Top 4 Ways to Reign In Your Hyperfocus
“When I get started, I can go for hours…”
Do you have a project or activity you could say this about?
Most ADHDers can relate. While ADHD is most commonly known for a lack of focus, everyone has a few hobbies or activities they can easily focus on. Not only can they focus, they can hyperfocus.
According to additudemag.com hyperfocus is:
…the ability to zero in intensely on an interesting project or activity for hours at a time. It is the opposite of distractibility, and it is common among both children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
While hyperfocus can seem like a “super power” when you’re working on an interesting project or task, it can cause problems when it starts to get in the way of the other things you need to get done.
Hyperfocus can make it difficult to transition from a favored project to tasks that are less likeable. It can also be the reason you’re getting to sleep too late or avoiding people or responsibilities that are important.
Luckily, there are things you can begin doing today that will help you stay focused on what’s most important.
Use an accountability partner
Have a friend, family member, or co-worker check in periodically to make sure you’re staying on task.
Know your triggers
Know what you tend to hyperfocus on. Stay away from those activities when you should be working on something else.
Practice mindfulness
Practice being present and in-the-moment. This will help you keep yourself from unknowingly moving into a state of hyperfocus.
Set boundaries
There’s no need to force out the activities that you tend to hyperfocus on. Find time in your schedule where you can purposefully block time to allow yourself to hyperfocus on your favorite projects.
Just like any other skill, it takes time and practice to build your new ability to control your hyperfocus.
Take time to learn where you hyperfocus. How can you use some of these skills to get better at reigning in your hyperfocus?
Thank you for your time and attention,
-Nikki
