People with ADHD seem to get bored more easily than the general population.

In the past week, almost all of my clients complained of boredom and avoiding doing things that they find boring. Perhaps by saying something is boring what they are really saying is there are things I need to do but I really don’t want to do them.

Here’s a list of some typically boring things:

For students:

School

Homework

Reading

Writing

Math

Most teachers

Chores

For Adults:

Paperwork

Filing

Meetings

Waiting in line

Housework

Food shopping

Laundry

Finishing

However, life requires doing boring things that you don’t want to do, on time and to the best of your ability. Avoiding boring things doesn’t really work in the long run. Those things you avoid tend to come back to bite you.

Here are some tips to help you battle boredom:

• Try varying your speed and move at a faster pace. Get routine things like doing the dishes done quickly.
• Set a timer for ten minutes and play beat the clock. See how much you can get done in a short amount of time.
• Use music that makes you want to dance to get you moving when you need to clean the house. Try classical music in the background to help you with paperwork.
• Multi-tasking helps fight boredom. Folding laundry (so boring) is less boring when you do it while watching TV.
• Waiting in line can be torturous so always bring something to read or play a game on your i-phone.
• Alternate the boring tasks with tasks you like to do. Kids can do a half hour of their homework, take a ten minute break, and then return to homework.
• Reward yourself when you complete a boring task.

The trick is to make the boring things in life less boring and put some fun in getting stuff done.

Kathy Sussell is an ADHD coach in Brooklyn, NY. She helps teens, college students and adults with ADHD with time management, planning and prioritizing, getting started with and finishing tasks, organizing paper and objects and improving social skills. She is the organizer of the ADHD Women’s Meetup Group that meets every month in downtown Brooklyn. For more information visit her website: www.bravolifecoaching.com or email Kathy at kathy@bravolifecoaching.com