I almost titled this post, “Are You Passionate Enough About Success?”  But the more I thought about my message today – the more I realized it’s NOT necessarily about success.  It’s about taking a side – and being passionate about that side.

Too Many People Sit On The Fence

A mentor of mine really pushes people to make a commitment, Yes I am interested or No, I am not.  Either way, he just wants to be involved with people who can make a decision and NOT sit on the fence.

>>>>That’s what today’s post is about!<<<<

There are a lot of debates amongst society, and within the ADHD community, about ADHD as a diagnosis

• Gift versus Curse
• Whole Vs. Part
• Medication Vs. Alternatives
• Doctors Vs. Parents
• Diagnosis Vs. Condition
• And I’m Sure Many More…

Where you stand on these debates doesn’t so much matter to me, as long as you are passionate about your side of the argument.

Let me clarify that…  My personal view is to approach differences in people, and to help them get the supports, resources, tools, and strategies to be successful in life.  I don’t believe ADHD is a gift nor do I believe it is a curse. Instead, I actually believe that is a part of who the person is – and with the right supports, tools, resources, etc… a person with ADHD can be just as successful as anyone else.

Now this approach upsets some people, and at the same time, it hits home for other people.

That’s What We’re Talking About

We will all have different opinions about ADHD.  That’s just life when it comes to a condition that is hotly contested, debated, and largely quite misunderstood.

For me, I’ll engage in conversation and debate with anyone about ADHD as a condition so long as they are informed and provide support to people, rather than striking them down.

Beyond that, we can agree to disagree.

And That’s What I Want For You

People who are successful in life, and in managing their challenges are very passionate or at least strongly opinionated about their perspective on things.

So if you are struggling to figure out how ADHD is impacting yourself, your child, a spouse, loved one, or friend — I’m going to ask you to find a side and get involved.

There’s nothing more dangerous than sitting on the fence and going back and forth.  It just leads to confusion, blaming, and negativity all around…

What Do You Believe?

I want to hear from you!  Please let me know where you stand on the great debates of ADHD.  Tell me what really gets you passionate about living with ADHD, struggling with ADHD, or supporting someone with ADHD.

Even if I don’t agree with you, show me your passion and I’ll respect what you have to say!

PS. – Will you join me for the next ADHD Family Teleseminar?  This Sunday we will be talking about ADHD Co-existing Conditions And Complications!

It’s official!  President Obama has been sworn into office.

You might be wondering – what does this have to do with ADHD?

In some ways, it has absolutely nothing to do with ADHD, and yet at the same time, it has everything to do with what children with ADHD face every single day!

Watching the events leading up to the inauguration take place, I was very humbled by all the different life lessons that were taking place.  There once was a time that I believed things were supposed to happen a certain way!

There was a time when I believed that life was supposed to be linear and happen in a very scheduled, and thoughtful way.

Today’s inaguarutation is likely one of the most scripted and choreographed events in our nation.  The eyes of the world are watching, and careful planning and attention to detail has been put into place.

But It Wasn’t All Perfect…

President Obama (excited or other) needed help with his oath of office.  Chief Justice Roberts had to repeat the most important words President Obama has had to say in recent times.

And do you know what?  Even though he needed help, he is still our President.  He is still our leader, and he is still the same man we now look to for guidance and leadership.

Life Is Unscripted!

Since giving up this mindset that everything must happen a certain way, I have taken to finding lessons in everything that happens.  Today is no different, and it applies in every situation – whether it is the presidential inauguration or our own child’s performance in class.

Life Lessons Learned Today:

• Even the most scripted event is not perfect
• Careful planning takes a lot of time, energy, effort and people.
• Mistakes happen and you keep going
• Even the United States runs late…

It is perhaps this final lesson I will part on today.  According to the 20th Amendment of the United States Constitution, the new President takes office (sworn in or not) at 12 noon.

Guess what?

The United States government ran late.  No teacher, principal, parent, or other authority figure will take punish the government for being late…or making a mistake.

In fact — it wasn’t really a mistake.  It was life happnening unscripted…

One last note – As I write this post, President Obama says:

The argument is NOT whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works or not!

These are very powerful words to live by, and yes, especially for parenting children with ADHD.

Tell Us What You Think!

Have a different perspective? We love to hear from our readers. Let us know what you think about this post by leaving a comment below.

PS – Have you gotten your ADHD Essentials Audio Kit yet? Sign Up Today, it’s FREE

This post is a bit of spin off of an Examiner article I came across today.  The author suggests that some of our “bad habits” might actually be good for us – citing some Zen philosophy.  Seriously!?!

I actually agree with quite a bit of what is said here, and I want to go one step further.  Now first off, the author talks about how changing or challenging our bad habits upsets our equilibrium or the status quo.  We know, and this is me talking, that to truly change our habits, we must fall outside of our comfort zone.  Bottom line!

Now I suppose one could make the argument that this might be more difficult for someone with ADHD.  After all, it’s largely known that many who are diagnosed have a difficult time with transition or great change.  But that’s honestly neither here nor there at this moment.

It’s the idea!!

What gets me is that the author states “Adult ADHD as a self-description, not the clinical diagnosis,” can lead to rather good qualities…  Positive, strong qualities in fact!

Now, I don’t want to assume as to what she is referring to as the “self-description,” but I am guessing it is on the idea of everyone having a little ADHD some of the time.

Tangent aside, I think this makes a great point…  While ADHD certainly can present challenges in someone’s life, these characteristics, traits, or behaviors can also result in many great strengths!

Find The Positive

I truly believe that we can in fact find great positives in what we struggle with the most.  No matter what!  And it’s really all a mindset (and yes, some very powerful strategies or treatment in some cases).  But the famous artist Salvadore Dali is said to have struggled with Schizophrenia, and there are many who would suggest that some of our greatest innovators had ADHD (or would have met the criteria).

Those things don’t matter much to me.  Instead, what matters most to me is how we inspire people to dream big, play hard, and go after the impossible.

I’ve yet to meet someone diagnosed with ADHD who I have written off as incapable of accomplishing their goals.

Tell Us What You Think!

Have a different perspective? We love to hear from our readers. Let us know what you think about this post by leaving a comment below.

PS – Have you gotten your ADHD Essentials Audio Kit yet? Sign Up Today, it’s FREE

I often tell my clients “Things are going to get worse, before they get better.”  I tell them that because I want them to be prepared…  I want them to expect it!  But most of it all, I want to reinforce that the information and strategies I am about to share will NOT get immediate results…  Don’t get me wrong, the strategies will make a difference – but there absolutely will be a period of adjustment.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that this is a tired cliche.  It’s a tired cliche that some people are really sick and tired of hearing.  And I am willing to be that some people don’t even believe it any more.

Like it or not, the lesson is real.  But today I want to take that lesson to the NEXT LEVEL!

A good friend and colleague of mine reminded me today that “…you can’t make a cake without making a mess in the kitchen.”  It’s sort of like, “you can’t make an omelete without breaking a few eggs.”  But WHAT does that really mean?

We got on this topic because we were reviewing our goals for 2009.  So many people believe that you are only successful when you reach your goals.  But — what if success actually came during your attempt to reach your goals?

What if success actually started to happen in the middle of working towards that change?  Or working towards that new goal?

It makes sense right?  Change starts to happen…  But most of us are taught to look for the final outcome and result.

Here’s something else to consider:  The space shuttle is constantly readjusting it’s course during its decent back to Earth.  That’s the Space Shuttle!  It is constantly failing as it returns to Earth.  But all that failing, struggling, and change leads to success!

When President Kennedy announced that we were going to put a Man On The Moon, I bet there were a lot of people who thought he was crazy!  But we did it!

If I haven’t said it recently, I don’t believe we can just focus on managing ADHD alone to reach our goals – whatever they may be.  I am a firm believer that ADHD is a just a piece of who we are and what we have to offer this world.  If you want to be amazing, be amazing…  There’s no reason you can’t….

What Do You Think?

We’d love to hear from you. Go ahead and give us your thoughts in the comments below.

PS – Have you gotten your ADHD Essentials Audio Kit yet? Sign Up Today, it’s FREE

“It’s All About Who You Know…” and who you surround yourself with these days.

Just got off the phone this morning with a guy who is going to do HUGE things in this world.  And how do I know that?  Because he inspires people to be creative.  He told me, “I am a right brain individual who helps left-brained people understand how right-brained people think.”

Here’s the deal:

Right-brained=creative, holistic, intuitive, random

Left-brained=logical, analytic, rational, linear

I know where I stand – do you?

Check Out This Video For More:

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

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With all the talk about ADHD, and how people struggle, I think we forget that lots of people struggle.  Lots of people in life struggle with different things.

People with ADHD do NOT hold a monopoly on struggling.  In fact, ADHD does not mean you have to struggle in life.

Let’s clear the air for a moment:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNPsnox83bw

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ADHD has become such a popular “condition” in our society, that the term itself no longer really has the meaning it is supposed.  Here’s what I mean:

ADHD is NOW slang.  It’s now the catch-all for anyone who is not paying attention or who shows a little bit of passion or hyperactivity.

Don’t be fooled by these terms, and don’t fall for the label.

Watch This Short Video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av5Of2RSeAw

My daughter was in the shot with us, but she moved her out of frame. I guess someone in the family needs to be shy (some of the time).

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I am so FED UP with the need to label every kid or adult who is different.  I just can’t take it anymore.  This morning I received an e-mail from a Mom, who was telling me about her “gifted” child who had been diagnosed with ADHD – even though he apparently did not meet the full criteria for diagnosis.

I guess it’s just NOT good enough to know someone is different…

Check This Video To Hear More:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97NdMK4TVQI

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Just a short video for you today.  Over the weekend I attended a seminar where one of the speakers mentioned something incredibly relevant, that I wanted to share with you.  He talked about:

• Being genuine
• Being real
• Being memorable
• And being YOU

Check out the video below for a little more on the subject.

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

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This week, the United States’ economy has been rattled by the fallout from many large corporations, historical corporations with 100′s of years behind them.

Years ago we had Enron and WorldComm fall apart…literally crushing the hopes and dreams of so many people in the world (especially the employees).

What Does This Have To Do With ADHD?

• What do these all have in common?

We are led to believe that safety and security are important!

**Note:  Let me clarify…  Safety and security in terms of love and nurturing are critical.  Safety and security are critical in terms of comfort and support.  They are critical as “intangibles…”

Safety and security are NOT a sure thing for:

• Choosing a career
• Modeling behavior
• Following the rules
• And certainly investing…

Take it from me:  I did what I was told.  I went to school, I got good grades, I went to college, I found a career, I went to graduate school, and I pursued a “professional” career.

But somehow….following everyone’s advice….somehow playing it safe put me (and millions of students around the world) in trouble.

Like these large corporations who need shelter from the federal government, individuals are mounting massive amounts of personal debt and struggling to stay afloat.

Does This Sound Familiar?

As a parent of a child with ADHD – are you following the advice to get your child to behave just like everyone else?

• Are you worried that your child won’t be safe and secure in life?
• Do you lose sleep because you are being told your child is difficult?
• Do you wish for a moment that your child would just “be normal?”

I’ve been looking for normal my while life, and I’ve yet to find it.  I’ve yet to find a family with a 2.5 kids, a white picket fence, and a job that is secure.

Nothing is certain in this world…  Nothing at all.

Bottom Line?

Follow your heart…  Inspire your children to explore the world and to be leave their mark!  Let them know how important it is for their differences to be celebrated!

***Yes… it is important to have an education.  Yes…it is important to have a plan!  But it is as equally as important to follow your dreams, to be passionate about life, and to take chances.

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