According to World Dictionary, “optimism is the tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things.” This was an “ism,” that caused me a great deal of stress and anxiety
Today, I realize certain words in that definition like” expect the best” were getting me in trouble, especially, when my tendency was to focus on an expectation of superior results. I never
had control over the final outcome of any action I chose to take. I somehow thought that by expecting it to happen, it would and most of the time it didn’t. This pattern continued for many
years, until I realized my expectations were creating more stress and disappointment in my life. The word “best,” in my former “ism” conjures up images of pressure to perform by raising
the “efforts” bar and comparing my results to other standards and individual performances. How do we know when something is the best result? If I create a good result is it the best result?
How do I know it is the best result if I don’t compare it to something else or someone else’s individual performance? I have to measure it against something else to determine if it is better.
It could be a never ending battle. I chose to end that “ism” battle” and create a new redefined “ism.” I have learned that living with optimism needs to be realistic and humble. I can hope for
a desired result but no matter what happens I can still find value in learning a lesson from every result that manifests. Today, my new definition of optimism is an “attitude of looking at every
action as a learning experience and integrating the learned lessons into new actions with the hope of creating more growth, fulfillment, and joy in every moment. Right now, optimism is an
“ism” I can take wherever I go.
What is optimism for you? Has it changed? If it has,how is it different?
Posted by David Giwerc on 11/30 at 10:29 PM
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Monday, November 29, 2010
The Importance of Silence in Your Life (v)
We as a human race are very uncomfortable with silence. Just check it out for your self.
Sit in a quiet room, with a clock or watch that has a second hand. Of course the clock
must be clearly in view, with no distractions.
Don’t say anything for thirty seconds. Just listen and be present with the silence permeating
your presence. Notice how long that small duration of time feels when there is total silence.
How did it make you feel? What did you notice? Where did your mind and thoughts go?
What would happen if you extended it to one minute of silence? People who regularly meditate
often do it for thirty minutes to one hour a day. They claim it clears the fog in their mind and
creates renewed energy. After doing this exercise, I think it will be come increasingly clear to
you it takes discipline to sit still in silence. I think the benefits to people with ADHD can be
significant but learning to sit still with a physically and/or cognitively hyper active mind is quite
challenging. You might want to start with learning to feel comfortable with silence.
Posted by David Giwerc on 11/29 at 03:23 PM
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Friday, November 26, 2010
Do What You do Well and Make It Stronger
The pressure to perform is based on established standards that limit your ability
to use your strengths. There is so much emphasis to meet established standards
of performance that limit the options your brain is hard wired to pursue.
When you have to do things in a set, uniform way where you must conform to a
set number of options you limit your ability to access your natural ways of doing
things. You end up having to use your weakest areas of your brain. This kind of
focus will exacerbate your impairing challenges of ADHD. To add negative fuel to
the fire, there is also a pervasive belief that one of the ways to move up the ladder
of success in school or at work is to focus on improving your weakest areas and
work to make them stronger. Have you ever met anyone that reached peak of their
success by focusing on making their weaknesses stronger? You get ahead in life
by finding out what you already do well and doing more of it. Identify what you do
well first and then work to make what you do well even stronger and watch your
performance improve every time you do. To learn more go to: http://www.ADDCA.com
Posted by David Giwerc on 11/26 at 11:22 PM
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Friday, November 19, 2010
Let’s Share Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination
Almost everyone procrastinates at some point. Procrastination is often associated as one of the
major issues that people with ADHD have a difficult time managing. They put of important tasks
that need to be done today and may focus on trivial tasks which only delay their important priorities.
There are many sources of procrastination.
I thought it might be a good topic to explore. We could introduce some of the different sources
of Procrastination and ask some key questions and share strategies that have helped you
overcome your tendencies to procrastinate. QUESTION: Does this sound like a good idea that
you would be interested in learning more about?
Posted by David Giwerc on 11/19 at 04:18 PM
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
ADHD as a Deficit in Interest-Special to the Washington Post
You are not your ADHD. You are the sum of all the goodness within you. Just because
the rest of the world doesn’t understand the invisible challenges of your ADHD does
not mean you are broken or lazy.
You are who you choose to be. You are born with your brain wring and if it is ADHD
it is not who you are but what you have. You are who you choose to be. Once you
learn how your ADHD shows up in different situations, you can learn to identify how
your unique brain wiring works and embrace the things you do naturally well. You
have to take responsibility for learning how you own band of ADHD shows up so
it won’t get in the way of the good things you can bring into the world. To learn more
about your own ADHD, please go to: http://addca.com/ADHD-education.html
Posted by David Giwerc on 11/16 at 04:41 PM
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Sunday, November 14, 2010
Renaming ADHD
I really don’t like the label Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I look at is a unique brain wiring with a set of brain challenges that can manifest in different situations.
However with proper diagnosis, treatment, understanding through education, team support from an ADHD therapist, coach and knowledgeable friends & family, your ADHD can be manageable. You will hopefully identify and access many of your attributes and integrate them into your daily schedule. It takes work and discipline but it can be done. QUESTION: If you had the power to rename ADHD in a way that empowered those who have it, to take positive action, what name would you create? Please use your imaginations to encourage and inspire. This will truly give people with ADHD “Permission to Proceed” with beginning a process of creating more fulfillment and joy in their lives.
Posted by David Giwerc on 11/14 at 05:35 PM
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Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Pay Attention to What You can Do (v)
You have grown up with a belief that in order to climb up the ladder of success you need to
focus on what you don’t do well and work hard to make it something you can do well.
What really serves you well is focusing on what you already do well and focusing on doing
it even better.
You have to accept the fact that starting your day doing things that require your weaknesses
are generally harder to do. If you focus your first activity of the day on your areas of interest
and strength, you will quickly discover that it dramatically improves your energy and ability to
complete specific goals. You will experience a greater sense of fulfilment knowing that you
have accomplished an important project, task or objective you enjoy doing and does not drain
your energy before your day gets started.
The way to greater opportunities and success is NOT by focusing your energy and efforts on
making your weaknesses stronger. The only way to gain the momentum you need and get
your “success engine” revved up is to pay attention to what you already do well and do more
if it. This will help you maintain a consistent performance, positive outcome and after a period
of time you will do these tasks even better.
Posted by David Giwerc on 11/09 at 09:59 AM
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Sunday, November 07, 2010
The Key to Igniting Your Engine *
It recently dawned on me that I have started to go back to an old pattern. It is one that really does not empower me to get my engine all revved up for the exciting day ahead. I have to remember that every day is a new beginning with a new adventure waiting to happen. I have to give myself permission to use the key that starts my ignition.
That key is definitely not focusing on the boring, mandatory demands of life. That doesn’t mean you neglect them but it does mean you can choose to place your attention on the things that get you excited; that are of high interest and utilize your strengths.
To get your momentum going means you don’t feel guilty about doing the things that give you energy and joy. You don’t feel bad doing the things that improve your focus. You have to accept the fact that starting your day doing things that are boring and require the use of your weaknesses are generally harder to do. If you focus your first activity of the day on your areas of interest and strength, you will quickly discover that it dramatically improves your energy and ability to enjoy each day. You will experience a greater sense of fulfillment knowing that you have accomplished an important project, task or goal that you enjoy doing and does not drain your energy before your day gets started.
