Overcoming Distractions

This week we are talking about time again but this is not a time management episode. This episode we are talking about how those with ADHD experience time differently than others. Dave sits down with ADHD Coach, Shelly Collins. Shelly also co-hosts the ADHD podcast Translating ADHD with Cameron Gott who has also been on Overcoming Distractions for a couple of discussions.

Dave and Shelly discuss what adults with ADHD struggle with when it comes to time and of course, the list could become numerous. But they also point out that those with ADHD are not the only ones that have challenges with time and that it is important for anyone with ADHD to understand this.

Dave asks Shelly what time “feels Like” for adults with ADHD and how that can be different than those that are neurotypical. Shelly discusses time horizons and how many with ADHD struggle with long term planning in regards to time. Does the future exist for adults with ADHD and what is destination thinking.

They also discuss topics such as procrastination as well as other forms of time delay that could be mistaken for time management issues.

And Shelly gives he tips for starting down a path of having a better relationship with time.

You can find Shelly Collins at: https://www.gatewayproductivity.com/

And find Translating ADHD the podcast at: translatingadhd.com

This week we chat with Sarah Cheyette MD about social anxiety. While many adults with ADHD might be very outgoing and have the gift of being a great communicator, some of those with ADHD also experience social anxiety in various situations.

Sarah Cheyette is the author of two books on ADHD; ADHD and the Focused Mind, as well as Winning with ADHD.

Sarah starts out by describing just what social anxiety is and how those with ADHD can experience this in various settings, both at home and at work. She discusses negative thinking and the neuroscience around it. Sarah also talks about the anxious part of our brains and that sometimes, we have challenges thinking straight when we are nervous.

Dave and Sarah talk about extrovert versus introvert and how for many of us, depending on the situation, can be both. Many with ADHD are outgoing. Can we be both?

Sarah says that from many that experience social anxiety, it can start at an early age. Many with ADHD experience a large amount of negative talk as we grew up. From school and classroom, as well as bad report cards to other areas of our lives where maybe we didn’t quite fit in.

Dave and Sarah talk about having more self-awareness about social anxiety and how you can better understand your own challenges. They discuss the types of issues can this cause as an adult or young adult including college and getting into the workplace.

And Sarah goes through some of her tips for managing social anxiety and getting more comfortable in public settings.

You can find Sarah Cheyette at: https://sarahcheyette.com/

Back this week for another podcast is Dr. Sharon Saline to discuss the topic of whether people grow out of ADHD. It is another one of those common discussions in the world of ADHD and a topic that many have different views on.

Dr Saline is the author of the book What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew and in private practice in Western Massachusetts.

Dave and Dr. Saline first discuss her book and that fact that there are many parts of the book that resonate with both children and adults with ADHD and there are valuable lessons to be taken away from her book.

Dr. Saline cites various research that suggests some children do outgrow ADHD but there is another camp that suggests that in most cases it is more about adapting to your environment and becoming more self-aware.

Dr. Saline brings up our 11 executive functions and how they operate. When we are doing the things we love, in the right environment or we have a great career that we enjoy, those executive functions may work great.

She also brings up what she calls the 5 C’s that she outlines in her book. Those are, Self control, compassion, collaboration, consistency and celebration. She details these and how they help an individual with ADHD.

Join Dave and Dr. Saline for a great discussion about whether we do in fact grow out of our ADHD>

Find Dr. Sharon Saline on her website at: https://drsharonsaline.com/

You can find her latest book here; https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143132393

If you have ADHD, you are probably a creative person and this podcast is dedicated to you. This week, Dave has back Laura MacNiven, founder of the Springboard Clinic based in Toronto.

Laura is also the co-author of the book, “May We Have Your Attention Please.” and Dave and Laura had a chat back several months ago about the book and several other topics with adult ADHD.

Laura and Dave discuss the topic of having ADHD and being a creative person. While many of us are creative by nature, some struggle with getting in that creative zone. Once we do, magic can happen. But we need to get there first.

Laura walks us through some of the tactics we can do to harness our creative expertise and make it flourish. She talks about learning when you can be most creative and what setting provides a flow of creativity.

Laura also speaks about how to track your creative ideas and how to find the easiest way to express your creativity.

And she speaks about finding out if you have a certain time of day that your creativity flows naturally.

One of the gifts of having adult ADHD is that we can be creative and make that work for us both for enjoyment as well as for our careers.

Find out more about the Springboard Clinic here and find the book, May We have Your Attention Please. http://www.springboardclinic.com/

This week Dave invited Jeff Copper from Dig Coaching back to continue the theme of ADHD myths. There are many myths about ADHD and Jeff and Dave tackle one that is always on the minds of many.

Myth- People with ADHD cannot focus.

This myth discussion is for both the general public and those with ADHD who feel they cannot focus.

While many with ADHD do have issues with attention, the fact that those with ADHD cannot focus is simply not true. Yes, some with ADHD do have challenges with focus but there are a few key elements when it comes to focus, attention and getting important matters taken care of.

Jeff explains that what we focus on depends on what we are interested in which is not unlike anyone. Whether an individual has ADHD or not, humans pay attention to things that they are interested in.

That goes for career and other interests.

Dave and Jeff talk about emotions, social media, getting in the right job and right career and they discuss positive self-talk. They also talk about how certain jobs and industries change with innovation and technology and how that can affect someone’s ability to focus.

Jeff also discusses way in which those with ADHD can increase their focus.

Find Jeff copper at: www.digcoaching.com

This week, Dave sits down with Dr. Hackie Reitman, the founder of Different Brains. Different Brains is a tremendous resource for those who consider themselves neurodiverse and their families. And for that matter, anyone that wants to learn more about those of us with different brains. From ADHD, autism and so much more, the website covers a wide range of topics.

Hackie and Dave talk about what neurodiversity is as well as where Hackie got his passion for this stage of his life. Hackie talks about his daughter and her challenges early on and how this inspired him to bring more attention to the world of neurodiversity.

Dave and Hackie talk about how a different brain can add value to a business and how different perspectives can be gained by an organization that listens to those with different abilities. Is ADHD misunderstood by the public and the business world? Hackie and Dave discuss this as well.

Hackie talks about his book Aspertools which is a guide for those with Asperger syndrome and others on the autism spectrum. You can find that book here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0757318533/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0

Hackie also talks about how he got his movie made, The Square Root of 2 about his daughter’s experiences growing up. He talks about being a professional boxer, surgeon and so much more.

In all, this is a great discussion about those of us who have different brains.

Learn more about Hackie and find all the incredible resources he has developed with his team at: https://www.differentbrains.org/

This week, Dave gets to sit down and chat with Max Fennell, a professional triathlete, entrepreneur and ADHD advocate. Max was also featured on the CBS show Million Dollar Mile, produced by LeBron James.

Max talks about growing up and how he found the world of triathlons and how a sports injury led him to this sport.

Max also discuses his tips for adults with ADHD and how he manages his ADHD including running and why he feels that is an important way to start the day.

Max and Dave also talk about the fact that many professional athletes have ADHD and that is the path in life they took.

Max gives the parents who may be raising a child with ADHD some hope and inspiration as he talks about making sure children and young adults who may be neurodiverse, the chance to find their way in life. Academics may not be for everyone and many with ADHD thrive in careers and business opportunities that they did not go to school for.

Learn more about Max at: https://www.maxfennell.co/

This week we discuss some of the more popular myths about ADHD. And back to discuss this topic is Cameron Gott, an ADHD coach that works with adults, leaders and others in high-demand positions. Cam was on Overcoming Distractions in episode 39 when we discussed good brain management for those with ADHD.

There are countless myths about ADHD that you will find out there on the internet and beyond. Dave and Cam discuss some of these in a humorous and frustrating way to try and shed more light on the topic and understanding of ADHD.

Cam and Dave talk about the ultimate ADHD myth and that is the notion that ADHD is not real. With science behind the diagnosis of ADHD, there is more than enough proof that ADHD is a real thing. But listen to hear more about this myth.

Another very popular myth as that ADHD is just in kids. If you know anything about ADHD, it is best described as an unregulated amount of dopamine that enters the prefrontal cortex of the brain. While many may learn to cope, and become more self-aware, the fact is that you do not outgrow your ADHD.

Another topic that Dave and Cam chat about is the belief that people with ADHD are not successful. As you may know, Dave wrote Overcoming Distractions and interviewed many successful entrepreneurs with ADHD so those of us in the ADHD community know that there are many successful individuals that have made a great impact in business and in life.

How can we educate people about ADHD? Cam and Dave chat about the countless resources out there that both those with and without ADHD can tap into to find out more about the topic.

If you want to find out more about Cameron Gott and ADHD coaching, check out his website: https://www.camerongott.com/

This week, Dave chats with Peter Shankman, author of the book, Faster Than Normal. The book is about adult ADHD and how to use that gifted brain you were given at birth. Peter also hosts a very popular podcast by the same name.

Peter Shankman as you may know is a very successful entrepreneur and keynote speaker. Peter travels the county and the world and can be in New York one day, and across the globe the next day. And that’s what Dave and Peter discuss.

How to manage your ADHD and thrive with ADHD when you are a busy entrepreneur.

Peter talks about how he has created routines that help him with his very busy schedule. Whether he is in New York or another part of the world, Peter keeps a routine to make sure he stays on track and as productive as he can be. Peter talks about the importance of exercise and working out. And how he uses it to stay on track when he might cross several time zones.

Does Peter have a different routine for when he’s home and when he travels? He’ll answer that question as well as how manages his busy schedule in a different time zone.

Peter also talks about whether he uses pen and paper to keep track of everything or if he uses technology for projects, to-do lists and other tasks. He talks about some of his favorite aps he uses to stay productive and why he pretty much puts his life in the cloud.

And Peter gives some hope to those who may be raising a child or young adult with ADHD and that may be struggling. Many who have gone through hard times with ADHD come out very successful in business and Peter has a few words to say about staying positive.

Peter has been a tremendous advocate for how you can thrive with ADHD and how you can see the positive aspect of having ADHD. As long as you are managing it properly. Find out some of Peter’s top ADHD tips in this value-packed episode.

You can connect with Peter at: www.Shankman.com or www.Fasterthannormal.com

This week Dave sits down with Cena Block and they discuss why many of us always feel too busy. Cena is an ADHD coach, working with many professionals and entrepreneurs. Cena is also a certified organizer coach and productivity consultant.

Why do I always feel so busy? Cena talks with Dave about this important question.

Dave and Cena discuss why many of us feel like there are just not enough hours in the day to get what we need to get done. We always feel like there is just too much on our plate. Cena talks about the reasoning behind this and offers her thoughts on the way our busy world works today.

Cena talks about some of the reasons that contribute to our business including time management, cluttered mind and clutter spaces as well as our lack of systems in our business life.

Cena offers us some advice for when we are actually too busy and we have too many things on our plate. Sometimes we can feel busy but other times, we actually do have too many items on our to-do list. Cena sorts this out for us.

Cena also walks us through how to begin the process of managing how busy we are and how busy we feel and gives us some actional tips to think about.

You can find Cena here at her website: www.SaneSpaces.com