Native English Expressions | Ep.11
Do you feel lost when listening to native speakers? It’s likely because textbook English isn’t enough. Welcome to Native Expressions Ep.11.
Real conversations are full of idioms, phrasal verbs, and cultural nuances. This series curates authentic expressions directly from podcasts and YouTube videos to help you sound more natural and confident.
Watch the full original video (CC License): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-AtFnny7ME
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 1 – 5
big or small
used to include both large and minor things
Finishing goals, big or small, can build confidence over time.
procrastination
the habit of delaying something you need to do
His procrastination got worse when he kept choosing quick phone rewards instead of starting the report.
stare at something
to look at something for a long time, usually without doing anything else
She stared at the assignment for ten minutes and still didn’t begin.
find oneself doing something
to notice you are doing something, often without planning to
I often find myself staring at my to-do list even though I know I should start.
you’re not alone
many other people have the same problem or feeling
If starting feels impossible sometimes, you’re not alone.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 6 – 10
ADHD
a brain-based condition that can make it harder to manage attention, impulse control, and starting tasks
With ADHD, he understood the assignment but still struggled to begin it until the deadline felt close.
procrastination spiral
a cycle where delaying makes you feel worse, which leads to more delaying
Once the guilt starts, an ADHD procrastination spiral can make the task feel even harder.
dive into something
to start discussing or exploring a topic in a detailed way
Today we’ll dive into why motivation can feel different with ADHD.
stick around
to stay and keep watching or listening
Stick around because the next part includes steps you can try immediately.
actionable steps
clear actions you can do right away to improve something
The video ends with actionable steps for starting tasks faster.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 11 – 15
first things first
said before you deal with the most important point first
First things first, we need to understand what ADHD affects beyond attention.
at its core
at the most basic and important level
At its core, the issue is often about starting and prioritizing, not laziness.
motivation
the desire or drive to do something
Low motivation can make a simple task feel heavy.
prioritization
deciding what is most important and what should be done first
Poor prioritization can make every task feel equally urgent.
executive function
mental skills that help you plan, organize, focus, and start tasks
When executive function is stressed, even easy chores can feel hard to begin.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 16 – 20
like a project manager
used to compare something to a person who plans and organizes work
Executive function is like a project manager that tells your brain what to do next.
boil down to something
to be reduced to one main point or simple idea
For many people, procrastination can boil down to how their brain handles rewards.
dopamine
a brain chemical linked to motivation and feeling satisfied
A small burst of dopamine can make finishing even a simple chore feel good.
process something efficiently
to handle something well without wasting time or effort
Some ADHD brains don’t process dopamine efficiently, so starting a task can feel unusually hard.
reward chemical
a substance in the brain that helps you feel pleasure when you achieve something
Completing a task can trigger a reward chemical that makes you want to do more.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 21 – 25
complete a task
to finish something you started
He felt proud after he completed the task, even though it was small.
don’t even get me started on
used to say something is even worse or more frustrating
And don’t even get me started on staying focused when notifications keep popping up.
let me be clear
used to emphasize that something is important and not misunderstood
Let me be clear: this struggle is real, not a character flaw.
not laziness
meaning the problem is not due to a lack of effort or care
For many people, ADHD procrastination is not laziness, but a motivation issue.
isn’t a choice
not something you can simply decide to stop doing
In those moments, delaying isn’t a choice; it feels automatic.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 26 – 30
brain chemistry
the way chemicals and signals in the brain affect thoughts and behavior
The pattern can come from brain chemistry, not from poor morals.
demystify something
to explain something so it feels less confusing or mysterious
The speaker tries to demystify why procrastination happens.
fast forward to
used to jump ahead in time in a story or explanation
Fast forward to 2025, and distractions are everywhere.
attention economy
a world where apps and media compete to capture and hold your attention
In the attention economy, your focus becomes a valuable resource.
notification
an alert from a phone or app that tries to grab your attention
Every notification pulled her away from her work.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 31 – 35
urgent email
a message that seems to require an immediate response
An urgent email can make you drop your plan and react quickly.
compete for your focus
to try to take your attention away from other things
Social media and messages compete for your focus all day.
chase dopamine
to seek quick, easy rewards that feel good right away
It’s tempting to chase dopamine by scrolling instead of working.
boring report
a dull work task that doesn’t feel rewarding
He kept avoiding the boring report and did easier tasks instead.
more equipped than ever
having more tools, knowledge, or ability than people had before
With better apps, we’re more equipped than ever to build helpful habits.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 36 – 40
deal with something
to handle a problem or situation
She learned strategies to deal with procrastination more calmly.
real resources
reliable help such as guides, communities, or professional support
Finding real resources made him feel less alone and more capable.
beat procrastination
to successfully stop procrastinating and start taking action
She used small routines to beat procrastination and finish her assignments.
get things done
to complete tasks successfully
With a simple plan, he could finally get things done instead of delaying.
thrive under urgency
to perform very well when time pressure is high
Many people with ADHD thrive under urgency, so a short deadline can boost action.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 41 – 45
best friend
something that helps you a lot, even in a difficult situation
For him, a strict schedule became his best friend during busy weeks.
self-imposed
created and decided by yourself, not forced by others
She set a self-imposed deadline to push herself to begin.
commit to doing something
to make a firm decision to do something and stick to it
She committed to working for five minutes before checking her phone.
trick your brain
to use a simple strategy that makes your mind cooperate
Starting tiny can trick your brain into feeling the task is not scary.
momentum
the feeling of progress that makes it easier to keep going
Once he began, momentum helped him continue longer than planned.
Native Expressions Ep.11 | 46 – 50
carry you through
to help you continue until you reach the end of something
A small start can carry you through the hardest part of the assignment.
feel overwhelming
to feel too difficult or stressful to handle
If five minutes feels overwhelming, begin with something even smaller.
overstimulating
causing too much mental or sensory input, making it hard to focus or stay calm
A noisy room can feel overstimulating when you’re trying to work.
start with 2 minutes
to begin with a very small amount of time to reduce resistance
When she couldn’t begin, she decided to start with 2 minutes of writing.
the goal is just to begin
the main purpose is simply to start, not to be perfect
With ADHD strategies, the goal is just to begin so progress can happen.