Brett Smith joins me on this episode. Brett is a real estate broker in Austin, Texas who was diagnosed at the age of 42.  This diagnosis came after struggling with job change after job change after job change.  

About two years ago, Brett took a job in software sales, and he noticed “the cycle.”  After a Google search, he realized he needed to explore the possibility that he has ADHD.  Through Driven to Distraction,  He recognized he experienced things everyone does, but the connection between these things.

In this conversation, you will hear how Brett has experienced some clarity since he started implementing strategies for managing his ADHD.  Brett also talks about failure, and he says that “Acceptance has a period at the end of the sentence.  Grace has an ellipses.”  Listen to our conversation and Brett will explain that what you’re experiencing is totally normal, and you can take control of it and empower yourself by getting the right tools and structure.  

You’ll Learn:

• [04:42] - We talk about mountain biking, and Brett explains why it is his meditation.
• [08:36] - Brett tells his ADHD story, which involves a lot of career changes.
• [16:35] - Brett describes the feeling of “boring.”
• [19:03] - Brett talks about his troubles with email.
• [27:38] - Brett recalls his conversation with his friend that prompted him to get serious about ADHD and treatment.  He explains why he changed his mind about medication.
• [30:53] - Brett shares his “AHA!” moment.
• [31:53] - Brett talks about email strategies he’s implemented. I suggest he prints his email.
• [33:57] - Brett shares that people don’t have a great understanding of how ADHD manifests.  
• [40:02] - Brett is “aggressively” trying to figure out how to handle the impact of his ADHD.  He describes the changes he has made.
• [47:21] - Russell Barkley talks about building external structures. Brett talks about using Evernote and Todoist.
• [49:55] - Brett explains how he handles his failures.  
• [52:30] - Brett geeks out about Todoist.
• [57:05] - We talk about acceptance and grace.  
• [59:00] - We rave over Gary Keller’s book, The ONE Thing.

Your Resources:

• Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder - Edward M. Hallowell M.D. and John J Ratey M.D.
• Carl Pullein Working With Todoist Series
• The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results - Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

The 11th season of our ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group starts on January 8th, and it is already full!  Our 12th season starts April 16th and registration starts January 16th.  To learn more, go to http://CoachingReWired.com.

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey! What about you?  Do you have a story?  Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician?  If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

Stephanie Sammons joins me on this episode of the podcast.  Stephanie is a certified financial planner, the founder of Sammons Wealth, an independent wealth management firm.  Stephanie is also a best-selling author, speaker, and recording singer-songwriter.  Stephanie was a member of our most recent ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group.  Stephanie’s songs go right to the heart of what a lot of us are feeling on a regular basis.  

In this conversation, you will hear an interesting mixture of music and money!  While wearing her certified financial planner hat, Stephanie talks about wealth and why money is such a complex issue for many of us.  Stephanie believes the foundation for financial success is planning. She shares some tips for planning and describes the things you should be doing before investing.  Stephanie also talks about her ADHD diagnosis, and she plays some of her incredible music that she has written.

Connect with Stephanie Sammons:

Website: SammonsWealth.com
Website: StephSammonsMusic.com
Twitter - @StephSammons
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesammons
Facebook - Facebook.com/sammonswealth

You’ll Learn:

• [03:37] - Stephanie explains the meaning behind her song, Record Time.  
• [04:18] - Stephanie performs the song.  
• [06:34] - Stephanie elaborates further on the lyrics of the song.  
• [07:44] - Stephanie was diagnosed at 43, and she explains what her life was like at that point in time.
• [10:13] - Stephanie plays “Who I Am,” which is a song about acceptance and redemption.  
• [15:40] - Stephanie realized at the age of 15 that she is gay.  She draws a parallel to ADHD and loving who you are.
• [19:33] - Being a financial planner and having ADHD is a pretty impressive accomplishment. Stephanie talks about this. 
• [21:59] - Stephanie defines “wealth” and talks more about her career.
• [30:20] - Many of us find money to be boring and complex. Stephanie explains that many people take an apathetic approach to money.  
• [31:39] - Stephanie talks about the importance of planning.  
• [32:44] - Stephanie lists some questions a financial planner will ask you.
• [34:34] - According to Stephanie, you don’t know if you’re saving enough money until you know where you want to be and when you want to retire.  
• [39:43] - Stephanie shares an action step for financial planning, automation.
• [42:56] - Stephanie explains what an index fund is.
• [45:09] - Before you start thinking about investing, there are other things you should do. Stephanie tells you how to lay the groundwork.  
• [47:38] - Stephanie talks about the larger purchase in life.  
• [51:18] - The best advice Stephanie ever received was, “Don’t use credit cards.”  
• [52:58] - We talk about college and the climbing costs.  
• [55:00] - Stephanie talks about the “buckets” you should start saving in.
• [59:29] - Stephanie describes her ideal client.

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

The 11th season of our ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group starts on January 8th, and it is already full!  However, we do have a waiting list.  You can go to my website claim your spot on that list. Go to http://CoachingReWired.com. Registration goes through Wednesday, November 22nd.  

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey! What about you?  Do you have a story?  Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician?  If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

This episode is the recording of October’s live Q&A. These Q&A sessions take place the second Tuesday of every month. The questions answered in this episode were submitted by listeners of this podcast, both ahead of time and live. I am joined on this episode by Brendan Mahan.

In this conversation, you will hear us answer several questions. We talk about productivity tips, techniques, and resources. We also talk about follow-through and scheduling. A few of the questions are big-picture. Deborah has a partner with ADHD, and she feels frustrated by the same characteristics that she’s had in the past. Another listener asks how to handle a partner that sees an ADHD diagnosis as a stigma. We received lots of great questions, and I’d love to answer your question in our November live Q&A.

You’ll Learn:

• [03:50] - Daniel asks for tips for writing notes during conversations.
• [11:02] - Deborah shares that her partner has ADHD and she is feeling frustration with the characteristics he’s exhibiting.
• [18:42] - Jordan asks about setting up accountability when living alone.
• [24:17] - Marisol has trouble with putting away clothes. She asks for suggestions in this area.
• [30:17] - Brendan states that he plans to launch his podcast in mid-November.
• [39:25] - Janice asks for recommendations for calendars and to-do lists.
• [47:33] - Laura asks for tips refocusing after feeling emotionally sensitive.
• [50:44] - Nick wonders how to avoid getting derailed for an entire day when one aspect of the plan goes wrong.
• [54:04] - Melissa gets hyper-focused on things, but does not follow through. She wonders how to screen herself to determine if something is a good idea or a whim.
• [1:02:04] - We answer a question on making time for meditation.
• [1:02:55] - A listener asks a question about managing money.
• [1:05:02] - Jos asks about scheduling projects with other people.
• [1:09:10] - I share tips on accomplishing a full reset.
• [1:10:24] - Brendan shares some thoughts on a partner that sees a diagnosis as a stigma.

Your Resources:

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles: http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

The 11th season of our ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group starts on January 8th, and you can go to my website and reserve your registration time. Registration starts today and goes through Wednesday, November 22nd. To learn more and schedule your interview, http://CoachingReWired.com.

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me. With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks. Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live! These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm. Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey! What about you? Do you have a story? Are you a Coach? Are you an ADHD Clinician? If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.

This week, I am joined by three guests.  What you will hear is a behind-the-scenes and insightful perspective of ADHD reWired and our coaching groups.  Joining me on the episode are Brendan Mahen, Kat Hoyer, and Cassandra Tower.  

In this conversation, you will hear Brendan, Kat, Cassandra, and me talk about the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group.  You will hear them share the changes they have seen in others and themselves through this group.  If you would like more information on the 11th season of the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group, which starts on January 8th, go to http://CoachingreWired.com. Registration is open from November 14th through the 22nd.  

You’ll Learn:

• [07:15] - Brendan, Kat, and Cassandra introduce themselves.
• [09:49] - Brendan talks about what prompted him to join the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group.  He shares what is the most useful component of the group for him.
• [11:54] - Brendan shares the growth that he has seen in himself through the group.
• [14:44] - Kat says that she had to have her mindset right when coming into the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group.  
• [18:18] - Cassandra describes her entry into the group.  
• [26:09] - I talk about the time I considered doing two groups at once.  Brendan explains why he encouraged me to do it.
• [32:56] - Cassandra shares what it’s been like being part of the ADHD reWired team.  
• [36:57] - Cassandra’s ability to be concise with language really impresses me.  She shares how supportive voices encouraging strengths is powerful.
• [45:44] - Brendan talks about the struggles of being consistent in group coaching.  He explains what makes this group different in this area.
• [49:27] - Many people see these groups as classes.  We talk the flexibility in these groups.
• [53:31] - Brendan talks about a couple of people he connected with because of he encouraged them.
• [56:27] - I share that I am interested in starting a membership group for alumni.  I share why one of my previous attempts at this did not work.
• [58:10] - Early on in the group, we have participants write letters to their ADHD.  Kat explains why this is a powerful exercise.
• [1:01:13] - Cassandra shares some of the impressive growth that she has seen with Kat in the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group.
• [1:06:47] - We share why community is so important.  
• [1:09:40] - We tell “the shiny bookcase” story.
• [1:16:00] - Cassandra shares what listeners should know about the ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group.

Use my Audible.com affiliate link for your favorite titles:

http://www.audibletrial.com/ADHDreWired

ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group

The 11th season of our ADHD reWired Coaching and Accountability Group starts on January 8th, and you can go to my website and reserve your registration time.  Registration is November 14th through the 22nd.  To learn more and schedule your interview, http://CoachingReWired.com.

Support the podcast on Patreon

Patreon allows listeners like you to support content creators like me.  With a monthly contribution, you can get access to different levels of perks.  Learn more at http://patreon.com/adhdrewired

ADHD reWired Facebook Group:

If you would like to join the ADHD reWired secret Facebook group, go to EricTivers.com/community and fill out an application.

Productivity Q&A

Get your ADHD questions answered live!  These Q&A sessions take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30pm.  Go to http://erictivers.com/events.

Want to be a guest?

Hey! What about you?  Do you have a story?  Are you a Coach?  Are you an ADHD Clinician?  If you answered yes to any of these questions and you’d like to be a guest, schedule a pre-interview call here.