ep 117: Executive Function Skill #9 Impulse Control

Join me in this revealing episode where I uncover the truth about impulse control – and why hitting snooze, interrupting people, buying things impulsively, or switching tasks constantly isn’t about willpower, laziness, or character flaws. If you’ve ever wondered “why did I do that again?” or felt like your brain moves faster than you can catch it, this episode will show you exactly what’s happening and how to create the pause you’re missing.

What You’ll Learn About ADHD Impulse Control:

  • Why impulse control struggles aren’t moral failures—they’re about speed
  • The real difference between motivation problems and impulse control challenges
  • How my husband and I ended up $90,000 in debt (and the system that finally broke the cycle)
  • Why awareness often comes AFTER the behavior (and why that still counts)
  • The connection between impulse control and emotional dysregulation
  • Research showing people with ADHD are 15x more impatient and 8x more likely to be quick to anger
  • How to create space between feeling and action—the foundation of impulse control
  • Why self-soothing must come BEFORE self-criticism for your brain to actually learn
  • Real examples: impulsive spending, emotional eating, task-switching, blurting things out, and yelling at kids

Tools I Use and Recommend:

  • The shopping cart pause technique: add items, close window, wait 1-2 days before purchasing
  • The fridge check-in system: turning impulse into awareness with four simple questions
  • Physical cue strategy for interrupting (inspired by first graders—surprisingly effective!)
  • Pre-programming reactions: deciding ahead of time “who do I want to be in that moment?”
  • Reflection (not judgment) practice: building skills through compassionate awareness
  • Externalizing support: using physical objects to create the pause your brain needs

“Impulse control isn’t about stopping impulses. It’s about learning how to work with them. Sometimes the pause comes after the action. Then it moves to during, and eventually, sometimes it shows up before. Progress is better than perfection. One pause at a time.” – Mande John

From Reaction to Reflection

Learn why impulse control struggles happen so fast and how to create systems that support your ADHD brain instead of fighting it. I share personal stories from financial disaster to parenting breakthroughs, plus the science behind why this isn’t about willpower—it’s about understanding how your nervous system works.

Recommended Video:
  • “ADHD and Emotional Impulsivity: What You Need to Know” by Jessica McCabe (How to ADHD YouTube channel)

Resources:

This episode is essential for anyone with ADHD who struggles with impulsive decisions, emotional reactions, task-switching, or that familiar feeling of “why did I do that again?” Remember: catching impulses after they happen is still progress. That’s where awareness begins and change starts.

Share in the comments: What’s one impulse you’re working on catching sooner? Your experience might help someone else feel less alone!

#adhd #impulsecontrol #executivefunctioning #adhdtips #emotionalregulation #adhdawareness #neurodivergent #adhdcoaching #selfsoothing #adhdstrategies

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