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ADD – ADHD: Getting Unstuck, Changing Your Mindset

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

I started to do research on omega-3 fatty acids when I realize that I went into it with a preconceived idea of what I was going to find. Now, those who do research know that this approach is the antithesis of a good research mindset. Of course, the purpose of research is to be open to new information. Certainly, having a hypothesis that you want to prove or disprove can be part of the research process. In any case, I “know” all of the above, but apparently I forgot. What I do recognize is that when I say that I “know” something, but am not acting based on that knowledge, then I do not really know it! At least, I do not know it in…

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ADD – ADHD: Lessons Learned From Starbucks

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

I've just finished reading The Starbuck Experience by Joseph Michelli in which he details the 5 principles that he believes are the underpinning for all of the business decisions that are made by the Starbuck's employees from the CEO to the servers. Initially, I picked up the book because I was interested in the business application of the information. As I began reading, however, the application for those of us with AD/HD became readily apparent. Though I never gave it much thought, in hindsight, I can now say that almost all of the baristas I've encountered at Starbucks have been very welcoming and gracious. I now know that this is, in part, due to the values that they ascribe to and share with their colleagues; some…

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ADD – ADHD: You Never Win When You Fight Reality.

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Communication, ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

Do you ever fight reality? "ADDers" are notorious for fighting against reality, and are also probably familiar with some of the following habits: ruminating excessively about something that happened in the past that you have no control over becoming angry or sad over someone else's action(s) and not being able to gain control over your emotions in reasonable amount of time spending an extraordinary amount of time thinking about how you want things to be different. doing any or all of the above and not exerting control over those matters that are within your power to change. Sometimes, we do the best we can and "stuff" happens; we have no control in these cases, but still have to deal with the end results. Other times…

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ADD – AD/HD: Trying Harder Can Be A Recipe for Trouble!

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

Today is one of those days when trying harder just seems to make things worse. I spent most of the morning trying harder, to no avail. My laptop crashed this morning. I was really upset, as I imagine many of you might be, too. I wanted a quick fix, which was just not going to happen, of course. As I got more and more wound up, I realized what I needed to do. I needed to take a step back and think. When I took a step back, I realized that none of the issues involved in not having my laptop were insurmountable. I called the tech support. They promised to come soon, really. In the mean time I’ll do the best I can in…

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ADD – ADHD: Following The Rules Can Be Hard

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

In my last post, I wrote about following the rules. I asserted that, as long as you are being intentional and aware of the consequences, you should make the choices that are best for you. Sometimes, like this morning, I don’t follow the rules and I wish I had. Sometimes, as is the case with many ADDers, I just don’t pay attention. So, I thought about these cases. This morning I was trying to finish up my taxes, which I thought would not be that hard. After all, my accountant had clearly listed the instructions and, even put a sticky, “Sign Here,” where I was supposed to sign. In my usual fashion, I skimmed the instructions. I am sure that skimming is not recommended when…

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ADD – ADHD: You Don’t Have Follow The Rules!

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

I am not much of a “rule follower,” as many of my close friends and family members can confirm. The other day, my daughter and I were having a conversation about whether it is good to do your own thing and not be a follower. In the course of our conversation, she told me that she thought that I just did my own thing most of the time. As I thought about this, I decided that she was only partially right. What she has not gleaned from watching me is that sometimes I will decide to take a particular action based on my understanding of the possible consequences, as my well the “rightness” or “wrongness” of the rule. I always encourage my clients to carefully…

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ADD-ADHD: What Do You Really Want To Understand?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, Blog

“Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.” ~Unknown When I read this quote, a lot of questions starting running though my head: What does this say about perfectionist tendencies? How does limiting the scope of what we do help to accomplish what is important? How does focusing on becoming better in a few areas, rather than many, help us feel more successful? How does doing too much lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed? How can we apply, “need to know basis,” to what we choose to focus on at any one time? I am sure that I could come up with more questions, but I think that is enough for now. What other questions occur to you? What really resonated for…

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ADD Foibles: Oops, Did I Misread That?

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

Ok, just for the record, I do not really follow sports and am not much of a spectator, unless I’m watching my daughter. So, why I am reading Sports business daily? Good question, thanks for asking. I am interested in the human interest side of sports. You know, like following the exploits of A-Rod and Madonna… In this case, it was the reporting about Major League players and their use of stimulants for AD/HD, as reported in this article that caught my attention. And you know, it is hard to catch my attention… As I was preparing to write this blog, I realized that I had misread the article. So then I decided that I was going to use the article, anyway. There is nothing…

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Rx and College Students with AD/HD

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

While engaging in my favorite morning ritual of drinking coffee, writing and listening to NPR, I heard this report, "More Students Turning Illegally To ‘Smart’ Drugs," on Morning Edition. I was not surprised to hear of the illegal use of Adderall and Ritalin by college students. I knew that this was occurring when I worked at Boston University. While I was not surprised, I was immediately concerned about how people would interpret this report, especially after hearing from a college senior with ADD, who had a monthly prescription for Adderall. He says that he rarely uses the 60 pills he gets each month, unless he needs to "pull an all-nighter." Instead, he says:"I usually just give it to my friends. I don’t really want to…

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ADD – ADHD: Preventing Hard Drive Crashes

ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, Blog

At some point most of us have had to deal with a computer that is running too slowly. So, typically, we clean the hard drive in order for the computer to run faster and smother; the idea is to create extra free space. First, we analyze our hard drive, and then decide what items to keep and what items to delete. When you have AD/HD and your brain is full of information, like tasks and ideas, you may feel overwhelmed when faced with making these decisions when it comes to your life. When you do make these choices, though, you will be amazed at the extra free space. We all are faced with too many options. Thinking about today, I could: meet with clients, clean…