Intrinsic Motivation and Magical Unicorns

Relationships

On New Year's Resolutions, Self-Improvement, and Compassion

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on January 1, 2021

Are we still doing New Year's resolutions in 2020? Some thoughts on negotiating the tension between self-improvement and self-compassion.

Are we still doing New Year's resolutions in 2020? Some thoughts on negotiating the tension between self-improvement and self-compassion.

Attention

This Is How You Can Finally Get Something Done

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on February 6, 2016

When you’re doing 8 or 9 things at once you’re a certain kind of powerful, but when you do just one thing for a focused period of time, you’re incredibly powerful.

When you’re doing 8 or 9 things at once you’re a certain kind of powerful, but when you do just one thing for a focused period of time, you’re incredibly powerful.

Diet

Need to Make a Change? This Is How to Think About It.

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on February 21, 2015

Anywhere you jump in the vicious virtuous circle is okay, because each of these crucial practices reinforces the other.

Anywhere you jump in the vicious virtuous circle is okay, because each of these crucial practices reinforces the other.

Does the recent Yale study suggest that energy drinks cause ADHD? Not at all. Are sugary drinks with lots of caffeine a wise choice for students (with or without ADHD)? No way.

Anxiety

How to Develop a Good Habit

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on December 26, 2014

A 3-step process: strategy to rule to habit.

A 3-step process: strategy to rule to habit.

ADHD

Tips for the Non-ADD Partner

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on October 13, 2014

What I offer in this post are some tips for that non-ADD partner. Some interventions which might take a bit of the burden off your shoulders, allowing you to step back and breathe and notice what you really like about your partner with ADD/ADHD.

What I offer in this post are some tips for that non-ADD partner. Some interventions which might take a bit of the burden off your shoulders, allowing you to step back and breathe and notice what you really like about your partner with ADD/ADHD.

ADHD

ADHD and Physical Exercise

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on September 11, 2014

The findings of this new research are consistent with previous studies indicating physical exercise is a reasonable addition to a robust treatment program.

The findings of this new research are consistent with previous studies indicating physical exercise is a reasonable addition to a robust treatment program.

Career

How Exactly Did You Do That?

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on September 9, 2014

If I were playing you in a movie, could you give me enough specific behavioral information so that I could convincingly re-create your whole process?

If I were playing you in a movie, could you give me enough specific behavioral information so that I could convincingly re-create your whole process?

Happiness

Will Stimulant Medication Change My Experience of Happiness?

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on August 4, 2014

Does taking a dopamine agonist make a difference in my ability to feel happiness?

Does taking a dopamine agonist make a difference in my ability to feel happiness?

ADHD

Diagnosing Toddlers with ADHD?

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on June 1, 2014

As outrageous as it is to consider "treating" ADHD in toddlers, it's equally galling to consider what this implies about our evaluation process.

As outrageous as it is to consider "treating" ADHD in toddlers, it's equally galling to consider what this implies about our evaluation process.

ADHD

ADHD and "Time Discrimination"

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on October 23, 2013

Differences of just milliseconds on time discrimination tasks among those with ADHD may have a "cascading effect" in the ability to manage time.

Differences of just milliseconds on time discrimination tasks among those with ADHD may have a "cascading effect" in the ability to manage time.

ADHD

To Test or Not to Test: FDA Clears New ADHD Brainwave Screen

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on July 17, 2013

How might brainwave scans or other purported diagnostic tools improve upon the interview and clinical history for determining the presence and functional impact of ADHD?

How might brainwave scans or other purported diagnostic tools improve upon the interview and clinical history for determining the presence and functional impact of ADHD?

Boredom

Manage Procrastination With the Pomodoro Technique

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on July 2, 2013

It's a great feeling, when your head is full of 50 things that you could be doing right now, to know for certain that "I'm in exactly the right place and doing exactly the right thing right now."

It's a great feeling, when your head is full of 50 things that you could be doing right now, to know for certain that "I'm in exactly the right place and doing exactly the right thing right now."

ADHD

Of Course French Kids Have ADHD

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on May 23, 2013

French kids, as well as children and adults from other nations, do in fact experience the functional (school, social, work, time-management) challenges of ADHD.

French kids, as well as children and adults from other nations, do in fact experience the functional (school, social, work, time-management) challenges of ADHD.

Procrastination

Students Inquire Regarding Procrastination

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on May 9, 2013

In the past several weeks I've received inquiries from two high school students, both preparing reports on the theme of procrastination. Here are the students' really good questions, along with my responses.

In the past several weeks I've received inquiries from two high school students, both preparing reports on the theme of procrastination. Here are the students' really good questions, along with my responses.

What are you expecting your child or student with ADHD to do, right now, that’s harder than a “three out of ten?”

ADHD

Q: What does time feel like for people who don't have ADHD?

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on February 24, 2013

Time is not a "real thing" but rather an abstraction we use to describe the executive tasks of planning and sequencing as well as the felt experience of various units of time. What does time "feel like"?

Time is not a "real thing" but rather an abstraction we use to describe the executive tasks of planning and sequencing as well as the felt experience of various units of time. What does time "feel like"?

Time Management

Boundaries and Time Management

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on February 9, 2013

If we do the painful work of saying no to an opportunity or relationship or commitment right now, it frees us up to say yes to something even better which might be just around the corner!

If we do the painful work of saying no to an opportunity or relationship or commitment right now, it frees us up to say yes to something even better which might be just around the corner!

Motivation

Who Has Time to Meditate 5 Times a Day? You do, already!

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on February 1, 2013

Stopping throughout the day to ask, "Have I done the one most important thing today that will make the biggest advance towards my most important goal? Am I on target?"

Stopping throughout the day to ask, "Have I done the one most important thing today that will make the biggest advance towards my most important goal? Am I on target?"

ADHD

Ask for What You Want

David D. Nowell Ph.D. on January 22, 2013

If you ask your family member with ADHD, in advance, with specific behavioral criteria, does it guarantee that you will get what you want? Nope. But it increases the likelihood, and it gives your partner a chance, a fighting chance, to “just barely meet threshold.”

If you ask your family member with ADHD, in advance, with specific behavioral criteria, does it guarantee that you will get what you want? Nope. But it increases the likelihood, and it gives your partner a chance, a fighting chance, to “just barely meet threshold.”