Coding and ADHD - Can't Start
Tags: mentalhealth, productivity, programming, computerscience
Published: 2022-05-31 22:15:12

I want to start the task. I know I need to start the task. Why can't I start the task?

![ADHD Paralysis by Dani Donovon Looks like: a guy on his couch surrounded by clutter, playing switch, and thinking "whatever, I don't care if it's clean" Feels like: a guy on his couch surrounded by clutter, playing switch, thinking a ton of negative thoughts about his inability to clean](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kquihej2gq4xelqs9ry3.jpeg)

## Shame

ADHD brains have received so much negative messaging about their ability to do tasks, that inability to start is often rooted in shame. Many of us struggle with perfectionism, and no one enjoys trying and failing at the same task repeatedly. 

I highly recommend How to ADHD and Brendan Mahan's Wall of Awful explanation [part 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo08uS904Rg) and [part 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlObsAeFNVk). A short book I found very helpful is [How to Keep House While Drowning](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Keep-House-While-Drowning/KC-Davis/9781668002841). Jesse J. Anderson also does a great job of explaining how ADHD brains are motivated and some tools to use in [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsT3KPYJFl4&t=52s). [Black Girl Lost Keys](https://blackgirllostkeys.com/) has tons of helpful resources. I tweet about my ADHD and follow many people who tweet about their ADHD because it is very helpful to know other people are struggling with these things too.

## Overwhelm

ADHD people often find pairing/co-working/[body doubling](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/body-doubling-adhd) helpful, especially for starting a task. I have to find a balance because I will chat someone's ear off given the opportunity, to the detriment of getting my work done.

Throughout my life, the main thing that has worked for me when I encounter a large task I don't want to start is writing down all the steps. Often I find I'm overwhelmed by something because I'm thinking of it as one step when it's actually 20. 

Next I break each of those steps down into its smallest steps. Then I find the smallest step in that list and try it. For code, sometimes this is as easy as making a blank file and importing something. Once I've done it, my brain declares the task started, and suddenly things are much less overwhelming. 

This can be very difficult for people with ADHD, so never be afraid to ask for help breaking it down. This can be one area in which development work suits people with ADHD. It is normal to discuss the individual steps involved in a task in order to properly estimate and prioritize them. There is often a person whose job it is to help you do so, and if not, it could be a great thing to pair with another developer on. If there's not a developer like that within your company, you can ask a friend or join a networking group.

![Trying to be productive by @mostlyADHD a pie chart with a tiny sliver labelled actually be productive, a large piece labelled think about being productive, a medium piece labelled watch cat videos, and a small piece labelled stress about not being productive](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/8mnnemuyrf9e1sru0k6v.jpeg)

## Just a Little Bit

Something I've learned recently is that committing to an amount of time trying the task or a small percent of the task really works for ADHD brains. "I'll do 15 minutes of dishes." or "I'll just do 5% of this refactor" is often enough to get us started. Once that 5% is complete, that momentum often gives enough motivation to start another 5% and so on.

At the end of the work day, I'll often ask myself if there are small tasks I can do right now to make it easier to start in the morning. For me, this is usually making sure my to do list for tomorrow has the first task I want to try in the morning and all my meetings/appointments/events on it. Sometimes it's picking up desk clutter to limit distractions or writing myself an encouraging note on a post it. 

Before I sit on the couch to relax, I try to ask myself what small task I can do to help myself function tomorrow. For example, do I have breakfast I can prep in 3 steps or less? If not, I should prep some. I'm trying to find the smallest task I can do while I have some momentum, instead of hoping I have the motivation in the morning.

## Conclusion

Did I miss a resource or tip you love? Leave a comment!

Up next:
- [Can't Keep Going](https://dev.to/abbeyperini/coding-and-adhd-cant-keep-going-5aj2)
- [Can't Stop](https://dev.to/abbeyperini/coding-and-adhd-cant-stop-10mf)
- [Can't Remember](https://dev.to/abbeyperini/coding-and-adhd-cant-remember-30b4)
- [Where We Excel](https://dev.to/abbeyperini/coding-and-adhd-where-we-excel-454j)