I Ain’t Waiting For Jack!

I attended the ADDA Conference in Detroit in July 2013 and I continue to marinate in the afterglow.  There is nothing like participating in such an empowering gathering of like-minded people, full of vibrant energy and great talent. We felt empowered and joyful as we witnessed from the Talent Show put on by attendees (Note to self:  Enter ADDA Talent Show next year!) In the spirit of this empowerment, I want to talk to you about excuses and how to take your power back.

Rumination and procrastination – common traits of ADHD – can get in the way of following through on goals and commitments, despite our best intentions. We make excuses and rationalize our behaviors, letting ourselves and others down. If not put in check, the cycle of rumination and procrastination can take over so entirely that we begin to believe the excuses we keep giving ourselves, and those we love.  But how’s that working for you?  Have your excuses ever really worked?

I’m not pointing fingers.  I’ve got excuses up my sleeve too.  When all else fails, we can always blame it on Jack.  Who’s Jack?  Think of Jack as the guy you’re waiting for to do the things you aren’t willing to do for yourself.

There is a difference between excuses and explanations.  We advocate for ourselves when we explain what’s happening.  We are not advocating when we are making excuses for why things are happening.  You’ve heard the experts say, “There are only two times of day for an ADHDer, NOW and NOT NOW.”  If you’ve been waiting for a better time, that mythical “Not Now,” it’s not coming.  It’s time to choose “NOW.”

So where do you start?

1. ADDA’s Web site provides abundant resources to get you started.
2. Connection is essential. Between conferences, if you don’t have a local support, start one.  Meetup.com provides all the tools!
3. Your foundation is important: If medication is part of your treatment plan, fine-tune it.  And since pills don’t teach skills, learn to manage your ADHD too.
4. Exchange excuses for explanations as to why you are who you are.  It’s time to tell your story, the story of how you discovered the hidden treasures in your ADHD.

I was so inspired by one of the keynote speakers at the ADDA Conference, Rick Green, as he explained, “The Power of the Story.”  As you take charge of your life and set a new course, you’ll begin to write the brand new story of your life.  Start by being true to yourself!