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ADHD and Saying Yes: Abigail Wurf, M.Ed, PCC
People Affected by ADHD Need to Preset their Mindset
People affected by ADHD need to:
Preset your Mindset to Positive – You will Be Amazed Who You Become
People affected by ADHD can sometimes get in their own way by projecting into the future what they think is going to happen or what a situation is going to be and thereby making it a self fulfilling prophecy. If you think something is going to go bad, it usually does!
Instead people like us, affected by ADHD, should Preset Our Mindset. Presetting your mindset is anticipating things will go your way or at least will go a way that is manageable for you. As they say, the mind is a powerful thing. So let’s use our minds for good and anticipate positively not negatively.
Maybe we go negative because that way we feel we won’t be let down. We are preparing ourselves for disappoint because that is some how easier to expect and get than to be let down when expecting satisfaction. It is as though we feel we will “lose face” if we go positive and things end up negative. Whereas if we start at negative and things turn negative we can say, “I told you so.”
It is safe to be that “I told you so” person. There is no risk involved but it is not a very attractive person to be. Preset your mindset to anticipating things will go your way, expect the best, being a part of making things happen in a positive way. If things seem like they are going down hill, don’t be a part of the group that stands by and says, “I told you so.” Try to be a part of the group that has the positive mindset, who take risks, and try to make things better.
Think of the positive mindset that many people of the past and present who we believe were affected by ADHD like entrepreneurs, statesmen, presidents, warriors, inventors, the list could go on but I believe you get the point. These people had to be of a positive mindset because if you believe you can create change that all those occupations require, than you are of a positive mindset at some level because the act of change or to use another word “creation” is a positive act.
There is a name for people with positive mindsets and are action takers – leaders and the others who don’t are called followers. Who do you want to be?
Abigail Wurf, PCC, M.Ed helps professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners affected by ADHD and/or Executive function issues achieve success in business and in life. Located in Washington DC, Abigail works with clients in person, over the phone and over the Internet. Her new book, “Forget Perfect: How to Succeed in Your Profession and Personal Life Even if You Have ADHD,” is loaded with tips to help overwhelmed people get things done and be more strategic about how to live their lives. To receive a free consult from Abigail, make a request through the contact form and she will get back to you to schedule.
How to Select an ADHD Coach for ADHD Coaching
How to Select an ADHD Coach for ADHD Coaching:
Abigail Wurf, M.Ed, PCC
Step 1:
- Search the ADHD coach listings (see previous blog for suggestions) for the right type of coach for you. If you are interested in seeing a coach in person, rather than by phone or Skype, your first criterion likely will be location. If you prefer the phone, Skype, or there is not a coach in your immediate area, then the first criterion could be what the coach specializes in. (Some coaches may only work over the phone or Skype.)
- Review the listings and pick at least 3 coaches.
- Go to the coaches’ websites to learn more about them. Look at the information rather than just the design of the website.
- Talk with a minimum of three coaches to get a sense of them and whether you can work with and trust them. (Each site will either have a contact link, phone number, or both.)
- Take notes about each coach you research and talk to so you can make an informed decision.
Step 2:
The following is the information you want to find out from their website and during your conversations with them.
Who They Work With
- What populations do they have experience ADHD coaching? Adults, adolescents, college students, couples, parents, etc.
- Do they have specific training with said populations?
Training and Education
- What is their coach training?
- What is their ADHD coach training?
- Do they continue their ADHD coaching education?
Coaching Philosophy
- What is their philosophy about ADHD?
- What is their philosophy about ADHD coaching?
Experience and Programs
- How long have they been ADHD coaching?
- Aside from one on one ADHD coaching, do they have other programs?
- If it matters to you, ask how they got involved with ADHD coaching, i.e. have ADHD themselves, parent of someone affected by ADHD, retired teacher, etc.
- Are they a member of any professional organizations such as the International Coaches Federation (ICF)? Any ADHD specific organization? This means they have agreed to certain ethical standards and likely have an interest in professional development.
Working with Clients
- Are they immediately available for new clients?
- What are the days and hours they see clients?
- What are the costs for one on one coaching? Do they charge per session or do they have packages such as three months or 6 sessions?
- What comes with sessions or packages of sessions such as unlimited emails between sessions?
- What methods of payment do they take?
- When does the client pay?
- What are their policies for cancellations or re-scheduling?
- How long are the actual sessions?
If you are considering a coach you would see in person, ask about transportation. Is public transportation near them, or is parking available where they are located? And also ask about issues of accessibility if you have any issues that impede your ability to see them.
Step 3:
Finally, do you feel like you connected with the coach while talking with them? It is important that the two of you are able to build a rapport on which to develop a relationship. Within reason don’t let price be the deciding factor. Pricing is usually related to the experience, training, credentials and level of success the coach has with clients. Therefore hiring the cheapest coach may actually cost you more in the end because you don’t move a long as quickly so you end up hiring the coach for a longer period of time. Also, if there is not a certain level of chemistry between you and the prospective coach, even the most experienced and expensive coach will not be the best fit for you.
Hopefully ADHD coaching will be life changing so it is important that you do due diligence before making a decision.
Abigail Wurf, PCC, M.Ed helps professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners affected by ADHD and/or Executive function issues achieve success in business and in life. Located in Washington DC, Abigail works with clients in person, over the phone and over the Internet. Her new book, “Forget Perfect: How to Succeed in Your Profession and Personal Life Even if You Have ADHD,” will been out mid May 2015. To receive a free consult from Abigail, make a request through the contact form and she will get back to you to schedule.
Hiring an ADHD Coach: Resources: Abigail Wurf, M.Ed, PCC
Hiring an ADHD Coaching: Resources: Abigail Wurf, M.Ed, PCC
The last two blogs have been about ADHD coaching. Next I thought it would be helpful to know how to find ADHD coaching.
Hiring an ADHD Coach
You’re ready for ADHD coaching, but don’t know how or whom to hire? First, strike while the iron is hot. Don’t put it off. When you know you are ready, start looking immediately before the notion becomes less immediate.
Get a Personal Recommendation, If Available
A good way to hire an ADHD coach is through a personal recommendation from a doctor, therapist, social worker, fellow person affected by ADHD or someone else who knows you. But often that is not possible. The following are the steps to take to find ADHD coaches.
Selecting and Vetting from Listings of Coaches
You can find websites that list ADHD coaches. The most well- known listings are provided below. You’ll find ADHD coaches usually listed under “resources” or “support.”
The ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) is a professional organization for ADHD coaches. (I think this is the best site because to be a professional member you must have a prescribed minimal level of training in coaching and ADHD coaching; full disclosure, I am on their board of directors.) The downside of the ACO listing is that it is not large.
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) is the largest ADHD organization and also has a coach listing. There are no criteria to be listed. As with all the listing sites, coaches pay to be listed.
ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association) is an organization specifically devoted to adults with ADHD. I have noticed recently that they are expanding to reach out to the college student population.
Additude is a quarterly print magazine (at the time of this writing) with a digital weekly magazine. Their website has a resource directory listing coaches. Coaches can pay for highlighted listings, which means they are not necessarily better than the other coaches listed.
Next blog will be about how to interview and hire an ADHD coach.
Abigail Wurf, PCC, M.Ed helps professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners affected by ADHD and/or Executive function issues achieve success in business and in life. Located in Washington DC, Abigail works with clients in person, over the phone and over the Internet. Her new book, “Forget Perfect: How to Succeed in Your Profession and Personal Life Even if You Have ADHD,” will been out mid May 2015. To receive a free consult from Abigail, make a request through the contact form and she will get back to you to schedule.
About ADHD Coaching: Abigail Wurf M.Ed, PCC
About ADHD Coaching: Washington DC: Abigail Wurf, M.Ed, PCC
Last blog I explained what an ADHD coach can do for you, how coaching is defined and why hire an ADHD coach. In this blog I answer a few more questions regarding ADHD coaching that you might have.
ADHD coaching helps the ADHD client develop a more structured and goal-oriented life. The coach, who specializes in ADHD, can help the client work on executive function skills, learn about ADHD and manage their life better.
How Often Does the Coaching Happen?
Usually, ADHD coaching happens in one session a week, especially in the beginning. Coaching can also happen every other week or once a month. The frequency of the coaching is really up to you and your coach.
How Long Does A Coaching Session Last?
A coaching session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the coach and the client. There are a few coaches that work with the client in quarter hour intervals throughout the week or month.
Where Does the Coaching Take Place?
The coaching takes place in person, over the phone, Skype/Facetime, and email. This depends on how the coach works and what the client wants.
Abigail Wurf, PCC, M.Ed helps professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners affected by ADHD and/or Executive function issues achieve success in business and in life. Located in Washington DC, Abigail works with clients in person, over the phone and over the Internet. Her new book, “Forget Perfect: How to Succeed in Your Profession and Personal Life Even if You Have ADHD,” will been out mid May 2015. To receive a free consult from Abigail, make a request through the contact form and she will get back to you to schedule.
ADHD Coaching: Washington DC: Abigail Wurf
ADHD Coaching, Abigail Wurf, PCC, M.Ed
- What can it do for me?
- How is coaching defined?
- Why Hire an ADHD coach?
I am a professional ADHD coach located in Washington DC and I coach professionals, entrepreneurs and small business owners affected by ADHD and/or executive function issues which include difficulties with making decisions, overwhelm, being stuck, procrastinating, lateness, trouble with prioritizing, goal setting and general management of self in work and in life.
Many times when people find out what I do, they ask a lot of questions such as, “Do I need to live in Washington DC to take advantage of your services?” The answer to that is, “No.” Coaching can take place in person, over the phone, or over the computer through services like Skype.
But I get ahead of myself. Here are answers to some basic questions that I am often asked:
What can ADHD coaching do for me?
Having ADHD and/or Executive Function issues can be hard. All your life you have been told that you are lazy, impulsive, unfocused, forgetful, or unmotivated. You may have even begun to feel you aren’t very smart. Your life may feel chaotic and unstructured.
A professional ADHD coach will help you create more structure in your life and will help you conquer some of the roadblocks you encounter because of ADHD. A coach expert in ADHD will understand the issues that confront you daily and will be trained to coach to those issues.
How is coaching defined?
Coaching is an interdevelopmental relationship between client and coach. It is a partnership of equals. The coach is expert in coaching and the client is expert on him or herself. It is assumed that the client is whole, competent, creative, and intelligent. Unlike therapy, consulting, or mentorship, the client is not in a one down position from the expert therapist, consultant, or mentor. The client is assumed to have no pathology.
Yet ADHD is a pathology, just like diabetes is a pathology. So some coaches do not believe in ADHD coaching because the ADHD client is not considered “whole” and is counted out due to their ADHD and possible ancillary issues.
An ADHD coach does not have this view and should be expert in ADHD and working with ADHD clients.
Why hire an ADHD coach?
ADHD coaching starts from where you are in your life and looks to the goals you wish to achieve in life: long-term, medium-term, or even short-term.
If you are not sure of your goals, you can hire an ADHD coach to help you figure out what they are. ADHD coaching supports you in what you wish to do. You set the agenda. The coach helps you pursue that agenda.
You might ask how does an ADHD coach do that?
The coach helps you change habits, develop systems, work on how you make choices, get unstuck when you are stuck, simplify when complexities get in the way of life, and if you wish, be more accountable. These are just some of the things an ADHD coach can help you with.
I hope that helped clarify some of your questions around ADHD coaching. If you have any more questions or want further information please feel free to use the contact form and I will be happy to get back to you.
Abigail Wurf, PCC, M.Ed helps professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners affected by ADHD and/or Executive function issues achieve success in business and in life. Located in Washington DC, Abigail works with clients in person, over the phone and over the Internet. Her new book, “Forget Perfect: How to Succeed in Your Profession and Personal Life Even if You Have ADHD,” will been out mid May 2015. To receive a free consult from Abigail, make a request through the contact form and she will get back to you to schedule.