Why Are You Hiding Your ADD Personality?
By Dana Rayburn, Adult ADD Coach

Most people think they're unique, but often those of us with Attention Deficit Disorder
are truly unconventional.

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions,
perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step to the music which he hears, however
measured or far away."
--- Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854

To borrow from my favorite Thoreau quote, ADD has us march to a different
drummer. And there in lies the problem.

Starting in elementary school we're told we're weird so we often try too
hard to fit in.

As the years pass, instead of embracing our quirky selves we learn to hide
our true natures. Suppressing our personalities to keep pace with the rest
of the world's expectations.

I'm as guilty of this as anyone. Some people who have known me for years
still think I'm serious and quiet. Fitting in is like a cloak I don each time I
leave the house.

Why do we care so much what other people think? Why do we spend such
energy trying to fit in? Apologizing for our unique nature; hiding our true selves.

We're not in high school anymore. Who cares if we're a bit weird? That makes
life more interesting.

I vote we stop hiding our distinct ADD nature for one moment longer.

Okay. Some ADD characteristics are truly inappropriate and annoying and
deserve to be controlled. Let's keep the lid on things like unconscious
rudeness, arguing, talking too much and being extremely late.

Start Sharing Your ADD Traits

• How do you act when you're trying to fit in?
• How do you behave when you're being yourself?
• What parts of your suppressed personality will you
  start sharing with the world?
• What annoying behaviors will you continue to keep
  under control?

I'm willing to give it a go. Will you join me?

The Last Word

Many years before I knew about ADD, this Thoreau quote spoke to the core
of my soul.

I'd always known I was unique, that I marched to a different drummer. It wasn't
until my 30's that I knew why.

Not until, like so many people diagnosed with ADD as an adult, I read the opening
of the book "Driven to Distraction". I vividly remember sitting in my car in the
bookstore parking lot crying from relief. Finally, the mystery of why my drummer
played such a different beat was unveiled.

Rejoice in your drummer. Embrace it. The world needs people like you. People
who innovate. People with that creative, zany ADD outlook.

To Your ADDed Success,
Dana

PS. - Trouble Staying Organized? No Problem! Get your copy of Dana's book
'Organized for Life' today!

Unleash Your Power
My clients improve their productivity, increase their profits, and take control of
their life. Learn more about coaching for business people and other high
functioning adults with ADHD.

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