Authenticity and ADD
Dear Friend,
The ADD community has been pretty vocal lately, as you may be aware.
Some people feel that they are being taken advantage of by ADD professionals who market their services online.
And others are upset about what they consider to be the high fees for ADD-related products and services. They want to know why getting help costs so much money.
Maybe you've been wondering about these things, too?
I think it's time for me to weigh in.
Hey, What's That Smell?
One of the things I pride myself on is authenticity.
When you read my book, newsletters, or blog, you're reading my authentic voice. Clients, friends, and family members have all commented that reading my book is like having a conversation with me.
The same is true when you coach with me, either privately or in a group. I say what I think in the way that I think it will be best received.
In fact, the only thing I hold back on in my life and my work is swearing. I curse like a truck driver. Some people are fine with this, and I try to tone it down for others. And I caused quite a few jaws to drop when I accidentally let the s-word slip at Disney a few years ago. It could have been much worse-believe me.
Here's what I really think about authenticity and ADD:
While some people believe that adults with ADD can be easily taken advantage of, I actually think that the vast majority of us can smell a bullshit artist a mile away. I know I certainly can.
I can also tell when well-meaning people say or do things that don't come across the way they intend them to.
Have YOU ever stuck your foot in your mouth? Ever said something that came out completely wrong and ended up hurting someone's feelings? I have. Many times.
So I try not to hold it against other people who are saying one thing when they actually mean another. Sometimes the best intentions are overshadowed by poor communication.
That said,...
One Size Does Not Fit All in the World of ADD
If you take medication for ADD, then you know that there are a bunch of different meds out there and that it can take a while to find the one that works for you. And then it can take a while to find the right dose!
And if you've read a bunch of books on ADD, then you probably found one or two that you didn't like as much as everyone else did. The same holds true for websites, support groups, and other resources. You might find value in something that others don't.
We all have ADD, but we're all individuals.
This applies to marketing, too. My sense is that many people have been turned off not so much by the ADD professionals who are marketing themselves, but by the one-size-fits-all marketing approaches that they've encountered.
These marketing approaches can sometimes come off as sleazy or, worse yet, inauthentic. If you find yourself turned off by such an approach, then that's okay.
If you don't like the way one person markets their services, you can always find what you're looking for elsewhere.
Take this newsletter, for example. Some people are going to hear my voice and instantly relate to it. Others won't. That's the way it goes.
And you know what, that's a good thing! If someone doesn't relate to me, or even like me, that's okay. I don't like everyone, either! And the good news is that there are plenty of other ADD coaches and service providers out there. It's not hard to find someone that you can relate to.
It's also worth noting that for many of us in the professional field, our work is our livelihood. Just like any other service provider, we have certain fees that we charge based on a number of factors, including our own experience and the value that people receive from our services.
If you wanted help with real estate, you'd pay more for personal advice from Donald Trump than you would to attend one of his seminars. And you'd pay more for his seminars than you would to read his books. The same is true in the world of ADD.
Which brings me to my last point. I have a very stong opinion about finding help for ADD:
If you NEED help for ADD, then don't look for it online. Look for a doctor, therapist, or support group in your local area. Sometimes you have to travel further than you would like or spend more than you want to, but it's worth it.
If you WANT help for ADD, but the situation isn't dire, then broaden your search beyond your local area. This is where the Internet and trends in global communication really pay off.
Just remember that there are plenty of professionals offering their services.
One size doesn't fit all.
What Do YOU Think?
I would really love to hear your thoughts on the subject of "authenticity and ADD."
Let's have a conversation. I encourage you to go to my blog at http://www.experiencingaddvantages.com/2008/04/authenticity-an.html#comments and tell me what you think.
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