Navigating ADHD: Embracing Accountability for Clarity and Control

What do you think of when you hear the word “Accountability”?

Maybe you thought about having someone help keep you on track and working toward a specific goal.

If you’re a member of our Taking Control Discord Community, maybe it sparked thoughts of virtual body doubling like we do in our Accountability Anchor Sessions.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of accountability is:

“…being responsible for what you do and able to give a satisfactory reason for it, or the degree to which this happens.”

In this definition, it talks about being able to give a reason for something. Usually, this implies giving that reason to another person, but what if the person you’re accountable to is yourself? How would that change how you do things every day?

A new concept from an old friend

In a recent episode of Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast, our very good friend and repeat guest of the show, Dr. Nachi Felt, joined us on the show to discuss the transformative power of accountability in managing ADHD. During our conversation, he introduced a new concept to us, which also happens to be the subject of his new book, Clearheaded, scheduled to be out late 2025: the Cycle of Accountability.

Moving through the cycles

The first time Dr. Felt joined us on The ADHD Podcast, he shared two concepts he had created and used with his clients, the Cycle of Ambiguity and Cycle of Agency. Below, I have provided a brief explanation of all three cycles and how they work with each other:

1. Cycle of Ambiguity: Many ADHDers can experience a constant state of confusion or overwhelm due to having too much or too little information coming in. This can lead to anxiety and avoidance, making it difficult to take action.

2. Cycle of Agency: To break free from this cycle, Dr. Felt highlighted the importance of acceptance and clarity. By accepting ourselves the way we are, including our unique challenges, we can gain greater agency over our lives. This agency allows us to point our actions toward meaningful goals.

3. Cycle of Accountability: This new cycle focuses on aligning our actions with what truly matters to us. Accountability becomes less about punishing or shaming when we find ourselves off track, and more about recognizing what means the most to us in our lives. It allows us to create a life that reflects our values, which can help increase our sense of control and self-worth.

A time for reflection and application

Now that you’ve seen these three cycles explained, how do you relate?

• Did you feel a strong reaction—maybe even a sense of shame or guilt—learning about the Cycle of Ambiguity? What do you think caused certain feelings or reactions?

• What about the Cycle of Agency? When’s the last time you felt in control of what was happening around you?

• Do you think that reframing how you view yourself and your values within the Cycle of Accountability could help change the way you think about yourself and your situation?

• What is one small step you could take today to start forward movement on your own Cycle of Accountability and moving toward feeling more in control of your own situation?

I hope you will take some time to think about some of these questions and prompts for reflection. Rather than shame or judgment, approach this time of reflection and application with an open and curious mind. Be open to see where it might take you and get excited for the journey!

Thank you for your time and attention,

Nikki