5 Reasons You Should Join The ADHD Career Network on LinkedIn

A longtime passion of mine has been to help people find happiness and satisfaction in their careers. In my coaching practice I work with clients who are smart, creative and hardworking but are not thriving in the workplace because the career that they have chosen is not a match for their skills and interests. So, I started this group as an ADD-Friendly place for people to share advice and make connections with others.

You need to join this group if…

1. You are an ADDer who is struggling in your current career and who wants to learn how to work smarter from others who are managing their ADD in the workplace. Post a question to the group on the Discussion Board.
   
2. You are an ADDer who is looking for a new job and want job search tips and support. Visit the News Section for articles and resources.
   
3. You know of an ADD-Friendly job that might be right for someone else, you need help with a project and want to work with someone who understands your difficulties, or you are looking for a position that's a good match for your skills. Post the job you have or the job you are looking for in our Jobs Section.
   
4. You are a professional who works with ADDers and want to share your expertise and promote your services. Answer questions on the Discussion Board and Post articles in the News Section.
   
5. You just want to network with great people!
   

*Please Note: You must be a member of LinkedIn to join this group. To sign up for a free account click HERE. If you already have a LinkedIn account, click HERE to sign in to your account and join The ADHD Career Network.

Be Your Own Advocate

I recently figured out that a medication that I was taking was causing me severe head and neck pain. After an MRI, physical therapy, and tons of Ibuprofen – I had had enough!

It was time to take my health into my own hands. So, I went on the internet and researched all the medications that I was taking. Low and behold, there were other people who were complaining of head and neck pain while on one of the medications I was taking. None of the doctors I went to made the connection between this medication and my pain.

This just proved to me that we all have to be our own advocate. Doctors don't know everything and we shouldn't expect them to. We have to be responsible and knowledgeable about our own health and the medications we take.

I have a client who found herself with sudden onset chronic pain. Her doctor misdiagnosed her and prescribed medications that weren't working. When she began researching her symptoms she figured out (and later confirmed by a specialist) that she had a rare and chronic, but manageable condition.

You must be your own advocate. If your doctor is not listening – then find someone who does.

Be knowledgeable and never stop asking questions until you get the answers you are looking for!

Tips and Tools to Conquer Morning Madness

Visualize Ideal Morning

What does your ideal morning look like? Do you wake up leisurely and enjoy a nice cup of coffee before everyone else wakes up? Or, do you bound out of bed and throw on your workout clothes to work up a sweat before a hearty breakfast? Take this week to map out your ideal morning routine as specifically as possible. Once you've sketched out your ideal routine, compare it to your current routine. What are you doing now that's not in your ideal routine? What is it that you'd like to be doing that you don't have time for now?

Know Your Timeline

How much sleep do you need to wakeup rested and refreshed each morning? What time do you currently go to bed? What time do you wake up? If you sleep through your alarm or wake up feeling groggy, that may be a sign that you are not getting enough sleep. And, if this is the case you need to do some experimenting with your sleep and wake times.

What time do you have to be at work? Even if your boss doesn't keep tabs on you, you may want to consider getting in early so that you can have some quiet time before everyone else starts buzzing around.

How to Simplify

• Do as much as possible the night before. Create a nightly ritual with your family where you gather everything you'll need for the next day.
  
• If you have trouble waking up consider using an extra loud alarm, a flashing light alarm clock, or even a bed shaker (Dynamic-Living). You should also consider using a reminder service (such as IPing or MyCalls) or a family member or friend to help you get up. If you have someone call you, make sure they keep you on the phone until they hear the water running in the bathroom
  
• As soon as you wake up, start your day with a centering activity like journaling, mediation, or just watching the sun come up with a cup of coffee or tea. You may have to get up 10 minutes earlier but the payoff with be worth it.
  
• Give your kids their own alarm clock as soon as they start school to help build a sense of responsibility and take the burden off you.
  
• Get a clock (preferably with an alarm) for the bathroom. (Atomic Bathroom Digital Alarm Clock)
  
• Make sure to check the weather report so that you will know how to dress.
  
• Know what kind of activities to avoid in the morning (watching television, getting on the internet, talking on the telephone, reading the paper, playing games)
  
• Get yourself dressed completely (including shoes, jewelry, and makeup) before you help anyone else get dressed.
  
• Streamline your makeup routine by using a makeup kit instead of individual products. The cosmetic industry has taken all the guesswork out of choosing complimentary colors, by creating color pallets and all-in-one products that give you everything you need in one or two products.
  
• Simplify your wardrobe so you won't have trouble deciding what to wear.
  
• Don't forget breakfast – it's the most important meal of the day. Always have some fast and nutritious choices on hand.
  
• Create a loading zone where everyone has a place to put their stuff as soon as they come in and can easily grab it and go when it's time to leave. This is where books, backpacks, coats, umbrella's, purses, and briefcases go.
  
• Time how long it takes you to get to work and then add 10 – 20 minutes for incidentals.
  
• Remember to schedule when you will take any medication or vitamins into your morning routine.
  
• Once you develop a logical sequence for your morning routine, post it in a prominent place and set an alarm for each step of your routine to keep you moving. Try using a cook's timer on a string that you can wear around your neck (Sixty Minute Cooki's Timer).