A Simple Strategy for Managing ADD

As an ADD Coach, I usually begin my conversations with new and potential clients by saying, "Tell me about yourself and why you're looking for coaching." Most people answer with a long list of their ADD challenges. Very few people answer that they are looking to discover, enhance, or utilize their strengths. This is a big part of coaching, and a part that many people need a lot of help with.

Unfortunately, many ADDers spend too much of their time focusing on what they think they do wrong. This is understandable; as most of us have spent a lifetime learning how to deal with attention inconsistency, impulsivity, hyperactivity, emotional reactivity, and other challenges that our ADD has presented. However, few of us actually take time to appreciate our ability to manage these challenges and bounce back from the difficult times. And when we don't balance the good stuff with the not-so-good stuff, we can become frustrated, unmotivated, and unhappy.

Every single person in this world has strengths and interests ? things we do well and things we like to do. Learning to focus some time on those strengths and interests can help lift the spirits ? and self-esteem ? of ADDers. Here are some ways in which you can increase the time you spend thinking about your strengths and interests:

* Make a list of all your accomplishments in life ? both large and small ? and post this list where you'll see it often

* Make a list of all the things you do well, and all the things you like to do ? and post this list, too

* Keep a journal or notebook in which you detail all your daily successes

* Accept every compliment you receive with a smile and a "thank you"

After you have spent some time thinking about your strengths and accomplishments, you can take this knowledge and self-awareness a step further by setting some small goals for yourself that involve your strengths and interests. If you're good with people, maybe you'd like to try volunteering at a homeless shelter or senior center. If you like dancing, perhaps you can take a class every week.

We all deserve to spend time doing what we like to do, and not just what we have to do. So allow yourself to appreciate your strengths and interests, and treat yourself to the luxury of enjoying them! Chances are, it will make you a much happier person.

Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She encourages clients to increase self-awareness, focus on strengths and talents, and create realistic action plans. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm

---

Transform Your Office Into A Powerhouse Of Success

Did you know that the area that you call your 'office' is a direct reflection of you? If your environment is clean and uncluttered it projects that... Read More

Personal Strategic Planning

I have a few questions for you ---What if we as individuals adapted and utilized some of the same tried and true processes and methods that have... Read More

Coaching for Physicians

Is Having a Professional Coach a Solution to Optimizing your Practice's Performance? "What do you do?"The proverbial question we get asked day in and day out by... Read More

Are You Invisible?

Ellen was brought up to be invisible. She was taught to be very tuned into others' feelings and needs, but to never have any of her own.... Read More

Becoming An Empowered Consumer

How many times have you said to yourself?"I just wish that company would treat me like they appreciated my business!"?For many years I trained Customer Service Reps... Read More

Do You Want to Make More Money as A Life Coach

There's a lot of coaches out there not making any money, looking for opportunities, trying to model what others are doing, networking like crazy, researching, visualizing, affirming... Read More

How Not Letting Go of Your Past can Hurt Your Future

Experiences, whether good or bad, are sometimes all we have, and most of them reside in the past. So you may ask, why should I let go... Read More

Enhancing Life for a Lifetime

Do you often feel lonely, anxious, or even depressed? Is a mid-life or quarter-life crisis threatening your confidence, self-esteem and well-being? Do you yearn for practical advice... Read More

Just Listen, Please!

When did you last do that? When did you last listen to yourself? Is there a small voice inside you calling out "Just listen to me" Just... Read More

Are You Worth Investing In?

Do you realise that if you're green you're growing and if you're ripe you're rotten? So says Winston Marsh, Business Marketing Guru in his recent newsletter.Here's an... Read More

Living In The Now

I hope you are sitting down as you read this! You cannot begin to work on this kind of subject without addressing the subject of time itself... Read More

Addiction to Thinking

Randall sought my help because he was stuck being miserable and had no idea how to get out of his misery. In his life he had experienced... Read More

Coaching vs. Directing - How Does Improv Theater Suggest You Should Lead Your Team

An age old battle in improv that I believe resonates well with challenges we experience in the business world is the question of whether a team should... Read More

Potential

One of the most often mis-understood aspects of self-development is the concept of potential. We are often told that we can achieve our full potential, however, what... Read More

How to Make $100,000 Dollars as a Personal Trainer ? Part A for Attitude!

My name is Greg Ryan. For the last twenty years I have counseled thousands of personal trainers, fitness directors and gym owners on how be successful in... Read More

Overcoming Work Addiction

Why are you so busy? Do you really have too much work? Is work so important to you that you'll sacrifice just about anything in your life... Read More

The Incredible Human Psyche

The intriguing Human psyche - more complex than the metamorphosing cocoon, and more phenomenal than the human brain could ever imagine.Deep within the realm of your subconscious... Read More

You Are Never Trapped!

"The meaning of life is that it stops." -Franz Kafka (1883-1924)A good friend of mine graduated from Boston University Law School. At her commencement David E. Kelly... Read More

Why a Self Help Book May Not Help You

For a self help book to work, we have to read right it through to the end. While this may seem like a no-brainer, many people never... Read More

How to Make $100,000 as a Personal Trainer

In the movie, "The Gladiator," Emperor Commodus' rose to power early on because he realized what was most important to the people of Rome. Most would believe... Read More

How to Optimize the Awesome Power of Thoughts and Imagination

Have you encountered a time when you were in a traffic jam and was running late for an important meeting? Did you stay calm and focused? Or... Read More

Coaching Skills Does Matter At Chick?fil-A

In this discussion, we talk about Coaching Skills with Phil Orazi, Dean of Chick-fil-A University and Scott Mayson, Business Consultant with Chick-fil-A in Atlanta, Georgia. Q ?... Read More

W Edwards Deming

Immediately post second world war W Edwards Deming went to Japan to create order from the crisis that was the Japanese economy.In Japan he found fertile ground... Read More

What To Do? Lifes Big Question

We've all experienced the same thing at important crossroads in our life when big changes were underway. Often, we find ourselves feeling panic and frozen in time,... Read More

Top Ways to Maximize Your Talents at Work

Are you maximizing your strengths and promoting your talents at work? If you have sharp analytical skills, have you sought to apply those skills to your current... Read More

It?s All To Do With The Way You Wake Up

Do you start your day with anger, frustration and annoyance at the alarm and the need to get up? Do you wake up hoping the day will... Read More