First of all, students should not base their self worth on their academic performance. Report cards have no importance if a student is always doing his or her best at all times. An ideal student takes ownership of his or her own learning, fully engaging in the education process. We want all students to explore and take advantage of the opportunities offered in school, sucking the marrow out of their education.

I think that they are all related. Some people have a natural aptitude for these, while others need help to develop them. Some people have developed a few while not others. If I were pressed to choose just one, I would say that the most important is the ability to sustain attention when the task at hand is not interesting. Unfortunately, life is not interesting 100% of the time. If you can find a way to make it interesting for your brain so that you can focus, you can accomplish quite a bit.

Lao-Tzu, the father of Taoism, said something along the lines of: “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

The participants were amazing. They were all engaged, curious and willing to share. Moreover, they were all open to new ideas and eager to grow. They were brave and adventurous in their conversation.

The article is engaging and encouraging in the sense that more advancements are being made in ADHD research. Yet I don’t see ADHD as a “disorder” at all - if anything, it’s a transorder or a paraorder. The ADHD brain can think beyond what a neurotypical brain thinks in the same amount of time.  It can also think beside neurotypical thoughts, outside of the regular realm of ideas.

Executive Function: a set of processes that all have to do with managing oneself and one's resources in order to achieve a goal. It is an umbrella term for the neurologically-based skills involving mental control and self-regulation.

Do you have a relative or friend who just doesn’t want to “believe” in ADHD? Do you know someone who just doesn’t get it? You just want them to understand so that they can empathize with the gargantuan effort of trying to fit in, and can show a bit of compassion to the turbo thinker. Here’s a quick slide show that outlines how the ADHD brain affects everyday life.

"Slow Down to Get Ahead," by Mindful.org, is great reading on staying true to your purpose: are you living mindfully? Consciously taking steps in alignment with your purpose? If the answer is no, and you'd like to work on developing your purpose and your daily choices, get in touch with Mind Coach NOLA!

I got a kick out of this article from ADDitude Magazine, "Your Kids Don’t Need “Perfect.” They Need “Persistent” and “Patient," and I hope other parents of ADHD kids will too. My fave is the "ADHD Mom virtue" slide highlighting “creativity." ADHD moms and dads of ADHD-diagnosed kids are indeed geniuses at turning everything into a game and making it all fun!

Finally: a super short video about electronic devices that outlines how to take the “bad cop” out of your parenting so you can focus on a loving relationship with your child. Mind Coach NOLA highly recommends watching!

Final exams have been aced, graduation ceremonies are over, and summer is here! But don't waste it on your devices. Enjoy the weekend, and get in your green time! Here's more scientific proof that the greater the exposure to nature, the greater the attentiveness. So if you want to improve your ability to focus, get out in nature. 

I have a question for you: Which social media network or social media accounts have their grip on you? Which accounts draw you in? And how do you manage your time when you feel the siren song of these entities, luring your attention away from your work, your family and friends, or your downtime? (Or is browsing social media what you do in your downtime?)

"The Power of a Well-Crafted To-Do List" offers a basic structure for planning: from the overwhelming to-do list, to an actual plan that is realistic and flexible. It’s a way you can create your own success and celebrate your accomplishments daily.

It's time for another guest blog post from Mind Coach NOLA at NOLA Family Mag! This one is titled "Cheetah." Why, you ask? You'll have to read it to find out! 

Continuing on this week's theme of time and procrastination, the article "Are You Time Blind? 12 Ways To Use Every Hour Effectively," at ADDitude Magazine, is probably the best and simplest explanation on time blindness with easy techniques to try out. Rather than trying them all at one, enlist the help of a coach to help figure out what strategies will work best for you, so that you can stick with them and create life long habits.

How bad is your procrastination problem? Is it just a random occurrence with certain tasks you dislike, or is it a chronic condition? Take this test, "How Seriously Do You Procrastinate," to find out.

Here are some handy tips for parents and teachers on helping kids set realistic goals, and how to encourage and praise effort and progress, with the end goal of ultimately achievement. My favorite is: Set a family goal that everyone can contribute to. 

Perhaps you are new to the tribe of ADHD. Perhaps you have been reading and researching for years online. How much do you actually know? How much is true? Take this short quiz from a trusted resource to find out. The answers provide brief and direct explanations that you can use in conversations with friends, family, teachers, co-workers and anyone else you might know. Help me educate the world on ADHD.

Don't forget! On Tuesday, May 15th at 6:30 - 8 pm, and Thursday, May 17th at 8:30 - 10 am, join Mind Coach NOLA and Lolo's Youth Yoga Studio (6107 Magazine St.) for an interactive and intimate workshop, "Mindful Parenting For Modern Times."

I find Dr. Amen’s work fascinating. I find it incredible that we know so little about the brain in comparison to the rest of human anatomy, and yet it is our most vital organ. Luckily there is more and more brain research every day as the field grows in leaps in bounds…