adhd coaching

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    Adult ADHD and Money – Personal Finance Part 3

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

    Being able to follow through on your values as they relate to money, the topic of my last post, can be a challenge if you are an Adult with ADHD. So, it is particularly important that you have the right structures in place. Because structures are the bridge between your intentions and the finish line, and will make follow through on your financial goals easier. But I know that, even though ADHD may be the common denominator for those who are reading this article, the financial challenges are varied. Consequently, some of the challenges and suggested solutions apply to you and others don’t. My hope is that this article will serve as a starting point for you to dig deeper into those areas that are…

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    Adult ADHD and Money – Personal Finance Part 2

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

      Emotions and money was the subject of the last post. A suggestion. Read that one, Adult ADHD and Money – Personal Finance Part 1, if you have not already. Then, if managing your money with greater ease is one of your goals, the next step is getting clarity around your values as they relate to money. But maybe you are thinking, “I don’t need to read about emotions and values. What I need is “real help” getting a handle on my spending, budgeting, investing, saving and paying bills on time, etc. Real life money stuff… I get it. You want to cut to the chase… If you don’t already have a good enough handle on these money matters, you want to deal with them…

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    Adult ADHD and Money – Personal Finance Part 1

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

      For most people money or finances, along with relationships and career, is one of those hot-button topics. What comes to mind when you think about money? Stop reading for a moment, and take 30 seconds to write down all the words that come to mind. Any surprises? If you are interested in getting a handle on your finances, you may assume your challenges with finances are due to the same executive function challenges that impact other aspects of your life. And, in part, this is true, for sure. In fact, if you Google “ADHD and money,” you’ll find lots of articles on budgeting, planning, controlling spending – money management. This makes sense because these are the topics many adults with ADHD, and perhaps you,…

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    Change Your Brain and Manage Your Anger

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Emotional Regulation, Blog

    A couple of weeks ago I was driving through the Boston area during rush hour. I normally try to avoid driving in rush hour. But my parents were visiting, and we were going to my sister’s for dinner. We experienced what you would imagine happens during rush hour in any large urban area. Traffic moving at a snail’s pace… So, arriving at my sister’s 1½ hours after leaving home was not a surprise. And, when stuck in traffic I try to hold the perspective that it is what it is. And it is also a good time to listen to NPR. If my daughter is up for it, we might even have a conversation sparked by one of the shows. I’d say that is a…

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    When an ADHD Diagnosis is a Great Thing

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Symptoms & Diagnosis, Blog

      “After living with ADD for many years I started believing that I was lazy, stupid, and crazy.” Before being diagnosed with ADHD you may have believed, like my former client quoted above, that there was something wrong with you and maybe even that there was nothing you could do about it. While it will likely take you time to adjust to your ADHD diagnosis, as you go through the stages of coping , it can be the beginning of a journey that can turn your life around. And you can start to create a life you enjoy and where you are able to thrive. Oh, That’s Why! Many, if not most of the people I work with individually and in groups already have an…

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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…

  • ADHD and Knowing Your Next Action Step

    ByMarla Cummins Blog

      In my last post, I suggested using David Allen’s Six Level Model as a starting point for answering the question, “What work should I do?” And, if you’ve used this model before, you may have had an easier time answering the questions at the higher levels than at the 10,000 foot and runway levels. This should be no surprise. As an adult with ADHD creating a “big vision” typically comes easier than making more immediate decisions about what you are going to work on now. You may even on occasion have said about yourself, “I’m a big vision kind of person.” But how do you get to that big vision? 10, 000 Foot Level – Projects Part of what leads to overwhelm for adults…

  • ADHD and Deciding What Work To Do

    ByMarla Cummins Blog

      One of the biggest challenges for many adults with ADHD when it comes to executing is deciding what work to do. Ideally, what work you decide to do is dictated by your priorities. And your priorities come from knowing what is important to you. But for many adults with ADHD, an inordinate amount of your time may be taken up by the urgent, especially until you learn to work better with your ADHD. And, if your day to day life feels somewhat out of control, it can feel impossible to even think about what is truly important to you – never mind taking action in those spheres. As a result the important stuff (time with family, professional/business development, self-care, community involvement, etc.) continually gets…

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    Getting Strategies and Tools To Work With Your ADHD

    ByMarla Cummins ADHD Tools & Strategies, Blog

      Recently I was talking with a group of adults with ADHD. One person mentioned that when she is having challenges related to her ADHD she will take a step back before considering solutions, and remind herself, “It is my brain wiring.” This helps take her out of the realm of shame and blame. But, if you are like many adults with ADHD, you may try to address your challenges without first considering what would work best for your style, preferences… and, yes, brain wiring. And when you don’t see immediate improvements in your ability to follow through on what you’ve read or heard works for “everyone else,” you may say… Maybe you need to take a step back… I Can Implement “It” Like Everyone…

  • Rules and Accountability Stifle Me – I Have ADHD!

    ByMarla Cummins Blog

    You may find yourself reticent to adopting rules and structure for yourself because doing so may feel like it, well, just hems you in. For adults with ADHD too much structure can feel stifling, to be sure. And imposing the wrong kind of structure certainly may get in the way of your creative process. But the right kind and amount of rules and structure can also help you accomplish what is important to you. And rather than restricting you, they can free you from the stress, overwhelm and decision paralysis you may feel at times. This Is The Way I’ve Always Been In addition to, perhaps, feeling as though rules will box you in, you may also think you are just not cut out for…