When it comes to managing your ADHD, there is surviving, and then there is thriving. Many with ADHD merely survive. What I hope for in my clients and my readers is that they thrive in life. To thrive as an ADHDer means to level up and reach a whole new height of living.

When I was in junior high and high school, I wanted desperately to fit in. So, what did I do? I did what I thought was expected of me. I said the things I thought I was supposed to say. I acted the way I thought others wanted me to act. Did it work? No. I had very few friends in junior high and high school. I bounced around from friend group to friend group, not really feeling comfortable anywhere. By the time high school ended, I felt alone and desperately wanted a new start.

Growing up, I always felt different, and I could never put my finger on why. It was not until I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 20 that I began to understand why I was the way I was. This realization has explained why I always felt different.

The first time I attended the International Conference on ADHD, I felt very alone when I first arrived. Sure, I was able to talk to some of my classmates from the ADD Coach Academy, but I am an introvert with social anxiety. So, I was awkward and uncomfortable. Then, at one of the keynote addresses, I sat down and heard a voice behind me say, “Oh good, it’s you.”

I cannot remember how old I was when I first thought that I might possibly have ADHD. But, I do remember the first time I asked someone if it was possible that I had ADHD. I was rebuffed. That was that. However, I continued to underperform in school.

I am not someone who paints ADHD as a superpower. However, I am not someone who sees it as the worst thing in the world either. It simply is what it is. It can wreak havoc in your life, but the big three characteristics of ADHD have positive sides to them. Each one has a “flip side.”

I do not believe I have ever mentioned this on this blog, but I do improv. I get a suggestion and then make up a scene with another performer. I love it. Improv is one of the most fun things I have ever done. I believe everyone who tries improv can walk away with some skill that applies to their real life. If there is one thing you can learn from improv, it is to “yes and…”

As 2021 comes to a close, many people will be thinking of their 2022 New Year’s resolution. I, however, will not be. I know, I know! I am in the personal transformation business; shouldn’t I be making a New Year’s resolution? Well, no, not necessarily. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions; I make today resolutions. In short, I make resolutions when it is time to make a change, not because of something as arbitrary as the change from one year to another.

The world can be rough, especially for those of us with ADHD. Many things can disappoint us or pull us down. With those challenges comes the temptation to get negative. No one likes being negative. Pessimists are often unhappy people. To counteract negativity, try a dose of positivity. Not sure how to stop the flow of negativity in your life? Read on! For, today we discuss ways of becoming more positive.

In 2019, I wrote a blog post recommending books for the ADHD brain. It has been over 2 years, and it is time to add some more books to the list. Here are some new book recommendations.

Managing your ADHD is a daunting task. There is a lot to consider and many things to be done. It can be overwhelming to think about. So, how does one start? Where does one start? It is not easy, but read on for my one key tip to getting ADHD under control.

This week the United States celebrates Thanksgiving, a time to come together with family and friends to remember all for which we are grateful. This takes the form of a giant meal. So, are we really grateful, or do we just enjoy turkey? I am not here to pass judgment on anyone’s Thanksgiving plans, but I do want to say a word on the subject of gratitude. I promise to not be cheesy.

Life can get hectic, crazy, and/or messy at times. Things can spiral out of control, and chaos can rule the day. However, the world doesn’t stop spinning when your life gets messy. You still need to be able to perform at work. Bills still need to be paid. And, your house needs to stay in order. As much as we would like life to slow down while we deal with our crap, it does not. So, what can we do when life is messy and troublesome?

This past weekend, I attended the 2021 Virtual Conference on ADHD. One of the presentations that most resonated with me was on accountability. This session was presented by Eric Tivers of ADHD Rewired. It was filled with humor and great tips on setting up accountability structures in your life. Here are five things I learned while listening to Tivers’ presentation.

I love planning. There is something about coming up with a grand plan that excites me. I get to flex my analytical muscles and design something incredible. However, I often find myself not getting into action and following through with my elaborate plans. This is mostly because I love the planning stage. The action phase is not as exciting to my ADHD brain. It has been a challenge for me to stop planning and start doing. Here are a few tips that have helped me.

Life with ADHD can be stressful. It leads to mental anguish, but that anguish can be overcome. It is possible to make peace with your ADHD. In this final week of ADHD awareness month, let’s explore some ways to make peace with your ADHD.

As ADHD awareness month continues, you may be discovering more about your ADHD. This is an overall good thing, but it can come with some growing pains. Learning more about yourself and your ADHD makes some inconvenient things come to light. You may learn just how difficult it is to thrive with ADHD.

This ADHD Awareness Month, I will be exploring different areas of ADHD awareness. Last week, I discussed a new book on ADHD. This week I will be discussing the faulty logic of comparing yourself to others, something we ADHDers should never do.

Let me take you back in time. It is November 2018. I am attending my first International Conference on ADHD in St. Louis. I am socially awkward and unsure if I belong at this conference or in my new profession as an ADHD coach. One of the presentations I attend is on “the secret to time management.” Early on in the session, it is revealed that the secret to time management is energy management. The speaker, Dr. Tamara Rosier, then goes on to present her “Solve-It Grid.” This grid blows my mind. I go on to write a blog post about it and recommend its use to some of my clients.

Why ignore reality? Life with ADHD can get really hard. There are struggles aplenty. I do not have to describe them to you. Chances are, you know what I am talking about. In the moments when life seems difficult, what do you do? The answer can be found in a scene from the 2003 movie Finding Nemo. In the scene, Marlin is sad about his missing son and is ready to give up. That is when Dory swims up to him and encourages him to “just keep swimming.”