My ADD / ADHD Blog

Ask Tara Your ADD / ADHD Questions

I am really excited to let you all know about a great new resource that I am now offering. It's called Ask Tara. I will be answering YOUR Questions about ADD / ADHD over at the Living with ADD Forum. Oh and best of all Ask Tara is FREE!!

Simply post your question in the Ask Tara area of the Forum and I will provide you with my best answer! 

Questions will be answered with in 1 week of being posted. 

Answers may included but are not limited to:

• Tips
• Strategies
• Suggested Tools
• Suggested Resources
• Suggested Experts

Are You Realistic?

Last week I made blog post saying that I was going to write a blog post everyday during ADHD Awareness Month. Well, It's now Wednesday and ummm.... I haven't written since Saturday. I guess I wasn't too realistic with my expectations. I didn't take into consideration that I'd be fighting off a cold. I also forgot how much work coordinating the ADHD Awareness Expo was. 

Working as an ADHD Coach I know this is quite common for Adults with ADD / ADHD. Far too often we do not have realistic expectations. This can lead to problems like frustration and disappointment with ourselves. Instead of beating myself up about this, next time I will ask myself if my expectations are realistic.

ADHD Support Talk Radio

As some of you make have noticed, I've taken a bit of a break from ADHD Support Talk Radio. Don't worry I will be back soon with a fresh new format that I know you will love. In the mean time make sure you take a listen to the archives of our past shows. I was joined by some wonderful guests and we discussed some helpful topics. 

• Who were your favorite ADHD Support Talk Guests? 
• What Topics did you find the most helpful?
• What Topics would you like to have me cover in the future?

Thank you so much for all your support!

Tara McGillicuddy

Virtual AD/HD Conference

Have you heard about the Virtual AD/HD Conference? It’s an online event that I highly recommend.

The Virtual AD/HD Conference brings together adults with ADHD from all over the world, and empowers them with the information, tools, and resources needed to succeed. 

Best of all, this is an online event - there's no travel required!
 
The Virtual AD/HD Conference takes place October 7-10, and it’s a unique opportunity that allows you to:

·        Connect with top ADHD experts

·        Interact with other ADHD adults from around the globe

·        Master the information, skills, and tools that I need to successfully manage my ADHD… without ever leaving home!

The Virtual AD/HD Conference has been running for 6 years now, and this year that conference organizers have crafted an agenda of 8 “ADHD Master Classes” designed to help you:

• Get a thorough understanding of ADHD, and how it affects you
• Build the skills you need to successfully manage your ADHD
• Discover practical tips, tools, and resources that will make your life easier
• Understand and gain control of your emotional experience
• Improve your focus and memory
• Get organized in many areas of your life
• Improve your relationships
• Identify specific medical treatment options
• Gain control of your time
• Understand how your ADHD brain works
• Identify and utilize your strengths

Everyone who registers will have access to the live Master Classes, as well as downloadable recordings and materials. Plus, there is an attendee website that encourages you to interact with your peers to share experiences, ask questions, and discuss the presentations.

I think this online event is truly a great value. You can register for the Virtual AD/HD Conference or find HERE.

ADHD Awareness Month Blogathon

Since it's ADHD Awareness Month I have decided to write a blog post every day during the month of October. I've also decided to make it "official" and name it the ADHD Awareness Month Blogathon. I need your help with the ADHD Awareness Month Blogathon.

First - I could really use some ideas about what to blog about each day! If you have any ideas please comment on this blog post.

Second - I'd love for others get involved in the ADHD Awareness Month Blogathon. I challenge my readers to write their own ADD / ADHD blog posts during ADHD Awareness Month. If you don't have your own blog you can get your own for free over at http://livingwithadd.com/

Tara McGillicuddy

ADHD According to Zoe: The Real Deal on Relationships, Finding Your Focus, and Finding Your Keys

I want to let all my blog readers know about great a new book that has come out! It's called ADHD According to Zoe: The Real Deal on Relationships, Finding Your Focus, and Finding Your Keys by Zoe Kessler. Like the title says, this book is THE REAL DEAL. Zoe really tells it like it is and opens up in this book. In addition to candidly sharing her struggles of living as a woman with ADD, she also offers practical tips and strategies to other Women with ADHD. If you are woman with ADD / ADHD or trying to better understand women with ADD / ADHD, I highly reccomend adding this book to you ADD / ADHD Library.

Tara McGillicuddy

ADHD Awareness Month and You

Just in case you haven't been bombarded yet by the ADHD Awareness Month Emails, I'm here to let you know October is ADHD Awareness Month. A team of people in our community want to spread information about ADD / ADHD. That's great but they also want you, somebody personally affected by ADD / ADHD join them.

I'm speaking out to ask you to stop and think before you shout out to the world that you or a loved one has ADD / ADHD. I'm also asking to stop and think before you put your time and energy into planning an event or joining the ADHD Awareness Month Education Train! Stop and ask yourself if this is in YOUR best interest!

I take a bit of a different view on ADHD Awareness than some. Yes it's great that people have chosen educate the world about ADD / ADHD. However it's think it's also important that those personally affected by ADD / ADHD are aware of the different resources out there for ADD / ADHD.

This is why 3 year ago I created the Online ADHD Awareness Expo. I wanted to be able to share the wonderful resources that are out there to help people affected by ADD / ADHD. I hope that you will join me this year at the FREE Online ADHD Awareness Expo and that you will learn about some new resources to improve your life. 

Tara McGillicuddy

Want and Need an Affordable ADD / ADHD Coach

I get a lot of requests from people looking for ADD / ADHD Coaches they can afford. At this time my coaching services are limited and I am not taking on new clients. I often have ADHD Coaches on ADHD Support Talk Radio and the ADD Audio Library has several Coaches. These are two great resources to start with and to get a bit of an introduction to some ADD / ADHD Coaches. 

Another resource I recommend is the ADHD Coaches Organization. Not only do I recommend that you search their directory, I also recommend that you contact the organization directly. Let them know what you want and need in an ADD / ADHD and how much you can afford to pay an ADD / ADHD. The people making the decisions about ADD / ADHD Coaching really need to hear from the people with ADD / ADHD.

If you do contact the ADHD Coaches Organization be sure to let them know I sent you! 

Tara McGillicuddy

Deadlines, Guidelines, and Boundaries

As a person with ADD / ADHD I really need Deadlines, Guidelines, and Boundaries. I may not meet the deadlines, nor follow the guidelines to a "T", and well I love to see how far I can go when it come to boundaries. I don't consider myself rule breaker just for sake of breaking rules but I do sometimes like to "push the envelope". Though I may not like them, I really need these things to exist and be there. If they aren't there, I have nothing to work from! I get completely overwhelm led which can lead to problems for me and others!

What time do you want to meet for lunch? 

"What ever works for you.." ,"I don't care, you decide...", "When ever you can get there...", "When ever you are ready".

These type of responses don't work well for most Adults with ADD / ADHD. It works so much better to give us a time that we can work from. Even if it doesn't work for us we have something to start with. If you want us to show up for lunch at lunch time give us a time.

Oh and when a person with ADD / ADHD asks for a deadline to get paperwork in for an ADD / ADHD related event - Give her one! Telling her there is no deadline is like telling her she doesn't need to get the paperwork in - EVER! 

Guest Bloggers Wanted

I have been getting quite a few requests from people wanting to write guest posts for My ADD Blog. I do not accept guest posts here on MY blog but I am looking for bloggers over at Living with ADD. It's simple to do! Just register for a free account over at Living with ADD. Once your membership is approved go in a write you blog posts.

3rd Annual Succeed with ADHD Telesummit!

• Would you like to learn how to use the strengths and innate talents of your ADHD to overcome and minimize your challenges?
• Would you like to understand more about how your ADHD brain works?
• Would you like to discover ways to be a better parent, spouse, student and coworker with ADHD?

In essence, how would you, or how would you like someone you care about, to learn how to Succeed With ADHD?

You CAN succeed with ADHD!

My friend and colleague Laurie Dupar from Coaching for ADHD.com wants to help you find that success. 

That’s why she’s invited me to speak alongside some of the world’s leading ADHD experts in this year’s Succeed With ADHD Telesummit from August 19-23rd and I want to extend a special invitation for you to attend as my guest, from the comfort of your own home or workplace, completely f.ree of charge.

Monday, August 19th – Friday, August 23rd

Calls are 11am, 3pm and 6pm PST Daily (2pm, 6pm, 9pm EST)

I will be speaking on Thursday, August 22, at 9:00 pm. The Topic of my talk is: Secrets to Productivity, Focus and Success for Adults with ADD / ADHD".

Click here to learn more and to register for FREE.

Focusing Long Enough to Listen?

I've recently received some emails asking why we use an audio format for our classes at ADDClasses.com. Some people told us they believe that because they have ADD / ADHD they won't be able to pay attention long enough to listen and comprehend the classes. 

Well, we don't expect you to sit still on the telephone or in front of your computer for the full class. We encourage you to engage other parts of your brain while listening to our ADDClasses.com classes.

Here are the top 3 ways Adults with ADD / ADHD listen to our classes. 

Many ADDClasses.com members have told us they listen to our classes while exercising. I'm somebody who needs music to exercise but I know many people who listen to audiobooks, podcasts and classes while working out. 

Many of our members also listen to our classes while doing housework. I'm always amazed at the people who come up to me at conferences and thank me for the classes in the ADD Audio Library. They tell my they love listening to them while doing the dishes. As somebody who hates doing the dishes, I'm so glad I can help!

Finally, quite a few of our members listen while driving (and other forms of commuting). Sometimes I like music when I drive. Sometimes listening to a class or podcast while driving long distances really helps me with the drive.

What about you?

How do you listen to our ADDClasses.com classes?

Deadlines, Accountability and Priorities

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote an article and sent out a newsletter. It's been on my "ToDo List" for quite some time now but I until now I just haven't sat down to write. I do admit at first I felt somewhat guilty but then I took a real look at the reasons I didn't write and send it out.

I have been VERY busy with other things! It'snot that writing and sending out the newsletter wasn't important. It was and is! It's just that the other projects ended up becoming higher priorities for me. It also made me realize that order of importance isn't the same as the order I prioritize things. 

It made me take a look what items had become

high priorities for me. 

Deadlines and Accountability: 

The items that turned into my highest priorities over the past few months were ones that had both a set deadline and ones where I was accountable to other people. The Free ADDClasses.comTeleseminars and Paid Programs ended up being my highest priorities.

I partnered with other people on these projects and we agreed on dates. Not only was I accountable to my colleagues but I was also accountable to the people who registered or who might want to register for Teleseminars and Support Programs.

Wow, this seems really simple to me now! 

It's not that writing my newsletter and blog weren't as important to me as the ADDClasses.com programs. Then there is my ADHD Support Talk Radio Show too. ADHD Support Talk Radio is theMOST listened to Online ADD / ADHD Radio Show. 

It too is just as important (maybe even more) as the ADDClasses.com Programming but I choose when it airs and I choose who to have on as a guests. I didn't have the built indeadlines and accountability. 

I now know some of my keys to prioritizing. 

What about you? 

 

Think of the things in your life that you DO Complete and that get done first. What do those things have in common? If you have found it, maybe that's how YOU prioritize your life too. 

 

Maybe there is a way to add those things to some of the items that you do want to get done. Maybe there is a way for you to move those projects and tasks up higher on YOUR list of priorities.

2013 ADHD Awareness Week Expo

I am excited to announce that the 4th Annual ADHD Awareness Expo will be held Online October 20th - October 26th, 2013 during ADHD Awareness Month. Once again I will be hosting the ADHD Awareness Expo and will be joined by leading ADD / ADHD Experts who will be sharing their best tips for living successfully with ADD / ADHD. In addition to the special guest experts, the ADHD Awareness Expo will also showcase products and services that help people affected by ADD / ADHD improve their lives.

Stay tuned to learn more about the ADHD Expo. Also, if you will be attending the ADDA Conference next month be sure to stop by the ADDClasses.com  table and ask me for information about the 2013 ADHD Awareness Expo.

Tara McGillicuddy

Focus and Willpower

My guest this week on ADHD Support Talk Radio was Dr. Thomas E. Brown. We had an great discussion about Focus, Willpower and Adult ADD / ADHD. Dr. Brown is a leading ADD / ADHD expert and researcher. His newest book A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults: Executive Function Impairments was just published last month. I highly recommend taking a listen to the show and reading the book.