Anyone have an ADD coach?

[Carrie]

Would you be willing to share tips, strategys for those of us who don’t have one due to living in the middle of no where, or any other various reasons!

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[Anonymous]

this site is my ADD coach

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[Anonymous]

For one, location is not a reason not to have an ADD coach. Many people work with theirs over the phone. I do. It is not cheap, but I am looking at it as an investment in myself, that I feel will be cheap in the long run, and is already paying off.

There are some specific tips I am getting, which is helpful because the are targeted to my situation, and my issues. Otherwise, there is a ton of information on this site, and in the many books that are written on how to manage ADD symptoms. But I think what has been most helpful is having someone else see my patterns over a period of time, help keep me focused on my goals on a weekly basis, when I otherwise tend to drift off into who knows what.

If a coach is not an option, then peer coaching/support is helpful. I do that also. Once again, it is the accountibility to what the important goals are, and help to keep focused on those. Incremental progress over a long period of time, for me, is still progress, and having that person to discuss it will also help me to keep mindful of the progress that is happening. Otherwise, I would tend to feel like nothing is happening and be discouraged.

Hope that helps!

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[Carrie]

If you dont mind me asking, how much does it cost you? I wouldnt mind it just to help get me going. Part of my problem is that there are just so many different places to start, and being oblivious of myself. I have been reading sites on adult ADD management, which has been ok.. But not customised.

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[Anonymous]

Hi Carrie,

I feel your pain. I have had the same experience with finding support in terms of doctors and specialists for ADD. There are a ton or resources, lists of doctors and associations, but it becomes overwhelming. Luckily, I started attending a local support group for adults with ADD. Similar issue though, lots of experience from people that have used this or that service, lots of info, but what do _I_ do? Luckily I connected with someone in the group, who was in a similar situation as me, but further along in the process of getting his ADD managed. He was using the services of an ADD coach, it, along with other support (doctor, therapist, meds, etc) had really helped him to make his life more successful and manageable. I called his coach, and have ended up working with a coach for the last six months.

It is a marathon, not a sprint. Besides the practical things I am learning (though not always easy to put into practice), I am finding that the process has gone a long way to helping me change my self talk. I am starting to see myself in much less judgmental terms, I am not the only person dealing with this. Still frustrating that I have trouble doing some of the simple day to day things, like cooking for myself, organizing and tidying my living space, etc., but making progress.

Anyway, not what you asked… the costs run about $120/hour, and plus or minus 20/hour about average for what I have seen, at least in my area which is Toronto, Canada. Not cheap, but I believe that having a coach has helped me do things like starting to work with a “financial coach”, which is a company that is taking over a lot of the routine aspects of paying bills, helping me plan, make sure that I take care of the basics so that I have the hope of starting to save again.

I don’t always feel like I can afford it, but the alternative is not cheap either, both in monetary as well as emotional terms. Unmanaged ADD and an inability to manage my life has cost me a great deal. It cost me a house, a great deal of savings, among other things! I am worth the investment, and believe that the coaching will, in the long run, end up paying for itself. Ohhh, one other thing. I have on my list to do (!) to look into getting some status via my doctor with regards to ADD diagnosis. In Canada, or Ontario at least, there are some tax breaks associated with ADD related costs once you go through the process. Let me know if some info about that might be helpful.

Sorry for the lengthy reply to a simple question, but feeling passionate about the topic. Please let me know if you have any other questions and hope this helps.

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[Carrie]

$120 an hour! Phew! I thought it was going to be like $250/hour! Not thats not cheap… But I think it will be a great start! I am in Canada too but in BC. Is there a website that you go to to find the coach on the phone? I will start surfing the web! I did find one site but they said they were not accepting any more patients. I thought that was odd, and then directed me to some self help websites. Well they get me no where. I could read the same thing one million times and not get it until someone explains it to me!

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[Monika]

Hi Carrie,

I have several coaches and they are free but are invaluable to me.

http://www.flylady.net is one, she’s been around helping close to a million people around the world with organization, time management and home/financial routines.

this site is another.

And then I have

http://www.noexcusesworkouts.com for exercise

http://www.savingdinner.com for meal planning (while the meal menus do have a nominally fee, she- Leanne Ely- also has a http://www.blogtalkradio.com podcast that’s free)

Let me know if you have any questions?

Best wishes, M

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[Anonymous]

Hi Monica,

The saving dinner site looks interesting. Eating properly is one of my main challenges at the moment. My sister swears by the fly lady website also.

Carrie, this is who I use – http://www.onefocustotalsuccess.com/. They have a number of coaches, the one I am working with I like, but your mileage may vary. I also remember seeing some add coaching listed on people I found when looking for a professional organizer, via the there association website (which I don’t remember at the moment).

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[Carrie]

oooooh! Thanks for all the sites! I will check them all out in the morning!

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[Monika]

Paully, Please tell your sister Hi from a fellow “FlyBaby”. She is one smart cookie. And speaking of food… Leanne (saving dinner) has menu plans for any type of eating, low carb or heart healthy or frugal, even (I think) some Gluten-free meal plans. Bon Appetit!

Carrie, Please give us some feedback? Best wishes,

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[Carrie]

Hello!

I am back from vacation.. some feedback? Well I have contacted the ADD coach that Paully suggested… Yes that is a bit expensive… But I believe its worth it! I start next week!!

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[Anonymous]

Nice Carrie! Please let us know how that works out for you.

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[caper]

In Canada you can get free psychiatric services. Ask your family doctor. I’ve had several 1hr sessions, and didn’t have to pay anything. I think the service is just as good as what I was getting from seeing a psychologist, and the doctors can prescribe whereas a psychologist can’t.

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[Carrie]

Oh!! Thanks Caper! That is good information!! I will have to ask about it!

Today was my first call with them. It went well. I start on my journey tomorrow! I am excited about it!

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[Monika]

Need an update from you Carrie. How’s it going with your life coach?

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