New Year’s Resolutions for Those with ADHD

New Year’s Resolutions are all about making a commitment to improving our lives and ourselves.  Losing weight and exercising more remain the top two resolutions made by US adults, and those are fine self-improvement goals.  However, if you look at the trends for Americans who are increasingly overweight and in danger of becoming diabetics, it takes more than just a lofty promise to ourselves on New Year’s Eve to accomplish a goal.  It takes a plan.

Not Just a Promise… A Plan!

For the more than 5 million Americans with ADHD, a list of resolutions may include plans to become more organized, procrastinate less, channel your excess energy, and reconnect with friends and loved ones.  A top 10 list of New Year’s Resolutions may include:

1.      Control Impulsive Spending

With the holidays in your rear view mirror, and the memory of your overspending clear on your mind as you open your credit card bills, you need to develop a plan for controlled spending.  What?  You want me to make a budget?  Well, if that word is taboo, what about developing a Controlled Spending Plan, one that actually allows you to have some allowance for impulsive shopping?  Better?  Most experts agree that establishing a plan for how to spend the money you earn is more successful than building a list of who needs to be paid and when.  No, it’s not the same thing.  A Controlled Spending Plan actually takes into account the fact that you will be putting to use every dollar that you earn, and includes a plan to SAVE money.  At a high level, you determine what you need for your bills, obligations, and sustenance (like groceries).  Then, you determine how to build a savings account and make SAVINGS a priority to be “paid” before that allowance you plan to give yourself for spending.  Finally, entertainment, and the items that you consider rewards like new clothes, new shoes, and weekend escapes are part of the plan.  But it’s a controlled plan with established limits and discipline.  Try this for two months, and do not be discouraged if you overspend or make a decision or two that puts you over the limit.  The more you use this plan, the better you will be at controlling your impulses to overspend.    

To learn more about ADHD treatments, therapies, and tips, visit www.portraithealthcenters.com.  To schedule an appointment at Portrait Health Centers, call (847) 868-3435 or simply click below:

---