How Thriving ADHD Adults Create Successful Accountability Partnerships

DESCRIPTION: Learn how ADHD adults benefit from accountability partnerships in order to follow through on what’s important to them and feel good about it!   KEY TAKEAWAYS: * ADHD adults may resist accountability because of their history with this concept.* The right kind of accountability — curious accountability — can feel affirming, though.* Accountability partners can help ADHD adults follow through with their intentions.* Attention to the  design of the accountability partnership is important to get the most benefit from it. Resources: Articles: * How to Move On Successfully After Making a Mistake* How to Become Shame Resilient When You Have ADHD Support: Focusmate TRANSCRIPT: 00:00: Accountability. Just hearing the word might give you the heebie jeebies. I know. But what you may not know is the right accountability could be a game changer in helping you do what is most important to you. You’ve tuned into Scattered, Focused, Done, Reimagining Productivity With ADHD, a podcast for ADHD adults, like you, who want to learn how to adopt the best strategies, tools, and skills, to be able to get your essential work done in a way that works with the way your brain is wired. I’m Marla Cummins. And I’m glad you decided to join me today on this journey to imagining productivity with ADHD. So you can get what is most important you’ve done without trying to do it like everyone else. 00:52: I know when you think about accountability, you might think of it as the result of failing to deliver whether in your personal or professional life. That is, you’re held accountable by others when you, well, screw up. And this of course leaves you filled with shame, making it even harder to follow through. If this is what you envision when you think of accountability, it’s no wonder you may be resistant to even considering using it to help you. Hang with me for a bit to see if I can change your mind about that. Because I’m not talking about the kind of accountability where you get put in the doghouse for blowing it. I’m talking about the friendly kind. And no, that’s not an oxymoron. Of course, just telling you that is not going to convince you. So let’s see how you can incorporate supportive accountability into your execution plans to help you follow through on what’s important to you. 01:53: There are three types of accountability. There is personal accountability, which means you are accountable to yourself. There is public accountability where you publicly declare your intention. I’ll go over why these two may be a challenge to use at least by themselves for ADHD adults. But first, I want talk to you about how you can develop and use the support of accountability to other people. I’m sure you’ll find lots of definitions. The definition I’ll use is choosing to make a commitment to one or more people to help you follow through on work, whether personal or professional, that will help you be in alignment with your values and reach your goals. Let’s take that a part before moving on. The first critical piece is that it’s your choice to enter into this type ...