The fun part of being an ADHD coach is to have those with ADHD articulate what I couldn’t. In the last year I’ve had a few emails, texts, and social media posts that really get to the heart of the realities of ADHD. I’d like to share a few with you and get your thoughts (please leave comments). Continue reading “People with ADHD Often Tell It Like It Is”
It’s become a joy of mine to produce Attention Talk Videos to address attention issues and provide information to help those in need. One thing I enjoy the most is how articulate many people are in commenting on those videos. I’d like to share a few that really represent the realities of the ADHD plight.
One viewer commented on a video related to dopamine and how those with ADHD forage for information on it. Here’s the comment: Continue reading “The Bold Realities of ADHD”
Are you one of those individuals who think it’s just too complicated to get organized or even to remember things you need to do? Planning is essential for both of these tasks, but it’s important to keep those plans as simple as possible. This theory was what motivated Dr. Carey Heller and me to co-author an article, titled “Keeping Organized Goes Beyond a Task List,” for Attention Magazine, published in the October 2020 edition. Continue reading “Keeping Organized Goes Beyond a Task List”
Since 2012, I’ve had the honor of being on the editorial board of Attention Magazine, published by Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). At first, this might not be surprising, but once you realize I have dyslexia and a learning disability, you might understand the irony, as these have had an enormous impact in my life and have made writing one of my greatest weaknesses. You have to laugh at the idea though. Somebody who struggles to write is actually on the editorial board of a prominent magazine. Go figure.
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”
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”
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?”
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?”
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”
Often, those with ADHD feel chaotic and disorganized. In a sense a feeling is a knee-jerk or reflexive emotional response in that emotions or judgments are made without awareness, analysis, or acknowledgement of what “is.” Just because you feel something doesn’t make it a reality. This reminds me of a story. You may be familiar with it. Continue reading “ADHD and Reflexive Feelings”
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”
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”
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?”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – March 26, 2020
What happens in the ADHD brain? It’s a mystery of the universe, right? Maybe, but once in a while, I coach someone and get a glimpse of the unique logic that is ADHD or at least what works for one person with ADHD. I’m grateful to EV for agreeing to let me share her unique logic. It matters little if it makes sense to you. What matters is it works for her. Like most with ADHD, her process might not be mainstream, but it works for her.
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”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – February 17, 2020
As an adult with ADHD, you’re probably aware that one of the side effects of this fun little disorder is having a lot of things going at the same time. The ADHD brain thrives on stimulation. It generates ideas upon ideas and gets excited to start something new—sometimes multiple things—all at the same time. For someone with ADHD, generating ideas and seeing the potential of them produces dopamine that “lights up” the pleasure center of the brain, just as food, chocolate, alcohol, and addictive behaviors do. Continue reading “What Defines a Project: Appearance or Underlying Motivation?”
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”
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?”
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 – 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 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?”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – December 31, 2018
Taxes are up there with root canals. We’d rather rearrange our sock drawers! But is it because we are motivated to organize our socks, or is it because we are running away from our taxes?
“If only I had more motivation” is something I hear often. Don’t be confused: you ARE motivated – only not motivated enough to do what you “should” be doing. Let me explain. Continue reading “Who Is Motivated to Do Taxes?”
In the summer of 1982, I found myself in a Jacuzzi at a swimming pool in Mission Viejo, California, at World Game Trials. I’ll never forget a comment I heard from Steve Lundquist, who was ranked number one in the world in the 100-meter breaststroke competition. He said, “First is first and second is last.” At that time, I latched onto that mindset because I wanted to be a great swimmer and believed that’s what would get me there. As time went on and my record improved, I began to find myself more frustrated about my performance. I was improving but was never first. At the end of my swim career, I was upset and depressed about never being first. Continue reading “ADHD Holidays: Expectations vs. Joy”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – December 17, 2018
Do you need visual reminders to remember to complete a task or attend an event? Could your “reminders” be clutter to your mate/roommate? One of my recent clients was very visual. If something was out of sight, it was out of mind, so he left items out to serve as visual reminders.
Dr. Russell Barkley, one of the world’s leading experts on ADHD, tells us that those with ADHD need to focus on the point of performance. Thus, leaving a screwdriver on the kitchen counter is a good structure, as it will remind him that he needs to tighten a few screws on the front porch. Simple enough, right? Continue reading “Are Your Reminders Annoying?”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – December 10, 2018
As a seasoned coach, I’ve learned to see past clients’ “stories” and to use observation skills to discover “basic truths.”
Motivation “basic truth” examples:
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – November 27, 2018
One important fact I’ve learned over the years from coaching folks with ADHD is this: ADHD is a self-regulation issue with a working memory challenge. Now, let’s look more closely at the word “memory.”
Many folks with ADHD find clutter distracting. They prefer clean and tidy work spaces to help them think. Interestingly, these same folks wrestle with memory challenges and tend to hold onto things because of the memories they represent; thus creating clutter.
Continue reading “Why Decluttering Systems Don’t Always Work”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – November 20, 2018
One of my clients, a mental health professional, wanted coaching on time management, specifically on how to stop being late. Using the inquisitive coaching process, I began to ask questions, and as things unfolded, it was clear this person was about 10 minutes late 95% of the time.
Given her ADHD, time management challenges are almost always assured. She wanted a “plug-and-play” strategy, because she assumed that there was a structure already out there that I could impart to her for quick results. Continue reading “Eureka! A Time Management Strategy”
In Super Bowl XXXVII, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive lineup took the field for the first time. Each player introduced himself on network TV by stating his name and the college that drafted him. When Simeon Rice’s turn came, he stated simply, “Simeon Rice, the School of Hard Knocks.” Get it? Football? Hard knocks? Well, I got the pun and a whole lot more! Here’s what I got. Continue reading “Failing Forward at the School of Hard Knocks”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – November 6, 2018
Those close to attention deficit disorder (ADD)—psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, therapists, counselors, etc.—frequently reference four distinguishing characteristics or traits that are used to differentiate between those who have ADD and those who do not. The four traits are “distractible” “impulsive,” “hyperactive,” and “lazy.”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – October 30, 2018
Did you know that 50 percent of all doctors graduated in the bottom of their class? Early in my sales career, I loved sharing this very interesting fact; it proved especially useful when I was selling against HMOs in the days when indemnity plans meant you could choose any provider. That’s when I realized most anything that can be measured by definition is at or below average. This simple concept has fascinated me for years. Continue reading “Focusing on Strengths above the 50% Rule”
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – October 15, 2018
We can get caught up in paying attention to how we want things to be and lose sight of how things actually are. So let’s look at organizing in a new way!
I’ve coached many teens and college students around organization, and, I, too, thought they were very disorganized. But when I opened my mind, it all changed.
From my MBA and process class, I learned that one starts by mapping out the current system before making adjustments. The exercise can be very insightful and applies both to late teens and young adults. Let me illustrate.
October is ADHD Awareness Month! You’ll see a ton of information about ADHD everywhere. But who knows what’s accurate and what’s not? ADDA knows! That’s why ADDA created the TADD Talk program.
If you have ADHD, you need reliable, science-based information. That’s why, along with 30 other experts, I have teamed up with the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) to bring you proven programming, and I’m thrilled to give one of their now-famous TADD Talks this October! Catch my TADD Talk on Sunday, October 7, on “My Experience Coaching Those with ADHD around Sleep Issues.”
Don’t worry; these TADD talks are brief but each one touches on a different topic, and a new nugget of valuable information will be delivered right to your inbox every day all month long!
Sign up right now to receive your daily dose of TADD Talk goodness. Or you can listen just to me! Click here to check out the schedule.
There is no question that those with ADHD have different brain wiring. “Non-linear thinking” is a label that many with ADHD use to describe their thinking experience. Using such labels to distinguish the thinking process from the implied and more mainstream linear thinking sounds good, but what does non-linear thinking really look like?
Continue reading “ADHD: Is It Hyperlink Thinking?”
