NEAT & SIMPLE LIVING

AgiliZen is Born!

Today, I'm delighted to share with you the end of my 20 year epic saga of trying to name my work.  I've been looking for the "one word" to encapsulate my teaching and coaching work and it is FINALLY HERE! What is AgiliZen? Simply put, AgiliZen is the state of being able to RELAX, guilt and pressure-free, confident in yourself that you will get the most important things done.     The invention of AgiLiZen means unconventional, free spirits who are living evolutionary lives now have a name for how we live that is not derogatory, and does not assume that our differences are "deficits."   It is easy to say, easy to remember, and won't get you stigmatized or labeled as "wierd."    If you can't be happy living a "scripted" life...   If you are driven to make a difference in the world... If you like to make things better and NOT leave well enough alone... If you like to take on new challenges, explore new ideas, learn and evolve... You were BORN TO AGILIZE.  If you don't have strong self-control and can't easily order yourself around, you are 90% likely to have the natural aptitude for agilizing.

Where do I start?

I get questions like this in my email every day and can't possibly respond to all of them individually, so I thought I'd share this post with you and my response in hopes that it might help you figure out where to start too.  

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Ariane, 

Reading your articles is like reading about myself, except that I work in a classroom instead of the corporate world, and I have been a single parent since my daughter was born 17 years ago. I've gone through all the same thoughts about being disorganized, have sought help in several ways, but I have yet to find anything that truly works with me.

Designed to Change: Putting the FUN Back in Functional Organizing - Want a real taste of this webinar no charge? Learn how...

I gave an 8 hour Video Webinar Workshop for clients only in March on

"Designed to Change: How to put the FUN back in Functional!"

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UPDATE: June 3, 2011

Many of you have indicated interest in this program, and I'm thinking about rebroadcasting the "best of" LIVE over 3 weeks via a "TV" channel and Q & A sessions. If you are interested in getting a free taste of this program and getting more info about this innovative learning adventure, let me know by commenting below!  Thank you!

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I'm so excited about how this video webinar produced results for the 12 participants that I'm experimenting with unique ways to edit and share the best of this program with people in other ways including self-study with live group follow-ups and even live rebroadcast so we can all watch together and interact while watching.

In the meantime, I would love your feedback on one tiny piece of the program -  My new model of a more creative approach to organizing for people with unpredictable frequently changing lives.

(That means ALL of us! LOL)

 

 

There are several more photo clips posted in my Facebook Album  Please click Like or leave a comment to let me know what you think : ) 

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this! 

 

Realizing Your Potential - Agile Life Management Strategies for Gifted, ADHD, Creative, Neurodiverse Thinkers - Performance Development and Facilitation

 If you were inspired and had a customized game plan, would more of your potential be realized?

This is a question that myself and many of my fellow "thought partner" performance coaches help our clients think through and strategize every day.  

The truth is that managing life as a gifted, ADD or highly creative neurodiverse person is not just about "executive control" functioning.  It is a performance development and facilitation challenge.

When you have a high-speed, highly sensitive, idea spewing brain like mine, getting things done is not a controllable process. It's one that needs to be facilitated and agilized.

 

It's never enough to just decide to do something.  

It's never enough to tell yourself to "just do it."

Human performance is complex.  It's a recipe of ingredients that all must be in place before you can "take action" and bring an idea, intention and dream to life.  Being a gifted, ADD, highly creative or otherwise neurodiverse person means we need more "fuel" and "conscious preparation" to get things done than the average person.  Think of like having to pay a "gift tax" : )  

We don't have a whole of control over our attention and performance, but we can facilitate both our attention and performance once we understand the "recipe" for agilizing the way we get things done.

Here's a few of the required "ingredients" that must be present to initiate every action or activity you perform.  

• You have decided WHAT to do  (many of us creatives get stuck here)

• You have INSPIRATION 

-  A clear "PURPOSE" for doing it.
 - You understand what NEED will be fulfilled by doing it.
- A strong compelling interest in either the doing of it or in the impact of doing it (You care)

•  You are both willing and able to say NO to all the other needs competing for your attention long enough to do it. (Focus + Strong Emotional Drive)

• You have a "MENTAL MODEL" for doing it. 

- You know HOW to do it. (Skill)
- You feel CONFIDENT that you can do it without overwhelming difficulty. (Belief)
- You have the resources needed (Physical, Energy, Emotional, Cognitive, Time, etc.)
- You trust in your own resourcefulness to clear obstacles and acquire resources (Belief)
- You anticipate / expect a reward or positive outcome - either immediate or in the future. (Value)
- You have patience with and tolerance for the process to move forward slowly - one little step at a time   

• You have a strategy or "GAME PLAN" for getting it done in spite of the obstacles you may encounter along the way.

When you're stuck or distracted, it means you are "not ready" to get into action.  The issue usually lies somewhere in the above recipe or in one of the 10 Mantras of AgiliZen.  

 

Learn More

 What is AgiLiZen? 

The AgiliZen Manifesto  

The Agony and the Ectasy of Neat Ideas

Do you often feel like you wish you could hold on to all the neat ideas you encounter?   Do you keep notes and articles until they start to overwhelm you?

If so, this is for you. : ) 

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I offer my clients an occasional informal "get together" on Webex and then send them a link to view the video recording.  But they can only view, not download it.  

Today a client today shared with me how much she enjoyed one of these events, but how sad it made her that she could not "keep" it.  

I have mixed feeling about this.  I'm glad she enjoyed the discussion, but I'm a little sad that it made her sad.  My intention was to share, not to trigger "mini-grief."

On the other hand, it's a good thing that it challenged her in that way.  This is a small example of a decision pattern she faces every day.  We all do.   

To keep or not to keep?  That is the question for us insight lovers (er...addicts?)

 : )  

Are you an adult with ADHD or ADDish traits? Ever wonder if you might be "gifted"? How about Neurodiverse?

I'm about to bring up some controversial topics, challenge some ideas, and share some deeply personal stuff, too. You might want to grab some tissues in case you start to cry like I did writing this.  Forgive me any typos.  This was not easy for me to write.

I recently became keenly aware that all of my clients are exceptionally "gifted" and talented in some way - for example, intelligence, sensory sensitivity, pattern recognition, music, creativity, inventiveness, improvisational aptitude, writing, singing, and more. Almost all of them were singled out in school as having exceptional potential and abilities. They are outliers.  They are not average. They are neurodiverse.  

Many have ADHD or wonder if they do. Nearly ALL have chronic disorganization, productivity and self-worth / self-advocacy challenges.  This is NO mere coincidence. I've been researching the literature on gifted adults and discovered some life changing insights.  I'm rethinking everything I thought I knew.  And finding a whole new level of understanding human behavior,procrastination and motivation in the process.

 

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In the world of ADD there is a lot of debate about whether or not ADHD is a "gift" or a "defect" or a "disorder."

What if it is not a "yes" or "no" question?  What if people who are gifted just happen to share a lot of the same traits as people who are ADHD?  

The answer may be more like this: a lot of people with ADD also happen to be intellectually gifted and/or exceptionally talented in one or more of the Multiple Intelligences described by Harvard Psychologist Howard Gardner.  

Or perhaps the real answer is that people who are gifted are also often diagnosed or mis-diagnosed as having ADHD and at least 2 or more other "disorders" as well.  Sadly, it is a FACT that the majority of gifted adults also have multiple diagnoses. 

In the worlds of neurodiversity, ADHD and Giftedness, there is a growing community of researchers noticing that there is a set of traits that are commonly grouped together in various configurations - some of which are labeled "disorders" and some of which are called personality traits, types or styles. In other words, people with any of these labels have a LOT in common even though they are also different.

• ADD / ADHD
• OCD
• PTSD
• Bipolar
• Dysthemia
• Depression 
• Existential depression
• Reactive depression
• Aspergers
• Compulsive Hoarders
• Chronically Disorganized
• Gifted
• xNxP Personality Types 
• Highly Creative 
• Highly Intense
• Highly Sensitive
• Highly Technical
• Highly Task Oriented
• "Addicted to Insight" (Refers to people who can't stop learning, seeking discovering. I first read about this in a paper by researcher Chris Brown. Not an easy read, but I actually burst into tears when I understood what he was saying.  Talk about feeling like someone managed to get inside your brain and understand you better than you understood yourself.  Blew me away for days. In fact I was inspired to start an experimental blog just to explore this concept further: Addicted to Insight) 

People with any one of these labels are HIGHLY likely to also have 3 or more or even ALL of these labels!  

Does this bother you like it does me?  

See Misdiagnosis And Dual Diagnoses Of Gifted Children and Adults by James T. Webb 

 

Many of the people diagnosed are ALSO highly functional and quite capable of contributing to society. A few years ago, I wrote about the nearly 100% overlap in ADHD and creative personality type here.  And now, I've found a body of research on the traits of "gifted" people that, you guessed it, also has significant overlap with ADHD traits.

This latest research is adding even more depth and validation to the work I've been doing teaching deep self-acceptance, emotional literacy and emotional processing skills (I don't like the words "regulation" or "mastery" applied to emotions,) such as: self-encouraging, comforting, and motivating; coping skills, meta-cognitive skills and more. (without using jargon like that of course)   I didn't start out as a coach intending to teach these skills, but it quickly became clear that like myself, gifted people with ADDish traits need to learn emotional literacy skills as a prerequisite to self-acceptance, making peace with themselves and designing their own unique organizing and productivity systems that work for them.  

Developing emotional skills are foundational - a necessary part of learning to "value" and "enjoy" organizing enough to actually spend time doing it. This is not traditional therapy, I suppose you could call it "educational" therapy. 

What I've learned in my work is that most of the "dysfunction" and "disorganization" in the lives of people with neurodiverse traits is not actually caused by the physical aspects of their neurodiversity.  The dysfunction is a result of contextual factors that include: 

1) being emotionally traumatized by growing up DIFFERENT and not being respected.  Constantly feeling misunderstood.  Constantly "corrected". Constantly "invalidated" and called "too intense" "too emotional" "too distracted" "too sensitive" "too perfectionist" TOO EVERYTHING.  

2) over attachment to external things as a result of relationship traumas such as abuse, neglect, loss or death of significant others, abandonment, invalidation of emotional needs, consistently not being listened to and not having one's emotional needs met in relationships with authority or parental figures  

3) repeatedly trying but not being able to follow other people's instructions, organizing systems, and approaches to doing things like cleaning or homework because they don't fit the way we think, believe, or function. For example, many of my clients were repeatedly and sometimes brutally punished for organization difficulties like not cleaning room, losing homework, being late, daydreaming etc.because they truly were not able to follow the instructions given.  

4) Not having access to the kind of learning needed to "learn" to enjoy doing something you do not inherently find enjoyable, interesting, or intriguing.  Like learning how to find the intriguing elements in getting potentially boring stuff done.    

But I digress, back to what causes "gifted" people to commonly receive all those diagnoses and labels. Growing up different is really hard. It's hard on the people around us as well.  They have no idea what to do with us.  Sometimes (okay, often) they lash out at us, get frustrated with us, and avoid us.

They may treasure our strengths and promote us, etc., but not without frequently pointing out what they feel makes us "difficult" for them.  Like the fact that we "challenge" a lot of mainstream values, rules and ideas. Or are late, or don't follow instructions without asking questions. We don't (can't) conform without feeling a bit like we are dying inside. Our emotional and motivational needs are very different, even opposite, from the norm. 

The difference between "happy" and "miserable" for "gifted" people is often a matter of whether or not they were accepted -- allowed to be different without being negatively labeled.  What kind of schools they went too make a big difference too.  Of course, whether or not they were abused or grew up with addicts, or took on the family role of "responsible" one is also a big part of it. 

So here's an interesting thing.  Many "gifted" people would rather be called ADHD than be called "gifted!"  Myself included.

I rejected that label as a teenager because I didn't want to be singled out that way.  I refused to be placed in an academy for "gifted" kids because I could not stomach the "elitist" attitudes that came with the crowd of people who LIKE being called gifted.  

So instead I was put in a foster home (this is another long story I'm not going to tell here) and dropped out of high school.  By dropping out, I was lucky enough to be offered to attend an "alternative" high school in Brockton, Mass in 1974.  

Those were the glory days of education.  The year I spent there changed my life.  I was allowed to participate democratically in my own education.  I got to choose my classes, define my own homework assignments and projects and basically be treated with respect for the first time in all my years of school.  (I also was allowed to configure a "custom" Master's Degree combining business, education, and technology, but that's another story.)

Still, I rejected the idea of being gifted.  The whole notion of that word still makes my skin crawl and makes me feel kinda, I don't know - slimy?  arrogant?  

Well, imagine my shock at finding out that many other people feel the EXACT same way I do.  AND, many of them have the same traits and similar history - growing up poor, growing up with abuse, addictions, depression, highly creative, high technical aptitude and/or intelligence, achieving a lot - but feeling like an underachiever anyway.

Our sense of self-worth was so distorted we could not truly value our talents -
our flaws cancelled them out, right?

Kinda like a math problem.  
1 (smart) - 1 (inconsistent) - 1

(talks too much) - 1 (doesn't follow the rules) = a Big Less than Zero

It so easy to make us feel unworthy, isn't it?  

Is it any wonder one of the best predictors for LOW financial achievement is high intelligence?    

Here is an excerpt from an article which describes the impact (damage) that denying your "giftedness" can have on the way you develop socially and emotionally.  It also defines 5 characteristics of people with "extra" intelligence. [My notes are in brackets] 

eXtra intelligence (Xi) is marked by five characteristics, as follows:

1. Intellectually able: grasps complicated issues relatively easily, takes leaps in the thinking process, has a low tolerance for stupidities, and may become careless when asked to do simple tasks.  
   
   [Sounds like ADD to me, difficulties performing daily boring routines and tasks: Check!]
    
2. Incurably inquisitive: always curious about what’s beyond the horizon, fascinated as long as something is new, easily pursuing manifold interests. Has a low tolerance for boredom and may be slow in bringing an already-solved problem to a conclusion.
   
    [High need for Novelty, easily bored: Check! Plus, as I've written about before we have a tendency to write things on To Do lists and then "feel like" they are already done.  We did it in our heads so now it "feels" complete. Check!]
    
3. Need for autonomy: Can work on one’s own and prefers to schedule tasks oneself. Will respond aversely to absolute power and formalities, and react allergically to bosses or others who exercise tight control. Will utilize fight or flight when autonomy is threatened. 
   
   [Check, check, check!!]
    
4. Excessive zeal in pursuit of interests: Can be inexhaustible and keyed-up as long as a problem is interesting and still unsolved. But will drop it readily when the specific curiosity has been satisfied. Can put too much energy into the wrong projects. Does not like others to perform according to low standards.
   
   [Can you say hyperactive brain, hyperfocusing, then dropping that project like a hot potato when the research phase is done and the novelty becomes routine? Goes well with the "addicted to insight" theory.]
    
5. Emotionally insecure, intellectually self-confident: Knows in the head that he or she is right, but fears in the stomach that he or she will not win the case. This can easily lead to perfectionism, fear of failing, or escalating know-it-all-ness and arrogance to mask the uncertainty. Is vulnerable to a stupid or blunt display of power.
   
   [OMG!!!  Sound familiar to you too?]

SOURCE: 

Title: How to Charm Gifted Adults into Admitting Giftedness: Their Own and Somebody Else’s	Citation: Originally published in Advanced Development: A Journal On Adult Giftedness, Volume11, 2007, pp 9-25. Reprinted with permission.
Author: Willem Kuipers

 

Maybe someday, we'll find words to describe ourselves using words that are more neutral than either "gifted" or "disordered."  I happen to love the term neurodiverse.  Seems like the most accurate, and does not have all the uncomfortable connotations of "gifted" or "ADD"

If you suspect you might be "neurodiverse" or have ADD or that you might be a "gifted" person who isn't living up their potential, you will find some fascinating articles I strongly recommend on a website called "SENG" here:  http://sengifted.org/articles_adults/index.shtml

Okay, enough mindblowing for today! 

Unless of course you feel like checking out my latest Agile Life Design and Productivity programs designed for neurodiverse gifted adults with this fascinating set of traits.  If you are interested in upcoming programs, be sure to get on my mailing list and receive my Agile Life Design Toolkit.  : ) 

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p.s. For More Interesting Books on Giftedness CLICK HERE 

Quantum Productivity - An Integrative Approach for "the rest of us" (ADHD, Creatives, Maverick Thinkers, Neurodiverse)

I just created my first video!

I'm testing out the idea of video blogging....let me know what you think!

I may never write again LOL This is SO much easier...to write what I just said would have taken hours...it only took 15 minutes to do this!

Speaking of productivity, It will take me longer to share it with all my social networks that it took to create it...how ironic is that? : )

Learn More about Quantum Productivity here: 

 

 

What do you think?  Do you prefer video?  audio? or written posts? 

 

***I'm presenting a F*r*e*e Teleseminar! Quantum Productivity Strategies for ADHD : The Art of Getting Big Results from Small Changes

Quantum Productivity Strategies for ADHD:
The Art of Getting Big Results from Small Changes

______________________________________________________

PRESENTED BY:  ADDClasses.com



INSTRUCTOR: Ariane Benefit, M.S.Ed., Founder of Agile Life Design and pioneer of the Quantum Productivity program for healing challenging disorganization from the inside out.

DATE: Tuesday November 16, 2010

TIME: 9:00 pm EDT (New York Time)

Listen over the Telephone or Internet!

F*ree Reply available for 1 week only.  

There is no download.

______________________________________________________ 

DESCRIPTION:

Having ADHD is like having a high speed, non-linear, digitally wired brain that processes information differently from most people. Our brains don't have the natural wiring needed to tolerate using organizing and productivity systems that rely on following repetitive, machine-like processes or scheduled routines.

People with ADHD simply do not think or work like machines. The good news is that you do NOT have to function like a machine in order to feel confident that the essentials of life will get done. There are many ways to get things done that ARE compatible with ADHD!

What you need is a whole different kind of Owner's Manual for your brain. One that *fits* with the way your brain naturally works.

Quantum Productivity for ADHD is not a *system* you *follow.* It is a simple yet radically different framework of principles, strategies and practical tools that help you harness the power of the way your brain works to solve your unique productivity challenges.

You don’t have to change who you are – just learn how to “drive” the brain you have. With "Quantum Productivity", you will develop a strategic foundation for winning the game of productivity – YOUR WAY.

This free teleseminar will provide you with 

• A greater understanding of why conventional approaches to productivity and organizing don’t work for ADHD. 
• Several strategies that adults with ADHD can start using immediately to *strategize* commitments and get things done without having to change who you are.

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HOW TO REGISTER 

The recording of this class is  sponsored by and available in the Audio Library at: ADDClasses.com 

 

National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization has Changed its Name - What do you think of the new name?

The Official Announcement

At its annual conference’s opening session on September 23, the NSGCD announced its new name.

Beginning January 1, 2011, the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization will become the Institute for Challenging Disorganization.  The organization’s new tagline will be Education. Research. Strategies. The new web address will be www.challengingdisorganization.org.

 

"The name Institute for Challenging Disorganization better reflects who we are as an organization: the premier resource for education, research, and strategies for overcoming challenging disorganization. It also better reflects what we do: benefit people whose lives are challenged by disorganization," says Katherine Trezise, CPO-CD®, CPO® president of NSGCD.

In particular, the term “chronic disorganization” was found to be negative and easily misunderstood.

"The term 'challenging disorganization' is more inclusive and positive and less clinical-sounding than 'chronic disorganization',” says Trezise.  

“People are challenged by their lack of organization for many reasons.  Our new name lets people know that we have strategies to help them overcome their disorganization, regardless of whether they have been disorganized all their lives or if disorganization more recently became a problem for them."

The tagline, “Education. Research. Strategies.” points to the three ways that the organization contributes to its three main audiences, professional organizers, related professionals, and the public.

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My Reaction

I never was a big fan of the name, It was a mouthful!  And the term "Chronic Disorganization" did sound too "medical".   

The term "Challenging Disorganization" seems quite broad, but is there a better term for it?  I have always thought of it as "lifelong" disorganization, but that doesn't include the people for whom severe disorganization doesn' t really affect their quality of life till they get married, have children, or suffer a tragedy.  Many of us somehow get by till we are faced with circumstances that challenge us beyond our coping strategies.  

So Challenging Disorganization it is!  I'm in the midst of a major website overhaul and planning for 2011 so I'll just have to add that to my ever growing list of changes to make for 2011!   

What do you think of the new name?

Motivating Yourself to Organize when you have ADHD

This week I gave a 30 minute mini-class on ADHD Coach Talk with Tara McGillicuddy.   We discussed "Motivating Yourself to Get Organized with Adult ADHD" plus a few of the inspirational concepts, tips and strategies from my book "Neat & Simple Guide to Organizing your Home Office" including how to get motivated to organize (and build your self-esteem along the way.)  We covered how organizing empowers you to improve your health, shed weight and so much more. 

Get the recording here:

"Motivating Yourself to Get Organized with Adult ADHD"  

 

 

Trouble Sleeping? 12 Tips to Get a Good Night's Sleep

 

When you have trouble sleeping, do you reach for sleep aids to cure your insomnia? You are not alone. I used Tylenol PM and Melatonin for years to help me sleep.  

But did you know that the consequences of "chronic" sleep aid use can be devastating to your health?

Did you know that chronic lack of sleep aggravates and/or can even cause:

 

•  ADD-like symptoms such as distractibility and impulsivity?
• depression?
• negative attitudes?
• difficulty dealing with stress?
• poor school and job performance?
• chronic fatigue? 
• muscle pain?
• loss of immune function?
• obesity?
• increased risk taking behavior?
• increased self-medication and risk of addiction?
• difficulty managing emotions?
• difficulty making decisions?
• difficulty organizing?
• accidents?
• difficulty learning? 
• poor memory?

Getting Unstuck: 8 Keys to Overcoming Chronic Disorganization - Teleclass

"Getting Unstuck: 8 Keys to Overcoming Chronic Disorganization and Cultivating the Gifts of ADD and Creative Personality Type

DESCRIPTION

While there are no “simple, easy steps” that will magically “fix ” your problems, there is HOPE! You can succeed at organizing and have the more satisfying and fulfilling life you dream of. You can learn to navigate life and organize with confidence.

Making Peace with Your Morning Routines - Like Getting Dressed!

Today, I'm going to share with you one of the articles I wrote in response to a Getting Unstuck coaching group, member's forum question.  

Thanks to Sandy G for asking the Question:

"My hours and days vary week to week, so it's hard to get a routine going for myself, which has always been hard anyway. Any suggestions for me?"

I know everyone's case of difficulty with morning routines is not like mine, but I'm going to get real personal here and share my excruciating struggle with implementing a morning routine and getting dressed every day so that I could be on time and prepared for my days. 

Embracing Mistakes: A Power Tool for Getting Unstuck, Overcoming Procrastination, and Taking Action

You cannot make progress in life without making decisions. And can't take action and make progress, without learn to embrace making mistakes.

Most accomplished people will tell you - they could never have gotten where they are without making LOTS of mistakes.

In fact they make more bad decisions than good ones.

Top 10 Signs That You Are “Hoarding,” Not Just “Collecting”

 Collecting is a natural, and even VALUABLE,  human instinct.  It comes in many shapes and sizes, but we all have this instinct in one way or another.  Out of control or “compulsive collecting” and it’s partner, "compulsive saving”, are what is referred to by the term "hoarding."  

Personally, I feel that the word "hoarding" is a very unfortunate label for this behavior. Hoarding is such an ugly word.  Why would anyone want to think of themselves as a “hoarder” when the actual behavior looks like “collecting” AND we as a society actually celebrate and marvel at collections?  

Collecting crosses all cultures, borders and languages. Every society honors and celebrates “collections” of things that are displayed in a way that educates, serves some kind of purpose, or inspires awe. The obvious example is museums. Others include libraries, stores, even magazines and blogs. They are all collections of things, ideas, photos, etc.  Even our closets, drawers, and filing systems are collections.

If you have been wondering if your collections might be a sign of problem, check out the article on "Collecting vs. Hoarding" I wrote for my friend Deb Lee's blog!

All the best,

Read Full Article:  Top 10 Signs 

Happy Thanksgiving

 Before I head off to Virgnia to spend the holiday with my husband's family, I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all my blog readers!  I'm so thankful for each and every one of you that has subscribed over the past four years I've been blogging.  It's been a great ride, and it's been wonderful to get to know so many of you!  Especially the 400 plus of you that have  joined me on Facebookwhere I post more often. I'm grateful for you too!

I'm also deeply and eternally thankful for the hundreds of women who have been a part of my Getting Unstuck program which
started in January 2008, and to the core group of nearly 45 women I now consider my "soul sisters", that have been subscribers since the beginning.  Without you the group would not be the safe and inviting place it is. I love spending time online and on the phone with you!

Even for me, being part of this group of amazing women, has been powerful in so many ways.  

• I've lost over 50 pounds
• I've cleared some of my own issues with "planning ahead" and creating boundaries and structure.
• I've gotten my calendar automated so people can book their own appointments (what a miracle!)
• And now, I've actually planned and programmed the Getting Unstuck Group Coaching programs for women with ADHD / Creative Personality a FULL 7 MONTHS AHEAD!!!    

Seeking Participants for New Hoarding and Chronic Disorganization Documentary Series on the Discovery Channel

I spoke with Cecile, the producer  of this new documentary series on Hoarding and Chronic Disorganization today.  She is sending me the Pilot episode to review.  But in the meantime, I wanted to start getting the word out in case you might like to participate on the show and get free therapy, organizing and clean up services.  Here are some additional facts about the show:

1. They start filming in December and January - so act quickly if you are interested. 

  

2. They are recruiting the top doctors, authors and researchers in the field to provide free counseling for participants.

What is "Prioritizing" anyway? Why is it SO HARD? And What can You do About it?

When I read books on time management and prioritizing, I find that many of them focus on Prioritizing defined as reviewing your TO DO list and deciding what is

A - most important and urgent
B - somewhat important but not urgent
C - least important and least urgent

But for many of us, distinguishing what is important among the many things we care about, is made incredibly difficult by the way our brains and emotions work. Emotions and brain chemicals greatly influence what seems important or urgent at any given moment. We can think of something that needs to be done in one moment and be incredibly energized by it. It truly seems in the moment like the most important thing on earth at the time.

So we either forget about everything else and act on that feeling immediately, or we put it on our to do list in hopes of "getting back to it later."  Then, if you are at all like me, later comes around, I look at the item on my to do list, remember thinking it was so important, I but I can't for the life of me remember why! 

Has this ever happened to you?

Personally, I have NEVER been able to look at a list of Action Items, systematically prioritize it with A's B's and C's and then follow it exactly without getting frustrated. And honestly, I have stopped trying to do that. And you know what? 

Everything important gets done anyway.

Why? because there are many ways to prioritize and the ABC system (and the Covey System, David Allen's GTD, and the Julie Morganstern system) are only just a few of them! Furthermore, the ABC system is often NOT the best way for creatives and ADDers.

In fact, it is  often one of the worst ways! Why? because.......

Clutter-free Holiday Gift Ideas!

It's that time of year again!  Time to decide who you are going to give what to.  As always, I'm on the lookout for clutter free Christmas & Holiday gifts...so here are some of my favorite clutter-free gift ideas...

• Popcorn & movie rentals (who would ever let popcorn become clutter??? : )
• A digital photo slide presentation on the web or use Powerpoint of a special event / memories you shared with the person.
• A free night or weekend of babysitting is always popular with moms.

Hoarders: the TV Show is Casting For Season 2

I got this message from someone at A&E...thought I'd pass it along in case you or someone you know may be interested in taking advantage of the help they provide for free. FYI -  I'm not "recommending" this, I just wanted to let you know about it because I get asked often how to get on a show like this.  

All the best,

Ariane

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Hoarders on A&E is casting its second season of the groundbreaking documentary television series that sheds much needed light on this complicated and underreported condition. Each hour long episode will follow two individuals who suffer from this mental illness thru a crisis situation that is directly caused by their hoarding. 

Compulsive Hoarding Study - Invitation from Dr. David Tolin

If you or someone you know is affected by compulsive hoarding, acquiring and saving, you are invited to participate in a study conducted by Dr. Tolin and his colleagues. Below is the info...   ________________________________________________________ Compulsive Hoarding Study

My colleagues and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate in an exciting new research study on compulsive hoarding.  We hope this Internet-based study will help improve our understanding and treatment of compulsive hoarding.   Who can participate? We would like to invite everyone whose life has been affected by hoarding.  If you are a person who suffers from compulsive hoarding, or if you have a family member or friend with a hoarding problem, we would like you to participate.  If you are a mental health worker or service worker who regularly comes into contact with people who hoard, we'd also like to invite you to participate. How long will it take? The questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.  Of course, individual times may vary due to differences in speed of reading and writing.  Because this is on the internet, you can take a break at any time and come back to it.  Just be sure not to close the webpage. Will my answers be anonymous?   Yes.  We won't ask you for your name or any other personally identifying information.  Our program won't install cookies or other software on your computer.  We won't give out any information about your participation to other parties.  Therefore, you can rest assured that your responses will be completely private. How will my participation help?  Right now, scientists and therapists know relatively little about compulsive hoarding.  Your participation will go a long way toward helping us understand the scope and impact of this problem.  That, in turn, will help us design better research studies and treatments for hoarding. What will I get in return for my participation?  At the end of the survey, we will invite you to enter a raffle to receive one of 10 autographed copies of the new book Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding (Oxford University Press, 2007).  You can also feel good about the fact that you are helping us learn more about hoarding, which in turn will help us develop more effective research and treatment. How do I participate? Participating is simple.  Just go to SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED 3-18-10 and answer the questions on the page. Can I invite my family or friends to participate too? Absolutely.  Please feel free to forward this letter to anyone who you think might be interested in helping us learn more about hoarding.  In addition, if anyone is reading this letter and has not received a copy of our email Hoarding Newsletter, please send an email to adcresearch@harthosp.org so that we can add you to our mailing list. If you have any questions about this research, please feel free to contact Diana Harrington at 860-545-7039 or dharrington@harthosp.org.   Thank you in advance for your help and we look forward to learning more about your experiences. Sincerely, David F. Tolin, Ph.D. Director, Anxiety Disorders Center The Institute of Living

Sari Solden's Getting Unstuck Community Teleclass on "Creating a Fulfilling Life" - NOW FREE TO ALL! Join us on TUESDAY 9-22 7:30 EST

I just spoke with Sari Solden, and she has graciously offered to allow ANYONE who would like to participate LIVE in our special event with Sari Solden on Getting Unstuck tomorrow completely FREE!!!  

If you can't be on the call and would like to listen the recording, you can access it by becoming a Full Access member of either of our communities. (See info at end of post to join either or both communities and get the recording free.)

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About Sari's Interactive Teleclass

In this session Sari will share some of the core principles that guide her work as a result of over twenty years of work with men and women with ADHD. In this one hour presentation with question and answer session, Sari discusses her perspective on how adults with the differences, challenges, and strengths that often accompany adult ADHD, can move toward developing a fulfilling life.

She will explore the importance of managing your inner narrative by beginning to tell yourself a new story about yourself. Her underlying message is that when you accept the struggle instead of fighting against it, you conserve your energy. This allows you to more easily release your natural abilities and move in the direction of your values to create a meaningful life.

Sari will speak for about 30-40 minutes followed by a Q & A Session.  Join us to get your questions answered!  Submit your questions here. 

 

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About Sari

Sari Solden, MS LMFT, a psychotherapist in private practice in Ann Arbor, MI, has worked with adults with AD/HD for over 20 years. Sari is the author of Women with Attention Deficit Disorder and Journeys Through ADDulthood. She is a prominent speaker at both national and international AD/HD conferences, serves on the professional advisory board of ADDA, has served on the program conference committee for national CHADD and is a past recipient of ADDA's award for outstanding service by a helping professional. Her areas of specialization include inattentive AD/HD, women's issues, as well as the long term counseling issues for adults not diagnosed until adulthood. Sari currently hosts and presents on www.ADDJourneys.com, her online community for adults with ADD.

 

HERE'S HOW TO ATTEND!

TUESDAY, SEPT. 22

TIME

7:30 PM till 8:30 PM Eastern
6:30 PM till 7:30 PM Central
5:30 PM till 6:30 PM Mountain
4:30 PM till 5:30 PM Pacific


CALL IN -  OR -  LISTEN OVER THE WEB

Conference Dial-in Number: 218-339-3600
Participant Access Code: 773 236#

WEB: http://www.instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=8931225

Note:  The web stream has a 20 second delay - so you can't listen over the web and the phone at the same time.  However you can listen over the web, and then call in at any time.

Submit Questions FOR SARI NOW!!!

Anyone who has a question for Sari Solden can submit questions right now by going here.  You can also submit questions during the call. 

Look forward to seeing you there!  Leave a comment below if you have any questions!

 

HOW TO GET THE RECORDING OF THIS SESSION

Join Sari's ADD Journeys Community for BOTH MEN AND WOMEN!

Sari's community at www.ADDJourneys.com is where Sari regularly blogs and presents video and audio sessions.  Her community also features many other resources for ADDers such as discussion forums, a weekly audio message and a weekly "unVeg with Reg" session.  You can join for free as a limited member and then upgrade at any time to become a FULL ACCESS member where you will get access to the recording of this call plus many other awesome calls by Sari such as her recent teleclass on "Creating a Vision."  

Join my Getting Unstuck Community for WOMEN Only!  

My community provides  PLUS you get a monthly program which provides at least 6 hours of opportunities to interact with me LIVE VIA PHONE in our teleclasses, group coaching sessions, repatterning sessions and more.  PLUS you get FULL ACCESS to

• My entire portfolio of e-Books, worksheets, handouts and more. 
• Over 30 audio recordings and online workshops covering everything from Taking Charge of your Finances to Mastering Your Emotions to Organizing 101. 
• Discussion forums and blogs
• Live Chat with other members
• Opportunity to connect with a "clutter buddy"  
• 50% off my usual private coaching rates, and so much more! 

You do NOT have to have ADHD to become a member, but if you struggle with overwhelm, clutter, time management, planning, prioritizing, and organizing your life, you will fit right in! 
Learn more about the Getting Unstuck Community here. 

Overspending - 12 Warning Signs You Might Have a Problem

I'm working on my handout for my program on Overcoming Overspending and thought I'd share some of it with you. 

 

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12 Warning Signs You Might Have a Problem with Overspending and Overshopping

• You use shopping as “recreation” and “retail therapy” without a budget or limits on what you spend.
• You have several items in your wardrobe that still have labels on them after a year.
• You are afraid to look at your credit card bills and total up your credit card debt.
• You’ve been borrowing from one credit line to pay back another.
• You frequently pick up the check and/or buy things for people even though you can’t really afford it.
• You have more supplies for your hobby (i.e. scrapbooking, fishing, etc.) than you will ever have time enough to use.
• You hide your spending / purchases from people you live with.
• You worry constantly about whether or not you can pay your bills.
• You rarely, if ever walk into a store without buying several things you didn’t intend to buy.
• When your spouse or partner disappoints you or hurts you, you get “revenge” by shopping or spending a lot of money.
• You think about shopping and spending money even when you are not shopping.
• You have tried to limit your shopping, but can’t.

p.s.  In October, I'll be presenting this class  at the Virtual AD/HD Conference!

 

How to Overcome Impulsive and Compulsive Overspending - Starts September 3!

In September, our Getting Ustuck program is designed to get you started on the road to Overcoming Overspending!  For the first time ever, we are offering an EARLY BIRD SAVINGS!

We know that times are tough right now, so we want to reward you for getting signed up early!   (I know the day before we start may not seem early....but for ADDers, that's quite early!  : )  We love to wait till the adrenaline of the last minute kicks in!)  

JOIN BY SEPTEMBER 2 AT 5:00 EST AND SAVE $20!

After that the price goes back to $67.

Click here to see all the Overcoming Overspending program details!

Sari Solden Confirmed as Getting Unstuck Guest Speaker! 9-22-2009

I am thrilled to announce that Sari Solden is our featured guest speaker for our Getting Unstuck Monthly Program in September!  Our theme for the month of September is Overcoming Overspending.  Program starts next Thursday on September 3!   (Dates are 9/3, 9/10, 9/17 at 11:00 AM EST and 9/22 at 7:30 PM)

All women are welcome to join our program - whether you struggle with Overspending, Time Management, Low Self-Esteem, ADHD, Chronic Disorganization, Clutter, Hoarding, or any other manifestation of difficulty prioritizing, making decisions, procrastination, and overwhelm, you will find support in these programs! 

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About our Special Session with Sari -
Sept. 22 7:30 - 8:30 pm EST

I have been a huge fan of Sari's for years now.  Even more so since I met her personally at the NSGCD conference last year.  Her warmth, openness and engaging speaking style along with her message of hope and acceptance, helped empower me to living openly with ADD and stop feeling ashamed of my weaknesses and imperfections so that I could focus on my strengths. In fact, I am a FULL ACCESS member of her www.ADDJourneys.com community where she regularly blogs and presents.

 

In this session Sari will share some of the core principles that guide her work as a result of over twenty years of work with men and women with ADHD. In this one hour presentation with question and answer session, Sari discusses her perspective on how adults with the differences, challenges, and strengths that often accompany adult ADHD, can move toward developing a fulfilling life.

She will explore the importance of managing your inner narrative by beginning to tell yourself a new story about yourself. Her underlying message is that when you accept the struggle instead of fighting against it, you conserve your energy. This allows you to more easily release your natural abilities and move in the direction of your values to create a meaningful life.

Sari's Bio

Sari Solden, MS LMFT, a psychotherapist in private practice in Ann Arbor, MI, has worked with adults with AD/HD for over 20 years. Sari is the author of Women with Attention Deficit Disorder and Journeys Through ADDulthood. She is a prominent speaker at both national and international AD/HD conferences, serves on the professional advisory board of ADDA, has served on the program conference committee for national CHADD and is a past recipient of ADDA's award for outstanding service by a helping professional. Her areas of specialization include inattentive AD/HD, women's issues, as well as the long term counseling issues for adults not diagnosed until adulthood. Sari currently hosts and presents on www.ADDJourneys.com, her online community for adults with ADD.

 

JOIN US!

I invite you to join us in September to GET UNSTUCK and GET INSPIRED to Overcome Overspending! 

We are also now accepting  registration for our October program on "Reducing Stress and Clutter with Better Boundaries" and our November program on "Prioritizing What Really Matters"
 as well! 

Professional organizers, therapists, coaches and other service professionals who work with the chronically disorganized, ADDers, and Hoarders are welcome to join our program for your own professional development as long as you are there to participate, share, and not just promote your services. From time to time, we are happy to feature our members in bonus teleclasses, and also have a new section on our website devoted to helping members get their small businesses started and create an appropriate online presence tailored to their unique business goals. We are helping them sort through the hype so that they can get unstuck in their business and get into action!