Way back before ADD was a thing, before it was fashionable, I realized that my brain could be my friend or my enemy. As I grew up and figured out how to be successful in school, then in life, I knew I had to work on certain weaknesses. Now, back then, folks didn’t study brain function or different learning personalities. It was just “get good grades”, which I did because, thankfully, because I’ve always had a hunger to learn and a high internalized success need.
*I think, seemly, a thousands of thoughts, random, tangental, per minute.. I would love to clock this somehow. Or would I? Would I be afraid, very afraid, of my brain after that??
*Even as a child, I was very logical, organized, goal and task oriented, perfectionistic
*I would see people, even adults, making decisions and doing and saying things that didn’t make sense or achieve the goal they were trying to achieve. I would think, why do they keep doing that. I remember, in particular, a very good friend who chronically was late getting homework done or didn’t even complete it. She was a smart girl. She just wasn’t working the skills it took to success in that area. When I would create that situation in my own [school] life, I would say to myself, “Hey, you’re being like ____,” and that would motivate me to find better solutions.
*Now I hate, HATED, any kind of “failure”. The thought of not having the goods or being on time with projects and having to say it to teacher or whoever was HORRID to me. [Now, not being on time socially is very uncomfortable, but I haven’t conquered that one yet. ] Not being prepared on time or knowing I just threw something together is literally painful to me. Don’t get me wrong, there were many times, many, in my life that I did this to myself, but every time I went through an analysis of how to prevent that next time. I now get “pre-nervous”, which is getting nervous about making sure there’s time to work the steps in a project so, when I’m at my deadline, things are done.
*What I didn’t realize at the time because, again, ADD wasn’t a thing then, I was learning to cope with my ADD brain. Every “failure” became a learning curve.
*What I learned that I needed to work on to be successful and less stressed was how to organize my brain and workspace, how to focus when I needed to, how to organize and prioritize, how to figure out my weaknesses, how to set a progress schedule to get things done instead of waiting until the last minute and cramming, how to zero in on goals and the steps to accomplish them. Being an analytical person anyway, the _____________ doable. I knew I had to figure out what functioned best for me and how to carry those tools out. I was able to cut to the chase, cut out the distracting fluff and figure out in various instances what keeping me from getting or being where I needed to be to meet deadlines and do the necessary things for success.
*When my son was 7 and I was introduced to the concept of AD[H]D, it was like the sky opened up after a storm. It explained SO much about the way MY brain worked. Since I had developed tools to help ME succeed all these years, I was able to understand and help my son to be successful. SO thankful!
*As I started and grew my original business, Zebrastripes Productions, and now Marcia In The Raw, I was able to implement and perfect processes, skills and habits for being as successful as possible.
*So, what did I learn and what do I still FIGHT to carry out to prevent the terrible feeling of angst?
- Analysis of what it takes to accomplish a goal or project: time, equipment, technology, skills, learning curve
- Prioritizing
- Time management
- Goal analysis
- Breaking out manageable steps
- Workflows
- Steps analysis and mapping progress
- Recognition of destructive thoughts or patterns that stop or slow accomplishment and are self-defeating
- Recognition of off-goal thoughts and behaviors
- Having the “old Dutch uncle talk” with myself. Truthful, non-excuse-making RAW talk to myself, so I can spring into action
My ability and practice of being truthful, uncompromising and RAW with myself so is something I can now do for others to help them from going to frustration and feeling defeated to success and enjoyment of their businesses.
I can help YOU overcome the obstacles that wear you down in the day-to-day running of your business.
My ADD Brain and How I Can Help YOU! Read More »
