Barbara Jordan

As you may know, coaching is emerging as another way of helping people with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). But, what exactly is this "coaching"? Generally, ADD coaching involves a collaborative relationship that is very goal-driven, structured, and focused on helping the client create practical strategies to accomplish specific goals. Highly individualized, the relationship focuses on the unique needs of the particular client and addresses many areas of life: work, exercise, nutrition, stress/time management, relationships, social activities, recreation, finances, sleep, etc.

It’s kind of funny that I spoke to members of the Wisconsin Counselors Association last week about social media marketing. And, now I’m writing a blog regarding it? Me, teaching other counseling professionals how to use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Wordpress to share their expertise? Wow. Over a year ago, I was clueless! I knew very little and did even less to position myself as an expert online. Well, that is slowly changing. I think I’m doing all of this so that I can learn what I desperately need to learn. And, what better way to learn than by teaching others?

When I provide training on Coaching Skills for Clinical Supervisors, I ask workshop participants to write their Clinical Supervision obituary. I ask them, “When you’ve worked your last day, what do you want people to say about you? Include:

Have you found yourself repeating phrases like these: “I never have enough time to get it all done.” “How am I supposed to exercise, relax, or take time off? I just don’t have the time.” or “The faster I work, the behind-er I get”? Do you find yourself feeling like you’re racing the clock or working against time? Well, don’t fear. Using time management methods can help you manage your stress, organize your life, and control your time. You can put time on your side. You’ll learn to make time work for you, not against you.

We live in a culture that rewards sooner, more, better, faster. It’s almost as if society is telling us “if you’re not busy, not stressed, you’re not important.” When you buy into this lifestyle, you feel overcommitted and overwhelmed. Spending too much time on the job and too little time with family has become a chronic problem in America, as in many other countries worldwide. In today’s volatile economy with high unemployment, people fearful of losing their jobs slight their personal or family time.