Russell Colver :: Coaching and ADD

Coaching and ADHD

If you have ADHD, the structured, collaborative, and ongoing support of a coach can be a powerful tool.

ADHD coaching is not fundamentally different from other coaching, except that the coach

is knowledgeable about the field of ADHD, and
is aware of the biological nature of this syndrome and its potential impact on behavior and quality of life.

Living with ADHD

If you have ADHD, you may live your life

in a chaos of projects begun and abandoned
under the constant overcast of procrastination
in a haze of missed deadlines, forgotten appointments, and broken promises
surrounded by desktops, closets, floors, and dining room tables filled with rubble
bewildered by knowing what to do and just not doing it
weighed down by discouragement and a suspicion that life isn't this hard for everyone.

How a Coach Can Help

ADHD coaching addresses the chronic impairment of the brain's executive functions that can be the most frustrating aspect of this syndrome for adults and is largely responsible for the above conditions. Executive functions include the ability to organize for work tasks, actually get started, maintain focus, sustain energy, manage frustration, and follow through to completion.

An ADHD coach partners with you to create external structures for managing time, space, behavior, and things. The coach

works with your strengths to support your ability to make change
helps you use your own rhythms and preferences to establish new habits
holds you accountable for what you commit to
helps you develop problem-solving skills
focuses on keeping you in action and moving forward
creates a safe space for new learning
reminds you of your successes when all you can see are your failures
stays with you.

Adults with ADHD who benefit most from coaching are those who bring a desire for change to the coaching partnership, a belief that they are able to make this change, and a willingness to work to accomplish it. Under these circumstances, the possibilities are all but limitless.