Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with ADHD, ADD

Adults with ADHD need to practice more kindness to ourselves and be intentional about self compassion. But how do we do it? This podcast episode is dedicated to helping busy adults with ADHD fine ways to be more kind to ourselves and help us understand the science of self compassion. Tara Cousineau PhD is the author of the book the Kindness Cure, a meditation teacher and perfectionism coach. Tara first discusses why she wrote the book, the Kindness Cure, what prompted her and what she wanted to accomplish by having people read about kindness. She discusses with Dave how self-compassion can directly affect executive functions and how stress can deactivate our compassion network. She discusses the overall lessons of kindness that we need to implement in our lives and why it is so critical, especially for adults with ADHD. Dave and Tara discussed the physical challenges that can result from a lack of self compassion and stress. And Tara discusses kindness in practice with some questions we can all ask ourselves at any time of the day to put a more positive aspect on our lives. You can find Tara Cousineau here at her website. https://www.taracousineau.com/book/ **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

Many adults with ADHD especially in the workplace have challenges speaking up for their wants and needs. In this episode Dave goes through some of the differences in how we speak up. Specifically, understanding that being assertive and aggressive is very different. And as you might imagine, being assertive and tactful, is the most effective way to express our needs in various situations. But if we don't speak up to our coworkers, leadership and our clients, many of us can have our wants and needs discounted and not met at all which only leads to feeling burned out and disrespected. Let's go through why being assertive and respectful can get you what you need if you are a professional and busy adult with ADHD. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

Dave talks about one of his favorite words and philosophies when it comes to thriving with adult ADHD and that is clarity. He offers a quick clarity playbook of areas adults with ADHD should focus on in achieving more clarity. Having clarity helps us thrive as busy professionals with adult ADHD. And that clarity can be in all areas of our life but most importantly in our careers and our business. Achieving clarity, asking the right questions, understanding why we're doing something and understanding the expectations of others can be a game changer if we're struggling with our adult ADHD. All areas of our life can be improved when we have a mindset of always achieving clarity. If you are a busy adult with ADHD, juggling career and family, achieving clarity is mission critical to thriving with ADHD. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

Let's chat about some of the adult ADHD myths out there. Dave has decided to have a little fun and, in this episode, discusses some of the more common and irritating myths about adult ADHD. are there more myths about ADHD? You bet!  We know these ADHD myths are not true but it just goes to show all of us that we have a lot of work to do when it comes to creating awareness and educating others about the challenges many of us face. Are there good parts to adult ADHD? Of course, including creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and so much more. But many of us have our challenges and the myths surrounding adult ADHD sometimes have many people doubting us. So let's try to have a laugh and remember we still have work to do to dispel these adult ADHD myths. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

There are many ways that professional adults with ADHD can get the support they need to thrive in business and in life. In this episode of overcoming distractions, we go through some of the more popular methods for busy adults juggling life, family and business. Back on the podcast is Jeff Copper from Dig Coaching. Jeff and Dave discuss many ways adults can receive support through coaching and mentorship depending on their challenges and goals. They talk about some of the more effective ways of supporting busy adults with ADHD. Jeff discusses some of the more effective methods that adults with ADHD can take advantage of and how utilizing those techniques can support various breakthroughs. That includes various types of ADHD coaching and mentorship provided by professionals. Jeff Copper talks about a new methodology he is rolling out to help busy adults with ADHD obtain those desired outcomes and he walks us through how that works. He talks about how this might be different than more popular support systems for adults with ADHD and gives us a little bit of insight into how this helps people through their ADHD journey. And as always, Jeff and Dave give a few quick tips for busy professionals with ADHD to implement in our daily lives and begin to work on ourselves. You can find Jeff Copper and Dig Coaching here. www.digcoaching.com **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

Let's face it, many of our challenges as adults with ADHD revolve around executive functions. We've talked about executive functions several times on overcoming distractions because it is an important aspect of our lives and our careers as adults with ADHD. Dave gets street smart once again and discussed Some simple ways we can improve or compensate for our executive function challenges. As he mentions in the podcast, each one of these could be a separate podcast but this episode is meant as an audio checklist to get you thinking about what you can do to manage your executive functions, compensate for challenges and limitations and create a few workarounds. From creating routines and keeping important items as visible as possible to the most basic ways to clear your head and gain some energy to get your work done. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

If you are a professional adult with ADHD, have you ever considered the services of an occupational therapist? In this episode, we discuss why adults with ADHD may want to consider occupational therapy. Jamie Cutino is an Occupational Therapist / 2x TEDx Speaker and an ADHD Advocate and she joins Dave to discuss various aspects of benefiting from occupational therapy. Jamie gives a general overview of occupational therapy and how occupational therapists generally work with clients. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min She talks about how we can recognize the need for occupational services. Jamie discusses that many times adults with ADHD working with occupational therapist to manage sensory needs including overstimulation. She also gives us an overview of the vestibular system of our body and gives us an understanding of why ADHD can affect this. She talks about everything from a foot hammock under your desk to understanding that an occupational therapist can also help you set up your working environment for success. Here are some ways to find Jamie including her Ted Talks. Website Outsmartadhd.co Outsmart ADHD Podcasthttps://outsmartadhd.transistor.fm/  TEDx Talk #1ADHD: The Unsuspected Underdog | Jamie Cutino | TEDxCWRU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcx4Tdn7ZhM&t=378s TEDx Talk #2Success Is Not Fitting Into Your Skinny Jeans | Jamie Cutino | TEDxManitouSprings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mLBglrbZ8k&t=319s

Most of us have heard of or purchased a weighted blanket but have you ever heard of a weighted pillow? Mikey Goldman is the founder of Quiet Mind and he's the inventor of the first of its kind weighted pillow. And he is a successful entrepreneur with ADHD. Dave talks to Mikey about a number of things that relate to adults with ADHD and feeling calm. First, Mikey talks about growing up with ADHD including the successes and challenges he encountered. And he talks about some of the challenges as he entered adulthood. As an entrepreneur with ADHD, he first started out in other careers and he talks about how he navigated those careers with ADHD. Mikey talks about the quiet mind weighted pillow, why he invented it and why he believes that it can be beneficial for anyone with ADHD. He talks about the science behind the weighted pillow and the calming effect that not only the pillow has but in hugging. And Mikey discusses the must haves that he needs to have in place as a busy adult with ADHD. The most important thing he discusses is the power of having routines in his life. Check out this great discussion not only with an entrepreneur with ADHD but an inventor of a very beneficial product for anyone with ADHD. Find the weighted pillow here: https://www.onequietmind.com/

Cynthia Hammer is the founder and executive director of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition and the author of the book… “Living with Inattentive ADHD-climbing the circular staircase of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” Cynthia explains the mission of The Inattentive ADHD Coalition and what the organization does and how it provide much-needed resources for those of us with ADHD. She talks about what inspired her and prompted her to write a book about inattentive ADHD and speak about her personal journey with ADHD. She discusses what is very important for readers to take away from her writings. Cynthia also explains some of the strategies she has incorporated in her life that has allowed her to thrive with ADHD. And she talks about why humor and positive self-talk is so mission critical for adults with ADHD. And Cynthia gives some words of advice and inspiration for those busy adults with ADHD who may be struggling and working through challenges currently. Learn more about the Inattentive ADHD Coalition and Cynthia's work here. https://www.iadhd.org/

If you haven't figured it out yet, executive functions pretty much rule our life. From remembering to brush our teeth, working memory, planning our day, switching from one thing to the next, understanding time etc. If those of us with ADHD do not understand and get a handle on improving our executive functions, it makes it challenging to get through work, home environment and everything in between. This episode is dedicated to understanding executive functions 101. Dave's guest has been here before- Lara Honos-Webb….Clinical psychologist and author as well as Cofounder of Bonding Health which is an app that helps children with ADHD. She is the author of Brain Hacks life changing strategies to improve executive functioning and her new book 6 Super Skills for Executive Functioning. Dr, Lara gives listeners an overview of what our executive functions are. Attention and focus, planning and organization, emotional regulations, controlling impulses… She talks about why those of us especially with ADHD rely so heavily on executive functions to get through the day. Dave and Dr. Lara also discuss some examples many can relate to of how poor executive functions can hinder us as busy adults with ADHD. And Dr. Lara gives everyone some advice on some of the most effective ways to improve our executive functions. If you're really challenged with executive functions and getting projects and tasks completed, she recommends finding ways to make it more interesting, implement fun and of course ask for help. Find Dr. Lara Honos-Webb here. https://www.addisagift.com/ **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

If you are an adult with ADHD looking for career advice, this is a great episode of Overcoming Distractions. Whether you need to change careers or jobs or just need some adjustments in your current workplace, Shell Mendelson will give you some advice. Shell Mendelson is a career coach for adults with ADHD and the author of the new book Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for ADHD Adults and Teens.  Shell and Dave discuss her recent book and start out by talking about how ADHD can impact our careers including some examples listeners can relate to. One area some adults with ADHD can relate to is when placed on a performance improvement plan at work which as Shell puts it can be a soul crushing situation. When forging a new career, Shell talks about how many childhood experiences including things we like and hobbies could be an indicator as to our career direction. Shell also discusses why she's used the word preferred many times in her book. She says it is important to understand preferences and must-haves when analyzing your career. Those include: ·         Working conditions ·         Knowledge ·         Geography ·         Accommodations ·         money And Shell and Dave wrap up by talking about some of those must haves that adults with ADHD need to consider in their career path. They include clarity, learning more about yourself, owning your career path, building confidence and being ready. Find Shell and her new book here: www.careercoachingwithshell.com  **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

In this episode, we are talking about confidence for adults with ADHD or for that matter confidence building for anyone. Back on the podcast is Alyssa Dver, founder of the American Confidence Institute. Alyssa is one of the leading authorities on the subject of confidence out there today. Confidence is something that allows adults with ADHD to thrive. Many of us struggle with self-doubt, which sometimes gets in the way of being our best selves, especially in our careers or the workplace. When we have confidence, then we can earn the trust of others in the workplace, leadership, clients, and others. And it's an awesome feeling when we can walk into work and be confident. Alyssa starts out by defining confidence in the simplest terms we can all understand. She talks about how lacking confidence can affect us in the workplace and our personal lives. Alyssa discusses with Dave about people who have come up with a breakthrough in building confidence and some of the things they say in how it affected their lives. Dave and Alyssa discussed the barriers to confidence not only in the workplace but in our home environments and some of the challenges we face daily that are disguised as a lack of confidence including some red flags. And Alyssa gives listeners a simple blueprint for starting your journey of building more confidence. Learn more about the American Confidence Institute and Alyssa Dver here. https://www.americanconfidenceinstitute.com/ **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

If you're wondering if you're experiencing stress or you're going through burnout, Dave takes time to discuss the differences between being stressed out and burnout. Busy adults with ADHD can experience stress at many levels, and if not addressed, it can eventually turn into burnout. Dave discusses the difference in the definition, causes of burnout, the impact of both stress and burnout as well as the basics of what you need to know when it comes to recovery for stress and burnout. They can be different. In short, stress can be a short-term experience, while burnout can be a more chronic issue that will require much more work to recover from. If you are a busy adult with ADHD and continue to feel more challenged in business and in life, you'll want to listen to this short podcast. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

In this episode we are talking about managing distractions with the help of willpower. While many adults with ADHD may be put off by the concept of willpower, building that willpower muscle can be an effective strategy for thriving with adult ADHD. Back on the podcast is Giovanni Dienstmann, a sought-after meditation teacher and author of the books Practical Meditation, Mindful Self-Discipline, and ..Wise Confidence. Giovanni and Dave discuss the following on this episode of Overcoming Distractions. ·         Giovanni provides a well thought out definition of willpower and how it affects our lives. ·         He discusses why willpower must be a daily habit and how we build upon it, much like building muscle. ·         Dave and Giovanni discuss why distractions are another form of seeking energy. ·         How decision fatigue and willpower are connected and how increasing willpower can reduce decision fatigue. Giovanni goes through a simple framework for improving willpower in our ADHD lives. That includes working on our environment and working on ourselves. That includes both mental and physical environment. Working environment adjustments can include minimizing any type of electronic notifications such as your phone. Website blockers if necessary and decluttering your environment. And Giovanni discusses a process for slowing down and building effective intentions to help build  willpower. You can find Giovanni's books and his app here. https://www.mindfulselfdiscipline.com/ **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

Dave continues his on air checklist of distractions many adults with ADHD face. This is Part 2 and Dave discusses some not so obvious Distractions that enter our lives quite frequently. When we think of Distractions we think of the usual suspects including office noise, doom scrolling on social media and shiny objects. But there are many pieces of our day that when you come right down to it, end up being distracting. And maybe more so than the general distractions we always think about. This podcast, once again, is meant to get you thinking and to see if any of these Distractions David discusses are affecting you in your work and home. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

We're talking about distractions in this podcast. And if you can't name them, then you can't deal with them. If you are a busy adult with ADHD, distractions are coming at you all day long. You're distracted at home, and distractions are most likely entering your professional life in some way. But the only way we can conquer our distractions is by self-awareness and owning them. Only then can we work towards minimizing distractions as adults with ADHD. This podcast is meant just to give you a brief checklist of some of the main distractions you know you're dealing with already. Dave wants to get you thinking about how you can minimize distractions. So if you have forgotten what's distracting you, let Dave remind you in this two-part podcast. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

There are huge misconceptions and misunderstandings about procrastination. And Dave tackles this because of a recent social media post he saw telling people that they should schedule procrastination to manage their time. That's bad advice to say the least and to a greater extent reckless, especially for adults with ADHD. There is an enormous difference between procrastination and strategic delay and Dave goes through both and offers a few tips on how to understand your own procrastination a little better. He also talks about how strategically delaying certain tasks or projects can actually work in your favor and help lower your stress. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

Dave talks again about his two favorite words when it comes to adult ADHD. Clarity and control. Because you can't talk about these two enough. They are mission critical to surviving as a busy adult with ADHD. Dave discusses briefly why clarity and being in control is such an important part of your ADHD life and gives some examples of how to gain more clarity and take back control. The more busy adults focus on these two areas of life, the less reactionary you'll be. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

If you are an adult with ADHD, this conversation is built just for you. Whether you are a CEO, busy executive, business owner with ADHD or are juggling life and professional responsibilities, you'll learn a lot about being an adult with ADHD in this conversation. Kathleen Nadeau, PhD is the Founder the Chesapeake Center and the author of Still Distracted After All These Years: Help and Support for Older Adults with ADHD. In this conversation you'll get a snapshot of what it's like to be a busy adult with ADHD and get some great tips for thriving in both business and home life. First, Dr. Nadeau discusses why she wrote this book. While we see a lot out there in the world about children with ADHD, as you well know, ADHD impacts adults as well. Dr. Nadeau discusses how ADHD impacts almost every aspect of our lives including sleep, work, distractions, overcommitting and much more. Dave and Dr. Nadeau discuss why one of the most impactful and basic ways you can thrive with adult ADHD is have the proper support and structure in place. Having a mindset of taking control while having the proper support can go a long way in reducing the chaos of ADHD. Dr. Nadeau discusses the importance of having brain healthy habits including research into diets and she talks about some of the basics of building an ADHD friendly environment. How do adults with ADHD develop a mindset of taking control? Learn more about the Chesapeake center and find Dr. Nadeau’s book here. https://thechesapeakecenter.com/ **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min  

In this short episode, Dave runs through some of the lessons learned from people who have experienced burnout. While it is a harsh way to learn lessons about life and gain some self-awareness, many people who have experience burnout have learned how to understand thier capacity, manage time more effectively, learn to communicate their needs and more. In Dave's book Overcoming Burnout, real people share these lessons from their own time feeling burned out. **Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min