One of the reasons I came up with the term “Turbo Thinker” is that it fits all types of ADHD, including the inattentive type. I personally find the term “inattentive attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” to be both confusing and misleading. While we may appear to be just staring at the wall or daydreaming, we are in fact hyperactive in our minds. Our thoughts can be racing from one idea to another, making all sorts of connections and leaping to various conclusions. It’s the reason we can come across as “scatterbrained” or “flaky”.

Very often, our Turbo thinking brains can go down the road of rumination and regret. We may put off a project because the conditions aren’t perfect, because we fear being judged, or because we simply don’t like it. We may imagine all of the different ways in which it could go totally, absolutely 100% wrong. We may wallow in the misery of the end result when, in fact, we haven’t even taken the first step.

“Why can’t I just do it?” “Why am I so bad at this?” When clients first call, I hear this all the time. There are many coaching strategies to reverse a negative mindset and push through limited beliefs. In the short term, I try to use a two pronged approach.

Turbo Thinkers all have their own unique strengths and challenges. They also have some challenges that are common to all brains with ADHD, mostly related to executive function skills and self regulation. In my years working with Turbo Thinkers, I have also discovered some common strengths. I get to work with people who are…

So in our universe of expanding galaxies, spinning stars and swirling planets, experiences of time vary: everything’s past, present and future is relative.

I read this article and thought of how it applies to Turbo Thinking brains. Read it with an ADHD lens, and it becomes even more fascinating and sometimes funny. Are we just tapped into the universe more? I think so.

Many of my clients share Turbo Thinker superpowers. These are strengths that tend to exist in greater quantity, frequency or higher intensity than many neurotypical brains. My clients tend to be:InnovativeThey are natural problem solvers. Whereas some people can accept things the way they are, Turbo Thinkers can get frustrated with something and figure out a better, easier way to achieve it. I’ll go out on a limb and say that most of the major inventions by mankind were created and built by Turbo Thinkers.

Something that I personally struggle with is the feeling of not being ready. It’s that classic Turbo Thinker limiting belief of “I’m not good enough.” For others, it can be “My product is not good enough,” “My skills are not good enough, “I do not know enough,” or simply, “I will be rejected.”

Children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) tend to struggle with these 7 core executive dysfunctions. These executive function skills are what we work on cultivating with you at Mind Coach NOLA. Coaching works!

Have you ever been possessed by an idea that you just can’t let go? Maybe, something has been nagging at you for a long time. Maybe there has been a problem, or a level of dissatisfaction in your life for months. Maybe you have just been plain old bored, feeling that your life lacks in any form of inspiration whatsoever. Then suddenly, BAM! You have an idea that will solve all that. Not only is it a solution, but it is THE BEST IDEA EVER. Why has no one ever thought of this? It is PERFECT!

There are so many things for which to be grateful this year. Call me Pollyanna, but I am addicted to my attitude of gratitude. How can you begin to list the positive things in your life? For example, I am grateful for my sun-filled home, for my son’s sense of humor, for my daughter’s sense of responsibility, for my cat’s purrs, for my dog’s unconditional love, for my good health, etc.

To say that everyone is stressed lately is an understatement. The ADHD turbo thinking brain tends to be challenged by stress even more so because of its inability to regulate emotions. Developing the awareness and the ability to observe yourself without judgement is the first step to calming yourself down. When stress takes over, the amygdala hijacks the prefrontal cortex and your brain cannot produce rational thoughts or make wise decisions.

Myth: ADHD affects only childrenFACT: Anyone can have ADHD! Adult women very often go undiagnosed, as do adult men. Every year we learn more about the human brain and about ADHD. The general public does not yet realize that this condition affects all ages and sexes. Unfortunately, this includes many physicians and therapists as well.

What types of affirmations do work for Turbo thinkers? In my experience, the ones that work best are the ones that you make up yourself. Through a process of self discovery, you become reacquainted with your most authentic self.

Thank you, COVID-19 for providing me with the opportunity to reinvent myself. You have pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, to let go, to seek new solutions and to learn from my mistakes. You have made me the Regent of Resilience. You have thrown changes into my face, like a glass of ice water. Thanks.

The ability to keep your emotions in check does not come naturally to many Turbo Thinkers, even the adult ones! How do you pause, name your feelings, then decide how to react to a situation in a calm manner?

Laughter Challenge: How often can you laugh today? Can you laugh with someone else? A smile is contagious and laughter even more so. Can you make someone else laugh and brighten their day? Even the corniest joke might just do the trick. Fake it till you make it. Raise your oxytocin levels. Raise someone else’s. It feels great!

What is the #1 task you need to accomplish today? Rather than thinking of all that you have to do, should do and could do, narrow it down to one, two or maximum three small tasks that you want to have completed by the time you go to bed tonight. Make sure they are specific and in alignment with your purpose. Write them down and put them where you can see them. With our minds buzzing during this transition period, have a bit of compassion for yourself. Just accomplishing one thing might be good enough.

Even though October is officially ADHD awareness month, I feel that every month should be ADHD awareness month, especially in New Orleans where it is still stigmatized and misunderstood by many. I have heard so many erroneous comments like, “ADHD isn’t real.”

Adela Baker, Founder/CEO of Mind Coach NOLA, was recently featured on Molly Thayer's Control Freak podcast. Adela and Molly touched upon topics such as executive function skills, the effects of technology on the brain, and how to spark intrinsic motivation.

Listen in each week as we take a fresh and funny look at our complicated lives - covering everything from love to business to all of our freaky issues. Learn a little, laugh a lot, and get things in control…together. This is Control Freak.