Posts

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    ADD – ADHD: How Do You Motivate Yourself?

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

    I received the following question from a client this week. “Are you willing to share how you pull yourself out of those “can’t get anything done” spots?” I did my best to answer. What do you do? I’m sure that you can add to this list. Sometimes, I act “as if,” which comes from a Hebrew term I learned. That is I do one thing even if intellectually I’m thinking it does not matter. I set a minimum goal for the day, if I’m not feeling productive. For example, even if I am in a hole, I make sure that I take care of my active clients. It is not enough to keep a business going, but some days are just like that… Other times,…

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    ADD – AD/HD: Yes I Can!

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Emotional Regulation, Blog

    Today is Martin Luther King Day. It is a day when we not only remember the legacy of MLK, but it is also a day when we remember that there is still work to do to make this a truly just world. Tomorrow Barak Obama will be inanugrated as the first African American president. Yes, it is monumentally historic, but our collective work is not done, yet. Today and tomorrow are about hope, as much as they are about the results of a dream. While I am realistic about the challenges that we face as a nation, I am hopeful, though. I am hopeful because, regardless of the speed or results of the changes, we may once again be a country based on values that…

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    ADD – ADHD: Succeeding – With A Little Help From Our Friends

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Organization, Blog

    For people with ADHD, one of the key strategies used to reach goals is accountability to other people. If you have help, could you progress further on your goals than if you are only accountable to yourself? Use the following questions to help you decide. Do you do better when someone is working with you or just keeping you company? Would you be more likely to keep your commitments, if you tell a trusted person of your plans and ask them to check in with you as you progress? Is it helpful for you to talk about your plans aloud? If you are curious, try experimenting. Ask for help from someone who you think will be truly helpful and non judgmental. For people with ADHD…

  • ADD – ADHD: Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions, Please.

    ByMarla Cummins Blog

    New Year’s resolutions do not work for most people; they especially do not work for those of us with AD/HD. It can set us up for failure, rather than success, when it is just wishful thinking, like: I’m going to exercise. I’m going to lose weight. I’m going to get a better job. If you are serious about making a change, create a goal. We need a process, a strategy that leads to a result. The goal is the end result, not the strategy. Here is how I am defining goal: 1. It is your own. You have made the decision that this is something you want, and are invested in achieving. Maintaining motivation to achieve a goal that is interesting is challenging enough when…

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    ADD – AD/HD and Work: Should I disclose

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

    I was at a meeting where the discussion turned to whether or not people with AD/HD should disclose to people at work that they have AD/HD. I came away thinking that, well, it depends. Sorry, but this is an area that does not lend itself to easy answers. Using the following will help you as you consider your options. You do have a choice. Deciding whether to disclose:I may want to disclose because:I hope that the outcome of disclosing is:I will talk to people I trust and can discuss with me all of the potential implications of disclosing. These people are:If I am still not clear on the implication and have more questions, I may talk to: I have decided to disclose and this is…

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    Managing the Holidays – Thoughts About Thanksgiving

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Communication, Blog

    Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the U.S. If you are celebrating, you may be looking forward to it as an opportunity to give thanks for all that you are grateful for in your life. At the same time, you may be feeling some trepidation because you are anticipating the potential for discord that can happen when families gather. Notice how you feel about spending the holiday with family and/or friends when you hold either thought, grateful or potential for discord. Just as it is your choice to hold either thought, it is your choice to set your own boundaries and take care of yourself. How does it feel to be grateful for what you have and be able to take care of yourself? Really, it is…

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    ADD – AD/HD: How Much Control Do You Want

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Time Management, Blog

    We can choose how we spend our time, even more than some of us are willing to recognize. In doing so, we may also need to decide how much control we are willing to give up in order to do what is most important to us with our time. That is, we may be able to make a change, but may choose not to because that is not how we want to spend our time. Remember, we cannot do it all! I know that you know that your time is limited. My question for you is: What do you want to control and where are you willing to give up control? It is your time… This idea is captured beautifully by Dr. Edward Hallowell in…

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    ADD – ADHD Group Coaching

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Treatment Options, Blog

    Have you thought about ADD Group Coaching? Starting in February, you will have the opportunity to join a group of like minded individuals, while working toward your individual goals. As space is limited, if you are interested, please contact me soon. While I am sure there are more reasons, below are 15 reasons to consider joining an ADD – ADHD Coaching Group: 1.     Opportunity to share and receive support and valuable, unbiased feedback in a collective area of interest 2.     Learn from the experience and expertise of others 3.     The accountability and support of coaching 4.     A sounding board for specific problematic issues 5.     Source of collective energy, which provides you with increased energy and motivation 6.     Increased accountability from commitment to the group 7.     Confidentiality…

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    Letter to Parents from Teacher With ADHD

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD in the Workplace, Blog

    As an adult with ADD and a former teacher, I feel comfortable sharing the letter below. My intent is in keeping with what I believe is the intent of the author, a good laugh! As you know from my previous post, laughter is healthy as long as it is not meant to demean anyone. As the author is unknown, I can not give proper credit. To whomever wrote this, thank you! To all who read this, please enjoy. Last, to all you teachers with ADD, perhaps you will see a little bit of truth in this letter. Letter From Teacher With ADHD To Parents Dear Parents: I am very pleased to be your child’s teacher this year and look forward to working with both you…

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    “Laugh Therapy”: ADD – AD/HD

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

    I love to laugh. People who know me can attest to the fact my laugh can be, well, loud. Laughing is healthy, as long as it isn’t done to avoid a serious issue or to demean someone else. It certainly is a great way to reduce stress. So, go ahead and laugh at yourself, humorous ideas and life’s absurdities, but, please, do not laugh at other people. Having ADD, I have many opportunities to laugh at myself, and I take full advantage of them. Here is part of a recent conversation between my daughter and me: G: What are we going to do on my day off from school? Marla: What day off? G: Tomorrow… Marla: Really, you don’t have school tomorrow? G: Remember… Marla:…