I think what you’re saying is all the tips and techniques and great ideas don’t mean anything if I can’t get myself going. This explains why this happens but also gives a detailed outline of what you can be doing to get in action and get things done.

I recently completed an eBook on Procrastination - 8 Simple Steps to Overcome Procrastination and Get into Action. www.cracktheaddcode.com/080224.html

Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you increase your personal awareness, well-being and grow your business and career.

- - Why is it so hard to concentrate on a book when I have no problem watching tv and doing a crossword simultaneously (not devoting all to either)?

The answer to your question is really at the heart of the issues a person living with ADD deals with.

ADD is situational. Depending upon the situation you can either concentrate or loose concentration. There is no right or wrong but I would guess that there are those things you’re unable to pay attention to or concentrate such as reading books (unless you are really interested in the subject). They are less stimulating than watching TV and doing a crossword simultaneously (not devoting all to either.)

Here a couple of options for you if you want to get on top of this. I’ll be offering a course that deals with this directly. I also offer a FREE ADD coaching session which is always available to you. This will give you an experience of personal coaching which may be of interest for you. Please feel free to email me to give me your preference and set up an appointment.

- - Is there some online community that I could join that has a daily forum or
“Breakfast Club” of people who socialize and exchange encouragement each
morning to keep each other on track?

I think my biggest frustration with my ADD is that I live in a rural area,
and really have no one to talk to who also suffers/benefits from it.

Thanks for any answers or hints you can give people in my position on this.

I wrote and article ISOLATION SUCKS. You can retrieve it at www.ezinearticles.com; type in my name. We all need a network of support to gather information and to ask questions and to realize we’re not alone on this journey.

Check with SayYesToADD.com the first week of April. which will answer your concern. This is an excellent place to ask questions, make suggestions, create friends and contribute. This is the ultimate daily forum. There will be an announcement for the launch.

- - Hi Frank! Ok here it is…is it true that Canada has fewer cases of add and ADHD.
I can’t imagine why. It depends what national surveys were done to register the amount. Conservatively 5% is the norm. Perhaps the Canadian government chooses not to monitor ADD/ADHD.

- - Is ADD curable?
Thanks for your feedback. This is really going to help me as I develop products to meet your needs.

ADD has more to do with brain chemistry. With proper medication, the lack of sufficient amount of serotonin is increased. When this happens, the body specifically the pre-frontal cortex has the chance to operate more efficiently.

Here’s the most interesting part for me. ADD is situational. This is why I could spend a couple of hours playing and writing music – totally engaged. Yet, when it came to submitting my expenses or making cold calls was excruciating. I’m more concerned with the situations that promote the symptoms of ADD. Symptoms are triggered by boredom, disinterest, understimulation, overstimulation, any aspect of fear – stress, anxiety, etc. In these situations the harder one tries to make those calls that you know need to be made the more difficult it becomes. Another enzyme, adrenaline kicks in. Adrenaline stops people living with ADD flat producing brain-freeze. This is why I’ve been saying for over 6 years – the only thing wrong with ADD is not knowing it was there. If you did know it was there, you didn’t have a new set of skills to working through your issues of ADD. Pretty interesting – Right?

This is the Reader’s Digest version. You should come to one of my Learning Annex classes. That is a real eye-opener.

Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you increase your personal awareness, well-being and productivity and grow your business.

- - My biggest question is what can be done in terms of effective coping strategies.

Strategies for success are key when dealing with personal growth, well-being and health. The question I ask – how has the person’s ADD affected the quality of their life and in what areas.

Also, what are the situations that trigger the symptoms of ADD? For example, hanging around the bridal shop will put me to sleep, have me inattentive in about 15 minutes yet going to the bridal expo is interesting. One situation is boring while the other engages me primarily because I meet new people.

Once you can isolate and recognize the issue, strategies can be design specifically for that person’s ADD. I don’t believe in the cookie-cutter approach. This is a custom design approach.

- - What are the key symptoms of ADD/ADHD and what is the cure?
Thanks for your feedback Bob. This is really going to help me as I develop products to meet your needs.

Curable? ADD/ADHD is genetic – something you’re born with – similar to nearsightedness or blood type.

ADD people do not have a lock on issues such as procrastination, time management or organization. Whatever areas that you may have difficulty as just being a human being are the same for people living with ADD.

ADD has more to do with brain chemistry. With proper medication, the lack of sufficient amount of serotonin is increased. When this happens, the body specifically the pre-frontal cortex has the chance to operate more efficiently.

Here’s the most interesting part for me. ADD is situational. This is why I could spend a couple of hours playing and writing music – totally engaged. Yet, when it came to submitting my expenses or making cold calls it was excruciating.

I’m more concerned with the situations that promote the symptoms of ADD. Symptoms are triggered by boredom, disinterest, understimulation, overstimulation, any aspect of fear – stress, anxiety, etc. In these situations the harder one tries to make those calls that you know need to be made the more difficult it becomes. Another enzyme, adrenaline kicks in. Adrenaline stops people living with ADD flat producing brain-freeze.

This is why I’ve been saying for over 6 years – the only thing wrong with ADD is not knowing it was there. If you did know it was there, you probably didn’t have a new set of skills to working through your issues of ADD. Pretty interesting – Right?

This is the Reader’s Digest version. You should come to one of my Learning Annex classes when you’re in NY. That is a real eye-opener.

Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you increase your personal awareness, well-being and productivity and grow your business.

- - How can I control the chaos in my head so that I can do the task at hand whether it is at work or at home?

ADD has more to do with brain chemistry. With proper medication, the lack of sufficient amount of serotonin is increased. When this happens, the body specifically the pre-frontal cortex has the chance to operate more efficiently. When I got the proper medication as well as professional ADD coaching, the chaos in my head stopped. STOPPED!

I had to learn about ADD specifically how my particular brand of ADD affected me.

ADD is situational. This is why I could spend a couple of hours playing and writing music – totally engaged. Yet, when it came to submitting my expenses or making cold calls was excruciating. I’m more concerned with the situations that promote the symptoms of ADD. Symptoms are triggered by boredom, disinterest, understimulation, overstimulation, any aspect of fear – stress, anxiety, etc. There was a time where I couldn’t write my own lyrics. I had so much garbage running around. This is no longer a problem. Today I write my own lyrics and music and work with others.

In chaos situations for you I imagine the harder you try the more difficult it becomes to undo the chaos in your head. Another enzyme, adrenaline kicks in at these times. Adrenaline stops people living with ADD flat producing brain-freeze. I’ve been saying this for over 6 years – the only thing wrong with ADD is not knowing it was there. If you did know it was there, you didn’t have a new set of skills to working through YOUR issues of ADD. I know you can work through this chaos if you have ADD and based upon this approach. There is no reason for you to be suffering. Pretty interesting – Right?

Once you can isolate and recognize the issue, strategies can be design specifically for that person’s ADD. I don’t believe in the cookie-cutter approach. This is a custom design approach.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you increase your personal awareness, well-being and productivity and grow your business.

- - Do you think going on Dexedrine is a good solution? What are your feelings on that?
Thanks for your feedback Harry. This is really going to help me as I develop products to meet your need.

I’m not a doctor and cannot prescribe medication. As for one drug or another it totally depends on the person. What I can tell you is ADD is co-morbid. This means that in most cases a doctor knowledgeable in ADD and Mood Disorders will most likely give more than one drug. In my case, I take Adderall for attention issues. This works on the pre-frontal cortex of the brain. I also take Lamictal for mood management. This drug is specifically for the Limbic System which is the seat of emotions. Here one deals with relationships, working with others, team building, etc.

So you can see that for every person one needs to design not only a medication regimen but also design a program customized for the person living with ADD. Systems and strategies are put in place and worked through. I hope that answers you question. I will be discussing this more in the future in ADDing Perspective Newsletter. Stay tuned.

Thanks again Harry. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you increase your personal awareness, well-being and grow your business and career.

The more you know the more you grow.

Be well,

- - CAREER - “What kinds of jobs / employment would be most suitable for a person who has failed in several corporate market research jobs and tried teaching math, but failed in that too?”

Work, career and money I believe are critical to ones self-esteem and well-being. Negative self-talk can develop that does not allow the person to pay attention to what they enjoy and love to do. Freud said, work and love.

There is no right job for someone who has ADD. Just as everyone is unique – so too people living with ADD. The question to ask regarding finding a job that empowers you and those around you is first and foremost: What would I do if I knew I would succeed and money was not an issue?

ADD people are enormously creative and interested. From what you are telling me, there were parts of the two jobs you enjoyed and other parts that were boring. Begin to explore your hidden talents and develop them into strengths. This is where passion lives. The first universal rule of money is DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND THE MONEY WILL COME. So what do you love to do?

You can see that for every person would benefit finding out what is boring and any other symptoms that get in the way and which are not. One needs a customized designed program. Systems and strategies are put in place and worked through within this framework.

We had this discussion Michael. If this is an area you want to work on, I know I can help you. First you need to determine whether you want the benefit of an impartial and committed coach.

Most people tend to remain the same until they isolate and recognize what it is they want to change. The problem is most people don’t know what they want. Sometimes they could benefit from outside help. I hope that answers you question.

Thanks again Michael. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you increase your personal awareness, well-being and career.

The more you know the more you grow.

- - I’ve read books, attended seminars and asked colleagues for assistance with day to day office organization. However, my brain becomes overwhelmed whenever I try to get my things in order. I feel this is the same reason I’m constantly procrastinating on putting together reports for management, business plans etc. It’s not that I feel these things are not important but they require us to follow strict formats and want excessive detail & my more of a creative, big picture person.

This has come to a head recently at my work as management hates me yet I’m a consistent producer and my clients love me. But let me get back to my initial point, In my role I’m responsible for working with Fortune 1000 Technology firms worldwide. In order to achieve my goals this year my organizational skills need to increase dramatically. That being said, I need to find a solution that my brain can maintain and the complexity most books and conferences suggest is not realistic for me. This is where I would really like to begin in our sessions. Also. the sooner the better.

I appreciate you reaching out to me. I know I can help you. I also know you can learn if you are willing.

ADD is situational. You said it yourself. Your clients love you while the inner workings of the strict corporate world want you to follow systems. There are ways to be successful within this arena.

I know this as I worked with companies like Anderson, Boston Consulting and alike. I also ran a company that developed sites for Merrill Lynch, Cantor/Fitzgerald – eSpeed, CitiBank, American Airlines to name a few. I managed about 50 people. I didn’t know I had ADD but I was in a position to use one super-sized strength – overview.

We’ll work on harnessing and developing your strengths (relationship is just one) while developing strategies that you and the people around you will benefit from.

Can we have a phone discussion on Monday? What time would work best for you? I am free after 3 PM EST.

- - my question is: does ADD actually exist?

To get a better understanding specifically does ADD exists, click here http://wo-pub2.med.cornell.edu/cgibin/WebObjects/PublicA.woa/wa/viewHContent?contentID=973&parentID=4148&wosid=cNHoTwebB3OG8b4cKOnRJg&parent=Other+Disorders&website=nyp+psych&source=G&WT.mc_id=100059&WT.srch=1

- - My first question would be what’s ADHD.
Beyond that I would say, “What is ADD?” As in a paragraph that is short and sweet but defines it completely. I met a guy who had it and therefore thought everyone else had it. I did an online test and it did seem I had it. But upon further research and talking to my doctor it doesn’t seem I do. So a clear definition at the beginning would have helped me.

ADHD is a bioneurological ( it is a chemical imbalance that affects people just as if one were born nearsighted) issue that challenges the areas of attention, hyperactivity and implusivity in that part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. It affects what as known as the executive functions.

The purpose of the prefrontal cortex is fascinating namely:
1. To prioritize
2. To make a choices – decision-making
3. Setting direction

If there is an imbalance chemically in this area a person cannot prioritize what to do next and choose which one. If one is unable to choose which one, they have no direction. It is any wonder that people living with ADD/ADHD have such difficulties in career, work, relationships, money, etc. If you are filled with creativity bursting at the seams, and everything appears interesting, choosing one can feel like on is limiting ones options. I know this was my case. Until I was diagnosed and given medications that worked for my brain and body, I couldn’t possible decide. I was accused on being unable to commit. Now it is completely different.

I hope that answers your questions.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if I can help you with your personal and professional prosperity.
The more you know the more you grow.
Be well,

- - My question would be and is: how much, if any, of the symptoms of ADD/ADHD are not chemical, but caused by lack of modeling and/or training in how to think? (as well as physical inactivity and having the brain over stimulated by doses of television and video?)

Thanks for your feedback Erika. Great question. This is really going to help me as I develop products to meet your need.

The answer is everything you said and more. I believe you are talking about an internal life as well as external.

I am somewhat of a rogue within the coaching community. Most “coaches”, I have difficulty with this word are focused on the external. There approach is centered on what can be done and how can it be done. However, if you believe in the universal law of opposites, there must be an inner for all external. Ergo, issues of modeling, environment, upbringing, culture and alike impact everyone including a person living with ADD.

ADD is situational. This is why I could spend a couple of hours playing and writing music – totally engaged. Yet, when it came to submitting my expenses or making cold calls: excruciating. I’m more concerned with the situations that promote the symptoms of ADD. Symptoms are usually triggered by boredom, disinterest, understimulation, overstimulation, any aspect of fear – stress, anxiety, overwhelm etc. In these situations the harder one tries more difficult it becomes.

What I am certain of is the only thing wrong with ADD is not knowing it was there. If one knew it was there, most likely they didn’t have a new set of skills to work through issues of ADD. Pretty interesting – Right?

This is the Reader’s Digest version. You should come to one of my Learning Annex classes. That is a real eye-opener. You’ll get an announcement or maybe you already have.

- - Hi Frank… My question is really two (or more) questions.

1. Do you remember me? After all has happened since I was coaching you as part of “SuccessTracs” and T. Harv Ecker, you have a right to not remember without prompting.

2. Re. ADD & ADHD and your practice, It seems that competent diagnosis is key to being able to help, yet how many are undiagnosed? How many exhibit some characteristics of ADD, but may not have ADD? Does it matter? It almost seems that the symptoms (characteristics) and their severity are the reality that we must deal with, not the clinical diagnosis. Do you agree, or am I naive in this regard?

After working with a client who has some ’symptoms’, probably as a result of a childhood illness (cancer) and 5-years of heavy medication, how would you begin to help her ‘bloom’ into the woman she so desperately wants to be? Can you help me help her?

Good to hear from you.

You strategy is sound. Why not start there? Does she know or suspect she has ADD? You may simply make a suggestion that I might be someone who can help her as I specialize in helping people find their natural talents and strengths. From there they can focus on work that is in line with the people. I’ve had at least 5 clients do this.

You can mention ADD or not.

I’ll take your lead. She is your client.

- - I have another question. Is the material in your New York Learning Annex class available in Southern California or via teleconference?
I am catching up on the questions asked. Thanks for your patience. Regarding teleconferences for you in CA, yes I do. I am completing a Crack the ADD Code Group Coaching Teleseminar February, 18, 2008.

I will be starting another one shortly.

This course is for people with or without ADD. It gives an huge opening in how to work with and communicate effectively with a person living with ADD.

It is a great course for understanding the basics of ADD/ADHD. It’s function is to break the myth of ADD/ADHD and move to independence. We Crack the ADD Code©. Each person has one that is unique and individual as a matter of fact, we all have our own code.

The teleconference’s focus is positive; by maximizing one’s strengths, learning the skill of increased awareness. The goal is personal growth in all areas of your life as well as discovering the path to personal and professional prosperity and passion.

This might be a great class for you to learn and apply. As I mentioned, I have another Crack the ADD Code Group© Coaching Teleseminar The there are 8 - 60 minute classes. There are Action Guides and all the teleconferences are recorded. I also offer 30 minute one-on-one personal coaching. I ask people to choose an area they wish to work on over the length of the course. At the end of the course, we review again one-on-one. There is unlimited email coaching. I’ll be announcing the next teleclass with details and costs.

Let me know if you are interested. I keep this to a small group. It fills up quickly.

I’d love to have you on the call. Being with you, I know you would gain value and add value to the group.

- - What medical sources can we cite when someone reacts to the thought of A.D.D. by saying it’s not a provable medical condition?

Thanks for the question Tita. Here are a couple of points I make whenever I encounter this sort of retort.

As far as provable, I refer to the fact that autism is not a medically provable condition - - - it exists. One can easily observe this in the behavior. Can you believe that? Insurance companies do not recognize autism. Unlike autism, ADD/ADHD can be observed in certain situations but one must be aware that there is actually a change taking place in comparison. See what I mean. ADD/ADHD is ubiquitous and elusive yet by tracking ones behavior, one can see the behavior shift accordingly.

The other is The Surgeon General’s Report on ADD – Richard Nakamura of the National Institute of Health. Testimony to the Senate Sub-Committee.

It’s in the US government records.

I hope that helps.

- - Are ADDers more artistic than the general population? Do they find inner peace and flow when they are nurturing the inner artist? I love the world of possibilities, exploring, discovering and learning. I notice I get lost in projects when there is a visual end result.

I CANNOT TALK FOR ALL PEOPLE LIVING WITH ADD BUT IT APPEARS YOU APPRECIATE YOUR ARTISTIC LEANINGS. IF YOU LISTEN, YOU ARE DESCRIBING WHO YOU ARE. THIS IS TREMENDOUS VALUE FOR YOU TO KNOW.

That seems to be where my flow is – I love beauty, harmony and organizing. I am looking into artistic type jobs such as the themed events industry, feng shui and green interiors, also a green dry cleaning business.

THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE LOOKING TO USE YOUR STRENGTHS IN A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

I just love projects with these elements and when the work is hands on.

EXCELLENT

I am just wondering if all artists are ADDers?

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. I DO FIND WITH AT LEAST THE PEOPLE I KNOW WHO LIVE WITH ADD – THEY APPEAR TO BE OUT OF THE BOX THINKERS IN WHATEVER AREA THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN. RELISH YOUR ARTISTIC DESIRES.

Could it be that ADD is just another word for artist?

I LIKE THAT

Are ADDers mostly visual people?

IT SEEMS YOU ARE AND THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT

Thank you for your dedication to ADD!

THANK YOU FOR BEING OPEN AND AWARE

Maybe some day we will be more valued because we are different!

I VALUE YOU AND BREATHE IN YOUR OWN SELF-WORTH. YOU DESERVE IT.

- - I’m still confused and afraid of going on medication, but I’m entertaining it.

It sounds as though you have some belief about the medication that is stopping you from at least trying it. The question to consider is how are the symptoms of ADD affecting the quality of your life?

My recommendation is to first and foremost find out if you need medication. Have you been officially diagnosed?

There are alternative natural approaches besides medication. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you have the choice to take the medication or not. I suggest you contact Dr. Steven Lamm - 212-988-1146 to get a diagnosis. I work with Dr. Lamm as he is cautious with client’s remediation. If he does prescribe, I tell all my clients to try it to see if there is any difference. Try it out for at least four weeks. If there is no change or you do not feel better then stop taking the meds. You deserve to try the medication. You also deserve to be the best you can possibly be based upon your values and desires.

Just reach out Harry anytime you’d like to talk about this.

The more you know the more you grow.

- - I suppose the most common question — either asked directly or indirectly– is: will (I, he, she, etc.) get over this?
How is your business doing? Until we know differently ADD is genetic. It’s not something you get over. It’s similar to being born with a specific blood type. However with proper medication and acquiring new skills for YOUR particular ADD, you can work through the symptoms and challenges. I’ve found that as the process takes place people find their uniqueness which is usually associated with what they love to do. Another term for this is passion. This is consistently tied to discovering their natural talents and developing them into strengths. We’ve found that once this occurs ADD can become a competitive advantage.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you increase your personal and professional prosperity.

- - how do I get to know myself better.

Once the add was diagnosed by the doctor some of my core beliefs
were shattered. I used to think I handled stress very - now I think the
opposite.

Why am overly sensitive to comments when I did not think of myself as emotional.

I guess I want to know how do I embrace my add.

“Only by acceptance of the past, can you alter it.”
T. S. Elliot

I love this quote. This is not always easy to remember. You have so many great questions to consider. The path to knowing is learning about yourself. This entails learning how to live in observation and wonder about the world without judgment. Now you need to practice what you see about the world and about yourself. If you are doubting various new situations and emotions there must be some judgment you have most likely negative about the emotion. The path to knowing oneself is through feelings.

We approach coaching in three phases:
How does your brain work from a chemical perspective as well as what are the functions of each part of the brain? This helps greatly in understanding why you might be having problems in one situation and then in another there are no issues.

Another area is your beliefs which reside in your mind. We learn to debate the ongoing conversation or voice that is monitoring our behavior. If the monitoring drains your energy most likely the voice is negative, contradictory, judgmental or is giving opinions without have facts. If the voice is one that gives you energy, encourages you, allows you to expand and grow, this voice supports and nurtures. I prefer the later. This takes practice as you learn to pay attention to what is working in your life as opposed to the opposite.

Lastly, what do you want to accomplish in your life? Who are you that when you are feeling alive and unstoppable? Most likely this is the true person who you have the ability to embrace and grow.

You cannot do this alone. You must have an outsider and the best person is a coach. In this case an ADD/ADHD coach.

- - Where can college graduates who are in their 40’s or above who have been diagnosed with ADD go to in order to get professional employment?

The question I have for you is what do you love to do? What turns you on? What will get you out of bed in the AM? When you discover this many times the professional employment finds you. You can open various newspapers or go on Monster.com. There are many professional employment agencies readily available. This is not the answer. The answer lies inside you. You can find this. It is your natural birthright to be happy and successful. With ADD it can be difficult to navigate through the many diverse interests and desires. When this is coupled with lack of attention, you could feel confused. There are exercises we do in coaching that helps you quickly reveal what you love to do. Once you discover this we go on a journey of renewal. You can find out what you love to do. As a matter of fact, I venture to say you have been doing this all your life but have been too close to realize this. Once this is discovered, the question to ask is what do you want to become good at?

- - Can it be cured without medication?

ADD is genetic and just as you might be born near-sighted ADD is something acquired at birth. As far as managing ADD there are natural alternatives, here are a couple;

Omega 3 fish oil is very good for concentration and focus.

Pycnogenol is a bark from an African tree. Blind studies have shown that taken on a regular basis Pycnogenol is extremely effective for inattention and hyperactivity.

The difference between medication and natural alternatives primarily is the latter takes much longer to get acclimated within your system to be somewhat effective – if at all. Medication works very quickly if you have ADD. I recommend people once diagnosed to try medication if prescribed to experience the difference at all. You can always make a determination as to whether or not you decide to stay on the medication or to use a natural alternative approach.

- - What do I need to be aware of about ADD that impacts my life?

Interesting question! The answer to this is and must be personal to you. So the question I have to ask is: in what way are the symptoms or behaviors you experience affecting the quality of your life and in what areas? One way to determine negative impact on your life is to look at situations that would have you exhibit your particular symptoms, whatever they may be. You can usually recognize these ineffective situations by whether you are drained or empowered by the results.

What are some simple strategies to overcoming the problems of not being able to focus and being easily distracted etc? e.g. does meditation help? Other?

Good question. The first thing to do is to be specific about what you are unable to focus on as well as what you are being distracted from. First of all, I would think that this does not happen all the time. If this is the case, you can pretty much count on one of several reasons that cause lack of focus and distraction. They are: boredom, disinterest, understimulation, overstimulation, any form of fear, stress, overwhelm, … fill in the blank for you. This should give you an idea of why you can’t focus or pay attention.

To answer some strategies here’s one that’s worked very well for me. Figure out your tolerance level. Here’s what I mean, let’s say you are doing something you are not interested in, for me it’s paying bills. Sit down and start the task, and take note of when you begin to drift. At that point get up walk around, listen to music, dance, in short do something completely different from what you were doing. Now go back and start again. Perhaps this time instead of only five minutes you might be good for ten. What we are doing here is paying attention to your internal dialogue. Over time you may find that you’re only good for fifteen minutes. Great! Work in small fifteen minute batches and see what happens. Let me know how you make out. This goes for focus and distraction.

As for medication, without a doubt, for me, it changed my life. I recommend you go to a doctor who is knowledgeable in ADD/ADHD as well as mood disorders. If he recommends medication I suggest you try it and decide for yourself if it makes a difference. I hope that’s been informative.

- - How to actually integrate all my interests into something practical? Here’s the thing. I am somewhat paralyzed by “not knowing” how to do that. I know the ‘what’ but not the ‘how’ and it is the “how do I -” that never seems to get answered.
So let me see if I have this correct. You know what you want to do, apparently to integrate all of your interests into something practical. What is this something? If you know what you want then you need to research how to “do that”. I suggest talking to people in whatever field you are talking about who are successful and if they are willing to tell you what they did. The most important point is, what do you want? Most people do not specify what they want. I want to make a lot of money means nothing. So the question again is, what do you want. There is a process that I teach that can systematically help you decide what it is. It’s based on the following question: what are you good at? What is it that you love to do that is so natural that when you are actually doing it, you don’t even realize it. It’s something you’ve been doing all your life. For me I discovered throughout the twelve businesses I’ve been involved in the constant was getting in relationship with people. Whether I was shooting TV commercials or answering your email. Once you can determine what it is you want, then ask, what do I want to be good at? And who do I want to take care of? Feel free to contact me, I would love to talk to you more about this.

- - What is the best way to deal with the “lack of motivation” feeling that accompanies most mundane/routine/necessary activities in life?

The best way is to monitor and recognize when you are feeling less than motivated. Once you acknowledge this make a plan noting what needs to be completed and by what time. As you start each task note the amount of time it takes before you become bored or disinterested. This ‘tolerance level” becomes a place to mark – let’s say 15 minutes, maybe 30, 10, 5? Once you hit this, stop what you are doing. Change the activity and the mood. Wait at least 10 minutes. Start the task again. Monitor again. Do things is small pieces. You can get things accomplished but you must make sure you are doing so for a purpose. Make this personal and meaningful to you.

- - Why do we continue to regard this phenomenon as a psychiatric disorder?
It is a lack of understanding and prejudice against out of the box thinkers and people who take the road less traveled. Fortunately, this way of thinking is changing with the understanding that this is a bio-neurological disorder that affects the pre-frontal cortex. No amount of therapy can ever change that. This is looked upon from a medical perspective and not a behavioral one. This is the approach I take which empowers each person to go beyond the ongoing misunderstanding.