This week, Dave welcomes back his good friend Jeff Copper of DIG Coaching for a vital discussion tailored for the busy professional navigating life with ADHD.

Many with ADHD excel at problem-solving for others, but often struggle to implement those same solutions for themselves. This episode dives into the concept of executive function impairment and introduces a new approach.

Jeff shares how this model provides a simple, actionable, and universal accommodation to help mitigate the challenges of ADHD and burnout. Tune in to understand why direct communication is the most basic, yet often overlooked, tool for achieving clarity with Adult ADHD.

Key Discussion Points

• ADHD and Problem Solving: Individuals with ADHD are often excellent problem solvers and "connect the dots" better than others, but struggle to apply these skills to their own lives.
• The Role of Executive Functions: ADHD is defined as an executive function impairment, meaning the "mind tools" used for problem-solving (planning, organizing, decision-making) are less efficient, requiring much greater effort in some cases.
• Strategies vs. Execution: Having a plan or strategy isn't enough; the difficulty lies in the execution which requires intensive use of executive functions.
• Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out: Jeff Copper’s model posits that direct communication (talking things through in real-time) is a universal accommodation for ADHD.
• Communication as an Accommodation: Language evolved to solve shared problems, making direct, collaborative conversation the most fundamental form of problem-solving. People with ADHD simply need this accommodation more.
• The Power of Clarity: The majority of procrastination is rooted in ambiguity, which direct communication is designed to resolve.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

In this episode, Dave tackles the quiet struggle of adults with ADHD in demanding roles…from entrepreneurs to executives. While students often have built-in support systems, busy professionals are left to navigate their unique challenges alone.

Join Dave as we explore the importance of finding a community of like-minded peers who truly get it. We discuss the need for a confidential space where you can share your wins, challenges, and frustrations without judgment.

Busy professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners people in leadership, senior VP's with ADHD all welcome!

If you've ever felt isolated in your journey with ADHD, this episode is for you.

Tune in to hear about a potential solution for finding the support system you need.

This episode of Overcoming Distractions features a conversation with Kat O'Sullivan, author of From Doubt to Do: Navigating Your Path to Possibility. Dave and Kat explore how individuals, especially those with ADHD, can overcome self-doubt and embrace significant life changes.

Kat shares her personal journey of moving to Mexico during the pandemic, highlighting the critical steps and mindset shifts needed to transform seemingly impossible goals into tangible realities. This discussion will resonate with anyone looking to make bold moves and leverage their adult ADHD.

Here's some important advice from the episode:

• Embrace Your "Positives": For individuals with ADHD, what might be labeled as "negative traits" like hyperactivity or hyperfocus can actually be powerful assets in the right environment. Reframe these characteristics as strengths that offer unique advantages, such as excelling in sales or problem-solving.
• Challenge Doubt with Questions: When faced with a big decision or feeling stuck, ask yourself, "What if it is possible?" and "What am I not seeing yet?" The word "yet" is particularly powerful, as it acknowledges current limitations while opening the door to future possibilities and solutions.
• The Four C's: Kat introduces a framework of four critical "C's" to navigate change:
• Courage: Have the courage to confront your situation and your mindset head-on.
• Clarity: Get clear on what you truly want and, more importantly, why it matters to you. This "why" provides the conviction needed to push through challenges.
• Commitment: Make a "hell yes" commitment to your decision. This unwavering resolve is what propels you forward when obstacles arise.
• Capacity: Build your capacity by learning what you need to get things done, and practice self-compassion. This involves understanding your personal working style and identifying the support you need.
• Be Methodical, Not Just Impulsive: While embracing opportunity is key, especially for those prone to impulsivity, major life changes require a methodical approach. Conduct thorough research, create detailed checklists, and break down large goals into manageable, step-by-step processes.
• Address External Doubts: Be prepared for skepticism from others, and don't let their fears derail your plans. Re-ground yourself by focusing on "what's at stake if I don't do it," rather than solely on the risks of taking action.
• Expect and Adapt to Hiccups: It's normal to encounter unforeseen challenges, especially when embarking on something new. Don't beat yourself up when things don't go as planned. Instead, return to your "what" and "why," and figure out the next step.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

If you are an adult with ADHD and feel like you are either heading towards burnout or are already there, Dave has some quick advice and six must haves for starting the process of reducing burnout.

Burnout is complex and even more complicated for busy adults with ADHD. And while burnout can take time to recover from, there are several ways to begin the process of reducing the feelings from burnout.

Dave talks about these short pieces of advice in the beginning of his book Overcoming Burnout. These actions are meant to begin getting rid of burnout in your life.

You can order Dave's book Overcoming Burnout here on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WQ17T22

Many people with ADHD have a difficult relationship with time. And if you're a busy professional and have other commitments such as family, managing time in your life can be a challenge.

Some of the ways being timeline can affect us are being late for appointments or missing them altogether. Other ways include always feeling busy at work and never feeling caught up.

If you often lose track of time, where the day went, or even got to the end of a day and didn't get what you needed to get done, Dave has some simple tips to get started improving your relationship with time.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

If you have listened to Overcoming Distractions for any length of time then you know Dave loves to focus on the basics of thriving with adult ADHD, especially for busy professionals. Managing and thriving with adult ADHD does not have to be complex and that's why Dave discusses 5 mission critical habits busy professionals, business owners, executives and others need to have in place.

Have we talked about these before? Absolutely, but the basics of managing and thriving with adult ADHD need to be reinforced from time to time.

If you need a quick road map on some of the basics to be following for busy professionals with ADHD, this podcast episode is a must listen.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

There's a lot more to understanding why adults with ADHD have bad days but Dave gives you 4 simple steps that you can follow if you find yourself having a bad day. Yes, simple!

And one thing is important to remind yourself. Always be kind to yourself when you have a day that didn't go your way. Nothing good comes from beating yourself and making you feel guilty.

Find out what else you can do to unpack a bad day when you are an adult with ADHD.

And keep in mind, adults with ADHD do not have a monopoly on bad days. Everyone has them.

More episodes to follow on how to minimize your bad days when you are an adult with ADHD. But start with these 4 steps. 

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

One thing that pretty much everyone with ADHD experiences is the concept of “out of sight out of mind.”

That can be everything from your calendar, to-do list, shopping list, backpack or laptop bag to bring to work, car keys and the list goes on.

So in this episode of Overcoming Distractions Dave sits down with Star Hansen, AKA the Clutter Whisperer to talk about how we can reduce out of sight, out of mind in our personal and professional lives.

Star first addresses the idea that for many adults with ADHD there is anxiety with clutter. But she also makes sure to tell listeners that out of sight and out of mind is not a problem exclusively to those of us with ADHD. Everyone experiences this!

Star also discusses some of the common scenarios that many of us with ADHD can relate to in both our work setting and in home. We're sure you can relate to some of these.

Star and Dave discuss the following ideas that can help reduce out-of-sight out of mind in the workplace and at home.

Star says to acknowledge habits that contribute to this.

Start somewhere because better than nothing is progress.

Less is more so reduce items within a particular space.

Establish locations for important items.

Embrace the truth.

Try and fail and try again!

Establish boundaries to mitigate walking into a room and forgetting why you were there. Yes, this can contribute to out of sight, out of mind.

Learn more about everything Star Hansen has to offer on her website; www.StarHansen.com

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

There's a clear connection between our ability to think and how we plan and when we have ADHD, it helps to understand that connection.

Because many with adult ADHD have challenges thinking effectively when we need it, planning can suffer. But fear not, we have some answers in this episode of overcoming distractions.

Back on the podcast is Jeff Copper from DIG Coaching.

Jeff and Dave discussed the concept of ADHD and thinking and why times arise when we cannot think clearly or think methodically. Because of this, it affects our ability to plan whether in the workplace or at home.

Jeff says that when we have ADHD we need to have a collection of mine tools that help us through these processes. Those need to help remove discomfort when it comes to thinking and planning.

Jeff also discusses why we need to externalize thinking when we are an adult with ADHD.

Dave and Jeff also discussed the importance of mind, body, sleep and eating habits as they are part of the core to thriving with adult ADHD.

Jeff also walks us through some of the core practices adults with ADHD can implement in their daily lives to make thinking clear and as a result planning easier and more productive.

Find ADHD and Attention Coach Jeff Copper at his website. www.digcoaching.com

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

If you are a busy adult with ADHD and you are overwhelmed by the amount of tasks and projects you have in front of you, this is the podcast episode for you.

Dave talks about the concept of batching tasks for adults with ADHD.

He talks about the benefits of batching tasks and projects, including increased productivity, better time management and reduced overwhelm.

Dave also talks about a number of tips to get started implementing the concept of batching during your week. That includes prioritizing tasks, grouping them into similar categories and blocking out the time to accomplish them.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

If you are an adult with ADHD and you have been skipping meals, you will want to listen to what Dave has to say about why eating needs to be part of your ADHD management.

Dave talks about how missing meals during the day can drastically affect your ADHD, focus, mood and overall attempt at thriving with adult ADHD.

He discusses what nutrition experts say about food intake including energy levels, managing executive functions and why being hungry is another distraction.

Dave lays out a few simple ways that he and others implement to make shopping and meal planning easier for those of us with ADHD.

Disclaimer: Dave is not giving any nutritional or medical advice. This episode is meant to give you ideas as to how to ensure you have regular eating habits throughout the day.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Many adults with ADHD struggle when it comes to managing email. It's a common theme for busy professionals. Depending on the type of job you have or business you are running, email can absorb a lot of time.

If we don't have some type of system for managing and organizing email, it can be distracting, stressful and contribute to disorganization. It can also be part of the problem when missing deadlines or important milestones.

Dave has a number of suggestions in this podcast about how to manage email more effectively. Keep in mind, no system is perfect when it comes to challenges such as email but this podcast should get you thinking about how you can make email less daunting in your job or business.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Many adults with ADHD also experience burnout. If you are feeling burned out, then you'll want to invest some time in listening to why many adults with ADHD also go through burnout and what to do about it.

Dave gives you a quick checklist to start the process of recovering from your burnout while managing your adult ADHD.

But before that…Dave discusses some of the reasons you may know and might be a surprise when it comes to ADHD and burnout. That includes challenges with managing executive functions, contributors to exhaustion, decision-making, chronic stress and perfectionism, to name a few.

Give this podcast a listen, bookmark it and start clawing your way out of burnout and into a life that will fulfill you and energize you.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar: https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Task avoidance is the tendency to delay, resist, or ignore certain tasks. Even when we know they’re important. Kinda sounds like procrastination, doesn't it?

For adults with ADHD, this isn’t about laziness or a lack of willpower. It’s often rooted in how the ADHD brain processes motivation, emotions, and executive functions… ah yes, those skills used to plan, start, and complete tasks).

Join Dave on this short, ADHD-friendly podcast about task avoidance and some strategies and tactics to minimize it in your daily life.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Many adults with ADHD have challenges with sleep. That includes not getting enough sleep, erratic sleep habits, or other issues that might require a sleep specialist.

But one of the secret weapons to managing and thriving with adult ADHD is getting proper sleep.

Dave talks about the benefits of having a good night's sleep in this episode. From improving our executive functions, increasing focus when we need it during the day, regulating our emotions and more.

Proper sleep habits must be part of your overall strategy for thriving with adult ADHD.

Dave talks about the street smart and common sense benefits of getting a good night's sleep.

** Disclaimer: this is not medical advice. If you continue to struggle with sleep, contact your doctor.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Overcoming Distractions focuses a lot of attention and resources on helping busy professionals like you thrive in the workplace with adult ADHD. This week we have a general discussion about how to navigate the workplace and thrive, grow and feel less stressed.

Dave has a discussion with Jess Meredith, founder of Differing Minds based in the UK. Differing Minds consults with organizations of all types to give them a better understanding of nerodiversity and gives leadership the tools to help their workforce.

Jess and Dave talk about some of the basic reasons why some of us adults with ADHD have challenges navigating the workplace and how those spill into our home and personal life. We have challenges with our workload, systems, routines creating effective to-do lists as well as scheduling projects and tasks appropriately. That tax is our executive functions, and it can make us tired at the end of the day.

Jess talks about some of the common challenges that many adults with ADHD have in the workplace and how to begin the process of advocating for yourself without disclosing your ADHD.

Jess says that advocating for yourself requires us to understand our ADHD, work with a coach or mentor as well as do your own research to understand ADHD better. She said it is also very helpful to document and journal our challenges with ADHD as well as strategies that work in our favor.

Dave and Jess talk about the must-haves for thriving in the workplace. She says understanding your sensory profile and sensory processing can help you understand your needs. For many with ADHD movement helps us manage our ADHD. Working for a short period of time and then getting up and walking around for a minute.

She also says that noise-cancelling headphones can tremendously help maintain focus and minimize distractions.

And finding an accountability buddy that can help you stay on track can be very beneficial to thriving in the workplace.

Learn more about Differing Minds here: https://www.differingminds.co.uk/

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Understanding the overall concept of emotional intelligence and how it affects our lives with ADHD is critically important when it comes to navigating professional and personal life and thriving with adult ADHD.

This week on Overcoming Distractions, Dave has a discussion with Dr. David Sitt, the author of ADHD Refocused-Bringing Clarity to the Chaos.

Dr. Sitt first discusses his book and explains why the word “clarity” is in the subtitle. It is one of the keywords that drives how we thrive with adult ADHD. He explains that for many of us with ADHD, we wake up with the lights off and we must regain clarity on a regular basis.

Dr. Sitt defines emotional intelligence and how it relates to adults with ADHD.

He discusses self-awareness, self-management including how to regulate, problem-solving, social awareness, relationship management as well as dealing with conflict.

Dr. Sitt And Dave discuss how “reading the room” is incredibly important, specifically in the workplace.

Dr. Sitt also discusses how many adults with ADHD have a low frustration tolerance and talks about how rejection is part of emotional intelligence.

Dr. Sitt discusses many steps to get started on the process of evaluating your emotional intelligence. He says self-awareness is a great first step and a great way to achieve that is through mindfulness and meditation.

He also talks about the power of journaling about your social world and how that can improve your emotional intelligence.

He offers many other powerful tips to get started on the process of improving emotional intelligence.

Learn more about Dr. Sitt and grab his book on his website.

https://drsitt.com/

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

One challenge that many people struggle with, regardless of whether they have ADHD or not, is clutter. However adults with ADHD do find it difficult to create the systems necessary to reduce clutter and stick with those systems.

Dave speaks with Star Hansen better known as the Clutter Whisperer about the basics of reducing clutter in our lives.  Star is a certified professional organizer, a TEDx speaker and has a specialty in working with individuals with ADHD.

Star begins discussing with Dave the reasons why many of us do not want to put items in their proper place. She says one of those reasons is that it's just not fun for us.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Star and Dave talk about why clutter comes down to having proper systems, overcoming procrastination and many other reasons for accumulating clutter.

They also discuss why having clutter in your line of sight can affect your mood and your productivity and the reasons why.

In the podcast, Star suggests never planning and doing at the same time. Meaning, if you're planning to reduce clutter and create systems, the next phase should be executing on that plan at a different time.

Star also advises if you're having challenges getting started, body doubling is a great way to get the process started of reducing your clutter.

Dave and Star also discussed digital disorganization such as lack of systems and appropriate computer files for work and home.

Start getting organized? Connect with Star on her website here. https://starhansen.com/

Distractions are one of the hallmarks of adult ADHD. If you are an adult with ADHD there are countless types of distractions that you need to manage daily.

Many of those distractions revolve the workplace, our career and our busy professional lives.

In this episode, Dave discusses 4 types of distractions and how you can mitigate those distractions in your busy professional life.

Are there more distractions? Absolutely but these are four types of distractions that can really affect how we work in our professional careers.

Want to work with Dave? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com.

A direct link to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Dave talks about how you can take the book, the Four Agreements to help manage and thrive with adult ADHD. The premise of the book is to make four agreements with yourself to live a better life.

The book is not written for adults with ADHD but there is some solid advice if you can implement it in your life and your career. Dave goes through the four agreements and puts an ADHD twist on each one and offers examples of how to implement these to guide you on your ADHD journey.

Do you need a coach or a mentor for your adult ADHD journey? Contact Dave at www.overcomingdistractions.com  and book an introductory Zoom meeting to find out more about his one-on-one coaching and mentorship.

There is also a direct link to Dave's calendar here. https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

After a quick break, Dave is back to talk about why it is so important for adults with ADHD to take time off. That can include taking paid time off from your job, long weekends, planning a vacation and how to make the most of a staycation.

Many adults with ADHD are not good at taking time off when they need it. If you are one of these people, check out what Dave has to say about being proactive in getting the time off that you need.

Want to learn more about Dave's coaching and mentorship programs? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com.

Or, book a quick introductory call directly here. https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Dave talks about why adults with ADHD can experience burnout much faster than other people. In many cases it comes down to a few habits many with adult ADHD carry with them.

He talks about four causes of burnout in adults with ADHD and discusses some simple solutions to begin the process of not feeling so burned out.

If you are an adult with ADHD and having challenges getting “stuff done” at both work and home and are feeling exhausted all the time, check out this brief podcast episode on how ADHD and burnout can sometimes collide and make our life difficult.

Are you an adult with ADHD having difficulty meeting the challenges that are required of you in the workplace or at home? Book a quick call with Dave at www.overcomingdistractions.com.

Or go directly to his calendar here. https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

What makes a great mentor for an adult with ADHD is somebody that "gets you." But oftentimes, adults with ADHD are misunderstood and our challenges are discounted. If you have decided that you would like to work with a mentor, Dave discusses a number of areas that a mentor should focus on with you.

While there is definitely some coaching involved in mentorship, a few of the ways a mentor can be most effective is when they can establish rapport and connection with you, they can listen and give you the full attention you deserve, they can be your cheerleader, and share in your wins and help you set some realistic goals that you can achieve.

Check out the full episode, and if you'd like to work with Dave, go to www.overcomingdistractions.com

This episode is Part 2 of how ADHD is showing up in our lives.

This week we discuss how ADHD shows up in the workplace, our jobs and our careers. Dave is joined again by Dr. Fiona Peters a leading expert in neurodiversity from the UK. Dr. Fiona is back for round 2 with an awesome and engaging discussion.

Are you a busy professional with ADHD that is looking for coaching or mentorship? Contact Dave here. Www.overcomingdistractions.com

First Dave and Fiona discussed the love and loathe list that you were asked to work on the previous episode. They discuss how making the love and loathe list can help us navigate our personal lives and careers.

Dr. Fiona talks about in the workplace many of us have challenges with executing tasks and projects as well as time. Some of us go as far as to loathe these parts of our job.

She talks about how we have a conflict sometimes between good versus bad as well as the skills that are required to work in our career.

She also discusses how rejection sensitivity disorder and impostor syndrome can be hard to dislodge when we are in a career that we may not be enjoying. She discusses how when we have these situations we get into resentment and emotional dysregulation.

Dr Fiona Talks about how we can bring some calm into the workplace by working through box breathing, always pause when asked to do certain things that require us to think and even tell people that you will get back to them without making a decision on the fly.

Dave and Fiona discuss how we need to have an inventory of our capacity and as we have discussed before how to test the word no in the workplace.

Without of course, being reprimanded or fired.

Learn more about the work of Dr Fiona Peters here: https://www.drfionapeters.co.uk/

For adults with ADHD, mornings can either set the tone for calm focus, less stressful day…. or become a chaotic scramble that derails the entire day.

A consistent morning routine is not a luxury….it’s a non-negotiable structure that creates clarity, momentum, and control. 

Spend a few minutes with Dave as he discusses why morning routines are mission critical, how to take small steps to build an ADHD friendly morning routine and the benefits you'll get out of doing so.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Thriving with adult ADHD sometimes requires an additional support system. And one of the best ways to make breakthroughs in your personal and professional life is to find the right ADHD coach.

Working with an ADHD coach can be a powerful tool in lowering stress, avoiding burnout and overall enjoying life and career.

In this episode, Dave talks about four ways to maximize the benefits of working with an ADHD coach. Are there more? Yes but these will give you a solid foundation for moving forward with a coaching relationship.

He talks about how to identify an ADHD coach that is a great fit for you and your circumstances, how to maximize the relationship and being engaged in the process, and how to be kind to yourself and celebrate your wins.

If you're thinking about working with an ADHD coach, connect with Dave at www.overcomingdistractions.com

So you are an adult with ADHD. Or maybe you do not have an official ADHD diagnosis but suspect you may have ADHD.

While there are many signs of ADHD such as distractions, lack of focus, difficulty with routines and systems and time management, there are also signs of ADHD that we may not initially recognize.

Are you a busy professional with ADHD that is looking for coaching or mentorship? Contact Dave here. Www.overcomingdistractions.com

In this episode of Overcoming Distractions, Dave discusses some of the ways ADHD shows up in our personal lives with Dr Fiona Peters, a UK based leading expert in neurodiversity.

While there may be days when we are late for work, have a rough morning, and the occasional lost car keys, Dr Fiona discusses some other aspects of adult ADHD for us to pay attention to.

Some of those include tension in the household, an imbalanced relationship between partners as well as getting in the last word in discussions and arguments.

Of course we may have challenges paying our bills and cleaning the house and Dr Fiona discusses some of these as well.

This is part one of a two-part discussion about how ADHD shows up in our lives.

Learn more about the work of Dr. Fiona Peters here: https://www.drfionapeters.co.uk/

Dave talks about why clarity and ADHD need to go hand in hand on this episode of Overcoming Distractions. Being clear on what we need to do in our personal and professional lives helps us reduce procrastination, lower our stress levels and helps us get “stuff” done.

Dave talks about why seeking daily clarity in tasks projects and priorities is mission critical to thriving with ADHD in the workplace.

He talks about how to dig deeper and get clarity on our individual tasks that may require additional tasks or info and data from other people in the workplace.

And Dave talks about why seeking clarity in our personal and professional lives and the direction we are taking is also important.

Clarity is king when it comes to adult ADHD!

If you need a support system and you are a busy professional, entrepreneur, solopreneur or looking to make changes in your career, set up a time to chat with Dave at www.overcomingdistractions.com.

Adults with ADHD who are also busy professionals need simple habits, systems and consistency to get through the week with less stress and chaos. Without even simple systems, life can get hectic very quickly.

Dave discusses four simple ways that he makes life and running a business easier. There are certainly more but these are the four core areas that make weeks much less hectic.

If you've lost your car keys or can't find your wallet or you ran out of coffee in the house, this episode is for you! And if you've hit the drive thru several times this week because you had no food in the house, have a listen.

Do you want to work with Dave in a coaching or mentorship relationship?

Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com to book an introductory Zoom chat.

This week Dave talks about how adults with ADHD who have lost focus at work can regain that and get back on track.

Many times we may have it all together but we have those days or even other stretches of time where everything just hits the fan and our week turns into a train wreck. We have all been there.

Dave discusses three essential things you need to do now if you have completely lost focus in the workplace or even at home.

Of course, there's more work to do but these are three critical factors to implement now if you're having one of those days or weeks and just can't seem to get out of your own way.

Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one to get unstuck? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book a call with Dave.

Are you an adult with ADHD that is also stressed out at work? Much of our stress when we have ADHD does revolve around our work, job, and career. But there are ways to lower your stress level in the workplace.

On this episode, Dave discusses five areas for you to begin to focus on that can help the process of lowering your stress at work.

Dave gives some quick advice on guarding your time, ways to seek clarity in the workplace, and the importance of double-checking your work before submitting it to others, including your boss and clients.

Dave also discusses how information overload can stress out those of us with adult ADHD and some simple strategies to reduce information overload.

Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one to lower your stress in the workplace? Book an introductory Zoom chat with Dave at www.overcomingdistractions.com

Many adults with ADHD struggle to find a calendar system that works for work and home life. And when you're running a household with children, sometimes your calendar system can get more complex.

You not only have appointments, meetings and other commitments but every household has chores and other to-do lists. Having them in one place where everyone can see it and use it, is a must-have.

Dave introduces listeners to the Skylight Calendar.

On the podcast today is Anubhav Sarkar, product manager for Skylight Calendar. He walks us through all the Skylight Calendar's features and how this can be a game changer for individuals with ADHD.

Anubhav discusses how Skylight realized this could be tremendously helpful for people with ADHD. Including the ability to have the skylight calendar in a visible location, how we can manage multiple schedules and to-do lists and help the entire family build good habits and routines.

He also discusses the following features that are ADHD-friendly.

• The Skylight Calendar is similar to a digital photo frame but can be placed on a counter or mounted to the wall.
• He discusses the basic features, including color coding as well as syncing schedules.
• One powerful feature is the chore chart which can be used by kids, families as well as adults with ADHD managing work to-do lists.
• And Anubhav goes through how the mobile app helps everyone have their schedules and to-do lists with them at all times.

If you want to learn more about the Skylight Calendar, you can find out more on their website: skylightcal.com

Use the code DISTRACTIONS for a special offer for Overcoming Distractions podcast listeners.

If you have adult ADHD and you're feeling burned out, you want to listen to Part 2 about how to navigate burnout when you have ADHD.

You can find Dave's book Overcoming Burnout here. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WQ17T22

Dave discusses five more areas of your life and career that you'll need to work on if you're feeling burned out. He talks about finding meaning and purpose in work, managing your stress, of course, looking for other ways to develop a new passion for your job or career.

And Dave discusses a few other areas that need addressing if you're an adult with ADHD and burned out.

If you're new to overcoming distractions, please go back one episode and listen to part one about ADHD in burnout.

Find out more about working with Dave for coaching and mentorship at www.overcomingdistractions.com.

Dave talks about the continuing epidemic of burnout on this episode. And he discusses why burnout can affect adults with ADHD faster and even harder than others.

And to a greater extent, adults with ADHD have more difficulty sometimes navigating our way out of burnout.

Dave talks about some of the reasons including our challenges with executive functions and some of the habits we have built over time contributing to burnout.

Dave starts with five must haves for recovering from burnout or preventing it in your life.

This is a two-part episode. Dave will discuss another 5 parts to recovering from burnout in the next episode.

Do you want to work with Dave? Learn more at www.overcomingdistractions.com

After recording over 200 episodes of this podcast, writing two books and mentoring individuals with adult ADHD, Dave discusses some of the core ways everyone can thrive with adult ADHD.

While ADHD can be complicated, there are some must-haves when it comes to managing adult ADHD in both life and the workplace.

Managing adult ADHD requires you to focus on several areas of your life; sometimes, there can be roadblocks and complex issues. But Dave feels if you stick to these five simple things in your life, things can only get better.

Want to work with Dave? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com

Welcome to another episode of Overcoming Distractions! In this episode, Dave sits down with Christopher Richards, a leadership consultant and founder of Atomic Growth. They dig into the unique challenges and surprising strengths of busy professionals with ADHD, exploring how to navigate demanding careers and personal lives.

Christopher shares insights from his own journey with ADHD, the philosophy behind Atomic Growth, and practical advice for ADHD’ers with demanding careers and business owners looking to find success and fulfillment without relying on unsustainable pressure.

Key discussion points:

• Atomic Growth's Philosophy: Christopher talks about his holistic approach, called "RISE" (Rituals, Identity, Somatics, Environment), which emphasizes making a meaningful difference beyond just financial gain.
• The Problem with Pressure: Both David and Christopher highlight how many business owners and professionals rely on immense pressure to achieve goals, often leading to burnout and a lack of real accomplishment despite long hours. They emphasize that effective work doesn't have to be stressful.
• ADHD and Work Styles: Christopher, who was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD later in life, discusses his unique ability to focus better when engaged in multiple tasks simultaneously, contrasting with David's preference for single-task, undisturbed focus. This highlights the diverse ways ADHD brains can operate and the importance of understanding one's own optimal working environment.
• The Value of an ADHD Diagnosis: For Christopher, his diagnosis wasn't about a label but about gaining a clearer understanding of how his brain functions to leverage its strengths effectively.
• Overcoming Self-Imposed Limitations (Demand Avoidance): The discussion touches on "demand avoidance," where individuals with ADHD, even when self-imposing demands, can find their brains resisting. This underscores the need for self-awareness and strategies that align with how an ADHD brain naturally operates.
• Identifying and Leveraging Strengths: Instead of solely focusing on challenges, David and Christopher emphasize the importance of identifying and utilizing strengths.

Connect with Christopher Richards here: https://atomicgrowth.co.uk/

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

Welcome to Overcoming Distractions Thriving with Adult ADHD. This podcast is a reintroduction to Overcoming Distractions, the mission and what types of issues we discuss each week.

We have had many new listeners in recent months so we decided to introduce new listeners and seasoned veterans about the content published each week here.

Dave talks about why this podcast is dedicated to adults with ADHD and discusses briefly why only street smart and real world tactics are discussed on Overcoming Distractions.

Dave also discusses the three must haves when trying to thrive with adult ADHD. Of course there are many more, but these are the three core themes all adults with ADHD should try to focus on each day.

Get to know Dave and Overcoming Distractions a little better in this reintroduction.

Find out more about Dave, ADHD coaching and online programs at www.overcomingdistractions.com

If you are an adult with ADHD you're going to have to find some type of checklist system or To Do List that works for you and your own personal circumstances.

Dave gives you a quick primer on some of the criteria you should keep in mind when developing checklists for work and home.

We all know we need checklists of some form and Dave discusses briefly a very simple article in a prominent psychology journal that fell short of helping adults with ADHD. The article only suggested to use to do lists which most people with ADHD already know.

But if you're like many adults with ADHD, you need to find the right system that allows you to be more productive and less stressed.

Find out why the psychology article geared towards adult with ADHD was inadequate and hear Dave's thoughts on developing a checklist system that will actually work for you.

Want to work with Dave? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com

Mindfulness does not mean that you need to sit in a quiet room for two hours and not speak or move. Mindfulness as this week's guest Chris Berlow states is keeping the main thing…. the main thing.

That's what we are talking about this week on overcoming distractions is how adults with ADHD, or anyone for that matter can implement some form of mindfulness in their daily habits.

Chris Berlow is the founder of Empowered Mastery and the author of the book Mindful Meditation for Busy Lives. Chris and Dave discuss the number of ways that we can make mindfulness easier.

Chris talks about how we only have a certain amount of mental energy as well as clarity and that energy gets depleted throughout the day. The more stressful and busy the day is, the more energy is depleted. That's why it is important especially for adults with ADHD to be mindful.

Something as simple as getting outside and taking a walk can be a great form of mindfulness. Other people choose gardening, cooking and outdoor sports. All these can be a form of mindfulness.

Chris talks about easy ways to even implement forms of meditation. By slowing our busy brains down, we have the ability to choose our own thoughts and gained clarity over what's going on in our lives.

Chris and Dave discuss even a simple form such as finding guided meditations on platforms such as Spotify and other streaming services that help you reduce anxiety and other benefits.

Want to learn more about Chris Berlow and Empowered Mastery as well as his book on mindful meditation? Find him at: https://empoweredmastery.com/

Are you an adult with ADHD that needs more clarity on the types of activities that energize you as well as the activities in your life that drain your energy?

In this shorter version of Overcoming Distractions Dave talks about the importance of making two critical lists to help you thrive with your adult ADHD.

Adults with ADHD need to recognize the types of activities that give us energy, provide us with good dopamine and excite us about getting up in the morning.

When we understand what gives us energy, We can thrive with our adult ADHD

However, we also need to understand the activities in our life that drain our energy. And we need to try hard to eliminate energy-sucking activities.

Dave talks about how to go about making these two important lists that will help you in your career, and your personal life.

Want to work with Dave? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com

Did you set goals at the beginning of the year or did you create any New Year's resolutions?

Have you gotten off track on your New Year's goals or completely forgotten what you set out to do this year? Many people set goals at the beginning of a new year but oftentimes, we struggle to stay on track.

Back on Overcoming Distractions is Sarah Reiff-Hekking, Ph.D. founder of True Focus Coaching.

Sarah and Dave first discuss whether the new year is the best time to set goals. Hint, maybe not.

Sarah suggests reframing goals and calling them either a target or a vision and even the label ghost targets and visions to better resonate with yourself.

Sarah says it's important to find what works when it comes to reminding yourself of your goals. That can include vision boards, all types of visual reminders and regular reminders to keep you on track.

Sarah also reinforces something she has talked about before on the podcast which is making sure your personal goals come before your career goals.

Sarah advises on ways you can continue to keep steering toward your targets and goals. She also says it is important to create authentic goals and those that are intrinsic.

Goals should be about you not what other people think you should be doing. You should also make sure if this is a meaningful goal or something you are just chasing.

And Sarah suggests making sure you go through goal setting and ways to stay on track in a non judgmental way.

You can learn more about Sarah and the workshops that true focus coaching puts on by going to Sarah’s website. www.TrueFocusCoaching.com

One of the many challenges adults with ADHD face is managing large and ongoing projects. Most times, these projects revolve around work or our career. And because there are so many aspects of managing and working on large projects for our job, many adults with ADHD find it a struggle.

Does this sound familiar to you?

Dave talks about what it takes for those of us with ADHD to stay on track with large and ongoing projects. As an entrepreneur, Dave has been involved in many ongoing initiatives with his clients over the years that require planning, meeting deadlines and milestones as well as the ability to work with others for a common goal.

If your job requires you to work on projects, or you feel like doing a home remodeling project around the house, spend the next 20 minutes with Dave and grab a pen and notepad.

Want to work with Dave? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com

This is a quick checkup if you're feeling a little cooked lately. Grab a notebook and a pen!

Some people feel refreshed at the new year, but it can also give us more pressure and stress about goals and other achievements. Dave talks about why this added pressure can actually contribute to feeling burned out.

Many people with ADHD can experience burnout quicker than others due to our challenges that we already face. Those include our struggles with productivity, time management, and the emotional aspect of having ADHD.

Dave talks about the common ways we feel burned out and other feelings you may not have considered. He also talks about how the combination of these things can be clear indicators of burnout or heading towards burnout.

Dave gives you a checklist of ways to begin navigating your way out of burnout.

You can find a link to Dave's recent book Overcoming Burnout at www.overcomingdistractions.com.

Conventional wisdom would have adults with ADHD believing that we need to follow a specific path to manage and thrive with adult ADHD. But as you may have uncovered by now, following conventional wisdom and accepted and unquestioned principles, is often not the best path to thriving with adult ADHD.

Jeff Copper from DIG Coaching is back to discuss the concept of conventional wisdom and ADHD and how we can challenge certain thinking.

Jeff talks about the book “Breaking the Rules” which can describe the theme of this discussion on the podcast. Oftentimes adults with ADHD need to break the rules and one great example is understanding that we cannot always fix our weaknesses. Accepting this concept can provide an opportunity for growth in our ADHD journey.

Jeff and Dave discussed the importance of placing ourselves in roles that are a great fit. one example is choosing a career or a job that allows us to utilize our strengths.

Jeff also indicates that the more clarity we have in our lives and and our daily habits, the more motivation we can experience.

Managing our ADHD can be challenging at certain times in our lives but Jeff and Dave cautioned everyone not to fall into what Jeff calls a sea of strategies. We must stop drowning in the latest greatest strategy or technique to manage our adult ADHD.

Do you want to learn more about challenging conventional wisdom and ADHD? This is a great discussion with Jeff and Dave.

Find Jeff and Attention Talk Radio on his website. www.digcoaching.com

If you want to work with Dave for coaching and mentorship, go to www.overcomingdistractions.com

Adults with ADHD seem to have a love/hate relationship regarding scheduling and using calendars. Are you one of these people?

Sure, it sounds like a simple concept but for many of us with adult ADHD, we tend to struggle to engage more effectively with schedules and calendars.

Back on Overcoming Distractions is Eric Tivers of ADHD reWired.

Eric and Dave discussed the following and a lot more.

·         Why a schedule and using a calendar can be challenging for adults with ADHD.

·         Understanding that without a workable schedule, getting through the week and getting “stuff” done can also be challenging.

·         Eric discusses how scheduling, distractions, prioritization and time management are all connected and the calendar can help us.

·         Eric also takes time to discuss time tracking which he feels is one of the most important ways to understand how long tasks and projects take us.

·         Dave and Eric discuss time blocking but making sure that we are using that concept effectively.

And Eric gives tips for getting started and getting more comfortable using a calendar to manage our work and personal lives. Those include understanding this is going to be a process, you'll need to try different methods, making sure you relax and be patient, the importance of engaging with your calendar and understanding in many cases, there is a setup and a cleanup which you'll hear his thoughts on the podcast.

Find ADHD reWired here and all Eric's offerings including group sessions and the popular podcast. https://www.adhdrewired.com/

Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com 

As individuals with ADHD, by the time we are adults, we have experienced and internalized hundreds of thousands of negative inputs about who we are and how we are.  This can create defensiveness, people-pleasing, perfectionism, social anxiety, oppositional behavior, and other defense mechanisms.

But one thing we need to recognize and talk about openly is shame. 

Our guest Diann Wingert, therapist turned coach, says it is the elephant in the room for adults with ADHD.

Diann gives us a general definition of shame and explains the difference between guilt and shame.

She also gives people a few basic examples of shame then you may be able to relate to.

Diann also explains why she has called shame and ADHD, the elephant in the room.

She discusses why for people with ADHD, making mistakes can equal shame and the habits we can build to get ourselves out of this pattern.

And Diann gives us a road map for tackling shame in our lives, including understanding self-awareness, forgiveness, understanding that shame is a spectrum, and understanding how to take an honest look at situations in our lives that we can avoid.

Diann Wingert is a Business Strategist, Coach & Mentor and Host of The Driven Woman Podcast. Connect with Diann on her website: www.diannwingertcoaching.com

In this episode, Dave dives into why building strong, consistent habits is a game changer for busy adults with ADHD. If you’re juggling a demanding career, a busy home life, and constant mental clutter, this short episode is for you.

In this short episode, we’ll explore:

• Why habits reduce overwhelm, procrastination, and decision fatigue
• How routines provide structure when executive function falls short
• The role of dopamine in motivation, and how habits create reward cycles
• The emotional toll of disorganization and how good habits help rebuild confidence
• Real-life examples of ADHD-friendly habits that work for busy professionals

Tune in and learn how just a few intentional habits can bring more calm, clarity, and control to your ADHD life.

**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min

If you are an adult with ADHD and find yourself in a leadership position, you'll want to pay attention to what our guest Brendan Mahan says this week.

Brendan from ADHD essentials is back on overcoming distractions and we talk about the essential elements of being a leader, while being an adult with ADHD.

Maybe you find yourself as a shift supervisor in the hospitality industry, leading a major project at your company or wanting to learn more about how to parent through leadership, Brendan has some awesome advice.

Brendan and Dave discussed the following.

The difference between being a leader and being a boss.

What the general role of someone in leadership should be?

What would we, as adults with ADHD expect from our leaders?

The challenges of being an adult with ADHD and assuming a leadership position.

Tips for navigating a leadership role while having adult ADHD. Those include delegating diplomatically, understanding that you are supporting character as a leader, and taking time to own your ADHD and manage it properly.

Find Brandan Mahan and his offerings on his website; www.adhdessential.com

Want to work with Dave? www.OvercomingDistractions.com

Every adult with ADHD experiences the feeling of being too busy sometimes.

Dave tackles how we can minimize this feeling that many of us go through in our professional lives and at home.

Oftentimes adults with ADHD feel like there are a million things to do, and everything needs to be done now, but we often can't decide what to get started on or what to prioritize.

Dave discusses how we can sort things out, prepare appropriately so we're not always feeling too busy, prioritize tasks and projects, be in charge of others in the workplace that can affect your deadlines, understand capacity and boundaries, and when we need to say no to commitments.

And much more.

If you are feeling too busy all the time, hit the pause button and listen to this podcast episode.

Want to work with Dave? www.OvercomingDistractions.com

How does a creative digital nomad manage her ADHD on the road?

On Overcoming Distractions this time is Nikki May, owner of Nikki D May Art and Design. Nikki sold her house, purchased a bus and now runs her art and design business on the road.

In her business she does everything from drawing, designing accessories and apparel as well as web design.

As a newly diagnosed adult with ADHD, she has had to build the skills necessary to run a business on the road including carving time out for work, meeting deadlines and getting it all done.

Nikki admits that her brain doesn't always switch into working mode so it's important for her to have implemented several ways to be productive. Those include:

Time blocking

Planning

Hiring and delegating

Having a business manager

Using contractors.

She hired somebody to set up systems for her

And one big thing, not saying yes to everything.

Find Nikki D. May Art and Design here: https://www.nikkimay.com/

Want to work with Dave for coaching and mentoring? www.OvercomingDistractions.com