Superhero Mode, Jell-O Mode, and How To Find the Middle Ground
One of the most frustrating parts of ADHD is not knowing which version of you is showing up today. If you’re like me (and most of the people I work with), you have two main modes: Superhero and Jell-O.
In Superhero Mode, you can do ALL the things! You’re in full gear, knocking out your to-do list and ready to take on the world. Next comes Jell-O Mode, where you collapse and can't cross anything off your list. (In case you've never noticed, Jell-O Mode always follows Superhero Mode).
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The goal isn’t more superhero days
It's easy to assume the answer is to hack our way to more superhero days. But a better focus is building a reliable middle mode that let's you show up for what matters, even with tricky tasks or low energy days.
How to build the middle mode
The key to building this middle mode is getting really good at task initiation. Strengthening this skill means that you can count on yourself to get things done even without the energy or motivation that comes in Superhero Mode!
If you think you need more willpower for that, you don't. Decreasing the friction around starting is much more reliable than willpower. That can look like making things smaller when they’re overwhelming, clearer when they’re confusing or give yourself permission to "just start" without having to finish.
Working on Task Initiation Before Working on Productivity
But what's the point of starting if I'm not going to finish?! I hear you, and I totally get it. What helps task initiation is counterintuitive.
But it helps to remember that you're not actually working on the task itself, rather your ability to start it. In the beginning, that can feel like it's not enough, but stick with it. If you're frequently getting stuck in Jell-O Mode, building a flexible way to take action is the only sustainable and reliable way to move out of it.
If laundry feels impossible, five or ten minutes, even unfinished, builds more self-trust than waiting for the one day a month you can finally force yourself to complete it.
If you’re ignoring studying altogether in Jell-O Mode and pulling all-nighters in Superhero Mode, try shrinking your study sessions until they're doable.
Still struggling to start? Go smaller. Shrink it until your brain says, "it would be kind of weird not to do this."
It may feel silly or like not enough at first, but building this kind of flexibility will allow you to take action every day. That shifts the way you see yourself and leads to true self trust.
You still get to have all the modes
Flexibility also allows you to move out of the middle mode when it's the right choice for you! Some days you might decide to ride a hyperfocus wave and be thrilled with all you accomplish. Others you'll need to downshift and recover.
That’s not a problem. Knowing you have options will allow you to get things done- no matter what your day looks like!
If you’d like more support with learning how to do this, it’s exactly the work we do in our group coaching program. Use this link to learn more!
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