboration and develop systems for regular status reviews, those with ADHD feel supported and all team members experience greater engagement and productivity. In other words, everyone benefits.
*Seth Jones is an ADHD coach in Eugene, Oregon, where he helps people learn to work with their brains instead of against them. Learn more at ADHDCoachSeth.com.
