Posted by coachkimcollins on January 13, 2012
Maybe instead of looking at what you want this year, you should look at who you want to be.
Here is an exercise to help you figure it out:
- Take a blank piece of paper and write at the top “I want to be a person who…”
- Then, set a timer for 60 seconds and write down all the words that come to your mind without censoring or erasing.
- Next, take this list of words and phrases and find pictures, images, and even songs – anything that evokes a visual or emotional representation of your words.
- Put these items in a physical folder or a digital folder. Set a recurring reminder to look at these things on the first of every month.
- By the end of the year you can evaluate if you have become the person you wanted to be.
Posted in Personal Development | Tagged: Exercise, reminder, timer | Leave a Comment »
Posted by coachkimcollins on January 10, 2012
It’s a New Year and you know what that means… New Year’s Resolutions. And, if you are like most people, “Getting Organized” is somewhere on your list.
Well, now is a good time for it because, January is Get Organized Month!
Getting Organized doesn’t have to as hard as it seems. There are lots of resources to help get started and stay organized.
- If you have continually tried to get organized but you just can’t do it on your own, maybe it’s time to call in a professional. Check out the National Association of Professional Organizers to see what they do and to find someone in your area.
- If you are not ready or can’t afford a professional, maybe you can find someone to be a body double (someone who is willing to just sit in the same room with you while you organize your stuff). Consider asking a local CHADD member to be your body double and then you can reciprocate.
- If you have a lot of old tech gadgets cluttering up your up your life, check out this article on Mashable: 10 Ways to Trade Your Old Electronics for Cash.
- If you have a lot of junk that you want removed – consider calling a junk removal company like 1-800-GOT-JUNK. They ensure that your junk gets recycled, donated, or disposed of responsibly.
- There is a new organizing magazine called Getting Organized that has a lot of wonderful tips and resources; you can even get a digital subscription so it doesn’t add more clutter to your environment.
- When you have gotten rid of the clutter – it’s time for the fun part…Organizing the things you have. Visit My Clever Container Shop to see what fun new organizing products are in the new 2012 catalog!
Posted in Organizing | Tagged: Body Double, CHADD, Get Organized Month, Getting Organized Magazine, junk removal, national association of professional organizers, New Year's Resolutions, organizing products | Leave a Comment »
Posted by coachkimcollins on January 10, 2012
Wow, it’s already the second week on January and I feel like I’m already behind. Did the New Year sneak up on you, because it certainly did for me.
As I get older time seems to go by faster and faster. That’s why I think it’s important to slow down and think about how you are spending your time, what really matters to you, and appreciating where you are right now.
I was starting to feel bad that I was late sending out a New Year’s post but in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter? No!
Better late than never – I am posting Happy New Year to Everyone!
“Don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff.”
― Richard Carlson
Posted in Holidays | Tagged: happy new year, New Year, richard carlson, small stuff | Leave a Comment »
Posted by coachkimcollins on December 9, 2011
This year I’ve decided to take some of the mental stress and financial fatigue out of the holidays. When one of my friends told me that she was frantically trying to get her holiday shopping done. I took this opportunity to suggest that we not exchange Christmas gifts this year but instead, celebrate the holidays by giving the gift of sharing our time together. With some relief, she said that was a great idea and she would love to just get together over the holiday vacation.
It seems that everyone I have suggested this to is filled with relief that they don’t have another gift to get or receive. Gift giving and receiving can be a burden especially in a down economy when people are unsure about their financial and job situation.
So, I have pledged this year to put a twist on giving gifts. Here are some ideas:
- Share the gift of spending time with someone instead of exchanging material goods
- If you really want to give something – make a donation to a charity in their name.
- And, if you are tired of struggling to choose the “perfect” gift for someone, why not give them the gift of buying their own gift. Buying gift cards can be a great alternative to traditional holiday shopping. First of all, you can buy gift cards just about anywhere. Second, it takes the pressure out of finding the “perfect” gift and ensures the recipient gets exactly what he or she wants.
Here are a few more holiday ideas:
- You know those photos that you always say that you will get around to organizing? Here’s a great solution – Ritz Camera has a service where you can bring in all your old photos and they will scan them and make a CD or DVD for about $50 for 400 photos.
- Do you know someone who needs the gift of organization? How about a subscription to the new magazine Getting Organized! You can buy a digital or print subscription.
- Check out this online topic: Handling Holiday Stress and ADHD:
| Who: |
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Marie Paxson, former CHADD president |
| When: |
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Wednesday, Dec.14, 2011, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Eastern time) |
| What: |
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Handling Holiday Stress with ADHD |
Does the upcoming holiday season conjure images of family togetherness, decorated homes, elaborate meals and feelings of peace, joy, and harmony? Maybe it just…doesn’t? We all recognize the “perfect” holiday is pretty unrealistic. But individuals and families affected by ADHD have an even tougher time experiencing even some of the joys of the season. Luckily, there are solutions and strategies available to pave the way for a more peaceful holiday season and some easy-to-implement backup plans if things fall apart.
CHADD Past President Marie Paxson tackles questions on the upcoming holiday season and ADHD stress in our December Ask the Expert Chat. Participants will get the chance to ask how they can make the season merrier by facing holiday stress head-on and plan events where ADHD symptoms are a concern.
Please click here at 2:45 PM (Eastern time) the day of the chat and follow the instructions on that page to sign in and participate. This is an online chat only and there is no audio.Transcripts: Available to CHADD members one week following the chat.
Posted in Holidays, Organizing | Tagged: Getting Organized Magazine, Gift Giving, Holidays, Ritz Camera | Leave a Comment »
Posted by coachkimcollins on November 14, 2011
I have recently begun working on a project powered by AARP, YouTube, MyAssist, and other key partners. The Life Reimagined Project asks the question “What’s Next” in your life? As an ADHD Coach I typically work with clients on a more micro level of discovery. However, looking at the big picture of “What’s Next” is an important aspect in creating your own future.
The Life Reimagined Project invites people of all ages and stages of life to share their stories of inspiration, discover their strengths, and connect to mentors and peers who will support and help them further their dreams.
I hope that you will join me in helping yourself as well as others, reimagine their lives. This is a great opportunity to educate those who are not familiar with how ADHD truly impacts people. And, it will give you a chance to share your wisdom and experience with those who are struggling to make their way through the ADHD maze.
This is the alpha stage of this project and any feedback you provide will make this a great place to Inspire, Discover, and Connect!
Join me at The Life Reimagined Project and make a difference!
Posted in Personal Development | Tagged: AARP, Life Reimagined Project, Mentoring, What's Next | Leave a Comment »
Posted by coachkimcollins on November 1, 2011
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Use a timer to get you started on something that feels overwhelming. Set it for 5 minutes to just get started.
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Use a timer to keep you moving. For example, if you want to clean several rooms in the house, set the timer for a 20 minute work session in each room.
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Use the timer to create a sense of urgency. Only allow yourself 45 minutes to work on or finish up a project.
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Use the timer to take a break. Set your timer for a 5 – 10 minute break several times a day.
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Use the timer to track your time use. Increase your time estimation skills by actually timing how long certain routine tasks really take. For example – do you know how long you really take in the bathroom? Time it and find out!
Posted in Clever Container Products, Productivity, Time Management | Tagged: Clever Container, Timers | Leave a Comment »
Posted by coachkimcollins on September 6, 2011
Are you listening to your body? If you were to check in with your body right now, what would it tell you? Would it tell you that you are hungry, thirsty, tired, stressed, that you’ve been sitting at the computer too long, or that you have to go to the bathroom?
I tell my clients all the time that if you don’t listen to your body – eventually it will be heard!
Listening to your body is particularly difficult when you have ADHD. If you are constantly distracted by things or get easily caught in hyper-focus, it’s hard to remember to pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Ignoring messages of pain and discomfort can eventually have permanent repercussions. So, it’s important that you set up a system that reminds you to check in with yourself.
- Establish a timeframe to check in with yourself, like every 30, 60, or 90 minutes.
- Decide what you will ask yourself during your check in. For example, what do I need to start doing or stop doing to feel focused and energized right now?
- Choose a reminder tool to use like your computer, your cell phone or a habit changing device called MotivAider.
Posted in ADHD, Health Habits | Leave a Comment »
