Do You Need an Attitude ADDjustment?
Dear Friend,
 Today I'd like to share with you an article that I originally wrote for Patricia Quinn, M.D. and ADDvance.com. This article is inspired by Chapter 3 of my book, which is called 'ADDjust Your Attitude.' Judging by the great responses we've been getting about the last two newsletter issues, I think you'll find this topic of particular interest!
I hate to say it, but a lot of adults with AD/HD have an attitude problem. Many of us are negative thinkers with low self-esteem.
It’s understandable; life with AD/HD can have us feeling bad for being so “different” from everyone else. And we feel worse when we try to improve our lives using the wrong systems.
Mainstream advice doesn’t account for the unique wiring of AD/HD brains, and when this advice fails, we feel like we’ve failed. It chips away at our self-esteem.
As a result, many people with AD/HD grow up to be BMWs—people who constantly B*tch, Moan, and Whine! This is one of the reasons that adults with AD/HD often have trouble making new friends and maintaining relationships. It’s also why so many of us struggle to get along with our family members, coworkers, and neighbors.
No one likes to hang out with a BMW. Their constant brooding, complaining, and finding fault can quickly bring a happy person down or zap that person’s energy. Simply put, BMWs are a drag!
If you are a BMW, then don’t fret. With a little work, you can adjust your attitude and improve your social skills. Here are three practical things you can do right away to overcome being a BMW.
1. Accept compliments with grace and gratitude—even if you don’t agree with them.
If you’re a BMW, then chances are that your self-esteem can use a pick-me-up. Accepting the compliments that are paid to you will go a long way in helping you feel better about yourself.
You’ll find that most people genuinely mean what they say. If your friend says she likes your haircut, believe it! If you argue with her compliment by disagreeing and saying something like “This is the worst haircut I’ve ever had!”, then you’re essentially telling your friend that her opinion is wrong.
2. Avoid putting yourself down in front of others.
People often view self-deprecation as “fishing for compliments” and feel a responsibility to lift you up and make you feel better. After a while, this becomes annoying, and you can easily lose friends who might view you as high maintenance.
There’s a big difference between expressing your challenges, and putting yourself down for them. It’s perfectly okay to say “I would have liked to have the house cleaned up by the time you got here, but unfortunately I didn’t have enough time.” In contrast, a BMW might say something like “I’m such a slob! My house is always a mess and no matter what I do I can never get it together!”
3. Surround yourself with positive, happy people.
One of the easiest ways to adjust your attitude is to surround yourself with people worth emulating. When you choose to spend time with other BMWs, you’re choosing to be a BMW.
Make a concerted effort to ditch the BMW within, and then invite a pleasant coworker to join you for coffee, take a walk with a friendly neighbor, or reconnect with a supportive friend. You’ll absorb the positive energy of these good influences. And positive, happy people will be much more understanding when you do find yourself running late for lunch or forgetting a birthday!
When you adjust your attitude by increasing your self-esteem and adopting a more positive perspective, you’ll find that you have an easier time creating and maintaining social connections. People will enjoy spending time with the real you, and you’ll feel better about yourself, too!
Do you have thoughts about this article that you'd like to share? Please do so on my blog at http://www.experiencingaddvantages.com/2008/08/adults-with-adh.html#comments!
Who Else Wants to Be Happy & Successful By Breaking the Rules? (And save $100 bucks, too!)
- Are you tired of trying to fit in and be like everyone else?
- Sick of feeling like there's something wrong with you simply because you happen to have ADD?
- Are you ready to learn how to be happy and successful by breaking the rules?
Great! Because I'm ready to teach you.
The Odd One Out Coaching Program is back and begins September 9!
 If you've read my book, Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD, then you know that I live my life according to my own rules, and I don't apologize for it. I continually manage my own ADD, and I even benefit from this unique brain-wiring that we call "Attention Deficit Disorder." And for 5 years now, I've been helping clients do the same.
This coaching program is designed to arm you with a toolkit of skills that you can use to manage your ADD and move forward in life. You'll get the info, skills, and support to stop stressing out all the time and start enjoying your life:
Make small but significant changes that break the cycle of overwhelm, which means spending less time feeling burnt out and stressed out, and spending more time feeling calm, centered, and productive.
Use techniques for increasing focus and concentration, which means improving your ability to pay attention when you need to.
Operate from a mindset of success, which means identifying and building on your strengths instead of focusing on your weaknesses.
Utilize simple and effective time management tools, which means managing your time more efficiently.
Design ADD-friendly organizational systems, which means spending less time and energy managing your physical spaces at home and at work.
Work towards life goals, which means moving beyond day-to-day living by adding elements of fun and creativity to your life.
Make your own rules in life, which means embracing the maverick within you in order to be happy and successful.
Get all the info at http://www.ADDmanagement.com/coaching/oddoneoutprogram.html
Don't delay! This program is limited to only 10 members. Early birds save $100 by registering now!
**
Enjoy your weekend!
P.S. Don't forget - the Virtual AD/HD Conference is September 22-24!
Connect with Ned Hallowell, Sari Solden, Daniel Amen, plus many more experts and hundreds of your peers without spending a dime on travel!
September 22-24, 2008
|
