Do you have hidden strengths? D you have hidden weaknesses? Do you have goals? If you answered “yes” to these questions, it is time to do a little excavating. If your strengths are hidden, you cannot leverage them in order to use them effectively in reaching your goals. Likewise, if you do not know your weaknesses, you cannot improve or manage them so that they do get in your way.
Do you know how you spend your time? Many with ADD find that time is somewhat elusive. That is, there is now and not now (later). The first step in getting a handle on time is to discover how you are spending it now. Dr. Neil Fiore, in his book, THE NOW HABIT, suggest keeping a log for at least three days of how you actually spend your time. After doing this, you can better understand where you time is going, and make an informed decisions about how you want to spend your time. To do this, divide the day into segments that make sense for you. Below is an example of how “Tammy” spent her day.
I should be able to get ready in 15 minutes. I should be able to find my keys. I should be able to get to the meeting by 10:30. I should be able to handle all of my tasks. Fighting What Is On occasion, I observe my clients and myself fighting reality by holding onto a story, like those above. By continuing to believe that we should be able to do something, we may resist finding solutions to the challenges of our ADD. I used to claim that I should be able to drive my daughter to school in the morning in ½ an hour. I told myself this story for almost a whole year! Finally, I admitted that it really takes 40 minutes. I…
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.
An old friend recently presented me with a “business proposal” (see below). I decided, with his permission, to respond in a public forum because I think others will be interested in this discussion. …your references to ADD (while it’s your specialty) appear to be targeted at those already diagnosed. What about those cases undiagnosed, or activities in the workplace that could lead to ADD-like behaviors. I’m writing because i think there might be an opportunity here, not sure if you’ve considered it – that of conducting a business workshop in recognizing ADD-like behaviors and correcting them. I’m speaking of things like multi-tasking, which is almost a requirement at places like – (company name omitted). While it may appear to make one more efficient, it comes…
If you have ADD, you might be saying, “Of course I know how to take risk! Impulsive is my middle name!” Ba-da-bum! Taking calculated risks and being impulsive are animals of a different stripe, however. According to Merriam-Webster, a calculated risk is: “planned or contrived to accomplish a purpose.” Hmm… planning. Not a very thrilling prospect, I know. Being somewhat prone to impulsiveness, I know that it can sometimes work to my advantage. I also have enough experiences, and the scars to prove it, to know that being impulsive can often hinder me in being true to my values and accomplishing what is important to me.
It is impossible to reach perfection. You can’t buy it with effort or money. Yet, we try. Some people believe that whatever they try will never be good enough. Others are fearful that if they do attain success, they may not be able to replicate it. The belief that they may be rejected by others, if they are not perfect, leads others to try to be perfect. What are the costs? In an attempt to do it “just right” you spend time spent on tasks that are not really important to you. And you do not spend time doing what you say is important to you. You may choose not to take risk, whether personal or professional, because of the belief that the effort and…
Omega-3 fatty acids have been touted by many as an effective supplemental treatment for ADD. While there is no conclusive scientific evidence at this time to support this claim, there are many supportive studies and a great deal of anecdotal evidence that have shown promising results for treating ADD. It worthwhile to investigate and consider increasing the amount of omega-3s to your diet, particularly the EPA and DHA forms. Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), essential to the health of your body, including your brain. In fact, your brain is about 60 percent fat, with Omega-3s being the most abundant fat in your brain. Moreover, omega-3 is critical for effective communication and transmission between brain cells. Yet, in western industrial countries sufficient amounts Omega-3…
In my previous article, Diet and ADD: Do You Know The Connection?, I wrote the about how eating the right amount of complex carbohydrates can play a supporting role in managing ADD symptoms. Just in case you have not read it, yet, I want to reiterate my suggestion regarding the need for due diligence on your part. That is, you may need to experiment to find the right diet, as there is no prescribed “ADD diet.” Furthermore, you may want to see a nutritionist in helping to create a plan that works for you. When thinking about protein in terms of how it can help manage your ADD symptoms, there are few important factors to consider. Alert and Focused There is enough credible evidence…
While my expertise is in ADD, not in the complexities of nutrition or the chemistry of food, I have learned a fair amount about the effects of eating specific types of food on ADD symptoms. So, over the next few post, I will share what I know. While it may appear that I am equivocating, it is important to note that, while supported by some research, most of what is known about ADD and diet is anecdotal. Therefore, it is important that you practice due diligence in figuring out the right diet for yourself. You may need to experiment before finding the right balance. If you are unsure about the right diet, engage the support of a nutritionist. A nutritionist can help you distill the…