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Adults with ADD: Are You Overcomplicating Things?

Do you ever get the feeling that you're overcomplicating things?

There are certainly many important decisions in life that need careful consideration. But people with ADD tend to get stuck "carefully considering" even the smallest decisions, like where to keep a new item that you bought, how to spend your day off, or what to order in a restaurant. I'm guilty of that one! Okay, I'm guilty of all of them! ;-)

We can easily over think the simplest of tasks, making them more complicated (and more stressful) than they need to be.

Here's a real-life example:

Donna is a former client who used to refer to herself as "The Queen on Complicated." One day, when she was sorting through the mail, she discovered a bill for routine lab work that should have been covered by her insurance.

Donna immediately became anxious. She was fairly certain that her insurance company was supposed to cover the lab work. But what if they didn't?

She knew that the best thing to do would be to call the company that sent the bill. But Donna put off calling them because she was afraid that they would tell her the lab work wasn't covered and she owed $210...

...which would lead to an uncomfortable conversation with her husband about why she didn't make sure the tests were covered before she agreed to them...

...which would lead to a problem paying the bill on time, because her credit card bill was already a little too high this month...

...which would lead to cutting out some other things, like the benefit dinner for breast cancer research (a cause that is near and dear to Donna) that she was really looking forward to...

But--and here's the important part--the situations she was anticipating were really just nervous guesses and assumptions. 

Rather than looking at the task as simply one step (making a phone call) she saw it as an overwhelming process because she was afraid that the ultimate outcome would be less than desirable.

When Donna finally stopped agonizing and made the phone call, she found out that the lab was simply missing some of her insurance information and just needed her social security number to process the claim.

All that stress for nothing! Donna spent days over thinking and overcomplicating the situation. Can you relate?

It doesn't have to be so hard!

Solutions to problems like Donna's are really just a series of steps and decisions. Step one is to make the phone call and get the facts.

Over thinking these types of situations always leads to overwhelm, procrastination, and stress. So don't do it! 

Simplify your thoughts to simplify your steps.

Do you overcomplicate the simple things? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Only 2 Days Left to Save on the Virtual AD/HD Conference!

Are you overcomplicating your decision to join us for the Virtual AD/HD Conference?

If so, then allow me to simplify the details so you can easily make the decision that's right for you!

Benefits of Attending

1. You'll Invite the Top Experts in the World of AD/HD - like Ned Hallowell, Daniel Amen, Patricia Quinn, and more - Into Your Living Room. And you won't even have to clean up!


2. You'll Get All the Tools You Need to Succeed with AD/HD. Conference sessions address issues and challenges faced by adults, parents, families, spouses/partners, and service providers.


3. You'll Break the Bubble of Isolation and Connect With Your Peers. The conference offers many opportunities to connect with the experts and your peers--both during the conference, and for a full 3 months afterward!


4. You'll Participate at Your Own Pace. You can attend some, all, or none of the live sessions! Everyone who registers will have full access to the session recordings, handouts, and discussion forums for a full 3 months after the close of the conference.


5. You'll Skip the Travel Costs and the Hassles of Attending a Physical Conference. While the cost of attending a physical conference can easily exceed $1500 when you add in travel, hotel, meals, and incidentals, you can skip all those hassles and pay only the conference registration fee.

Further Considerations

I whole-heartedly believe that the Virtual AD/HD Conference is an *outstanding* value for anyone affected by AD/HD. And when it comes down to it, price will probably be the consideration that makes or breaks your decision to attend.

Early Bird registration rates expire this Friday, July 10th. If you register before then, standard registration for the full, 3-day event costs just $147, and deluxe registration costs just $247. (Remember, these rates go up $50 on Saturday.)

--> If you're convinced that the conference is NOT for you, then that's okay! Although we've made every effort to keep the registration fees affordable, I wouldn't want anyone to spend their hard-earned money on something that doesn't feel like a good fit--especially in this economy.

However, even if you decide not to join us, I'd like to invite you to sign up for the Virtual AD/HD Conference mailing list to receive exclusive AD/HD podcasts with the conference speakers! You can do so at www.ADHDconference.com.

--> And if you're convinced that the conference IS for you, then you're in good company! We're on track to exceed last year's attendance of 400+ people!

Just be sure to register by Friday so you can take advantage of the $50 savings! You can register at http://www.ADHDconference.com.

ADD Kitties

Just had to share this, from icanhascheezburger.com:

Registration for the Virtual AD/HD Conference Opens Saturday!

Last year, the Virtual AD/HD Conference™ brought together over 400 people who were eager to get the latest information and strategies for AD/HD management and interact with the top experts in the field -- all while personally connecting with one another from the comfort of home!

We welcomed adults, parents, spouses/partners, doctors, therapists, advocates, coaches, counselors, and many more in the AD/HD community. And we're doing it again this year!

This Saturday, June 27th, we'll be opening the virtual doors for conference registration.

Early birds will save $50 off the registration fee!

And, there will be special bonuses for the first 20 people who register!

Don't miss this rare opportunity to get all the tools you need to succeed from top experts, break out of isolation as you connect with peers who've been or are in your shoes, and save tons of money by attending from the comfort of your own home, participating at your own pace!

We're pleased to present the following experts at this year's event:

• Dr. Edward Hallowell on AD/HD and marriage
• Dr. Daniel Amen on healthy brains
• Dr. Patricia Quinn on women and girls with ADHD
• Dr. Chalres Parker on medication
• Dr. Kenny Handelman on alternative treatment options
• And many more! Check out the full agenda at: http://www.ADHDconference.com/agenda.shtml

The Virtual AD/HD Conference™ is a can't-miss event for everyone affected by AD/HD. But don't take my word for it when you can hear directly from past attendees!

“The Virtual AD/HD Conference™ was phenomenal! I have told countless people about it.

I almost didn’t register because it wasn’t a good time financially. But I am so thankful that I did register, and that I took care of myself by spending the time listening and following the handouts! I learned so many things and now have renewed hope! 

You did a great service to the entire AD/HD community. It had to be a tremendous amount of work because your efforts showed in every aspect of the conference. It was just shy of being flawless. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Suzanne Troll
Zionsville, Indiana

Sign up at http://www.ADHDconference.com to be notified when registration opens this weekend.

You'll save $50 off the registration fee and, if you're one of the first 20 registrants, you'll also receive an extra bonus!

And everyone who signs up will receive conference updates and exclusive podcasts with the experts. So you'll want to get on the conference mailing list to grab these goodies--even if you can't attend.

Last year's event was absolutely fantastic, and I'm really looking forward to this year's Virtual AD/HD Conference™. I hope you'll join us!

 

10 Benefits of Having Attention Deficit Disorder

There is a common misconception in the world that having ADD is a bad thing. While the ADD-wired brain certainly presents some challenges, it also offers some incredible benefits.

I thought this would be a great time to offer a reminder about how being different can be an advantage! The following is a list of characteristics that I consistently see in my clients, friends, and colleagues with ADD.

1. Compassion. People with ADD have a tremendous power to connect with other people. But it goes a step further than that. We also have an advanced ability to empathize with others, and to see many different perspectives.

TV personality Ty Pennington, host of TV's Extreme Home Makeover, has ADD.

2. Creativity. I've never met an ADDer who wasn't creative! Writers, painters, musicians, film makers, designers, sculptors, comedians - the list goes on! Artistic talents are abundant.

Musician Justin Timberlake has ADD.

3. Drive. When an ADDer is bored with a task, completing it can seem like torture. But give an ADDer an interesting project to work on and watch out! When we want to succeed, and we have the necessary tools to do so, there is no stopping us!

Olympic Gold Medalist and record-breaker Michael Phelps has ADD.

4. Problem Solving Ability. ADDers thrive on solving problems and puzzles. Give us an interesting problem to solve and we won't be able to drop it until we've found the solution!

Important historical inventors such as Thomas Edison is believed to have had ADD.

5. Hyper-Focus. The ability to hyper-focus is something that we ADDers can use to our advantage. When kept under control and directed towards productive tasks, like accomplishing goals and living dreams, it can be an incredible asset that allows us to get the job done, and done well!

David Neeleman, Founder and former CEO of Jet Blue Airways, has ADD.

6. Sense of Humor/Comedic Flair. Most ADDers love to laugh, and many also have a knack for making others laugh!

Famous comedian Howie Mandel has ADD.

7. Resiliency. There's no denying that even though there are many great qualities that come along with ADD, there are also challenges. But ADDers have an incredible ability to bounce back from those challenges.

Chef and Food Network star Tyler Florence has ADD.

8. Intuition. ADDers have a sharp sense of intuition. This may be due to highly tuned levels of perception, or great insight into the human mind, or something else that we have yet to understand. Whatever the reason, it's a very useful gift!

9. Idea Generating. ADDers are wonderful idea generators. We don't usually like to be bothered with details, but we can come up with ideas at lightning speed! We're a true asset in brainstorming meetings!

Entrepreneur Richard Branson of the Virgin empire has ADD.

10. That "Special Something". Many ADDers feel that they have a unique way of looking at the world, a perspective that others just don't understand. That is, until the ADDer meets other people with ADD! You might say that we're on our own wavelength!

And hey, ladies, let's see if we can't represent better! I know there are tons of famous women with ADD out there, and I'll be sure to keep you all posted when they start going public with their stories! :-)

Can you think of more benefits to having ADD? Do you know of any other famous people with ADD? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

It's Time to Get Your Career in Gear!

If you found the strategies in my last post helpful, then you may want to consider joining us for the Get Your Career in Gear Webinar this Wednesday, June 17th.

Whether you're searching for a job, or trying to hang on to the one you've got, this webinar will teach you how to:

• Find -- and keep -- the right job for you
• Utilize your unique strengths on the job
• Build a personal brand that will allow you to stand out and shine in the workplace
• Tame the stress and anxiety of managing your career

The webinar is an online learning event that you can attend from the comfort of your own home or office. Sessions include:

Session #1: Finding A Career That Works For You: 10 Steps to Better Career Decisions with AD/HD with Career Counselor Wilma Fellman, MEd, LPC

Session #2: Using Personal Branding for Job Search & Long Term Career Success: Maximizing Your Most Important Asset - YOU! with International Personal Branding Expert Paul Copcutt

Session #3: Managing Career Stress and Anxiety in an Uncertain Economy with Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA

I personally created this webinar for adults with ADD who want to take control of their careers. I don't know of any other webinar or program that teaches you how to manage your career while taking into account your ADD!

Please visit the webinar website at www.ADHDcareeringear.com to read more and determine if this event is a good fit for you!

Top 5 Ways to Manage Your ADD at Work

Welcome to all the new readers who found us as a result of my appearance on NBC's TODAY Show! If you didn't catch the clip yet, you can watch it at ADDmanagement.com
/todayshow.html.

On Wednesday of last week, I did another TV appearance, this time on the public television show "Taming the Cubicle Jungle." It's broadcast in Westchester County, NY, but I'll share the clip with you as soon as I get it!

During the show, host Donna Scimia interviewed me about adult ADD at work. And, of course, the big question was, "What can a person do to best manage their ADD on the job?" Here's what I answered!

1. Manage your stress both in and out of work.

Many of you know what I always say about stress: Stress Management = ADD Management! The more stressed out you are, the harder it is to be on time, stay organized, focus, and get along well with others.

Real Life Example: One client I work with locks herself in the ladies room and meditates when things get stressful at work.

2. Clearly separate your personal and professional time.

When you mix your personal and professional lives, you open yourself up to more stress, and a lack of focus results. Stay in the present moment. Focus on personal matters at home, and leave professional matters at the office.

Real Life Example: A former client instructs his wife, kids, and friends NOT to email him at work. Instead, he directs them to his personal email account, which he only checks at home.

3. Take a lunch (or other break.)

While it's tempting to work through lunch when the pressure is on, this isn't always the best choice for an adult with ADD. Because we have a low tolerance for frustration, we need to relax and recharge periodically during the day in order to function optimally.

Real Life Example: When I worked in a corporate office, I took advantage of my employer-sponsored gym membership and workedout during my lunch hour. This help me burn off stress, and increased my energy for the afternoon.

Now that I work from home, I take my dogs for a long walk during my lunch break. (Yes, I'm talking about little Rascal and Trixie, who are now TV stars in their own right, thanks to The TODAY Show!)

4. Work with your natural energy flow.

Pay attention to how you feel during the day, and you will soon discover that there are certain times in your day when you consistently feel alert, energized, and focused. Take advantage of these times! Use them to work on projects that require more brainpower or sustained focus.

Real Life Example: One client avoids scheduling meetings for 60 minutes after she eats lunch. For about one hour after eating, she feels tired and has a hard time concentrating. Rather than struggling to pay attention during these times, she does her best to avoid placing herself into a difficult situation.

5. Take 15 minutes every day to plan your time and to-dos.

The key to time management (and project management) is planning in advance. To-do lists are essential, because they help you keep track of what's going on. Scheduling your day helps you feel more in control of your time, and helps you set realistic expectations for what you can accomplish.

Real Life Example: I recommend that EVERY adult with ADD take 15 minutes a day--every day-- to review your to-do list and plan your day in advance. I do it, too!

How do YOU manage your ADD on the job? Feel free to share your tips and thoughts in the comments!

P.S. The Get Your Career in Gear Webinar is a one-time event that takes place this Wednesday!

If you'd like to join me, 3 top career and adult ADD experts, plus your adult ADD peers, then register today at www.ADHDcareeringear.com!

My TODAY Show Experience & The "Dr. Genitalia" Blooper Explained

I was in Syracuse, NY with my Mastermind Group last Monday evening when I received a message from Kim, a producer for the weekend edition of The TODAY Show. She said she was doing a segment on adult ADD, and wanted to know if I could help her out. Of course, I was very excited to hear from her and, after a few emails, it was confirmed! Kim came to my house on Friday to interview me.

After taking some time to find the right spot for the interview, we got to work. The interview was fun, and it flew by. Then Kim wanted to get some shots of me doing my thing around the house, so she filmed me walking the dogs, working in my office, pouring myself some coffee, and watering my precious blueberry bush. When we were all finished, Kim said, "You're really comfortable on camera! I know it's short notice, but would you want to come to the studio on Sunday for the live segment?"

She didn't have to twist my arm. I was thrilled, honored, and excited to be asked.

When Sunday came, I was up and getting ready at 4:15am. Those of you who know me well know that for any other reason, getting up at 4:15am would be torture for me. Erin came with me, of course, and the car came for us at 5:45am, and we enjoyed a relaxing ride to the studio.

We arrived at the NBC studios at 7:15am, and Dr. Janet Taylor and I were whisked away to Wardrobe, where they steamed my jacket. Good thing, because there was one wrinkle on the right shoulder of my jacket, and I just wasn't organized enough to worry about one wrinkle--especially at 4:15am!

Next it was off to Hair & Makeup. The hairstylist blew out my hair, and then sprayed it so heavily that a hurricane wouldn't have moved it. The makeup artist covered me in a thick layer of foundation to even out my skin tone. It looked great on camera, and quite a few people have commented on how good my makeup looked, but up close I looked like I was going to my own funeral.

As soon as Hair & Makeup was done, we went into the studio. Jenna Wolfe, the anchor for the segment, came over and introduced herself. "I have to tell you a  story," she said.

She then explained that when she was in college, there was a guy on her dorm floor named Bob Talia. Her friends used to joke with her that if she married Bob, her name would be Jenna Talia. ("Jenna Talia" sounds just like "genitalia.") She told us that whenever she does a segment with Janet Taylor (who regularly makes appearances on The TODAY Show), she thinks "Janet Taylor / Jenna Talia." We all laughed.

The segment was about to start, and Jenna asked Janet, "Should I call you 'Janet' or 'Dr. Taylor?'" Janet said "Either is fine, just don't call me 'Janet Talia!'" We all laughed again, and then the segment began.

I hadn't yet seen the 2-minute clip that was filmed at my house, and I tried to watch it through all the hustle and bustle in the studio. I was thrilled to see Trixie and Rascal, my little dog babies, in the clip, and not so thrilled to see how fat I looked on camera! But, alas, I couldn't think about that, or the fact that I was about to go live to millions on viewers. I had to focus!

The four and a half minute interview flew by. I couldn't believe how quickly it was over. I managed to remember all the things I wanted to say, and I wasn't nervous at all.

At the end of the interview, Jenna Wolfe thanked us, and accidentally said "Thank you, Dr. Janet Talia." Uh-oh!

It sounded just like "Thank you, Dr. Genitalia." And while Janet, Jenna, and I knew the reason behind the flub, no one watching the segment at home knew why she accidentally said what she did. And since then, the clip has gone viral due to the blooper, making it all the way to The Howard Stern Show!

Although I feel for Jenna, who really was very sweet and professional, and for Janet, who probably has a new nickname, I have to say that the blooper has been good for me. The more people pass around the video, the more people will hear my story and learn about Adult ADD. And sure, not everyone will watch the whole clip, but some will, and that's a good thing!

My TODAY Show experience was really fantastic, and I am so very thankful for the opportunity to share my story with so many people!

This afternoon I'm taping another TV show, Taming the Cubicle Jungle with Donna Scimia. We'll be talking about Adult ADD in the workplace. And although this is a local show, I'll be sure to post a video as soon as it's ready.

And if you missed my TV debut on The TODAY Show, you can watch the clip--and the blooper--below. Enjoy!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Video: Adult ADD (and me) On NBC's TODAY Show!

If you didn't catch me talking about Adult ADD on NBC's TODAY Show yesterday, here's the clip!

Just click the image below, or visit http://www.ADDmanagement.com/todayshow.html to view the clip.

So many of you have emailed me offering your congratulations, and I thank you all so much!

This has truly been a wonderful experience for me, and for so many adults with ADD that I've been hearing from.

There is something very powerful in sharing our stories, isn't there? I'm grateful to The TODAY Show for allowing me to share my story with millions of viewers whom I would not otherwise be able to reach. I think I'll be smiling nonstop for the next month. :-)

Enjoy the segment!

Catch Me on The TODAY Show!

This is a quick note to let you know that I'll be appearing on the TODAY Show this Sunday morning to talk about Adult ADD!

Here are the details:

The TODAY Show segment on Adult ADD

Date: This Sunday June 7th
Time: 7:00-9:00am EDT (check your local listings just to be sure!)
Network: NBC

If you're an early bird, then I hope you'll tune in live. And if you're a late owl, then I hope you'll set your DVR or TiVO.

Thanks for your support, and enjoy the segment!