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    The Impact of Emotions In Managing Your ADHD

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Emotional Regulation, Blog

      Compassion. Anger. Exhuberance. Frustration. Passion. Impulsiveness. Zealousness. These emotions are just a few we associate with people with ADHD. And you may often read how modulating emotions and managing frustrations can be a challenge for adults with ADHD. True. Yet, beyond this, the other issues related to emotions and ADHD are often not adequately addressed in treatment. This is a mistake. Because, as Dr. Thomas Brown highlights in his most recent book, Smart but Stuck – Emotions in Teens and Adults with ADHD, your emotions greatly impact your ability to carry out your various executive functions in both positive and negative ways. Let’s take a look… Executive Functions To start, below is an overview of Dr. Brown’s Model of Executive Functions Impaired in ADHD….

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    Want To Become The Best Version of Yourself, Too?

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

      What do you think of when trying to manage your ADHD? When starting down the path of managing their ADHD many adults, at least in the beginning, may assume they are broken. If this is the case for you, you may focus your time and energy on trying to fix yourself. Because that is what you do when something is broken. You fix it, right? But what if you decided you were not broken? What if instead you were able to adopt the perspective that you just operated differently? What if you decided to rely more on your strengths? Your approach to managing your ADHD could look quite different. Talents That Come Naturally To You The key to managing your ADHD is to  identify,…

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    6 Mistakes To Avoid When Managing Your ADHD

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Emotional Regulation, Blog

      When trying to create change there are common mistakes that people make. So, of course, as an adult with ADHD, you probably are making some of these same mistakes while you are trying to manage your ADHD. If you are making these missteps now, don’t worry. Because, as you become aware of them, you can learn how to sidestep them. And then the journey of learning to manage your ADHD will be far less frustrating, easier, and, yes, even enjoyable. #1 Thinking Your Challenges Are Like Everyone Else’s You may start your journey of managing your ADHD, as many do, by focusing on your challenges, telling yourself… But have you taken the time to learn how your brain works? That is, how are your…

  • Best of the Web – ADHD Blog Award

    ByMarla Cummins Blog

      Always grateful when I hear from readers how helpful my blog is for them. And, of course, it is also gratifying to be recognized by the wider community. Recently my blog was included in a list of Top 10 ADHD Blogs for 2014 by Psych Central with the following comment: Another coaching site worth its weight in proverbial gold is that of Marla Cummins. Quality content is delivered with clear diagrams. For example, the Important-Urgent Matrix is an excellent means of fostering productivity and the step-by-step description holds your attention. You’ll find plenty of practical strategies to add to your toolbox. Cummins writes with compassion, bringing the posts to life. This is a refreshing site if you are disinterested in reading the chatter around…

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    Is Shame About Your ADHD Holding You Back?

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Emotional Regulation, Blog

        One of the topics that comes up frequently in my work with Adults with ADHD, especially those diagnosed later in life, is shame. Well, no, not usually by name. But rather in the form of “I should be able to…” “I shouldn’t have…” “I am so ?#@*&%!…” You get it. While, of course, the origins of shame are different for everyone, there are ways in which ADHD inevitably contributes in some way to each person’s feelings of shame. And, if not addressed directly, these feelings hinder their ability to effectively learn to manage their ADHD. What is your experience dealing with shame related to your ADHD? What Is Shame? One way some have come to understand shame is to distinguish it from guilt….

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    Tips to Help ADHD Adults Choose the Right Task Manager

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

      In the previous post, Why Adults With ADHD Need A Task Manager, I shared with you the importance of a to-do list for ADHD adults. In this post I want to help you decide what kind of container might work best for you. My hope is that, at the very least, this provides you with food for thought. Because, while you absolutely need a container for your tasks, it does not matter what kind you choose. Paper Planners For ADHD Adults If you prefer paper, Planner Pad is a good option. As you think about your options, you might want to consider: What do you need in your paper planner? Electronic Planners for The Way Adults with ADHD Think If you are opting for an…

  • Why Adults With ADHD Need A Task Manager

    ByMarla Cummins Blog

    Decisions about where to put your tasks so you can remember and manage them can be confusing for many adults with ADHD. But, of course, you want to figure this out. Because you want it to be easier to manage and complete your important work. If you’re currently trying to keep tasks in your head, you know it is stressful and often doesn’t work. Because you need to remember to remember. And, if you’re keeping tasks in your head, you may remember them at some point. But it may not be at a time when you are able to act on them. Alternatively, maybe you have some sort of system to capture and see your tasks. But I imagine, if you’re reading this article, it…

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    3 Game Changing Routines For Adults With ADHD

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, Blog

      When you follow the right routines and rituals you will be able to manage your ADHD with greater ease. True, creating routines is really hard for a lot of people, especially adults with ADHD. You know that firsthand, I bet. You also already know that getting enough sleep, eating the right foods and exercising regularly are keys to treating your ADHD. So, I won’t go over that territory in this article. But the three routines below are one that you might not have given serious consideration to, yet, as a means of managing your ADHD. But I hope you will consider adopting them. Because they might be game changers for you. Time to Think Creatively When you want to think at a high level…

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    ADHD and 20 Ways to Remember What You Want

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

      For adults with ADHD, not being able to remember their intentions is what can sometimes get in the way of following through. I know from plenty of personal experience with forgetting everything from the mundane to the important, it can be really frustrating. But, rather than berate yourself because you think you should have a better memory, you can adopt workarounds to help you remember what you need and minimize your frustration. Below, I’ve curated a lengthy list of possible options you can apply to the various situations in your life. And, if you can think of more, please share below. Short-Term and Long-Term Memory First, a little bit about why you may have such a hard time remembering information at the time you…

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    Adult ADHD Product Review – ADD CrusherTM

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

      If you compare how Alan Brown of ADD Crusher™ and I provide information about ADHD, you will notice immediately that he and I definitely “roll” differently. And this is a great thing for the ADHD community that we both strive to support. Because, while ADHD is the common denominator, we all have different preferences when it comes to taking in and using information to make changes in our lives. That is why it is so refreshing to hear Alan’s voice among those reaching out to help adults manage their ADHD. Among all the available credible and useful ADHD resources the ADD Crusher series definitely makes an important contribution. It may be just what you are looking for! There are a few reasons why the…