a.d.d. is a +

When I was younger all my report cards said that I never performed up to my full potential and that I talked to much.  (But hey, I think I am pretty entertaining and it didn't help when the teachers laughed at my jokes.)  I felt that I was smart enough to complete the work but I couldn't focus long enough to do so.  There were certain subjects that no matter how hard I tried I couldn't retain any of the information, even if I could stay awake long enough to pay attention.  I always had straight A's at the beginning of each semester, no matter how difficult the class, just because the subject was new and interesting.  By the eighth week of school I would lose focus and my grades would spiral downward.  I felt so stupid and was told (and believed) that I was lazy. (A really great selection of bonus thoughts to build on during the awkward teen years.)  I can remember the most random and unnecessary facts but general, useful data - don't count on it.  Now that I am older and have perfected the art of list making I don't feel stupid or lazy, however, that doesn't stop people from talking to me like I am an idiot/airhead from time to time.  

I can see some of the traits and frustrations that I have becoming more apparent in my children.  I don't yet feel a need to medicate or have them checked out.  A lot of dealing with "it" is knowing that you don't have to be the same as everyone else (no matter what the standardized tests results are), setting up structure for yourself and controlling yourself when you can.  These strategies work but there is a point when no matter the effort, you end up getting in your own way.  I have felt like my best isn't good enough and although I know what I must do to be successful, it just doesn't happen.  It doesn't help when I get the "You know how you are...., If you could just....., Why can't you......, Didn't you just hear/say that....., etc."  I know it is hard for people to understand why seemingly simple things can't be remembered. At times it takes a tremendous amount of effort to try to conform and fit in the box that I need to stay in.  I get it, I really get it, I need to be able to complete things and perform in a certain way to function in the world. (I am a master list maker, which has been the most helpful thing for me.) 

I have mostly (come to terms with) with the positive and negative aspects of "this".  I don't think I use "it" as an excuse or a crutch, but as a explanation for why I am the way I am and what I should keep an eye on. 

A life coach who specializes in adults with A.D.D., Pete Quily, wrote this list of 151 advantages that can be attributed to A.D.D.  (Some of the descriptions might be a little far reaching and I suspect the coach might have A.D.D., as well.)  My attention span is so short that I wasn't able to completely read the whole list.

Ability to find alternate paths to overcome obstacles-Able to take on large situations-Adaptive/collaborative-Adventurous, courageous, lives outside of boundaries-Always finding alternate routes to any given location-Always willing to help others-Ambitious – you want to be everything when “you grow up”-Artistic-Attractive personality – magnetic due to high energy-Being able to see the big picture-Being able to see the patterns in the chaos.-Being intuitive towards others’ difficulties-Broad focus – can see more, notice things more-Can create order from chaos-Can do many projects at once-Can make people feel they are heard-Can see the big picture-Can talk about several things at one time-Can think on my feet-Career variety-Centre of attention-Comfortable talking in front of groups-Comfortable with change and chaos-Compassion for others and for themselves-Conceptualizes well-Confidence-Constantly evolving-Courageous-Creates connections easily-Creative-Creative writing-Creative – musical, artistic, “dramatic”-Good in a crisis -Good at customer relations-Dedicated-Detail-oriented-Determined to gain more control-Eager to make friends-Eager to try new things-Empathetic, sensitive-Energetic-Entrepreneurial-Excellent organizers using journals and reminders (notes etc.)-Flexible – changes as the situation requires-Fun guy to be around-Goal-oriented-Good at conceptualizing-Good at motivating self and others-Good at multitasking-Good at problem solving-Good at public speaking-Good at understanding others/mind reading – empathetic-Good conversationalist-Good delegator and good at organizing others-Good in emergency situations-Good listener-Good looking and aware of it-Good people skills-Good self esteem, energetic-Great brain-stormer-Great multitasker-Great self-company-Great sense of humour-Great storyteller-Great with kids (central figure around kids)-Hands-on workers-Hard worker-Has friendly relations with their family-Has the gift of gab-Helpful-Helps others who are also in trouble-High energy – go, go, go-Humour, very healthy, quick picking up ideas-Hyper focus !!-Hypersensitive – very empathetic and good at non-verbal communications-Idea generator-Imaginative-Impulsive (in a good way) not afraid to act-Initiators-Intelligent-Intuitive-It’s ok to not finish everything-Less sleep is good (midnight to 6 am)-Like to talk a lot-Likes learning new things-Look at multidimensional sides to a situation-Lots of interests-Loves to cook and be creative-Magnetic-Master idea generator-Mentoring others/helpful-Mentoring people with low self esteem-Modesty-Move on fast – never hold a grudge-Multitasks well-Never bored and rarely boring-Never intimidated to try new things-Non-linear, multi-dimensional/edge of chaos-Not afraid to speak mind-Not contained by boundaries.-On stage and ready-Optimistic-Outgoing-Passionate-Persistent-Philosophical-Holistic thinking-Playful-Pragmatic-Problem solver-Profound-Quick thinking-Quick witted-Relates to people easily-Resistant-Resourceful-Saves money in the short term by forgetting to file tax returns-See and remember details – recount them later-Sees the big picture-Socially adaptive and flexible.-Spontaneous-Stabilizer during difficult situations-Stable-Successful-Takes initiative-Tenacious-Theoretical-Think outside the box-Thinks 2 meters ahead of the world-Thinks big, dreams big-Thorough-Tolerant-Unconventional-Unlimited energy-Unorthodox-Versatile-Very creative, able to generate a lot of ideas-Very hard working to compensate – workaholic-Very intuitive-Very resourceful-Very successful-Visionary-Visual learner-Willing to explore-Willing to take risks-Willingness to help others-Witty-Won’t tolerate boredom-Works well under pressure-Worldly

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