The Power of Taking Action: Why Succeeding is a Matter of Getting Started

There’s a lot of trial and error on the path to success. I can personally attest to this fact, having been on the same journey myself. I was someone who would start a project with burning motivation, only to see it ebb away as I faced challenges and things got hard.

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” — Mae WestTwenty years ago, I was lucky enough to witness the humble, elegant, peaceful passing of my 89-year-old grandfather. As I sat quietly in his hospice room alongside my grandmother and other family members, his nurse smiled softly and said, “I can see he lived well.

lighthearted romance that first ignites your love of reading, that one book you read in college that completely shifted your outlook on the world around you, or (of course) a fantastic self-help book, words can alter our lives forever. As someone who knows first-hand what it feels like to have a book, podcast, or article about manifestation spur a chain reaction of positive actions in my own life, I can always get behind a well-done self-improvement book.

August 18, 2023Habit replacement training significantly reduced body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) for more than half of patients with excoriation (skin picking), trichotillomania (hair pulling), nail biting, lip-cheek biting, and other BFRBs, according to a six-week proof-of-concept study published in JAMA.1Of the study’s 268 participants, 53% of those who practiced habit replacement techniques reported improvement compared to 20% of the control group. Those who exhibited nail-biting benefited the most.Further, 80% of those who practiced habit replacement said they would recommend it to a friend with similar problems, and 86% reported overall satisfaction with the training, which substituted the pleasurable sensation of skin picking, nail-biting, or hair pulling with another action that feels good but isn’t harmful to the body.“BFRBs refer to recurrent and chronic behaviors inflicted upon the body (like trichotillomania and excoriation) that often result in physical damage,” said Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D., in the ADDitude webinar “Nail Biting! Skin Picking! Hair Pulling! Understanding Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors with ADHD.”The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors estimates that BFRBs affect about 3% of people worldwide.

“My 11-year-old is so frustrated with school and feels so little success that he has given up. He is so anxious and dysregulated all the time. Where do I even start!?”“My son refuses systems of organization, and he’s insulted by my suggestions. He is 15 and knows he has ADHD, but he feels like he’s doing fine and doesn’t need help. I don’t know where to go from here.”“What if my child won’t collaborate? I can’t get any buy-in.”[Get This Free Download: 4 Secrets to Motivating Students with ADHD]Motivation problems brought on by ADHD can create and multiply challenges for your teen in just about every corner of life.

Executive functions develop in spurts and phases. Elementary school students learn to skillfully switch between tasks, resist distractions, and think before they act.

Parental burnout — characterized by overwhelming exhaustion, emotional distancing from one’s children, and a sense of parental ineffectiveness — may result from chronic stress and a lack of resources, plus inability to cope.1 Parental burnout skyrocketed during the pandemic, when 66% of working parents reported feeling burned out, according to a study from Ohio State University.2Some caregivers face greater risk of parental burnout, including women and parents of neurodivergent children. Parents with ADHD, especially those who are raising children with the same condition, also face an elevated risk for stress, parenting challenges (exacerbated by symptoms of ADHD), coping difficulties, and exhaustion — a perfect storm for burnout.345If you’re wondering whether you’re experiencing signs of parental burnout, answer the questions below and share the results with a licensed mental health professional.This self-test — drafted by ADDitude editors and informed, in part, by The Parental Burnout Assessment — is designed to screen for the possibility of parental burnout, and it is intended for personal use only. This test is not intended as a diagnostic tool.Time is Up! Time's upCan’t see the self-test questions above? Click here to open this test in a new window.1 Mikolajczak, M., Gross, J. J., & Roskam, I. (2019). Parental Burnout: What Is It, and Why Does It Matter? Clinical Psychological Science, 7(6), 1319–1329. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026198584302 Gawlik, K., Melnyk Mazurek, B. (2022). Pandemic parenting: Examining the epidemic of working parental burnout and strategies to help. The Ohio State University. https://wellness.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/2022/05/OCWO_ParentalBurnout_3674200_Report_FINAL.pdf3 Chroni

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), burnout is a state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress. Burnout is accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance, a sense of ineffectiveness, and negative, cynical attitudes toward oneself and others.12 Gastrointestinal issues, sleep problems, and other symptoms are also common in burnout.3Burnout is typically considered in relation to work and careers (the World Health Organization characterizes burnout as an “occupational phenomenon”), but the term has expanded to include other roles, circumstances, and areas of life where chronic stress may occur. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — a condition that impacts regulation and functioning and is associated with increased stress4 — increases risk for burnout.56 Burnout also appears to be closely related to depression and anxiety.7Burnout isn’t a medical diagnosis.

Not available September 20? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Given the prevalence of ADHD, every educator should assume they’ll be teaching at least one student with ADHD (diagnosed or not) — likely many more.

Disrespectful behavior from your child is a signal, says Sharon Saline, Psy.D. Getting curious about what’s triggering that warning signal is Step One in dealing with lying, pushback, and rudeness.[Get This Free Download: A 2-Week Guide to Ending Defiant Behavior]Watch Dr. Saline’s ADHD Experts webinar, “Motivating the Unmotivated: Strategies for Middle and High School Students with ADHD,” for more insights on teen behavior challenges.CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ADDITUDE Since 1998, ADDitude has worked to provide ADHD education and guidance through webinars, newsletters, community engagement, and its groundbreaking magazine.

Healthcare providers recognize the importance of delivering quality care to their patients; however, there are times when they overlook the advantages that come from providing that same level of care to themselves. Quality care for both providers and patients can help ensure better patient outcomes and improved provider satisfaction. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of investing in quality health services for everyone involved.

Have you ever wondered how a ceiling fan can work without traditional blades? In this article, we will explore the concept and technology behind bladeless ceiling fans, shedding light on what is meant by a ceiling fan that has no blades. Bladeless fans, also known as air multiplier fans, have become a popular choice for homeowners seeking a modern, stylish, and innovative cooling solution. Let’s dive into the details of this revolutionary fan design.

As you begin this journey, it’s essential to unravel the concept of minimalism and understand its principles. At its heart, a minimalistic lifestyle espouses simplicity and clarity to remove nonessential components from your surroundings—favoring quality over quantity—in the process creating a life with purpose, intention, and focus.

Have you ever messaged a website’s chatbot to ask for help? Bought something from an online shop recommended items section? Or wondered why Taylor Swift concert ticket prices are exploding on Ticketmaster? Then you’ve seen how companies leverage artificial intelligence or AI to do some of their work.Dynamic pricing, product recommendations, and chatbots are just some of the most common examples of AI tools businesses use today. Imagine if you had to do all those tasks by hand; you’d be drowning in the nitty-gritty details of your business instead of planning for the future and thinking of ways to expand.If you would rather spend more time working on your business than working in your business, then you’ll want to consider taking advantage of AI.

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.” ~Maya Angelou

green powders, you get it: eat your greens. But do you actually know why? Well, a little-known nutrient called sulforaphane is found specifically in cruciferous vegetables (think: some dark leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage).With its long list of benefits and superfood-like benefits, you’ve got yourself the next best thing to a cure-all.

yin and yang—where yin represents passive and feminine energy while yang symbolizes active and masculine energy; Hinduism’s Shakti and Shiva—where Shakti represents feminine dynamic consciousness while Shiva symbolizes masculine static consciousness; and Tibetan Buddhist Tantra’s feminine and masculine energies—where the “feminine” is understood to be red and represented by the red hot sun and solar energy while the “masculine” is considered white, cooling, and lunar energy. This idea of opposing energies shows up in many philosophies, religions, and practices all over the world, and most teach we need a balance of the two to thrive.

It is never too late to begin a skincare program, according to dermatologists and other skin experts. You will profit regardless of your age, thus it doesn’t matter how old you are. The important thing is to make sure you follow your program every day. However, a routine will be more successful the sooner you start it. The best method to care for your skin is to take action to avoid blemishes rather than waiting for them to arise and treating them. When it comes to skincare, the adage “Prevention is always better than cure” is undoubtedly true.

The intricate dance of desire that characterizes human intimacy is influenced by a myriad of factors, both physical and psychological. For those seeking to enrich their sexual experiences, turning to natural methods to increase libido offers a holistic and sustainable approach. This exploration delves into a range of natural strategies that individuals can adopt to reignite their desire and cultivate a fulfilling sexual journey.

Stretch marks are a common skin issue that may be brought on by pregnancy, fast weight gain or loss, puberty, and hormone changes, among other things. Stretch marks may be categorized depending on their color, texture, and depth and vary in severity from person to person. Self-care and prevention are crucial components of preserving good skin and overall well being. We can promote healthier, more robust skin and help avoid some illnesses by implementing easy practices into our everyday lives.

In recent years, using organic or natural products in skincare has become more fashionable. The possible hazards connected to synthetic chemicals, which are often included in traditional skincare products, are becoming more well-known. People who choose organic or natural products may take advantage of a number of advantages that improve their general health and skin health. 

didn’t do that we end up .Unfortunately, these are the very opportunities that our inner critic likes to thwart. How can we keep it from getting in the way of new opportunities?One thing that can keep us from starting something new is by associating starting with “must finish” and not finishing with “failure.”This can make starting something new feel risky. If starting always locks us into a long-term commitment, that puts a lot of pressure on our initial decision.

Unwanted body hair can be a hassle to remove and manage, and traditional methods such as shaving or waxing can be painful, time-consuming, and even lead to skin irritation. For those looking for a more permanent way to achieve smooth skin, laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular choice. This painless, non-invasive hair removal service is being availed by women from all age groups to do away with the hassles of shaving every week or during an impromptu date night. In case you are still skeptical about whether investing in hair removal services is worth it or not, this blog will give you ample reasons why these services may be the best investment for your beauty routine. (1)

If you’re a teacher, you know that approaching caregivers about a child’s ADHD-related learning or behavioral problems at school isn’t always straightforward. Parents may not understand the extent of their child’s challenges, and they may be reluctant to collaborate with you and the school.ADDitude recently asked educators how they resolve differences with parents and develop lasting partnerships.

The “mainstreaming” of kids with disabilities into general education school classrooms has become ubiquitous, but its success rate is only moderate. This practice woefully fails at remediating behaviors that are manifestations of a student’s disability.

Q: “As a white educator, how can I better communicate and connect with families of color, especially when a student is exhibiting learning and behavioral challenges that I suspect may be due to ADHD, a learning difference, or another undiagnosed condition? I understand that due to systemic racism and historical wrongs, Black families and families from marginalized groups have a lot of reasons not to trust me initially. They’re justified in their concerns that I may be biased.”Without realizing it, some teachers harbor biases or believe stereotypes about minority students that affect their behavior. It’s wise for educators to weigh racial and cultural considerations before approaching a family about their student’s ADHD-related learning or behavioral struggles.

As you age, your body becomes more fragile and prone to illness. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that many seniors will face terminal illnesses at some point in their lives. These diseases can be devastating, not only for the seniors themselves but also for their families. This blog will discuss the most common […]

“This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I give myself the compassion I need.” ~Kristen Neff

diet culture, TikTok, and celebrity wellness routines, there’s an unrelenting pressure to do wellness the “right” way: getting up at the crack of dawn to meditate, fitting in a workout, juice, ice-roll, taking supplements—you know the drill. But that may be missing the whole point of wellness; after all, it’s not all or nothing, but rather, finding a happy medium. Enter the half-assed wellness girlie era.

Our society changes and develops permanently, and any labels we might use to categorize and describe various generations also change inevitably. When observing and analyzing different generations, such as tech-savvy Generation Alpha or perhaps baby boomers, we will notice that every generation faces different challenges and is known for its specific features.

Ayurvedic medicine has been celebrating and using the ancient herb ashwagandha for centuries. Ashwagandha is known for its potent health advantages and uses, and it has been found to improve your overall well-being, enhance stamina, and relieve stress. This article will provide more information about this particular herb and show you how it can boost men’s well-being.

Comic books offer a passage to a mesmerizing and picturesque world, and among so many comic books available, certain gems are at the top in terms of story content and in terms of price. Any fan and any collector of comic books is familiar with the moment when some samples of comic books can reach skyrocketing prices, and the truly passionate fans of comic books fall into delirium to own that one particular comic book that will be part of history. How much are these exclusive comic book pages worth? Let’s explore together and discover more about the costs and prices of comic books.

Millions of years ago, the world was dominated by ancient giants called the megalodons. These prehistoric creatures often referred to as the “monsters of the deep,” were the largest sharks that ever lived, and their existence has fascinated scientists and storytellers alike. In this article, we embark on a thrilling journey to unravel the mysteries of megalodons and explore the captivating realm of fossilized giants.

Every tattoo represents a symbol – of a personal experience, story, or feeling. However, it turns out that there is symbolism in the placement of the tattoo, as well. The tattoo placement says a lot about the person. 

Solar power is the most sustainable energy resource. The use of solar power systems validates the objectives of the green movement. Many people peruse tips for buying solar power systems to empower themselves. Considering the high cost of solar power systems, individuals seek the best value for money and sustainability.

If you’re contemplating the shift from full-time to part-time work, concerns about income might be holding you back. Rest assured, making this transition requires careful planning and thoughtful deliberation, but it doesn’t necessitate abandoning your professional ambitions. 

Harness the power of the sun and transition to solar energy. Solar power represents a substantial solution to many global environmental challenges. By transitioning, you’re revolutionizing your home’s relationship with electricity.

False confessions are a perplexing phenomenon in the criminal justice system. Surprisingly, innocent individuals sometimes confess to crimes they did not commit, even when the confession may result in severe consequences. This article delves into the factors and psychological tactics that contribute to false confessions, offering an understanding of this puzzling occurrence.

The contemporary workplace is a dynamic entity, continually evolving to reflect the changing needs, preferences, and expectations of its users. One of the most significant shifts in workspace design in recent years has been the increasing preference for glass-enclosed meeting spaces. This article explores the elegance and multifaceted advantages of conference room glass walls in creating an inviting, collaborative, and productive work environment.

Managing cash flow is vital for the financial stability and growth of any business. Professional invoicing plays a key role in this process by ensuring timely payments and maintaining a steady inflow of funds. In this article, we will explore the importance of effective cash flow management and how professional invoicing practices contribute to improving a business’s financial stability. From setting clear payment terms to tracking and analyzing cash flow patterns, we will discuss strategies that can help businesses achieve long-term financial steadiness.

Gastric bypass surgery may be a life-changing event for many, but understanding the process and risks of this complex surgery can help individuals make an informed decision about whether or not it is right for them. With a deeper understanding of gastric bypass surgery, you’ll be better equipped to understand exactly what will happen if you choose to undergo this type of procedure. In this blog post, we’ll explore all the facets of gastric bypass surgery – what it entails, the various types that are available, potential benefits and side effects as well as provide some tips on how to prepare beforehand. Through our exploration here at XYZ site we hope to give you all the information needed so that you can make an informed choice on whether gastric bypass is right for you.

Listening connects us to others and builds relationships. As clinical psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud noted: “When we are emotionally and relationally connected to others, stress levels in the brain diminish.

“What if I accept that all I really want is a small, slow, simple life? A beautiful, quiet, gentle life. I think it is enough.” ~Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui

Spaceships and war planes. Artifacts from the segregated South.

Adults with ADHD rarely fall asleep easily, sleep soundly through the night, and then wake up feeling refreshed. More often, ADHD’s mental and physical restlessness disturbs a person’s sleep patterns — and the ensuing exhaustion hurts overall health and treatment. This is widely accepted as true.

If he applied himself, he’d be at the top of his class.”“She will lose recess until she learns to listen in class.”Parents get frustrated or angry, understandably, when teachers make comments like these about their child. Most teachers mean well, believing they’re sharing important observations and interventions. But because few teachers have received specific training in ADHD and executive function skill development, these remarks seldom improve the situation.

Symptoms of inattentive attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (previously called ADD) — particularly in women — can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, even decades. Many adults are finally evaluated for ADD symptoms after their children get diagnosed — and they realize that they struggled with the same symptoms all their lives. ADD symptoms in adults can include lack of motivation, procrastination, and difficulty sustaining attention.

Not available September 13? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Primary care providers and mental health clinicians face unique challenges when engaging and treating patients with depression. This webinar will focus on methods for improving communication, engagement, and outcomes with these patients and their families.After a brief review of best practices for identifying depression in patients, we will discuss how to build trust and enlist patients and their families as partners in their treatment.In this webinar, clinicians will learn about:Have a question for our expert? There will be an opportunity to post questions for the presenter during the live webinar.After completing his Psychiatry residency training, Dr.