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?”
As a seasoned coach, I’ve learned to see past clients’ “stories” and to use observation skills to discover “basic truths.”
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.”
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.
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. 
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.”
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. 
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!
Adults with ADHD often struggle with going on vacation, as well as school and business trips, primarily because of the challenge involved in packing. They’re hard on themselves because they think it should be easy.
ADHD isn’t so much a deficit of attention but rather an issue of self-regulation—the ability to vigorously engage the executive functioning brain to override the automatic brain.
ADHD stimulant medications are classified as Schedule II medications, which means they have a high potential for abuse and as a result are controlled substances. Medications like Adderal are in high demand on college campuses as a study aid. Many with ADHD are lured by friends to share medications and sometimes sell them, which constitutes a felony act. In a rising trend, many ADHD students are unaware of the punitive consequences of ADHD drug diversion, and it has become a hot topic. Many resources talk at students on the topic which mutes the message.
Are you worried about the long-term effects of taking ADHD stimulant medications? You should be. You should also be worried about the long-term effects of NOT taking ADHD meds. All too often, I find people demonize medications prematurely or don’t put them in context. Mind you, I’m not pro medication, but I am anti suffering, especially in the face of ignorance.
Are ADHD meds addictive? Well, are they? Yes or no? Can’t somebody answer my question? Apparently not. Oh, sure, the “ADHD doesn’t exist” crowd might be quick to suggest the meds are addictive, but I’ve found it virtually impossible to find a definitive answer to the question from a credible source.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. What is Obvious Depends On What We Attend To (what I call a WODOWWAT). It is hard for most people to “get,” but hundreds of times a day, our own attention obstructs what is obvious. Examples of it are everywhere. The reason you don’t realize it is because you are not looking for evidence that you are attending to the wrong thing; rather, you miss it because you are more focused on looking for evidence, proof that you are attending to the right thing. 
You may be reading this because the idea of organizing caught your eye. Many of those with ADHD label themselves as disorganized when they see the clutter around them or think of the odd ways they manage tasks. The truth is, however, that much of their “disorganization” is simply based on how it looks.