Adhd Management | Untapped Brilliance

The Gift of ADHD?

Posted on October 14, 2011 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield 4 Comments

1118565 label The Gift of ADHD? In the ADHD world, there is a big divide between people who think ADHD is a gift and those who think it’s a complete nightmare.

Dr Hallowell, author of many highly regarded ADHD books including ‘Delivered from Distraction’ considers ADHD is a gift, as does Lara Honos- Webb author of ‘The Gift of ADHD’. As a positive person who believes there is an answer to every problem I am in the ‘gift’ camp.

Its undeniable there are annoyances with ADHD; procrastination, disorganization, losing important items, worrying, anxiety, difficulty in school, time management issues, and money management are a few examples. BUT when those
things are managed (and they absolutely can be) the ADHD gifts can shine brightly and magic happens. Some of the most brilliant people…who have changed the world (for the better)…
have ADHD.

Steve Jobs, co-founder Apple, his out of the box ADHD thinking change digital technology with a succession of innovations that included iPods and iPads.

Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA stores, which has changed how the whole world shops for
furniture.

Richard Branson, founder of all things Virgin.

David Neeleman, the billionaire CEO of JetBlue Airways, says ADHD one of his biggest assets.
He believes that his ADHD creativity was the reason he developed the E-ticketing system for
airplanes.

I understand it is hard, when you are living a frantic unmanaged ADHD life to think it’s a gift.I
am severely dyslexia which wasn’t diagnosed until I was 28. I didn’t think I had a gift. My life
was completely centered round studying, and I cried an Amazon River worth of tears for every
paper or exam. My self esteem was in my boots because of all negative ways dyslexia had on my
life. Nothing about that seemed ‘gift like’

10 years later, I have created a life I love based on my strengths and gifts and if a fairy princess offered to make my dyslexic disappear I would politely decline.

This is also true for everyone I know who is managing their ADHD too. There are always going
to be bad days, but people who don’t have ADHD have bad days too!

Where do you stand on the ADHD is a Gift debate?

If you are ready to manage your ADHD and create magic, check out my book, Untapped
Brilliance.

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Filed Under: Untapped Brilliance Blog Tagged: adhd, adhd behavior, adhd management, change, gift, ingvar kamprad, manage, organization, positive, richard branson, steve jobs

Habits = ADHD Success

Posted on September 23, 2011 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield 2 Comments

This week, lots of clients have talked about wanting success. Each had a different definition of success… a successful student, a successful business owner, have a successful relationship or be a successful declutterer …but, they all want to be succeed in the area that is important to them.

Success is always possible; all it takes is consistent daily effort.

Unfortunately, adults with ADHD often don’t trust themselves to carry out consistent daily actions because they haven’t been able to do that in the past and so they have lost confidence and faith in their own ability.

This where habits come in!! Since a habit is behaviour that happens automatically. If you create some habits you know that will lead you to success, then success while happen automatically!

It sounds quite simple doesn’t it? However, adults with ADHD can be very resistant to creating routine and habits because they feel they like to be spontaneous and creative and a habit feels restricting.

But, the reverse is true. The creation of good habits, actually gives you freedom.

It gives you peace of mind that every day you will do what is needed automatically without any brain work or mental bargaining. It takes 28 days to for behaviour to come automatic. For those first 28 days, the new behaviour might be a struggle or uncomfortable. But the rewards will definitely pay off.

This week:
1) Decide what area of life you would like success in.
2) Think what action would bring success, for example if you are student, 4 hours of study every day.
3) Start to do the action every day for 28 days.
4) Keep track of your actions on a calendar.
5) Notice and enjoy how you are moving towards your goals.

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Filed Under: ADHD Behavior, Untapped Brilliance Blog Tagged: adhd behavior, adhd management, ahdh, automatic, behaviour, confidence, habits, success, trust

Nature and ADHD

Posted on July 17, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield 1 Comment

Did you know there is a positive link between spending time in nature and ADHD? Researchers at the University of Illinois found that 20 minutes in nature helped reduce unwanted symptoms of Adult ADHD among its participants. While this study was done with children, the researchers state that their findings also extend to ADHD adults and the non-ADHD population.

If you live in the city or a built up area, don’t feel like you are discounted from the advantages. The benefits of being outside in a “green area” were present whether the participants were in a city park or a remote rural setting. This is great news as it means that no matter where you are in the world, you will still be able to implement and enjoy the benefits that being in nature has on your ADHD.

There are all sorts of ways to incorporate green time into your day, from a gentle stroll to something more adventurous. Here is a list of some activities you can do to ensure you are spending time in nature. However, there are many more!

1. A stroll or gentle walk
2. Bike riding
3. In line skating/skateboarding
4. Horseback riding
5. Growing a garden
6. Hiking
7. Canoeing
8. Fishing
9. Running
10. Flying a kite
11. Camping
12. If you have a garden, start doing some of your regular activities there, such as eating meals and reading the newspaper.
13. Yoga or Tai Chi (done outside)
14. Bird watching
15. Walking your dog

Depending on where you live and your lifestyle, some of these activities you will only be able to do at the weekend, while others are more accessible and you can do them every day.

Action Steps to Allow Nature to reduce your symptoms of Adult ADHD

If you aren’t used to being outside in a green setting, slowly integrate it into your life, until it’s part of your daily routine. Remember, it’s important not just that you are outside, but that you are in a green setting.

1. Have at least 20 minutes of green time a day (but there is no maximum.)
2. Try every item on the list once, just for fun.
3. On days that you aren’t able to go outside, notice and compare how you feel and function to those days that you are outside.

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Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: adhd, adhd management, Adult ADHD, environment, health, Untapped Brilliance

Alternative Treatments for ADHD

Posted on April 18, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield Leave a Comment

1191452 lime flower 2 Alternative Treatments for ADHD

Are there alternative treatments for ADHD? Yes there are!

When we use the word ‘alternative’ the first question that comes to mind is ‘alternative to what?’ and in this case it’s the alternative to pharmaceutical medication. ADD treatment without medication is a popular subject for many reasons. For example, some people don’t feel comfortable taking medication on a long-term basis. Other people experience negative side effects to their prescribed medication and those negative effects far outweigh any positive benefits they experience. Others want the best of both worlds and combine alternative treatments for ADHD with prescribed medication. Whichever group you are in, alternative treatments for ADHD are highly effective.

However the word ‘alternative’ can conjure up some ‘new age’ images in your mind’s eye. Yet there is nothing weird about the alternative approaches I suggest.
There isn’t one magic pill, potion, or lotion that solves all problems relating to ADHD. But, based on the work I have done with my ADHD coaching clients I realized there were 11 highly effective alternative steps that you can incorporate into your life to manage your unwanted ADHD symptoms. This then allows your gifts and unique qualities to shine through.

The 11 steps are outline in my ADHD book ‘Untapped Brilliance, How to Reach your Full Potential as an Adult with ADHD‘. They range from what to eat, why it’s important to get good quality sleep, what exercise is the most beneficial for your ADHD brain, how to set goals that excite you and much more.. There, I promised nothing weird! The book not only outlines WHAT to do, but HOW to implement these steps into your life in an effortless and joyful way.

To get a free report outlining the 11 steps go to http://www.untappedbrilliance.com/ and simply enter your name and email into the box and you will be taken to the report straight away. Then you can start implementing the steps into your life and experiencing the benefits.