# Too Many Interests & Not Enough Follow Through? Try This ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Op2BOncsxuM/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Introduction [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=0s) - Many people struggle with having too many ideas but lack implementation or follow-through, often starting new hobbies, interests, careers, and relationships, only to lose interest and start over, feeling like they're not reaching their potential and falling behind others [(00:00:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=17s). - This struggle can lead to feelings of frustration and stagnation, causing individuals to feel like they're not getting anywhere in life [(00:00:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=25s). - The video aims to explore why this happens, specifically for adult ADHDers and multipotentialites, and provide strategies for gaining control over the things they pour their energy into and achieving better outcomes [(00:00:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=42s). - The creator of the content, Caren Mill, is an ADHD coaching creator who focuses on helping busy, ambitious individuals who want to pursue multiple interests but struggle to do so [(00:00:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=57s). - Caren Mill's content is designed to support individuals who are eager to do many things but are held back by their own desires and ambitions [(00:01:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=65s). ## why ADHD brains have too many interests [(00:01:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=73s) - Individuals with ADHD and multipotentialites often experience having too many interests, which can be attributed to their neurological makeup as Divergent thinkers, meaning their brains tend to go in multiple directions at once [(00:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=90s). - In contrast, neurotypical brains tend to think in a more linear fashion, allowing them to focus on one thing from start to completion and derive satisfaction from completing a task [(00:01:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=98s). - The Divergent thinking pattern of ADHD brains can lead to a problem where they start multiple projects, but often stop or switch to a new idea before completion, resulting in a cycle of starting and stopping without making progress [(00:02:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=127s). - Another reason for this tendency is that ADHD brains are interest-driven, meaning they can only take a project as far as it is interesting to them, and may not have the necessary dopamine levels to see it through to completion [(00:02:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=161s). - Limiting beliefs can also play a role in the ADHD brain's tendency to jump from project to project, as negative self-talk and self-doubt can cause individuals to give up on a project when it becomes challenging [(00:02:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=172s). - Embracing the idea of being aware of the underlying reasons for their multiple interests can help individuals with ADHD brains to better align their interests with their goals and make more progress [(00:03:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=198s). ## Why ADHD'er seek an ADHD coach to help with too many interests [(00:03:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=215s) - Many individuals with ADHD seek the help of an ADHD coach because they feel they are not reaching their full potential, which often manifests as constantly switching between different interests and failing to complete tasks [(00:03:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=215s). - This pattern of behavior is often perceived as a barrier to achieving one's potential, as individuals with ADHD may struggle to see projects or tasks through to completion [(00:03:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=225s). - The goal of seeking help from an ADHD coach is to gain a deeper understanding of this behavior and develop strategies to overcome it, ultimately allowing individuals to move closer to their full potential and learn to manage their tendency to jump between different interests [(00:04:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=241s). ## why we constantly have too many interests [(00:04:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=252s) - The root cause of having too many interests and not enough follow-through is the inherent belief that who we are right now is not good enough, stemming from societal expectations and scorecards applied to us from a young age [(00:04:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=263s). - Between the ages of 0 to 5, the world starts applying scorecards to us, and we are never taught to decide whether or not we want to be measured by a specific scorecard, leading to the assumption that all scorecards are relevant and must be met at 100% [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=271s). - This creates an impossible standard, making us feel like we're not enough, broken, or not reaching our potential, which is actually meeting 100% of a random scorecard that we didn't choose for ourselves [(00:04:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=294s). - There are many scorecards that we measure ourselves against, whether we realize it or not, making it difficult to pinpoint where we're specifically falling short, leading to a globalized feeling of falling behind or being a failure [(00:05:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=332s). - When someone fundamentally believes they are broken or wrong, they will strive to improve themselves, but with multiple interests and directions, it becomes challenging to focus energy and define what reaching one's potential looks like [(00:05:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=353s). - This creates a feeling of helplessness, knowing where one is falling short but not knowing how to fix it, a common sentiment expressed by clients and experienced personally [(00:06:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=394s). - To manage multiple interests, one can either go to therapy to reverse deeply socialized beliefs or accept that this part of oneself exists and is a common aspect of the human condition, allowing for self-acceptance and understanding of why one has been trying to do many things [(00:06:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=415s). ## What to do about too many interests [(00:07:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=458s) - A new approach is needed for individuals who have multiple interests and struggle with follow-through, especially for Divergent thinkers who have many thoughts and aspirations at once [(00:07:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=459s). - The problem arises when individuals pursue things due to obligations, social expectations, or imposed scorecards, rather than their inherent interests [(00:08:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=480s). - To transform chaos in life, it's essential to discern between things pursued due to inherent interest and those driven by obligations or social expectations [(00:08:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=500s). - A tactical exercise involves writing down an area of life where one feels they're not measuring up, then listing all the things done in the spirit of striving towards betterment in that area [(00:08:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=522s). - The list should include things signed up for, bought, promised, committed to, but not followed through with, and take time to think about each item [(00:09:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=542s). - The next step is to identify which items on the list were done due to social expectations, scorecards, or obligations, and mark them with a check [(00:09:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=570s). - Then, identify which items were done because they felt authentic, easeful, or aligned with one's true self, and circle them [(00:09:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=590s). - Comparing the number of circled items (authentic pursuits) to the number of checked items (obligations) provides a personal scorecard to measure progress [(00:10:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=615s). - This scorecard helps individuals understand how much they operate from a place of shoulds, commitments, or social scorecards versus their authentic self [(00:10:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=633s). - By discerning between these two and choosing authenticity, individuals can manage the chaos of multiple interests and lack of follow-through [(00:10:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=659s). - When an individual's driven nervous system is in alignment with their chosen path, they experience increased dopamine, interest, energy, and motivation to follow through and complete tasks, making life more easeful [(00:11:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=685s). - In contrast, choosing obligations or "shoulds" can lead to procrastination, feeling like pushing a boulder uphill, and decreased likelihood of follow-through [(00:11:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=704s). - Even within obligatory tasks, such as paying taxes or going to work, there is always a choice, such as choosing a career based on natural interests, which can make life more easeful [(00:12:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=732s). - Everything in life, even obligations, comes with a myriad of choices, and recognizing this can help individuals move away from a victim mindset and limited view of the world [(00:12:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=773s). - Building the muscle of discernment is essential to making choices that align with one's inherent nature, rather than perceived obligations or social standards [(00:13:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=801s). - As adults, individuals have control over how they spend their time, money, energy, and who they spend it with, and making choices in alignment with who they are leads to better decision-making and increased follow-through [(00:13:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=817s). - To overcome feelings of chaos and overwhelm due to multiple interests and commitments, it's essential to pause and ask oneself where the striving is coming from and make a commitment to define what is in alignment with one's true nature [(00:14:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=841s). - By moving in an authentic direction, individuals can experience a momentum of peace in their lives, and over time, the feeling of striving and trying to fix oneself may recede [(00:14:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=887s). - Life is about enjoying the journey, rather than focusing on a specific destination, as the ultimate destination for everyone is death [(00:15:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=902s). - Embracing this mindset allows individuals to appreciate and enjoy the journey of life as it unfolds [(00:15:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=904s). - By adopting this perspective, one can find more fulfillment and happiness in their daily experiences [(00:15:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=906s). - The journey of life is what truly matters, and it is essential to make the most of it [(00:15:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=908s). - Focusing on the journey enables individuals to appreciate the present moment and find joy in their experiences [(00:15:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=911s). - This mindset shift can lead to a more enjoyable and fulfilling life [(00:15:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2BOncsxuM&t=913s).