Tim Tebow seems to be all the rage in the news today. From his message of faith to perserverance to there is much we can learn. Now I’ll admit, I don’t watch the news much. I’ve heard rumblings of Tim Tebow and “Tebowing” but I don’t fall too much into the hype and at one point, I’ll admit I had had enough of this “miracle” man and his story of being a great athelete we should all look up to.

But this past Saturday morning, the news was on in the background and I heard a little about his story. It caught my attention and it made me realize, Tim Tebow can teach us a lot about ADHD.

If I understand things correctly, Tim Tebow thrived at the University of Florida, winning two National Championships and the coveted Heismann Trophy.

He was a sports hero, and since moving to Florida, I have learned this state is very loyal to their athletes and to their football teams. Tebow is both.

So what does Tim Tebow have to do with ADHD?

Well…everything and nothing. It all depends on where you choose to stand, and how you choose to look at things.

After a great career in college, NFL scouts, coaches, and commentators didn’t believe this young man had what it would take to thrive in the NFL. I heard something about his passing style and how it didn’t fit.

Then I heard Tebow talk about his faith… His perserverance… The influence from his parents… His values to try his best.

That’s when I realized Tim Tebow has everything to do with ADHD.

Here’s a man who thrives in the right environment. We know this to be true about individuals with ADHD. Put them in the right environment, allow them to do something they are passionate about, and build a team of support around them… WATCH OUT! A person with ADHD can thrive, succeed, and dominate.

Does Tim Tebow have ADHD? Heck if I know. And if that’s the message you are getting, I am NOT doing a good job explaining why he matters.

It’s NOT about his brain. It’s NOT about his “inability.” It’s NOT about his ability.

Tim Tebow and the ADHD connection is all about an individual thriving under the right circumstances.

Tim Tebow doesn’t let the critics change who he is. He doesn’t allow people to take him (the sqaure peg) and force him through the round hole.

Tim Tebow’s Miracle Comeback

On the news, there was even talk about his marketing potential. How could the business world capitalize on the celebrity of Tim Tebow to sell more products…

One marketing and branding expert said, Tim Tebow needs to stick to brands that fit who he is. He needs to find companies that match his personal beliefs and morals.

Sounds a lot like this branding expert is suggesting Tim Tebow not sell out!

Well…we need to teach our children (and their teachers, and other professionals) that we shouldn’t ask our children to sell themselves out.

Children with ADHD need to be lifted up for who they are, accepted for who they are not. And believed in just the same.

For every child in the right environment can and will flourish. The challenge is often finding that environment, and having enough people believe in them to lift them and help them thrive.

Can you do that for your child?

This morning I had the great pleasure of meeting someone who has forever changed my life.

Her Name Is Dawn Johnson
http://www.selfesteemqueen.com

There are few people in this world who have literally changed the way I view life. Dawn is one of them, and I can’t wait for you to meet her.  She is a living, breathing messenger who is here to really change the way you see the world, the way you see your children, and the way you see how all of the “rules” in life should be shattered.

According to Dawn’s story, she shouldn’t even really be here with us today.  Having grown up in a very difficult environment, with a colorful past, most people would have written her off.  And from the sounds of it, a lot of people did.

But not Dawn!  Dawn never gave up on herself.

Thank god for that!

Will You Conform?  Or will you fight?

Dawn’s story is inspirational on so many levels.  And I’ll leave many of the details for her to share with you.  But what I think is most relevant to parents and anyone working with children..

Always look deeper

Never settle for what you think you see on the outside.  Never stand for labels, and never forget how complex children are on the inside.

Just when you think you have someone figured, or that you know what they are going through, back up and ask them how they are feeling…

Forget everything you have been taught.  Forget all the hardships you have personally fought, and never compare yourself to anyone else. Never take for granted the life that you can save.

This morning I woke up and was feeling incredibly anxious about something so trivial, something so meaningless.  Really!  I actually was falling into a bad place.

One person changed all that, with just a smile…

After just 5 minutes on the phone…  I had completely forgotten what was on my mind.  And after that call, I had forgotten that I had been anxious.  I only remember as I started sharing the remarkable call I had just finished with Dawn.

One person really can make a difference!  Will you be that one person?  Will you be that one person who can change the life of a child?

It wasn’t long ago that I didn’t believe in the power of just one person. And it was even less than that where I didn’t believe that energy and passion mattered. But today I know those are actually the two most important factors I look for in people.

I don’t care about education… I don’t care about accomplishment… I don’t care about money… And I don’t care about fancy things…

When I need someone in my life to make an impact – I want someone who has lived and NOT just read about it in a book.

What will you teach your children today?

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When I got started in the ADHD community, I did it to educate, inspire, and support parents and children.  I felt that too many people were being labeled or mislabeled.  I found that people being labeled as ADHD (or diagnosed with ADHD) were having major events in their lives overlooked, and simply attributed to their ADHD.  It drove me nuts!

ADHD is a way of understanding differences.  That’s all there is to it.  ADHD might provide an explanation for how you respond to events, or struggle in certain areas of life.  But it does not account for everything you experience.

ADHD Is Real

All I know is that ADHD is real.  I might have it… I might not.  But what I do know, is that I have always been different…  I will always be different, and I am proud of that.

What is normal anyway?

When I started thinking about whether or not I really do have ADHD, I drove myself crazy trying to “make sense of my life.”  And then it hit, I understand my life already.  I am already successful.  So whatever I am doing has been working.

My whole life I have heard, “Imagine what you could do if only you applied yourself?”

My answer, now and then, “I might screw up.”

Focus On What Really Counts…

Let’s focus more on what we can do and are doing, rather than what we should be doing.

Let’s spend more time giving people the support they want and need, rather than trying to rescue them.

While ADHD affects many people, and it can have a profound impact on school, social, work, and more…  For many people it can be just a natural part of life.  Really… it can be.

I’m sorry to all the people who feel the need to label one another and classify us as if we are in need of a new categories and classifications.

Let’s look at one another as people with certain challenges, and unique talents.  And then let’s focus on being successful by knowing how or helping others to use those unique talents.

Some people just aren’t meant to sit in an office for 40+ hours a week.  And I am one of those people…

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It’s time for me to set the record straight.  I am often asked, “Do you have ADHD?”  All my life I have said no, and for good reason…no one told me I did.  Or at least I was listening to them…  Yea, maybe that’s it!

Now it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room.

All my life I have been dodging labels…  And for a good portion of my life, I have been fighting the label associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  In fact, during my recent ADHD Strategy Series , I professed that I did not have ADHD.

So what is it then?

I’ve known my whole life that I have been different.  I know that I do things differently, and I tend to upset some people along the way.  I don’t really follow the rules…but I don’t blatantly break them either.  You might say I create my own set of rules¹.  That’s never been a problem for me, and it’s never caused a problem in my life (at least to any degree that I cared).

I’ve been called “gruff” and “forthright,” but for all the people I apparently upset, there are many who like knowing where they stand with me.  You’ll never have to worry about that with me.

To truly have ADHD, according to the DSM-IV, symptoms need to cause “significant impairment” in life.

That’s where I have a problem with ADHD.

Has it interfered with my life?  Nope!  I have never been fired…  Never had detention in school…  Never missed appointments…  And was never a behavioral problem…

I have very rewarding relationships and enjoy life for the most part.  Does that mean I don’t have my fair share of struggles?  Not at all!

In fact, as a child, I was identified as gifted and talented.  I was given every opportunity to succeed, and people even embraced my differences.

Hmm…  Could that have helped me?

According to a lot of people I respect, including many of my colleagues in the ADHD community, I do in fact have ADHD.  And if that’s the case, I’m in good company.  Many of the people I respect the most in this world, have ADHD.  So I take it as a compliment.

Tomorrow: I’ll continue unraveling this thread a little bit further…

1. Author and investor, Robert T. Kiyosaki, shares in one of his books that to be truly successful in life, you must create your own rules.

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Yep!  I am talking about Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

Not only did he shatter the history books last night…  But he did it overcoming adversity as well.

The Most Decorated Olympian In History!

In his first race of the night, Michael Phelps made history by winning his 10th Gold Medal of his Olympic Career.  Until this point, no other athlete has done that.  EVER!  Think about that for a moment…

In 149 years of the Olympics, no athlete has ever won that many Gold Medals.  No other athlete has performed at this level (top of their game) with such consistency, tenacity, and respect for himself and the sport.

Today, Michael Phelps is in a class of his own stands alone.  Although something tells me he doesn’t worry about that.  Michael (I’ll call him Michael as if we are friends), doesn’t strike me as a person to walk around gloating and thinking too highly of himself.  In fact, he seems like a pretty down to Earth, humble person who is just proud to do what he loves!

Overcoming Adversity!

Last night, after his victory, Michael Phelps simply took off his cap and goggles…and gently tossed them away.  He tossed them away, and we all experienced what we thought was a sigh of relief.  Michael never complained, he never gave hint that anything was wrong, and his swimming certainly didn’t show it!

On top of all the pressure!  On top of all the expectations we have for Michael Phelps…  He also had to overcome his goggles filling with water as he entered the pool for his record shattering 10th Gold Medal!  How about that?

If you aren’t a swimmer, or if you have never had that happen – I can tell you that it is NOT one bit comfortable when water hits your eyes and is trapped there by swimming goggles.  No thanks!

By the way, after reaching this tremendous landmark (and overcoming adversity), Mr. Phelps got back in the pool less than an hour later to help lead his team to victory yet again.  Gold Medal #11

Thank you Michael for all that you do!

Respect, Honor, Humility…

I wasn’t sure if I was going to include this, but I just can’t leave without it.  For all the negatives (thought and) said about people with ADHD, here is a role model for all of us who exemplifies all the values we try to instill upon our children each and every day.

Thank you Michael!  And thank you to Mrs. Phelps!  Enjoy your glory, although something tells me you have more work to do!  America thanks you both (along with the rest of the world I am sure)!

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There is nothing more stunning and awe-inspiring than seeing an incredibly talented individual follow their dreams and passion for life.  But perhaps of greater inspiration is when someone opens up their personal life and personal struggles to reveal that it is NOT always as easy as it appears…

Enter Michael Phelps.

If you don’t know who this young man is by now, you might want to start paying attention!  (No pun intended).  Michael Phelps  is an Olympic athlete who is on the verge of making history.  And while at first this might not be so entertaining for you, perhaps the fact that he is doing this all while struggling with ADHD his entire life.

Some have said that Michael Phelps might just be the public face of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that the world needs today!  With all the negative talk about people with ADHD, here comes a young man who is on the verge of becoming “the most decorated Olympian in history.”

Let’s try that again (in different words):

Michael Phelps, an individual “struggling” with ADHD is on the verge of becoming the most decorated Olympian in history.

This is of course NO SMALL FEAT!

And perhaps what I love about Michael’s story more than anything else – the fact that he is already so successful while living with ADHD. His story is another (in a long line) of stories that breaks the mold, and this societal belief, that someone with ADHD does not have the potential to succeed.

If there is another definition for success, or what he has accomplished, please tell me!

Here’s a quote from his Mom:  “His ability to hyperfocus on swimming goals has made the difference in his success…”

So I guess there ARE qualities, after all, of ADHD that are more positive and can lead to success if harnessed properly.

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I don’t how many of you watched Oprah’s “Big Give” last night, but all I can say is WOW!  What an incredibly moving hour of television (except of course for those horrible judges).  But remove them from the picture, and what you got last night was one hour of what is possible if you have the dream or mission of making a difference for one person.

I spoke with a colleague of mine who commented on the show – “Think of all the people who could be helped.”

And sure enough, it led to this blog post.  Instead of making an impact on one person or one family, my colleague was suggesting that a greater impact could be realized had a larger group or organization been targeted to help and support.

But that’s okay, actually.  Because this is where you come in.  This is your chance to live your very own “Big Give” moment.  Only in this situation, you are going to GIVE BIG to yourself, to your family, and to your child!

In fact, as a parent, you have the opportunity to make a difference every single day.

I can’t tell you where to begin, or how to get started.  But what I can tell you, is that you have the unique gift of making a BIG difference in your child’s life everyday.  And if your child has ADHD – your gift can be as simple as giving him or her unconditional love, support, understanding, encouragement, and empathy.

Believe me – these “values” can make a tremendous difference.  You see – everyone else in the world will tell your child what is wrong with them.  Everyone else might just point out the “bad,” but you can tell your child – influence and inspire them – that they are special and that you care.  (And that anything is possible)…

It really can be that easy.  If you don’t believe – think for a moment how many people tell you on a given day how special you are…

Me?  I can count them on one hand…  And some of them (my two young children) don’t tell me, they show me!

What do you think?  I’d love to hear from you in the comments below:

When I sat down at the breakfast table this morning, I found myself staring at a book called “Chicken Soup for the Teacher’s Soul.”

Whether or not you have read this particular book – I have no doubt you are familiar with this series.  I have to tell you – it’s truly remarkable.  I’m not usually one for sentimental, inspirational books – but it was in front of me and I felt like taking a peak.

First off – the front cover is not far off:

“Stories to open the hearts and rekindle the spirits of educators.”

If you ever pick up this book – check out the story on page 10.  It goes a little something like this:

A fifth-grade boy was starting with a new teacher at a special education school.  No one liked this boy, not his peers, not his teachers, and not even the bus driver.  Apparently everyone insulted this kid, picked on this kid, and made his life miserable…  Everyone except one teacher.

One teacher decided she would give him a chance.  One teacher recognized that this boy spent a great deal of energy fighting off insults and ridicule every day.  In fact – this one teacher noticed that this must be how his day started.  So she watched…  She came to the conclusion that everything started in the morning and just built up from there.

The teacher decided she would pay a visit to the boy’s home.  He lived in the country – and would have to travel out there.  Despite her fellow teachers’ warnings, she decided to go.

When she got to the “farm,” she quickly learned that the boy was being raised by a single father.  Money was tight, they had no plumbing, no clothes washer, and very little food.

All of a sudden it made sense.

The boy who smelled funny couldn’t shower or clean his clothes.  The boy who ran down the hall and pushed his way through the cafeteria line was just hungry.

While the boy was labeled as a behavioral problem – his behavior was related to something that no one else was willing to consider.

Suddenly – it all made sense.

While science asks us to question everything, science doesn’t encourage us or teach professionals to look beyond the obvious.  And if it does encourage us to do so, we tend to take circumstances and life for granted.