Since diagnosis I have mastered one new trick and come to understand why another trick I unknowningly used for years works.

Trick 1: I have learned to read efficiently. I got this from another board. I read everything whether difficult techie stuff or light reading as fast as I can. I use a light yellow pen to guide my eyes and my concentration and end up underlining every word. Usually at the end of the chapter I ask mayself: What is the big picture? I always get that. Then I ask myself, how much detail do I still need? If more detail needed, I go back with a purple pen and hit the details as fast as I can. Only important details are highlighted on pass 2. More details? Go back a third time with a red pen. Same thing and I usually annotate in column or whereever I can find space - even between lines. Third time passes are reserved for very technical stuff where a high level of detail is a must. I retain the info like a steel trap.

Trick 1 is an upgrade from my "brain pacemaker technology." I can use music or motion to keep my mind focused on reading material. Last house my wife and I owned had a steep hill in the backyard. I'd walk up and down the hill reading heady stuff. It helped me keep focus. Alternatively, I could read well while on a treadmill. Or while listening to stimulating music. But using a pen as a brain pacemaker is far more effecient in retention per time spent.

Trick 2: Like everyone else ADHD, I get bored with anything quickly. Trick 2 is to always keep moving forward. The process of continually learning about my craft keeps me interested in it. A lot of reading translates into a lot of motivation and innovation for me. I think this is fundamental skill all of us need. ADHD brains cannot rest. Either we keep growing or we die - of boredom. Creative thinking, problem solving, is not coming up with ideas out of no where. Rather, it is the combining of extant knowledge in new ways. That has been my experience.

Please share your "tricks" with me. I need to learn more.

Bob

For reading, I don't really think this is a trick, but in college, I would wait for the night or two before an exam to read a book (not scientific stuff, more poli-sci and anthropology). amazingly, because of the preasure, I'd wiz through a book within 2 hours max, pulling out all the essential details, and even being able to pick up on obscure facts that the professor would throw into the exam. It was wierd-- I would read the bare minimum to understand everything and figure out any "trick" questions. I don't think I can even repeat what I did on command--it just happens. And I would ace all the tests :-p

i have a hard time with readng. I can figurs out what most of the words are, but its hard to get the point of it, and its even hardr to remeber it later. I like the idea of going thruogh 3 time with diffrent colors. I think im going to try that.

thanks bob,

hypergeek

One of my coping skills is to have a place for everything. This is something I developed at an early age. If I didn't, everthing would be lost.

My wallet goes in the same place on the dresser, my keys go ontop of the microwave, my daytimer goes on my desk next to my phone, I even park in the same spot at work even if closer spaces are available. My coping skills are not full blown OCD, but they mimic this condition.

Another coping skill I developed at an early age was how to fall asleep. I remember as a child being told to go to bed, but not being able to go to sleep. It would be 11:30pm and I would still be awake. I found that I could think of an upcoming event, trip or toy I wanted to help get to sleep. This would make me excited, which I think helped stimulate my brain to release the correct amount of chemicals. I would fall asleep before I knew it. Wierd, huh? :confused:

My best coping skill is the same as timh.
Having a place for everything.
Also using post its, notebooks and calendar's.
And I never take on more then I can handle.
In that way all my projects get completed.
I also read a lot keep my mind active with learning new things.

I also read a lot keep my mind active with learning new things.
Speaking of learning new things .... I am all over the board. :D

Today I read things from home brew lagering techniques ...
to teachings on how to expand love by the Dali Lama ...
to how to upgrade a Cisco Catalyst 6500 switch with Supervisor 720 from "hybrid" to "native" mode. You IT network professionals might understand this last one. ;)

I close my eyes when I need to concentrate on what's being said. That shuts out other stimuli.

tim,

You just hit resonant chord.

Unfortunetly for me, I can drink very little alcohol - liver damage by HCV. HOWEVER, when out with friends I DO INDEED indulge - once a month or so. Lager class is my beer of choice.

A good friend of mine brews at home. Tells me it is no easy task. The best ingredients; yeast, malt, etc., yes, but he swears temperature is everything. So far his efforts have only produced mediocrity.

Hey, send me the formula so I can impress him with my great brewing skills. Us Adhders always need our egoes stroked. Alright, I reveal source after I have my fun.

Bob

PS Them switches aren't my problem. My web hosting company gave me my own little server. Their motive? If I bring it down, none of their other clients go with me. :(

I close my eyes when I need to concentrate on what's being said. That shuts out other stimuli.
herekittykitty,

Cool handle. That is another trick I've learned. Works like a chain gang. Until I get busted for sleeping. :eek:

Bob

PS I have a flea bitten beast named "Socks." Cute little white paws on black cat!

Works like a chain gang. Until I get busted for sleeping. :eek:

PS I have a flea bitten beast named "Socks." Cute little white paws on black cat!Bob, Bob, Bob...

You've got to stop that drooling! That'll out ya every time.

meow!

Bob, Bob, Bob...

You've got to stop that drooling! That'll out ya every time.

meow!
It's reflexive, particularly bad around full-moon. Can you help me? :D

Like most ADHD men, I am notorious for forgetting; my keys, wallet, cell phone, client files, applications, notebook, medications, snacks, spare supplies which I will need for the day either at work or on the go.

I have found having a Back Pack very helpful. It serves as a business Atache Case, holds my books and supplies, as well as medicaitons, cell phone, keys and Wallet until I put it in my back pocket. Wallet is placed in its spot in my bag when I get home so I do not wash my wallet or loose it. (I am sure we have all done that ...right guys).

It is funny I recently started doing this again, I relearned this technique from my ADHD son. I taught him this when I was in Psych Tech Nursing School many years ago. Funny he would re teach dear old dad as recently I lost my house keys, company keys, wallet 2 times, finally he said "Dad, get a back pack remember you taught me that..." Wow out of the mouth of our kids....

Aloha
Kaikona

Backpack, purse, whatever. Good idea though, I suspect my wife would love it if she could quit asking me if I have my (oft forgotten) wallet every day.

Interesting thread. I need more post its and highlighters...

Craig

All my "little" things are always put in the same spots so that way I can find them easier and I have a sense of peace about where things are at. I also keep everything the same at work...like my cell phone, keys and gum all go in the same spot everyday....now i can re-arrange my office a million times but those items always go in the same spots...

I also try to keep my mind busy...while at work it's hard cause I sit at a desk..So I'll get up and take out the trash..that helps cause I can go outside for 5 min. and breathe in the umm...fresh? air...yeah right..

I'll also mop the floors in the middle of the afternoon or make a mini-list and go to the office supply store just to get in my car and drive away..that always has me coming back refreshed and ready for an hours worth of sitting down....If I keep my mind going on different things then I can for the most part get through the day without stressing out or freaken out....

Sometimes it helps me to make a short list of things I need to do that way I can cross them off one by one through out the day and I can keep reminding my brain to stay on a task or at least do it a little at a time.

okay this is long and i'm sorry...my brain isn't working today! :)

At home things are a wreck most of the time
4 guys. My unmedicated hubby, and my 2 little ones, and myself and my teenager are only ones on meds.
So in my corner of the world. A place for everything. If they touch it they lose fingers.

To get ready for work, everything must be ready the night before , clothes out, shoes etc. I do the same thing with my kids. The night before or else.

I also use a daily planner. Stickies, and my outlook calendar at work to pop up messsages all the time!

For books I like, I need a stick of dynamite to stop reading (hyperfocus from the inattentive type)
To concentrate for reading I don't want to do, or sleeping I use a sound machine. Best thing ever.
I can't do the radio or TV to distracted, but listening to waves or rain I can concentrate,
The sound machine also allows me to do my bills without wanting to kill people!

Hope

Categorized posts:

Overcoming ADHD related learning disorders: Me, happycat, hypergeek, timh (where's my brew receipe?), herekittykitty

Organization skills: timh, stori813, Kaikona, Craig, FlyGurl, justhope

One bad mamma: justhope (hey, I know it works :D )

White noise: justhope (good stuff)

Tomfoolery: Me, herekittykitty. Don't knock it. Hard to be depressed laughing like a hyhena. Is that how you spell hyhena. I got to spell check that - yep.

Here is my report card:

Overcoming learning disorders: B
Organization skills: D
Submission to wife: F
After she freaks: A+
White noise: A+ Good for sleep - sometimes, when not in hyperfocus. Then nutin but exhaustion shuts down this ol brain.
Restarting old projects: F-

Let's start a new thread on restarting projects.

Thanks to all,
Bob