Dr. Thomas E. Brown once said, “The more there is a need for independent work, the lower the grades and productivity of those with ADHD.”
In general, I’ve found this to be true in my experience as a coach. Although the peace and quiet of home or your office might increase productivity in some people, sadly, that is not always the case for those with ADHD. Continue reading “The Truth about ADHD and Working Independently”
If you have ADHD, you may find yourself often struggling with getting things organized, especially organizing your thoughts. I like to see the bigger picture to help me understand how it all comes together. With that in mind, my demonstration on Attention Talk Video offers a simple method to organize tasks and thoughts that have helped me. Continue reading “ADHD Tip: Getting Your Thoughts Out & Organizing Them”
Our workplaces are formal, professional, and structured to accommodate business systems, interactions, frequency of direct communications, and access to human capital (or people knowledge) by being in the presence of others.
A workplace at home is more informal, more comfortable, and lacks the structure of the work environment, making it difficult for those with ADHD to self-regulate their attention. Gone are the face-to-face human interactions, the “buzz” of other busy bees getting work done with their work energy. Continue reading “ADHD, Productivity, Working from Home, and You”
In couples’ relationships where ADHD is involved, all too often there is a parent/child dynamic between the partners. What this means is that, usually, it is the non-ADHD partner who takes on the parent role, the one who seems to be the manager or who takes charge, whereas it’s the ADHD partner who is somewhat irresponsible, inconsistent, less competent, and more childlike. In our interview on Attention Talk Video, marriage and relationship consultant Melissa Orlov (www.adhdmarriage.com) shares insight on how couples can work together toward a transition where they learn how not to step on each other’s toes. Continue reading “ADHD Couples: The Parent-Child Relationship”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – September 7, 2020
People are unique, individual, and infinitely complex. In the interest of maximizing efficiencies, our world and medical community focuses on commonalities to evaluate, label, and treat patients. This approach raises some key questions: Can something so complex be labeled? Is the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD a science or is it an art? Let’s explore this system a bit deeper to understand how we get a diagnosis before answering these questions.
Continue reading “ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment: Art or Science?”
Some time ago, I talked with Dr. David Nowell (www.drnowell.com) about observing how we do things. What I mean is that, for most of us with ADHD, we are not aware of how we do things, like getting to places on time, making a relationship work, or sticking to a workout schedule. But to get the same results each time, we can use a very simple technique, which is asking “How exactly did I do that?” One example is Grandma using a recipe that enables her to make the same delicious cake again and again. So, it occurred to me that knowing our personal recipe for success is just as valuable. Continue reading “Exactly How Did You Do That: The Value of an ADHD Recipe”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – August 17, 2020
Without a doubt, science is an amazing thing and strides in medicine are impressive. Many specialists turn to advanced tools to diagnose and better understand attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By studying cerebral function, structure, and chemistry, specialists can discern biological differences in the ADHD brain. But seeing something different does not mean they understand it.
Continue reading “Diagnosing ADHD With a Brain Scan: Yay or Nay?”
ADHD manifests differently in women and men. It makes sense when you think about it as there are physical differences between the genders. More importantly, there are hormonal differences. Such small differences can result in big differences, especially when it comes to ADHD and menopause. Continue reading “Is It ADD, AGE, or Menopause?”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – July 13, 2020
Our ancestors foraged for food because it was necessary. Today, food is in abundance, freeing up time for us to forage for information. Why are we… especially those with ADHD… prone to forage for information? Because it is pleasurable! You see, one of the key neurotransmitters that impacts the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder plight is dopamine, the reward neurotransmitter. It’s the reason we procreate, why we forage for food or seek anything pleasurable. Continue reading “ADHD: Foraging for Information”
Sometimes you just need to put a face with a name in order to remember something. It is also helpful if that face has characters that represent what the face is all about or helps you remember more about the face. Linda Roggli, the ADDiva, is very creative. She put a face on the names of the key neurotransmitters that impact those with ADHD. The cartoon faces really help bring a context to each neurotransmitter. Continue reading “Attention Deficit Disorder: Meet the Neurotransmitters”
Booyah! Is that what dopamine feels like? Dopamine is the reward neurotransmitter and, in a way, ground zero in the context of ADHD. Think of your brain like Pavlov’s dog. If you push a lever and don’t get dopamine, you find another lever, and so on and so on till you find a lever that gives you dopamine. At that point, the problem is not pushing the lever but, rather, not pushing it. Continue reading “ADHD: Is Dopamine Something You Can Feel?”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – May 25, 2020
We live in a society that fosters negativity and self-limiting beliefs. Just look at the daily news, the endless array of advertisements for things to “fix” us, or the fascination with the mishaps of celebrities as just a few examples. The ego loves weakness, and we feed into it by focusing on it; and for some, this focus invades every aspect of life. The result for many is staying “stuck” and not moving forward. To bring about real change, we must be willing to have a more open mindset.
Here’s a parable that I feel illustrates this point beautifully, and then I’ll share a lived ADHD experience to open your mind: Continue reading “ADHD: When Fixed Appears as Broken”
Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have lots of thoughts. Some thoughts go to the puzzle they’re working on in their mind; some thoughts might go to a puzzle they might be working on in the future; and other thoughts they don’t know what to do with. ADHD coach Jeff Copper uses a jigsaw puzzle as a metaphor to help you begin to witness the real challenges of ADHD in putting thoughts together to solve puzzles and problems. Continue reading “ADHD and Thoughts: The Jigsaw Puzzle in Your Mind”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – May 4, 2020
Did you ever run into somebody who’s able to articulate something in such a way that all of a sudden it makes some sense? Years ago, I was coaching a woman who said, at the end of our first coaching session, that she wanted to work on her lists. We learned during her discovery session that she is very visual. Knowing this, I asked what it would be like if she just drew a picture instead of writing words. After we got off the call, she gave it a shot. Continue reading “When Things Suddenly Make Sense”
ADHD is a self-regulation and working memory challenge. Two things that those with ADHD need to regulate are attention and emotion, according to Dr. Russell Barkley. Yes, according to Dr. Barkley, emotions are as much a part of ADHD as attention. The words “emotional self-regulation” are just words. Often it is easier to “get” what the words mean with a visual metaphor. Continue reading “ADHD and Emotions: A Visual Metaphor for Context”
You might be wondering how you know if your ADHD stimulant medications are working? Do you get a buzz? Will you immediately be able to pay attention or automatically gain the skills you need to advance in your job and life? Unfortunately, meds don’t work like that. You’ll know that your ADHD meds are working when you can sustain focus on things longer than you normally would. For example, say, before you started taking meds, you could read only four pages of a book before your mind started to wander. Then after taking meds, you could read four chapters.
Continue reading “Are Your ADHD Meds Working?”
Many of those with ADHD don’t learn in a linear fashion. They tend to ping pong all over the place, bouncing from topic to topic based on what they’re interested in. In the long term, do they actually learn? Or is it a waste of time? ADHD coach Jeff Copper talks about a personal experience how his non-linear learning over a period of time is starting to come together in a very orderly way. Continue reading “ADHD, Working Memory, Worry and Anxiety”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – March 16, 2020
Many of those with ADHD don’t learn in a linear fashion. They tend to ping pong all over the place, bouncing from topic to topic based on what they’re interested in. In the long term, do they actually learn? Or is it a waste of time? In this video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper shares a personal experience how his non-linear learning over a period of time is starting to come together in a very orderly way. Continue reading “ADHD: Nonlinear Learning”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – March 2, 2020
Have you ever wondered how you get things done with ADHD? It’s not that you are lazy or lack the ability to focus. Misinformation like that has given those with ADHD a bad rap. You just do things differently. Somehow you get them done, but you might feel the pressure and stress about how to tackle a deadline.
In this blog, I’ll point out how you can find exactly what systems work for you. The secret is simple. At deadline, you instinctively problem-solve or work in your most efficient way. It’s your system of problem-solving. Continue reading “Getting Things Done with ADHD”
It’s that time of the year where one year ends and a new one begins. It’s tradition to stop and reflect on the prior year and set some goals for the new year. In my coaching practice, I’ve come to realize setting goals is really not that difficult.
Continue reading “The Trick to Accomplishing New Year’s Goals”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – December 2, 2019
I’ve got dyslexia. What does that mean? In simple terms, when I look at a “b,” my mind retrieves a “d.” When I look at a word like “through,” my mind retrieves “threw.” Do you have any idea how hard it is to read, much less to comprehend when you are retrieving the wrong words and trying to make sense out of a sentence? It’s frustrating!
Continue reading “Please Stop Making Managing ADHD Sound So Simple”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – November 23, 2022
Years ago, I interviewed a gentleman who was explaining to me the theories behind Japanese psychology. One of the things he said was that the Japanese practice gratitude. He explained that problems abound. The thing about a problem is it must be dealt with right then. For example, if you have a flat tire, that’s a problem, but you have to deal with it in that moment. In contrast, if there’s something you do that is successful or goes right, you don’t have to celebrate it in that moment.
Continue reading “ADHD: Problems, Gratitude, and Thanksgiving”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – November 21, 2019
Attention and ADHD coach Jeff Copper has found that there are certain basic truths that those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often don’t acknowledge that result in them paying attention to the wrong thing and anchoring them in “stud.” In this video Jeff shares a few and talks about how acknowledging them is a powerful step in moving forward. Continue reading “ADHD: Basic Level of Truth”
Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder know what to do. Their challenge is doing what they know to do. In this episode of Attention Talk Video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper illustrates the difference between knowledge and activation, knowing what to do and executing it, and pinpoints a few of the issues associated with activating, as well as the mindset to move forward. If you want to gain insight around ADHD and activation, watch this short video. Continue reading “ADHD: Application of Knowledge Is the Hard Part”
Got attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? What is your mindset around motivation? In this video ADHD coach Jeff Copper builds on his earlier video, “ADHD Mindset: Setting up Your Mind to Think“ (https://youtu.be/nVu4fZnwbuE), sharing the power of using a different mindset to witness the obvious. In this video Jeff uses specific examples explaining motivation and illuminates the path to manage it using specific examples to empower you to learn to problem-solve. Continue reading “ADHD Mindset Tip: Motivation”
The word “zombie” seems to be used as an adjective around how some feel when they talk about ADHD stimulant medications. In this episode we interview Dr. Charles Parker (http://www.corebrain.org/reality) to understand what the phenomena is all about and to see if something can be done about it. Continue reading “ADHD Zombie – Stimulant Medications”
As humans, we are very much appearance-based. We latch onto what we see, and often, this reliance on what we can see and what we can prove becomes an obstacle and a source of anxiety.
One of my favorite quotes recently is, “The sun doesn’t rotate around the earth, but without the right technology it looks like it does.” I think this is a great analogy and explains so much about the nature of the tricks, solutions, and strategies those with ADHD find on the Internet. At the end of the day, many of those things don’t work because they don’t address the core issue. They deal with appearance.
Continue reading “What if the Real Project Isn’t Appearance-Based?”
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a real challenge for many. In this video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper brings to your attention one of three very real negative forces that work against you when getting help. The focus of this video is to acknowledge an elephant in the room to help you understand why many of the tips, solutions, and strategies out there don’t work. If you’re a big picture thinker, don’t miss this video. Continue reading “ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 1”
This is part two of a three-part series to identify negative forces that worked against those trying to manage their attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In this video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper shares a second negative force that works against you when getting help. If you’re the type of person that just likes to have the insight and you know what you’re up against, this is a video you won’t want to miss. Continue reading “ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 2”
Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have a different brain wiring. Isn’t it interesting how society encourages you to be yourself, but then turns and identifies all your flaws to fix you? In this episode of Attention Talk Video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper shares a third negative force that works against you when getting help. If you are a big picture thinker and like to understand the invisible “why,” tune in and watch this video. Continue reading “ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 3”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – September 9, 2019
Have you ever called customer service about your computer and they asked if it was plugged in? The question seems silly, but do you know why the question is asked? It’s because through experience, working through long complicated solutions, they had found out the problem was something as simple as plugging in or turning on your device.
Continue reading “ADHD Sleep Challenge: Duh, It’s the Mattress”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – September 2, 2019
If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you were drawn to it by the word “disorganization.” Many of those with ADHD look at the clutter and their seemingly inefficient systems and proclaim themselves disorganized. But more often than not, this is an appearance-based judgment.
Continue reading “Addressing Disorganization: Mapping Out a Blueprint for Success”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – August 19, 2019
Yes, you could say I’m allergic to writing. I hate it. It’s always been hard, especially for a dyslexic like me. That’s why I focus so much on communicating auditory content via Attention Talk Radio and visual content via Attention Talk Video. As allergic as I am to writing, yet I am able to write from time to time with the right prescription. In order to write, I need mental clarity. Writing is hard but even harder when starting with a white sheet of paper. Continue reading “Gesundheit! Do Allergies Affect ADHD Treatment?”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – August 12, 2019
Here is a question I want to help you address. Are you struggling to manage your ADHD? If so, why?
Albert Einstein once said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” BUT NOT SIMPLER! ADHD isn’t simple. ADHD is complex.
Yea! Attention Talk Video was named for the second year in a row the third best ADHD YouTube channel on the planet! Can you believe it? We got on the podium and might be getting a bronze medal, but the truth is we WON! We won GOLD. How can that be? Let me explain. It is all about context, which is an attention lesson for us all.
First place was Jessica McCabe’s How to ADD. Jessica is very creative and informative. Her channel does a great job. At the 2018 Conference on ADHD, Jessica and I put on a pre-conference marketing workshop. Our interaction was amazing and I really admire her. Continue reading “It’s like we won! Celebrate with us!”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – June 24, 2019
There is nothing more powerful than a change in mindset!
There are different views on how to define mindsets. As an attention coach, I define mindset as how your mind is set up to think. Your mindset predetermines how you interpret and respond to everything. It defines what is obvious to you. Continue reading “New Mindset, New Solutions”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – May 28, 2019
Years ago, I was doing some work at a company and was questioning a company policy that made no sense. An insightful employee shared a story that is a great metaphor and makes for an interesting study of attention. Let me share it with you. Continue reading “Attending to How Tradition and Policy Are Made”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – May 21, 2019
I believe the placebo effect is real. In most cases, if you believe something will help you get better, it likely will. The same concept applies to just about everything else, especially if our beliefs interact with reality.
For example, to some, a Ford race car is superior to a Chevy; California red wines are better than French; and one’s political party is right and the others are wrong.
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – May 7, 2019
The majority of ADD-ers struggle with sleep. The fact of the matter is, sleep deprivation can intensify ADHD symptoms, making them more difficult to manage.Furthermore, sleep or good sleep hygiene requires organization, which historically is problematic for ADD-ers.
To begin, ADD-ers crave brain stimulation. If the brain is not stimulated, it will find something more stimulating. Based on this premise, I’ve found it more practical to help ADD-ers by helping them to manage their interest.
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – April 30, 2019
Often, I hear clients say, “I just need to pick up the phone, sit down and write, stick to my schedule,” etc., but they don’t follow through. My guess is, if it was as simple as taking the next obvious step, they would have done it by now. At this point I usually ask them to pause and reflect on what’s holding them back. What’s hard about what they’re trying to accomplish?
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – Published April 23, 2019
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD can be a good thing and a bad thing. It is a good thing because the individual becomes eligible for accommodations and can take stimulant medications to level the playing field. The bad thing about the diagnosis is that, once labeled, people quit paying attention to individual differences in ADHD.
Officially, the Diagnostic Statistics Manual is used to diagnose ADHD, and from time to time, the manual is updated based on current research or updated best practices consensus. Currently we are on the DSM-5 version. Continue reading “Which Version of ADHD Do You Have?”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – April 2, 2019
There are all kinds of coaches, such as life coaches, personal coaches, and executive coaches. I consider myself an attention coach, and my number one goal is to help individuals and businesses pay attention to the right thing…. because if you’re paying attention to the wrong thing, you’re likely paying attention to, or looking for, the wrong solution.
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – March 26, 2019
In this article, we are paying attention to the concepts of “broken” and “wrong.” Both are a function of attention or what one is attending to. Why this theme? Because the notions of being broken and being wrong are huge obstacles for those with ADHD.
If you attend to being broken, you can’t see being fixed. If you attend to the concept of wrong, you can get hung up on perfectionism. Dr. Mark Katz has a presentation, titled “There Is Nothing So Wrong with Us That What’s Right with Us Can’t Fix.” That is brilliant! Let’s think about different ways of looking at things. Continue reading “Attending to the Concepts of “Broken” and “Wrong””
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – March 19, 2019
Coaching teens… if that doesn’t get the attention of most ADHD parents, I don’t know what will. Recently, on Attention Talk Radio and Attention Talk Video, we did a couple of shows on this topic that will serve as our theme.
Continue reading “ADHD: Coaching Teens”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – March 12, 2019
You get diagnosed with ADHD, the doctor prescribes a stimulant and that is it; right? Wrong! Getting the right stimulant in the right dose delivered at the right time is more of an art than a science. As Dr. Charles Parker puts it, the meds have to pass through the body to get to the brain. Metaphorically, if the digestive tract, immune system, metabolism, and other systems are under construction or out of whack, meds can be detoured away from the brain and out of the body or get bottlenecked and wreak havoc.
Continue reading “The Complexities of ADHD Meds “
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – March 5, 2019
Have you ever paid attention to the difference between narrow attention and scanning attention? Narrow attention is like texting. Attention is focused narrowly. Scanning attention is like driving a car. You’re scanning signs, speed, other cars, spatial changes in relation to yours, etc. Note, you can’t use narrow and scanning attention at the same time. That’s why texting while driving is so dangerous. Continue reading “Narrow Attention, Scanning Attention, and ADHD”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – January 29, 2019
Attention is as simple as it is complex to understand. In an interview I did with noted ADHD expert Dr. Russell Barkley, he noted that, if you are to inhibit anything, you must be aware of it. As I’ve learned, understanding and observing one’s own attention to become aware of it can be the single best tool to help those with ADHD.
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – January 22, 2019
Every once in a while, you stumble onto a phrase or something that’s worded in a way that puts things into perspective and brings an aha because you can finally articulate it and wrap your mind around the concept. I once heard it stated, “I don’t know who discovered water but I’m sure it wasn’t a fish.” To me, this is a very profound statement, because there are some things in this world that are so obvious that they’re missed because they’re so obvious.
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – January 15, 2019
All the reminders in the world won’t work unless you engage.
Ever wonder why proposed systems or solutions don’t work for you? I’ve found the invisible elephant in the room is the ability to self-regulate. You can set reminders and alarms all over the place, but in the end, none of them will work unless you engage. In simple terms, setting an alarm to wake up is useless if you hit snooze time and time again. The trick is to associate the alarm to putting your feet on the floor and standing up.
Activating is more about making it easy to put your feet on the floor or having something to look forward to in order to get out of bed, not so much about the alarm. If you want to move forward, you have to address more than just the symptoms. Continue reading “Why Tips and Tricks Don’t Always Work”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – January 8, 2019
Do those with ADHD have a hard time going to bed or do they just have a hard time going to sleep? Research suggests those with ADHD struggle with agitated boredom.
As a coach I’ve realized the most boring time of the day is the time between when you put your head on the pillow and the time you fall asleep. Bottom line is, it is boring. Continue reading “Are Your Sleep Problems Due to Boredom?”
