Challenges | Untapped Brilliance

Attention and ADHD

Posted on September 20, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield Leave a Comment

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. However, the name “Attention Deficit” is slightly deceptive as ADHD is more about how attention is controlled rather than an actual shortage of attention. It is tricky for someone with ADHD to focus on the most important thing at any given moment since it’s hard to filter out the less important things that are occurring in the environment.

For example, if you are having a conversation with a friend, in an ideal world you would focus on them so they know you are listening and that listening to them is important to you. Yet it’s hard to do that when you can hear a siren going off in the distance, people are moving around in your peripheral vision and your phone is vibrating in your pocket.

The perfect way to illustrate that ADHD is not about a “deficit” of attention is hyper-focusing. Hyper-focus is the ability to focus intently on one activity for hours at a time. When an activity interests you, your focus is exceptionally strong and the rest of the world disappears into the background. Hyper-focusing, like distractibility, is thought to be due to low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Hyper-focus can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s a gift in the sense that it allows you to make enormous headway into projects in a way that a non-ADHDer can only dream of. The downside is that if you have other tasks you are supposed to be doing, they can get left by the wayside.

Here are some ways to make hyper-focusing work for you:

1. Fill your life with activities you enjoy as much as possible.
2. With tasks that you have to do, make them as interesting as possible for yourself. For example, the famous swimmer Michael Phelps hated reading and math when he was in school. To make these activities interesting and compelling, Michael’s resourceful mom gave him the Sports section of the newspaper to read and customized math problems to cater to his interest, such as “If you swim one meter per second, how long would it take to swim 800 meters?”
3. After you have done a boring task or two, do one of your hyper-focus tasks as a reward.
4. If you are doing a task that you know you are going to hyper-focus on, yet have other commitments, set an external reminder, such as a timer, cell phone alarm or person, to physically remind you that it’s time to move on.
5. Enjoy the gift of hyper-focus. When channeled in the right direction, it can allow you to excel in life.

Pin It

Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: adhd, Adult ADHD, attention, challenges, decision making, hyperactivity

Falling In Love and ADHD

Posted on August 27, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield Leave a Comment

Falling in love and the first few months of a new relationship is a really exciting time. You feel like you are walking on clouds and have a smile on your face for no particular reason and want to run and help strangers on the street.

This wonderful high is even more pronounced when you have ADHD because there is an increased amount of dopamine released in your brain. Dopamine is the feel good neurotransmitter that is known to be low in ADHD brains. Because of this happy feeling, ADHD adults can be serial daters. They love to be loved. However, when the heady phase has worn off and reality of day to day life with your new love sets in, life is less exciting and problems start to appear.

If you recognize yourself as a serial dater, yet would like a happy long-term relationship, here are 3 tips to make that transition:

1) Keep it real. It’s great that you have a new awesome person in

your life. However, that doesn’t mean that every aspect of your

life is suddenly magically transformed. You still have to go to

work, keep on top of the house work, etc. Sharing your life with a

special person is a wonderful thing, but they aren’t the magical

‘fix all’ to all of your life woes.

2) Have you noticed that the very things that attract us to our

partner are the very things that can drive you apart in the end?

Someone who is open and loving becomes ‘emotionally needy’ and someone who has strengths in organizing becomes a ‘drill sergeant’. Take

stock of the common traits of the last few people you have dated.

If there are recurring patterns, then develop that trait within

yourself. For example, if you constantly find people that are super

organized very hot, develop your own inner organizing side. When you do

this, you won’t be so attracted to the uber-organized person that

was problematic in the past.

3) Create a wonderful life for yourself. If you keep falling in

love over and over again, it could be that your life isn’t full and

exciting and so you look for the external excitement of the love

process to provide that excitement. This then sabotages your

efforts of having a long term relationship. Take a look at your

life see what you can add or take away so that is fun and joyful

every day, with or without a special someone.

You might also enjoy the article The ADD Relationship

Filed Under: Untapped Brilliance Blog Tagged: adhd, challenges, environment, health

Have Yourself Some Fun

Posted on July 4, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield Leave a Comment

Taking time to have fun is something that often by passes adults with ADHD. They feel guilty because they ‘should’ being doing something else, like tidying up their messy house, or sitting down to pay the bills.
However, it is really important to make having fun a priority since it recharges your batteries and gives you more energy to get the not so fun stuff done.

One thing I have noticed with adults with ADHD is their idea of ‘fun’ might not be considered mainstream fun, and that is OK! When I ask a client what they find fun they will say, “Oh the usual, going out for dinner, watching a movie” and I can tell they are saying those things because they are the ‘expected’ answers. But their face is lifeless. I probe a little deeper and they say shyly..”Well, it might not be everyone’s idea of fun but..” and then their face lights up as they list everything they REALLY love to do, from political debating to midnight hikes.

Never be shy about what it is you enjoy doing, and always make time to do your fun stuff. Not only is your life more fun and enjoyable when you take the time to do what you love, but with your energy recharged, everything else in your life seems so much better.

Your homework this week is to think of 3 things that are fun for you and then schedule time to actually do them! Then, notice how happy you feel both during the activity and afterwards.

Pin It

Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: adhd, Adult ADHD, challenges, environment, Untapped Brilliance

ADHD Adults and Social Media

Posted on June 28, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield Leave a Comment

Maintaining contact with friends is a challenge for ADHD adults which is why http://www.Facebook.com is a fabulous website for you. It makes keeping in touch with the people you care about easy and fun.
However, as with all good things, there is a down side too. The big danger of Facebook is that you get a glimpse into other people’s lives and then feel bad about your own. When you have adult ADHD there is a tendency to feel you aren’t where you ‘should be’ in life, and when you compare yourself to people in your social circle or friends you went to school with, you feel even worse. Sites like Facebook, give us the ability to peep into people’s lives. You see your friends looking happy and cute with their friends, partners and children.
Then you compare that to your life and you don’t feel like you are having as much fun as them, or do exciting things.
I don’t believe saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ applies to Facebook. The ‘smoke and mirrors’ metaphor is probably more applicable. After all, a photo is taken in one second. In that one second even the most miserable person can pop a smile on their face, and flash it to look like they are have the best evening ever. Also, people usually only have their photo taken when they are feeling good about themselves. If they are having a bad hair day, or are in sloppy clothes they will run in the opposite direction of a camera.
Remember people only share the stuff about themselves that they want to. When you read their status updates, they don’t usually share that they had an argument with their significant other, or that they feel sad today because of… Instead they focus on the positive; there is always one thing to mention that is good-even on your worst day ever.
If you are one of the many ADHD adults who feel ‘less than’ after being on Facebook. Try these tips
1) Use Facebook as a tool to keep in touch with your friends all over the world.
2) Remember when you look a friends’ pictures, all it tells you is that for that second they looked happy. However unless you are close friends with them, you don’t know what is happening behind the scenes.
3) No one’s life is perfect. Even your ‘happy’ friends on Facebook will wish parts of their life were different too.
4) When you get an emotional pang when you look at someone’s picture, pay attention to why that is. Is it because they are on a trip and you would like to travel more? Is it because they are looking fit and healthy and you would like to pay more attention to your health too? Or perhaps they are in a romantic relationship and you would like to meet someone. You can then use that pang as a guide to know what to take action on in your life whether it’s to plan a trip, join a gym or go on a date.

Pin It

Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: adhd, Adult ADHD, challenges

Adult ADHD

Posted on June 21, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield Leave a Comment

The general public is often surprised to learn about Adult ADHD. While most people are aware children have ADHD, they don’t realize it also affects adults. One third of children with ADD do grow out of it, while the rest of the population carry ADHD into adulthood.

Information on ADHD is growing all the time, and since little was known about it 30 years ago it is understandable why many adults didn’t realize they had it until adulthood.

A common way adults discover they have ADHD is that their school-aged child is diagnosed with ADHD. The parent then realizes that the ADHD characteristics that their child is presenting with are also characteristics that they also have . This leads them get an official diagnosis too.

Another group of adults realize that they experience challenges in life and they feel different from everyone else. After doing some research, stumbling across an article or hearing a snippet on the news about ADHD symptoms they will promptly get a diagnosis.

Reactions to discovering you have ADHD vary dramatically, but usually fall into 2 groups. Some adults feel very relieved finally they understand why they are the way they are.Others feel angry that it took them so many years of struggling with life before they realized what it was it. Usually whatever the initial reaction, everyone wants the same thing which is to learn how they can live their best life.

Some adults have known since childhood that they have ADHD. However what they are now experience are different challenges. Learning skills on how to do well in school, are now replaced with the need to learn how to do well in a work environment, manage a household and take care of finances etc.

While there is often much negative thinking around Adult ADHD, there are also many wonderful gifts too. Once some of the negative aspects are managed ( which can do done with or without medication) then your wonderful gifts can shine through. This blog is a great place to learn about Adult ADHD as well as how to mange it and lead and full, rich and joyful life.

Pin It

Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: Adult ADHD, challenges, health, organization, overview, procrastination, routine, time management

Adult ADHD Symptoms

Posted on June 18, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield 2 Comments

717339 brain in handAdult ADHD Symptoms

The official definition of ADHD is described as a “Disruptive Behavior Disorder” where high levels of inattention, hyperactivity or a combination are constantly present in an individual. Adult ADHD symptoms are different to that of a child with ADHD. However please don’t be scared, the official term sounds MUCH worse than reality.

Here are 5 key ADHD symptoms that adults with ADHD experience:

1. Inability to Concentrate.

Lack of concentration has many implications. For example, losing track of conversations can mean important information is missed. Distractedness has implications at work and study. As well as missing information, you can experience resistance to things that need a deep level of concentration. This trait can cause tension in relationships as people can misinterpret it as lack of interest.

2. Lack of organization

Problems in planning tasks, personal organization and time management can result in labels being given such as “lazy” or “lacking in self-discipline” and “disorganized”. Often arriving late, hurried and ill-prepared, over committing and leaving tasks unfinished, the sufferer may feel unorganized and overwhelmed with resulting low self-esteem. ADHD adults find it hard to set up and stay with a routine.

3. Poor memory and Forgetfulness.

Memory and forgetfulness can result in important possessions, such as passports, wallets and purses, laptops and palm pilots being lost or misplaced. Attending meetings, appointments and lectures punctually can be a real problem; sometimes they can be forgotten altogether.

4. Confusion and trouble thinking clearly

Adults with ADHD find it hard to perform up to their intellectual capability. There are difficulties with intense learning situations such as lectures and in-depth reading. There can be errors in spelling and math. Because of the tendency to become side-tracked, information can go unseen, resulting in mistakes at work. Often it can be difficult to maintain a job.

5. Depression and low self esteem.

Because the world is set up for people without ADHD, life can be challenging, and depression, anxiety and low self-esteem are often features in a person with ADHD.

As you are reading this list of ADHD symptoms please don’t feel depressed. There are many ways to manage your symptoms and lead a rich and wonderful life and this blog has lots of great ways to do this.

Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: Adult ADHD, challenges, decision making, diagnosis, memory, organization, procrastination, routine, time management

Take Your Own 30 Day Challenge!

Posted on May 8, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield 1 Comment

This is the last blog post for the 30 day blog challenge! YAY I did it! The challenge was set by Connie Green, an online business coach. The rules were that each article or blog post was to have 150 words and you needed to post 30 articles 30 days, however you can post more than one article on a given day. The last rule was good for me as I didn’t hear of the challenge till day 7.

The goal to write 30 articles was definitely achievable, but it was also a stretch since I would usually only write 4 articles that time period. As with all goals or challenges you embrace, when they are completed, not only do you feel great about the set goal, there are also additional benefits that you might not have known about at the onset. During the 30 day blog challenge my additional benefits included connecting with new people who were also doing the challenge, making writing a daily habit which in turn meant that any mental resistance I felt towards writing disappeared and I really began to enjoy writing articles in a way I never had before.

Why not set yourself an ADHD 30 day challenge? Whether it’s exercising, taking Omega 3 or decluttering for 15 minutes every day. Whatever it is I guarantee when you have finished you will feel really awesome.

Pin It

Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: achievements, adhd, Adult ADHD, celebrate, challenges, creativity, Goals, Untapped Brilliance

Diagnosing ADD

Posted on May 3, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield Leave a Comment

When I am introduced to a new person and I say I am an ADHD coach the standard response is ‘oh I have ADD’ and then they smile. Now, it’s highly unlikely that everyone I meet actually has ADHD. What is more likely is that at times they experience some of the characteristics of ADHD.

When a professional is diagnosing ADD they test to find out if the person has a certain cluster of characters or traits.

Those traits are traits that anyone can experience periodically, particularly when they are stressed or feeling overwhelmed. Examples of these traits are, inability to concentrate, trouble thinking clearly, lack of organizing in the physical environment, poor managing time, procrastination, feeling overwhelmed and constantly behind, poor memory and forgetfulness, problems with relationships and a general feeling that they aren’t living up to their potential.

But for a person with ADHD, it’s the amount of these traits that are present and the extent that they experience them. These traits are present to such an extent that they negatively affect their life.

Before officially diagnosing ADD , the specialist carrying out your evaluation will want to find out the following

That the ADHD characteristics have been present for 6 months or more.

The symptoms were present before you were 7 years old

The traits effect your life in 2 or more settings

and finally the symptoms aren’ t due to another condition, such as bipolar disorder, sleep disorder or anxiety etc

Bottom line: Not everyone has ADHD, but lots of people, at times may experience some of things that people with ADHD do and if this is you, you will still benefit from all the tips and ideas here on this blog.

PS. ADD and ADHD are often used interchangeably. If you would like to learn more about why this is go to ADD/ADHD

Pin It

Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: adhd, Adult ADHD, challenges, decision making, diagnosis, health, organization

My First Radio Show!

Posted on April 27, 2010 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield 1 Comment

Today I hosted my first radio show!!! The song that kept playing in my head when I woke up this morning was, “Video Killed the Radiostar’ by Buggles: a song that my sister and I played millions of times when we were very young as it was one of the first vinyls we owned.

I declared the show a personal success after receiving 3 phone calls and many emails saying ‘Congrats’ and ‘thanks for the great information’ within minutes of its end. I also received this wonderful tweet.

@jojojo09 “You have a new fan and you have hardly started speaking. I am fighting tears. Hearing u speak validates me”

I couldn’t ask for better feedback.

The show, which I named “Untapped Brilliance”, after my book ‘Untapped Brilliance how to reach your full potential as an Adult with ADHD is an extension of my coaching philosophy. As an adult with ADHD you have many wonderful traits. However, you tend to forget those great traits as you spend most of your time focusing on the things that aren’t working in your life. If, however, you can shift your focus to what is working in your life and learn a few tricks and techniques to minimize the negative effects of your ADHD, you will just shine! And have a more joyful life.

The show is going to be a wonderful combination of information from me about non-pharmaceutical ways to manage your ADHD and special guests talking about their expertise on topics that are known to help ADHD. For example, meditation is really beneficial in reducing the negative effects of ADHD. It’s also a difficult technique to learn. So next week I will be interviewing Bonnie Hutchinson, meditation expert, and she will be teaching everyone how to meditate.
Also being interviewed will be successful ADHDers, who have created a life that works to their strengths, to act as inspiration. Finally, every week myself and any guests will be able to answer questions from listeners either directly on the phone, or via email. Today Anne from Iowa asked the great question “Should I get tested if I think I have ADHD?” If you missed the answer or any part of my first show, you can listen to the recording at http://tobtr.com/s/1020033.
And if you have a question for the next show, please email it to me at Jacqueline@untappedbrilliance.com.

P.S. If you want a blast from the past, listen to “Video Killed the Radiostar’ by Buggles on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwuy4hHO3YQ

Pin It

Filed Under: Adult ADHD Tagged: adhd, Adult ADHD, challenges, change, Goals, health, inspiration, Untapped Brilliance

An Organized Environment

Posted on May 18, 2009 Written by Jacqueline Sinfield Leave a Comment

furnitureAn Organized Environment Having an organized environment helps adults with ADHD feel calm, focused and able to function at their peak. However, having ADHD also means achieving and maintaining an organized environment is really hard. One of the biggest challenges is the accumulation of clutter. In my book, Untapped Brilliance, I have a chapter about achieving a clean, tidy and organized environment and I am always interested to learn more about this subject so I can in turn pass the information on to my clients. It was with fascination that I read organization guru Julie Morgenstern’s book SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life: A Four-Step Guide to Getting Unstuck.

Julie makes the connection between hoarding your belongings and staying stuck in life. It is really hard to move forward in life when you have the physical and mental reminds of the past. She gives a powerful personal example of how her old belongings were preventing her from moving forward.

Her childhood passion for theatre led her to be a theatre director. Then when her circumstances changed and she was a single mum, she started her own business as a professional organizer. Her business was going well, however she noticed it had reached a plateau. Due to lack of storage, she had six boxes of theatre production books (her old life) housed under her dining room table. By getting rid of those boxes, she witnessed a remarkable growth in her business (her current life).

Because getting rid of things is so hard for people with ADHD, I really liked Julie’s philosophy as it gives a deeper meaning to getting rid of your clutter. She suggests picking a theme for the next chapter of your life. This theme acts as a mental guide to help you get rid of your belongings that reflect your old life’s chapters.

So are you ready to create a beautiful living environment for yourself? One that helps you move forward in the direction of your dreams? Here are the five steps:

Pick a theme for your next life chapter. Are you a singleton, empty nester, freshly graduated or about to embrace a new healthy lifestyle? Identify yours and then use a few positive words to describe your theme.
Write list of every area you want to declutter. You probably know where your clutter is lurking in your house. There might be a little in every room, or you might have one room that is “off limits.” Writing it down gets it clear in your mind and acts as a great reminder of what you have done, once you start putting checkmarks beside areas that you have decluttered.
Grab your kitchen timer and work for fifteen minutes a day on the Decluttering process. If you are inspired to do more than fifteen minutes, go for it, but don’t burn yourself out in one day. Then you won’t be able to face Decluttering again for months.
If you are unsure if you should part with something, remember your theme. Does this item fit in with where you are going in life?
Reward yourself along the way. The benefits of decluttering are huge; however, they aren’t always obvious in the beginning. Give yourself treats and rewards every time you do your Decluttering.

Pin It