7 Habits: I Have Had To Learn To Accept (with My Adhd & Dysleixa)

Are you someone who moves faster than most people but still feels you’re not moving fast enough? If you ever catch yourself thinking, “Is it ever good enough?” then this post—and podcast—might resonate. We dig into the art of beating ourselves up, examine where it comes from, and explore how to make peace with it.

In the latest episode, I dive into why this habit of feeling “not enough” can become second nature. I share personal stories about wrestling with self-expectations, celebrating small steps, and occasionally sounding like a goat. Yes, seriously—there’s a random goat bleat somewhere in there! It’s a fun, short episode that combines a bit of humour, a splash of honesty, and plenty of empathy for anyone who’s a little hard on themselves.

Slowing Down the Hamster Wheel

When you’ve got the fast-thinking brain that comes with dyslexia or ADHD, it’s tempting to push that mental engine as quickly as you can. You jump from one task to the next, tackle three more in your head, then circle back to the original. It feels like a hamster wheel that never stops.

But speed isn’t always the solution. I’ve noticed that rushing often leads to mistakes or frustrations. If you’ve been in constant motion, it might be time to step off the wheel and remember you can choose a slower pace now and then.

Accepting Our Imperfect Habits

We all have certain habits—some helpful, some not. The trick is to notice which ones we keep dragging along. Do you get stuck rewriting the same to-do-list instead of doing the tasks? Or maybe you procrastinate so long that the deadline knocks on your door before you’ve even responded.

Acceptance starts with simple acknowledgement. It’s not about making excuses or pretending the habits don’t exist. It’s about saying, “Yes, I do this. That’s part of who I am.” Instead of beating yourself up, you’re choosing to observe. Then you can decide which habits to adjust and which ones are just part of your nature.

A Tiny Goat Surprise

You might hear an unexpected goat sound in this episode. It slips in—a playful reminder that life isn’t always meant to be polished and perfect. We can plan a show, record an episode, and still end up with a random “baaah!” in the background.

The goat seems silly, but it also underlines an important message. Life throws in random moments, and we’re allowed to laugh, regroup, and keep going. Maybe that’s the secret: letting ourselves feel okay with the odd quirks and surprises.

Learning to Celebrate Progress

If you’re always aiming for bigger, better, or faster, it’s easy to miss the tiny wins. Noticing progress can be tough when you move at lightning speed. But a small pause to say, “Yes, I did that, and that was good,” can boost your energy for the next challenge.

I often think of it this way:

• Acknowledge one positive step you’ve taken today. It can be as small as sending an overdue email or taking a mindful moment for yourself.
• Remind yourself of a recent challenge you overcame. Even if it felt messy, you did it.
• Consider one good thing you learned about yourself in the process. Maybe you realised you’re more persistent than you gave yourself credit for.

You’ll be surprised how uplifting these mini rewards can feel. And by slowing down to celebrate, you’ll build motivation for the long run.

“Sometimes it feels like nothing is good enough, but that’s just the chatter in our heads. Once we accept our pace, we find true progress.”

Why It’s Okay to Let Go of ‘Perfect’

One of the big lessons in this episode is that perfectionism can trick us into endless self-critique. We go too hard on ourselves when we see the slightest flaw. But here’s the reality: nobody else is paying as much attention to your every detail as you are.

It’s important to remember that your unique mind—dyslexic, ADD, or simply human—has its own rhythm. Letting go of the “perfect” image you think people expect allows you to relax a bit. You might even laugh at your slip-ups. And that small shift in perspective can transform a stressful day into a manageable one.

Before wrapping up, here are a few key points to take home:

• Notice your hamster wheel. Don’t forget to step off for a rest.
• Accept the habits that make you who you are. You can still improve them from a kind place.
• Celebrate your small wins—they’re often bigger than you think.
• Unexpected goat sounds (or life’s random moments) can be a fun reminder to lighten up.
• Perfection is an illusion. Aim for real, human progress.

If you want the full story—plus the occasional goat bleat—listen to the episode at the top of this page. Feel free to pause, re-listen, and spot all the honest admissions I’ve made about my own quirks. Give it a go, and see if it resonates with you!