Chaos to Clarity: ADHD-Friendly Tips for Financial Goal Success
It’s that time of year for many, where we set goals for what we’d like to achieve in the the next 12 months. So I’ve got some tips suited to helping ADHDers set and work toward financial goals. Are you ready to dive into setting and smashing your financial goals? You have come to the right place because we're about to turn those money dreams into reality. 🤑
Embrace the Chaos: Listen, ADHD is like having a tornado in your brain, or a random stream of thoughts that never seems to shut off. But guess what? We're going to use that chaos to our advantage. Instead of fighting it, let's embrace it. Your financial goals don't need to be colour-coded and perfectly organized. Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes and spend that time jotting down any financial goals you’d like to achieve. Scribble, draw, use emojis – whatever gets your point across.
Then, Narrow ‘Em Down: You may be amazed at the number of financial goals your brain generated in such a short period of time. And while you can achieve anything, you can’t work on them all at once or your lack of progress will have you distracted in about 2 seconds. So look at all your goals, and select one that you are most excited about that you want to focus on first.
If you are having issues narrowing it down to one, pick out your top 3 or 4 and think about or write down what the impact on your life will be when you achieve each goal. Use that info to help guide you to your first goal.
Then, Break ‘Em Down: Big goals can be overwhelming for anyone, but for us ADHD folks, it feels even more daunting. Your goal may even feel impossible. To help make it feel more possible, break down your goals into bite-sized, manageable tasks. Want to save $5,000? Start with a goal of saving $100 this week. Easy peasy.
Time Travel with Journaling: Our time blindness can make the future seem like an alien planet. Combat this by leveraging your journal. Close your eyes and imagine hitting your financial goal. What does it feel like? What are you doing? Write it down like you're sending a postcard from the future. You can even use sticky notes to remind you how it will feel around you. This gives your ADHD brain a taste of what success feels like.
Make It Fun: Let's face it, traditional financial advice can be as exciting as watching paint dry. But not here! Inject some fun into your goals. Turn saving into a game, reward yourself for hitting milestones, and celebrate those wins, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement is our jam.
Making it visual can also help you stay focused. Google ‘saving goal trackers’ or ‘debt payoff tracker’ to find lots of different options. You can even include specifics like ‘debt payoff tracker for car loan’ to look for trackers aligned to your specific goal.
Journaling Prompts to Help You Think of Your Finances Differently:
If money were no object, what would your ideal life look like?
What's one small money-related victory you've had recently?
What's a financial fear you want to kick to the curb?
Describe your dream money day – from morning latte to bedtime.
How can you turn a boring budget into something that sparks joy?
Ready to level up your money, but you aren’t sure where to start? A financial coach could be exactly what you need! Book a no-charge 30-minute consultation or check out my upcoming class on Managing Money with ADHD. This virtual class is only $29.99 CAD and I am excited to host this virtual class to help you!
Remember, this journey is yours, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Customize your financial plan to fit your quirks, priorities, and latte cravings. You got this, and you can win with money by leaning into how your ADHD brain works! Now, go out there and conquer those money goals like the financial superhero you are. 💪💰
