ADHD Center for Success

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Last night I felt compelled to search my library of books to re-read Wayne Dyer’s book – “The Power of INTENTION”. I had forgotten how much I had enjoyed reading it the first time. This morning I sat down to my computer to read new email and found one of my favorite newsletters, Barb Melloh’s Law of Attraction Newsletter – “Magnetic News”. Those of you already familiar with the Law of Attraction will agree that it was no coincidence for me that the Newsletter’s title article was about “Intention”.

The newsletter article reviewed Lynne McTaggart’s new book, “The Intention Experiment: Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World”. McTaggart clarifies the science behind intention by citing examples of specific scientific evidence. Yes, even the scientific has validated the power of intention.

So, what does Intention have to do with ADHD you ask? The answer is everything. Adults with ADHD often impulsively jump into their day without a clear plan, direction nor INTENTION. I was coaching a client this week and I pointed out that without a plan or clear ‘intention of outcome’ an individual is destined to drift aimlessly, victim to the whims of ocean/wind currents. As ADDer’s, we may frequently find ourselves drifting from one thought to another, one task to another, from… well you get the idea. Intention = FOCUS. There is a reason that research is indicating that the annual income of adults with ADHD is less than those adults without ADHD.

The Newsletter goes on to say that, “The process of setting intentions is a powerful way to design and create your life in exact accord with your desires. It’s a great idea to begin each day by setting positive intentions, for example - Today I intend and expect to: (examples)”.

Intention is a powerful tool to intentionally design and guide your life. Intention is also an excellent way to start your day. Here are a few coaching tips:

• Get clear of what you want to do, to create, who you want to BE.
• State the above intentions to yourself each and every morning.
• What is your ‘intended outcome(s)’ for the day.
• Write your intentions on paper. “Today I Intend to…”.
• Your daily TO DO list should include action steps to support your Intentions.
• Use Mindfulness Bells to stay on track and out of the drift.

Intention is also about ‘choice’. Make the conscious choice to live from your Intentions rather than meandering in the drift. Intention = Focus.

*Click on “Magnetic News” to read more about Lynne McTaggart’s new book.

~CoachRudy

By Shelly A. Meyers, Ed.D.

When students are in the K-12 atmosphere most teachers consider it their job to teach to all learning styles, particularly when there is an IEP to consider. This is not the case in the college atmosphere. There will be many more lecture presentations than discussions and in some cases PowerPoint is something very new. So how do students approach a course that is being taught outside of their preferred learning style? Particularly for students with ADD this is a challenge. The following are abbreviated steps that can be taken to convert the presentation of the professor to the learning style of the student.

Step 1: Identify your preferred learning style or modality and the professor’s teaching style. There are three basic types of learning modalities depending on the theorist. However, the most common are auditory, visual, and tactile/kinesthetic. For most students with ADD or traits of ADD the most preferred are the visual and tactile/kinesthetic. In college the teaching types are lecture, discussion, and hands-on or combinations of each. It is a good idea to ask upper classmen about professors and their teaching styles—they’ll be happy to let you know.

Step 2: Ask the professor about the best way to study for the class. Some professors will give students copies of their notes or post their PowerPoints or recorded lectures to an internet site. If the professor happens to teach the same course on-line those resources will most likely be readily available. Be sure to indicate your accommodations and how these tools will benefit your learning in the course. Also ask the professor to recommend a student tutor. When students speak in “student” language, the same information just comes out easier to understand.

Step 3: Convert the professor’s presentation to your style of learning. If the professor lectures—convert the audio recording into PowerPoint notes or form a discussion study group. If the professor provides PowerPoint notes—convert it into a hands-on activity. These skills can be difficult to build in the beginning, but by the time you figure out your best way of learning—it will be well worth your time. If you have an ADD coach, ask him or her to help you with the conversion during your sessions. Be sure to store all of your conversions to study for exams—especially the final exams.

For more information please contact Dr. Meyers at smeyers@limestone.edu.

By now most everyone has heard of Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer - who plans to win 8 Gold Medals at the Beijing Olympics. Actually, he has already won six gold and two bronze medals in the 2004 Olympics. He has also set multiple world records.

Not bad for an athlete who as a child, diagnosed with ADHD, was frequently in trouble at both school and the pool for being disruptive. When an elementary teacher told her that her son would never focus on anything, Debra Phelps knew the teacher was wrong. Michael could focus like no other when he was swimming.

He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 9 years old. He used a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. After a few years, he was able to manage his ADHD without the medication.

Michael Phelp’s mother has shared details of Michael’s story.

VIEW VIDEO

ADHDSupport.com, an educational Web site recently re-launched by Shire, is designed to provide families, caregivers, educators and patients with tools and resources about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

ADHDSupport.com offers information about the recognition, diagnosis and management of the disorder, assistance with how to identify and select a healthcare professional and what to expect when meeting with a physician about ADHD. It also features a symptom tracker to help record ADHD symptoms to be used in follow-up discussions with the health care professional; practical tips on how to get organized, and stay organized, and the best ways to set and evaluate goals; and detailed information about events that may be helpful to people living with ADHD. 

Click here for more information

Many of us are using email and texting as a tool for social and work related communication. While these tools can be very effective they also require some level of personal management. Remember, ’stimulation is my friend’. Email and texting can be effective, quick, entertaining AND it can be a major distraction from other, potentially more important tasks and responsibilities.
 
Here are a few of Coach Rudy’s tips for ADHD Self Management: 

• I generally find it important to schedule your email time.
• Turn on your email only during your scheduled times.
• Keep your email turned off during all other times.
• Use mindfulness bells to help monitor your email use.
• Avoid texting while driving, walking and multi-tasking

 
Here are some ways to use e-mail to your advantage (source: Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, PhD, author of “10 Simple solutions to Adult ADD”).
 

• Keep questions in your emails to a yes-or-no format.
• If you receive an email that asks you detailed questions, type your answers in a different font color directly after the original questions.
• Unsubscribe from mass mailings you do not read. Usually, there is an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email.
• Schedule a time to answer your email. Enforce a time limit on your email use.
• Send yourself an email to remind yourself of important information for the next day.

It’s not uncommon for some adults with ADD to lead fairly normal lives, everything going well and suddenly find themselves struggling with unfamiliar behaviors such as clutter and disorganization (mental and physical), uncommon tardiness (appointments and personal engagements, paying bills), and struggling to get things done.

I find this often to be the case of the adult with ADHD when they experience a significant change in life circumstances. Common life changes may include divorce, retirement from a successful career or a career change from a group business to self employment.

So, what is it that these changes have in common for adults with ADD? Let me first explain that many but not adults with ADD tend to lack the internal ability of self structure, routine and accountability. In fact, many of these adults commonly find structure, routine and accountability from external sources such as marriage/relationship or a structured work environment.

Most relationships have some degree of shared dreams and plans for their relationship. There is often a checks & balances system (formal or informal). Sometimes relationship roles are defined, sometimes not BUT the adult with ADD often (even without knowing it) frequently adapts to the routine and structure provided by the simple day to day aspects of relationship and family.

The work environment is another example because it often provides the structure of a specific time to show up for work and a time to end the work day. Most businesses have prescribed “Policies and Procedures” or protocol to follow. Most often there is a supervisor/manager or hierarchical structure of persons to ‘answer to’. However, it’s not uncommon for adults with ADD to dislike these environments because it tends to be linear – a prescribed way of doing things, do this, then this, then this and so on. When I coach adults with ADD they often respond with a facial grimace when I discuss the need for routine and structure in their life and work. It’s like my telling them they have to swallow a terribly distasting medicine.

Some work environments involve working with others but may still lack the routine and structure to help keep the ADHD person on task. Real Estate is an example of an environment in which the person is employed within a group but often times the realtor is essentially on their own. That’s not to say that there isn’t any routine or structure but a great deal is left to the individual realtor. Other examples would include independent contractors in construction, technology, computers, sales, and even network marketers.

Another challenge is the independent contractor or small business owner who is responsible for creating the business routines and structure for themselves AND their employees. The adult with ADD often thrives on spontaneity and change but what happens when they have to establish guidelines and procedures for their employees or worse yet, when employees find that the ADD employer/manager is constantly changing the guidelines and procedures?

As wonderful as we adults with ADD can be and regardless of our great intentions, and creative ideas, as a rule we are likely to demonstrate poor self management of both time and money (income & expenses). But wait, there is help!

Coaching Tips -

·     Be truthful with yourself regarding your personal and business strengths & weaknesses

·     Share responsibilities with others that possess strengths to support your weaknesses

·     Create accountability to others –

o    hire an accountant or bookkeeper;

o    hire an assistant;

o    consider using a personal or business coach;

o    create an accountability buddy relationship with a friend, work colleague or other person.

o    Create an effective personal and work related system of routine and structure.

·   Ask for help. It could save your business and dramatically improve your life.

~ CoachRudy

**Feel free to share your comments, your personal experiences and solutions

Have you ever heard yourself or others remark, “There’s not enough time”? If you have, you’re certainly in good company. It’s not uncommon for ADHD adults to experience a shortage of both time and money in their lives. While it is true that most ADHD adults struggle with management of time and money, it’s also true that “management” may only be a partial intervention.

I was listening to a great tele-seminar recently by Shell Tain, Money Coach. Shell stressed the importance of the language that we express (both to ourselves and to others). This thinking also enters the realm of the “Law of Attraction”. If you’re not familiar with this concept then I suggest you explore this very powerful Law of Attraction.

Very simply, the Law of Attraction says that there is an abundance of everything. You need only ask for what you want. Now here’s the interesting part. Your language is crucial to what you receive. If your language is “I don’t have ENOUGH” … then that’s just what you get. You’ll receive “enough”, “just enough”, “not enough”, and so on…

Shell suggests that we all become very conscious of our language and substitute the word ENOUGH with the word PLENTY. It’s that simple and yet it like take practice to change what I refer to as our ‘default’ language. Give it a try and see what happens.

The other day I was running behind to an appointment. (yes, the Coach was running behind schedule). Anyway, as I was rushing to my appointment I found myself thinking, “I’m running behind schedule. I don’t have enough time and I’m NOT likely to arrive on time”. BUT just as I uttered those words I heard my language. I immediately replaced my statement with something more affirming, “I’ve got plenty of time and I’ll arrive with plenty of time before my appointment”. As it turned out, I arrived five minutes before the appointment.

This is not to say that practicing proper management of our time and money is not important. However, you may also want to consider the “Law of Attraction”; consider your choice of language and it’s relationship to the results you’re currently attracting into your life.

To more fully understand the “Law of Attraction” your may refer to the following sources:

• Book: “The Law of Attraction” by Esther and Jerry Hicks
• Book:  “Law of Attraction by Michael J. Losier
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_(2006_film) 

With Independence Day on the horizon, let us take a moment to focus upon the concept of FREEDOM as it may pertain to the adult with ADHD.

Emotional Freedom - Allow yourself a break by taking some time for yourself during this festive weekend. Treat yourself to something special. Take a walk in the woods. Unplug from the grind of ‘doing’ and simply allow yourself to “BE”. Spend quality time with loved ones. If you’re a single adult with ADHD, take yourself out for a special date…with yourself.

Another means of emotional freedom is to grant yourself permission to be gentle toward self. Learn to laugh at your sometimes amusing and colorful ADD ways. As a collective of people with shared traits

Freedom of Time – Adults with ADHD tend to have an abundance of thoughts, things to do, projects to complete and more. Give yourself the ultimate present. There is no greater gift than that of being ‘present’ in the current moment. Shut everything else off and just be present with your current thought. Take a deep breath and allow yourself to be fully present with that special person in your life. Close your eyes and be fully present to everything that is happening within you and around you in this very moment.

Another aspect of Freedom of Time is to learn to effectively manage your time. We each have the same amount of time so don’t allow yourself to be a victim to your runaway time. Managed effectively, you’ll find ‘freedom’ to engage in your favorite activities and pleasures. 

Freedom of Well-Being – When it comes to health and fitness, remember that facts prove exercise and eating well can add longevity and quality of life. For the adult with ADHD exercise can contribute to a healthy mind and a sharper focus. The main thing is that exercise should be fun. It shouldn’t feel like punishment.

When it comes to ‘Well-Being’, Spirit is the third component to the full triad of Body, Mind and Spirit.  Prayer, meditation, yoga and mindfulness are all healthy ways to nurture and enliven the Spirit within.

Freedom of Self – Grant yourself permission to BE who you are. Friends and family sometimes wish us to be something or someone other than our true nature. While it’s important to ‘show-up’ and tend to our responsibilities to self and others, it’s also important to honor our ADDness. Don’t fight or resist what is. There are several gifts in our ADDness. Be grateful, acknowledge and nurture your ADDness.

Enjoy your 4^th of July celebration wherever you may be. Freedom is a wonderful thing. Embrace it dearly, for not everyone in the world will share this jubilant experience.

~CoachRudy

Yesterday, I started my washing machine and also ran water in my sink to wash dishes. Well, I sat down at the computer, kept hearing water running, and thought it was the washing machine. I looked in the kitchen, and there was about an inch of water on the floor and the sink was overflowing. The washer had gone through a cycle with no clothes in it.  Gotta laugh!!!!!!! I’ve done this before except it was the bath tub. I had walked by computer and it was screaming, “Surf me! Surf me!”

Submitted by: MD (ADHD Adult)

I heard this fascinating report on the NPR/BBC News report a few nights ago. I was sent this article today. This reminds me of Dr. Hartmans ADD theory about ‘Hunters and Farmers’.

“ScienceDaily (Jun. 10, 2008) — A propensity for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might be beneficial to a group of Kenyan nomads, according to new research. Scientists have shown that an ADHD-associated version of the gene DRD4 is associated with better health in nomadic tribesmen, and yet may cause malnourishment in their settled cousins.”

 For the complete article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080609195604.htm

~ CoachRudy