It’s no secret that “time management” is a major issue for many of us today.  This is particularly true for anyone whose life is affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  Whether you are living with ADD / ADHD, or a loved one is, you have likely felt the effects!

And you’ve probably said this a few times before:

“…if I just had more time…”

• What would you do with more time?
• Can you really create more time?

Yesterday I came across a resource that you will NOT want to miss out on.  Once I saw this line up, I signed up without question or without hesitation.

Will you join me?
http://www.thetruthbehindadhd.com/moretime

The Time Experts Telesummit will teach you…..

~ How to stop procrastinating – and to get started on your biggest priorities
~ How to add one hour of productive time every day
~ How to take control of your out-of-control email inbox
~ Powerful methods to double your productivity
~ How to make work less stressful and more fun
~ Why multitasking doesn’t work and what you can do instead
~ How to delegate and outsource low-priority tasks

http://www.thetruthbehindadhd.com/moretime

Time Sensitive:

I just found out about this event last night.  Be sure to check it out and register today.

I’ve signed up, and I’d love to “see” you there.

Rory

Check it out today!! http://www.thetruthbehindadhd.com/moretime

In my work with parents and children, I really try to help people identify and focus on the unique talents we are all born with.  I really believe in that…  I’m not talking about “gifts,” but instead the one or two things that each individual really does well.

What does that look like in coaching?

For me, this comes out in two ways (two questions really):

1. What strengths can you identify that help you (or a child) stand out?
2. In what areas can you leverage the strengths of others?

Watch the video below to see just what I am talking about:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNuFrxHA2Q8

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If you or someone you loved is affected by ADHD, you don’t want to miss this incredible event.  Hear from renowned speakers and ADHD experts like:

• Ned Hallowell
• Sari Solden
• Daniel Amen
• And many more…

The best part?  All from the comforts of your home.

My friends and colleagues Jen Koretsky and Terry Matlen are co-hosting the 1st annual ADHD virtual conference.

The event takes place between September 22nd and September 24th.

Check out all the details here!

Establishing good habits are extremely beneficial to many people, but for someone struggling with ADHD, they can mean the difference between ongoing struggle and getting on the road to success.

Unfortunately, the trickiest part of establishing habits is often doing just that…  Setting them up.  Sticking to it…

But once we get going, then it becomes natural and part of our daily routines.

In fact, that should be the goal.

When starting out, we do want to think about the end result, but we also want to be very mindful of taking one step at a time.  We need to focus on little steps…working towards changing the way we do things.

**Make part of your goal more about a lifestyle change.

Anyway, the reason I am writing about this tonight is to serve as an example.

I set a goal earlier this summer to blog everyday.  There is certainly enough information running through my head, but the problem typically becomes “execution” – or getting it done.  So this post, is part of sticking with my goal.  Despite visiting family and taking a mini-vacation, I have decided that I want to stick with my goal.

• I want to continue with this change.
• I want to keep up the momentum.
• I want to establish this routine.
• I want to stick with it.

You see – I have struggled myself to stick with this pattern.  I have taken some time off, and fallen out of routine.  So today, I am making a commitment to myself, and to this blog, to stick with the work I am doing.

Why This Post?  Why Today?

Earlier this week I was speaking with a mother who wanted to help her son set up a routine.  She had heard all the suggestions before…  All the things we have mentioned here today.  But the problem has been a matter of commitment.  It was a problem of sticking to it…  It was a problem of setting aside the time, and establishing a pattern (that eventually became or becomes routine).

No tricks here today.  Your goals are likely to be very different than mine, but they are goals just the same.  And it would have been far too easy to excuse myself from this goal today.

But today I am taking a stand.  Will you take a stand with me, and set your goals today?  If so, share them in the comments or drop me a line…

PS – If you’d like to receive information like this directly to your inbox, please sign up for our weekly published newsletter.

Sign-up today, and get a Free Report and a complimentary subscription to our “Symptom Free” Ezine.

File this under “Choose Your Own Battles…”

One of the alleged characteristics of someone with ADHD is that they tend to speak their mind without a filter. For the record, I’m not really sure how this is a bad thing. In fact – it’s one of the traits I love most about people. You always know where you stand. But apparently, it frustrates a lot of people…

[Sidebar]: I hate using these words symptoms, struggle, and deficit in describing people that inspire me every single day. It just doesn’t make sense.

Anyway, I was speaking with an incredibly talented professional woman, who is focused on completing a very large goal, and one of her challenges was knowing when to speak her mind and when to take feedback and advice without response.

For me, this is a very sensitive topic for the reason I stated above. Speaking your mind and letting people know where you stand is a very positive trait.

Unfortunately, not a lot of people tend to see this in a positive light. In fact, I don’t think most people are “taught” this in life. Rather we are taught to bite our tongues or listen to authority without standing up for ourselves and advocating.

Ok – well maybe I am being a little general here – and that’s okay for these purposes.

The challenge really is about distinguishing when it is the right time to:

• Speak your mind
• Take a stand
• Let things go

So how do you know?

There is really no specific answer. At least I won’t make sweeping claims. Instead, I will suggest questions to consider because the path you take really depends on your goal in the end.

• What is your end goal?
• Who are you dealing with?
• If you speak up, how will it directly benefit you? (Think values, morals, personal integrity)
• Is it really worth fighting for?
• What is the worsts that can happen?

Figuring out when to speak your mind (or when to bite your tongue) is really an art that must be carefully crafted throughout the course of life. There are times when it works, and times when it does not. The trick here is knowing when to teach your children how it will benefit them.

And as adults, we need to consider what we really want. While speaking my mind comes naturally, it does get me in trouble with some people. But I know that and I’m okay with it.

That’s the delicate balance… For the individual with attention deficit disorder – we are more accustomed to negative feedback – so why bring more upon ourselves?

Does this sound familiar?

You need to call customer service, be it an emergency – the only time you have available – or you just want to get this over and done with, resolved once and for all… Is that too much to ask for?

I don’t think so – instead of reaching a human, you get a digital operator who talks you through a series of questions. I don’t know about you, but this drives me crazy!  Not only do I need to listen to this “machine,” but they also tend to pick up the most subtle noises…

 So yep – you bet, when one of my kids needs my attention or just feels like screaming – the machine picks that up and screws up my entire 15 minutes on hold.  Arrrggghhhhhh!!!

Then I came across this article. I nearly fell out of my chair…

Someone or some company has put together a “cheat sheet” on how you can bypass this silly system.

Okay, I know – Get to the point already Rory!

Finding success in overcoming symtpoms of ADHD can be a lot like this process.  If you don’t know what to do – it can be frustrating.  But imagine if you had a cheat sheet…

 Imagine if there was some person or some way to have the answers right in front of you.  Instead of constantly being unorganized, or easily distracted, what would it be like if your child could focus?  Or what if your child learned specific strategies to completing homework and doing better on tests?

On top of “treatment” for ADHD, we need to arm our children with skills and strategies that will apply to their challenegs, regardless of where they are.

Too old or too good? You be the judge…

This afternoon I saw the trailer for the latest Indiana Jones movie. When I first heard about this film being released – I had a few less than positive reactions:

• Give it a rest already…
• Isn’t he too old?
• Too little, too late?
• Could they ruin this classic character?

But as I watched the trailer for this new film – I was taken back to the days of my own childhood…  I was taken back to the days when I was captivated, no, spellbound by Indiana Jones.  And there is no difference now.  The movie looks incredible – and like it could possibly even respectfully contend with the first three films.

Fan or not – I want you to consider what we can learn:

My initial reaction was that of disappointment and frustration that Hollywood would take advantage of the public – and risk ruining an incredible, almost iconic movie character.

But that is not the reaction I have today.  In fact – I saw an opportunity for a lesson.

Lesson learned: Hollywood is simply doing what works.  They have taken a film, loved by the public, and they are giving us (the public) more.  Whereas, first I was frustrated, I know see that Hollywood is using a strategy that applies to ADHD.

1. Try something.
2. See if it works. 
3. Check your results.
4. Do it over, and over, and over…

LOST Returns Tonight – Will You Be Watching?

For those of you who are avid followers and fans of the television show LOST, tonight marks the long-anticipated return of one of television’s most exciting shows.

While watching Wednesday’s repeat of the 3rd Season Finale – I was reminded of two very different approaches to viewing the mysteries of the Island!

Science Versus Faith

• Jack Versus Locke

Both men are noted leaders of the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 – and yet both could not be more different in how they lead others and inspire those who look up to them.

So what type of man or woman are you?

When it comes to ADHD – Do you follow science / medicine or do you believe in faith?

• Are you someone who believes that the answers lie in medicine?
• Or do you believe that there are other ways?
• Do you follow the research?
• Or are you more interested in reality?

When I started writing this blog – I had a pretty good sense of what I wanted to talk about, and where I wanted to go.

It all started with the idea that there are many truths behind ADHD. It doesn’t matter whether you are a parent, spouse, partner, child, or sibling of someone who has ADHD – there is a great deal of misinformation.

The TRUTH Behind ADHD started with the idea that there is more to ADHD than just what is on the surface. Not only do we have to struggle with symptoms, consider treatment with medication, but we also have to consider every other area of life that is impacted by ADHD:

1. Relationships
2. Family
3. Work
4. School
5. Groups
6. Self-esteem
7. Media influence
8. Society
9. And much, much more…

The point is this – ADHD affects so much more than the individual person who is diagnosed with the disorder.

Heck – let’s not even call it a disorder. I downright hate that term. ADHD is a grouping of symptoms that can either help you or hurt you.

Help – learn how to manage and use your personal strengths to find success.

Hurt – use ADHD as an excuse and do nothing.

This all leads to the original “truth” I posted about when I started writing. The original truth relates to finding the root cause of our underlying problems.

ADHD is not it folks – there is always something more… Some other stress in our lives… Some other source of discomfort…

And we cannot forget those.

The “new” Truth is that you are surrounded by too much information about ADHD. You are provided with information that leaves you:

• Overwhelmed
• Confused
• Uncertain
• And possibly even misguided…Well, no more.

The Truth Behind ADHD will make sure you get the right information, from the right sources. And even then – we are going to question everything. ]]> http://thetruthbehindadhd.com/more-about-the-truth-behind-adhd/feed/ 0 http://thetruthbehindadhd.com/oops-i-skipped-over-chapter-2/ http://thetruthbehindadhd.com/oops-i-skipped-over-chapter-2/#comments Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:00:00 +0000 Rory Stern http://thetruthbehindadhd.com/?p=31

I don’t know how I did it – but it looks like I skipped right over reviewing Chapter 2 for you all. Oops!

I am so glad I caught this, because Chapter 2 has some great content.

Chapter 2:

“Parenting Doesn’t Cause ADHD – Genes Do.”

Dr. Monastra reviews and dispels some of the major myths around parenting as a cause of ADHD. Well, as you might be wondering – parenting or parenting style does NOT cause ADHD.
Instead, it is our genetics that we pass down which is said to be responsible for ADHD.

Much of the remainder of Chapter 2 is spent talking about the very scientific, technical aspects of what is believed to cause ADHD. There are some interesting points in there – but when you are looking to help your child, this is NOT the part of the chapter that does it. However, I cannot stress enough the importance of digesting this information so you can understand what we believe causes ADHD.

Perhaps the most useful part of Chapter is towards the end, where Dr. Monastra discusses effective treatment. In his opinion (and I agree), effective treatment includes a combination of techniques.

This can include medication (but NOT always), along with therapy, education, social skills classes, parenting classes (to learn strategies to help your child), and the development of a communication channel with school professionals to better assist your child with his or her learning habits or struggles.

Well – that’s it. I must say there were some really GREAT strategies mixed with some very powerful content. Just watch out for the technical part, and focus on getting a general idea of how our bodies work and this relationship with ADHD.

In closing, I want to add that this content is reviewed from Dr. Monastra’s book, “Parenting Children With ADHD.” Like in previous posts, I have pulled out what I have found to be useful and important. However, there could be incredible information that I overlooked which might pertain to your individual situation.

Disclaimer:

That said, I always want to share that I added the part about medication not always being necessary. Remember folks, medication can and does make a difference with many children struggling with ADHD. And – as always, please do not make any changes without first speaking with your treating physician, psychiatrist, therapist, or other direct care professional.