Start My Finish Sprint

Start My Finish Sprint

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FINISH

FINISH

Why can’t I finish anything I start?

Why can’t I finish anything I start?

Why can’t I finish anything I start?

Why can’t I finish anything I start?

ADHD can make sustained effort harder when novelty, urgency or reward fades. The final steps may need extra structure.

ADHD can make sustained effort harder when novelty, urgency or reward fades. The final steps may need extra structure.

ADHD can make sustained effort harder when novelty, urgency or reward fades. The final steps may need extra structure.

ADHD can make sustained effort harder when novelty, urgency or reward fades. The final steps may need extra structure.

Start My Finish Sprint

Start My Finish Sprint

Help Me Define Done

Help Me Define Done

Do this with me

1

1

1

Define what “done enough” means

Define what “done enough” means

Make the finish line specific and small enough to see.

2

2

2

Set a 5-minute finish sprint

Set a 5-minute finish sprint

Use a short, contained time block to complete one closing action.

3

3

3

Complete one closing step

Complete one closing step

Send, save, file, or clean up one final piece.

Quick PowerUp support video for you

A quick finish reset

A quick finish reset

Understand what's happening

Why is the ending hard?

Why is the ending hard?

Interest or reward may have dropped before the task ended. The finish line may be vague or perfectionistic.

Many nearly finished tasks, switching near the end, or avoiding the final send, file, or clean-up are common signs.

What helps?

  • Make “finished” specific.

  • Offer a short sprint or sit nearby.

  • Recognize completion — not perfection.

Helping someone else start

Try saying

Try saying

“Let’s make ‘finished’ specific. We can do a short sprint and recognise completion — not perfection.”

What helps

What helps

  • Make “finished” specific.

  • Offer a short sprint or sit nearby.

  • Recognize completion — not perfection.

Avoid

Avoid

  • Replying while flooded.

  • Treating the first interpretation as the full story.

  • Avoiding useful feedback entirely.

Still stuck?

Define done enough

Define done enough

Choose a visible finish line instead of aiming for perfection.

Take a short sprint

Take a short sprint

Sit nearby or set a five-minute finish sprint.

Close one step

Close one step

Send, save, file, or clean up one final piece.

When additional help may be useful

Consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional when these difficulties are frequent, worsening, or significantly affecting work, school, relationships, sleep, or safety. ADHD support can include medication, psychotherapy, behavioural strategies, and practical coaching. Stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other conditions can sometimes create similar difficulties.

Consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional when these difficulties are frequent, worsening, or significantly affecting work, school, relationships, sleep, or safety. ADHD support can include medication, psychotherapy, behavioural strategies, and practical coaching. Stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other conditions can sometimes create similar difficulties.

ADHD PowerUp Cards provide educational and practical support. They do not diagnose ADHD or replace individualized medical or mental‑health care.

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