ADD and Stress: How Do You Manage?

This past week I was faced with a complex situation involving my daughter where I needed to think clearly, dispassionately and swiftly.

I wanted to share a bit of this with you because I know how challenging it can be for someone with ADD to process this way in the best of circumstances.

Lessons Learned

In my efforts to respond to this, I learned or confirmed some important lessons.

1. It was important to talk to people who I respected, as they offered multiple perspectives that I was not able to see in the moment.

2. In talking to many people, professionals , family and friends, I clarified all of the various important issue that needed to be addressed.

3. Over the course of many conversations, at each juncture, I focused on the most important issue for that moment.

4. As I focused on each issue, I clarified my objectives with respect to that particular concern.

5. As much as I could, I took the actions that supported my objectives. When I lost my way, which I did, I asked for help in determining how to best get back on course.

And continued to table the rest of the issues.

To be sure, it was hard to maintain this kind of laser focus, as it was a very important emotional time. I just kept asking myself:

What is important? What do I need to do now?

So did all of that clear thinking work? Up to a certain point it did  Then it became too overwhelming. At that point, I asked someone who I respected and who knew me well to step in and become my voice.

The Journey Continues

The journey is not over, but after this experience I feel more capable of dealing with chaotic situations. I think I am having growing pains from all of the learning!

Can you think of a time when a strategy, like this, would have helped you navigate a tricky time in your life?

Feel free to share!